track video poster

craft-
Using Adobe Premiere Pro, I uploaded the track poster I was working on in photoshop. Adjustments were made for each piece of the poster. The track photo is extended the longest while the image takes off to the side by the end with the rest of the text left. A video of people running is included during the video poster which slides into the poster and then fades out. The text throughout the poster is continuously moving around the poster, whether pulsing in and out of the poster and fading in and out of the poster.

composition-
The piece is made to catch the attention of the viewer in which the part that the viewer will see the image of the runners first. The title will be the next thing that captures the attention of the viewer since the text is easily readable and larger than the other text. The rest of the text with information on the track meet is noticed less due to the text being less readable and smaller than the rest of the text. The video clip is also noticed throughout the poster since it has the most action going on.

concept-
The poster is meant to have people be interested enough to go to the track meet through an active and eye-catching poster. The text is important to consider because it indicates what is most important to remember, in this case being the title of the meet, and the rest of the text stays active long enough for one to read if one is interested in going to the meet. A video of runners helps the viewer see what may be going on while at the meet. The poster is made as though the row of girls control the final movement of the text (i.e., everything shooting outward from original spots).

runner video

 

craft-
My camera has a video feature that I used to record people on the track running. I edited a segment that was the most active part of the video. I was stationary while panning with the people running past me.

composition-
Since it is a video, the audience will be most interested in the people running in the video. As the people continue to run, the person watching will expect the people to run off the screen but instead, I pan the video so one can continue to watch the two run. The people run farther away until the video ends.

concept-
Using the track poster idea, I wanted to depict people running on a track. Movement was necessary to stimulate a workout going on. Although not the same as a track meet, dynamic movement is needed in order to show that a race is possibly going on. If possible, more clips can be added onto this segment, making it even more active and more like what the poster idea is trying to show.

Revised Track Poster

Craft-
A dark blue background was added to the image with the bucket tool. Overlapping the background was 3 boxes that were filled with a teal color. A square mesh eraser tool was used to soften the edges of each box. A picture from a woman's track meet was taken with my camera. The image was softened with the same mesh eraser tool. Underneath the image and boxes, a piece of a movie poster was used in the background and softened with an eraser tool. On the top left box, I used a clearly printed font with the words typed large. At the bottom, additional information was added in relation to the track meet with a sketchy font. A yellow shade was used to emphasize certain parts of the text on the poster.

Composition-
The title was placed at the top of the poster and made large to draw the viewer's attention to it. The picture was placed in the center which is the greatest attention getter. The information at the bottom of the poster should be read last since the text is not as legible as the title. There is a triangle dynamic in which the title is the peak of the triangle and it spreads to the bottom of the poster.

Concept-
The poster is advertising a 2011 track meet that occurred on April 9th at the University of Chicago. The image is dynamic which works well with the horizontal speed lines on the top right corner. With the picture on the poster, it appears that the people running in the image are ready to run out of the photo. The font used in the title was important to establishing the mood of the poster because the font is a wide-set, easy-to-read font. The title font is round in which it can be comparable to the track the girls are running on. The second font used at the bottom of the poster was useful because the font's slant and hard-to-read font could be compared to someone one who is running a race.

preliminary poster project

Craft-
I drew out what the scene would be like in the middle of a track meet by using a pencil. The poster was oriented horizontally to match the computer screen for a later assignment. I wrote out what the event was, when the meet was, and where the meet would take place. I went for a slightly overhead look, to demonstrate that the event was being seen from the bleachers. The opposite side of the track had bleachers drawn out with people in the stands. I made sure to draw the track with a bend and narrowed the lanes to show depth in the image.

Composition-
First, the image should be the first thing someone would look at with the poster. The people at the front part of the image would be the initial thing to see, then one would follow the track lanes since they get narrower and then one would look at the bleachers. Lastly, one would view the sun with the clouds in the air. The words are also able to attract the person's attention since words are usually read subconsciously. The person would read the event from up to down.

Concept-
The poster is advertising a track meet that was coming up. An active image of runners sprinting on the track was provided to gain the viewer's attention and be more interested in the event. Information about the track meet was provided in order for a person to want to know more about the picture, or the meet that was coming up.

teapots and skull pieces

 "Cow skull"

Craft - 

Using a cow skull on top of a wooden white block as a model, the brush tool was used for the majority of the image. A background was painted with the bucket tool. For the first 6 layers, only certain strokes with one shade of color could be used throughout the image. For instance, only vertical strokes would be used for the first layer, using a medium gray throughout the whole skull and using vertical strokes whenever necessary. I would continue this procedure for the next 20+ layers, adjusting the direction the brush strokes would go and which shade would be used. I included highlights and dark shades to emphasize the shadows in the image. Most layers remained where they were and ones that were moved allowed lower layers to be more evident in the image. Brief tracings of the wooden block, a computer monitor and keyboard were added to show what was potentially in the picture.

