Week 5

5

Alpha/Para Signals

Finding Alpha and Para signals is extremely difficult. There is a limited amount, but below are some alpha and para signals that I felt would be good to include to remind me the meaning behind the two down the road. 

Just a funny sign I found, confusing signals at its finest. 

I loved this one, I love all the different fonts and the illustration with the hand. I think it was done really well, and I also really like how they stuck to grayscale and didn't overwhelm it with any wild colors that make you want to look away. 

I thought that this was a good example because its a serious topic, but it also is very obvious what it is implying. I thought it was well executed and I love the font they chose for the 'welcome'. 

Not sure what this was from, but its a typical confusing signal, quite literally. I think that this is the way that alpha and para signals can take your mind. In two completely different directions. 

A typical confusing signal, saying no trespassing but contradicting it with a welcome sign. Kind of interesting how people who hung up the signs didn't find it completely strange and hung up the welcome wreath anyway. 

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Billboard Advertisements

I think that one of the most interesting types of advertisements is Billboard Advertisements. I think that they have potential to really sell, and there are so many different ways you can go with billboard design. I have seen so many bad billboards that are poorly designed, and turn me away from that product or service, but there are also many that have drawn my attention and made me want to invest in that product or service. 

This was the first billboard I saw. I thought it was really well done, and found it funny. The way I view it, is that the chocolate bar was attacked and opened, and now they have to fix it an protect it. Its really well done, and the details are insane. I would definitely want a chocolate bar if i saw this. 

I love this billboard because its simple, but it is interesting. I love how it had the information it needed with the website, but it didn't clutter the board with unnecessary information. I love the color with the shoe and the balloons, as well as the bold ALDO that draws your attention. 

This was kind of a humorous but offensive billboard. I think that in this case it would hurt the company because Usain Bolt is a favored athlete to many. It is a funny idea, but overall I think it is offensive and they should have veered away from using things that are favored in our world, like the Olympics. 

I absolutely love this concept, I think its creative, and simple and it immediately draws attention because it is so realistic. The artistry is fantastic and the details are phenomenal. I would go to the Museum of flight because of this billboard, it definitely sparks interest. 

This was one of my favorite examples I found. I think that it makes a statement, and serves a purpose. I think although it is small and doesn't use a lot of space that it will still draw attention and leave an idea in the viewers heads. The bright color draws you in, and the bold message leaves an idea imbedded in your head and makes you think. 

This was another kind of goofy billboard advertisement I found. I like how it doesn't use any bright an overwhelming colors, but it is very flamboyant. It hits on a topic that many find controversial and kind of flips it to be funny. I personally would find it hilarious and would go buy a burrito because they are really that good, but I think many, especially in more conservative areas would find this offensive and it would make them not want the product. 

This is another advertisement that I really enjoyed. It is so simple, yet so well done. The color with the sky matches almost perfectly and it makes people do a double take. I love how it doesn't have a lot going on, but it serves its purpose and draws interest. 

This was another great advertisement I found, I think it advertises its product in a unique way and really gets your attention. It is so realistic and it makes you wish it was real. Overall I think this is an effective advertisement, as well as a creative one that many probably would remember when shopping for their next toothpaste. 

I was blown away by this advertisement. how did they pull this off, and what exactly does it mean? Its such a bold piece and so incredibly unique that I think it would really draw peoples attention to that product or service. I really love the creativity behind this piece. 

Week 4

4

Shapes

For today's journal entry I wanted to learn more about shapes, where they came from, what they could be interpreted as. In our book they included 7 basic shapes. In the text it states that "modern day designers use the same geometric building blocks as the foundation for logos, patterns, illustrations, and all kinds of graphic elements." 

3 things to remember with shapes: 
- Variances
- Constructions
- Treatments

1. Circle:

Below are examples of some logos that utilize the circle as its primary design element. Some are actually really important companies which made me realize how important it is to understand what shape is best to used in design.

