Audrey Gracia Djohari / 0348120
Digital Photography & Imaging
Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media / Taylor’s University
Exercises
JUMP LINKS
WEEK 2 : Introduction to Composition
4. White Space
Figure 1.1.7: Rule of Thirds Theory, 08.30.2021
- Golden Ratio
Figure 1.1.10: Golden Ratio, 08.30.2021
There are 3 different Lasso tools options:
When it comes to actually creating a path from scratch, the pen tool is the most common option. The pen tool is to create points and determines how an element will look like. It allows the artist to create shapes with freeform curves. The fewer points, the smoother a path will be.
The difference between Lasso Tool & Pen Tool:
Layers are different images stacked on top of each other. By using
layers, we can make any adjustment we want in a layer without affecting
another one. Together they form one final image. The advantage of using Layers is that
we can save a Photoshop file with all the layers included. This means we
can use layers for non-destructive editing.
1. Solid Color
Left: Shadow
Middle: Mid-tone
Right: Exposure
1. Choose and identify your collage's design elements to be cut out and compose it into your own concept & story.
2. Pre compositing your collage's design elements into a composition.
1. Download all of the images here to your computer:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1cGcbENrjSksAaMQK9np2jb6ZaM7Y-81l?usp=sharing
2. Follow this tutorial demo as reference to create your digital collage: https://youtu.be/A6ua6Fd3OWA
3. Create 3 different composition digital collages from the images that you’ve downloaded.
4. Create A4 canvas size (vertical) in Photoshop and start to do the compositions.
5. Insert 3 photo of your digital collage compositions on the section below
6. Submit (Turn In) this W3_DIGITAL_COLLAGE_1
1. Attach your best composition from WEEK 3 digital collage exercise below.
- Click HERE to see PROJECT 1: Collage Design
- Lectures
- Tutorials
- Practical: Week 1
- Practical: Week 2
- Practical: Week 3
- Practical: Week 4
- Feedback & Reflection
LECTURES
WEEK 1 : Introduction to Digital Photography & Imaging
Today on 23rd August 2021 was the first day of online lecture with Mr. Martin Chong. Mr. Chong introduced the module and gave me a very clear explanations of why it was important to master Adobe Photoshop. Because it is the software that most professional designers use. Photoshop is necessary in many forms of digital work such as photography, graphic design, website design, etc. Mr Chong also gave a brief overview of all the future projects that were coming in this semester and what to prepare.
- Why You Need To Learn Photoshop
- Express Your Creativity
- Create Graphic Design
- Restoration of Old Images
- Integrate Graphics with Texts Artistically
- Make Use of Brushes
- Change Photo Colors
- Rectify Mistakes in Photographs
- 10 Tips of Successful Graphic Designer
- Follow the Tutorials
- Experiment
- Memorize All Keyboard Shortcuts
- Try to Replicate Others Work
- Do Participate in Design Competitions
- Subscribe to Online Gallery
- Smart Objects for Smart Designers
- Scaling Artwork and Proportions
- Use Actions to Personalize Work
- Organize the Files Properly
Figure 1.0 : Zoom Meeting, 08.23.2021
On today's lecture, Mr. Martin Chong explained the definition of
Composition. The term composition in design can be referred as arranging
things in a frame. And there are basic elements in Composition which are
very important:
- Introduction to Basic Composition
1. Focal Point
Focal point is the key element to any good composition, as it helps your viewers’ eyes naturally settle on the important pieces of your design first. Every design is better to have a strong focal point. Figure 1.1 shows a good example of focal point, the yellow circle draws all the attention so that the viewers' are immediately aware of the "Ryder" name in front of the circle.
Figure 1.1.1: Example of Focal Point, 08.30.2021
2. Scale & Hierarchy
Scale is often used to help communicate hierarchy by drawing attention toward and away from certain elements, thus signifying their importance to the communication. For example, the poster's background is a photograph of Beethoven, meaning it is lower in in hierarchy compared to the white circle which is put in front. And the white curve at the top has no information written on it, that's because the reason it is there is not to give any written information, but to occupy space and take viewer's attention from the background.
Figure 1.1.2: Example of Scale & Hierarchy, 08.30.2021
3. Balance The Elements
"A good technique for mastering asymmetrical balance is to think of each element as having a ‘weight’ to it. Smaller objects might ‘weigh’ less than larger objects, and heavily textured elements might ‘weigh’ more than flatly colored elements."
Figure 1.1.3: Example of Balanced Elements, 08.30.2021
In design, we have to balance the elements to have the right composition. As we can see, the smaller the circles in Figure 1.2, the smaller the weight. The big circle in the center is the focal point, and the other two small circles behind play an important role to balance the big circle. Thus, the poster looks right and balanced.
