Cuneiform and the Sumerians | 3,000 BC

The Sumerians were one of the earliest types of this kind of civilization? What does that mean?
Nomadic civilizations meaning that they migrated
Why is the region of Sumer considered the Cradle of Civilization?
Because it is where cuneiform was created, the worlds first written language

What could the Sumerians practice year round because of the regions climate?
They were able to practice year round agriculture 

Why was Cuneiform created?
transactions increased and a way to keep track of the transaction became necessary


What medium was used to "write" Cuneiform? Explain the process of preparing and writing on this surface?
The Sumerians chose to write on clay tablets. First they would wet the flat surfaces, then they would use a wedge shaped stylus made from reeds to make impressions into the clay surface, then set them in the sun to harden


What did Cuneiform begin as a series of?
It began as a series of pictographs 

After it evolved over time, what shape did the characters of Cuneiform evolve into?
As it evolved the pictographs became more abstract and the number of character began to grow, until it finally became a wedge shaped language

After the Akkadians conquered, what happened to the Sumerian culture and written language?
The Akkadians adopted their ways

What is a pictograph?
Visual representation of an object

Why did the creation of Cuneiform allow the Sumerians to become a sophisticated culture?
It allowed a more peaceful way of tracking transactions, and bettering society.

Assignment 14

Brainstorming:

• whimsical 
• colorful 
• sparkly 
• fun 
• outer space 

Inspiration:

I find the comets tail and color very helpful, because i want to use a comet to underline the title 

The crater are going on my moon and the shadowing is important during the right cycle

The details of a rocket ship are very complex, hopefully i can scale it down 

I like the colors and style of this also the rocket ship, the formate itself is quite cute, and the over al feel is what i am going for 

Visual Organization

Eye Movement 

• one must direct the audience through a design
• the eye moves left to right and top to bottom 
• the eye moves to complex areas first 
• light area attract the eyes, especially when next to dark areas 
• diagonal lines guide the eyes through a piece 
• place the focal point just off the center

Z-Pattern

• the eye naturally sweeps of the page in a z 
• leading the view through the piece by knowing where the eye will go

Fonts:

• No more than two total fonts in one piece 
• the fonts should complement each other 
• start with a title font then pick text font 
• avoid uppercase screaming is not friendly 
• choose the right font for the topic 
• to not over use fancy or complicated fonts 
• reference article: www.typography.com/email/2010-03/index.htm 

Visual Hierarchy:

• will create a focal point
• establish a order of elements 

What do i want my viewers to see first?

Second?...Third?...Fourth?...

The Grid:

• a way of organizing information on the page 
• using margins, guide lines and rows/columns 
• moderism-50s
• breaks things into chunks and make it easier to  read/view
• gird consist of alignment based relationship that distributes elements across the format 
• different grid structures for different designs 

Cave Paintings | 35,000 years ago

What are cave paintings?
Beautiful detailed and colorful representations found on the inside of cave walls and ceilings

Name several common themes found in cave paintings?
Western Europe, Australia, Africa, China
How were these paintings created (tools, pigments)?
Water, plant Juice, animal blood, soil, charcoal, hematite, sticks, small stones, leaves, animal hair

What is the most famous cave painting site? When was it discovered and by whom?Lascaux in France, discovers by four teenage boys.

Why did this cave have to be closed? What was done to satisfy public curiosity?
The Carbon Dioxide emitted by the visitors was damaging the paintings, so they opened a replica for visitors.

In Altamira cave, why do most of the paintings have a red hue?
The paint was made of red clay that is found in the soil


Who discovered this site? How old are the paintings confirmed to be?
Marceline Sanz De Sautuola and his daughter Maria, they are 19000 years old.

What is the oldest known cave painting site? When was it discovered and by whom?
Chauvet-Point Arc, discovered in 1994 by Eliete Brunell Deschamps, Christian Hillaire, Jean-Marie Chauvet

What was different about the painting techniques at this site?
The ave walls were scraped of debris and a atempted 3-D effect

What is "speleology"?is the scientific study of caves and there features

What three reasons do archeologists and historians believe prehistoric man created cave paintings?

