Computer Graphics - Summer 2012 VI (Architectural Illustration)

Architectural Illustration

As the final class project the assignment was to take a photo of a building, structure,  or architectural space and render a stylized version of it using Illustrator.  The assignment took into consideration various other elements taught during the course and also employed the use of gradients and color palette elements to illustrate the object.

Here is the photo that I chose of the Bunker Hill Bridge in Boston, Massachusetts:

...and here the rendering that I turned in:

   

Computer Graphics - Summer 2012 V (Line, Shape, and Value)

Line, Shape, and Value

These submissions involved work in Illustrator primarily using text and type tools along with the use of the pen tool to create either lines of type or areas of type to depict people in portraits.  We started from photos that were used as the base layers for this work.  

This project was made up of three submissions: a self-portrait using only shapes, and specifically letter as shapes; another self-portrait using only lines, but where the lines are made up of text in different sizes or styles to make up the drawn lines; and last, a portrait using value by creating grey-scale effects through the use of type once again but in varying densities to create the light and dark effects.

Here are the original photos and the work sample that I submitted based on them for each of these assignments:

Shape

 

Line

 

Value

 

Computer Graphics - Summer 2012 IV (Logo)

Logo

At this point in the course we moved to Adobe Illustrator.  Professor MacIlwraith reviewed the important differences between it and PhotoShop focusing on the creation and purpose of vector graphics. 

This particular project focused on the use and purpose of logos.  It involved some analysis of a variety of existing logos from large and small businesses as well as local businesses.  As a step in this project students had to look for local logos that they found appealing/effective and then describe why they found them to be so.

Here are a couple of examples that I found:

BURGERS AND MORE BY EMERIL is a restaurant inside the Sands Casino, Bethlehem. It's a clever design that includes a hamburger and the establishment's name using some limited color to depict a hamburger's layers: the bun top, ketchup, lettuce, a patty, and the bun bottom with Emeril at its foundation. It appeals as a "fast food" icon, even borrowing hints from other brands. The restaurant's logo broadcasts a very clean and modern aesthetic and could easily communicate its message to a diverse audience. Cleverly as well, the logo goes by the name "bam-logo" that tags on to Emeril's trademark word.

AMERICAN HAIRLINES, just in case my other choice isn't seen as local enough. The name refers to one of several businesses that are housed under one roof at the corner of Main and Broad Streets in Bethlehem. The business' name is of course a play on words and meanings. Its logo incorporates the same sort of image play with its wings that look like they could almost adorn a flight attendant's uniform. The logo's art is a throwback to a '60's style of work that reminds me of comic books; even the strong-jawed face that adorns it makes me flash back to Superman.

Overall, American Hairlines' logo fits in very well with the "kitchsy" styles that make up the other businesses at their location. It's a good example of the use of only black and white to convey a message.

The assignment itself involved each student designing their version of a logo for a local extermination service business.  We were allowed plenty of leeway but had to keep in mind the client's existing website and perhaps other features of his business in approaching the new logo design.  Once again the variety of results proved to be very interesting, some results certainly more artistic than others, but a good collection of possible alternatives.  Each of us had to incorporate the logo into stationery for the business.

Here was my approach:

Logo itself in color, black, and greyscale:

...on an envelope:

 

...on letterhead stationery:

 ...and finally, on a business card:

Computer Graphics - Summer 2012 III (Website Interface)

Website Interface

This project involved the redesigning of an existing website into a new interface for its home page.  This was a static design (non-functioning) that showed the possibilities of different approaches to the same challenge from each of the student's different perspectives and in their individual styles.  The variety of results were really broad.  It was very interesting to see how others solved the same problem.

The exercise built on all of the previous PhotoShop lessons but now included some important stylistic elements as well as key features to include in what could potentially become a client's website.  Researching the theme of the site and its purpose were important steps in designing a solution.  Everyone had the same challenge: re-design the interface for a web store that specializes in selling native american items.

Here was my result:

Computer Graphics - Summer 2012 II (Dreamscape)

Dreamscape

This project's instruction revolved around the use of multiple selection tools to choose image elements from a variety of photos and place them into one overall "canvas" that integrated the elements into a surrealistic dreamscape.  The use of the masking tool and various brush effects were also covered.

Here is the original base image that I began with:

...and here, some of the photos from which I selected image elements:

...and here is the final result:

Computer Graphics - Summer 2012 - I (Magazine Cover)

This series of blog posts is about the collection of projects created during my Summer 2012 Computer Graphics course at Northampton Community College, taught by Dannell MacIlwraith.  The projects were completed as exercises in the use of Adobe PhotoShop and Illustrator and reinforced classroom lectures about the use of the software itself as well as instruction about important elements of graphic design and style. 

The Projects were:

1. Magazine Cover
2. Dreamscape
3. Website Interface (static)
4. Logo
5. Line, Shape, and Value
6. Architectural Illustration

Here, and in the 5 posts that follow are my own examples of the exercise results for these projects...

Magazine Cover

This exercise was performed with PhotoShop and involved the selection and re-touching of an image to function as the basis for a mock magazine cover that either was fictitious or echoed the design of an existing publication.  The important elements involved the selection of an appealing picture to draw interest and then designing headlines using fonts and styles that fit the style of the magazine as well as other typical elements of a cover, such as a barcode or burst.

The instruction leading up to this exercise involved the use of PhotoShop tools to crop photos as well as re-touching tools to change hue/saturation, adjust levels, or adjust curves.  We also worked with the text tool and type fonts and saw the relationship of the layering features of the software.  Additional re-touching tools were covered to help with photo repair, by lightening/darkening, or cloning pixels to improve the photo's attributes.

Here is my starting photo:

...and here the cover sample that I turned in: