pattern

modularity font

 

layers

hierarchy

Thoughts on Ina Saltz' Type and Hierarchy video

• Color / Contrast / Scale are the main elements to consider when using type.

• In typography, color refers to, "the tonal weight or overall level of greyness created on a page of text, using black text on a white background." For ease of reading, tonal consistency is what you want.

• One way to create contrast is by choosing a typeface with weight options. Shift between lighter and bolder type weights to add depth of meaning.

• Ina says that in typography everything exists in relation to everything else. Change one element, it effects the others.
• Scale is about achieving balance.
• Mixing of scale and stroke can create visual interest.

framing

border play

Gestalt principles

positive : negative

 

grouping modes 

 

rhythm + balance

color studies

Thoughts on Jim Krause color for design and art video:

Good grief there was a lot of info in this video... thoughts that stand out for me

• Get yourself a color wheel and study it.
• The three primary colors, when mixed, make up all other colors.
• Color contains three elements: hue (color), saturation (the brightness or intensity of color), and value (how light or dark a color appears).
• Value establishes visual clarity and according to Jim is the most important of the three elements.
• Calibrate your computer monitor(s).

He also gave some AI tips: play with color guide and use color picker

physical texture

 

Thoughts on Mirian Bantjes

Wow, what an interesting woman!

- She separated herself from the way most designers work. Which she calls a strategic model: meet with the client and figure out their needs. Now, it's the designers that hire Mirian, she no longer tries to figure out the client; instead, she makes what she wants.

- She works against what is expected.

- Works with purposeful randomness.

- Design needs artists. Artist don't need to loose themselves by doing commercial work, they can make a living being creative. The personal work will still be there.

typographic texture

scale . depth . motion

Thoughts on Tittle Case: Jessica Hische and Eric Mortensen

- Teach yourself to see the small details.
- Create by hand; refine on the computer.
- Problems give you a chance to find a new way to do something you've already done a thousand times before.
- Constantly push and make new work -just for yourself. You never know where it may lead.
- Don't just look at the title of a career; consider the work that makes up that career. Are you obsessed with it?  
- Sketch, sketch, sketch. Eric said a by-product of working at larger design studio's is that he is programmed to make lots of sketches while working out a design.
- Personally, I didn't know the difference between lettering and typography. Jessica's simple explanation (which I have condensed even more) was helpful... letterer's can expand on an existing typeface and make it work for precisely the need you have.

scale

Thoughts on Sean Adams

- Just because the computer makes things happen quickly, doesn't mean it's best.
- Designers today need to, or simply have more knowledge of a wider variety of  platforms: print, web, interactive, environmental to name a few.
- Ideas : take them from wherever you can. Jot down ALL ideas. Sometimes you should do the opposite of what you think is best, or go with the worst idea -to shake things up if you are stuck.
- Design keeps capitalism moving along!
- Network, network, network! Work with the connections you have. Let teachers and professionals know what you want, if something comes up, you might be contacted.
- Clients have good ideas but they can't always articulate it well. Designers must learn to listen well.
- Idea's can get lost in technology... is there a concept or is it just pretty?
- Portfolio's should have a simple and clean presentation.
- History of design is important.

rhythm + balance

Thoughts on Margo Chase

One take away from the Margo Chase videos for me, was to not get discouraged if you are pigeon-holed in a style/type of work. You can expand your client base and the type of work you do, just keep creating new work and it will resonate with someone.
I agreed with Margo’s comments on having books around. The computer is great, but books old and new are amazingly inspirational.
Margo said that in her studio, open communication between co-workers is vital, thus an open floor plan to facilitate creativity.
Oh and keep a sketch book!

points lines planes

100 iterations : Y