Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Podcast #4 Typography

Define typography?
The art of expressing ideas through the selection of appropriate typefaces.



Where did the word "typography" originate from?
Greek words for form and writing. 



What does typography involve?
Different fonts of different words together in a piece, size, line spacing, and spacing between letters.



What is a typeface?
Distinctive designs of visual symbols that are used in a design or printed image.



What is another term for typeface?
Fonts.



What is a character?


Individual symbols that make up a typeface. 


What is type style?
Modifications to a typeface that helps create a variety in a design while still maintaining the visual style.



What does type style "create" within a design? 
Variety. 


What is the waist line and what does it indicate?

The imaginary line that is shown in the middle of characters.



What is a base line and what does it indicate?

The imaginary line at the bottom of the characters showing where they rest.



What is an ascender?
The part of the character that extends above the waist line.



What is a descender?
The part of the character that is below the waist line.



Describe a serif?
Small lines used to finish a main stroke of a letter that is usually found at the top and bottom of the character.



How can the size of the typeface be identified?
Measure the distance between the top of the ascender and the bottom of the descender.



What is a point?
The measurement that controls the size of a character.



How many points are in an inch? 

72


What is a pica and how many are in an inch?
6
How many points are in a pica?
12



What is body type and where can it be found?
Smaller type sizes and it can be found where there is a lot of text.                                                                                                                        



What is the key to selecting appropriate typefaces to be used as body type?
The amount of text that you want to fit into the space. READABILITY.



What is display type and how is it used?
The type sizes that are above 12pt which are typically used to draw attention to a message.



What is reverse type and when would it be used?
The type that consists of white type on a solid black background.



What is a typeface classification?
The basic system that classifies typefaces which was devised in the 19th century.



When was Blackletter invented and how was it used?
Invented in the 1400's. Used in official documents.



Describe the characteristics of a Blackletter typeface?
Blackletter typeface resembles calligraphy with elaborate thick to thin strokes.



When was Old Style invented and what was is based on?
It was based on the ancient roman inscriptions and was invented to replace blackletter.



Describe the characteristics of an Old Style typeface?
It is based off of ancient roman inscriptions. Classic looking.


When were formal scripts developed?
17th and 18th centuries.



When were casual scripts developed?
In the 20th century.



Describe the characteristics of a Script typeface?
Used when using a large body text.



When was Modern typefaces developed and why?
In the 18th and 19th centuries as a break from the traditional typography.



Describe the characteristics of a Modern typeface?
Thick and thin strokes.

How early can Sans Serif typefaces be found? What happened?
5th century. It was considered obsolete when the Italian Renaissance returned to the Old Style.




When did they become popular?
1920's.



What does "sans serif" mean?
Without serifs.



Describe the characteristics of a Sans Serif typeface?
It has strokes that are uniform in weight and also have a monotone appearance.



When was Slab Serif developed and why?
19th century for advertising.



Describe the characteristics of a Slab Serif typeface?
Used for decorative purposes and headlines.



Describe Decorative typefaces?
Designed with a specific theme in mind.



Why were they developed?
To incorporate pictures and objects into words.

What are they best used for?

Larger point sizes. 

Friday, November 18, 2011

Review 14

Academy of Art College: California, Associates, Bachelors, and Masters Degrees, No Requirements
AI Miami International University of Art and Design: Florida, Associates, Bachelors, and Master Degrees. Requires: High school transcript, high school GPA
Amarillo College: Texas, Certificates and Associates degrees. No requirements
Appalachian State University: Colorado, Bachelors Degree only. Requires: High school transcript, high school GPA, SAT/ACT test scores, Completion of college preparatory course,
Art Center College of Design: California, Bachelors Degree only Requires: High School transcript

What is a portfolio?
A showcase of your artwork neatly compiled in a single portfolio. 



What is the importance of a portfolio? 
The portfolio helps organize your artwork in a presentable way. 

Friday, November 11, 2011

Review Week 13

 Balance: This picture shows the principle of balance because it has symmetry within a piece.
Contrast: The artwork shows a difference between the dark background and the neon colors inside.

Repetition: This design continually uses the same pattern.

Proportion: The proportions of one planet to another is shown within this artwork.
Distribution: Shows the distribution of light and dark elements.
Emphasis: This picture shows emphasis by adding a much lighter color to attract attention.
Rhythm: All the parts of this artwork are moving in an organized fashion.
Figure: The artwork above uses the shape of a man being formed.



