Podcast #2 Color Theory

The right use of color can do what?
It can maximize productivity, minimize visual fatigue, and relax the body.

Within the electromagnetic spectrum, which waves allow us to see color?

Visible light waves

Describe white light?  
Equal parts of all colors in visible spectrum

How do we see color if objects "have no color of their own"?  
Objects appear to be in color when they absorb or reflect colors in the visible spectrum. The reflected color is the color we see.

What is a glass prism? 
Transparent triangular object that breaks white light into all the colors of the visible light spectrum.

What seven colors result when white light is refracted through a prism?  
Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet

Describe hue?  
Hue is the color itself. Each different hue is a different reflected wavelength.

When does white light occur?  
White light occurs when all wavelengths are reflected back to your eye.

When does black light occur?  
Black light occurs when no light is reflected back to your eye.

How color is perceived depends on what? 
Color can vary in differing circumstances depending on the type of light it is seen with.

What is a color wheel?  
Visual tool that shows the relationship between primary, secondary, and tertiary colors.

What are primary colors? Name them?  
The three main colors. They are red, yellow, and blue.

What are secondary colors? Name them?  
Two primary colors mixed together make secondary colors. They are orange, green, and violet.

What are tertiary colors? Name them?  
When a primary color and a secondary color are mixed together, a tertiary color is created. They are red-orange, yellow-orange, yellow-green, blue-green, blue-violet, and red-violet.

What are neutral colors? How can they be created?  
Neutral colors are colors of very low saturation (intensity of color). They can be created by mixing complementary colors.

How can a neutral color help a design? 
They help put focus on other colors or serve to tone down overpowering colors.

What are complementary colors? Name them?  
Complementary colors are colors that are positioned opposite of each other on the color wheel. They are red and green, orange and blue, and yellow and violet.

What is color value?

It refers to the lightness and darkness of a hue (or color).

What is a shade?  
Adding black to a hue produces a low-calue color called a shade.

What is a tint? 
Adding white to a hue produces a high-value color called a tint.

What is saturation/intensity?

The brightness of a color. Color is at full intensity when not mixed with black or white. Change the intensity making a duller more neutral color by adding gray or its complement. What happens when you mix complementary colors together?

A dull tone is produced.
Describe color harmony?

Harmony is a pleasing arrangement of parts. It is pleasing to the eye, engages the viewer, and creates a sense of order. If the viewer is not engaged, then it is bland. On the other hand, if the it is so overwhelming where the viewer can't stand to look at it, it is considered chaotic.
What is a color scheme?

Harmonious color combinations that are used to create style and appeal. They are based on the color wheel and the arrangement of colors. They remain harmonious regardless of the rotation angle.

Describe a monochromatic color scheme?  
It uses variations of tints and shades (values) of one color. This color scheme looks clean and elegant. Monochromatic colors go well together, creating a soothing effect. It is very easy on the eyes, especially with blues and greens.

Describe an analogous color scheme?  
It uses 3 colors adjacent (next) to each other on the color wheel. One color is used as a dominating color while others enrich this scheme. Analogous color schemes are often found in nature and are pleasing to the eye. They create a bright and cheery effect and are able to accommodate changing moods. When using the analogous color scheme, one should make sure there is one hue as the main color.

Describe a complementary color scheme? 
It is made of 2 colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel. This color scheme will draw a lot of attention and works best in situations where you need high-contrast compositions.

Describe a split-complementary color scheme?  
It is a variation of the complementary color scheme. It uses 3 colors: 1 color + 2 adjacent to its compliment. This will get similar attention but without the tension of the complementary color scheme.

Describe a triadic color scheme?  
It uses 3 colors equally spaces around the color wheel. This color scheme offers a strong visual balance.

What colors are considered to be warm colors?  
Warm colors are vivid in nature. Yellows, oranges, reds and colors found in the sun. These colors are used to express aggression, excitement, and danger. They are strong and welcoming, but they will overpower other colors in a design.

Describe a warm color scheme? 
It is bold and energetic. Warm colors tend to appear closer, so they don't overwhelm the design with eye catching hues.

What colors are considered to be cool colors?  
Cool colors are soothing in nature. These are colors, such as greens, blues, and violets. These colors often express passiveness, comforting, and nurturing.

Describe a cool color scheme? 
A cool color scheme gives an impression of calm and rarely overpowers the message of a design. Cool colors seem to appear farther away. In the atmosphere, they are used to give the illusion of depth.

Why is important to consider which colors are being used within a design?
It is important to think about how colors are perceived. The meaning of color impacts all visual communications. It is important to understand how color is used in our culture. The right color choice can convey the right tone and message and can evoke the desired response to any form of visual communication. Color creates and emotional response.

Review Week 6

What is the pen tool used for?
The pen tool is used to make straight lines quickly, as well as making smooth, curved lines.
How can you manipulate a path/line in Illustrator? Discuss the use of the white arrow tool, pen +, pen -, and convert too.
By using the white arrow tool, anchor points can be moved to a different location. In addition, the pen + tool can be used to add anchor points, and the pen - tool can be used to remove points.
How can you utilize the layers palette in Illustrator?
If designs are created on different layers, the lines and shapes can be locked on a specific layer so they don't get moved or altered.
How do you create a clipping mask in Adobe Illustrator?
First, create a rectangle using the shape tool and make it to the size you want the clipping mask to be. Then, make sure you bring the rectangle to the front of the entire document. Next, highlight all of the lines and objects. Lastly, on the Adobe Illustrator at the top of the program, hold the mouse over object, move down to clipping mask, and move over to make and then click. Then the clipping mask is created.

