1000 Words

Typography was a lot more difficult than I expected it to be. I think I’m getting into the more difficult classes, as I near the end of my journey for this certificate. I’m going to take a couple more classes before I take the last class needed for the certificate, but that’s okay. I’m enjoying the journey.

My second project was to create a poster that featured a fontographer. It had to showcase one of his fonts. I chose a guy named Harold Lohner who is one of my favorite designers. He created a font called Pharmacy that I use quite often in my scrapbooking…. Here’s the poster. I got 24/25 on it, so I was pleased.

I had a project a few weeks ago, to create a CD cover. It was really not easy. You could not use pictures, only type. I had a vision and I worked it and worked it but I couldn’t get any further than what I submitted. Work was also really busy at the time, (whcn is it not) with a lot of “change” going on, and I don’t think I was quite up to my usual focus. I turned this in, and I got 21/25. My first B. I was really disappointed, but stuck it out and dug in and worked harder.

For our final project, we had to create a poster that used only type, and it had to showcase a Bay Area attraction for children. I knew right away that I wanted to do the exploratorium in San Francisco, as it is one of my very favorite places to visit. I played around with a bunch of different ideas, and phrases and came up with my final poster. Last time I was there, you could create an earthquake, so I focused on that. Here’s the poster. I don’t have a grade yet but the instructor seemed to like my design, so fingers crossed.The background of the poster is white, so it doesn’t show as well as it could, here…. I guess you get the general idea.

Next quarter, I plan to take Photoshop. I use it, but I have no training in it, so I think it’s time to learn how to use it right. I think it will be fun!

Not much else going on. I did start my Christmas Journal yesterday. Maybe tomorrow I can post yesterday and today’s entries. We’ll see how the day goes.

On a side note, I did not finish National Novel Writing Month (nanowrimo) again this year. I only wrote 968 words. Having said that, Steven wrote something like 53,000 or more, so I’m really proud of him! Way to go!

-Have a great day!

So, first, I guess I should explain what Typography really is. It is the study of how we came to have an alphabet, and the history of letters and characters. It’s interesting that I’m taking it now, as I was fascinated by a page in the encyclopedia when I was little. A page that showed Egyptian hieroglyphics. Well, it turns out that hieroglyphics were one of the first forms of written communication. I find that so amazing. I used to stare at the page for hours at a time, trying to decipher what each picture said. I don’t think I ever did. I guess it’s a good thing I didn’t live in Egyptian times, since I love reading!

Our first project was to create an illuminated letter. When books started to be written by hand, a lot of them contained a large, decorative first letter, which often related to the story. This was called an illuminated letter. Some of them were really fancy and elegant. When I went to Italy in 1984, I picked up a postcard that had some gorgeous handwriting with an illuminated letter. I had no idea what it was, I just thought it was pretty. I remember seeing a lot of illuminated letters on various documents we saw in various museums. Oh, sorry, sidetracked a bit. So, the assignment was to pick a 6 word story from a website that the instructor provided and create an illuminated letter that represents the story.

I chose this story: “Rained, rained, rained, and never stopped.” by Howard Waldrop (no clue who he is, might be nice to look him up!)

Here is my illuminated letter.

I painted it! It is acrylics, on a stretched 11 x 14 canvas. I used irridescent and matte medium. I am so in love with it! My goal was to make the R look like it was almost flooded with water. I think I accomplished that. I used the irridescent medium to make the water have some depth. This is among my first paintings, so it probably could have been way better, but I’m thrilled with it! I’m actually thinking of adding a simple frame and hanging it somewhere in the house, since it IS an R (like Radecki, get it?)

-Have a wonderful day!

I’m pleased to announce that I got my grade in Web Design and received an A. Yea! I’ve got a 4.0 on this great path I’ve chosen for a Graphic Design Certificate. It’s kind of funny. I still don’t feel like I’m a real graphic designer, but after a year, there are things I look at where I think “hmmm, I would have done this differently to bring the eye over there….” so I guess I’m learning more and more. I’ve also noticed that I approach my scrapbooking a bit differently as well, and am even more aware of page layout than I was previously.