4. White Space
White space plays a very important role to balance the key elements and any other elements. White space gives the design to breath. Sometimes it is not about getting everything in a frame, but just give some room for the design to breath. Simple and clean design can be very elegant and informative.
Take an example of these two designs. They have the same elements but different size and scale. The right one with the bigger font seems too congested. While the left one looks more balanced because it has more space.
Figure 1.1.4: Example of White Space, 08.30.2021
- Rule of Thirds
"The Rule of Thirds is the process of dividing an image into thirds, using two horizontal and two vertical lines"
Rule of thirds is a process of dividing a frame into 9 part. It will
create a more interesting balancing. This is a theory from the West.
Most people who write from left to write, they will most likely to
look at the upper left part of a frame first.
Figure 1.1.5: Rule of Thirds, 08.30.2021
Figure 1.3 is one of many examples of Rule of Thirds application on
website design. By putting the important images and letters at these
intersections, a much more natural design is produced. And it is also
important to consider the background, that way we can know better
where to put the key element. The relationship between the element and
the background is important.
Figure 1.1.6: Rule of Thirds on Website Design, 08.30.2021
There are four intersections in the Rule of Thirds. According to
research, people who read from left to right (especially Western
people) tend to be more attracted to the left side of a frame. It is
shown on Figure 1.7, the upper left intersection draws 41% of the
attention, and the lower left intersection draws 25%. This theory can
help us determine where we should put the design elements in order to
create a better visual.
The Rule of Thirds is a way to:
- Use composition techniques that are in line with what’s naturally pleasing to eye.
- Creatively use negative space.
- Create conversation between the subject and background.
- Golden Ratio
Golden ratio is a mathematical ratio, which is the product of
observation done by humans to find what it is that makes everything
in nature looks perfectly balanced, but at the same time quite
abstract. Thats's why the golden ratio can be found in nature (ex. Flower, galaxy, plants,
seashell). When it is applied to a design, it fosters a naturally
looking and aesthetically pleasing look.
Figure 1.1.8: The Golden Ratio in Nature, 08.30.2021
“In mathematics, two quantities are in the golden ratio if their ratio is the same as the ratio of their sum to the larger of the two quantities.” -Wikipedia
Figure 1.1.9: Golden Ratio, 08.30.2021
Golden ratio is embraced in design. It is useful
for determining dimensions of a layout. Most of the graphics we see apply the Golden Ratio structure. Human
is attracted to this structure naturally because of the harmony and
the proportions, they just seem right and work perfectly.
In conclusion, harmony + proportion = perfectly balanced.
WEEK 3: Introduction to Photoshop 2
In today's class, we learned about the basics of Photoshop Tools, such
as: Lasso Tool, Pen Tool, Selection and Layering.
- Tool Box & Marquee Selection Tool
Tool Box contains the main tools used for editing in Photoshop, and it
can be expanded to reveal additional tools. The Tool Box can be found on
the left side of the window.
Figure 1.2.0: Tool Box, 09.06.2021
The function of Marquee Tools is to select rectangles, ellipses,
and 1‑pixel rows and columns. The tools make a rectangular selection (or
a square, when used with the Shift key). And Marquee Tool can also
be used to create mask on the selected area. Click and drag across the
object from its corner to the other corner to select it. Then go down to
the new layer mask.
Figure 1.2.1: Marquee Selection Toolsx, 09.06.2021
- Lasso Tool
Lasso Tools is basically like a pen, and it allows user to draw and
pinpoint specific areas of a document. How to use Lasso Tools:
https://youtu.be/DKtHsFaclKo
There are 3 different Lasso tools options:
- Lasso
- Polygonal Lasso
- Magnetic Lasso
- Pen Tool
When it comes to actually creating a path from scratch, the pen tool is the most common option. The pen tool is to create points and determines how an element will look like. It allows the artist to create shapes with freeform curves. The fewer points, the smoother a path will be.
How to use Pen Tool:
Figure 1.2.2: Variations of Pen Toolx, 09.06.2021
- Lasso Tool: to make selections
- Pen Tool: to create shapes and paths
- Layering
The adjustments in Photoshop will never destroy the original image. The
layers contain all the extra information and/ or images we want to add to
the original file.