Composition-

The composition is mainly a horizontal dynamic, from left to right. The Shadows are deepest on the horns which directs the viewer's attention to the left of the image. Following the other shadows that are lined on the eye socket of the skull, deeper ridges prevalent on the skull and the gaping hole that used to be the nose, the composition can move in this direction. Using appropriate shadows and highlights close to each other allows a more 3-D appearance of the skull, therefore adding depth to the object. Since little attention was placed on the background, the object becomes the main focus of the drawing. 

Concept-

Since I almost never used the eraser tool to get rid of any loose lines, there is a flow to the image. Similar to a gesture drawing, there are several holes seen in the image which gives the image a more spontaneous feel to it. The drawing itself can be seen as a work that focused on the process rather than the product. In other words, the artist is forced to focus on the steps regardless of whether the piece looked complete or not. The piece would appear abstract until just the right amount of proper strokes and shades were added, creating the final image. In a way, this particular piece was frustrating to make because of the initial limitations (i.e., forced to use one stroke per layer, one shade per layer) and it was hard to want to keep working on it because I was not pleased with the way how it was looking during the process. Once the piece was given enough time, suddenly the piece became recognizable to me even though a couple of layers ago, I wouldn't have had any idea what the object was. Therefore, give a piece enough time, produce a work of art.

"Tiny teapot"

random designs made by yours truly

"Music Running Clockwork Designs"

Craft-
I opened up a number of brush tools to use in photoshop. After selecting a shade of green, a series of mouse clicks and drags were made all over the page using whatever brush I decided to click on. Some brush tools were used with other shades of green and a few stamps had pre-made colors. Once 20 layers were filled with various brush stamps, I turned off 5 of the layers. organized my layers, and was left with this design.

Composition-
From the start, a person's eye is directed toward the center since there are a number of symbols that surround the vector and the vector is the brightest shape. The four smaller vectors found at the corners have rays that seem to point towards the center. Following the circular pattern, the bass note symbols partially follow the curve of the center vector, making the image more of a spiral composition.

Concept-
This piece was entirely made on a whim but unconsciously, I noticed that I picked many brush symbols that were musical by nature and many symbols were circular. There's also a number of nature symbols used in the picture, based on colors, the tiny butterflies used, and the flowers seen throughout the picture.Unconsciously, I am drawn to nature and what is represented by nature. Unconsciously, I am also drawn by music based on the usage of musical symbols at such large proportions.The circular symbols used can also represent that I seem to prefer an endless amount of nature and music in my life. Although the image may appear chaotic, there is also a uniform approach to the way how the layers are set up, showing that I like organized chaos in the image.

"Vectors in Motion"

"Technological Blurb"

"Spastic Butterflies"

 

"Musical Nature"

Escape from Ordinary Radio: Now with Gradients!

Craft-
Following my first version of this piece, I drew in a horizon line by using the rectangle select tool and then filling it in with gray, using the paint tool. I brushed up on the edges using the same gray shade with the brush tool, as well as using the bamboo set to tighten up the edges. After removing the original arrows made around the extraordinary radio, I added a circular gradient, choosing the solid to transparent option so the background can still be visible through the gradient. I used the eraser tool with a feather brush of 35 px and removed some of the color on the inside of the circle so the radio can be be more visible. Then, using the brush tool and the bamboo set, I drew rays of light coming out of the radio's sphere. Focusing on the ropes attached to the radios, I used the eraser tool through each line of rope. Last, I added a short text box at the top of the pedestal, then I used the warp text choice to bend the words around the front of the pedestal.

Composition-
There is a clear diagonal dynamic in the image. Since the focal point is the extraordinary radio, one's eye would move from the many radios since it's a repetitive motif, to the green person, following the red carpet since it narrows down to the pedestal to the radio sitting on top of the pedestal. The contrast of the red radio pieces and the red carpet compared to the rather bland background makes those objects pop out more.

Concept-
Based on the phrase, "Escape from ordinary radio," a man is attempting to run away from the radios that are shackled onto him. Because of the extraordinary radio waiting on the pedestal in front of him, he's turned green with envy. Through his exertion, he's freeing himself from the radios attached to him as he's running towards the extraordinary radio that is radiating with uniqueness.

