11.10.2011

Pic of the Day


This wonderful photo was originally posted by a friend of mine. It brought me great joy, to know people will stand by their snow hole even when they are not there. An inspiration to all of us.

7.04.2011

Visual Response Part 1: Sucker Punch

Screen Shots from www.suckerpunchmovie.warnerbros.com/dvd/index2.html

Act 1: The Web Site.
  
   Sucker Punch a newly released movie which has made its way to DVD and Blu-ray within the past week after its showing in theaters not all that long ago. Though both odd and interesting the movie itself is about the fantasy of an institutionalized girl thinking of her escape.






   The very first page of the website, I have noticed, is the longest to upload out of all of them; even on a fast connection. Just from the look of the site after the initial load, it didn't take long to figure out why the loads were so long. It looks as though the sites main image container is either flash embedded or small sections of video on an infinite loop. The gallery sections are what seem to be Javascript functionality with the movement and fluidity of the Newest Mac's. 


   Although the load time seems ultra long for the time span of todays audience, the nifty counter lets you know how close you are to the final load. It counts up to 100 seconds rather than in percentages, like most scripting. My biggest peeve with the site is its page navigation. It's not interactive in the sense of hovering over objects on the screen to reveal new page links. Instead the navigation is slightly hidden on the bottom of the page with only the current page visible. Once you hover over that (When you finally find it) the menu pops up to show you your other options.


   I will let myself think the designer felt the lack of the navigation was plausible just to keep the clutter down and show off the great graphics of both the video's design and the action scenes that flitter on the screen. All in all the site looks pleasing to the eye but has a few Finder Friendly glitches.


Act 2: Poster Design




   The organized sections of the first poster, showing the cast of characters and a few ominous hints surrounding them, are eye catching. Even the perspective of the subjects in this piece allows your eyes to see it all but also move around to every niche of the poster. It simply keeps your attention moving without getting lost in complete clutter.

   The off kilter feel of the subjects, the diagonals, are something I've notice to be the current trend of resent. The normal was to keep the main subjects level or on some kind of plane of space. Now a days, more and more posters are taking the verdigo effect and useing the hell out of diagonals. 

   I tend to like the use of diagonals in these new styles, including this one. It allows you to play with the distance in the white space a little more and help add more visuals with out the background clutter. More linear design often got stuck on the pyramid effect to help the audience eyes move around and fit all the visuals in. That would create too much clutter in the upper half of the posters.


Lastly, is the simple fact that this poster (Sweet Pea) is my upmost favorite of the posters on the site. Just the true grit of the image and comic book-esk punch follow through shown above, proves the action to be seen in the movie itself.

This is a must view..... at least once in your free time.
Additional images, downloads and info at   www.suckerpunchmovie.warnerbros.com

4.04.2011

Dead Space 2-Cover



Dead Space 2 was the long awaited sequel to Dead Space, and a recommended game to play on any system. The design and feel of the cover page really mirrors the mood of the game play. For anyone unfamiliar with the Dead Space series, the game is a well developed horror game with very dark hallways and includes the fear of things popping up in the middle of nowhere. Even in the "safe" rooms you will fear getting jumped with well timed musical cues and dropped pipe sounds in the distance.

For the returning Dead Space fanatics, the cover alone would be the most recognized image if the title were never there. The helmet shape and LED lights in the front have become an iconic image. The generous use of black on the front and back cover in this case gives it that 'void' feeling of space and allows everything to flow rather than feel cramped in the space given.

The back covers of Xbox 360 games (including but not limited to PS3 and Wii) are known to be filled with mass amounts of small text. Usually a small paragraph on the game and then the legal rights, and laws farther down. Also included is the compatibility for the systems to play the game. All this can become very cluttered with the added in-game screen shots to intrigue the possible gamer into purchasing the game. In this case the design flows very evenly with a background image of Issac and the 3 screen shots floating on the right and vertically; rather than, at the top and horizontally.

Lastly, I want to note the small details added to the cover page. For those once again familiar with the 1st game, the border around the screen shots on the back are similar to the HUD design in-game. The same design concept for the front cover is used in the sequel as well. On the 1st game cover there was 1 main image (I.E. the severed hand) and the same is on the 2nd game cover (I.E. The helmet).

In conclusion, I not only enjoy this wonderful horror game, but the cover design across all platforms. ( I will note that the large band that Xbox 360 puts on the cover does take away from the design some). I congratulate the designers, developers, and gamers alike. And as an ending statement: I love the typography and font for the title.

Image courtesy of Johanna, thanks for purchasing the game. I knew you'd like it.

4.01.2011

Doodles = Brain Power

That's right, all those cute little doodles may actually help your brain absorb information and keep you focused. Now that does not mean drawing extremely detailed illustrations, that just defeats the purpose. Instead doodle funny faces, stick figure men, and scribbly images while you take notes. This keeps your creative side alert while allowing you to stay focused on the person's voice rather than zoning out. This kind of adaptive 'switch-a-roo' is also a key feature used in Head First books to help you learn the 'boring' stuff.

Why does it work? Well some pretty smart people at the University of Plymouth in the UK found the scribble results to be true. Scientifically speaking the simple act of scribbling keeps the right side of your brain active, which is the side responsible for problem solving. So in the end, grab that breakfast, cup of joe and don't forget your pen and paper; you'll need it.

