Unit 03 Produce craft work

Time Plan

Research Four Digital Artists And Analysis

12/09/11 – I researched four different artists who work with photo manipulation then analysed one piece of their work each.

Ideas And Concepts

19/09/11 – I created a mind map involving ideas for my final design, i also created five thumbnail sketches to help me find a design I like.

Present Ideas And Concepts

24/09/11 – I presented my ideas in a small group of three and got feedback for all my ideas. 

Experimentation

14/09/11 – 20/09/11 - I learned many new techniques using Photoshop and also new tools to help improve my photo manipulation skills.

Final Output Rendering

21/09/11 – 27/09/11 - I shall have my final poster finished on Photoshop. 

Print Final Output
27/09/11


Working Safely With Computers
Today we completed a quiz which helped us become more aware of ways to keep safe and healthy whilst working and using computers. I learned a lot of new information, and even  a lot of new ways to keep comfortable whilst working. I also learnt about different ways of adjusting monitors and things to do whilst on breaks to help keep healthy.

 



3.1.1/3.1.2/3.2.1/3.2.2/3.2.4/3.3.1/3.3.2/3.3.3

Task Four - Final Design

After a lot of time and preparation I decided on my second idea - a roulette wheel with the Earth spinning around it, I also developed the idea further to help get my point across.
The main point of this idea is to show that everything in this world seems to be random, but really, people are blinded by the truth that there is always a leader that chooses the decisions.

This is my source image, to start with I used a similar    image but with a birds eye view, I soon decided to use this one instead and it worked very well for what I wanted to achieve because of the low down angle.

I then added this image of the earth into my original background. I cut out the earth using the magic wand tool and scaled it down to size. There were many different spots I could have paced the earth, I finally decided on making it look at though it was moving - to do this I duplicated the image of the earth several times, each one smaller than the other. I then lowered the opacity of each one to roughly 70% which gives the effect of them spinning around the roulette wheel.

The first Earth I added at full opacity to give it a bold impact. I then added a white glow effect on the right side of it by right clicking on the layer and selecting 'Blending Options'. I also used the 'Burn Tool' with a size similar to the Earth image to create a shadow.

I then used the 'Clone Stamp Tool' to duplicate the image of the Earth, I used a smaller size than the original and lowered the opacity to 70%. I then used the 'Burn Tool' to create another shadow.

I then did the same again, using the 'Clone Stamp Tool' to create another Earth, this time with a smaller size and a lower opacity of 45% - also creating a shadow using the 'Burn Tool.

And the same again.. Also this time with a smaller size and a lower opacity of 30% and once again creating a shadow using the 'Burn Tool'

After I finished creating each Earth I went over them all gently with the 'Dodge Tool' to make them lighter as they appeared quite dark when scaling with the opacity.

The next step of my final design was to create a symbol or structure of some sort to represent a 'Leader'. The idea was to replace the spinner on top of the roulette wheel with this structure. After searching many images that would fit the scene I came across a king chess piece which was perfect for what I wanted to achieve.

I in putted the chess piece to represent a 'Leader' icon, I selected 'Blending Options' and created a drop shadow on the left hand side. I then used the dodge tool to make the right side brighter to blend with the surroundings.

The next step was to remove the access background and create a more dramatic scene. Using the pen tool I cut around the scene behind the roulette wheel along with the vertical wooden strip along the roulette wheel.

I used this image of space to go with the style of the piece, I then in putted the image behind the background. Then using the 'Clone Stamp Tool' here and there to cover up unwanted parts. I then merged the layers, increased the contrast and used the 'Burn Tool' help blend the background with the image of space together. I then used the 'Clone Stamp Tool' to cover up the reflection of the spinner that was on top of the roulette wheel.

Finally I then in putted the Revolution Art logo to my final image to give it a poster like look.

