Chapter 7 Hierarchal progression

For my project I choose to make a series of compositions using tattoo artwork. I choose the statement “Today is the last day of your life so get a tattoo.” I was thinking about the statement “Today is the first day of the rest of your life”, and I thought wouldn’t it be more appreciate if the saying was “Today is the last day of the rest of your life”, because the future is promised to no one. I then thought what a great reason to get a tattoo, life is short. The statement “Today is the last day of your life so get a tattoo” definitely supports and communicates the message of the entire composition. I used a graffiti typeface to help support the message, as many tattoo artists get their start from graffiti art. Another reason I choose this typeface is because graffiti art is associated with tattoo art. I choose to keep the text in this project consistent in each of the 5 compositions, the same size, the same font, the same color, and the same placement in each composition. I did this to retain consistency throughout the composition. I put the text at the top so that people are drawn to it early while viewing the composition, this way people read it early and get a better understanding of the composition. I kept the text in black and white so that it would not take away viewers attention from the artwork. By having my text at the top of the composition and in black and white, viewers see it and read it, but are not distracted by it. Each of my compositions have linear elements, these linear elements either draw viewers to a specific section of the composition or the images draw viewers to the linear elements. We see an example of this in my project; the 3^rd composition with the buffalo draws viewers to the linear element, while the 2^nd composition with geckos draw viewers to the images and the images draw viewers to the linear element. The linear element in the 5^th composition consists of two straight lines. Straight lines were used and placed at the top in order to bring balance to the composition. The images in this 5^th composition are very curvy the straight lines at the top bring harmony to the composition.

The first composition in the project has a large dragon that is centered in the middle and takes up almost the entire canvas. The reason for this is because this particular image is a perfect representation of a classic attoo, this composition helps to support the message of the entire project. This 1^st composition consists of three colors blue, red, and black. The 2nd composition consists of three colors orange, yellow, and black. The images in this composition were arranged so that they will take the viewer on a 360 degree tour; viewers start with the largest brightest colored flower, from there they are taken down to the linear element in the composition, the viewer is then taken from left side of the linear element to the right side, from here they are taken up the right hand side, and then arrive at the top of the composition to read the text and complete the 360 degree tour.

The 3^rd composition was designed the exact same way as the 2^nd composition. There is a large white space to the left of the composition between the text, the linear image, and the first image. This white space draws viewer’s eyes to this main panther image. Viewers are naturally drawn around the curves of the panther to the next white space on the right. From this white space viewers are drawn up the flamingo to the small foot prints (my linear image) that run across the top of the composition. From this point viewers are drawn to and read the text at the top.

The 4^th composition was designed to the viewer to a specific spot. This composition is done in all black and white with one spot of bright red to produce a focal point in a hierarchy of this composition. There is a white space above the red spot and a white space to the side of the red spot this was done to reinforce viewer’s attention to the image with the red spot. From this red spot viewers are taken to the bottom linear image, they go from right to left on the bottom linear image. From this bottom linear image viewers are taken over the white space and up to the white buffalo, and from the buffalo up to the text. The 5^th composition was designed so that each image supports the other. The image at the bottom has equal amounts of white space on each side to truly bring out the red and black dragon. The image above the dragon is fancy curvy text that says tattoo. The curves of the text complement the curves of the dragon’s wings. The linear element in this composition consists of two straight lines, these straight lines at the top of the composition really bring out the beautiful curves of both of the images below.

Chapter 5c Letterform Study

With my letterform study composition I started by making 25 or more small compositions using different single letterforms. I tried to use the space around the letters to draw emphasis to the letter. I tried many different letterform compositions; I partially obscured the identity of some letterforms. I cropped some letterforms, I rotated many letterforms, I even reversed a few letterforms. I used a grid system in order to place the individual letterform compositions into the large image composition. I also used a grid system to align the letterforms in the smaller compositions. I used variety of figure-ground relationships in my letterform compositions. In many of these single letter compositions this space around the letterforms gives the illusion of depth. In these figure-ground arrangements the letterform is positive and the ground is negative. Although you may not be able to tell but I spent a lot of time working on this composition, there was a lot of trial and error that went into this project, there were a lot of letterform compositions that did not go into the final composition.

