tdp

text in flash

2010-11-22T18:10:00.000-08:00

In this assignment we had to animate a verb using the 5 tweening methods.

windmill advert

2010-11-08T21:09:00.000-08:00

The point of this exercise is to get familiar with the transform Palette.

Using our own artwork, we created an advert for "Nancy's Windmill Cottages" (see below).

ease-in / ease-out

2010-11-03T20:10:00.000-07:00

To create a more natural movement to the previous exercise "tweening methods". You can use the edit curve adjustment tool, as I have done here.

tweening methods

2010-11-02T21:34:00.001-07:00

In this exercise we practised using TWEENS in Flash.

First we had to create a symbol and then select it from the libary. Once you have placed your tween on the keyframe, you can then apply different types of effects (see my submissions below).

how did I host my flash movie?

2010-11-02T20:26:00.000-07:00

I received lots of help from the 'Flash Forum' and Mary has provided a solution to this in her blog.

I used the free hosting site "Google Sites". I loaded my swf file's onto my new website and from the files info I just added the file name to the end (as per Chris's suggestion in the Forum). This gave me my URL address which I then added to my blog.

Good luck!

keyframe animation cont.

2010-11-02T20:15:00.000-07:00

Chris gave me a great link on how to create a more convincing bird.

Take a look!

keyframe animation

2010-11-01T17:55:00.001-07:00

I think I am slowly improving. I got a little carried away with this one, I started with a basic idea and then it developed into so much more.

animated apples

2010-10-12T03:13:00.001-07:00

In this lesson we learnt about keyframe animation in it's basic form.

We used 20 apples from our '100 apples exercise' and created a basic 2d animation.

drawing in flash

2010-10-10T23:37:00.001-07:00

This was my first experience using Flash. I found the drawing tools a little tricky and time consuming to begin with but with practice it seemed to get easier.

bringing it all together

2010-10-07T18:17:00.000-07:00

For this Module Assessment we needed to design a mock-up of a web page.

As a theme, I decided to do a travel site on Tasmania.

All the images used, are photos that have been taken in the past 2 years. The map of Tasmania I drew in Illistrator.

I used a typical green and blue colour scheme. I had fun playing with different gradient effects in Photoshop, in the outer and inner background, the hero shot and the footer.

png image with transparency

2010-09-23T23:06:00.000-07:00

I found this activity really easy! We had to create a simple logo, save it as a transparent png and then test it on an existing background.

The result:

backgrounds for web pages

2010-09-21T18:49:00.000-07:00

In this lesson we used different methods to create different backgrounds for our web page.

Here is one of my creations using Method 4 - a repeated image at 2px tall:

the result:

See my other examples on Flickr'

We also had to find background images from other peoples websites that we like.
I chose the below background because this is the first time I have come across anything like this. The designer has blended 2 photos and some effects in Photoshop and what emerged is this wonderful unique textured background with different elements of light coming through.

The designer describes it as a "organic textured background" and if you click on the below link to the website, she demonstrates how she achieved this effect.

http://alifelski.com/blog/creating_your_own_organic_textured_backgrounds/

using layer masks

2010-09-20T00:25:00.001-07:00

In Activity 7 we practiced working with layer masks and the linear fade effect in Photoshop.

For the hero shot I used my phone - "HTC Desire". I have used 2 images for the background (see below), clouds imitating the weather feature on the phone. At the bottom of the advert I added a black linear gradient fade effect.

To demonstrate the image quality of the phone and the different screen size, I used the quick mask method in Photoshop to insert an image of my cat.

The first photo below was taken in Devonport, Tasmania. The second photo was taken on the top of table mountain, Cape Town, SA.

100 apples in 100 ways

2010-09-14T00:00:00.000-07:00

I finally completed my apple assignment!

My method of design: I first drew the apples in black and then scanned them in and adjusted the size and colour in Photoshop. I tried to stick with the idea of it being a logo and then, I broke them down in 10's each set representing a theme eg. apple in stripes, slices etc. this made it a whole lot easier.

My best solution: A green apple representing a person. With the stem portraying a head and a hand in front...I thought this fitted in well with my blog advert.

See my flickr' for the other 99

making selections and combining images

2010-08-25T22:20:00.000-07:00

In this assignment we had to select 'Kathy's car' (see image below) using the Quick Mask method in Photoshop and then place it in a new image of our choice, something unusual. The photo I used (below) was taken a few months back at Auckland Zoo. I had fun with this one!

my green lifestyle

2010-08-19T18:59:00.000-07:00

In this assignment we had to take photos of "being green", then combine these into 1 image and adjust the tone of each photo. We then had to save as a jpg, gif and png and compare the file sizes.

The below photos were taken either indoor or out, all in natural light with busy backgrounds. I adjusted the saturation and sharpened each photo. I then cropped them the same size to create a less busy overall image that has repetition and unity.

adjustment levels

2010-08-17T17:28:00.000-07:00

I am lucky to live up the road from this beautiful beach. The first photo below was taken at noon. The second photo shows how I have tried to adjust the shadows and highlight the details using the adjustments panel in Photoshop CS5.

blog advert

2010-08-15T23:18:00.000-07:00

For my blog promotion, I have chosen to design a blog advert (see top header).