So, the last project in the web design class was a flash site. I’ll have to see if I can get Steven to help me get it up here on my blog, but for now, here’s a screen capture to tease you with. I decided that I wanted a fun site instead of a serious one. I chose the Pharmacy font, because I could, and I decided on an all blue site. (I didn’t go pink because that was just TOO fun. LOL) If it was “active” you would be able to click on the buttons and hear a sound, as well as go to another page! It was pretty cool!

I also did a web banner ad in Flash. Although you saw the ad in another post, it did not include sound like it does now. It was also cool.

In Adobe Illustrator class, we had a real Final! Worth 165 points, you were supposed to create an image using at least 6 layers, plus scads of other techniques, shapes, and tools. It was really challenging! I think I spent more than 60 hours working on and reworking my design before I came up with this. Although it isn’t perfect, I knew what I wanted, and this is really very close to my plan, so I’m happy!

It is supposed to be a glimpse at the wall of the Grandma’s room. See all the old fashioned stuff? The drawing has 13 base layers and too many sub layers to count. I really worked hard on it. I drew all those little flowers on the wall paper, and I hand drew the roses in the vase, etc. Nothing is “out of the box” I drew all of it! I really love the curtains and how they almost look like texture. I really did have a lot more fun in this class than I ever expected to. I knew I needed to learn more about AI so I took it, but I never expected to learn quite so much. I know there is a lot more I could learn, but I’m pleased for now.

For the summer, I had planned to not take anything, but my friend Orna, who has been in at least one class with me every quarter since I started this journey, convinced me to take Flash, so that’s what we’re taking. I think it’s going to be a wild ride, but I’m sure we’ll learn a great deal and that it will be fun! I don’t know what I want to take for Fall, but I guess I’m supposed to decide that fairly soon too! I bet Orna has some evil class picked out already. LOL!

In other news, I’m waiting to receive a product that I’m supposed to review. Once I have it, I’ll be introducing my new product review site! Hang in there and wait for it, because there will be a GIVEAWAY!!!! as part of the review! See you soon!

-Here’s hoping all is well with you and yours and that you are enjoying a peacful and fun summer!

Well, I have finished my first assignments for Adobe Illustrator class. I’m shocked. I started out the week looking at the assignments and thinking “No way, no how, this is not happening.” Then I went from that to “Wait, I think I can do this…” Then, finally, it was “Oh yea, this book rocks. If you want to learn Adobe Illustrator you need this book.  Seriously. Don’t even mess with it. Get the book and do the exercises. Because I’m running around so much, I decided to take a class online at Foothill COllege so that I have accountability to do the class with the book, but if you are more self-disciplined, maybe you can do it on your own.

So, for the first exercise, we had to follow the lesson in the book and create a screwdriver and a phillips-head screw.

Next, we had to draw a coffee pot. Seriously. We just learned how to do this stuff and you want me to make a coffee pot? For real? that’s what I thought. It took me close to 2 hours to draw the screwdriver so I expected the coffee pot to be really paintufl. LOL

Well, it kind of was. I drew it once at work, and then I came home and drew it again. I really am much MUCH happier with the version I drew here at home. It looks so nice!

As part of the lesson, I had to do a write up of how I made the coffee pot. When I sat down to write the explanation, I was amazed at all of the things I had remembered, since I did the exercise twice. I’m hoping I’ll have the luxury of repeating exercises as the course goes on so that things really sink in. I know that I learn more by doing than by just reading, so that will help! Just in case you need words to sleep by, here’s my write up.

Create a rounded rectangle about the size that you want your coffee pot lid and spout piece to be. I adjusted the corner roundness down some so that the corners were less rounded.
Create an oval that is elongated and fits up next to the rectangle on the left side, butting the center of the oval with the bottom of the rectangle, to create the spout effect.
Copy and paste the oval to another unused part of the artboard.
Select both the original oval and the rectangle, and use Subtract on them.
This creates the basic lid/spout. (I locked it temporarily so I didn’t mess it up.)
Move the copied oval over to where the original oval was, aligning it into the spot. You might have to magnify to get it perfect.
Create a horizontal regular rectangle the size you want the band on the lid to be, using smart guides to line up the right edge. Overlap the left side a bit.
Select the oval and the narrow rectangle. Apply Subtract to them.
With the band still selected, apply a linear gradient to it.
Unlock the lid/spout. Select it and the band and group them.
Create a rounded narrow  horizontal rectangle to fit between the lid/spout and the container part of the coffee pot. It should be about ½ inch smaller than the lid/spout. Center it below the lid/spout.
Apply a linear gradient to the separator band.
Group this with the lid/spout part.
Create an almost square-ish rounded rectangle for the actual pot. Use the up and down arrows to get it to where you like the corners. I made mine a bit more rounded. It should be about the same width as the lid, including the spout.
Copy this rectangle and make the copy shorter. This will be your coffee.
Play with adding some points to get the wavy look to the coffee. (This part was really hard. I did it 8 times—there has to be an easier way!)
Fill this rectangle with some coffee (I used a nice dark French Roast brown.)
Place this rectangle over the clear rectangle, being sure that you see Intersect and lining up the centers and everything with the smart guides. (Smart Guides are my friend!)
Select everything and group it.
You now have everything except the handle.
Create the coffee handle as described in the class handout (Thank you!). I made mine a little smoother, by adding more sides to the polygon. I didn’t like that pointy look.
Place the handle against the pot, on the right side, so that it is lined up, using the Smart Guides.
Select everything and group it.
Your coffee pot is complete.

That’s all for now. I’ll try to get on and share another creation tomorrow, but it’s going to be a busy day, so I don’t know if I’ll get to it.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day. Please do leave me a comment. I feel like I’m all alone here on my new blog.

So, I’m still not touching the Adobe Illustrator homework, but I did finish the work for the other class last night and posted it this morning. So far, we’re working on a blog. I am really enjoying the class so far.

Here is a link to the blog I made for class in case you want to see what I’m up to. Because the template’s been changing with the class, I decided to include screen captures in my posts. Hopefully I won’t get in trouble for that. I added the screen captures after I submitted the assignments.

Sounds like fun, doesn’t it? LOL NOT!

That has to have been the fastest break between quarters ever. Classes started up again yesterday. I’m taking 2, and for one, well yes, I get it, I’m good to go. For the second class, you guessed it, the Illustrator class, I’m still at the “Deer in the Headlights” stage. In other words, I keep looking at the stuff and going “um, yea, ok. HUH?” So, I’ll let that perk a bit and come back to it. As Scarlett says “I’ll think about that tomorrow.” Between both classes, I need to put in about 24 hours a week. I did that last semester on one class, so I’m praying that I can continue for this 12 week quarter. I’m actually thinking about taking the summer off, but I don’t know for sure yet if I will or not….  I really want that certificate, you know?

For now, I certainly have enough work to do with my day job, and everything else in life. Whew! Top it all off with a horrific earache that I’m completely baffled about today, and welcome to my world.

On other news, the garden is completely in. Just in time, I might add, as it is pouring rain today. Yea! A good soaking is just what it needs. Less for me to water and a better job of watering. I LIKE it!

-Take care and reach for your dreams… Join me in crazy land. LOL

Is it just me? Is everyone as busy as I am right now? Between work, classes, and life, I feel like I’m on a treadmill with no control over it. I seem to plan something and then have to re-plan because other things come up.