Chapter 5A Contrast Studies

Final contrasting composition study
negative versus positive

Positive VS. Negative

Smooth VS. Rough

Serene VS. Chaotic

The word “contrast” at first makes you think of light and dark or how light and dark contrast with each other, but it is a very broad term that applies to nearly every type of design and art principle. For example, there can be a contrast in size big head, little body; color orange against blue; or movement fast versus slow. The possibilities are endless: negative versus positive, jagged versus strait, geometric versus organic, serene versus chaotic, rough versus smooth, random versus orderly, saturated versus pastel, static versus kinetic, and monumental versus diminutive to name just a few.

I started by designing three sets of complements, positive versus negative, serene versus chaotic, and rough versus smooth.

For my positive versus negative compositions I used a black and white medium to help reinforce that positive negative, yen and yang relationship. With both of these compositions I have a row of straight lines with one line that is wavy. The viewer’s eyes are immediately drawn to this wavy line, from this wavy line the viewers eyes are then taken down the wavy line and to the image that I wanted them to see. The focal point of this composition is reinforced by the figure ground relationship with the bottom border, and the white space between the bottom boarder and the start of the bottom of the strait lines. I also like the way that the Linux mascot stands out on the black background of the negative composition. In these compositions the images happen to be the Linux penguin mascot, I could have used anything that I wanted to draw my viewer’s attention to. Although in this composition I like the penguin because of his color contrast and how it relates to my composition. Besides who doesn’t love the Linux penguin mascot? I especially like the penguin hugging the apple, as I prefer to work on a Mac.

For my smooth versus rough compositions I used complementing colors of blue and yellow on both. For the smooth composition I used a gradient blend in order to give the appearance of smooth soft rolling hills with no stroke. I wanted to draw my viewer’s attention to the top right of the composition so I put in a circle with a darker yellow and a thick black boarder. I used this same visual relationship of using a darker yellow with a thick black stroke with the blue background to draw attention to a specific area of my composition. What I was trying to do in both of these compositions was to draw my viewer’s attention but to make the attention grabber subtle, subtler than say a wavy line in the middle of a group of straight line.

For my serene versus chaotic composition I wanted to try something a little different. I started by making a composition of organized soft round circles. I then took this serene composition filtered it through Photoshop and made it chaotic. I then took the serene composition and added chaotic circles with a black stroke in order to draw the viewer’s attention to this section. I did this exact same thing with my chaotic composition; I put solid circles with a black stroke in the bottom corner to draw viewer’s attention to this area. I wanted to try this and see if it would work, the attention drawer is subtle due to the similarities in shape and color, this was all on purpose. This was my third set of complements composition and I wanted to experiment, I like it, I think it works great.

Midterm Project

Color and Season Chapter 4

For the project Color and season I designed a color collage composition for the season summer. For me nothing says early summer more than flowers in full bloom in Homer Alaska. You would think that flowers would bring to mind thoughts of spring, and they do. Although in Homer we get our flowers in early summer; so for me flowers mean summer.

For my color scheme I developed a color triad consisting of two related colors yellow and orange, and a contrasting color of blue. I choose these colors to help communicate the message and feel of summer. Yellow is a warm color that is associated with sunlight and energy. Orange is active, appetizing, and hot. Orange is made from two warm colors and is associated with sunsets. Both colors yellow and orange invoke feelings of those long sunny summer days. The blue in the composition adds contrast to the orange background and makes the images of summer stand out. This small amount of blue, which represents a cool temperature, reinforces the overwhelming warm temperature colors of summer. This slight warm-cool contrast works toward that warm summer feel. I choose summer flower photos with yellow in them to support my color scheme.

With my composition people’s eyes are drawn first to the title, from the title viewers eyes are taken slightly down and to the left to the image with butterflies; this image has a dominate yellow color. Viewer’s eyes are then taken in a circular counter clockwise motion around the collage and then to the center image that again has yellow flowers. The images in the collage were specifically positioned in order to accomplish this visual round trip view of the composition.

