InDesign Tutorials

I know that my creativity is running thin in these last few classes; therefore I hope others can find help through these tutorials as I did too.

http://www.web3mantra.com/2011/04/08/25-indesign-tutorials-2/

Lesson 17 InDesign

Sorry that this brochure is SO many pages!!! 

For my example I downloaded the 2011 World Fest (In Branson, MO) brochure. On the computer this example is 6 pages of full color; text and pictures. The brochure looks very exciting and inviting, both good things when trying to catch the attention of a passer-by looking for something fun to do while in the entertainment city. To me, the design of the brochure is the typical Silver Dollar City style, visually showing the different aspects of the parks and family bonding. However, this brochure is unique in showing entertainment and fun all around the Branson area. There are other attractions such as Showboat Branson Belle, Dixie Stampede, White Water and more. As for the World Fest portion the designer certainly didn’t stay away from the added “pizzazz” needed to illuminate the different cultures present and their specialties especially with a headliner reading “OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD Performances.” I honestly don’t have any improvements to this brochure. If I was going to say something I would say to try a new style, but then it wouldn’t be as easily recognizable to the familiar eye. What I find so familiar are the pictures of the folks who work at Silver Dollar City, blowing glass, making pottery and the scrumptious food. It’s aspects like those that make this brochure so well-known to individuals who have previously been to the park or have researched. It is also staples like those that make people comfortable with the information being given.

The Yellow Brick Road to InDesign

As I've been struggling with understanding InDesign more than I expected, I've found that tutorials help; even with the MOST basic steps!!

Here is the site I've been using for how to maneuver around the program; I hope it helps.
http://help.adobe.com/en_US/InDesign/6.0/WS136D91ED-FAC8-4f4e-82A7-CF406D0131BB.html

Ahhhh.......HELP!!!!

As I've spent the past few days trying to finish up these first few InDesign lessons I am finding out that I really do NOT like this program. I feel like it doesn't have as many options as Photoshop and Illustrator, which I understand it's not so much for creating designs and objects but more so for creating publications. However I don't understand how to do some of the most simple things, like rotating an object with the selection too..maybe I just need to spend some more time with the program.

InDesign Shortcuts

Although the programs are greatly alike, it's always nice to have a refresher of the shortcuts and to know the new ones that are available in the new program.

Here is a good link for shortcuts for InDesign CS4
http://help.adobe.com/en_US/InDesign/6.0/WSa285fff53dea4f8617383751001ea8cb3f-7016a.html

Hope it helps :)

Lessons 12 & 13 Reflections

Lesson 12 B

For me, it was more difficult to find a logo for a company that puts together symbol, product and text. Coca-Cola seems to be the best fit for this option. There are many Coca-Cola logos and more often than not anyone could associate each logo back to the correct product because it is such a diverse and well known company. With this logo, the red color shows dominance, it proves importance. I think the symbol, shows unity, meaning the Coke is appreciated through-out the world, bringing everyone together; and the fact that it resembles a bottle top isn’t a bad thing either. Finally, the text was created just for Coca-Cola (something I learned on my tour of the Coca-Cola factory during spring break) I think that is important because it means when you see the font, you immediately associate it with Coca-Cola, and it shows dominance of the logo being white and centered. As for the product, the glass bottle, even though you don’t see too many of them floating around now, they are still the time-honored symbol of Coke. I think the glass bottle represents “from the beginning” for Coke.

Lesson 13 A

Integrating Adobe-The Dynamic Duo

1.      When using both photography and illustrations, it is good to use both programs, not just one, so that you get the best outcome.

2.      Determining the size of the art board or canvas is crucial. It is important for both to be the EXACT same size so nothing gets skewed in the process.

3.      It is easier to build from Illustrator so convert objects to smart objects once you’ve built them and then open them into Photoshop.

4.      Use bounding boxes to keep your objects aligned when placing between the programs. (The bounding boxes should be no fill, no stroke)

5.      Always work at 100%, from the beginning of your project.

Back to Reality

I never understand why Spring Break goes by so quickly. As much as I try to savor the moments it seems the Monday of school rolls around even when I pray that it won't. Once again, I am the WORST at taking pictures, I rarely even have my camera with me! BUT on my spring break adventure with my best friend, I managed to capture a few key moments on camera, well with my cell phone at least :)

We went down to Athens, Georgia and Auburn, Alabama to visit some friends from our junior college...thankfully Atlanta was in the middle of the two which is where we spent an entire day being tourists, checking out the Coca-Cola museum, Centennial Park, The Westin (tallest hotel in the Western Hemisphere) and of course eating some delicious Cheesecake Factory! This picture is from our parking spot on the top layer of the parking garage, little did we know on the streets things were a bit rougher than this this view :-/

This is kinda hard to see, but it seems we ALWAYS hit the major cities at rush hour, Atlanta at 5 pm both times and this is Birmingham, AL at 5 pm..we just learned that sitting still was more enjoyable with the windows down, music up and enjoying the nice weather :)

Hello? Spring Break!

