Raynaldo Alvarez Design

The Question...

2012-01-26T22:31:00.000-08:00

How can graphic design activate a persons potential to achieve goals?

As a student it is hard to decide where I want my life to go after school. Where I will live? What I will do? How will I get their? These are all questions myself and many others like me are currently asking themselves, or soon will be. Having the confidence to achieve goals, or pursue dreams can be frightening for many people. This is were I as a designer will come in. My primary goal for this semester is to create a system that would allow a person to catalog, document, and record their goals and present them with the best avenues for achieving them. Perhaps a person it not sure what their goals are, or what they would even like to peruse? Well, the program would help with that too, allowing a user to organize their thoughts to help them better understand where they belong and what they should be doing. How will this project take for? That is still in the brainstorming phase and is yet be determined, but nevertheless updates will be posted here, so stay tuned ladies and gentlemen!

Career Goals and Strategy

2012-01-25T06:51:00.000-08:00

Planning for after school is a terrifying task, worrying about a job and deciding where I want to start my career is a big decision. As a designer in the KCAI program, I feel becoming a graphic designer is not the only option available to me. As a creative thinker there are a wide variety of job possibilities available. I can invasion myself venturing into the advertising and marking world following in the foot steps of the greats like, David Ogilvy & Bill Bernbach. Getting there is another challenge, at first I see myself entering a small studio of sorts to get my feet wet. Once I establish a firm grasp of where exactly I would fit within the world advertising, I would probably approach my primary studio of interest for a job. Leading to the eventual start of my own studio or firm. However, for the moment finding a job after school is the primary goal, there really is no telling where my future is heading but its exciting to think about none the less.

Designed Scenario Slides

2011-10-14T09:33:00.000-07:00

Currently Karen and I are beginning the design process involved in pushing these scenarios to a final state. Below are a few lovely images of whats been designed so far, visit Karen's Blogger (here) for more design possibilities for the iPad & iPhone.

More to come soon, very soon...

Update Wire Frames

2011-09-23T10:16:00.000-07:00

Needs & Solutions: Wire Frames

2011-09-22T18:17:00.000-07:00

The Boy Scout Initiative

2011-09-09T08:31:00.000-07:00

Currently, after deciding on a clean up initiative for Ivanhoe there was a snag as to who I would get to actually volunteer for the project. Creating the campaign would be more than enough for a good portfolio piece, however that is not the primary goal. Creating actual change and growth for Ivanhoe by joining with the boy scouts in an initiative that can benefit both the scouts and Ivanhoe presents possibilities. Currently the research gathered is primarily volunteer based, done by Brandon.

So I've teamed up with Raynoldo in persuing Scouting volunteer project opportunities for the Ivanhoe design assistance. While the Girl Scouts don't pursue community volunteer projects to the extent the Boy Scouts of America do, both can contribute to Ivanhoe's recovery. I have emailed the Heartland Area Boy Scout council with an introduction and design intervention project proposal. The BSA can benefit massively from this project, gaining publicity through Ivanhoe's media coverage, and experience unity through inter-troop cooperation and projects. It would be unique for the BSA to focus it's projects in one area, making a huge difference, as opposed to spread out smaller contributions. It is also an Eagle Scouts responsibility to plan and execute a volunteer project of his own for the community, and having opportunities readily available through the Ivanhoe neighborhood council could assist them in quickly finding a project.

On a community Ivanhoe level, recruitment and involvement could benefit greatly as well. It's been proven that Eagle Scouts are exponentially more likely to be accepted into the work field when compared to other applicants. Here's an article on that subject. But the kids in the Ivanhoe neighborhood are looking for extracurricular activities, and the Boy Scout program and Eagle Scout goal and rank could give them something to do and strive for. It would shape them into leadership material and help them in their job search down the road. When applying to colleges, Eagle Scouts are also eligible for scholarships and more appealing for acceptance.

I've yet to contact the girl scouts, but depending on the BSA's interest and involvement, it might not be necessary. I also will have a better relationship and appeal to the BSA being an Eagle Scout myself.

Boy Scouts (Wiki on overall research.)

Girl Scouts (Wiki on overall research.)

Boy Scouts Volunteering

Eagle Scouts

Girl Scouts Volunteering

Articles on large scale Eagle projects:

1 2 3 4 5

One Sentence: ESL

2011-09-08T19:40:00.000-07:00

Our online community will prompt, inform and connect ESL students with "mainstream students" ( ESL students that have gone through the program and they have been able to apply to college) in the hopes of obtaining a positive high school experience as well as preparing them for a strong future.

Narrowing Research: ESOL

2011-09-07T18:40:00.000-07:00

Karen and I went through the research that we had gather and tried to answer the questions and have a better understanding of our audience. These are some of the parameters and understanding of our community:

Physical Boundaries:
-School system limits the and forces the exclusion of ESL students to separate curriculums and classrooms.
-Limited classrooms engament, limited to the people in class.
-Resources like computer and other software
-Limited certified teachers: the same teachers end up teaching various subjects.
-Integration into mainstream high school classes, is at the discretion at the typical high school behavior.
-Block- schedules
-Teachers move more slowly and they rely on visual aids.
-Limited to not taking the coursework in order to graduate and no electives until proficiency in the language is obtained.

What / Who is involved
Immigrants that don't know English and are placed in a separate classrooms were students are grouped depending on their academic background and age arrival in the US, as stated by the various school boards under the Civil Rights Act. These classrooms are arranged by 4 levels of ESL (English as Second Language), and until an "adequate speaking and writing level is obtained" (standardized testing) they are able to move into mainstream. Some are pushed back that they are still in high school at age 20-21 and are unable to fulfill the coursework in order to graduate from high school, resulting in drop outs.

Equipment Needs
-Limited resources (at the discretion of the school board) : classroom space, certified teachers, , computers and software (due to funding). Schedule adjustments, example electives.
-Simplified knowledge , coddled : students are unfairly taught and should be move into mainstream. All subjects are simplified they can't compete with mainstream students in order to go to college or apply for scholarships.
-Integrating both mainstream and bilingual and collaborate together.
-Little access with peers (socializing) and networks that that might need help learn to navigate her new country, apply for scholarships, or drive a car.

Demographics
High school immigrants of every nation who is in the US trying to learn and graduate.
Age: 15-21, males and females

Perspective of the individual/ community?

Individual ( ESL students & parents)
Wants / Needs

-To be accepted by their high school peers and take role in extracurricular activities.
-Learn all subjects and English at an equal level.
-To graduate and go to college, fulfill their dreams.
-Learn their new country and adopting customs.
-Retain their cultural identity.

Community (Teachers/School Board/ State Government)
Wants/ Needs

-Teachers:
a. Integration and socialize successfully to avoid fights and other misunderstanding.
b. Move them on quickly due to waste of space and resources.
c. Want their ESL students to understand math, science and other subjects.

-School Board:
a. Financing
b. Pass standardize test ( money obtain due to results: leads to coddled learning: simplified and taught tricks to pass standardized test)
c. Affirmative Action and the reputation among other schools

-State Government:
a. Requires schools to meet the requirements of the school, percentile of passing.
b. No Child Left Behind: links every school's financing and its teachers' jobs to student performance on standardize test.

Symbols
-English as a second language
-Immigration
-Different countries, nations, cultures, beliefs, traditions
-Education/ Learn
-Lack in self-esteem
-Stereotyping
-Age
-Graduate and be done with High School
-Labels:
ex. slow learners, stupid

School Level
-Varies depending on language, and education background from the countries the have immigrated from.
-Software knowledge: from novice to expert

JARGON: mainstream: students that English is their first language and are in high school.

After our research we think that one of the ways that we can have a bigger impact is through the mainstream students (online community based) as facilitators, through a peer to peer knowledge and understanding.

[Raynaldo Alvarez] phase 1

2011-09-07T09:47:00.000-07:00

The Stone Spirit Lodge is in need of a face lift that is both inviting and reflective of their in store philosophy. Currently the level of sophistication is low and needs to be elivated a higher level. The Stone Spirit Lodge does a great job of crafting a calm and relaxing enviornment that many have no knowledge of. Re-branding the Spirit Lodge would bring their visual identity to the same level as their atmosphere and community. A powerful, more characteristic brand would do wonders for the Stone Spirit Lodge, that has already achieved a high level of relaxation and individuality that should be reflected in their new re-brand.