1. to tell a story
2. to help teach others about hunting
3. for magical or religious reasons 

Assignment 13

Research and Inspiration:

• Exquisite corpse-a collection of words or images is collectively assembled by several different people
•  invented by surrealists(an art movement that works like a dream like state) 

Brainstorms:

• dark
• cadaver 
• two face
• large eyes 
• eery

Examples:  

I love the creativity and fun of this it is so different, but you can see the personality of each person  

the hair is what i would like to use and the angle of the girls face, also her bone structure i think is appropriate 

i like the burnt, dead and evil half, opposing the normal good side 

i think that the chaos is fun and the difference in backgrounds is entertaining 

The Creative Process

Why do we need a creative process?

• improve consistency 
• ability to plan and time your work
• design improve 
• comunicate more effectively and in a professional matter 

Step 1: Research 

Step 2: Brainstorm/inspiration: what message are you trying to communicate? who is the audience? What type of color/style will work for this audience?

Step 3: SKETCH!!!!!

Step 4: Execute 

Step 5: Critique & Revise 

Photo composition

 Snapshot or Photograph

• snapshot: is a quick shot, taken to record a moment of time 
• photograph: a image taken with care or thought 

Rules of Composition

1. Rule of Thirds: imaginary lines drawn dividing the frame of your camera into thirds; place subject where the lines intersect; place horizon line at the top or bottom  
2. Leading Lines: use the lines created within the foreground or background of the composition leads the viewer through the subject
3. Point of View: change the way your subject is perceiving by changing the camera position    
4. Simplicity: keeping the background simple; a chaotic composition will cause the viewer to look away

Review Week 16

How many points are in an inch? How many points are in a pica?
There are 72 points in an inch, and1 pica = 0.166666667 inches

Of the seven classifications, which classification(s) would best work as body type? Why?
Types sizes that can range from 4pt to 12pt, they are found in places that there is a lot of type to read. They work best because they are small and uniform.

Identify the lowercase characters that have ascenders?
b,d,f,h,k,l

Identify the lowercase characters that have descenders?
g,j,p,q,y


Classify the following typefaces and briefly explain why you believe it should be classified that way:



Slab Serif, Uniform line weight and square serifs



Script typeface,based on forms with flexible or pens

Decorative typeface,made with a specific purpose or theme in mind

Sans Serif typefaces without serif

Blackletter, because its very thin very ornamental 

Old Style, wedge shaped angle serifs low contrast to thick and thin

Modern typefaces, sharp contrast between thick and thin strokes and flat serifs

Podcast #4 Typography

Define typography?
The art of expressing ideas through the selection of appropriate typefaces

Where did the word "typography" originate from?
for greek origin 
What does typography involve?
Creating and modifying type using a variety of techniques

What is a typeface?
distinctive designs of visual symbols that are used to compose a printed image or design

What is another term for typeface?
Fonts

What is a character?
Individual symbols that make up a font
What is type style?
modifications in a type space that create a design variety while maintaining the visual style of the typeface

What does type style "create" within a design?
Emphasis

What is the waist line and what does it indicate?
an imaginary line drawn at the middle of the characters

What is a base line and what does it indicate?
an imaginary line drawn at the bottom of the characters

