Photoshop: Pattern Making

Photoshop is typically utilized to edit existing photos. Simple touch-ups on professional head shots, contouring certain features of models, and adjustment of colors and lightings are very common applications of Photoshop. However, it can also be used to create business cards, illustration, and pattern making.

As someone who is more drawing-oriented, I’m constantly looking to test out different drawing platforms. I had briefly been introduced with Photoshop, but never taken a formal class. Through this Digital Sandbox, not only was I able to learn basic photo editing skills, but also learn to draw via Photoshop.

The final project for this Sandbox consisted of 3 pieces, all inspired by Photoshop Lady. Of my three pieces, my pattern left the most impact on me. The pattern encompasses my favorite flower, the peony, which symbolizes prosperity, good fortune, and honor. These are three aspects I hope to achieve in life.

The pattern was created by translating a repeating basis. The basis was hand-drawn, scanned and redrawn via Photoshop. Colors and shadows were added before the basis was repeated. Each basis consists of groups of threes to reflect the common Asian belief of harmony of hell, Earth and heaven. Overall, the process indirectly correlated to my major, MSE, where crystallography is the reason for many of our materials’ properties.

This piece is an application of my knowledge of one of my major fundamentals, but it also was an outlet for me to express my love for art.

Illustrator: Hidden Figures Movie Poster

Hidden Figures is a movie based on the nonfiction book by Margol Lee Shetterrly about the female of color mathematicians working for NASA. Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson broke the norm on what women as a whole and women of color can achieve. Not only does this film depict women of color as strong and capable, but it finally gives credit to person with the biggest role in sending Apollo 11 to space. Katherine Johnson finally gets her recognition that is long overdue. That is why I chose to make a movie poster for my Illustrator class. Using a similar scheme to the original poster, I wanted to represent a “brighter day.” The outlines of each characters’ hair and eyebrow features are uniquie to each actress playing the role, but I left out the eyes, mouths and nose, to show that no matter how these women may have looked, their achievements are more important; hence the rocket in the back. It was very difficult to draw in Illustrator, but I some how managed and this poster was produced.

Year in Review

[ “Year in Review”  is where you should reflect on the past year and show how you have evolved as a person and as a student.  You may want to focus on your growth in a particular area (as a leader, scholar, researcher, etc.) or you may want to talk about your overall experience over the past year.  For more information, go to: http://honors-scholars.osu.edu/e-portfolio. Delete these instructions and add your own post.]

G.O.A.L.S.

[ “G.O.A.L.S.” is a place where students write about how their planned, current, and future activities may fit into the Honors & Scholars G.O.A.L.S.: Global Awareness, Original Inquiry, Academic Enrichment, Leadership Development, and Service Engagement. For more information, go to: http://honors-scholars.osu.edu/e-portfolio. Delete these instructions and add your own post.

Global Awareness: Students cultivate and develop their appreciation for diversity and each individual’s unique differences. For example, consider course work, study abroad, involvement in cultural organizations or activities, etc .
Original Inquiry: Honors & Scholars students understand the research process by engaging in experiences ranging from in-class scholarly endeavors to creative inquiry projects to independent experiences with top researchers across campus and in the global community. For example, consider research, creative productions or performances, advanced course work, etc.
Academic Enrichment: Honors & Scholars students pursue academic excellence through rigorous curricular experiences beyond the university norm both in and out of the classroom.
Leadership Development: Honors & Scholars students develop leadership skills that can be demonstrated in the classroom, in the community, in their co-curricular activities, and in their future roles in society.
Service Engagement: Honors & Scholars students commit to service to the community.]

About Me

Helllo! My name is Thao Mai Thuy Nguyen, but that’s a mouthful even for me so I just go by Mai! I am a Vietnamese American born and raised in Chicago, IL. I am trilingual with varying proficiencies. I am loud and proud of my ethnic background and screen-shot-2016-10-24-at-11-07-18-pmwill never hesitate to give a random back about Vietnam.

I am a first year, currently undecided with an interest in Material Science Engineering and minor in Chinese. However, my goal is to one day produce sustainable textiles through advancements in technology. Fashion has always been my creative output, but wasn’t something I considered possible. After Exploration recitation, I realized it’s something I truly love and wish to pursue, but with a little twist. I don’t believe clothing should be a luxury. I would like to better the lives of everyone in the world by developing cheap, but durable fabrics that is also environmentally friendly.

I solely believe that hard work and determination is the key to success. Regardless of gender and race, as long as there’s effort there’s a profitable outcome, but of course, the key to happiness is staying optimistic and always jumping back up.