While I realize that I’m blessed to have a job, a family, and a life, I’m kind of wondering what happened to my balance.  For a while, I really thought I had a handle on each of the above items. I must be delusional. hahaha

I have no photos or graphics to share this time. Sorry, too busy. I have a post that I NEED to write. A friendly blogger has blessed me beyond belief with some beautiful things that I need to share with you, but I need to take photos to do it all justice. (I haven’t forgotten, Lorrie!) It is supposed to be a nice weekend, maybe I’ll find a few minutes for a photo shoot.

I can tell you that I received an A in the Graphic Design class that I just finished up on Monday. I’m completely jazzed. This is my “off” week between quarters. On Monday we start back up with the Adobe Illustrator class and the web design class. I’m also taking a couple of one day classes in May, trying to get as much learning under my belt as possible. I’m close to the graphic design certificate… I can smell it. I just need to make sure my tools arsenal is fully loaded before I take the hard last class. LOL!

In other news, on Sunday, my fabulous son Josh helped me build a raised planter bed (4′ x 8′) in the backyard in a corner that isn’t really used. He even filled it with all of the heavy bags of potting soil for me. Then, my wonderful husband helped me with weed cloth. Finally, I have been working on filling it with plants. So far we have:

1 yellow squash plant

2 yellow bell pepper plants

1 yellow tomato plant

1 plum tomato plant

1 SF Fog tomato (kind of a salad tomato, grew really well last year!)

1 cantaloupe

1 brandywine tomato

1 beefsteak tomato

1 Asian cucumber (the long ones)

and another tomato, but I can’t remember what kind, but I think it’s similar to the brandywine maybe

I still have room for a couple of Zucchini plants, but I haven’t found any yet, so that has to wait. Once I do, I’ll put them in and it will be waiting time. I hate that! I want to plant and grow and eat the bounty!

We also have the little planters that I used last year. This year, I’m going to move those down by my new raised bed and plant lettuces and spinach in them. Yum! I might put herbs in one, I’m not sure yet. We seem to not use as many fresh herbs as we used to, unfortunately. None of us has the inclination to get fancy with the cooking these days!

I’m also hoping to still participate in the community garden with our neighbors. We grew terrific spaghetti squash up there last year, but I haven’t had a chance to get up there yet. Mike’s been doing a bunch of work up there, so I’m excited to see what he’s up to!

I’ll try to get the photos done this weekend. I’m really proud of the work Josh did in building the bed. I think he could sell them on Craigslist as kits, but have not been able to get him convinced of that. Hmmm, maybe *I* should sell them! (in my spare time!)

On that note, I’m going back to my sandwich.

-Take care and get your garden planted! I think it is so therapeutic to water in the evening, and i also think its nice to pick my OWN bounty instead of paying for it!

My friend Martha always finds the coolest stuff. I’m not sure how she finds it, probably from different groups she’s in. Anyhow, this time, she’s outdone herself. I could spend days on this little dazzler just cruising around and playing with all the pretty colors.

You have to go here and take a look: Color Scheme Designer. Just last night, I was thinking about color schemes for something. I wish I could remember what it was, because this site would make it possible to figure out exactly what I want for colors! For now, I guess I’ll just bookmark it and hope I remember what I was thinking of.

She also found this site. How cool is that? You upload an image and a color palette is suggested for you. Imagine if you had a focal painting for a room and wanted to be sure the room looked great. You could use this tool! I love it! I’ll be bookmarking this for sure.

Last night was my monthly Stampin’ Up card making club. We made three really cute cards. I need to scan them this weekend so you can see. I was the hostess this month, so I’ll be getting some free products soon. Yay! I am waiting for Maureen to figure out the party total so I know what I can get. I know that I am for sure getting the Stampin’ Up table top cutter. I’ve been denying that for too long, and I certainly do enough cutting to justify it. Yay! It’s going to be like Christmas, I can’t wait.

I am hard at work on one of my final projects for this quarter’s Graphic Design class. I’ll be so glad when this particular class is over. I guess I need more feedback than an instructor who decides to let the class take its own course. hmmmm.

