Instructions Layout

As I created and revised this layout, I hoped to achieve a clear and coherent instruction set. My intention was to design something that was welcoming, readable, and professional. If my audience were to use this page, I'd hope they'd feel confident in their work. To simplify things, I created clear, sectioned blacks of text throughout. After trial and error, I realized that readability is especially important for designing an instruction set. Another factor is the visual hierarchy. Here, it's important to bold certain text or exemplify certain sections to catch the readers attention. I felt as though I achieved this through a bold title that runs across the page, a box of text, and large numbers so the procedure stood out. As mentioned, I wanted to evoke a welcoming feeling from my audience; I wanted to encourage my audience. 

While carrying out this brief, I learned a lot. For instance, I learned a clear, visual hierarchy is very important. Once way to achieve a clear, visual hierarchy is by alignment and sections. I also learned about professionalism and the importance of professionalism. I feel as though I wouldn't necessarily need to know more about this layout in order to work more confidently. I believe that I learned the important aspects of it and will continue to work with what I know. If I were to return to this set of instructions, I would experiment more with the image. I feel as though a lot can be done with it. 

Deserted

The first thing that caught my attention about this design is the word "deserted". My eye directly went here. So in terms of visual hierarchy, I saw the large word, then I looked at the picture, and last the text at the bottom. 

I also really appreciate this image in terms of working with black and white. This layout does a good job of showing contrast. In general, I like the clarity of the image. Each section is easily readable and neither the image or the text conflict with one another. 

In terms of alignment, I feel like everything is going in the same direction; like it's pulling you in. I think this is important, because it makes you want to learn more about the image. 

Design Brief 5

After reading over design brief 5, I am finally starting to feel more confident with using InDesign. It's somewhat ironic since the semester is almost over! However, as a technical writer, it's important to write clear and concise instructions, especially for a biology student early in the semester. Here are a few questions I have about design brief 5:

1.) Are we allowed to use more pictures than the one you posted? Or are we limited to just that one?
2.) Are we using the same repetitive concepts we used in design brief 4? For example, the picture we are using for this layout, can we add labels to it?
3.) Are we using strictly black and white for this brief, or can we use one color or colored paper?

Overall, I feel like this design brief seems slightly easier than the brochure. Like I said though, it may seem this way because I'm feeling more comfortable and aware of what to do. I'm looking forward to getting a start on this layout. 

Design Brief 4

When I first began this design brief, I had a lot of difficulty with it. I still think it needs work but I feel much better with it then when I began. I tried to incorporate a lot of repetition into the brochure (the pens, same typeface, headings). I plan to work on the arrangement of some things and possibly add a little more "fun" to it.

When I first began working on this, I thought that I would have too much white space, but as I continued to revise it, I came to the conclusion that I didn't have enough space at all! When I revise this for the portfolio, I plan to work on the second page specifically. I don't want the text to run across the whole page, I think it's a little too much.

I chose this typeface (Bookman Old Style) because it felt clean and easily readable. But thinking about it, this brochure is geared toward college students, and maybe they'd enjoy a more modern typeface. This is something else I will take into consideration when revising my brochure.

Overall, I think my brochure has potential and I plan to work up to that potential. I started frustrated, but now that I have a better conception of what I want, I feel more confident in my design.

Looking at my previous design brief drafts, I have definitely noticed many improvements and some things that still need to be improved. Taking this class was the first time I've ever used any of the Adobe programs and when we started with illustrator, I really enjoyed it. However, looking back on my very first draft, I noticed I wasn't concentrating on the contrast very much. As we continued to turn drafts in, I feel like I began noticing contrast more, therefore, I can see a difference from my first draft to the final layout. Repetition was somewhat required for this assignment, due to the use of only one letter. However, I did notice that on most, if not all of my tiles, I used a repetitive pattern as well.

When we began working on the second design brief, the doctors form and the poem, I started to consider visual hierarchy and alignment. When I began working on this design brief, I had absolutely no idea what to do or how to do it. However, as I look back on my drafts, I noticed a variety of improvements. Not only has my alignment improved, but I think my choice of typeface improved as well. In my first draft of the poem, I used SO many typefaces, thinking I was giving it variety. Looking at it now, it just looks chaotic! The final poem that I have at home is a world of difference compared to my first layout.

The third design brief, the dancer, started out slightly rocky for me as well. However, I learned how to make a layout, such as this one, professional. It took multiple attempts to create the image that I wanted and there is still work to be done on it. One important concept I factored into this layout was the audience who'd see it. I felt that I did a good job with the images I incorporated into the design. I think something that I still need to work on for this specific design brief is working with layers. I want to learn how to make my images less pixilated.

Working with the most recent design brief, as you know, I've run into some serious complications. One concept I took into consideration was repetition and unity. I definitely still have places for improvement. I'm not satisfied with my brochure and want to improve many things about it.

