Illustrator

For my Unit 5 project, through Adobe Illustrator,  I will be using the theme of "A new sports team from the country you are from". The sport team I'm picking is the Motocross team from kuwait. Motocross is a beautiful sport that doesn't get the attention it deserves in Kuwait. People's attention in sports is usually granted to more traditional sports such as soccer and basketball rather than to a sport like motocross. The name of the team is "Ride On!".

My logo design consists of three components: a text, an image, and a slogan. The text states "Ride On!" , which is the name of the sports team that I am trying to advertise. The image is of a trail, representing the sport of motocross. The slogan is a call to action, persuading the audience to take up motocross and support the Ride On! sports team. The goal of this project was to understand the concept of logo designs and progress my understanding and use of Adobe Illustrator. I learned how to effectively manipulate my ideas into literal works of art using Adobe illustrator. I used the pen tool, the text tool, and the shapes tool. I also played around with various fonts, shapes, and styles. I believe that the most successful thing in my project was the image of the path (the trail). Overall, I am pleased with my logo and I hope you like it.

Reflection:

Two graphics that i have learned about in this unit are vector graphics and raster graphics. A vector graphic is made up of paths, while a raster is made up of pixels. Raster graphics require higher resolutions in order to appear clearly, while vector graphics can appear clearly at any resolution. Vectors are usually used for anything concerning graphic design such as line art or illustrations. On the other hand, rasters are more commonly used for photos or simple images.

Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop are both programs that are designed to be used as tools of graphic design. They are made by the same company yet posses several differences and similarities. photoshop is mainly used to edit and enhance photos. it is mainly used to polish photos or alter them. Illustrator on the other hand is mainly made up of the use of vectors. It is mainly used to draw and illustrate images, texts, or designs. Both programs are tools of graphic design that are used to create images and photos that only exist in ones creative imagination. 

A logo is a company's stamp, its their trademark. It is a form of visual communication because they are representing what they stand for and selling their concept via an image. Logos build a bridge between the business and the audience. They display the message they are trying to send to their audience in order to enhance their publicity. Logo's help create an ongoing reminder of a company, product, or organization within the minds of their targeted audience. For instance, the nike check mark represents its message "just do it".

Postcards: Unit 4

Reflection:

1)The goal of the 'Unit 4 Text Clipping Mask Effect Postcard' was to mask a photo into a text. Throughout the project I learned to use tools like rasterizing, masking photos into text and the perspective tool. The skills that I have improved on are using the text tool and the masking effect. I believe the most successful thing I did in this project was choosing the appropriate word for the photo.

2) The goal of the project Photo with 3D text on Wall Effect Postcard was, to combine 3D word or words to add to your travel image with a wall or building architect. The tools that i learned or used through out this project were rasterizing images, perspective transfer, and blur. the skills that i have improved are layer style and using the text tool. The most successful thing that i have done in this project was adjusting the the word with a 3D effect to the ground as if it was part of it.

3) The goal of the project Photo with Warp Tool Text Effect Postcard was to use 2 day and night photo and contrasting them through a word, then with the wrap tool adjust the test layer.The tools that I learned in this project are the wrap tool and combing the photo into the text. The skill that i have improved through out this project are the styler layer, fill affect, and text tool. the most successful thing i have done in this project was fitting the image perfectly the text and using the appropriate word, also adjusting the wrap tool.

This postcard is a display of a breath-taking view in Beirut, Lebanon. I created this postcard emphasizing on the use of the 'wrap tool' on Photoshop.  

This postcard portrays the lovely view in Germany. I created this image emphasizing on the use of the skill of 'clip masking' on Photoshop.

This postcard displays the statement "Beware of Troll" referring to the infamous story of a Troll on a similarly imagined location. I created this image emphasizing on the use of the text tool creating it in a 3D design.

1) Text can be transformed in many creative ways to express the meaning you want. You can transform the text to express want you want, through the font stye, colors, and the effects you use such as 3D or clip masking. The most popular way to express text in meaning, is to make it relevant to the picture or design you use, but at the same time standing out. Also ,anther popular way is to give it the layer style you want. For example, exploring aspects such as the drop shadow or the inner glow.

2) Photoshop tools and effects are used to transform simple text into creative designs by giving it aspect of a design or a picture. For example you have a simple text with no meaning at all, you would use tools such as rasterising, inner glow, outer glow, gradient effect, outer shadow, inner shadow or you would use the effects like blur, dissolve or sharpen. To give the text some sort of life to stand out and have a meaning. One of the best thing is giving it the 3D effect to make it past of the photo.

3) Creative text is used in todays graphic design in many ways. They are used in postcards, logos, and advertising. They use creative text to enhance the picture to make it more aye catching like giving it the effects that is best to represent the meaning. Also, the font and color play a huge role because the color and font display the text's true meaning. For example, displaying the word 'happy' in a gothic font and a dark color wont reveal its true meaning. It has to be bold and bright in order to portray its content.

Advanced Text Tool Effects with Photoshop

This is a text designed via the use of the masking tool. It portrays the beautiful view in the islands of Mali. 

This effect was created using the Photoshop text tool in a circular shape.

This effect was created using the photoshop text tool as well, but in a straight line going both horizontally and vertically.

Using the Photoshop text tool again, i created this effect by filling the shape with text.

This is a 3-D text effect on Photoshop.

This is an effect of a flaming word art design on Photoshop.

This is an effect of a reflecting word-art designed through Photoshop.

Photo Effects with Photoshop

Justin Bieber (Original)

Justin Bieber (Enhanced)

Filter and Adjustments Layout:
The goal of this project was to familiarize us with ways to skillfully use photoshop with an emphasis on photo enhancing via the use of filters and adjustments. Through this layout, I mainly used the filter tool in order to create a sketched drawing of my image. The most successful thing about this specific photo was that I followed the steps carefully yet still managed to come up with a somewhat original result.