Evaluation of Final Design

This was all in all a great final outcome for me, I really enjoyed every part of creating the image from the start to finish. There were many parts of it that took time and concentration which helped me adapt my knowledge in new ways of manipulating, new techniques and tools such as cutting around images using the pen tool which I find it easier than other methods and merging layers, then changing image settings to help the scene blend. There were also a few parts which didn't go so well, I struggled to make the chess piece blend in with the rest of the image at first, but after some time fiddling with the blending options I managed to make it fit in. For the future I will remember to create more evidence during my research and creating final outcomes. Looking back, I could have created some sort of image that is associated with a leader and placed it on the chess piece to make the message more clear.

Unit 02 Explore materials, tools and techniques to support craft ideas

Exploring Photoshop


2.1.1/2.1.2/2.1.3/2.1.4/2.1.5/2.2.1/2.2.2/2.2.3/2.2.4 - Task Three
Making minor imperfections.

This is the source image I began with, I wanted a close up picture of a face that doesn't involve hair or any sort of background so this image was perfect for what I was looking for.

 I began with decreasing the saturation to get a natural look. I then used the Sponge Tool to gently soak up some of the colour from the person's lips. I then used the Burn Tool along with the Dodge Tool to create gentle patches of light and shadows. Although this process is hardly noticeable; the outcome of more manipulation was too noticeable.

This is the final image I produced using all the tools mentioned above.

Full out - manipulate the same or similar image into a zombie.

This is the new image I started with:

To start off with I used the Sponge Tool to remove colour in the person’s lips. I then used the Burn Tool to create the effect of bags underneath the eyes.

I used the Liquify Filter to distort the eyes, nose and lips to give the person a creepy, sinister facial expression along with magnified eyes.

I then decreased the saturation within her face and fiddled with the colour balance to create a great pale zombie look.

I used the Burn Tool around the lips and eyes to give a dark shadowed effect.

I then used the Pen Tool to draw around the clothing and removed the colour. I then used the Blur Tool around the eyes to make them cloudy. Lastly, I used the Brush Tool to create wrinkles around the face then covered them with the Burn Tool to create the ultimate zombie effect.

Super Impose three images into a background of some sort.

This is the source image that I started with, I wanted an image that had plenty of room to manipulate some images into but at the same time not too dull, I also wanted a nice sunlight to help create some good shadows.

I then added an image of an elephant, something original and easy. I used the magic Wand tool to select the white background around the elephant and then removed it so that it would fit in with the source image.

Even though the elephant already has a shadow I removed it using the Magic Wand tool and created my own as the purpose of the demo was to learn. To create the shadow I copy and pasted a new elephant, filled it with black, flipped it and lowered the opacity to scale with the surroundings.

I then added an image of an aeroplane, once again I removed the background using the magic wand tool with tolerance set to 20 then put it in the original image, scaled it down to size and tweaked the contrast and brightness to help it blend in.

To make the aeroplane fit in even more, using a thin, fine brush I gently created some contrails coming out the back with an opacity of 60%.













Finally, I added a simple image of a man walking, there was no background included with this image so I just dragged it straight into the original image then scaled it down to size. I then created a shadow for the man by duplicating him, filling him in black, rotating to match and finally lowering the opacity to 70%

Create a flag using a specific technique.

We were given a demo on how to create a flag using this technique. Firstly I created a new file in Photoshop with the dimensions of 1000pixels in height by 667pixels in width. I then used the rectangular marquee Tool to create a rectangle then copied it three times and filled them with colour using the Paint Bucket Tool to create the base of the flag. I also added a filter - Sponge to create a nice effect.

I then created some decal by using the Custom Shape Tool then using the Liquify Tool. I created some text using the Text tool, I then warped it to give it a different look. After that I merged all the layers into one.

I then opened up a new file with the same dimensions. We were then given a link to the image below. This is the image that we used to create the texture of the image. I then made it black and white (grey scale) to remove the yellow tint. 

I then selected Filters, Blur, Gaussian Blur and changed the pixels from 1.0 to 3.0. I copied the image onto my original flag design on a new layer and changed the size to fit. I then selected the the drop down window located within the layers tab and selected multiply which created this effect.

