Process And Production - After Effects - Space

As this was the last Adobe After Effects workshop of year 1 we used all the skills we had been taught throughout the year and got taught a couple more in this session. For the task I had to create an animated title with a texture; the process involved using Adobe Illustrator for the artwork and After Effects to edit and animate the shapes.

The process began by drawing the title out in illustrator first; I drew the title (space) using the pen tool at first to create unique letters instead of using an existing typeface available in the program. However, after finishing the letters I decided that they weren't striking or as impressive/ bold as space is envisaged by myself.  Therefore I decided to use an existing typeface, 'Helvetica' as I thought it looked my professional and striking due to the structured lines within the typeface. I chose the regular/bold option in comparison to light to add weight to the letters and make them stand out more.

Once I was happy with the title and shapes I brought it in to After Effects and started a new composition  where it was set up to HD Screen settings (1920 x 1080). I opened up the illustrator file in after effects and dragged it into the composition. 

First I selected all of the layers and selected the 3D (the 3D box) from the mode selection. I used the transform tools again in this video and I rotated each individual letter around the 'y' axis; I made the letters spin round in a circle. After adding all of the transform effects to the letters I then added a texture to the letters which was a new skill to me. To do this I had to select the individual letter and then go to 'layer' then 'pre-compose'; I did this to every letter. After that I double clicked the letter's layer to isolate it; then I dragged the texture over the letter. I then activated the track mat and set it to 'alpha matte' which makes the texture conform to the shape of the letter; this process was repeated for each letter. The last process was to create a vignette; to do this I created a solid and using the mask options I turned the blend mode to subtract and I used the feather mode to make the blend less harsh. 

Overall I'm happy with the final outcome that I created as I feel that my skills have improved throughout the course of the workshops I have done in After Effects; I think that I have done well using the program to say that I'd never used it before I started university in September. I understand that by learning how to use After Effects it will broaden my skill set and make me versatile when going in to a workplace. I can used this skills I have learnt for future briefs at University or even in the long run in my future career. My final outcome is shown below:


Graphics movie from Jade Irving on Vimeo.

Process And Production - Physical Studio - Typography - Part 3

This week we were using the three typefaces we had drawn out and looking at ways to refine them before moving on the computer; my favourite typeface of the three was the one inspired by El Lissitzky as I thought it was striking and had a modern feel to the type. 

Looking at this type I couldn't really see how I could improve it or refine it much more as the first time I drew it out I was quite disciplined with myself and drew it with a pair of compasses and a ruler to ensure that the outcome was neat and was thoughtful of the use of space just like in the modernist era. 

After the workshop we were encouraged to create our typefaces digitally so as I was happy with my paper version I decided to transfer this into Adobe Illustrator; I didn't scan the paper in as even though I using a pair of compasses I wanted to make sure the type was precise. So to create the type I used the ellipse tool; I drew a circle with another circle inside it to act as the base of the type. Then using the line tool and path tool I created the red sections (as seen below in the image); i deleted the unnecessary sections of each letter to then be left with the finished letter. My final outcome is shown below; I chose this colour palette due to my choice of inspiration. 

From all the type workshops I learnt how to go from the start to the end of creating a typeface which I feel was important for me to see as a designer; to see the whole process. 

Process and Production - Illustrator - Pear

During this workshop in Adobe Illustrator I was taught how to create a realistic pear using a tool I hadn't used before; however when I was shown how it use the tool it was fairly straight forward. Therefore if I practice using these skills I could develop and expand on them in the future. In this workshop I used tools such as the mask tool, shape tool, eye dropper tool, colour picker, clipping mask, opacity, image trace and texture. 

I began by creating an A4 portrait document set to CMYK, High (300 ppi); it is CMYK to allow it be printed and we need the document to be 'high' so that the document renders all the effects and filters applied in the document to the best quality. As in the workshop I was taught how to create a realistic object using tool, texture and gradients.

I began creating the realistic pear in Adobe Illustrator using tools and skills shown to me by my tutor. The first step was getting an image of a pear from the internet and dragging it in to illustrator; I reduced the opacity of the pear and locked the layer so it didn't move when I would be working on top of the image.  On a new layer using the shape tool I drew a box (M) over the pear so that it was near enough covered. After that I used the mesh tool (U) and clicked on the box I had just drawn; using the direct select tool (A) I manipulated the anchor points so that they conformed to the shape of the pear more. Then going back to the mesh tool I added vertical and horizontal lines to the pear to create the 3D element to the mesh. I then began to add colour to the mesh; to do this I used the eye dropper (I) and direct select tools. In order for this to work I had to bring the pear layer to the front so that the colour picker could pick up the colour from the pear. For each anchor point I had created I used the eye dropper tool to select a colour for that point. As I went round the pear it was being filled to create a realistic pear with light and shade to create a 3D look. To make sure I hadn't missed any points I would bring the mesh back to the top to look for any areas that needed working on. 

Next I moved on to making the pear looking more realistic with the aid of a texture; to do so I got a texture from the internet and then imaged traced the texture so that I was left with a black and white image. Then using the outline of the pear I made a clipping mask so that the image was now in the shape of my pear which would later be placed over the pear. To remove the white from the image I went on to the transparency options and changed it from normal to multiply. So that the black weren't as intense I reduced the opacity of the texture so that it blended in better with the pear; the last stage was to group the mesh and texture together to create my own realistic pear. 

Here is the final outcome of the workshop; I will take away from this workshop the knowledge on how to create an outcome that looks realistic and therefore professional in design. From doing this workshop I have learn more about the Adobe Illustrator program which I thought I already knew a lot about; it just shows that the program has more to offer me in the future as a designer and I will used these tools when I feel that there is a need to do so. 