Ralvarez Phase 1

Effects of High School ESL

2011-08-28T20:02:00.000-07:00

Hinders Student Achievement
Unable to fully experience high school fully (ESL Required Elective)
ESL Students are unable to effectively take standardized tests (Reflects on school system)
Shuffling between class periods for different subjects
Limited certified teachers, teach multiple subjects (results in modified curriculum)
Separate organizations among students are often formed, creating a divid
Integration into "normal" High School Classes is at the discretion of typical high school behavior
Stereotypes effects the understanding of classmates
High drop out rate among ESL students
Label one another “stupid” or “racist”
Students are unfairly coddled and should be forced more quickly into the "mainstream"
Education officials classify some 5.1 million students in the United States — 1 in 10 of all those enrolled in public schools — as English language learners, a 60 percent increase from 1995 to 2005
Meanwhile, teachers and administrators have come under increasing pressure to meet the requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind Act, which links every school’s financing and its teachers’ jobs to student performance on standardized tests
High schools is the last stop between adolescence and adulthood
teachers move more slowly and rely more on visual aids
writing exam 97 percent passed, Math 91 percent passed, 89 percent passed the history exam
Their classes are light on lectures and heavy on drills, games and worksheets intended to help them memorize facts about topics as varied as European monarchies, rock formation and the workings of the human heart
It means she has had little access to peers and networks that might help her learn to better navigate her new country, apply for scholarships, make her own MySpace page or drive a car. She lives an hour’s drive from Washington, but has visited only once, on a field trip with other immigrant students
The immigrant students are given less homework and rarely get failing grades if they demonstrate good-faith efforts. They are given more credit for showing what they know in class participation than on written assignments. And on state standardized tests, they are offered accommodations unavailable to other students

For Fun "A"

2011-05-30T22:02:00.000-07:00

User Experience Reflection

2011-05-09T12:45:00.000-07:00

Handout Evolution

The Handout

Leaf Evolution

Leaves

Stamps

Stamps

DesignAlogue

2011-05-05T16:32:00.000-07:00

Shadow Final Reflection

2011-05-05T10:43:00.000-07:00

Shadows Presentation

Shadows are an interesting area to take typography. After reflecting on a few points from crit, a couple of possible applications stood out to me. Mostly "industrial" the application of outdoor signage and/or installations. With an outdoor setup the sun becomes the light source, sort of a timed light source in some instances. The sun itself would be an interesting light source to work with because of all the variables that are connected with it. In essence the sun in a timed, moving light source that is sometimes interrupted by object like clouds and planes, very unpredictable. In some ways it is the unpredictability is what makes an outdoor setup intriguing...

Design Alogue Banner

2011-04-27T01:09:00.000-07:00

All in one shot.

What I've Learned

2011-04-27T00:08:00.000-07:00

Creating typography out of shadows was not as tricky as it first seemed. By creating a series of explorations I've learned a lot, for example:

Crisp & Blurry Shadows

When it comes to crisp and blurry shadows source there are two things that should be taken into consideration.

ONE
Disperse Light(s) vs. Controlled Light(s) [ex. Lamp vs. Flashlight]

&

TWO
Determining the distance and/or angle of the light source in relation to the object casting the shadow.

Based on the these points its obvious to tell that the light is what determines how clearly a shadow is cast. The farther way a light is from an object, the more "controlled" it must be to cast a crisp shadow. And for lights set closer to an object, the opposite applies.

This lamp was set at a distance of about 15 feet from these letter forms.

For test number two the distance was halved, increasing the clarity of the shadow dramatically.

Test number three involved a more controlled light source, which cast clear rich black shadows no matter the distance. However, the farther the controlled light moved from the object the bigger the shadow grew, at the cost of loosing its rich black color.

Controlling Shadows Bodies

When it came to controlling the shapes these shadows took there was always an angularity to the shadows.

In this experiment a cube of foam core was used to cast a shadow, with the light directly above. But this what somewhat problematic because regardless of the straight edges, the shadow created was slightly fattened as it trailed outward.

By angling the cuts on each side, a slightly tapered effect was achieved.

and by completely angling the cuts into a point, an even more tapered shadow was cast, basically a point.

Symmetrical Type

Another interesting fact I learned while exploring was the advantages of symmetrical type. Symmetrical letters have the ability to folded in a way that the complete their own shadows.

Folded letters H A T

Folded letters with light, HAT.

Extras

The Tools

"A"

"H"

Nelson-Atkins Prototyping

2011-04-24T14:18:00.000-07:00

New Stamps

Type's OF Shadows

2011-04-13T20:00:00.000-07:00

A little update on some things I have been doing, questions I've been having.

But first some process.

Now for some Shadows

A few questions

Can two shadows be combined to create more than one type of letter, or morph from one letter to another.

Moving light source can produce some pretty interesting things. Not question just a statement.

Firewall Presentation

2011-04-03T12:07:00.001-07:00

Ralvarez_Firewall_presentation

Reading Response: Audience, Design, Lingo, & Pop

2011-03-22T21:16:00.000-07:00

The Audience, by Philip Meggs, reminded me of our communication models and how noise can effect the meaning of a message. In this reading Meggs talks about communication of sign systems and symbols with visual literacy. She later goes on to the symbols of different subcultures explaining that every person has their own "reality world" that is shaped by that persons individual experiences. This ties into our current project by explaining that the individual signs and symbols of a subculture are tied into many different levels ranging from age to personal beliefs.

Graphic Design in a Multicultural World, by Katherine McCoy, tells of the downfall of print & mass communication. Innovations in technology have made it quick and easier to reaching a specific audience more effectively than print. In effect, high technology has prompted the tradition from mass communication to tailored. Corporate design has slowly transitioned from mass, to specifically tailored communications. Katherine McCoy then goes on the talk about the model of communication and how it should be reevaluated. Taking advantage of different strategies like age, specialized language, and attitude. In our projects we are evaluating the best mode of communication for our specific subcultures, as well as channels. For a bike commuter print is probably a better chose based on the culture, whereas a more tech based channel would be better tailored for Female Coders.

Local Lingo, by Alice Twemlow, in this reading Alice Twemlow makes reference to contemporary design culture, stating that there is a move from mass communication and "local." Big companies like often reach their audience by the masses, but by integrating a little "localness" there can be a better output of communication.

Pop Artist, by Linda Tischler, covers the creation of a new coke machine and more. Coca-Cola is a company that reaches people on a global level. But when a cooperation reaches an audience that is that big, the communication is often one sided. When it comes to coca-cola the word design isn't used, instead the phrase "this is what I am going to do to sell more stuff" is used. For Butler, the vice president of design at Coca-Cola, making a tailored system that can function on a global scale is key. This is were the new coke machine comes into play, with a wide variety of beverages, locations, and consideration for culture, Coca-Cola is able to reach a global audience with a tailored message.

Reading Response

2011-03-22T18:09:00.000-07:00

The readings assigned this week were enlightening. Each reading brought something slightly different to the table, but both focused on the idea of experimental typography. "Experimental Typography..." by Peter Bil'ak, seemed to focus on the process of creating the typography, while the introduction of "Radical Type Design" by Teal Triggs revolved around the interaction of the type and the reader. The word experimental is key in both readings. When I compared my definition of the word with theirs, they were identical. Relating more to Peter Bil'ak's definition that, " ... an experiment is a test of an idea; a set of actions performed to prove or disprove a hypothesis." This really made it seem like experimental typography was in someways a dead end. When experimenting with type it never dawned on me that I wasn't trying to prove or disprove anything, I was just doing. My Definition of experimental typography was weak and non existent before these readings. Now I have started to look at in the context of our symposium. The purpose of our explorations is to show that typography does not have to be conventional ink on paper. The interaction between the viewer and the typography takes on a different relationship, and offers a different experience other than reading a book.

For me, experimental typography is experimental because it proves that typography doesn't have to be conventional and can start to take on an experimental forms that has the potential to offer more than it did before.

Typeographic Trends

2011-03-21T06:00:00.000-07:00

For the past couple of weeks there has been a type trend i have been following. Taking type to a more dimensional atmosphere, ultimately altering the way the type is viewed.