Sprucing up "Escape from Ordinary Radio"

craft-
I scanned my chosen drawing and used photoshop to base my next work on the drawing. I used a variety of tools such as the rectangle selection tool, elliptical selection tool, paintbucket tool, paintbrush tool, and eraser tool to make multiple shapes that make up the radios, pedestal, extraordinary radio and shining rays. I used the bamboo pad to draw out the person, shackles, and ropes attached to the radios. I used some special effects to emboss the extraordinary radio speakers and pop out the person. Using the warp transform tool, I adjusted the the mouth of the extraordinary radio.

composition-
The dullness of the radios and the constant repetition of plain radios compared to the vibrance and multiple speakers can emphasize how special the extraordinary radio is. The color of the person, being a shade of green, shows his envy for the better radio. The red carpet towards the glowing radio gives the image dynamic.

concept-
The ordinary man, green with envy, is getting dragged down by ordinary radio. At the end of the red carpet, the extraordinary radio radiates with light, encouraging the person escape from the radios holding him down.

Escape from Ordinary Radio

craft -
Using my mechanical pencil, I did my best to visually express the phrase, “escape from ordinary radio.” Hardened lines and softer lines increased depth of the image. Some implied lines were made in the image as well. The drawing was made on a square piece of paper. Then, I scanned the image, using an epson machine.

composition-
The numerous amounts of radios with trailing ropes indicate that the character is being dragged down. Diagonal lines narrowing down to the extraordinary radio directs the viewer’s eye to the prize.

concept-
The ordinary person wants to get away from the numerous amounts of ordinary radios that are shackled on him. He pushes himself towards his prize: extraordinary radio, sitting on a pedestal, glowing with radiance. 

special edition blog 2 - Modern museum

Hi, this is Jade and I'm reporting on the second half of my museum journey: the Modern Museum. Before I begin, I have a photo of myself examining the piece of artwork that greeted me at the beginning of the Modern museum and our professor in the middle of discussing what we will be seeing in the Modern museum:

Moving right along to what I thought were examples of craft, composition, and concept:

Craft-

 This piece is particularly interesting, craft-wise, specifically because of the medium used. The mixture of paint and sand created a rough surface on the canvas. By adding the sand in the paint, the artist was able to convey a clear depiction of the woman in the desert.

Composition-

 In this painting, there are many things going on that influence the composition. First is the distinct diagonal triangle that controls the viewers' eye mostly on the space between the left-bottom corner and the right-top corner. Second, the colors and amount of saturation concentrated along the strip between those two corners makes the viewer concentrate more on the areas that are brighter. Third is the number of figures that are condensed on one side of the painting whereas the other half is mostly flat with almost no figures that stand out, keeping the viewer more interested in the condensed side. Lastly, the use of large to small figures affects the depth of the painting and controls the viewers' eye to move from the large images of the people in one corner all the way to the burning giraffe in the opposite corner. Also, with the close up of the woman and man, both point fingers towards the giraffe which encourages the viewer to look where the fingers are pointing towards.

Concept-

This piece is a nice example of a conceptual piece because of the phrase that is under the image of the pipe. In French, it says, "This is not a pipe" with a picture of a pipe hovering over the phrase. The artist was being clever in showing how concrete or abstract words can be in which there may be an image of a pipe but the image cannot be used like a real pipe. The artist also demonstrates how other artists can create illusions through their talents in paint but no matter how realistic an object may look like, the object is still on the canvas.

Special Edition 1 - Classic Museum

Hello, this is Jade reporting in on my trip to the art museum. For this blog, I will talk about the classical part of the museum and what I thought were good examples of craft, composition, and concept.

Before I begin, here's a lovely photo of our professor pointing out a piece of artwork for the sake of our assignment:

Craft-

 During the trip to the museum, there were several impressive oil paintings that were focused on still-life work, specifically fruit. In a similar manner, the subject used in this painting is a dinner set that was partially used and left to capture the realism of the painting. Focusing on craft, the artist did an excellent job capturing the soft and hard shadows in the linen, dishes, and food. The artist was able to create the illusion of 3-D through the use of shadows and value throughout the painting. Upon closer examination, as shown below, the artist made sure to include tiny details that would enhance the realism of the dinner set, from the crumbs falling from a slice of pie to the peel of the lemons sitting on the plate. The reflection of the lemon on the plate and the light glares were also another way to create the illusion of realism.

