For this project we had to chose an artist to create a CD cover and the 16 page booklet inside which means we have to look up the lyrics and photos. I chose Nicki Minaj because I knew she would have plenty of photos. One problem I had with the lyrics was that Nicki curses alot so I had to cut out some of the words in the lyrics.

With InDesign you have to create a template for the A-master pages. And make sure you have the measurements done properly so that when it prints it will be the exact size of a CD case. I also had to create 2 B-master pages for the tray. 

 

 

This is just my rough draft copy. I had to make some changes and print it out again. Obviously, the cracked CD case doesn't help.

 

 

This is the back cover! I love it!

 

I love the picture that I chose for the inside tray. Just pink glitter. It is so pretty. I tried to find some classy and not too crazy pictures of Nicki. I found some really pretty pictures.

 

 

I don't know why these pictures come up so tiny. You can double click on the pictures to get a better view. But that's the lyrics to

Your Love.

 

 

 

The lyrics printed out very faintly so I had to go back and change the font to something bolder.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11:31 AM

Don't worry I have more coming soon...
I just finished economy, gray scale and line book projects for the Design class. And in my computer graphics class I chose to do Nicki Minaj for my CD cover, so we will see how that turns out. So I have alot to tell...

10:17 PM

 

This is my attempt at 101 Dalmatians. We had to scan the book into the computer and trace on top of the photo using Adobe Illustrator CS5. I tell you what, that pen tool is a mess. But I got the hang of it anyway. The tool I hate the most would have to be the Gradient Mesh Tool. It really got on my nerves. But in Illustrator you draw everything from scratch. I am praying I will be able to use this in professional environment. I'm sure I will get the hang of it.

1:38 PM

OK, it is time to get back to Graphic Designing.

Finally, I received an excellent grade.
98% for Scale and proportion

For scale and proportion, it is very important that you have to create a Golden rectangle and that requires finding the golden mean.  AB= x

Yes, there is math in art! I really hate math so I was thinking, I am going to fail this project. But the instructor showed us a simple way to do it. You don't have to do all of this algebra. What you do is make a square. And then take your compass and find the mid-point at the bottom of your square. Let's say your square is a 4" square, then you will place the needle of your compass at 2". Then you take the pencil side and place it in the top right corner. From there, go ahead and run the pencil down until it is on the same line as your compass point. I hope this makes sense. This video will help.

 

 

 

 

So first, I had to create my design on a golden rectangle. I could use the lines to direct where I want your eyes to move along the composition. After you sketch it, it should be grid off into 9 or more sections called Alberti's Veil http://svaperspective.wetpaint.com/page/Alberti's+Veil.

 

 

We have to take our design and do an anamorphic stretch. I chose a lovely flag shape. Anyway, you use Alberti's Veil to copy your design onto your anamorphic stretch.

 

 

So this is the final. My design is quite interesting. The instructor thought it was too busy though but I am working on my designs every week.

 

10:43 AM

Computer Graphics 1:

 

So for Computer Graphics, I had to create a Movie poster in Photoshop CS5. I chose the movie Fast & Furious which is one of my favorites. You have to take 5 photos from the internet and create different layers styles such as gradient and creating a Mask for each layer. The mask makes it easier to crop out the background in the photo and clean up edges. I even had to make the credits! I was so excited after I picked out my font for the Movie title.

2:14 PM

I want to retract what I said about one of my projects. The one where I thought I would receive at least a 95. I didn't get what I expected. I don't even want to talk about it. Just that wiping the glue off with a moist towel didn't work because he could still see a mess. It wasn't that messy but I guess he could see the mistakes. I am so upset. I am working extra hard on my project for Dominance. And soon I will post my movie poster from my Computer Graphics class. 

10:35 PM

I am so tired of doing the same thing everyday. School-Chores-Work-Homework-School-Chores-Work-Homework. I definitely need to get away... 