How to use Layering:
https://youtu.be/0dOvqYO5nfg
WEEK 4: Introduction to Photoshop 3
- Adjustment Layer
The Adjustment Layers in Photoshop are a group of a super useful,
non-destructive image editing tools that add color and tonal adjustments
to your image without permanently changing its pixels. With the
adjustment layers, you can edit and discard your adjustments or restore
your original image at any time. This will make your workflow in
Photoshop more flexible a
Figure 1.3.0: Adjustment Layer, 09.13.2021
1. Solid Color
Figure 1.3.1: Solid Color, 09.13.2021
2. Gradient
Figure 1.3.2: Gradient, 09.13.2021
3. Choose Pattern
Figure 1.3.3: Pattern, 09.13.2021
4. Brightness/Contrast
Brightness / Contrast makes adjustments to the tonal range of your
image. The brightness slider is for adjusting the highlights in your
image and the Contrast slider is for adjusting the shadows in your
image.
5. Levels
Figure 1.3.4: Levels, 09.13.2021
Middle: Mid-tone
Right: Exposure
6. Curves
Curves let you adjust as many points as you want throughout the entire
tonal range of your image, and is the most powerful and precise tool for
editing the tones in an image.
7. Exposure
Exposure lets you adjust exposure levels with three sliders: Exposure,
Offset and Gamma. Exposure will adjust only the highlights of the image,
Offset adjusts the mid tones and Gamma will adjust the dark tones only.
8. Selective Color
The Selective Color adjustment layer selectively modifies the amount of
a primary color without modifying the other primary colors in your
image.
- Vibrance
- Hue/Saturation
- Color Balance = It helps balancing the highlight and mid tone.
- Black & White = It helps to adjust the color of black & white.
- Filters
1. Photo Filter
2. Channel Mixer
3. Color Lookup
INSTRUCTIONS
TUTORIALS
WEEK 1: Folder System & E-Portofolio
In the first Tutorial Class, Mr. Chong made sure all of the students
have joined the Google Classroom where every announcement &
assignments will be posted. Managing Google Drive was a must in order
to have a neat digital workspace. Other than that, Mr. Chong explained
that my first project would be making a traditional collage. So he
asked all of the students to prepare the materials such as magazines,
printed pictures etc for next week. By making this collage, students
were expected to learn and understand the basics of composition.
Which is the act of arranging and putting together materials &
elements to make a design.
WEEK 2: Basic Composition Exercise
- Composition (Framing & Cropping)
Mr. Martin Chong showed us a collage tutorial video by Mr. Fauzi. And at the end of the class, he wanted us to make 3 different collage with the same materials we had prepared last week, and then we should take photos of them and submit it on Google Classroom.
WEEK 3: Paths, Masking, Layering
Tutorial Video: https://youtu.be/BlW7F-fTsbE
WEEK 4: Project 1 (Demo)
Mr. Martin posted some Photoshop Tutorial videos for us to watch.
1. Match lighting. Adjustment layers, Filters.
2. Photoshop Pen
Tool.
PRACTICAL
WEEK 1 : Creating E-Portfolio
- Bezier Game : https://bezier.method.ac/
- Create E-Portofolio Blog
- Register Pinterest & Behance
- List down 3 favorite graphic design work from Pinterest.
- Favorite Graphic Design
Figure 2.0:
Art by Jay Fletcher, Pinterest, 08.25.2021
This piece is created by Jay Fletcher who has always been one of my
favorite designers. These are compilations of logo design portfolios
for promo. Every design has different objects (such as rabbit, horse,
kitchen equipments, person) but they have similarities in colours and
basic shapes that show the artist’s true style. Something about his
consistency in minimalism makes his work special. His designs are
simple yet have very strong identity and beauty that are distinct from
other minimalist designers. The way he creates living creatures with
simple shapes are incredible and is something I cannot think of. Also
he only used 2 colours in this artwork, but he managed to create a
friendly & fresh vibe with his work.
Figure 2.1 :
Art by Yuri Gulitov, Easter Poster, Pinterest, 08.25.2021
This is a graphic design made by Yuri Gulitov. It has the combination
of crayon writings and generic fonts which are very contrast. As
chaotic as it might seems, I like this piece very much. The colour
combination is bold and eye-catching, which is good for an
announcement poster. And I like how everything looks like it is
written by a 5-year-old kid but at the same time is aesthetically
pleasing. It really radiates freedom of expression and a creative
mind.
Figure 2.2 :
Art by Avant Post, Pinterest, 08.25.2021
Avant Post is the design studio behind this unique poster. By
combining photography & graphic design, they created this unusual
visual that attracts people’s attention. It shows human hands and feet
that are stuck on the wall while holding a flower and watering can.
The odd and unrealistic image is what I like the most. It is dominated
only by 2 colours which are green and yellow, making the main objects
& lettering contrast to the background, and keeping the design
minimalist and neat.