How do you add a layer mask to a particular layer?By clicking the vector mask tool.

What two colors are used to create the mask?Black and white.

Describe the process of using a layer mask?

Once you have your mask, you can color around it to get rid of all the extra things around an object you don't want. 

Monday, November 7, 2011

Stephen Kroninger

What kind of art/design does he produce?
Digital art.
In what publications/media studios has his work been featured?

Times, Newsweek, and almost all popular US newspapers. Post 2 samples of his art. Answer the following questions for each piece...
Was this piece published? Where?
Both of these pieces were published in Times magazine.
What principles of design were utilized within the piece? How?
Proportion (Mccain) His legs and arms are much longer than on a normal human body. Contrast on the bike because it shows a difference between the two light shirts and the 3 darker shirts.
What elements of design were utilized? 

Texture and color.

Review Week 12

How can you, as the designer, use principles of design to help compose a page?By using principles of design, we can help improve on how the audience perceives your artwork.

What are the principles of design (define each in your own words)?
Repetition: Repeating an object within a piece. 
Proportion: Changing the sizes of an object inside your piece for a specific reason. 
Distribution: Distributing the heavy and light elements. 
Emphasis: Drawing attention to a certain area. 
Unity: The wholeness of a composition. 
Figure: A shape. 
Rhythm: Organized movement. 
Contrast: The difference of light and dark between two objects. 

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Podcast #3

Define principles of design?Concepts used to arrange structural elements of a composition.

What do the principles of design affect?
The expressive content (the message.)

What is the principle of repetition?Repeating an aspect of a design.


Describe ways that the principle of repetition helps the composition/audience?Controls the readers eye and helps control the flow. 


What are ways that you can incorporate repetition into your designs?Works with patterns. 


What should you avoid when working with repetition?
Don't repeat too much.

What is the principle of proportion/scale?
The relative size and scale of elements in a design.

What is the most universal standard of measure when judging size?
The human body.

How can the principle of proportion/scale be used as an attention getter?
Unexpected scales.

What is the principle of balance?
Distribution of a heavy and light element.

Which kinds of elements/shapes visually weigh heavier/greater?
Larger elements.

What is another name for symmetrical balance?
Formal balance.

Define symmetrical balance?
When the weight is evenly distributed over a central vertical or horizontal axis.

What is another name for asymmetrical balance?
Informal balance.

Define asymmetrical balance?
When the weight is not evenly distributed over the axis.

What is the principle of emphasis?
Stressing of an area of focus.

What happens to a design that has no focus?
Nothing stands out.

What is a focal point and how is it created?
A center of interest.

How many components of a composition can be a focal point?
One.

What ways can emphasis be created in a design?
Contrasting elements with it's subordinates or changing a size, color, shape, etc.

What is the principle of unity?
The wholeness of a composition.

What three ways can unity be obtained?
1. Put objects close to one another.

2. Make things similar.

3. Direct vision by a line.

What is the principle of variety?
Diversity. 


What ways can a designer add variety to a design?
Vary textures, colors, and shapes.

Why is it important to find the right balance between unity and variety?
Too much unity can be boring and too much variety is too chaotic.

What is figure?
A form, silhouette or shape.

What is another name for figure?
Positive shape.

What is ground?
The surrounding area around an object.

What is another name for ground?
Figure.

When a composition is abstract (has no recognizable subject) what will the figure depend on? What does that mean?
It depends on the viewer meaning that they can take it in their own way.


Why must a designer consider the composition as a whole?
The image may turn out partially designed.

What is the principle of rhythm?
Continuity or organized movement in space and time.

How is rhythm achieved?
Orderly repetition.

What three ways can rhythm occur in a design?
1. When the intervals of elements are similar.

2. Organic flow of movement.

3. A sequence of shapes through a succession of steps.


How does rhythm help a composition/design?
Helps a viewers eye move through a composition.

What is the principle of contrast?
The difference between two objects in a piece.

How can contrast help a design?
Helps a viewer move through a piece.

What is wrong with having too much or too little contrast in a design?
It may confuse the viewer.

What is the key to working with contrast?
Making contrast obvious.

What are some common ways of creating contrast? 




Creating difference in size, value, color, type, texture, shape, alignment, direction, and movement.