Collection Website Update

2011-03-11T12:10:00.000-08:00

Pricing

2011-03-08T19:34:00.000-08:00

So here are the prices for the signage

yup.

2011-03-07T14:17:00.000-08:00

1

who: (for) sub-culture & (from) existing "sponsor" organization
Proposal one is tailored for Female Coders, and would be sponsored by GFC (Girls For A Change)

what: big idea/concept (single most important thing to communicate, what are the reasons to believe it?)
The big idea or concept would involve female coders volunteering their time, to educate and inform young girls on the benefits of being "code minded." Strengthening the idea of hard work and problem solving.

why: call to action (what do we want the audience to think, feel or do?)
The call to action would be for Female Coders to volunteer in their community, to make a difference in the lives of young girls. Female coders where once young girls as well, this relationship would hopefully motivating female coders to act

where: channel or integrated channels and environment

Considering Female coders spend the majority of their time on a computer, a viral campaign, or video would have the best odds of reaching them.

how: personal "tests" (sketches!) and culled existing examples of visual and verbal approach

2

who: (for) sub-culture & (from) existing "sponsor" organization
Proposal two is tailored for Female Coders once again, and would be sponsored by WHO (World Health Organization)

what: big idea/concept (single most important thing to communicate, what are the reasons to believe it?)
The big idea or concept would be for female coders to take a minute and realize that there are potential health risks related to computers, if they do not already know of them.

why: call to action (what do we want the audience to think, feel or do?)
Many of the health risks related to computers are easy to fix, and require little to no effort to correct. Catching the problem sooner rather than later is always a plus.

where: channel or integrated channels and environment
Considering Female coders spend a considerable amount of time at computers, a screen saver might be an effective channel to pursue.

how: personal "tests" (sketches!) and culled existing examples of visual and verbal approach

3

who: (for) sub-culture & (from) existing "sponsor" organization
Proposal three is tailored for Female Coders, and would be sponsored by ITRC (Identity Theft Resource Center)

what: big idea/concept (single most important thing to communicate, what are the reasons to believe it?)
Knowing how much of yourself to put online can be troublesome. With all the social networking sites around these days anyone is susceptible to lurkers, and identity theft.

why: call to action (what do we want the audience to think, feel or do?)
The call to action would be for Female Coders to realize how easy it can be for their online identities to be taken, or impersonated.

where: channel or integrated channels and environment
Considering Female coders spend the majority of their time on a computer, a screen saver might be a viable approach to solving this problem.

how: personal "tests" (sketches!) and culled existing examples of visual and verbal approach

Symposium Activities & Signage

2011-03-06T22:25:00.000-08:00

Here are a few activities I that could take place at the symposium.

Expressive Name Tag:
Each person attending would have the opportunity to make there own name tag, using expressive typography they would design.

What is Type?:
Not quite sure if this is an activity but, before starting the symposium the audience would be asked to fill out a card that simply says, "what do you think of when you see the word typography?". After the symposium reaches an conclusion, a new set of cards would be set out that simply said, "Now what do you think of when you see the word typography?"

Type Trivia:
Here visitors will be given the chance to test their skills by guessing the type from popular album covers, movie posters, and brands.

Designer Scrabble:
Maybe having the game scrabble out to play, only visitors would only be allowed to use design terms. (Terms provided)

Movie:
Everyone loves a good movie, Helvetica, maybe Objectified.

Some possible signage options

A Few Rendering Explorations

2011-03-06T12:48:00.000-08:00

There are a few color issues that still need to be kinked out but here is what iv got so far.

Straight On

Angled

Random Angled

Web 1

Web 2

5 Points

2011-02-23T12:50:00.000-08:00

Personal Investment

Alternatives to financial advisers

Individual Loans

Middle class people frequently rely on loans for support. Especially with current economic crisis

Social Security Issue

Baby boomer population effects personal finance

Tax Increase

Personal finances rely on current economic events and upcoming elections

Government Support

Government support large corporations rather that personal businesses

Type Symposium Brand.

2011-02-17T20:24:00.000-08:00

Here is an updated look at what I have been experimenting with for the possible postcard image, slash brand. Experimenting with cut paper and some transparency.

Possible postcard image? I think so

The Times Redesign.

2011-02-17T19:56:00.000-08:00

For the New York Times Redesign i really wanted to have it take on a new for. For the home page i decided to make every thing very image driven. Only showing the latest news article for each topic accompanied by the headline, writers name, and time.

By clicking on the New York Times tab, a sub menu would appear along with the article calender. From this window the reader would be able to search through the articles according to date they were uploaded.

Clicking on an image would reveal the article, its section (internet), and the before and after articles on the calender.

But wait the reader decides he, or she, wants to go back to the article they were reading a few minutes ago. They can simply click on the recently read tab and search for the desired article.

At last the desired article has been found, with several other articles that were read before and after as well.

T4: Writing

2011-02-02T00:50:00.000-08:00

Typo: a typographic experience

Typo is a typographic symposium aimed towards educating aspiring designers on the possibilities of Type. Experiencing typography on multiple dimensions ranging from interactive to motion. Widening the perspective and paving the way for designers of tomorrow.

Speculate: The New York Times

2011-01-31T11:48:00.000-08:00

The New York Times is one of the most well known and cherished news publications in the U.S., if only the same could be said about their website. When it comes to nytimes.com, there are not too many clear navigational paths. Navigation bars change position, mass clutter of text, and everything else make the site feel tight and claustrophobic.

Ways of improving the online experience would involve a clear set of primary navigation tools. Clean and orderly navigation will allow readers to take in the site piece by piece, rather than one giant mass of information. Introducing images will help to break up the text heavy site, and could be used to draw attention to certain articles of the sites choosing. Over all, introducing a little breathing room.

Wireframe Sketches

Web Analyzes

2011-01-27T20:15:00.000-08:00

New York Times Homepage

The New York Times homepage is a clutter of information, with no real sense of organization. Lots of content fill the page leaving little to know breathing room. This is unfortunately true for the rest of the layout as well.

Technology Page

Technology Wire Frame

With the Technology main page not much changes, with the exception of the navigation bar. The navigation bar goes from a vertical menu to a horizontal one, offering no real improvement to the experience.

Technology Article Page

Technology Article Wire Frame

When it come to the article aspect, ads play a larger roll. Being the dominant component on the page makes the reading experience uncomfortable and crowded.

Both the paper and online portions of The New York Times have their faults, with the website falling behind.

Late Symposium

2011-01-26T11:46:00.000-08:00

Dark Matter Logo Color

2010-12-17T18:49:00.000-08:00

Dark Matter Logos

2010-12-16T10:04:00.000-08:00

Design Intervention Proposals

2010-11-12T03:10:00.000-08:00

Communication Model Presentation

Need some clarification? Use the zoom button, or fullscreen

Visual Communications from theory to practice

2010-10-31T21:16:00.000-07:00

Interesting how the entire time I was reading this I thought to my self, "I never really though about this in terms of graphic design." While I read The Berlo Model of Communication, it was always thought of in terms of physical communication, not the communication between an object and the reader. Controlling this communication is interesting, makes sense that controlling this communication is what designers do on a daily bases.

To simplify things there are three levels:
Level A: Technical
Level B: Semantic
Level C: Effectiveness

In essence The Berlo Model of Communication was applied to graphic design. Showing how for a prime line of communication, the proper amount of overlapping these levels is needed.

The Berlo Model of Communication

2010-10-31T16:47:00.000-07:00

Berlo's Model of Communication breaks the process of communicating into the four basic components.

Source, Message, Channel, & Receiver

Berlo goes further and breaks each element into their sub-categories.

Source/Receiver
The Source and Receiver of a message can be broken down into five primary divisions:

Communication Skills
Knowledge
Social System
Culture
& Attitudes

Each division has the potential of presenting the message in a way the interferes with the receivers understanding of that message. Communication Skills, Knowledge, Social Systems, Culture, and Attitudes can differ among the source and receiver of the message, which create barriers and miscommunication.

Message

Elements + Structure
Content
Treatment
& Code

The Message itself can take many forms as well. In the same way that the source and receiver have boundaries each has to over come, the message itself also has the potential to become yet another boundary. Interesting how something simple as talking to one another can be so complex.

