Author Archives: Andrew Poon

Down Goes Week 3

As week 3 passes I feel like I’ve learned more and more about using AIs and DS106. This week was shorter but the assignments in my opinion more fun. I would say this week was more image/picture heavy.

Video Reflection

It was interesting watching the videos on designs. I enjoyed the videos on what different colors and designs for movie posters meant as well as the video on how the logo for Stranger Things came to be. I had no prior knowledge to either video but after watching them I was really fascinated by both. I think the Stanger Things video was my favorite because seeing the process of creating a logo for a show was eye opening. I had no idea how much effort went into the process.

Photoblitz

Photoblitz was really enjoyable for me. I felt like I was doing a mission. The added time limit of 20 minutes added to the pressure of getting the task done. Overall, I would do this again and I would recommend this to a friend if they were interested in completing quests and missions.

Assignment Bank

The two assignment banks I complete were design based and it was fun incorporating my created character. Incorporating my created charter forced me be a little bit more creativity than I usually am.

Demystifying AI

This assignment was also pretty interesting to me. Using different AIs to create a photo was unique. I usually stick to the same AI for creating my images so using two brand new ones was nice for a change. Comparing and contrasting the results of the AIs was interesting to see the difference and similarities were in what they could produce.

Daily Creates

The daily creates were just as fun as last week’s. However, I feel like this week’s creates were definitely more image based. My favorite create would probably have to be the one where you chose an image and color it in how you want. It felt like an adult coloring book.

Overall, this week was fun, and I learned a lot of designs and image creating. I can’t wait to see what week 4 is all about. Until next time!

Past Blogs

The Middlebury Experience

This first image of drake was created on stable diffusion. This image is clean and simple with a realistic look.

This image of drake was created on craiyon. This image gives more of a cartoon look and not so much a realistic look compared to the first generated image of drake.

I felt like this was the worse image that was generated. This image came from craiyon. I asked craiyon to generate a photo of drake holding a puppy and this is what I got. The reason why I think this is the worse image is because one Drake facial expression is unappealing, he looks disturb in the photo. The second reason is the puppy in the photo does not look realistic at all and on top of that it almost looks like a robotic puppy.

I felt like this was the best generated image of drake. This image came from stable diffusion. I asked stable diffusion to generate a photo of drake holding a puppy and this is what I got. I think this is the best generated image because it gives off good vibes. Drake looks happy and his smile gives off an overall happy mood. The puppies also add to the good vibes as they are adorable and joyful.

I think AI can be a potential threat to artist. For starters an AI can almost create anything you ask it to. Whereas an artist is limited to what he or she can create. AIs can modify to enhance an image you ask them to, and this puts artists at a disadvantage because an artist may be incapable of doing what the Ai can.

Photoblitz

This week ww were tasked with using photoblitz. Our task was to capture as many photos as possible from the task given in the span of 20 minutes. Here is a list of what tasks I was assigned with and my start time.

My first photo is of something dominated by pink. I chose a picture of multiple pink gumballs.

My second photo is a picture of a plastic object. I chose a picture of plastic water bottles.

My third photo is a closeup photo of something very shiny. I chose this picture, try and guess what it is in the omments.

My fourth photo is a noise maker you hear. I chose a clown horn..

My fifth photo was an ordinary object up close. Try and guess what it is in the comments.

My sixth photo is of noses, schnozes, beaks, snouts, probosci, snoots. I chose a tucan.

My seventh picture is something of hope. I chose prayer hands as my photo.

My final picture is of the time stamp of when I finished all my pictures. Twenty minutes went by fast. I enjoyed this activity as it was fun and different. I felt like I was on a mission with a time crunch. I would recommend this to a friend who loves to do missions/quests in their free time.

The Art of Designs

Design and Storytelling

After watching Between the Lines: Chip Kidd I now have a better understanding of the connection between designs and storytelling. Kidd explains that when he is designing for Haruki Murakami the images, he creates would mean something but not enough and when you read the title it would mean something but not enough. However, when you put both of them together you can understand the concept being portrayed. My takeaway from this is the without a design element of a novel, book, etc… we are left in the dark. We don’t fully understand what the author is trying to accomplish. The title depends on a design and vis versa. Both work in harmony to create an overall idea/picture for the reader.

Design of Movie Posters

After watching the second video I found it interesting how different color trends mean different things. For example, the usage of red and white is to market comedies. The white background allows viewers to focus on the design of the poster and to engage with the poster with little background. The color blue and the introduction of a character running down the street in thriller posters is almost like a formula for action thrillers. The running character gives the poster a sense of more action. A yellow background provides a voice for independent films. Given independent films have tighter budgets yellow is a cheap way to catch the eye of the audience. The color trend white, black and orange are used for action films. The black and white is used to portray the protagonist and their masculinity. Overall, the use of different color trends is very unique and can give an audience an idea of what the movie is about just based off the poster.

Stranger Things

I found it interesting that the design behind the title sequence of Stranger Things was to make it feel original and to give the impression it wouldn’t work for any other show. I also found it interesting that the title designers for Stranger Things wanted to make the design look like it had imperfections. When you think of imperfections you would think designers want to avoid this, not prompt it. I think these imperfections is what separates Stranger Things from other films, giving them a new and unique look.