What is an ascender?
the part of a character that extends above the waist line 
What is a descender?
the part of a character that extends below the base line 
Describe a serif?
a smaller line used to finish of the main stroke of a letter
How can the size of the typeface be identified?
measuring vertically from the ascender to the descender
What is a point?
it is the unit that a character is measured in
How many points are in an inch?
there are 72 points in an inch
What is a pica and how many are in an inch?
1 pica = 0.166666667 inches
How many points are in a pica?
1 pica = 12 points 
What is body type and where can it be found?
types sizes that can range from 4pt to 12pt, they are found in places that there is a lot of type to read
What is the key to selecting appropriate typefaces to be used as body type?
how much there is to read or how much space you want the text to take up
What is display type and how is it used?
types above 12pt, they are used to draw attention
What is reverse type and when would it be used?
white type on solid black or dark background it is used as a display
What is a typeface classification?
the basic system for classifying typefaces 
When was Blackletter invented and how was it used?
the earliest form of typeface with the printing press in the 1400s
Describer the characteristics of a Blackletter typeface?
thick strokes that then become thin very ornamental
When was Old Style invneted and what was is based on?
created to replace the blackletter it was based on Roman inscripts 
Describe the characteristics of an Old Style typeface?
wedge shaped angle serifs low contrast to thick and thin
When were formal scripts developed?
17th and 18th century
When were casual scripts developed? 
20th century
Describe the characteristics of a Script typeface?
based on forms with flexible or pens
When was Modern typefaces developed and why?
late 18th and 19th century, as a radical break from traditional typography
Describe the characteristics of a Modern typeface?
sharp contrast between thick and thin strokes and flat serifs
How early can Sans Serif typefaces be found? What happened?
5th century, they were made obsolete in the 20th century
When did they become popular?
in the  1920s
What does "sans serif" mean?
without serif
Describe the characteristics of a Sans Serif typeface?
strokes uniform in weight; have a monotone appearance
When was Slab Serif developed and why?
19th century for advertisement purposes
Describe the characteristics of a Slab Serif typeface?
Uniform line weight and square serifs
Describe Decorative typefaces?
made with a specific purpose or theme in mind
Why were they developed?
for advertisement purposes
What are they best used for?
display type 

Review Week 14

The Minneapolis College of Art and Design
Location: Minneapolis
Graphic Majors Offered:

• Undergraduate Degree
• Graduate Degrees
• Professional Certificates
• Pre-College Summer Sessions

Requirements for admission:

• Applicant consideration and deadline.
• Form and fee
• Artist's statement
• Letters of recommendation
• Portfolio
• Official college transcripts
• Proof of English proficiency
• Student Visa
• Proof of citizenship
• Financial certification 

Academy of Art University 
Location: San Francisco 
Graphic Majors offered:

• Graphic Design Bachelors Degree Program
• Graphic Design Masters Degree Program
• Associate of Arts
• Bachelor of Fine Arts
• Master of Fine Arts

Requirements for admission:

• Statement of Intent
• Résumé
• Official College Transcripts
• Portfolio
• Graduate Domestic Applicants

The Art Institute of Pittsburgh

Location: Pittsburgh

Graphic Majors offered:

• Undergraduate Degree
• Graduate Degrees

Requirements for admission:

• Transcripts
• Portfolio
• Graduate Domestic Applicants
• Statement of Intent
• Resume

Platt College

Location: San Diego 

Graphic Majors offered:

• Bachelor of Science Degree: Media Arts
• Associate of Applied Science Degree: Graphic Design
• Diploma: Graphic Design 

Requirements for admission:

• Transcripts
• Portfolio
• Graduate Domestic Applicants
• Statement of Intent
• Resume
• High school diploma

Collins College

Location: Arizona

Graphics majors offered:

• Undergraduate Degree
• Graduate Degrees

Requirements for admission:

• Transcripts
• Portfolio
• Statement of Intent
• Resume
• High school diploma
• Letters of recommendation

What is a portfolio?
A portfolio is an artist work that is shown for a job application or a college entry 

What is the importance of a portfolio?

It holds all of an artist most successful art, and shows the abilities of the artist 

Review Week 13

How do you add a layer mask to a particular layer?
You would locate the layers pallet, and select the layer you want the mask on. Then you click the layer mask button, located in the bottom left hand corner of the pallet.
What two colors are used to create the mask?
Black and White

Describe the process of using a layer mask?
Once you have clicked it you click on brush and ether have black you take away from the picture or white to add it back
Principles:
Repetition: in this picture os the strips that leads the eyes around and around

Proportion: the plastic monkey is the larger giving the appears of a giant plastic monkey

Emphasis: the light blue sky against the red lips draw a your attention the the center 

Unity: the colors and the shape of the men complete as a whole 

Rhythm: the lines in the background give this pieces length and movement 

Balance:There is an even distribution of color and a feeling of wholeness in piece 

Contrast: the complementary color of the pins causes contrast

Variety:the variety of colors and objects makes the piece more interesting and nautical

Stephen Kroninger

What kind of art/design does he produce?
He creates images made up of cut up images usually from magazines

In what publications/media studios has his work been featured?
His art has been featured in the museum of modern art and he has published several books 

On Nickelodeon for commercials and it is also located on his home page. The principles that he used are  proportion and scale, balance, emphasize, and variety. His proportions are very off scale giving this piece a unrealistic feel, the busy head is countered by the simple bottom that still draws attention, the emphasize would be the flower eyes and the variety of objects and colors brings this piece to life.  The elements used are line, shape, texture, and color.