Process And Production - Adobe Creative Suite - Illustrator - Rocket

During this workshop in Adobe Illustrator I was taught how to reduce the amount of shapes/layers needed to create a more complex outcome; this will benefit me as it will be easier to edit the shape if need and quicker to make to. 

I began by creating an A4 portrait document set to CMYK, High (300 ppi); it is CMYK to allow it be printed and we need the document to be 'high' so that the document renders all the effects and filters applied in the document to the best quality. 

The first part of the session we were showed how to create a rocket using the minimum amount shapes by fully utilising the tools that we have available to use in Adobe Illustrator; these tools included the pattern tool, shape tool, the direct selection tool and the selection tool. The outcome was cleaner and provided an easier workspace in comparison to my usual methods. I made the rocket out of 5 shapes whereas without guidance I would have probably used double the amount of shapes. 

I started with the shape tool using the ellipse tool (L) and using the anchor point tool (shift+C) I made the top of the shape pointed for the top of the rocket.  To make the bottom of the rocket fatter at the bottom I used the direct selection tool and shift to select both side points and then I used the down arrow to move the anchor points lower which in turn changed the shape. To create multiple lines I added an offset path and changed the colour and stroke and to get a dashed line I went on to stroke and ticked the dashed line. I then repeated the process to draw the two engines at the bottom. I started to create the fill for the rocket by using squares and rectangles. Once I have created the shape I then made it into to pattern which would be transferred in to a swatches which would I then be able to use to fill the rocket shape. 

Here is the final outcome that has been filled and a window and drop shadow has been added. The drop shadow allows the rocket come alive more on the screen instead of being flat to the viewer. I found this part of the workshop quite useful to me as it showed me an easier, cleaner way of creating objects without have to use loads of shapes. 

Contextual Portfolio - Workshop Week 2 - Sharp Agency

During the second Workshop week there were a mix of workshops; this time there were more advertising one's which appealed to me as I love create brands and advertisements. One of the workshops was with Sharp Agency who are based in Huddersfield; this workshop was limited to 30 spaces due to popularity and so that the tutors could work more closely with a smaller group.  

It started by the agency introducing themselves, talking about the advertising industry and how a brand looks can give an audience an opinion on the brand before even using their products/ services. They then went on to giving the group a brief which was a live brief; but is not one they are working on themselves. 

The brief was to create a brand identity for a leisure resort in Huddersfield which involved creating a logo, poster and slogan/strap-line. In the future the government is looking to build a leisure resort which will have a ski slope, shops, restaurants, cinemas, bars, clubs, hotel and more; the proposed name for the resort was HD one, which could be changed if you wanted to. For this task we were asked to work in groups of five or less and we had 5 hours to complete the brief; I enjoyed having a small timescale and working in groups as it gave us all a feel of what it would be like working in industry with a short time to produce an outcome for a client. 

In my group there was Becky Clark, James Betts, James Thornes and Stephen Bernstein; each member had an individual role but we all worked together to get the most out of the day. 




First we started by brainstorming ideas for names as we weren't keen on the current name and we wanted to explore other ideas and possibilities for names. We looked in the area and came up with names relating to the area where the resort would be built and as the main feature of the resort is the ski slope we looked at names in relation to snow. The name we all agreed on for the resort was Aurora as it relates to the Northern Lights which is something that is magical, mind-blowing and amazing. 








Then we moved on to looking at who our target audience would be and what they would want from the resort and the brand. We decided we would have three main audiences which are Sports Enthusiasts, Student (as its close to the university) and families. 






After that we worked on what the purpose of the resort is and once we figured it out this led on to thinking about what our 'promise' to the audience would be. With these in mind it was then easier to start coming up with a slogan for the brand. 

At the end of the day we had chance to present our ideas back to Sharp Agency; the feedback we received was really positive, they liked the direction we were heading in with the identity and would have loved to have seen more if we had of had more time. I was proud of the outcome the team create as we were struggling at the beginning to get it to all come together, but when we kept on trying the branding started to fall into place. Overall I was pleased with the as it gave me chance to develop my skills, work in a team and work under pressure due to the timescale. 

Below is our presentation which includes the logo, slogan and poster we produced for the final outcome; 

Contextual Portfolio - Logo Design - Workshop Week

During workshop week I went to a logo workshop where a designer came in and talked to the group and then we were given the chance to choose from three briefs. We either had to design a logo for a children's juice bar, a silent hotel and an interactive pub. From the three options I chose the juice as it sounded interesting and a brief that I could work with in comparison to the other briefs that were given. 

I started by coming up with names for the juice bar; at first I think I was going off the mark of the brief as although it is a juice bar, the designer said it doesn't necessarily mean that it is a healthy juice bar. This mind map was a good way getting all my first ideas and discarding the rubbish ones that I came across so that I could focus on the good ideas.  From speaking to the designer I chose three names to develop further which were 'cucumber', 'chirpy' and 'berry good'; he liked them as they were fresh, playful and a play on words.  For these three I started drawing out quick sketches for some logo ideas; it was a good way of getting ideas down on paper quickly. I think my favourite name was cucumber as you could play around with the imagery a lot compared to the name chirpy. 

I enjoyed the workshop as a whole as it showed me the process of creating a brand/logo and it brought to light how you should get your ideas down on paper first before you move on to working on the computer as it is quicker and helps to eliminate rubbish ideas more effectively. The day as a whole was useful to me as a graphic designer as it gave me the concept of timescales, also I had to present my ideas back to the group, so it developed my presenting skills which will be useful for in the future.