It seems that as it gets closer to Spring Break the days keep getting longer! And even today, being so dreary out...makes me feel like it's not even a good thing to look forward to at all, but I won't let this nasty weather get me down! Because just think..the closer to Spring Break, the closer to summer which means...NO SCHOOL :) The Photoshop Composite project was a stretch, it really jogged my memory, but I think in the end I felt confident in my ability to use the different tools and understand the Principles of Design. I feel like I am going to like Illustrator much better, I am just struggling trying to figure out how it works, it's very different working with vector images, but I like the quality much better.

Some useful shortcuts for Illustrator can be found at...
http://help.adobe.com/en_US/Illustrator/14.0/WS714a382cdf7d304e7e07d0100196cbc5f-6426a.html

Text Effect Tutorial

I found that basic is my best friend and that I should certainly keep it simple to figure things out before I try to get too elaborate..so therefore, a lot of y'all might have WAY cooler text effects, but I was able to understand this one and I'll count that as a victory in my book :) 

http://www.photoshopessentials.com/photoshop-text/text-effects/stroke-text-with-brush.php

Shortcut Keys

As the weeks have gone on I found myself lost when it came to the shortcuts. I easily forget if I'm supposed to hit shift or alt or control, so I found that I do my assignments a lot better with a shortcut key sitting by my side and while there are many out there, I liked how this website broke down the available shortcuts by section...

http://help.adobe.com/en_US/Photoshop/11.0/WSD578BD7D-07BC-46f6-AAC2-6E491E8AD818a.html

I hope that you can get some use out of it too!!!

More of that GLiTTERY MAGiC...

Well, once again the week was consumed with snow, but I won't complain, it's absolutely beautiful :) and I CERTAINLY won't complain about the GORGEOUS weather out now, sunny and 60 wow, where did this come from? Well I suppose this post will be awfully similar to the previous as with the snow comes pictures and my mom is always snapping wherever she can :) In the picture posted below, one of my friends had messaged me saying he had "disassembled snowmen for sale, cheap!" so I told my mom who got a BiG kick out of it and proceeded to make the following...(notice how DEEP the tractor tracks are!)

Snow..Such a Beautiful Thing

I LOVE the glittery magic of snow, it may be a hassel to drive around in, walk on campus in, and yes ususally with snow comes some bitterly cold temperatures, but there's something about that sparkling dust that warms the inside of my heart. While enjoying a few days off of school, I stayed with my parents. While I'm not real handy with a camera(although I hope to improve those skills soon!!), my mom is and she takes some beautiful pictures, especially with the snow so I figured I would share.

picture by Suzie Wright

Other Composition Techniques

The above picture of the tennis court was retrieved from http://www.photoble.com/photography-tips-tricks/leading-lines-in-photography/ under the heading "Leading Lines in Photography. The photo was saved as a JPG file, which as we learned is 24-bit, making it High Color. I find that it is a good example of the composition technique, leading lines. Not only is there the line of the tennis net, but there are lines on the ground from the concrete and the lines created by the fence around the court, all leading to the effect of the vacant tennis court.

What a cutie! This picture is a good representation of the composition technique, framing. Not only is the boy framed by the wood posts, but his face is framed through his haircut and freckles. This picture was also saved as a JPG file and I found it on, http://www.digital-photography-school.com/tips-portrait-photography under "Frame Your Subject".

From www.webdesigncore.com I found this amazing photo that I think grasps the old saying "a picture is worth a thousand words," as it is titled "Tramonto Silhouette". From the title is is obvious that this JEP file formatted photo is an example of the composition technique, silhouettes. I think the idea for the photo was brilliant, it captures such a fun, yet calm scenario all in one.

~Sarah Wright

Continuance in Design

The above picture is an example of the theory, continuance as used in design. I feel it is a strong example as the stairs spiral down to a central location in the picture making the eyes follow to a particular spot every time, only to want the picture to go farther. I thought this picture represented this theory in a more exciting way than then simple straight line down a page. The picture was retrieved from, http://jessicafongphotography.blogspot.com/2009_04_01_archive.html under "Art Perceived found at the Museum of Contemporary Art at Chicago".

Balance in Art

This is an example of the principle, balance. I believe this is a strong example because it shows horizontal symmetry. If you were to draw a line from top to bottom in the middle, it would fold over like a mirror image. Having a strong color like red draws the attention to the circles evenly placed on both sides of the yellow line. I retrieved this photo from http://art-fundamentals.blogspot.com/ where it is used as an example of "Symmetrical Balance".