This pieces was published in several web site and  was an advertisement  for a foot company.  The principles used are contrast, emphasize, variety, and proportion. The contrasting colors of the foot and face bring emphasize to the the eyes and lips, while the proportion of the face its self makes the foot look larger than it actually is. The elements used are color shape and line.

Review Week 12

How can you, as the designer, use principles of design to help compose a page?
By using them to arrange the elements in a way that sends our message and is appealing to the eye

What are the principles of design (define each in your own words)?


Repetition-repeating an element in a design


Proportion/scale-size or scale of the elements of design


Balance-the distribution of elements on a page


Emphasis-the stressing of a particular area of focus


Unity-the wholeness of a composition


Variety-differences and diversity


Rhythm-the movement of space or time


Contrast-when two related elements are different 

Podcast #3 Principles of Design

Define principles of design?
concepts used to arrange the elements of design


What do the principles of design affect?
the content or message of the work



What is the principle of repetition?
repeating some aspect of an element in
 a design


Describe ways that the principle of repetition helps the composition/audience?
makes the composition seem active, helps keep the attention on the piece



What are ways that you can incorporate repetition into your designs?
by repeating a color, line, font, spacing


What should you avoid when working with repetition?
overwhelming the audience



What is the principle of proportion/scale?
 the relative size or scale of various elements of design



What is the most universal standard of measure when judging size?
the human body



How can the principle of proportion/scale be used as an attention getter?
by using unusual porportions



What is the principle of balance?
the distribution of elements on a page



Which kinds of elements/shapes visually weigh heavier/greater?
Larger objects visually weigh more



What is another name for symmetrical balance?
  Formal balance



Define symmetrical balance?
when the weight of a  composition is evenly distributed around a center axis



What is another name for asymmetrical balance?
informal



Define asymmetrical balance?
the weight of a composition isn't evenly balanced around a axis



What is the principle of emphasis?
the stressing of a particular area of focus



What happens to a design that has no focus?
there is not any focus in the piece



What is a focal point and how is it created?
by making one element dominate



How many components of a composition can be a focal point?
only one focal point can be created



What ways can emphasis be created in a design?
contrasting the primary element by its subordinates



What is the principle of unity?
the wholeness of a composition



What three ways can unity be obtained?
1.keeping objects close together

2.make objects similar

3.direct vision by a line

What is the principle of variety?
differences and diversity



What ways can a designer add variety to a design?
texture, color, shapes



Why is it important to find the right balance between unity and variety?
unity could be boring and variety can be chaotic



What is figure?
the part of a picture that we pay attention to



What is another name for figure?
positive space



What is ground?
the surrounding figure around the element



What is another name for ground?
negative space



When a composition is abstract (has no recognizable subject) what will the figure depend on? What does that mean?
the abstract elements around the object



Why must a designer consider the composition as a whole?
because without a balance of ground and figure the area will only half designed



What is the principle of rhythm?the movement of space or time


How is rhythm achieved?
orderly repetition



What three ways can rhythm occur in a design?
1.intervals between elements

2.a more organic or flowing movement

3.a step by step sequence of events

How does rhythm help a composition/design?
helps the viewers eyes move through a piece



What is the principle of contrast?
occurs when two related elements are different 


How can contrast help a design?
helps attract attention and guide the viewer  


What is wrong with having too much or too little contrast in a design?
to little the pieces is boring; to much the piece is confusing


What is the key to working with contrast?
keeping a balance 


What are some common ways of creating contrast?
creating differences with size, texture, color, and line