My focus on the advert is the 'apple', it draws the reader in first. I have changed the composition of the photo by placing the apple to the side, providing the advert with enough whitespace to help rest the reader's eyes and to create flow when placed with the type.

The subject provided for a great photo. It has many elements which are familiar to a person. You can see the texture and it is almost as if you can smell and taste the apple. This familiar feeling should draw the reader into the advert. The apple symbolizes myself as an individual, yet as an individual we are all completely unique in our field.

By placing a line through the word 'work' and using the colour green, it has placed emphasis on this word, so the reader is forced to look at this section of the type first. The flow of the type in the sentence 'learn, share, have fun' an the repetition of the dots, create a feeling of direction which symbolizes my journey through Media.

I have used 2 colours in the type. The white reflects my love of clean, simple design and the lime green represents my growth and energy to learn. The green also creates unity next to the photo of the apple.

colour

2010-08-12T17:21:00.001-07:00

I can definitely say I have come away from this lesson with a better understanding of colour and the way it can affect peoples emotions.

I will also be using the colour wheel more often as a reference tool when I design.

See my 'daily reads & inspiration' page for 3 of my favourite online colour software tools.

type

2010-08-09T17:19:00.000-07:00

At the moment I am attending an Adult Ed course in 'InDesign', although I have worked with this program many times, I thought it would be a great way to improve my time management by familiarising myself again with all the shortcuts and tricks! It has been great! Last week we went into detail about the anatomy and the history of type. With my teacher's permission I will upload a copy onto my blog, as soon as I have figured how to upload a pdf...

See my flickr photostream for lesson 10 - showing my favourite Typeface. Lesson 11 - Cultural Influences and how type makes you feel and Lesson 13 - my Poster Design - where I have experimented with different sizes of type.

flatbed scanner

2010-07-14T00:19:00.000-07:00

In this asssignment we had to scan in 9 items that tell a story. This took me longer than I thought it would. After a few too many attempts, i finally got it together (see pic. below).

I like how the different metals create different relections of light.

After handing in this assignment, I did the following just for fun...THIS IS NOT FOR SENSITIVE VIEWERS..oh, and those are not my teeth!

good vs bad type

2010-07-13T00:00:00.000-07:00

For this assignment finding examples of good type were easy - for examples of bad type, I just had to take my camera along to the town of 'Devonport'. I found heaps of examples of bad type on signage - some needing a serious revamp of their logo.

Here are 2 examples, the rest you will find on my flickr photostream, you will also be able to see my comments on each.

i'm back

2010-07-06T18:30:00.000-07:00

If you reading this, you are probably wondering where I have been for the past month! Unfortunately I had an illness in the family and had to return to Africa for a while...but I am back and ready for action. So, I just did a quick count and I have about 20 assignments to catch up on...Wow thats a shocker! I better get started.

making a rough

2010-05-26T17:18:00.000-07:00

Once the client has given the go ahead, it is important to begin the design process by sketching the layout of your design. I personally prefer doing it on the computer, but pencil and paper is quicker and time is important. The idea is to produce a variety of simple rough ideas, this way your client will feel more involved in the design process.

grids and layout

2010-05-18T04:03:00.000-07:00

In lesson 5, we learn how by using grids we can give an element of consistency and unity to a layout. As Mark Boutton said " the grid is the most vivid manifestation of the will to order in graphic design".

In this Activity we were asked to submit examples that adhere to a grid, aswell as 2 examples that don't appear to follow a grid. (See my perceptions on my flickr' photostream)

whitespace continued

2010-05-16T05:02:00.000-07:00

Here is an example of where I have used 'whitespace' in a business card/logo design. I also managed to convince the client to have the logo embossed, which gave it a textured/2 dimensional look.

my progress 4 weeks in

2010-05-12T23:34:00.000-07:00

I had a late start, but managed to complete 6 Assignments in the first 2 weeks (see flickr' photostream).

Lessons 1,2 and 3 covered 'design fundamentals', where we learned how 'effective communication' can be achieved by using basic design rules, such as: emphasis, contrast, balance, alignment, repitition, flow etc. For someone like me who has been designing for a few years now, it is really refreshing to be reminded of this again. It is worth typing up and sticking on your wall...eventually it will just come naturally!

The modules also covered the importance of using 'whitespace' in design. I have often found that with client budget restraints I am having to cram as much info. onto one page. If you can convince them to pay for extra pages, the benefits will far outway the cost.

what I hope to achieve from this course

2010-05-12T23:18:00.000-07:00

I hope to achieve creative development in my existing graphic design skills and to learn new skills in Web design, Photography and other areas of Media.

At the end of this course I hope to be able to set up my business website and feel confident enough to advertise as a small business owner in Australia.