- Bezier Game
Bezier game is a website that teaches the basic functionalities of
Pen Tool from Photoshop. At the beginning, the game guides you with
short tutorials of how to draw basic line and curvature with pen
tool. After the tutorials, then the actual game begins with more
difficult shapes, and it gets harder and harder every level. There
are nodes in every level, which are the maximal amount of move that
is allowed to be used. And you can also compare the nodes you use
with the ideal nodes to see how effective your moves are. The game
also has redo and undo feature like the actual Photoshop.
The game helps me a lot in understanding Pen Tool. It's quite hard
at first to create the shapes with effective moves, but once I
figured how to use 'alt' and 'shift' button everything went pretty
smoothly. As a first-timer in using Photoshop tools, I realized that
pen tool is something I should master as soon as possible. And I can
start by exercising in Bezier Game regularly.
Figure 2.3 : Bezier Game, 08.25.2021
- Pinterest Link https://pin.it/AWbPud5
- Behance Link https://www.behance.net/audreygracia
- E-Portfolio Link https://audreydjohari.blogspot.com
WEEK 2: Collage Design Elements
1. Choose and identify your collage's design elements to be cut out and compose it into your own concept & story.
2. Pre compositing your collage's design elements into a composition.
Figure 2.4 : Collage Elements, Week 2
WEEK 3: Compositing Collage
2. Follow this tutorial demo as reference to create your digital collage: https://youtu.be/A6ua6Fd3OWA
3. Create 3 different composition digital collages from the images that you’ve downloaded.
4. Create A4 canvas size (vertical) in Photoshop and start to do the compositions.
5. Insert 3 photo of your digital collage compositions on the section below
6. Submit (Turn In) this W3_DIGITAL_COLLAGE_1
Figure 2.5 : Compositing Digital Collage, Week 3
WEEK 4: Adjustment Layers & Filters
1. Attach your best composition from WEEK 3 digital collage exercise below.
2. Using the same Photoshop file, improvise your WEEK 3 digital
collage into WEEK 4 by using Adjustment Layers & Filters on
Photoshop.
3. Explain what you’ve learned in the description section.
3. Explain what you’ve learned in the description section.
Figure 2.6 : Pen Tool & Adjustment Layers, Week 4
FEEDBACK
WEEK 3: Photoshop & Physical Collage Pre-Composition
General Feedback
Mr Martin told us not to be afraid to be wrong, just go for it
and explore new things, especially on Photoshop. That way we
could improve ourselves.
Specific Feedback
Mr. Martin saw the application of Repetition in my collage work,
which was a strong style in modern art. He thought that my first
design was very cool. He said that I had interesting ideas as he
noticed the variation of composition that i tried to experiment
in each of the three collages. But he said, "Make it more
approachable." Mr. Martin said my first pre-composition was more
neat and tidy that's why it looked nicer and more attractive
compared to the other two.
WEEK 4: Digital Collage
Specific Feedback
Mr. Martin liked the distorted perspective that I made in my
first digital composition. They were very similar in the sense
that they all have the distortion, which was nice. He said
composition #1 and #3 were nice. I also asked my classmate and
the majority liked composition #1.
WEEK 5: Blog & Overall Work
General Feedback
Separate the exercise & project in different blogs. And
have fun while making the project.
Specific Feedback
My Project 1 blog was nice and very detail. Mr. Martin said I
could do the rest (of the other projects) like I had done this
blog. He said I was looking 9 or 10 out of 10.
REFLECTIONS
WEEK 1:
Experience
I felt happy to be able to experience my first ever class in
Taylor’s University even though it was conducted online, and
surprisingly the class was pretty casual. Also, the lecturer
seemed nice and he explained things very clearly so it was
pretty easy for me to understand the materials.
Observations
I observed that we had to write blogs as documentary of the
modules we learned, so i noticed that i had to start writing it
during class to record everything better. I also observed that I
had to start getting myself familiar with Photoshop and other
Adobes software as they will be crucial for many projects.
Findings
I found that my blogs still needed improvement because there
were still some points missing, I had to be more thorough &
descriptive on my blogs. I also found that mastering Adobe apps
were all about exercises, I must get myself used to it soon.
WEEK 2:
Experience
I feel that today's class and activity were super fun! I
finally got to work with my hands and make some collages.
Cutting papers and looking for the right composition manually
were pretty soothing for me. The lecture & tutorial were
also delivered clearly.
Observations
I observed that I was sometimes quite forgetful when it comes
to small tasks. It's better for me to make more notes as a
reminder. I also realized that doing my own research on
Pinterest and Behance really helped stimulating my ideas.
Findings
First, I found that I should start paying more attention
towards small tasks so I wouldn't forget them. Second, I found
that it was extremely important as a designer to do research,
I must read and observe more to widen my perspective in
design.
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