2. Triangle:

Triangles are my personal favorite shape. I love the sharp points and how it can be altered and shaped and flipped to make what you want. Over the past few years triangles have become very appealing to the younger crowd, as it has become a symbol of being "hipster". So I think as far as design and appeal, triangles have a knack for getting peoples attention. 

3. Square

Squares are tough in my opinion, as far as branding in the shape of a square, there is nothing that square could scale to fit. I think molding a logo into the shape of square without the logos is a valid idea and works well though. 

4. Rectangle:

 

As I have observed, I have realized that rectangles almost always serve as the outline. For business cards, posters, cards, envelopes, etc.. There are so many things to make in that shape and I think thats why understanding rectangles in design is really important. 

5. Ellipse:

Ellipses are important in the land of logo design as well. Below are just a few of the hundreds and hundreds of designs that I saw online. I love how Ellipses bring everything together and present that feeling of unity and clarity within the logo. I love all the designs, and I look forward to hopefully designing in the shape of an oval one day. 

6. Polygon:

Polygons are very broad, and there are a lot of variations of every single one. It is amazing to see all the different shapes. It was hard to only pick a few options because all of the pieces were so great. I really love the Octagon and how it can be transformed in Corel Draw. 

7. Star: 

  
Stars are tough for me. whenever I see one I immediately think; hollywood, fame, bitches, princesses, and self awarded children. However stars also play a major role in all design aspects. There are many companies that utilize stars in their logos. 

To me, it is amazing to look back and see how crucial these shapes are. Without these shapes many things would be overflowing pages and hurting peoples eyes. 

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Mixed Media

Mixed media is tough, and its not the most common thing to find examples of. However, I think it is one of the most amazing routes a designer can take in making a bold and unique piece with lots of depth. Done wrong; its a train wreck. However, if it is done right; A masterpiece.

I fell in love with this piece right when I saw it. There are so many details and textures, so much emotion. I disagree with the layout a tiny bit though. I took away from the rest of the image to have such a bold color at the top. It was very chunked and just kind of distracting. However, I do love this and think a design like this could be amazing for an art show opening flyer, or for an abstract jewelry campaign advertisement. 

I really love this piece. I think its abstract and makes you think. It makes you want to look at it and know what it is about. All the details, an contrast just makes an amazing picture. I think this concept could be used for a variety of things. 

This was probably my favorite of the mixed media pieces. I love the darkness about it, and especially the antlers. Obviously this piece or this type of work would not appeal to all audiences so I think that for advertising it would have to be directed at a specific audience rather than the general public. Like the one above, all the different pieces came together really well and made this abstract and strange piece that keeps you looking for a while. 

This piece grabbed my attention really quickly. It makes you feel concerned, and almost scared. The concept is phenomenal, and it was put together really really well. I love the little add of color with the purple, and love how they combined the two backgrounds without making it really obvious that they were doing so. 

I jus thought this was a really cute idea, and I think that it this were used for a company, that this add would attract many young girls who are swooning over the idea of love and wishful thinking. I love the figure in the corner, and how the flipped and turned all of the little heart pieces to make the picture seem more real, and more alive. 

To me this piece just had a lot of emotion. I love the concept, and I could see this being used back in the day for a step against women's suffrage or something similar. It probably be made more opaque and be used against sexism. Love the background, and love how its not just stark white. 

This piece is also strictly artistic. There is no media or promotion involved with it. However, the idea is amazing. Imagine if all branding and logos and promotional posters had such beautiful designs and colors like this piece does. I love the color pop of the balloons, and loved how they used a book page for the background. 

I love all the different components used to make this image. There are all sorts of fun shapes and designs and textures. It all is so wild, but it comes together to make a great final piece. I especially love the typography. I love how it is red and opaque. This piece is amazing and I think I would stop and stare at it if I saw it hanging in a window, or as a sign for a business door. 

I thought this was beautiful, I love the off coloring and all the shapes used in the background. There is so much detail all right in the center, but I don't think I would like it nearly as much if it was laid out differently. I love the contrast on the piece as well, it adds a lot of emotion.