Scanner Words

Way Outside the Box

Non-Traditional Tools (paper towel as a brush)

Non-Traditional Materials (rulers // Fresco filter)

Three Dimensional Letter Form in Space (wood blocks // Accented Edges filter)

Reflection (wood blocks and several mirrors)

Shadows and Light (paper "S" and a drop light // Chalk and Charcoal filter)

Screenshot Envy

The selection tools were the most helpful software techniques in creating this design because it helped make smooth, precise selections to piece the cow together. I used the screen filter on her chin because the green was disgustingly dark and clashed with the rest of the piece. I used all images of ice cream and toppings (hot fudge on the nose, whipped cream for the body) because, of course, these delicious dairy products are derived from cows. If you want a complete list of flavors...vanilla (nose and neck), vanilla soft serve (face), chocolate (for the head and spots), strawberry (the nose), pistachio (the chin), and licorice (the eyes and nostrils)...I feel that maintaining a consistent theme is what made this piece work well. This cow was so much fun to put together. I love the expression on her face. I think if I were to name this piece, I'd call it "Moocho Helado"...a lot of ice cream!

My layer masks:

Beware the Pesticides

This was a difficult project for me because the category was so broad. I found it difficult to narrow it down to something that not only would be easily interpreted, but also have an impact on whoever should look at it...so here is my design regarding an ironic advertisement.

We've all heard of the poison apple that Snow White ate, but not many of us consider the harmful chemicals sprayed on our food every day. Pesticides, herbicides, even plant food and growth supplements have warning labels to protect the user from coming in contact with the chemical...yet these products are sprayed onto our food which we consume. I attempted to stress this idea by having a plane spraying pesticide in the background, as it would over a crop field. I also put a skull and crossbones carved into the apple, a symbol that we all know the meaning of.

In terms of design, the yellow within the apple reflects the yellow of the pesticide plane to bounce the viewer's attention from the top of the page to the bottom. The red of the warning statement reflects the red apple, again bouncing the viewer's attention. I brought the apple forward and placed it in the lower corner to make the composition interesting and to emphasize it as being the main focus. The warning label is quoted from a pesticide bag and is what seals the irony into the piece.

Paula Scher

What I like about Paula Scher's work is how her posters are essentially a collage of typography. It's visually interesting how in the Noise Funk posters, the words surround an image so the viewer's eye is led around the poster and always brought back to the main image. In the video, she talked about the Jazz logo and how it's "syncopated", meaning all things are in order but may be thrown off (like Jazz music). She put a square inside of the "a" in jazz to emphasize this idea. I love her use of color, each of her works is vibrant and exciting to look at.