Review Week 5

Because several different geometric shapes are used in this design, it is a great example of shape. Even though this entire design is made up completely by shapes, the design is still extremely interesting to look at.   Not only does the color attract my eyes, but the unusual lines cutting the shapes in half is very cool. Although shapes may seem like they don't affect a design, they can make the difference in it.

This design is created completely by lines. In fact, the lines used are deep, acute curves, which suggest confusion and turbulence, as in violent waves in storms, like the ones here. Because the design is off center and tilted, movement and direction are implied in the image. Even though it may not seem like it, lines can have a huge impact on the meaning of a picture.

These rocks are a great example of texture because I feel like if I reach out, I could literally touch the rough rocks. This picture thoroughly conveys texture because the shapes and sizes are different, they are positioned off center and are staggered, and there are some spots that are darker than others. Texture helps create a feeling of richness and depth in this picture, like it should to any other picture that incorporates texture.  

This design is an example of space. Because there is only one color in the background, it makes the picture very simple. In addition, the dark background, keeps each element seem distant from the other ones. Since there is nothing in the exact center of the picture, my eyes are drawn to the next closest thing, the ferris wheel. Space can have several different effects on one design.

This picture represents value well because even though there are only two colors used in the design, there are different shades of black. This effect creates a contrast, which makes the picture appear real and look like a real zebra. Because of the contrast in the design, it helps distinct certain lines and parts of the animal. Value, or tone, also conveys moods and attracts attention from the viewers.

Review Week 4

Why/how can icons be used to communicate?
Icons are simple symbols that have a well-known meaning to all people to convey a quick message.
Via the internet, find two examples of common icons that clearly communicate their message. Post both in this entry.

What is the difference between copyright and public domain?

Copyright is the right given to legally print or publish, whereas public domain is the right given for anyone,including the public, to use a design.

How can you avoid plagiarism in this class? In other classes?

A way to avoid this is by not letting my eyes "wander." I can also trust my own creativity and honesty to create my own artwork. 

Review Week 3

What is OSHA? What do the letters stand for?

Occupational Safety and Health Administration, also known as OSHA, is an organization that helps create safe and healthy environments for all employees working in the United States.

How can graphic designers effectively communicate? In your own words, explain the communication process.

By considering the audience and making an attractive design, graphic designers can effectively communicate. The communication process starts with creating a design to convey a message. Ultimately, the message gets received and decoded by the audience.

Understanding the history, culture and movements of fine and graphic arts will make you a better producer of visual messages. Why?

By understanding the history, culture and movements of fine and graphic arts, designs can be made to hold a thorough message for all types of audiences. By studying movements and history, techniques can be used to make a design appealing. Similarly, studying culture can be useful to please all types of audiences.

Intro Goals

Why did you take this class? What goals do you have for the class?
I am taking this class because I am extremely interested in creating and studying graphic designs, as well as working on the computer. By taking this class, I can learn several skills, on and off of the computer, that can help me with my future. For example, meanings of lines, shapes, and color, and considering audiences is an important element that be approached in almost every aspect of life. After finishing this class, I hope that I will be able to function smoothly on a computer to complete projects and know what type of graphic designs to make in certain situations.

Podcast #1 Elements of Design

What does it take to create good graphic design?

It requires the understanding of the elements and principles of design, and it has to convey information efficiently, as well as pleasing the eye to draw attention.

What is the difference between elements and principles?

Elements are components or parts which can be isolated in any visual design. They are the actualy things we add to a design. Principles tell us how we should organize elements on a page or screen.

Name the six (6) elements of design.

1. Line

2. Shape or form

3. Space

4. Texture

5. Value

6. Color

What can lines aid in, when alone or combined with  other lines or shapes?

Lines can aid in the readability, appearance, and message of a design.

Which lines suggest a feeling of rest? Why do you think?

Horizontal lines suggest a feeling of rest in relation to gravity.

Vertical lines communicate a feeling of what? Why do you think?

Vertical lines communicate a feeling of loftiness. Extended lines suggest an overpowering grandeur.

What lines suggest a feeling of movement? Why do you think?

Diagonal lines suggest a feeling of movement or direction, unstable in relation to gravity.

Soft, shallow curved lines suggest what? Why do you think?

They suggest comfort, safety, and relaxation.

These lines suggest confusion and turbulence? Why do you think?

Deep, acute curves suggest confusion and turbulence as in violence of waves in a storm.

What element defines a specific area of space?

Shape

What is the difference between two dimensional shapes and three dimensional shapes?

A 2D shape has width and height. A 3D shape has depth, as well as width and height.

Describe the difference between geometric shapes and organic shapes?

Geometric shapes are structured, often symmetrical shapes (squares, circles, triangles, octagons, hexagons, and cones). Organic/natural shapes are found in nature or they can be man made shapes (irregular and fluid; leaves are an example).

What are abstract shapes?

Abstract shapes are stylized or simplified versions of natural shapes. Symbols found on signs, such as the wheelchair shape for handicapped access, is an example.

Which basic shape projects an attitude of honesty or equality?

Square

What do triangles suggest?

Action or stability if in a pyramid shape.

Circles convey feelings of what?

Protection or infinity

Describe positive space and negative space?

Positive space refers to the objects and elements used in a design (text, graphics, photos, lines, or shapes). Negative space refers to the shapes around and between those objects and elements. Also known as the white space, it gives a place for the eye to rest, which is neede in order for the message you’re trying to communicate to be absorbed.

What is texture?

Texture can refer to the actual surface of a design with the reader actually being able to feel the texture of the paper and materials in the printed design.

Incorporating texture into a design can help do what?

Incorporating texture will help create a feeling of richness and depth.

What is value?

Value is the degree of light and dark in a design. It is the contrast between black an white and all the tones in between.

What is another name for value?

Tone

What can the element of color do when incorporated into a design?

It can convey moods, create images, attract attention, and identify objects.