Channel

Seeing
Hearing
Touching
Smelling
Tasting

The five senses can create walls between communication because of possible unawareness of the message in the first place? If you don't know the message is there then you can't answer it.

Over all i feel that with today's technology, all these boundaries and walls can be overcome with the push of a button. The process of communication itself has evolved to a level of greater understanding with things like apples face time app. Video to video communication creates a new element that can bypass all message and channel boundaries with ease. Phenomenal.

Tropicana Re-design

2010-10-30T13:40:00.000-07:00

The Tropicana Re-design is pretty awesome. Going from an Ethos/Logos/Pathos design, which Heavily relied on the brands name and a imagery which tells the viewer this orange juice is like drinking straight from the orange. To a more Ethos/Logos design, that shows the consumer this juice is 100% Orange. Making it a logical choice, because who doesn't want all natural?

Over all the packages appeal did not change too much, it just got a much needed refresh. Something a little more main stream and "cool." Not to mention that awesome cap design, using a more rounded cap with a few leaves. Genius.

Test

2010-10-30T13:12:00.000-07:00

Three Appeals

Logos The logical appeal
This appeal makes use of a products qualities to persuade the consumer into making a "logical" choice.

These Natural Yogurt packages take the "natural" and apply it in a literal way by applying the flavors of each yogurt to the outside. Natural is better, which makes it logical.

Pathos The emotional appeal
This appeal uses a design direction that draws an emotional response from the viewer.

Huggies uses a sleeping baby and the word pure to show how pure their product truly is. Not to mention using the "cute" factor to draw in the consumer.

Ethos The credited appeal
This appeal uses an established name, "spokes person" or established time period to create a sense of credibility.

This line of gatorade not only relies on the name of its brand, but also that of Tiger Woods. Using the name of tiger to show that this gatorade can give you focus just like tiger.

Package Design Rap-up

2010-10-30T12:23:00.000-07:00

When it comes to designing a package there are many components that go into producing a tangible object. For this particular project however our main area of concentration was the front of the package. Taking an existing product and redesigning to still appeal to the existing audience. Using the three modes (Logos, Pathos, and Ethos) of appeal to guide our design directions.

Logo Package

After choosing three different packages, muscle milk was ultimately my final choice. From this point it went into thumbnails and iterations.

Of coarse the iteration process is longer and more existence, however the two images above sum up the extent of the final muscle milk directions which where, Bulky Bunny Wrapper and The Heavy-Duty Series. From concept, the next step was design and formal mock-ups.

Pathos Appeal

Ethos Appeal

After mocking up the top design directions for each appeal, two final designs where chosen to refine.

Pathos Appeal Refinement Stage

Ethos Appeal Refinement Stage

After evaluating each package, and further refinement, two final packages were achieved.

Pathos

This design consisted of a twist-able wrapper. One side of the wrapper having a cute bunny, while the other had a bulky bunny. Making use of the "cute" and "cool" factor to invoke an emotional response from the consumer.

Ethos

This package design made use of an ethos appeal, using different images, textures, and copy to support the idea of a strong and reliable protein formula.

To rap up, I learned a lot about package design and myself. I found myself enjoying this project and the process that went into it. Designing for people is something I am interested in. Not only on a graphic level but an industrial one as well. Trying to introduce a level of interactivity on and off the shelf.

Redesign: Muscle Milk Package 3

2010-10-23T18:51:00.000-07:00

Wow wow wee wow, check out this epicness wow. So the muscle milk is heading in an interesting direction. The series and the bunny are doing fine, cant wait to see what they grow up to be!

Redesign: Pathos Package 2

2010-10-23T18:46:00.000-07:00

Yummy yummy, muscle milk round 2, ethos packaging. This set was rather fun to work on, the left consisted of a series, while the right showed the protein composition. Each a viable solution to the assignment, but it seemed that the series was a better fit.

Redesign: Pathos Package

2010-10-17T11:04:00.000-07:00

Redesigning Muscle Milk is a tricky task. Considering the audience that generally buys this product, it makes sense that logos would be the primary appeal. Giving this product a new appeal is somewhat hysterical, but interesting. Here is what came of my adventures,

The top image shows them in orders of effectiveness, the chocolate bunny and chocolate unleash being the top two. In the end, the interactiveness of the chocolate bunny put it over the edge. Phase 2 ethos

Mike McCoy Lecture

2010-10-08T13:57:00.000-07:00

Mike McCoy's lecture covered "people centered design." Mike talked about where he was from and the places he's taught at but what I found most interesting was the fact that he was an industrial designer. Industrial designers consider the user experience. This is what industrial design primarily consist of, as graphic designers our first priority it to convoy a message through typographic and graphic means. The user is not necessarily the first mark on a designers check list, but it can be. Mike laid out the foundation and elements that go into evaluating and dissecting the user of a particular product. These same procedures can be applied to a graphic designers arsenal to further the effectiveness of our designs and their meaning. Truly inspirational.

Final Type Layout?

2010-10-08T13:22:00.000-07:00

So here is what became of my type layout, its OK and meets the deliverables but still has some refinements in store. There are a few treasures in the first layout that I feel are heading in the right direction but right now it all just seems like a big disappointment.

Package Modes and 10 Graphic Approaches

2010-10-08T07:30:00.001-07:00

Product: Muscle Milk
Mode: Pathos
Concepts:
• "Elemental Power!" (showing the power and energy through elemental properties)
• "Double Sided" (showing before and after taking the drink, animal characteristics)
• "Material Strength" (relates the strength of the drink to strong materials)

Product: Muscle Milk
Mode: Ethos
Concepts:
• "Formula Equation" (shows the elements of the drink)
• "Gold Seal Mineral" (uses gold to show the quality and establish credibility)
• "Spokes Person" (uses the credibility of an established athlete or spokes person)

Some possible Graphic Approaches:

Photographic
Illustrative Elements
Cut Paper
Layering of Tissue Paper
Water Color
Sketching, Pencil and Paper
Glowing Paint?
Transparent layers, Showing before and after
Animal Pattern?
Prisma Colors

Project 5 Combining Channels

2010-10-04T05:04:00.001-07:00

For this project there was a lot more planning than I originally anticipated. Since the main objective was to combine the two modes, and not "create" two modes it seemed like cake. When I stepped back and realized that one of my channels was presented in motion and the other on paper, it became a decision of which platform to combine the two channels on. Considering the appeal a motion peace can have I decided to combine the two on a motion based platform. Having half of the project already completed in flash, it quickly became about two ideas. One, how to transfer my poster images from print to motion, And the second being how to transition from one body to the next.

A to B became my mode of thinking instead of A. B. A. B, switching from one channel to the next. "A" being the poster content, and "B" being the text content. Switching between content seemed problematic, going from image and text

Updated Logos Packages

2010-09-30T21:57:00.000-07:00

Columbia spaghetti was the chosen product example for ethos. Through the use of time, Columbia establishes its credibility by clearly stating their historic origin. By using an old gold coin, two things are happening. On the first level the gold coin stands for Columbia's beginning, or when they started. On the second level the coin represents the "quality" of the noodles, gold being the metaphor.

Audience: Middle America / pasta is easy and simple to make, its for everyone really

Numi tea was an excellent example of pathos. Numi tea makes use of image and texture to draw emotional connections between what is being seen on the package itself, and the flavor of the tea. Using the flavor as a visual to illustrate the way this particular flavor would taste.

Audience: Health Conscious / Relaxing tea drinkers

It was so simple. Once I sat and really thought about what logos meant, it came to me. Muscle Milk! Regardless of the fact that most of the package is taken up by the company logo, as a whole there is an entire level of information being given. The front of the package is used to promote its contents and what benefits it offers, along with an image of whats inside the container. This is an excellent example of logos.

Audience: Body Builder / Athlete

Reading Response: Type + Image pg 130

2010-09-26T23:15:00.000-07:00

On this page from Type + Image, Meggs, states that style is an important component to design. More often than not style is considered as excessive, or frivolous information that serves no actual purpose. However according to Meggs, style can carry meaning just as well as any other part of the process, or rather style should contain meaning. The integration of style and content strengthens the formal elegance of a project and can help to concrete meaning. Style is a good thing not a bad one, by mastering the subtle power of style, design becomes powerful on levels subconscious. Breaking boundaries and pushing the limits of design.

