Crazy Examples of the Possibilities of Using Photoshop

The website Ants Magazine: Best of Design and Technology, is a great resource for inspiration as well as links to designers work and tutorials. I came across the article, "Daily Inspiration #2 Amazing Photoshop Works!" and was "amazed" by the designs. Check out the article HERE and also take a look at the site for more ideas that could help your designs.

This design was created by adnrey. Check out his deviant site here.

- PHOTOSHOP -

Well it's that time. We have been working with Adobe Illustrator for the first quarter and now we are going to begin working with Adobe Photoshop. As you learn more about the program you will notice many benefits and new techniques that it has to offer. Your thought process will change a bit when planning out designs as you will be using more of your own photographs. Think of interesting ways to include your own images and continue to push beyond the first solution and towards more complex problem solving.

Questions to think about for the quarter:
1. In what way can the use of photography enhance your work?
2. What inspires you?
3. How can you take this inspiration and turn it into a visual form?
4. What messages would you like to state in your work?
5. How could you possibly use these new computer art skills in the future?
6. What possible projects would you like to do while in Electronic Design?

Monday April 25 Assignment

Creativity Exercise

You will be working in Illustrator for the next assignment. Set up your document to 8.5x11.
Try out this exercise using the Pathfinder tool (Divide) in Illustrator.....
Here are samples and the handout.

Taken from Mr. Powers at:WAWACDESIGN

Matt Cusick - Painter/Collage

I stumbled across the artist Matt Cusick the other day that has mind blowing collages. He uses maps as the primary source of imagery. Think about how in design you can go beyond using the computer and incorporate mixed media and hand drawn elements into your designs. There are many possibilities to creating designs. Go beyond the first solution and try new and innovative approaches to your work.

Take a look at his site HERE.

Evgeny Kiselev

I stumbled across Evgeny Kiselev recently who creates some beautiful abstract designs.
Lets take a look to see more of his work for inspiration. Check it HERE.

Josh LaFayette

JOSH LAFAYETTE
Check out this designer I came across. He has a really cool style and a sense of sarcasm in his work. Here is his Bio taken from his website:

"Josh LaFayette is the name. Mind the capital F. I am 25 years old; I have no idea who I am. Nevertheless, here's some "official" info and a photo:
In December 2008, I graduated from Auburn University with a BFA in Graphic Design. My professional experience is defined by a summer internship at Alphabet Arm Design in 2008, a spot as the sole graphic designer at Mammoth Printshop in '08 and '09, and a hefty amount of freelance design. In the summer of '09, I left Mammoth for a move to Florence, Italy with Lou. I spent six months in Florence developing my skills as a human.I have a deep love for all things hand-rendered, and I love creating in general. I am available for freelance design and illustration, and I am always down with a collaboration."

You can get to his site HERE.

Who's That Designer?!

Learning more about Graphic Designers will not only introduce you to new styles of design, but give you the opportunity to learn more about contemporary practices in design. Is there a particular style you like? Are you drawn to poster or CD designs? Do you like activist, voting or political posters?
Each designer holds a personal style. What is it about their style that you like? Is the use of clean lines and typography or photomontages and specific imagery to portray a message?

Your job is to research a graphic designer and create a 13x19 poster that represents them.
Requirements for the poster are:
1) 13x19
2) Provide background info.
3) Show and describe a design of theirs.
4) Include at least 4 (credited) images.
5) The poster should be made in the style of the designer.

These links may help you start your search for designers.

http://www.designtalkboard.com/design-articles/famous-designers.php
http://designreviver.com/inspiration/30-inspiring-poster-designs/
http://www.commarts.com/creative
http://www.graphicdesignblog.org/us-graphic-designers/

What's your Favorite Food?? - Minimalist Package Design

Design in the early 21^st century has taken on a very minimalist look with clean lines and easily readable font selection. Designers showcase the particular object or food through specific imagery that is relevant to the object. The font, color selections and overall shape of the container are crucial in emitting the feeling of the object inside.

For the next assignment you are going to create a minimalist package design to celebrate your favorite food. Take a look at the handout to learn more about the assignment.

Take a look at 50 Beautiful and Effective Package Designs for some great examples. For more examples check out 36 Beautiful Packaging Designs for Inspiration.

For Package Design Templates go to: ForDesigners.com, Ginkopress.com

Blog It Up Dogg!

For today's post we are going to make a slideshow of your designs to put on your blog. This way you can show off your work to the viewers and it also add as a nice look to your blogs.

The Second part of the blog posting today is to upload your Kick Butt's Poster and Quote Designs. For the Quote Design answer the 3 Questions from Handouts tab of the class blog.

How we Make a Slideshow:
1) Go to the website: Picasa Web Albums
2) Sign in or make an account. Your sign-in will be the user name and password you use for your blog. - If making an account, make sure you write down your user name and password to remember.
3) The top of the next page will show the tabs: HOME - MY PHOTOS - EXPLORE
Next to Explore says upload. Click on upload.
4) Title the album and set the visibility to Public on the Web. Click Continue.
5) Click: Choose Photos to Upload.
6) Upload your jpeg or gif files of your work.
7) When done click OK on the bottom right of the screen.

8) Sign into your blog and go to the DESIGN tab.
9) On the right hand side will be a link that says ADD A GADGET. Click that.
10) Scroll down to Slide Show and add that.
11) Title it whatever you want.
SOURCE: should be Picasa Web Album.
OPTION: Album.
USERNAME: Enter your user name.
ALBUM: Select the album you just made.
Set the SPEED and OPTIONS then click OK.

There you go!!!