Sophomore Year: Review Presentation

Discovery

(Shown Left: RGB Leaf)
As I put together my course archive CD for Color, Drawing & Form, I was reminded of all I have been introduced to in the past few months. At the beginning of the semester, the class was given a paper that asked specific questions concerning our comfort with certain design techniques, tools and elements. Regardless of whether or not I didn't understand them or it had just been a long summer, I was almost embarrassed to check more than a few as "unfamiliar" (specifically in the area of orthographic and oblique drawing). As the semester progressed, it was obvious that these questions presented the class with the opportunity to, not only be introduced, but to learn through them. The color portion of the class has also been a great experience. I have had little to no formal color education, so sifting through Color Aid was definitely a learning (and sometimes frustrating) experience. After studying this, I was able to be enthusiastic about the creation of my color book. However, I will admit that I am not altogether satisfied with the end prints (despite many test prints) but I really enjoyed the theme overall. This semester has introduced me to areas of graphic design that I didn't think existed and remain something I am interested in and enjoy.

Delineation: Defining Form, Creating Space: Correction

Shown on the left (one example of each approach) : Delineation corrections keeping the hue the same for each group as well as a different texture design. Texture: CMYK, Tone: 2 PMS, Shape: 1 PMS, Line: Black and White.

I have also included an example of the format for my Title Page, Table of Contents and Back Cover of the upcoming Color Harmony accordion book.

Color Systems | Color Research

Delineation: Defining Form. Creating Space.

Incorporating the three-dimensional letter forms constructed, then photographed, in CDF last month, we have extended the study of vector delineation rendering our object to line, shape, tone and texture within three categories; b/w, 1 PMS, 2 PMS, and CMYK. Shown Left: Line = 2 PMS, Shape = 1 PMS, Tone= b/w, Texture = CMYK. I am not very pleased with my results at this point and plan on creating a new variation of my texture form as well as correcting the color (I used a different combination for each letter form as opposed to the whole) on the three colored sets. I will post the corrections within the next week.

Beginning: Environmental Harmonies

Starting to put to use the color we have been studying over the past few weeks, the class has begun the process of photographing both found and choreographed color combinations to be joined in an accordion style book. Shown in order: Harmonious Cross-Section, Vibrating, Transparency, Harmonious Hue/Contrasting Color, Complementary, CMYK, Analogous, and Flat Spiral.

Albers & Munsell Color

This past week, the class has continued exploration of Albers color studies and Munsell color scores. Shown below are examples of my interpretation of Albers; Simultaneous Contrast, Transparency, Warm/Cool, Bezold Effect. Also, Munsell color scores; Vertical, Horizontal, Diagonal, Horizontal Cross-Section, Diagonal-Cross Section, Circular, Flat Spiral, Helical and Three Dimensional through Psychological Space.

We have also begun to photograph color studies for a final book. I have decided to shoot "below the knee", with a directed focus towards shoes. However, because the white becomes such a dominant part of the photograph, I will be trying different methods of including the floor or background in the color study. (Shown Right: Round 1, Complementary)

The Basics: Color Circle, Color Properties

(better photographs coming soon!)

Becoming acquainted with Color Aide and the basic principles of color, here are my first attempts at portraying the contrast of value and saturation as well as a Munsell color circle. Also shown are Johannes Itten color studies on the Seven Color Contrasts.

Oppositional Pairs: Final

Documenting our three-dimensional letterforms by creating oppositional pairs gave way to the application and learning of multiple lessons in design. Not only with the creation of visually interesting compositions that displayed the three-dimensional form, but also in understanding the principles of design that the class was trying to accurately portray through photography of our letterforms. Within the content of the book, I chose to include; stability, instability, focal point, neutrality, rhythm, static, depth, and transparency as the photographs that best communicated the given list of principles. (Shown: Accordion Style book of 4 sets of oppositional paired contrast photographs, cover page and table of contents).

Environmental Narrative Ideas

Fruits & Veggies

With this idea, I want to look at photographing the produce section of a grocery store. With fresh fruits and vegetables, there are always a variety of colors and forms. To actually achieve this my plan is to pick a smaller grocery store and talk with the owner/manager concerning my project (or use an outdoor venue such as the River Market). I think in this instance proper communication with the owner’s would be a good idea.

Rose Garden

With the second idea, I have been considering the Rose Garden at Loose Park. I am aware that it is fall and flowers are obviously not as vivid this time of year but I feel that it would be an interesting palette to work with. There are also other locations right outside the garden that include a lot of red and yellow right now that would be interesting to photograph.

Blonde vs. Brunette

The third idea consists of doing an environmental narrative of different shades of hair color. Especially at this school, it seems as though everyone has a different shade of hair. Although this would include a more narrow set of colors it would be very interesting to see the exact difference between certain hair colors. (This idea could also be continued to cars, however, taking photographs of other people’s vehicles would look suspicious).

Nighttime

I have also thought of exploring the narrative through night, color photography. This option would include photographs of movie theaters, Power and Light district and other areas of Kansas City that light up at night with color. It would be difficult on multiple letters (finding, night photography) but would definitely be an interesting and unknown exploration.

Reading: Albers Interaction of Color I-IV

Wrapping up our three-dimensional letterforms, the class is moving right into color with a reading from Josef Alber's Interaction of Color. The first section overviews the different ways that color is remembered mentally by the viewer. It goes on to say that color, much like text, is read in a "continuous flux" and is almost always seen in a relationship with the colors around it. Chapter III expands on the advantages of using color paper. Section IV states how colors can deceive the viewer and how color can be manipulated. Continuing with this thought, section V Alber's tells us that only a small minority can properly distinguish between the higher and lower light intensities of a color--even designers and painters. (It was here that I realized we were only supposed to read to section IV--Oh well).

The reading starts preparation for our next project in the class. I did not get the chance to be in a color class in Foundations last semester so this will be exciting to learn and work with. With my collection of color swatches and recently purchased ColorAid, I am ready to get started!

"What counts is not the what but the how." --Kandinsky

Contrast Photographs

I started the documentation creating oppositional pairs using both the "X" and "z" letters, however, I realized today in our process critique that it was only contrast photographs of the 12" object. I took more photos today that fulfilled the requirements. I would really appreciate comments on the pairs (there are 4 required sets but I attempted all of the given relationships)! The variable is listed under the photograph. (Obviously, there are quite a few photos that will be edited with Photoshop but I wanted to just put the shots up for feedback before I edit details in each one).