Find+Share Aristotle's Appeals

2010-09-26T21:39:00.000-07:00

For this weeks Find+Share I chose three products that corresponded with each mode of appeal, ethos, pathos, and logos.

Last but not least Logos. For logos I chose Bounce fabric softener sheets. Now despite the fact that this package makes use of more than one appeal, logos is still one of them. The entire back portion of this package is used to promote the qualities that make bounce unique and special. By doing this bounce aims to set themselves as the logical, or best choice.

Folly Documentation

2010-09-26T19:41:00.000-07:00

After randomly drawing jazz artists from a sack, the first phase of the project started off with research. The Musician I picked was Joe Lovano "US FIVE." After collecting a reasonable amount of information and listening to their music, it was time to create a "mood board."

Mood boards were created from informational research, in combination with the bands music. By taking the inspirational aspects of Joe Lovano's music and applying it to a visual format, it became possible to represent Joe on a new level. The result was this mood board.

With the completion of the mood board the next stage in the process was to create a matrix.

The steps that went into making this matrix are similar to that of the mood board. The main difference being the incorporation of rhetorical tropes. Taking each trope and combining it with one of ten words that best described the band and its music.

Once the matrix reached an appropriate number of concepts, three were selected to expand on. Three rows, with five in each row, for a total of fifteen iterations. From these fifteen iterations, one direct path was chosen to follow and iterate.

This path involved the use of synecdoche, which involved taking the keys of the saxophone and replacing them with the instruments of the band. After evaluating each poster and deciding on what aspects were working, three more posters where formulated.

At this stage of the poster, it was decided if more variables were necessary for further development or if the variables already purposed were adequate enough. In this case, the largest poster was viewed as being the strongest compositionally, but lacking when it came to contrast. With that it was only a matter of creating contrast while maintaining compositional unity.

After deciding on a composition, color was the next step in development. Finalizing the color palette would lead to the introduction of two black and white ads.

With the folly poster near completion, the transition from colored to black and white was fairly simple. The main areas of concern were mostly compositional. After some moderate color correction and letter kerning, the three below are the end result.

Overall the folly theater poster project will make a fine addition to the portfolio. The use of rhetorical tropes was an interesting way to go about things. It pushed the imagination ans forced unique ideas as a result. Ending with a unique graphic that may have not been developed ant other way.

Detailed Narrative: Image

2010-09-22T08:50:00.000-07:00

When it comes to image there is a higher level of thought that is mandatory when trying to relate an idea to a single image. Every aspect of the image must be examined, every aspect assessed. If any tiny part of the image contains a thought that could contradict the image as a whole, then the meaning would be lost or misunderstood.

For this narrative project I chose image as a way to show the process that goes into ordering and receiving a comic.

Reading Response: Understanding Comics

2010-09-19T23:22:00.000-07:00

Understanding Comics was an interesting read. This along with the lecture that took place on Wednesday, complimented each other nicely. Never thinking much of the effects cuts and transitions can have on a piece, I would like to think I am a little closer to having a better grasp on how each type of transition can effect the viewer. By taking advantage of the few split seconds between frames, an editor can dramatically influence the mood and feel of a project. Slightly on the subconscious level, cuts can help direct movement and drive specific emotions. Cutting from one scene to the next extremely fast, can add the effect of suspense. Helping to reenforce content and support main ideas within the narrative.

Jazzy Poster: Refinements and Iterations

2010-09-17T07:32:00.000-07:00

Its an exciting feeling when you come close to producing something amazing, unfortunately I am not there yet. After taking the advice of my peers and instructor, I managed to produce 4 interpretations of what was said in class.

Typographically I find myself drifting towards the bottom two more so than the top. Color is still up in the air at this point, but the blues and yellows definitely feel jazzy to me.

In an effort to liven up the saxophone component of these posters, it was suggested that only parts of each instrument were necessary in order to convey the band's unity.

This approach has its problems, trying to integrate the drum set as well as the upright bass is a major pain. The drums look like gears and the bass doesn't look like a bass. Awesome!

NA Project 3: Detail Narrative

2010-09-15T06:23:00.000-07:00

Project 3 was interesting, only being allowed to use one channel of communication really put a damper on the narrative. Given the dynamic nature of comics, text seemed the most appropriate channel communicate with. taking the basic idea of a comic book and only focusing on the text aspect was my primary method for creating a story.

After reflecting on the completed project there were a few areas of observation that stood out to me. First being the fact that it is extremely difficult to make an interesting narrative when only using one communicative channel. A narration is some what easy, but an interesting narrative is another story. Usually editors would rely on a combination of multiple channels in order to draw the viewer on multiple platforms, sound, image, voice, and so on. But when a narrative is dependent on only one area of communication it comes down to motion and the active motion of the camera.

Six Posters: Round 1

2010-09-12T22:37:00.000-07:00

After the first round of initial concepts there have been some updates to layout. Thinking simplistic, with a sophisticated and elegant feel is difficult. Sense the imagery is not extensive, the layout must posses a certain degree of thought in order to balance the simplistic imagery. This esthetic can be powerful but is extremely difficult to achieve. Second round post coming soon.

Tender Buttons Update

2010-09-08T11:40:00.000-07:00

Finally this is starting to head somewhere. After going through critique Ive decided my layouts need more contrast, as well as a stronger form of consistency. Lots of revising and fun times ahead, cant wait.

15 Second: Marvel Bank

2010-09-01T04:44:00.001-07:00

Marvel Bank from Raynaldo Alvarez on Vimeo.

10 Signs

2010-08-29T16:52:00.000-07:00

So after banging my head against the wall for a few hours, these words finally fell out.

1. five
2. saxophone
3. layers (levels)
4. "b" (tenor)
5. Circles (sound)
6. art (folk art)
7. unique (drums)
8. forms (shapes)
9. cat
10. visionary

Find+Share

2010-08-29T14:40:00.000-07:00

For my find and share I chose to pick from two things I love most in life, entertainment and cars!

PSP advertisement

In this ad psp chooses to take the feeling that their automotive games create (adrenalin) and visually representing it. Drawing a comparison between their games and artificial adrenalin. Taking a few pills and filling them with car parts uses a number of rhetorical devices to complete the visual. Hyperbole for one by showing the elements of a car small enough that they can fit in a pill. Metaphor links the racing components and pills, two unrelated components that share a common factor adrenalin.

Audi Advertisment

Audi conquers winter by using the symbol of a man on a snowmobile as the tread on their new snow tiers. Creating a pun that says their tires are great for the winter because of the type of tread they have, as good as a snowmobile.

Joe Lovano and “Us five”

2010-08-26T22:21:00.000-07:00

Joe Lovano and “Us five”

Origin: Born in Cleveland, Ohio on December 29th, 1952

- Very musical household, almost everyone was involved with music one way or the other.
- Started playing alto sax at the age of 5 while a couple years later moving into a tenor sax.
- Attended Berklee College of Music in Boston and shortly after graduation made his recording debut with organ master Lonnie Smith and worked with Jack McDuff.
- Joined Woody Herman’s band shortly after.
-Woodrow Charles Herman (May 16, 1913 – October 29, 1987), known as Woody Herman, was an American jazz clarinetist, alto and soprano saxophonist, singer, and big band leader. Leading various groups called "The Herd," Herman was one of the most popular of the 1930s and '40s bandleaders. His bands basically played jazz and blues, often including rather experimental material for their time.
- "Brother" Jack McDuff (September 17, 1926-January 23, 2001) Born Eugene McDuffy in Champaign, Illinois, McDuff began playing bass, appearing in Joe Farrell's group. Encouraged by Willis Jackson in whose band he also played bass in the late 50s, McDuff moved to the organ and began to attract the attention of Prestige Records while still with Jackson's group. McDuff soon became a bandleader, leading groups featuring a young George Benson, Red Holloway on saxophone and Joe Dukes on drums, often performing with an organ trio.
- Dr. Lonnie Smith was born in Lackawanna, New York, (just outside of Buffalo), into a family with a vocal group and radio program. Smith says that his mother was a major influence on him musically, as she introduced him to gospel, classical, and jazz music. He was part of several vocal ensembles in the 1950s, including the Teen Kings. Art Kubera, the owner of a local music store, gave Smith his first organ, a Hammond B3.
-Folk Art is his 22nd album with his record label Blue Note.
- Jazz Times named Folk Art, “Album of the year.”
-Lovano broke both arms in two different accidents at the end of the year in 2009 that costed their tour to be post poned.