1:20 PM

This is not the finished product but it is close to it. I added a couple more triangles on the side. I could say that the types of balance in here could be: asymmetrical: its not the same on both sides but it still looks balanced overall. axial symmetry: the two sets of smaller circles are the same on both sides and they have a center point. There is horizontal and vertical symmetry with background. And I think the two big circles are asymmetrical because the white lines don't match up exactly. So I know that it is not actual symmetry.

But I put my blood into this project literally. I cut my finger on the xacto knife. I was bleeding all over the place and tried hard not to bleed on my project. I really hope he doesn't notice the blood stains on there. I better get at least a 95% on this because my last project grade had me kind of upset.

Speaking of my last project: Harmony, Variety, Rhythm

 

I received a 77 on it! Can you believe that? It sucks. I spent hours cutting out these circles. But my design didn't have enough variety and I was still practicing cutting out shapes. It was still a bit messy because there was little traces of glue.

But I have tip: If you end up with traces of glue. Lightly wet your gray scale with water and gently wipe with a paper towel and it cleans up the glue nicely.

 

I am also taking Computer Graphics 1. I have to remember all the things I learned during the week because I only take this class one day a week.

4:58 PM

Balance

I am hard at work. Trying to think of how to design 3 types of balance in layers on top of each other.
I have rearranged the shapes so many times.

Types of Balance:

Horizontal and Vertical Symmetry
Occult Asymmetrical Balance
Axial Symmetry
Diagonal Symmetry

Drawing out the shapes and tracing them on to Gray scale paper.

This was one of my first ones. I was trying to do diagonal symmetry, axial symmetry and occult symmetry.

Same thing but I ended up cutting out little circles. They were supposed to look like angry birds shouting at each other.

OK, still brainstorming. I think this will be my final design. I wanted to cut a lighter piece of gray scale for the background and cut it diagonally. But I kept messing it up. I guess I measured the 8 inch square wrong because it was supposed to be perfectly diagonal. I remember the directions said the three balances had to be layers on top of each other. So this is me layering. This time I tries to do axial symmetry, radial symmetry, and diagonal symmetry. I hope it looks alright. I hope I got the gist of it.

9:01 AM

First thing we had to learn was how to count on a ruler. Um, I am not that great with math so yea all of the 3/4 and the 1/4, I really had to pick up on that. The ruler is your best friend in this class.

This is the first practice project. Our first assignment was Harmony, Variety, Balance.
This was all done by cutting with an Exacto knife. It doesn't look too bad. It's a very unique design. It could be neater. I can see wear some of the glue had dried but it is all practice.

8:39 AM

Design class was yesturday. And it was fun and alot to take in. I purchased most of my supplies and now I'm almost ready to get started. The book they want for the course is like $111! That is just crazy for a paperback. Luckily, I found one on ebay for so much more cheaper. Oh gosh, and this class may be a bit tough because there may be some presenting. And I am so nervous when it comes to presenting. How am I supposed to talk about my work of art?

Also, my trip is coming up for my birthday!! So if I do have any projects next month, I better do them before I leave! I would hate to have that on my mind!

5:53 PM

I never thought I would be rewarded for being cheap. Or I guess just being smart. On my quest of being a successful Graphic Designer, I was excited that I won a scholarship through my job.  We all know school is not cheap and I am not trying to end up in debt. So...oh yea my thing with financial aid went through so now I can start school without worrying about being charged instantly. Anyway, I was just doing my usual duties at work when they tell me I have to go to the break room for my first break. I mean, why do I have to go back there? And then I walk in there and "surprise!"
Now, what is this? I was given a certificate from my job for being the 1st person at my store's location for winning that scholarship. Ok, I feel like a pioneer woman. I also had balloons and a cake! Now who has had all that for winning a scholarhip? Things like that do not happen to me. So I didn't know how to react. And everyone's giving me so much praise. I just do not know how to react but I am proud of myself. I am not really a cocky person and I could use a bit more confidence but this was the boost I needed to get me started with my career.

I also got a bit of validation that this would be the right career for me. One of my customers said that his daughter is making big $$$ being a Graphic Designer and she works at home. I definetly know that it takes some discipline and lots of passion to be a freelancer. So classes start next week.