One major improvement I've noticed with my work is the overall presentation. 

 

As I was looking though many graphic design layouts, I came across this one. The first thing I noticed about this was the simplicity. The visual hierarchy seems easily outlined. The first thing I noticed was the photo and that intrigued me to read what it was about. I also believe that the typeface used fits the theme of the layout very well. I know color is something we haven't discussed much, but the colors used in this layout blend very well with one another and there isn't too much happening. I respect this layout because I get a clear sense of information without being overwhelmed or uninformed. *I also like the little music notes that were added :) It completes the layout.

I originally had a really difficult time working with photoshop. However, after much trial and error, I finally decided on this layout. When it comes to the visual hierarchy, I would hope that my audience would see the photo of the dancer first and become intrigued enough to read what it's all about. I hope that I made a clear visual path for my audience: "Simone Ferro...", Date, Text, Times.

However, there are definitely some aspects of this layout that I would still like to work on, such as the image. I don't feel like my image has a professional "tone" to it. I think the image I choose fits the context, but I'd like to learn more about photoshop to create a crisper image.

Overall, I've learned throughout working on this project that there are so many possibilities to create a layout. I think if I put more work into the particular design, it can take on that "professional" look we've talked about in class.

Design Brief #4

After reading design brief 4, I do have a couple questions/concerns:

1.) In class you mentioned we could incorporate one color into our brochure. Is this just the color of the paper? Or can we use a text color?

2.) When printing the brochure, does the printer automatically print on both sides? Or is this something we will manually have to do?

3.) While working with InDesign, is there a format that organizes each section of the brochure? For example, will each section of the brochure be visible on the screen so we know where to place things?

I find this project to be a little intimidating, but like anything else we've worked with, I'm sure its a lot of trial and error. I'm interested to see how everyone's brochure looks since we have a lot to work with.

Hierarchy

Given what I read, the most important aspect to keep in mind while arranging type on a page or screen is visual hierarchy. For example, every article mentions the importance of hierarchy; it is a natural concept in everyday life. It continues to be an important concept while designing a flyer, brochure, etc. Western cultures naturally read from left to right and top to bottom. So, something important to keep in mind while designing a page is putting the most important information on the top left and continue down from there. Also, spacing, bolding, enlarging, changing a typeface for the more important information will help bring out the message being sent.

4-5 Specific Guidelines I will try to apply to my work while designing a page:

1.) As mentioned above, trying to make the most important information the most visible.
2.) Larger items tend to be seen first, so again, if I want something to be noticed first, I will enlarge it so it will catch the eye of the reader.
3.) I will keep in mind what the message is. This will help the importance of visual hierarchy.
4.) I will also keep in mind that hierarchy makes a clear separation to signal change from one level to another.
5.) Type, scale, weight, and alignment are all very important aspects of visual hierarchy.

There wasn't anything that necessarily surprised me, but the Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) was something I've never heard of before. I found this concept to be very interesting and a wonderful way connect different types of technology. I felt the information I read was sufficient in the point of hierarchy and visual hierarchy. I honestly don't know if any information was left out or should have been included. I think from what I've read, I got a good sense of what is important.

Design Brief #3

After reading design brief three, my biggest concern is fitting all the words on the page. I feel like this is the most we've had to put onto a page so far. I had a little trouble with design brief two, the poem mainly, so, I hope I can get the hang of working with adobe photoshop a little quicker. I find this particular assignment fun, though. I look forward to working with photos and words. The questions I have so far are:

1.) Is working with photoshop similar to working with illustrator? Is it similar to working with in design?

2.) If photoshop is completely different then the other two programs, what can I expect?

3.) Will I have a difficult time figuring out how to use the program? Or have I learned a lot of the basic tools already?

In general, like I mentioned, my biggest concern is actually understanding how to use the tools. I think when I am aware of what to do, I have so many more options. I'm worried that I won't catch on quick enough, therefore, my designs will not be up to par.

Designing Forms

After reading the four articles about designing forms, I learned new information that will help me when designing my own form. One important thing to keep in mind while designing a form is to create a "user-friendly" form that strives toward legibility and readability. In order to have a clear understanding of what information is wanted/needed, the designer of the forms must design a form that is visually clear and concise. Some general guidelines to follow when creating a form are to: use one typeface. Switching the typeface will often confuse the reader and create a less legible form. Using lowercase letters are important as well because uppercase letters can reduce the legibility of the form. I think when creating a form, in general, one should stay more on the professional side than artistic. A form is used to analyze and gather information, and anything that is "to all over the place"will defer the reader from properly filling out the correct information.

Specific guidelines that I will try to apply to my work are:
1.) Unity
2.) Harmony
3.) Clear/Concise
4.) Simplicity
5.) Rhythm

Although we already learned about this, the alphabet and a half theory was really interesting. In the article, "Visual Communication for Forms Design" there was an example of the same sequence of words in two different formats. After reading both, I found that the longer sequence was easier to read, however, this may not be the case for everyone.