Band Members:

- Pianist is James Weidman which is know to be a veratan and has worked with Lovano before.
- Bassist is Ezperanza Spalding who is a rising star in the world of jazz. She is 25, and also teaches at Berklee.
- Drummer: Otis Brown is a new comer in the scene
- 2nd Drummer: Francisco Mela.
- The reason for two drummers is because it makes things more dynamic, and more interesting.
-“Open-ended approach and expansive freedom, Spalding, Brown and Mela are unafraid to venture into unfamiliar territory, forcing Weidman and Lovano to challenge their own concepts of expression.”
- After reading about Joe Lovano, Us Five I have realized that they are quickly rising group within the Jazz community, world wide. I have yet to read a bad review. And it’s really interesting how each place describes them positively in different ways.
- They are adventurous, influential, appealing, fearless, youthful, eclectic, full of character, fun and spontaneous.

Random Facts:

- Joe Lovano has a nickname of Cat in the Hat
- He has taught and has been a guest at many different colleges: William Patterson college, NYU, New school of jazz program, Guest clinician at Julliard, Manhatten school of music, and the new England conservatory of music, east man school of music, and university of Miami. Also has visited Belgian, France and Tokyo universities.
- Has named a few songs after influential people on Folk Art.
- Grammy Winner, nominated twice, won once.
- Want people to think Jazz in the folk art of America.

Museum Exhibit Final

2010-05-11T00:14:00.000-07:00

There were more than a few thing wrong with my last museum exhibit, so i decided to redesign a large portion of what was the advertising, basically going back and rethinking the type aspect of the project more so than the imagery. Type being the main point of weakness that still needs work but is most definitely heading in a good direction.

Gert Dumbar Lecture Poster

2010-05-03T07:37:00.000-07:00

Boooom!

Newest Type2 Poster, Inspiered by Gert Dumbar for Gert Bumbar. In our lates type assignment we were tasked with creating a "promotinoal poster" advertising a fake Free Lecture. The image above depicts the newest of a long line of posters created for the lecture. There is still lots of work to be done but it will soon be glorious!

Some previous ideas the led up to this state.

In the end, the yellow was dropped and the texture was omitted from the background.

Exhibit Titles

2010-04-21T09:37:00.000-07:00

My titles are primarily based around 3 central themes. Animal, Equipment, and "Comparison Relationship"

Animal Exhibit would focus on the animalistic dangers present for divers in the sea.

Title Ideas
Dangers of the Aquatic
Deathly Depths
Terrors of the Living Sea

The Equipment Exhibition would be about Scuba equipment and their use.

Title Ideas
Equipped to Scuba
Goggles, Flippers, & Scuba
Geared up and Ready to Scuba

The Relationship Exhibit would focus on the metaphorical relationship each icon has with the human body.

Titles Ideas
The Human Diver
A Divers Anatomy
Submerged: Covered in Scuba
Scuba Inside & Out

Reading Responce: Pattern by Lupton

2010-04-15T15:59:00.000-07:00

Patterns, when broken down, is the repetition of a single or multiple element(s). Most patterns are formed from these three formal components: "isolated elements, linear elements, and criss-crossing or interaction of the two (dots, stripes and grids)." Through the manipulation and combination of isolated, linear, and crossing, there are numerous possibilities when it comes to pattern creation.

In regards to the assignment at hand, creating patterns from icons is a bit challenging. Depending on the complexity of the icon the pattern can be too overpowering, or not enough. The techniques in this weeks reading response will in some ways make things easier to handle. Although not only is creating a brilliant pattern required, but i feel that in some ways introducing a little narrative would be beneficial as well.

Final Covers

2010-04-12T08:58:00.000-07:00

Here they are, the final covers of The Underwater Exploration Series. Along with my initial thoughts on how to approach this project.

Book Covers: Round 1

2010-04-11T14:12:00.000-07:00

Final Statment

2010-04-09T09:13:00.000-07:00

This project has been a journey. Starting from the initial story title concepts, all the way to these magazine layouts. Creating info-graphs is tricky business, and integrating icons is even trickier. I would imagine that when creating info-graphs the designer would create icons and such to cater to the information? Regardless, I feel like the approach that was taken in our class was more beneficial. Creating a graphic around icons that already had a story, or plot, attached to them made it easier to find research that supported the theme.

Initial research was the first step in formulating a baseline for our information graphics to sit on. The more research found, the greater the amount of variables available for manipulation.

Initial paper prototypes consisted of rough ideas, mainly in order to formulate ideas quickly. This paper prototype shows my initial thoughts on what information would go into my time base info-graph.

After this initial prototype, the next step was to refine the prototype into a more clear and ordered path, represented below.

This part of the process was rather joyful, because there are limitless directions in which the info-graph can go from this point. Entering the digital realm and creating an info graph.

First Digital Attempt

Final Digital

Over all I am rather pleased with the way my graphs in general came together. There are still small details that need to be taken into consideration in order to achieve a higher level of info-graph. Something which can make the system as a whole work better together, as well as separately.

Info graphics Find and Share

2010-03-31T04:57:00.000-07:00

These three info graphics that I chose to present for my find and share all show depth or space in some sort of manner. The first two use depth to add a sense of space to the information, tuning a simple design into something slightly more dynamic. As for the third graph, this one uses shadow and a slight angle to change the perspective of the graphic. Again taking something rather formal and giving it dimensionality.

The New Basics: Diagram

2010-03-26T11:16:00.000-07:00

The New Basics, by Lupton, pg 199-211 focus primarily on one aspect of design that we just so happen to be interacting with at the moment, Diagrams. Diagrams or info-graphs, in my opinion, embody the main forces that surround design. Conveying information in a graphically pleasing way, while maintaining clarity and understanding. In most respects these are what most designers strive for, acquiring legibility without sacrificing design. Taking a format that would other wise be fairly simple and making it complex. Enhancing the structure and allowing the information to speak on a new, heightened level. Unlike our diagrams which are being designed primarily for magazine use, info-graphs actually have a wider range of applications. Commercials, websites, posters, adverting, politics, textbooks, and even entertainment. In relation to our project, this article inspires. There are a lot of techniques that can be used to achieve a narrative that not only helps the graphic aspect, but also tie the graphs deeper into the our iconic story lines. One such technique is the power of overlapping. Through overlapping there are many possibilities that can led to dimensional graphs that show information on multiple levels. Simply Inspiring.

Typography 2 Final Campaign

2010-03-12T00:32:00.000-08:00

Final Color Icon

2010-03-12T00:27:00.001-08:00

Well here they are the final color icon set. The color scheme applied here is pretty simple, and is only seen on the lines. When it came to filling the icons with solid color, I wasn't too excited by how they looked. This was partly because of the colors that were chosen. Given the nature of the ocean, there are many bright and extravagant colors. Colors that simply didn't mix well with my icon set. Even though this part of the icon icon exploration is over, it doesn't mean I don't have big plans for these icons.My next step is to introduce a little asymmetry, which should allow for some pretty interesting icons.

Seven Deadly Sins

2010-03-10T09:21:00.000-08:00

The seven deadly sins, final layout:

Final Icon Set: Underwater Exploration

2010-02-25T20:54:00.000-08:00

Story telling is tricky enough using words but when all you have are icons, it can get a little difficult. The process of telling a story through a series of icons is no easy task, that is lofted with many levels. First came the story, brainstorming ideas of possible story titles was how I would start this icon project off. After coming to a decision what the title of my stories would be it was then my responsibility to determine the props, or components that would make up the story.

For my underwater exploration I decided that a scuba diver who was interested in exploring an underwater cave decides to suit up and find one. After acquiring the right water gear and making it to the cave the diver comes across a variety of aquatic wild life and decides to document his findings. Unfortunately his presence in the cave attracts a shark that is not too happy to see the diver. After realizing what is going on the diver pulls out his spear gun to defend himself.

With the story written, it is time to visualize its components. This stage of the process consists of research, and image gathering. The more research the greater the potential for an amazing icon. When looking for imagery there Ire a few attributes to look for, image size, color, and different views of the object itself. With imagery and research completed the first construction pieces of the icons can begin.