Want to learn more? Check out WebMD and the April edition of Shape Magazine on page 40.

2.21.2011

Kope Cafe Part 3



The top page is my contact page for Kope Cafe. This is where the address and store hours are located. Customers can voice their questions or praises to the company via the contact form. The form is a simple question form with a growing text space for the lengthy-est of messages.

Upon sending a message you are redirected to the second page which is the thank you page. This page will show up if there are no errors with the message and a link to redirect the customer back into the site is also on the page. 

Note: Kope Cafe is a fictitious company. A majority of the photos on these examples are Istock comp photos being used until final editing choices.

Kope Designs Part 2 of 3


This is the Barista page for the design project Kope Cafe. I have continued my napkin concept throughout the entire site. The point of this page is for people to meet the wonderful workers at the cafe/bistro and the current manager.

The page missing here is the menu page, its a very long page with each napkin representing a group. The groups are appetizers, sides, desserts, etc for the bistro and includes weekly features. The length of the men page uses a jump to link and a return to top link for inter-page navigation.

Note: Kope Cafe is a fictitious company. A majority of the photos on these examples are Istock comp photos being used until final editing choices.

2.08.2011

Function: Urban Detox




Not only do I love the drink but the design is so basic and clean. Its shelf presence is what got me to pick it up in the first place. While searching for my favorite flavor of Vitamin Water the labels just popped out at me with the black surroundings and thick font. The information is entertaining to read. The thought of this drink being medicinal in a sense is a nice difference to the mineral boosted water.

I would recommend the drink to anyone who can find it. Sightings of the drink have been at Tom's Gas Station, Target, and health food stores. 

Picture linked to..

1.31.2011

Current CP- Kope Cafe homepage


The current class project I want to share this week is my design idea for a in-class web page assignment. The company name is Kope Cafe (Fictitious) which is a cafe and bistro style place for the coffee goers. We had open interpretation to the audience style for the cafe. My thought was a nice cafe with the sit and stay kind of feel.

What do most people do in a coffee shop when they sit down without a computer plastered in front of them? Doodle! It happens from time to time, that notorious napkin drawing in the local cafe. And so begins my inspiration and idea.

The colors are the traditional earthy-browns in the wood, made for comfort. The main idea was pictures of some sort drawn on napkins with a few one liners. This posed a small problem; where to put the info without the handwritten clutter feeling. I had to think on how to make the text fit and feel right. I did not want to write the information on the napkin; but, just keep doodles on it. So I thought of little box-like "cue-cards" to be matched with the image.

So far this is my current idea on the homepage layout and feel. Throughout the class we are to complete all the pages for the links and therefore the entire page layout. I've already begun to stretch my problem solving skills on how to incorporate the napkin theme to the lengthy menu... and the wheels are turning.

**Notice**Do not reproduce in anyway without my permission first. The coffee image and napkin are Istock comps used until final critique, do not replicate.**

1.28.2011

Inspiration of the week-Winter Lights




With the big snow in Pennsylvania Wednesday I found myself frolicking outside taking pictures left and right. I favorite scenes are lightning storms and night time captures. During this snow I ventured out into the street and took time-captures of the few cars daring to take on the VERY covered roads.

I must say, it turned into an adventurous night with in-road photos, top of roof pics and the cable line coming down into the road outside the door. With my roommates directing traffic until the police swung by I was out capturing the moments.

Some of the photos posted here bring me the inspiration for vibrance movement and ghostly outcomes. It reminds me of a neon night out. Hope any of these bring inspiration to the creative world around you.

More photos uploaded on facebook free for use by anyone. Just search for Spraybox Studio

1.15.2011

And the Search Begins

      I am very excited to know that all my questions will be answered in my Portfolio class on fridays. From the mock interviews, portfolio build up, talks with an accountant, etc; Im one happy person.

      I was truly worried that my school failed to give a form of business and legal class for teaching us our rights and any freelance dues we needed to start. But they just left it for last which is better than not at all.

     So now I make my search for materials to make my portfolio case, rather than sporting out $100-300 on a professional purchase plus shipping. I love to make things and feel right at home with this goal.

     I'm thinking a thin but sturdy pine piece with oriental-esk hinges and have yet to think of what kind of pages to include. I know I want the size to be 11x17 but do I want removable pages or set pages. The down side of set pages is their lack of removability of course. For instance if I make it 15 pages then what if I want to show my best 10 and two of those need 3 pages each. It makes the problem solving factor of a portfolio even more crucial.

     On the other hand if they are removable then how do I incorporate that function in a fashionable and professional way? So of course I have some professional portfolio research to do.

Good Luck in your search for the rest of my class.

1.03.2011

UP Fashion Asset possibilities.

While working on the sketches for the logo, I've begun to think of how far I want to take the assignment and what extra assets I want to include if time permits.

Some of my ideas include a Mini mailing catalog, Just the seasonal items and a small teaser of the bigger catalog.

A working website with the basic Home, About and contact. Then the Item list for men and women, filed down to tops, pants, shoes, accessories etc, and the shopping cart.

Store assets like credit card, coupons, gift cards, window signs, Bags and reusable bags, tags, and gift boxes.

I'm hoping that I can include a billboard the traditional business card in there as well.