Layout

I found this layout to be very interesting. Although the only colors used are black and white, there is such a wide variety of typeface used throughout the layout. There is a definite clear figure/ground here. It is obvious that the black text is set on a white background. However, what I find interesting about this is there is figure/ground relationship within figure/ground relationship. For example, the words, "to lead once more" are white on top of a black/gray background, whereas most of the words are black text on a white background. Another eye-popping concept is the bold lettering and the large font used on some of the words. I'd assume while reading this, that the words which are bold and capitalized are of importance. The spacing between the words, or the leading, is also very distinct. I like this layout. It keeps my attention with its interesting format, but it's not over the top to read.

Reading About Type

I chose to read the four articles, Typography- Wikipedia, Fonts 101, Eight Simple Ways to Improve Typography in Design, and Five Simple Steps to Better Typography. The biggest commonality and generalization between all four articles was the readability of a typeface. Every article mentioned something about the importance of reading the information with ease. Another issue of importance was the leading or the word spacing. In general, I think what I got most out of reading each article was the importance of clarity. When reading an article or anything of length, it is important that the type is simple and properly spaced, otherwise the reader will have a difficult time finishing the article or won't fully understand the concept of the article.

Given what I have read, a few specific guidelines I will follow are:
1.) Leading: This was an important factor in each article. In order for a type to be legible, the leading must be appropriate as well.
2.) White space vs. black space or the figure/ground relationship. Just like in using Illustrator, this will also be an important concept when using InDesign.
3.) Readability and Legibility: Although these are two different concepts, they are connected aspects of type. The two concepts help define the character of type and will bring ease to the reader.
4.) Typefaces (In general): It is important to choose a typeface that can be read with ease. For example, if one has to fill out a form at the DMV, one most likely will want a clear, standard, and easy to read typeface. If the form was in some type of calligraphy, for example, information could definitely be misplaced or not understood properly.

In general, I think that most of the information was basic. Adjustments to make lettering more legible, harmonic, and readable are of importance. One thing that I found to be interesting was in the Fonts 101 article. I think its neat there are websites that can transform your specific handwriting into a font. The use of technology and everything becoming so digitalized is an interesting concept overall.

Figure/Ground

After reading the articles, I had a chance to better understand the difference between figure and ground. The way I see it, ground is the background of the design. I would look at it as the white space as of right now. The ground it the part of the design that needs to be filled up with the figure. For that matter, I see the figure as the image that has been created on the ground. These concepts are important because it makes a difference when looking at the image. It's important to know whether one is defining the ground or the figure. There was a good example of this in one of the readings about the vase/face image. In order to understand how such an image is created, I think it's important to know the difference between the ground and figure.

I think I have already used these terms in my own work when designing the first tile. It's important because the more involved we get in creating the tiles, the more difficult it may be to grasp the difference between the ground and figure.

In most of my tiles created so far, there is a clear difference between the ground and the figure. However, I may only know this because I created them. It may be more difficult for someone else to look at a tile and decipher the two.

Design Brief Ideas

My three  choices are:

1.) Tiles on a bench at the zoo
2.) The hallway at a children's hospital
3.) The walls of a new Milwaukee transit station

For the tiles on a bench at the zoo, I feel the audience will be both for  children and adults. The tile needs to be pleasing to both audiences and impress the adults so they can explain to their children what it may convey. This tile will be meant for children and adults who have a love for animals or are just interested in learning more about exotic animals.

For the hallway at a children's hospital, I'd like to create something that is obviously appealing to the children. Something that is cheerful and will lighten up a child's eyes while going through a rough time. Like the zoo tile, the audience will also be geared towards the parents of the children, who are also going through a hard time. I'd like to create something that is light-hearted and will help brighten up any child or parent. Also, this tile could be geared toward the nurses and doctors who are working in the hospital everyday. The tile designs for the employees will hopefully give them a little variation and inspiration.

For the walls of a new Milwaukee transit station, I think the audience would be geared toward people who need to get from point A to point B quickly and smoothly. I'd like to create something that keeps up with the everyday chaos of constantly moving from place to place. Yet, I'd keep it simple and intriguing. The hustle and bustle of everyday life can become stressful, so keeping it simple in a stressful environment may be the best way to create this tile.

Design Brief #1

After reading the first design brief, I feel more excited than concerned to begin working with a creative outlook. However, one concern I do have is only using black and white. I understand that color is very important and probably requires a lot of attention, but I'm worried that using only black and white will take away from some of the creative output. Another concern of mine is only being able to use one typeface within each tile. However, I also feel like this will simplify things and keep the design neat and organized. In general, I am looking forward to beginning this project.