Through a series of intuitive drawings the basic ideas that would eventually become icons takes place. Although this part is intended to be a loose and fluid, sometimes its just best to go with have ymy good at.

After producing a fair amount of intuitive drawing, I soon realized that my time was better spent trying to recreate my objects as best I could with a pencil and paper.

Once the proper perspective was chosen, iterations in the for of a matrix would help to hone the path which I would follow for the rest of my icon set.

Through multiple critiques and many opinions, it was decided that the right path for me to follow would be a hard outline with a semi-symmetrical format, As you can see from the final icon set below.

This project was very enjoyable for me, and will continue to be as we enter the next stages of these icons and venture into color. For myself there are a few minor changes i would make after seeing the set together, and that would be to carry the outline all the way around each object, as opposed to having a few that have components that break though the outlined perimeter. By doing this i feel the cohesion between the set would strengthen further, leaving no room for question as to weather or not certain icons belong with the rest.

Reading Response: Generate and Cull

2010-02-24T06:00:00.000-08:00

This weeks reading response focused on design strategy. Generate and Cull, the bases of what it takes to generate a wide variety of solutions and what it takes to pick the right solution. Creating a large amount of answers to the design problem makes it possible to find the answer. Solutions can be hard to come by, finding the right one means taking the time to find it. With connection to our current project, creating the right icon requires research, hand generated images, tracing paper, vectored iterations, and finally the end product. Making icons requires a lot of steps that in the end only offers one solution, but not the only solution.

F+S

2010-02-18T23:50:00.000-08:00

Here are a few icon sets I found appealing.

Icon Set by ~MannMitDerTarnjacke

Folder Icons Pack by ~deleket

Out Door Icon Set

Reading Response Week 2

2010-02-09T23:55:00.000-08:00

Pictograms Icons Signs and An Iconic Lion, Were the two readings assigned to us this week as part of our reading response. Each reading highlighted either the evolution of the pictogram or the process of reinventing one. Despite the fact that both readings slightly talked about different points of a pictogram or icon, for me the basic message was the same, great design comes through dedication and effective process. With the evolution of the printing press it became possible to print large amounts of material rather quickly and efficiently. Making it possible for prehistoric designers to stretch their limbs and design. And from the perspective of An Iconic Lion, A team was given the task of refurbishing the new york public library's logo with a new contemporary one. Showing the process and notes that went into recreating a classic brand into something more modern.

When comparing these articles to our current assignment, every component is the same:

1We were given the problem: a story that doesn't have an icon set.

2We evaluate the problem as designers: research the story, and determine the appropriate components.

3We implement proper process: image gathering, hand draw images, hand drawn icon matrix, iteration/ evaluation, and final icon set.

No matter what stage of our wonderful careers we are entering, the fundamental steps to great design well never change. With time design will only get better, and technique will continue to improve.

Design Process by Philip Meggs

2010-02-07T23:28:00.000-08:00

Design Process by Philip Meggs, like any other reading highlighted points on the design process. Though I wouldn't go as far as to say it totally changed my perception of the process. I’ve always understood the design process to be a lengthy one, full of many variables and iterations. Kinds have to beat every possible idea out of a subject before you can finally get "the one". And even then the design is never really finished, there is always something that can be tweaked or refined in some way. The designer either doesn’t see it yet, or the style choice hasn't been thought of yet. Meggs's design process and the process we use in our classes are very much the same. We may go about things a little differently but the basic structure is identical, Problem Definition, Information Gathering, Idea Finding, Solution Finding, and Implementation. In my opinion every step is vital, though sometimes many of us want to just skip straight to idea finding. In regards to the working world I think everything we learn in school we should carry with us as we move on and out to our jobs. Every once in a while will get a job where the idea is just instant and amazing, but it never hurts to pull out a sketch book and draw up some thumbnails, or read up on the subject were designing for. We are learning to produce a large amount of possibilities for a reason, when it comes to design there has to be a certain language between the graphic elements and the type, or else it falls apart.

Poster Clash! Round 3

2010-02-07T21:46:00.000-08:00

Here is Round 3 revisions, not sure how I feel about these yet but were definitely heading some place.

Poster 1: Revised

Poster 2: Type Change

Poster 3: Different Arrangement

Poster Clash! Round 2

2010-02-07T18:54:00.000-08:00

Here is round two of my poster designs.

Poster 1: Revised

Poster 2: Revised

Poster 3: NEW (Not sure what happened on this one?)

Image Project 2 Update

2010-02-07T18:25:00.000-08:00

After ruling out many possible candidates for my image poster I finally settled on Wilbur Wright, the older of the two wright brothers. Surprisingly enough Wilbur Wright was the one who initiated thoughts of starting an exploration in flight. Flying was not the only project the wright brothers had on their plate, they also had a fascination with bicycles. This fascination would lead the brothers to own a bicycle repair shop, which would become their primary source of income for flying.

Here are a few quotes from Wilbur Wright:

"It is possible to fly without motors, but not without knowledge and skill."

"The desire to fly is an idea handed down to us by our ancestors who...looked enviously on the birds soaring freely through space...on the infinite highway of the air."

"Men become wise just as they become rich, more by what they save than by what they receive."

PROJECT 2 :: THE CONSTRUCTED IMAGE

2010-02-02T19:20:00.000-08:00

For project two I have decided I would like to make my poster on some sort of inventor. I am still looking for the right person, but have come to the conclusion that I would like for them to be one of the following three Thomas Edison, The Wright Brothers (not sure if I can choose two people?), or Albert Einstein. These three inventors are sort of house hold names but their accomplishments would make for an interesting poster. At this moment I am still unsure of who I will be going with but my mind will be made up once class starts.

Type, Image, Message

2010-01-31T22:55:00.000-08:00

"The reality is that no one is naturally good at combining type and image."

I can't say I fully agree with the statement above. Im not saying I am the exception, but I am saying there are always those gifted few that just excel at everything their hands touch. As for the reading i cant say it dramatically widened my perspective on how hard it is to combining type and image, considering I experience this hardship first hand on a semi-daily bases. However i can say it did enlighten me on some of formal elements that must be considered when approaching a poster or any other multimedia format. Aside from the more common space, point, contrast, color and tone. There are there more elaborate Separation, Fusion, Fragmentation, and Inversion.

Separation : "when text and image operate independently"

Fusion : "when type and image blend to form unity"

Fragmentation : "when type and image disturb or interrupt each other"

Inversion : "a form of fusion when the type and image trade places and the type takes on pictorial properties or the image takes on typographical qualities"

The four bases listed above are the basic blocks of most type and image collaboration. Once a person can fully master these levels, without becoming stale and stagnant in their design development, there isn't any reason why they can prove that quote above wrong.

Poster Clash!

2010-01-31T18:08:00.000-08:00

Recently in type we were given the challenge of creating posters for the AIGA Poster Clash Competition. The theme of these posters is "Change One Thing", ranging from economic, environmental, political, as far as I know anything goes. I chose to go the semi-environmental route and make posters promoting the change to florescent light bulbs, there more energy efficient! Here is round UNO.....along with some sketch ideas.

Ignore the little characters, I got sidetracked

Poster 1: ixnay the black, it was a screen grab

Poster 2

Poster 3

How to think

2010-01-28T21:14:00.000-08:00

"How to think" is a short article written by Ed Boyden. In this article Ed walks the reader through his ten, possibly twelve if you count the last two points of advice, rules on 'How to think' in today's modern fast paced world. Here are his ten...or twelve rules, depends on how you look at it.

10 Rulez!
Synthesize new ideas constantly
Learn how to learn (rapidly)
Work backward from your goal
Always have a long-term plan
Make contingency maps
Collaborate
Make your mistakes quickly
Write up best-practices protocols
Document everything obsessively
Keep it simple

Secondary advice
Logarithmic time planning
Conversation summaries

Despite the fact that Ed Boyden wrote the ten rules three years ago, it doesn't change the fact that they still hold true when applied to 2010's life. Now in regards to my response, Iv tried so hard to connect this article to graphic design in some way or another, but the truth is it applies to everything and everyone. These rules aren't law, but they are some pretty good guidelines. Everything listed in Ed's article is extremely helpful and should be shared with everyone. Our world moves extremely fast and instead of moving fast to keep up, we need to be faster to be ahead.