Layers Layout:
The goals of this project was to use photoshop tools to create an enhanced self portrait through an emphasis on the layering effect. I used tools such as the quick mask, and the brushes. i learned how to shape and skillfully use the brush to my preference, such as softening it or hardening it and messing around with the "flow jitter". I was successfully able to finish and perfect this photo within 30 mins which displays the fact that I understood what I was doing.

Mask Layout:
The goal of this project was to create a high contrast self portrait with an emphasis on masking. I used the adjustment tool, the pen tool, the magic wand tool, the paint brush tool, and mostly the layer masks. My image turned out to be very professional looking and paralleled the image of the tutorial. 

Filter&Adjustment

Layers

Mask

As time progresses, the use and effects of images change. Around 50 years ago, colored images and colored photography wasn't available thus all the Hollywood pictures that were taken in history were in black and white because they had to be. As time progressed, images started to be in color yet color also dulled out and black and white made a comeback. Now we use and see many images that are both in black and white and in color. We mainly use a black and white image as an effect to enhance on the past.

Photoshop tools and effects are used to transform portraits because they allow any designer to enhance the image to their preference. Whether it be through color enhancement, layer masking, photo adjustments or even completely altering the reality of the image, Photoshop tools allow a designer to take control. They are the tools used to enhance and edit millions of portraits and transform an artists imagination into reality.

Designers emphasize on their personalities and moods through the use of color, and effects. For example, if I was angry I would possibly blur my image and increase the amounts of red in my photo. if i was sad i could use more of the color blue, and so forth. Depending on the artist, the images they create can be a reflection of who they are.

The internet is a huge resource in the progress of photoshop. There are numerous online tutorials. some of the tutorials are in the form of a video while others are in the form of pictures and text. The tutorials that are via video are the most helpful since we can lively follow each direction. Although, there are many text and photo tutorials that are also very fluent with their directions, i prefer videos. obviously, not all online tutorials are efficient nor are they all accurate.

Image Enhancements

The goal of the light brightness layout was to individually edit 3 photos. For this layout I learned how to rotate pictures and how to use the 'free transform' option. i also learned how to put up a background. The most successful thing I accomplished on this layout was resizing pictures to make them fit perfectly.

For my dull color photo enhancement layout my goal was to enhance two pictures thus differentiating them from the original. In addition to further practicing the skills i already learned, I learned how to efficiently use the 'Text' option and how to change the colors of my chosen background. The most successful thing I did this time around was changing and altering my background without making a mess of my palettes and layers.

For my low contrast photo's layout, the goal was to further expand the knowledge of my skills and to continue differentiating two photos from the original. i continued to attempt perfecting the skills I've learned, by the end of the project I could perfect the 'free transform' option, I could also efficently change backgrounds, alter layers, resize and add text. The most successful thing I did was perfecting the overall appearance by altering fonts, colors, sizes and having a skillful use of the layers. 

Unit two was an efficient introduction to Graphic Design, and in focus to photoshop. There are various types of Digital images, which are made up of pixels. The high resolution images are used for professional use, for the need of a clear picture, or to further edit due to its great number of pixels. A low resolution s used for small images, or for images that should purposely be unclear due to an artistic effect.

Digital images are used everyday, everywhere. They are used as logos, company branding, advertisements, television, websites, many are on Facebook, twitter, flickr, and numerous blogs. They are also used as symbols to represent thoughts, theories, and people.

Graphic design tools are used numerous times in one day all over the world. They are used to air brush, to enhance color, to rotate, to resize, to enlarge or even to minimize. They are used to improve a photos contrast or color scheme. They are also used to alter human features in which are not stereotypically attractive.

Many different tools are used to apply image enhancement. some of the most vital components of image enhancements are color enhancement, contrast enhancement, resizing and reshaping. Using the background tool, the free transform tool, the move tool, the layering palettes are all very useful. The tools used differ for every image and that specific images needs.


Photo citations: All these photos were from www.yearofteddy.com. Taken by the artist Aseel AlYaqoub.

My Reflection

Graphic design is everywhere. We see graphic design in logos, advertisements, websites, objects, company branding, television, cell phones and much more. We can also see them in publications such as books, newspapers, and magazines. They can be seen everywhere, whether you’re at home, on the street, in a mall or even in school.

There are two forms of graphic design that I know off. The first one is print design. Print design can be seen in books, publications, and magazines. The second one that I am familiar with is web-animated design. This form of graphic design is seen throughout the Internet, such as blogs and websites.

Graphic design can be created using numerous tools. These tools vary in options, settings, and experience. The Adobe applications are used a lot to create graphic designs. One example is Photoshop, for photo editing and image enhancements. Another example is Illustrator. Illustrator is also used for graphic designing such as reshaping, managing colors, arranging, and creating special effects.

Links:
http://download.cnet.com/windows/graphic-design-software/ http://createsk8.com/2008/free-graphic-design-applications/
http://www.allgraphicdesign.com/softtips.html

Introduction

I am currently a graphic design student and my name is Fouz. My portfolio is an accumulation of the work that I have done using graphic design tools this semester. The goal of my portfolio is so to display my work and share it with with an audience as well as allow me to personally reflect on my progress as a graphic designer. So far, I have used Adobe Photoshop and have created various designs and enhanced various images with the aid of online tutorials and videos. I have worked with digital images, enhanced photos, created self portraits and altered and edited text.  I appreciate you taking the time to browse my work, and please feel free to leave any comments or suggestions.