Alanna's e-Communication Blog

Vector Portrait Pre-Production: I used a photograph of my lovely bunny, Gunter. It was difficult finding a flattering picture of him, since he's rather camera shy. However, once I found one that I liked and was clear enough, I imported the image, then posterizing the image in photoshop. Gunter was a fun subject, since he's very cute and always seems to have some sort of expression in his body language. Production: It was difficult to work with the pen tool in illustrator, just due to layer errors or the vector lines not turning out exactly how I wanted them. However, I did work out all the issues and learned more about how to use the pen tool. I moved the layers into different body parts and tried to work better with layering the different colors and pieces. I did try to use repetition in the colors, but contrasted the mostly monotone colors of Gunter with the blue background. Post-Production/Final Product: Overall, I do like how this image turned out. That might ...

Typography I found quotes fairly easy to find, but picking which quotes to use was difficult. Finding fonts was easy, since I knew which tones I wanted to go for with specific words or messages. Using Illustrator proved to be difficult, but I worked with it and slowly got used to the different tools and functions. I figured out a lot of tool functions during this. Most of my typing was done to be centered or to align with the other words for balance. Color was interesting, and I preferred it more than black and white since the image felt more whole. I like how they turned out, actually. I included screenshots of my favorite black and white ones along with my favorite colored quotes.

Performance Landscape Man We were assigned to photoshop images over his jacket and shirt to create a "Landscape Man," as it was called. This took around a week of class, but I came in a lot during lunch and after school to get it finished, since I was behind. I had a whole lot of difficulty in remembering how to use different tools of photoshop. With doing that, I had to relearn a lot of photoshop tools, so that was incredibly difficult. After I finished, I did get compliments, mostly due to its difference from most other projects. Most people were using forest scenes or nature, but I couldn't work with that, so I went with a cityscape. I really like this one, actually. It has such bright colors and contrast, so this really appeals to my favorite color palettes. Panorama This project was a panorama of photographs that follow a certain theme. My theme was childhood memories. We spent around two weeks in class, I believe, but I took a while and had to spend time ...

Watercolor Prints      During this process we printed out one photoshop project we completed, making two copies. We also colored pieces of paper with watercolor. After the colored papers were dry, we put mod podge on them in a thick coat. Then we placed the printed projects onto them, flattening it out and removing any excess mod podge with a squeegee. We let them dry, then using water and our fingers to wash off the print paper from the colored paper until it was smooth. Once that was done, they dried again and then we had finished the transfer prints.      I found this to be a nice break from all the photoshop we had been doing in class. It was difficult and confusing, but it was better than photoshop. During the course of this, I struggled with understanding directions, but did my best to follow them. I believe I did well when it came to watercolor, which was something I enjoyed. In my opinion, this has been the best project in graphic design so far...

Printing Processes Relief Printing It is a printing process where a person carves an image into a block of linoleum or wood. -Tone block with jet black film ink wash or Indian Ink wash. -Transfer drawing onto wood or linoleum block. -Cut image into block. -Roll ink over block. -Set thin piece of paper onto the block. -Apply gentle pressure with a baren to the block evenly. -Check the print, then pull up the piece of paper that now has the print copied onto it. Intaglio Printing This method has the artist carve the image onto a black ground of a metal plate, then use acid to deepen the ruts in the metal. -Prepare plate by polishing and cleaning it. -Apply a ground onto the plate -Smoke the plate on the side with the ground. -Scratch out image on the ground of the plate -Etch the plate by placing it into a form of acid for 15 minutes, which will deepen the scratches on the ground. -Pull out the plate and rinse it. -Put the plate back into the...

Panorama      Home, my home, to be exact. Many memories are involved with simply the idea of home. The familiar sights of the blue paint in my room, noises of family talking or dogs going in an out into the back yard, or the specific and unique scent every home has. I recognize the sound of each family member's steps as they walk around the house. The sight of quick movement when my rabbit is running around the living room. The noise of dogs wandering around and the clicking their nails against the wood or tile.      In my life, I travel to different family members. I go to my grandmother's house on my mother's side. Her home is always very clean and quiet. My grandmother's house on my father's side is very loud and busy with people. I also visit my cousins in Saint Louis. It is a nice drive there, and they are always friendly. Family has always been key while I was growing up.      There are the experiences of home. Experiences suc...