Month: January 2022

Research

The research behind this project consisted of learning about the value of sketching, creating multiple mind maps, and researching binding methods and techniques.

Mind Map activity

For this activity we worked as table groups in choosing a question from a list on the board and creating a min map in an attempt to reach some type of answer to the question. This activity showed me how useful mind mapping can when brainstorming about a topic and sorting out your thoughts.

Binding Methods

The first method I researched was kettle stitch binding. I decided against using this method because of its permanence. I know that different projects throughout the semester will require uses of different types of paper, even for brainstorming, and I hate skipping pages in a sketchbook, so I wanted a binding that would be flexible and allow for me to add and re-order pages as I use the sketchbook

To allow for more flexibility, I looked into a binder ring binding method. I found a version of binder rings that have three rings instead of one which would add more stability, however, I didn’t like how flimsy the book would be when using this method.

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Lastly, I continued researching to find a method that allows for growth, flexibility, and functionality and came across this plastic binding. This binding holds the pages together firmly like a spiral-bound notebook, yet opens like binder rings do allowing for both security and flexibility.

Exercises

Mini Sketchbook

This exercise started with a tutorial on Carmen of how to put together a mini sketchbook. Once we folded it together, we filled the pages with answers to different prompts we were given in class. This mini sketchbook got me thinking about ways I could format my final sketchbook and about ways I could incorporate both words and drawings on the pages.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Iterations

When first thinking about the final sketchbook design, I quickly sketched what I wanted mine to look like and started thinking about what size I wanted the pages to be.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next, I took notes about the binding method I chose and wrote down some ideas for the contents that would go inside the sketchbook.

 

When thinking about my surprise element, which I would say was one of my larger challenges, I wanted to add it as I use my sketchbook. I like my sketchbooks to be plain so that I can add whatever I want to the pages when I am sketching and creating. I plan to use this sketchbook almost as a scrapbook and include hidden elements and additions throughout each project inside.

Color Palettes

When deciding on the design for the cover of my sketchbook, I narrowed down my color choices to wither pale blues because blue is my favorite color or a neutral color palette because I wanted to keep the aesthetic clean and simple. Ultimately, in the final design, I chose to use a neutral color palette in my design.

 

Final Adobe Designs

For the front and back covers I planned to etch designs into them that was both simple and meaningful. When sketching, the thing I like to draw the most are flowers so I sketched some flowers for the front cover and then added text in the middle with a font chosen from Adobe Fonts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production

Final Sketchbook

For the final sketchbook, I decided to use a plastic binding that’s function is a mix of spiral-bound and binder rings. I chose this binding method because the clear white color fit the neutral aesthetic of my book and the rings open allowing for flexibility with re-arranging and adding pages. For the pages on the inside I chose to use both plain white paper for any notes and sketching and toned gray paper for sketches dealing with color theory. For the front and back covers I decided on using a recycled piece of cardboard, which was thicker than the inside pages, but not to heavy that it would weigh down the sketchbook. Also, the color was perfect for my neutral theme, but I wasn’t able to get to the laser cutter to etch a design into the front as I had planned.  In the final product, I also glued a strip of ribbon to the inside of the back cover which functions as a bookmark because I wanted to be able to easily find whatever page I left off on. Overall, my sketchbook fulfills my priorities of having a simple, functional, and flexible sketchbook and I’m looking forward to continually adding to it throughout the semester.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Link to Portfolio Project

Research

To begin the project we refreshed our memory of the steps of the design process and related them to this specific project in order to set a plan for how we will work to create the final product.

Next, we began brainstorming different meanings of “deep space” by using a mind map.

Then we learned about the idea of concepts and started to think about the steps to creating our own concept that deals with deep space.

 

After brainstorming ideas about depth and concept creation, I did some research on emotional intelligence and knowledge because the depth of emotions and knowledge was the idea from my mind map that interested me the most.

Exercise

For this exercise I began by making a list of things that interest me or communicate something about myself. I then found a couple fonts on Adobe Fonts that I thought would fit certain images best and worked on using the Gestalt principles and negative space to conceal the images within the initial. I began with designs that used the initial M, but in my final product for the exercise used my middle initial, R, and the concept of volleyball.

Iterations

Practice With Layering

Concept Creation and Notes

After brainstorming many concepts and forms to represent my concept, I decided on using the shape of an anatomical heart because that is straightforward when thinking about emotions then made iterations to decide on what to include in each layer.

Iteration 1

 

Concept Statement

This design explores the relationship between the emotions someone portrays versus what they’re truly feeling. The composition is the shape of an anatomical heart and is a closed composition leading the viewer’s eyes down to the middle of the design where the deepest layer is. This causes the viewer to look through every layer and contemplate the correlation between each one. The layers are physically separated to show how different each one is, and therefore how true feelings are different than the ones people may show on the outside. Layering is also used to represent the idea that there are many layers to a person’s feelings and the overwhelming feelings are buried deep within the heart while the more positive feelings are those projected on the surface. Also, the element of line is used throughout the composition in which the deepest layer in the middle of the heart has jagged and thick lines and as each layer gets closer to the foreground, the lines get less jagged and the number of lines decrease. This juxtaposition of jagged lines on the bottom layer versus the wavy, loose lines on the top layer shows that the hard, negative feelings are buried deep within the heart and deep down everyone has overwhelming negative feelings, but only a portion of these emotions can be seen on the surface. Layering also allows each layer to build off of one another in which the linework in the middle of each layer overlaps one another making it feel more crowded and heavier in the center where the overwhelming feelings reside. A contrast between values is also used to represent the difference of feelings within one’s heart. The bottom layer is the darkest value because that is where the “darker” emotions are and the top layer is white because that is where the “lighter” and less complicated emotions can be seen.

Production

After multiple iterations, I decided to make the outer shape of each layer the same size, but with thicker edges so that there is room to attach the layers to one another.

Color Extension

For this extension of the project I chose a monochromatic color scheme of the color red because I thought it fit the theme of my concept the best. I then matched the values between the reds and grays in order to keep the values from my original composition the same.

PDF of Final Images

Link To Portfolio Project