"24 Shots" Chapter 4 Assignment

I have to admit when I started this project there was a lot of confusion for me, after reading the books version of the assignment I was under the impression that we were to take 24 photographs of the same image and change the appearance of the image through color design principles. I thought forever “what one image can I take 24 photos of and make each image unique? I was at a loss, so I decided to do take 24 photos of a place, so that all the images are related, they’re the same but different; I chose to photograph the Pangborn Memorial Airport in Wenatchee Washington. It was not until after I read John’s blog entry that I put everything together. John made sense of the assignment, unlike the book; so with this in mind I am going to do the best job that I can with the photos that I have, anyway isn’t that what it’s all about seeing design in everything “visual splendor of life all around, it's order, its caos, its beauty in all things obvious and not so obvious.”

This first composition represents symmetrical balance; the photos were taken in the waiting area at the airport. The center image is photo of the waiting area and the images on the sides are photographs of art on the walls. The images are balanced symmetrically; the images are similar on either side of the center axis. Also notice the symmetrical balance of the center photograph with the placement of the art on the walls.


This second composition represents asymmetrical balance; the photos were taken from various areas at the airport from the parking lot, to the ticket counter, to the restrooms. With this composition I was striving to create balance of these different sized images through likeness in the signs. I was also striving for contrast of temperature, from warm to cold with the Apple Blossom queens on one side and blue signs on the opposite, with red signs in between. I threw in a yellow to blue gradient in the background to reinforce the contrast of temperature.


I read over the assignment a few more times and I think I have been looking at this assignment all wrong, I think that my photograph itself is to illustrate the principle. So with that in mind here is a more appropriate photo of asymmetrical balance.


Here is an image that exhibits repetition, this photo is of neatly stacked apple boxes at the Stemilt apple warehouse.


Here is an image that exhibits orientation, this photo clearly shows the viewer the point of view that the designer intended it to be viewed.


Here is an image that I feel displays color balance. In this photograph we see color harmony through color complements; the red of the semi trailer just below the red tips of the apple trees in the background stand out yet are complemented by warm yellows and earth tone shades of brown.


Here is a photo that displays rhythm, from this photo we see the alternating rows of apple tree in a straight line. This alternating rhythm of landscape tree, grass, tree, grass gives shape to the movement in the photograph. The viewer’s eyes are transported up and down the rows of apple trees in a harmonious rhythm.


In this photograph we see dominance in the graffiti art spray painted in 1971. The spray painted flag dominates all of the other graffiti art in this photograph. The combination of vivid colors, image association, and image placement allow this spray painted flag to dominate all of the other graffiti art in this photograph.

Graphic Animal

I choose to research the behavior, anatomy, and physical characteristics of bats. Before I committed to using a bat for this project I did a physical analysis and studied the bat through photographs from the Internet. I looked at many different photographs these photos offered a wide variety of viewpoints and behaviors, it also allowed me to see many different species of bats. To reduce my image I did a series of drawings, with each drawing I tried to concentrate and emphasize on essential qualities. These essential qualities for my graphic reduction were the bats wings and ears. I felt that taking the photograph down to its simplest form while preserving its ability to be recognized would have to include the wings and ears of the bat. I tried many different versions to refine my image while always emphasizing on the wings and ears of the bat. First I tried an outline of the bat traced in Adobe Illustrator, this was ok but lacking. So next I traced the outline of the bat and put in detail of his bones and body, this was too much. Next I drew the outline of the top of the bat’s wings and ears. This one came out nice, I liked it although I wanted more this was not exactly what I was looking for; so I tried many other different combinations to reduce this image. My last two attempts at the image reduction are my favorites. I traced the outline of the bat and colored it in black to make a silhouette, this image reduction is not an exact line for line trace. In this reduction I left out the feet and shortened the tail. I really like this one it is a perfect graphic reduction of the original image. The next image reduction that I really like is a silhouette of the original image, expect on this image the bones in the bats wings are left white. I like this image because it adds detail without taking anything away from the simplicity of the graphic reduction.