I have had past boyfriends and my current boyfriend tell me that they see the passion in my eyes when I am taking pictures and I love to perfect photographs. I know that they have programs for people like Instagram for instance, where you can do all kinds of crazy things to your pictures. But I will get paid for it because there are still people out there who are not as computer savvy. But getting back to my scholarship.

I had co-workers walking up to me congratulating me and it felt really good. I may have been reluctant in the beginning about what I was majoring in because people react in a weird way. Most people, if you say you want to be a nurse or a doctor. A person will be like "Wow, that is fantastic! I am so proud of you!" But when you say Graphic Design a person will be like "Oh, Ok." But now, I am proud to tell people what I am majoring in and I think it shows because people are now giving me positive reactions. I wish I took a picture of that cake before they ate it all...

12:36 PM

I am so happy! I recieved my scholarship!!! Alright, we are moving on the right track now. And it looks like all that financial crap has been cleared too. So now we can get this thing rolling. I just want to get my life started. I am just hoping that this career takes me somewhere. I have a man that loves me and he is preparing things for our life. I am about to get my life started and it will work out for the best hopefully. I want to be able to make something out of myself in this shitty economy. I know that I will have an epiphany and invent something and start making boo-koo bucks.

8:48 PM

OK, so I am on my way to becoming a Graphic Designer. If only I can get all this crap straightened out with financial aid and my finances. I would like to get to know some fellow graphic designers, preferably some that are women and "african-tamerican" (Madea voice), to know what it is like for them in the business. Then my boyfriend says that he has a friend that is a graphic designer. Really? You tell me this now? But the only reason he hasn't told me is because the friend is his ex-girlfriend's sister. Do you know how awkward that would be going up to her? Especially if the exes aren't friends anymore but they are so nosy and want to know who the new girlfriend is. (It's me Bi*^^%! and you can't have him back! He is all mine.) But the exes sister would get all up in my business and the ex might try to squirm her way back in there. So, my best bet is to leave her alone and find someone else to shadow.  

10:20 AM

I can relate to this article: http://www.squidoo.com/best-jobs-for-introverts

12:57 PM

My journey to become a Graphic Designer just got more difficult. Right now, I am having problems enrolling. If I don't handle this right I won't get financial aid!!!! I need money!!! There is always something that has to happen. There is always something. And then I have to talk to my job to make sure that I can clear my schedule for those classes. I hope that I can get all of this done before classes start....Grrrrr it is annoying but I hope this is the right path for me.

9:51 PM

Well the days are getting closer. Right now, I am having trouble registering and figuring out how to go to school and work. I have one of those jobs with an unpredictable schedule so it can be difficult to plan things. I also don't want to lose money because I'm chaning my schedule. I do have bills to pay!!! Ah, the life of a broke person. Isn't it glamorous. Before classes start, I had a book that I wanted to pick up for inspiration. It's called Fly in the Buttermilk: Memoirs of an African American in Advertising, Design & Design Education by Archie Boston. A very memorable name for a book. The title of the book pretty much tells you what it is going to be about. It sounds like a good read to me! http://www.amazon.com/Fly-The-Buttermilk-Advertising-Education/dp/0971205000

2:04 PM

They drive me bananas. I think some are neurotic. You an click on the picture to get a better view.

5:19 PM

The date to sign up for classes for the fall is this month! I am nervous about it. I have researched and researched things about graphic design. I have noticed that it is a field that is overflowing with caucasion males. It had me worried that no one would even pay attention to me because of the way I look or what I am. I wanted to go into this field but I had no one like me to be inspired by. There are few black graphic designers that I know of and even fewer black, female graphic designers. I had no one to look up to. I found this list of successful young, black people in the DC area. #14 is my favorite.
http://kysdc.com/2673522/93-9-wkys-presents-the-dmvs-top-30-under-30-1/

9:12 PM

Welc0m3


This blog will be about the random thoughts the run through my brain. But I am going to try to document my life as a female Graphic Designer. I need to have a career doing something that I love so I thought graphic design would be a good thing for me.

8:18 PM