And for all you strangers who haven't read Ed Boyden's article, you can get to it by clicking here.

The Story

2010-01-27T09:24:00.000-08:00

"The Story" is an assignment where, us as groups, must create 2-3 different story titles. From these titles a story is created, consisting of a beginning - middle - end. After settling on a short story a list of props or objects are drawn from the plot, as a way of telling the story without words. These are the two story titles I have chosen.

"The Last Draw" Credit to Brandon for the title

The plot of this title would be based around a gun fight between a sophisticated gentleman & a rough and tough cowboy type.

List of Objects
Horses
Saloon
Playing Cards
Whiskey
Cigars
Cowboy Hat
Red Bandanna
Belt Buckle
Spurs
(2) Colt 6 shooter/s
Copper Bullets
Top Hat
Monocle
Golden Ring
Golden Pocket Watch
Winchester Rifle
Gold Bullets

This story could also go in the direction of a duel between two men of honor using swords?

"Under The Waves" not sure who to credit for this on?

The story line for this title is still in development, but could go one of two ways.

1. The Exploration for sunken treasure, or

2. The Exploration of a lost City? (Not sure how many sunken cities there are but i love the idea.)

List of Objects
Treasure Chest
Sunken City
Bubbles
Boat
Cave
Camera
Eels
Seaweed
Dolphins
Sharks

C.D.F Update

2009-12-11T17:14:00.000-08:00

For the last week of Color, Drawing, Form, there were quite a few last minute projects. Calander pages were finished up and printed.

As well as the final construction of our color books

To wrap everything up our color class made a visit to ColorMark were we took a toure of the fasilities and got a chance to see their amazing printers!

Final Taxonomy

2009-12-09T23:22:00.000-08:00

For my Final Taxonomy I decided to carry out the small aspect from my Haiku and create a 3.25" x 2" book. The binding involved rubber-bands that held together the cover page, a Table of Contents, and five chapters. Each chapter contained five spreads, five chapters times five for a total of 25 spreads. Each of the Five chapter were also held together individually with their own ribber-band. Unfortunately I turned in my taxonomy before documenting it as usual, thought i do have pics of the process and some layout shots a well.

Cover and ToC

Chapters 1-3 Front

Chapters 4-5 Front/ Chapter Cover

Chapters 1-3 Back

Chapters 4-5 Back

The initial page of the book would have the Toc or table of contents, which would have the five chapters and their titles, Circle, Crescent, Blob, Swirl, and Broken. Each Chapter labeled denotatively, while each mark inside of the book is labeled connotatively on the back side of each symbols page. Though this book may be small I fell it carries itself as well as any regular sized taxonomy just as well.

Final Reflection

2009-12-09T22:37:00.000-08:00

UNO.
From projects 1 and 2 the main components that were carried over into project 3 would have to be "process" and the use of "abstract imagery". I use quotations because the meaning of these words in relation to this project can be seen as several different things. To start, process played a large roll in all three projects, but was fundamentally crucial in project 1. From project 1, as sophomores we gained the knowledge necessary to masterfully iterate our ideas on paper before approaching the problem digitally (Or on the computer). In project 2 we absorbed the basics of juxtaposition and how composition can affect the outcome of an overall graphic image. Both the iterations and compositions of our graphic symbols blossomed from what was a combination of project 1 and 2. Entering the spring semester the major idea i think i will carry with me is to never say your going to do something!!! Do it and see if it works, JUST DO IT see if it work, then decide if it makes the cut or not. Keep and open mind and keep EVERYTHING.

DOS.

This line juxtaposition was one of many that did not make the cut. At the time I believe it was dropped from the line up because it was lame, and I still think it is lame. Visually it is some what interesting and/or pleasing to look at but in terms of a true juxtaposition, it lacks little similarities that could boost the graphic as a whole. Before project 2 I had very little experience with photography and in turn composition was foreign. After the completion of my book I am now able to better make sense of visual components and the relationship that can take place between the two.

Project Evolution

2009-12-09T21:13:00.000-08:00

Here are some of the steps that went into creating some of the spreads that went into my taxonomy.

Line 1

Line 2

Line 3

C.D.F Update

2009-11-28T12:56:00.001-08:00

Here are the colorized versions of the line delineations:

Paul Rand Notes

2009-11-28T12:53:00.000-08:00

Paul Rand was a well-known American graphic designer, best known for his corporate logo designs. Rand’s most widely known graphic designs are his corporate brands, many of which are still in use today. IBM, ABC, Cummins Engine, Westinghouse, and UPS, and many others, owe their graphical heritage to him, though UPS recently carried out a controversial update to the classic Rand design.

The Paul Rand video made use of all the transitions used in our project:
Transparency
Zoom
Pan
Wipe
Morph

As for Rands theories on graphic design I would have to agree with everything he said. Most corporate insignias today are mainly used to draw in people. In order to do this designers have to go with whats popular at that time. Designs have to go with the times, or break so far from whats popular in order to create something so different it creates a new fad. Thats the life of a designer, your either really good at whats wanted, or your really good at making what you want. Either way, I think no matter what path a person follows as long as a person has pride in their work fortune will follow.

Viscom Animation Round Uno

2009-11-26T07:26:00.000-08:00

Here is my progress on my animation for visual communitatipon. Vimeo is taking its sweet time uploading my video so i can do for right now is paste the url for when it is done.

Viscom Ani Round 1 from Raynaldo Alvarez on Vimeo.

Aside from not having music yet, I am pretty content with how its coming along. For some unknown reason after I exported my flash as a .MOV, each object likes to leave behind a ghost of itself. So after a while the screen starts to get a little crazy. Why this is happening Im not sure, but im still trouble shooting.

Text and Image Compositions

2009-11-18T21:10:00.000-08:00

Final three Image and Text compositions that I have chosen for my Flash animation.

F+S Project 3

2009-11-18T00:19:00.000-08:00

This illustration was made as part of a series for the Nike Tennis campaign. The combination of ink splatters help create a sense of movement and direction. Showing the tennis players path that was taken after making impact with the ball. I would say its safe to assume the process in creating these marks cant be too different from that of our process in studio.... Also look at that pretty NYC Nike logo, pretty right?

Reading Response: Time and motion

2009-11-17T23:22:00.001-08:00

When an object moves, it moves in both time and space. Movement can be created in an optical illusion, or in an animation. As designers we work with both motion and 2-D graphics, like vectors and bitmaps, to create a viable design. An animation for example, begins with the creation of storyboards, much like the ones we are currently creating in class. All important moments of the animation are documented and planned ahead, before creating the final product. Animators must think ahead, all of the variables are important when creating a fluid movement or animation.

Color, depth, position, rotation, scale, shape, and transparency are all components of an animation that can be changed, and it is a combination of these components that create a successful flow of motion.

Bitmap vs. Vector

2009-11-17T23:18:00.000-08:00

Bitmap

Pros: Bitmap images are among the most commonly use formats mainly for their flexibility with manipulation. Constructed of many different colored pixels, bitmaps can be easily changed or altered.

Cons: When it comes to bitmaps resizing becomes an issue. The down sizing of a bitmap doesn't cause much damage. Though when scaled lager than its original format, bitmaps start to loose quality and quickly become pixelated.

Vector

Pros: Over all vector images are better quality. Vectors are made up of lines, curves, and angles that can individually be manipulated. Unlike its counter part, Vectors can be scaled in any direction and still retain 100% of its quality. (dependent on its resolution of coarse) When compared to a bitmap vector is simply a more complex format.

Cons: Vectoring does not hold tonal qualities. Unlike Bitmap, vector creates sold areas of hue. Meaning vectors can never have the same qualities a photograph and or bitmap can achieve.

C.D.F Update

2009-11-15T22:05:00.001-08:00

This week color, drawing, and form was mostly about book photos and color arrangements. First and foremost my color book. Each one of these photos has a color arrangement attached to each one , though at the moment i have seem to misplaced my sheet, so for now just photos. (uncroped)

This second set of photos pertain to my color arrangements. For each set, we were required to choose two groups of words and apply a color scheme we felt was appropriate for each. Here are my two sets:

From Left to Right:
Winter Summer
Fall Spring

From Left to Right:
Old New
Retro Future