Photoshop Poster of Me

Our assignment today was to take a close look at combining our recent learned information about the Photoshop tools and the three C's of design (components, composition, and concept).We also took a look at the golden ratio.

The line at the top is a steep contrast to the rest of the image. The top row is separated from the rest of the image using the golden ratio; as is the middle section. There are very few distinct line within the image to show that may parts of my life overlap and affect the other aspects of my being. The lines are drawn clearly throughout the inside images but none of them are shape creating the imagery. The components are many images that are a part of me. The composition shows that each of the items are related. The concept is that this is my life now but things can change.

This image utilizes these ideas as well as tells a story of me and my life. It represents the beginning of a timeline. My birth year id the focus of the top line and is some of the only text in the image. Below, follow a row of things that are dear to me in my life, a cross representing my faith and an image of my parents representing family. The rest of the image is dedicated to interests and accomplishments that I have in my life. The very bottom ends abruptly, with no change from the rest of the image, signifying that my life is not complete and there is much to come below where I am now. This poster could be continued in the future to track involvement in new activities as well as be edited with details of my childhood. This is only a snapshot of what the poser could hold and what my life does hold.

CARP

Through PowerPoint I have taken unorganized and unproductive visual designs and created something that is organized and is supported by the CARP acronym. The words associated with CARP are "contrast," "alignment," "repetition," and "proximity."

Before:

This image shows the original image I was given. It is busy, disorganized, and seems haphazard. While looking at this design the eye is jumping around and not truly focusing on any one area. It sends a messy message and possibly confuses the viewer.

After:

This image I have created from the same shapes by simply resizing, adjusting colors, and changing their locations. I chose three colors that were all visually appealing together but were different enough that they created a bit of contrast to show several parts of the same design. The alignment and proximity create the idea that they all together form one image, as does the repetition in color, size, and shape. The final product is a well organized structured design with clear boundaries and allows the eyes to focus on the design without constantly moving.

                                                                                                          Before:

The design of this poster is clearly inadequate. Other than the information being missing there are no lines for the eyes to follow. There are also two literal lines that run through the middle of the poster which seem to cross off some information. Other than the image there is only one color, font, and text size which does not allow for anything to stand out or to attract a viewer to the design.

                                                                                                          After:

This image has been created from the exact same information provided but information has been added. The text has been modified in color, size, and location. The image has been edited as well with a drop shadow and slight size adjustment. A strong contrast in the title allows the viewer to be drawn in and become curious. The alignment of the text guides the eyes from top to bottom along the right side of the poster. There is repetition of font and color to show relationships throughout the poster. The proximity of each piece of information on the poster allows for a simple, well-organized, poster with out clutter. All information is now visible and clear.

As you can see through these two pairs of images, taking the ideas from the acronym CARP can make a world of difference and make viewers see similar designs in much easier and useful ways. If time is taken to design complete images they can be effective and convey purposeful messages.

Research Design Graphic

Using PowerPoint I have created an arbitrary graphic that focuses on a research design that was utilized during research preformed in a classroom of twenty-four students and two teachers. 

The graphic follows:

       The chart is broken up into seven rows, one to represent each week necessary for this study. This particular research began on May 2 and ran through June 8, however this design can be adapted to any seven week period. Each color represents a different activity. Purple represents activities that involves the researcher interacting in person with the students and teachers, red corresponds with the pre and post tests, blue is observation times, and finally green which is the closure and write-up of the research. The thickness of the box is also relevant to the graphic. If the graphic fills the entire height of the box the activity is for the entire week. If the box fills a smaller portion of the height then the activity happens only once that week.
       The main target for this graphic would be for a live presentation to the school in which the research was conducted or another more informal type of setting. This could even be used a presentation of the plan before the plan was enacted so that the participants and others involved would understand what the researcher's plan of action would be. The design is an informal write-up and can be adapted for a multitude of occasions.