Vector Portaits

These are some cool minimalist vectors of famous people. Maybe one day I will try something similar in Illustrator as I become more proficient with the program.

Minimalist Vectors of Famous People

Rotoscope yourself

I've started to turn a picture of myself into something that looks rotoscoped. The process has been very tedious, but so far I am pleased with the results. The next steps I take in this image will be to make the hairline more detailed, followed by adding paths that can be used to apply shading. I'm also going to have to figure out a way to make my nose look less weird. I'm glad I took this class and learned how to use Illustrator. I feel like it has unlocked my creative process because it is easy for me to replicate things I've visualized in my head.

Thoughts on Typography

I just finished reading the following article:

Typography: Science, Art, Philosophy, or Craft?

I think the guy brings up some good points. Opening the list of available fonts in Word or InDesign is overwhelming. Why not simplify it some? Designers are going to know more about typographpy than the average user and wouldn't hesitate to bring in new fonts, but to someone who doesn't know, it is too much.

Use QR Codes!

QR codes are the future. They've been big in Japan and Europe for a while. I personally love them because they are a great way for me to get information into my phone. I wish more people would include them on event fliers and business cards. Here's a collection of links to familiarize yourself with them and start applying them to your documents.

Wikipedia

Another good overview

QR Code Generator

Good list of example uses

I, too, hate Comic Sans

http://www.kadavy.net/blog/posts/why-you-hate-comic-sans/

I'm not immune to bad typography; I once submitted an assignment typeset in 'Chiller' (in my defense, I was about 10). However, this article really lays out why a lot of people feel a visceral reaction to the font. It also serves to educate you on the intended purpose of the font (after reading the article, I now feel like it is a misused font, not a horrible font).

Resumes

It is rare that a day goes by where I'm not thinking about what I'll do with my life once grad school ends. I still have a couple of years remaining, but I don't think it is too soon to think about how I'll sell myself once I'm done with school. I'll likely not work in any creative industry that requires this much work in designing a resume, but I really liked looking at what others had done.

http://speckyboy.com/2011/05/18/40-most-creative-resume-design-ever-seen/

Color Theory

I've read about color theory multiple times in my life, but the following blog post is one of the better descriptions I've encountered. The explanation is centered around web design, but it is applicable outside of that.

http://www.kadavy.net/blog/posts/d4h-color-theory/

This picture was taken by a crested black macaque (Macaca nigra). The monkey is using a stolen camera and has produced a good example of a self portrait. The eyes are centered more or less around the upper-right intersection of the lines splitting the image into thirds, which serves to focus the viewers attention. In addition, the monkey has nice eyes and a beautiful smile; some of the best I've ever seen.



This picture showcases the raw, primal power of electrons. Some quick calculations using information gleaned from Wikipedia and Google lead me to conclude that there is enough energy in those bolts to stop the hearts of over 200 million people. Honestly, thinking about all the awesome force captured in this photo activates the primitive part of my brain used mainly for screaming. In the bottom left third of the picture you've got some brutal looking rocks that contribute to the unrefined nature of the picture. The lightning is contained in the middle third of the photo while the clouds and terrain fill the upper and lower third, respectively. Overall, this picture makes me want to party.



This picture is an atypical example of an excellent photograph. It is a simple fact that a mustache draws the human eye. A mustache is even more captivating if it is as full and beautiful as the mustache of Tom Selleck. By using the relatively simple formula of keeping a mustache in each third of the photo, the designer has created something irresistibly eye-catching (his eyes are mustaches).

Poor Graphic Design

These images are excellent examples of poor graphic design. Adherence to sound design principles occurs only on the most basic level and is limited to the inclusion of both text and graphics. The typography is inappropriate for the narrative, and the graphics amateurish at best. The addition of color and some negative space would draw focus to the important elements of the flier (the dead cat or the eye).

This dog rules