Composition-

This piece, representing something similar to the passover of Jesus and His disciples, utilizes composition well to have the audience view the piece a certain way. First, the space between the two other disciples where the top of the table can be viewed is deliberate in order to invite the viewer to be a part of the scene. In other words, the viewer is invited to sit among Jesus and the other disciples. Second, because of that negative space between the disciples, the viewer can either follow the line of  ascending heads towards the left or the right which would lead to the person sitting at the head of the table, Jesus. The two disciples being so distinguishable up front versus the disciples being more congested as the viewer looks closer at the center of the painting becomes a way for the artist to control the viewers' eye. Third, in order for the artist to make sure the viewer stops their eye on Jesus, the artist included a steeple of a church building behind and above Jesus' head, forcing the viewer to look upward and possibly Jesus' face.

Concept-

This piece was interesting, concept-wise, because of the historical background of when this piece was made and parts of the scenery that was appropriate in two different regions of the world. The time period is between the American Revolution and the Civil War. There is an interest in the Mediterranean architecture, not just because of its style but what kind of societies came from the Mediterranean, like the Romans and Greeks. The governmental bodies were strong and powerful which is something that Americans may have aspired to be one day. The suggestion that the piece is a focus on government and America is the obelisk that is sitting in the center of the blue negative space in the painting. The obelisk is clearly being emphasized, despite being the smaller part of the painting. Another point to add is that the obelisk looks much like the Washington monument. Using the pieces of architecture in the same painting may be the artists' way of wanting to glorify America in the same way the Romans and Greeks were. Another possible message is that America's governing body and society may be small but with time, the country will one day become large, regal, and thriving.

This wraps up the first part of the museum journey. As I wrap this blog up, here's a photo of me standing in front of an O'Keeffe painting that could be last seen before entering the Modern museum:

Radios

Craft-
Although flash would have been nice to get rid of the yellow light in the image, I wanted to avoid any glare that may reflect back at me if I used flash. I took the shot without manipulating the background. I made sure to be level with the radio as well.

Composition-
The plant's stem is a nice way to lead to the radio's center dial and then to the rest of the radio. The cage at the bottom also subtly leads one's eye towards the radio since the bars slightly point towards the radio.

Concept-
The radio, having the existence of a piece of machinery, wanted to get in touch with nature. Although the radio was unable to reach the outside world, the radio received security in a plant that was kind enough to outstretch its' leaves towards the radio in order to comfort the radio.

Army of Men

Craft-
Using a previous cut out image of a person, I transformed the image to a very large size and duplicated the layer several times until the background was completely covered. Next, I shrank the very large image and moved it to the far right, putting the saturation level to the lowest level, -100. As I added a smaller version of the person on top and beside the previous layer, I increased the level of saturation by +20.

Composition-
Using the shape and saturation, I can control the viewer's eye to move from the right to the left. As saturation increases, the viewer's eye follows the slope all the way to the small person, similar to an arrow pointing to the corner.

Concept-
Harper: More bars in more places, minus the phone service.

multiplying Harper

Craft-

Once when I renamed the layer, I isolated the person in a previous image using the quick selection tool. I made sure to touch up on edges that were either left out or needed to be a part of the isolated person. After isolating him, I inverted the selection which selected the background instead, making it easier for me to delete the background, leaving the checkered marks on the background. Then, I continued to duplicate the person by dragging the layer to the new layer button, creating a copy. Afterward, I made sure to move the copied image off of the previous layer, spreading out the numerous amounts of Harper's to the point of completely filling out the background. Next, I selected one of the copies made, enlarged the image, created a duplicate layer (but made sure to leave the layer on top of the original image this time), went to the layers section on the toolbar, clicked on motion blur, adjusted the speed to about 400+, and dragged the blurred image behind the person, making it appear as though the person was moving fast. I also clicked on the original enlarged image, went to layers, and selected paper edges to create contrasting black and white shades on the person, enhancing the motion.

Composition-
There is a large amount of repetition in the image due to duplication. Since there is one part of the image that is larger than the rest of the image, it is easy for one's eye to travel to the large one first before wandering to the rest of the image.

Concept-
Like a racehorse, Harper had to pee badly, increasing his speed at incredible rates. He was able to move so fast, he created duplicates of himself in the background.

Make it pop

Craft -
For this image, I opened a previous image used during the second week and altered the image using photoshop. For the background image, I went to the toolbar and clicked on image, adjustments, and black & white. After I renamed the background image, I added another layer and then placed it under the background image. I clicked on the box and selected a dark red color, and then I colored layer 1 with the selected color using the bucket icon. Then, I went to the background image, clicked on the side toolbar labeled "layers," and then selected "multiply."