Learn to use the Text Tool with Pathways.

 We were given a demo today on how to use the text tool in more detail, changing the scales of width and hieght bewtween each word etc. The screenshot below is the window with all the settings, we fiddled around with them changing different sizes and heights.

 

After learning about the Text Tool inside and out we put it to use. Using the Custom shape tool then selecting the middle button 'paths' i drew a shape. The special thing about the shape is that i can select certain areas of it and type using the Text Tool and the text will flow aorund the shape like so.

 

Creating your own Word Art.

We were given another demo, this time we were asked to create some text using the Text Tool, select the Warp Text tool and select the warp you want. then hold CMD and click on the present layer which will bring up the 'crawling ants'. I then selected a fine, smooth brush with a relatively small size, picked a colour and swiped it across part of the word. Then do the same again until the word was covered in different colours to create a great effect.

Creating Word Art using Wordle.

We were asked to create word art using yet again a different technique. This time we used a website http://www.wordle.net/ this website allows you to create randomised word art which you can change according to your liking.

  

Unit 01 Research and develop craft ideas

Guidelines for graphics artists

Dimensions:
550pix/920pix Or 550pix/460pix - DPI 300

The theme is 'I Demand' this can be anything, freedom, power, money, etc. Do not include self promotion items, spam, internet, addresses, emails, watermarks, company logos or overprints in the artwork. The use of the Revolutionart logo can be used but is not mandatory.

1.1.4/1.2.1/1.2.2/1.2.3 - Task Two

I Demand

This is my Spider Diagram for the theme I Demand. We started with creating simple ideas that branched into new ideas that become more detailed and accurate helping me come up with a final idea for my design. 

Initial Idea 1

This is my first idea, it is a symbol of fighting back for justice, all my ideas are based around freedom. The idea of three fists shows a display of violence. Simple, yet similar idea to a Revolution Art design.


Feedback: One peer agrees that the idea is similar to the Revolution Art design


Another says that it conveys the image of violence well.

Initial Idea 2

This is my second design, I used the Ying Yang symbol as a sign of equal rights, to then adapt the symbol I placed it on a pair of scales which is balancing with nothing, the idea is to represent that equal rights it's free.




Feedback: One peer mentioned that it could create an opposite meaning that equal rights is scaled with nothing. He also suggested that with a slightly different scene it could create a good message.

Initial Idea 3

This is my third idea, I used the Ying Yang symbol again to represent equal rights, this idea is to show that anyone can get knocked down.   

Feedback, One peer said that if the idea was adapted to create a better meaning it could work well, but otherwise, not great.

Initial Idea 4

This is my fourth idea, once again I used the Ying Yang symbol. This idea is suppose to convey the message that even something tiny can accomplish big goals.


Feedback, Both peers suggested that the idea could work if the actual image had more detail and went in more depth as it's a bit plain, but with more work the idea could be good.

Initial Idea 5

This is my fifth idea, the aim of it was to create a surreal scene of clouds filled with objects escaping out of a door, I'm not completely sure on the main point of this idea but I think that if I continued with it and adapted the idea further it would be a great design.




Feedback, One peer agreed that if the idea was adapted further it could create a great poster but for the time being it wasn't a great design.
Another peer said it would look really good if designed well.  

Final Design idea (Adapted)

After all the feedback given I decided to stick to the symbol style but changed the Ying Yang image to the Earth because I hope will represent everything that inhabits it which I can then use well with other aspects to include in my final design. I then searched images to find an image that shows an outcome for the world to be placed in. After a lot of searching i came across an image of a roulette wheel, i decided to use it to represent the idea of choices being random and free.

I also got some feedback from my tutor, who suggested that I should involve more into the image by removing the background and importing an image that scaled with the theme.


He also suggested that I should do something with the spinner (top part of the roulette wheel) change it for a new