So Close Yet So Far

Shadows are very interesting because of how they can change perception of how close or far something is, or even how big an object is. In this case, I saw two poles that were around 20 feet away from each other but their shadows were so close. That really inspired me because it shows the closeness and connection people can have even if they physically aren’t close. All it takes is some light to shine down on you so you don’t forget how close you really are to someone, and to be grateful for that. Because without any light you wouldn’t be able to tell.

Photoblitz

I did not know what to expect going into this and even while I was doing it I felt somewhat stupid. Though I couldn’t get all the prompts done I did multiple for one.

Honestly the prompts were odd for me and since I was at work as you can see the environment doesn’t change much. Image 2 was based on the idea of an urban jungle with the cord being a snake. The 3rd image was the photo of destruction a cord fill mess with no humans in sight. 7 and 8 represent the second prompt. For prompt 4 I did quite a few using a cord as a bow, holding it like a fish and other nonsensical things. For the shadow prompt I only got one and even though you can’t tell that’s my pet rock that I keep at work. The process was mostly tedious as I was a bit lost with the prompts, but I managed to get through it. None of the pictures are pieces of art unfortunately.

Visual Designs and the Work Behind It

The readings and videos we had to dive into for this week were definitely interesting. Hearing the thought process behind what goes into making a movie poster or the intro to a tv show just makes you appreciate the work itself even more.

In the Vanity Fair video, it was intriguing to hear how the use of color and spacing on a movie poster can introduce what the movie is about. For example, if a poster has all white in the background with the characters in front of it, the focus is supposed to be on the characters and what they are doing. Or, in the iconic Star Wars poster, how the blue represents space and the universe, and the lights and characters represent the narrative. Movies that are more action, thriller, or horror will probably use darker colors, while comedy and romance will use lighter colors. It was also awesome to hear the backstory of the Stranger Things intro (firstly because it is one of the only tv intros that I do not skip), and also their thought process in paying homage to classic 80’s filters and font’s.

Visual design plays a crucial role in shaping the audience’s and viewer’s perception and anticipation for movies or tv shows. A well-crafted movie poster or tv show intro uses different colors, fonts, and imagery in order to convey it’s message and to get the viewers hooked onto it. It not only enhances the marketing, but also makes it more memorable and impactful.

Some of my favorite examples of movie posters and tv show intros come from a variety of genres. I put some of my favs above. First, the infamous Stars Wars poster for Episode I. It is so simple, yet is sort of menacing with how we see little Anakin Skywalker, as well as the shadow behind him of what his future is. Next, Knives Out is one of my favorite movies of all time. What I like about the poster is how it perfectly encapsulates the plot and vibe of the movie. It is a murder mystery, and is based around a wealthy family. The almost portait-like filter on it makes it look like it is a family portrait. Lastly, the tv Yellowjackets, which is a show about a high school girls soccer team crashing in the Canadian forest on the way to Nationals. The font of the word “Yellowjackets” emphasizes their relationship as a team, while also showing the darkness that is to come behind it.

Overall, as you can tell, I truly enjoy a great movie poster or logo, as it enhances the viewer’s enjoyment and excitement for it. The readings and videos make me want to look more into the decision-making process behind visual designs for media.

My Logo

I’ve been developing an online portfolio to showcase my work for internship applications, so I knew this logo project would be an excellent opportunity for my website and me. I added the logo to the navigation bar to serve as a link back to the home screen and to use as the website’s favicon. My hope for this logo is that it demonstrates my skills to potential hiring managers.

I’m not very good with graphic design software so for this assignment, I used Canva, which I don’t know if that’s classified as a graphic design software, but I wanted to show that I at least have an eye for aesthetics. Typically, I prefer bright colors and bubble letters, as those better reflect my personality. However, this logo is different because I want to convey a sense of professionalism and class. I incorporated my initials and intersected it with my first and last name, so that viewers can easily identify who I am. Adding my role title was a difficult decision because I didn’t want to limit myself. However, I realized that I currently manage social media to market events, and the internships I’m applying for are in social media marketing. So, I figured if the shoe fits, wear it. I’m pleased with how this design came out because I think it is versatile and I will be able to use it for years to come.

Bethany’s Barbie Dream House

I decided to further characterize Bethany (and indulge myself) by looking for a house for her on Zillow. Since she is based in Chicago, that’s where I opted to search. She really doesn’t need a lot of space, especially since its just her. I could see her eventually getting a pet, so a pet-friendly establishment was a plus. While Bethany is only a receptionist for a funeral home, she does have the extra cash flow from Smithy, so the price wasn’t anything I was too worried about.

I found this stunning apartment that I know Bethany would LOVE. Located in downtown Chicago, the one-bed/one-bath setup is just enough for her. The brick and hardwood fixtures are breathtaking, and the balcony would be perfect for her morning reading. There is enough space in the living area for a small office, which Bethany will use for all of her after hours work.

While the bedroom is a pretty stark white, Bethany would fill the room with life through a huge rug and lots of wall art. There is still some personality in this room, though! A wooden beam runs through the ceiling, bringing some much needed warmth to this part of the house.

I Lost My Wallet

As one of the assignments for this week, I created two ID cards for my course character, Bethany Smith.

For this card, I used an ID making website and then saved the PDF. It was a little hard to use as the website was quite laggy, but I think it turned out nice!

Bethany’s ID Card for her job at the funeral home.

For the library card, I just searched for the Chicago Public Library card and erased the example name and signature on Photoshop. After that, I added back in Bethany’s name and signature using the text and paint tools, respectivley.

Her library card, because of course she’s a reader!

Getting creative with the Daily Create

See other TDC responses at https://mastodon.social/tags/tdc4765 and https://social.ds106.us/tags/tdc4765

Wednesday’s Daily Create was an exemplary challenge. As I understood it, it said “I don’t know what to do with this thing. Make something and figure it out.” It would be cool if you could generate an Anti-Tag Cloud from any text you submit, but that doesn’t seem to be an option. What was cool was that people took very different approaches, creating stories, visuals and typographic designs. It doesn’t look like anyone tried to make audio out of it, so…

I told it to make a sea shanty out of the anti-Moby Dick words. I guess sea shanties weren’t part of its training.

Daily Create: January 30, 2025

“Do you prefer a ham and mustard sandwich, or would you rather eat free range chicken between slices of sourdough? Apparently some sandwich fillings are more ‘woke’ than others. Share your choice of sandwich with us and give it a score between10 (so woke my eyes are permanently wide open) to 0 (I spend my whole life snoozing).”

My all time favorite is a Wawa turkey hoagie, must have lettuce, tomato, onions, salt, pepper, oregano, oil, and vinegar. Pair it with your favorite chips and a yellow Gatorade.