For next quarter, I’m actually taking TWO classes, but they should both be much easier, even together, than this quarter’s single class. I’m taking a web design class, as well as a class in Adobe Illustrator, finally. I am also waitlisted for a single day class on Adobe InDesign. One saturday. We’ll see if I get in. I’m number 3 on the waitlist. (chewing nails, I really want to be in it!)

-Take care and make it a great day!

I turned in my final designs for the cd project. I'm really happy with my final design. It follows the style used by previous albums, but it still has a fresh look that is appealing. I have it sitting on my desk at work and everyone has been commenting on it, so that's good, I think!
 Here is the outside. Naturally, I had to use a photo of Jimmy from his website, because it was current. It's okay to use this for class, but it would not be okay to use in the real world without his permission. (Of course, if I had his permission to create an album, hello, I would be all over it, woudnt' you?) LOL

Here is the inside "stuff". Remember that this is a rough. It isn't a final version, but it should show the concept in the packaging it would be delivered in, and mine does that.

So, that's the first part of what I had to do last week.

The second half of the assignment was to redesign an existing packaged product. I will be the first to admit that this part was very daunting. I noodled and fretted on it for a full week. Finally, on Sunday, Steven and I went to the grocery store and I found (I thought) a product that I could redesign. Trust me, trying to find something you can redesign as a fledgling graphic artist in a store full of packages that have been done by extremely high paid professionals can be a real challenge. We settled on a package of Wheat Thins. (we thought.) I came home and started to look at it and do some research and discovered that apparently Nabisco (who manufactures the crackers), is redesigning themselves! There are two different versions of it. Aha!  That said, I just could not wrap my head around a redesign. So I read all weekend instead. LOL It sounded good at the time, what can I say!

On Monday, after work, I sat down and I did my redesign. I did not do it on Wheat Thins. (But I do have a nice large box of them at home for illicit nibbling!) I decided to redesign a Suzanne Somers package of SomerSweet, her signature sweetener that we use all the time. It was an interesting experience. Here is the before. I think that the package is busy. While the background design is nice, it isn't really something that I think you would find on a food package. As Josh said, it looks more like the packaging for a beauty product. Speaking of Josh, he's going to make a great Dad someday. LOL He kept coming in to check on my progress during the redesign and providing feedback. His feedback was spot on and I used just about all of it!

So back to this box. My analysis was that the box is busy, as I already said, and I also think that SomerSweet should be larger than Suzanne. The box isn't full of Suzanne, it is full of SomerSweet. Suzanne is the brand name, and, while important, I 
think it's more important to know what's inside.

After several hours of redesign, here is my final "rough." The background is a plain lavendar. I eliminated some of the extra business and spread things out a little bit. While the fact that it is all natural is really important, I kind of felt that putting it in all caps, with the product, delivered the message. I didn't have the right font for the S logo so I created my own (sorry, Suzanne!). The beige color of the product name SomerSweet I picked up from the spoon photo, which I also manipulated the background on because the yellow just didn't appeal to me. 

It was Josh's brilliant idea to put the logo on the lavender box in a darker lavender, and I think it works well. you still see it, and, in fact, the spoon draws your eye down the package to it. I like it.

That's where I am now. This week I have to work on a magazine grid. More on that later. Right now I have work to do!

-Take care and enjoy the extra hour of sunshine! (or daylight if you don't have sunshine!)

Go me. I love how it all turned out. I really did this. From drawing the background picture to cutting all the pieces and fitting it all together. I'm in shock. Totally.

I'm sure the instructor will have other thoughts, but, personally, after 30 hours of time on this, I'm extremely happy with how it all came together! It really looks like a CD you could go buy! LOL!

Believe it or not, this was only half of this week's assignment! Now I have to redesign some existing package. Yea. Sure. Okay. I'm completely blocked. I can't think of a single product I don't like the design for. Maybe I'll just go to the grocery store and waste some of my incredibly valuable time walking around looking. LOL (Hey, it's as good a solution as anything else!)

-Take care.