A second layer was added, placing it below the background image layer. Switching the color in the box, I selected a bright yellow color for use in layer 2. I used the quick selection tool to isolate the hat from the rest of the background. Then, I used the paint bucket to fill in the selected area. After quickly saving it and reopening it, I cleaned up the areas that were missed by the selection tool by zooming in on the hat brim, and then I used the eraser tool for removing the yellow color that did not belong to the image. Likewise, I used the paint brush tool to add extra color on the edges I missed. For the eraser tool and paint brush tool, I used a hardness level of 100% and round brush shape, adjusting the size of the brush when needed.

Composition-
Due to the nature of the image, one's eye travels straight to the hat since it stands out. Then, one's eye travels down to see the face covered, the rest of the body, and the props set up in the image.

Concept-
Harper wanted to portray himself as a lover of Chinese cuisine which can be best achieved through presentation.

I should have been in advertisement

Craft -
The background came from a removable white shelf that was cleaned off. A medium-sized cardboard piece was used to support the tic-tacs. A variety of hard lighting from the halogen lamp and soft lighting from natural light and a table lamp was used to create shadows and a clear image when the photo was taken. I used the cuisine setting on my camera to enhance the colors of the product and super-macro was used to enhance the details. No flash was used to avoid flattening the image.

Composition-
There is a definite use of repetition with the amount of tic-tacs seen in the image. With the cap on the tic-tac box left open and the tic-tacs left around the box, there is a sense of asymmetry but the color of the tic-tacs blending with the background makes the image more calm. One's eye tends to look at the word "tic-tac", followed by "big pack" and then continuing downward to the tic-tacs spread at the bottom. There is a considerable amount of negative space on both sides of the tic-tac box.

Concept-
Since the tic-tac box was a "big pack," the tic-tac box took up most of the image to make it a play on words. With the background matching in color with the tic-tacs, it appears that the tic-tacs are refreshing and appealing. Sterile image = fresh taste.

10 poses, 1 man

Craft -
I had Harper stand at the end of the kitchen counter with the dolls arranged next to him. I turned off the flash to prevent the image from losing any necessary shadows on the subject. I turned up the exposure to +1 to make the walls appear whiter which made the dolls and Harper stand out more in the image. I pushed the button half-way to focus on Harper then I shifted the camera while continuing to hold the button to include the dolls in the photo, followed by my pressing the button, taking the image.

Composition -
The dolls were arranged from smallest to largest, making the viewer's eye travel from left to right. I also had Harper mimic the mouth of the dolls to include repeating images in the photo.

Concept -
Harper wants to be a part of the Domo group so to fit in, he adopted the signature Domo look while standing next to the other Domo dolls. Expression is everything.

The Beginning of the end

Hi, my name is Jade Braden. I am currently a senior at Saint Xavier with one more semester to go before I finish my undergraduate education. Although I go to school at Chicago, I used to live at Ohio for 8 years; before that, I grew up in Florida for 7 years and for the first 3 years of my life, I lived in California. I've constantly been on the move throughout my life, shuffling between states, so my motto is "pack light, travel far;" In other words, I'm all about practicality. Not many people can tell from looking at me but I'm half Filipino from my mother's side and I'm a quarter Ukrainian, an Eighth German & Irish from my dad's side. Also, I have small portions of Spanish and Chinese in my blood from my mom's side. I've been an athlete for the past 8 years professionally, the majority of my sports being Cross Country as well as Track and Field. I've also been a part of Volleyball, Soccer, and Fencing but I find those sports to be more of a hobby. Some other hobbies of mine include Japanese culture and entertainment, reading, playing video games, and culinary arts.

I'm pursuing a major in Psychology clinical counseling as well as a minor in biology and art. By the end of this semester, I should complete a B.S. with a possibility of high honors if I continue working hard this semester. Now, one may wonder why I am going for a B.S. and biology minor when I'm pursuing a Psychology degree. The reason is that I originally wanted to go into Physical therapy so I poured myself into a ton of science and biology classes, only to find something else that I had more passion in. I still enjoyed learning about biology so instead of wasting my credit hours, I used them towards a minor and Bachelor of Science instead of the Arts. With my psychology major and art minor, I plan on using it towards Art Therapy at my first graduate school choice, the Adler school of Professional Psychology. I want to help children who may have difficulty communicating verbally which is why I considered adding a Visual Communication class for my last semester. There are more ways to communicate than just verbally expressing one's thoughts and feelings, rather, I plan on showing that visual communication is a powerful way to communicate with others.