Somewhere over the Strange-Bow

sample game

Krauss Still Photo Experiment

Tied up with kittens

Here is a very short video I created using Adobe Premiere based off of Negativland's "Favorite Things", using The Sound of Music's "Favorite Things" song.

I have two versions: one without any transitions between clips, and one with transitions. This first example has no transitional effects applied to the clips.

In the next example, I added cross-fades in-between each clip. Can you hear the difference?

SoundCloud example

This is an audio example.

Three Blind Mice

The following is a compilation I created using public domain music, voice, and sound effects.


Sources:
Amsempl. (2012, April 19). Very short chop [audio file]. Retrieved from <https:freesound.org>.
Garcia, Maria Teresa. (2014, February 19). Girl-screaming [audio file]. Retrieved from <https:freesound.org>.
MacLeod, Kevin. (2006). Space Explorers [audio file]. Retrieved from <www.freepd.com>.
Nextmaking. (2009, December 19). Run on Dart [audio file]. Retrieved from <https:freesound.org>.
R., Matt (Performer). (2010). Three Blind Mice [audio file]. Retrieved from <www.freeabcsongs.com>. Scriptique. (2008, March 28). Knife slides [audio file]. Retrieved from <https:freesound.org>.

Shape Workshop

If you're viewing this blog entry, it is probably because I've asked you to complete a blog entry about creating a logo using the Pathfinder tools using InDesign.

You are going to use the pathfinder tools in InDesign to create a vector logo possibility for a future project. I want you to perform this exercise individually to ensure that you have experience using InDesign's vector tools, so don't worry about conferring with your group (if you even have a group, you might not have one...).

First, you'll need to make sure you can see the pathfinder panel. If you don't see it in your workspace, go to Window > Object & Layout > Pathfinder:

There are actually a few different ways you can complete this assignment. You could use the type tool to write either a letter, or a word, and convert that type to a path by selecting the text frame and going to: Type > Create Outlines.

You could also use the Pen tool to draw your own shape(s).

Or, you could use the simple Rectangle/Ellipse/Polygon tool. 

Any way you choose to do it, the method is to create two shapes, select them both, then simply click on one of the pathfinder tools.

In the image below, I've only drawn two very simple shapes overlapping each other (a circle and a rectangle), and then used four pathfinder tools on them, so you can see the difference between the tools:

Once you perform one pathfinder operation, you can copy and paste, rotate, scale, skew or any other operation in order to create something new (which can be used as a logo). The point here is not to come up with the best logo in the world. What I want for you to do is use the vector drawing tools combined with the pathfinder and transform tools.

Here is one very quick example of something you can do:

At the bottom of the above image, you can see the variety of ideas generated from very simple shapes (a circle and a rectangle). If you want to keep going, you can even take one of the many logos you could create, and change colors, strokes, and even add a background:

The above images are probably more than I am asking you to do.

I began by drawing a circle and a rectangle. I then used the "Add" pathfinder tool to add the shapes together. Next, I duplicated the resulting shape, and positioned the shapes so that they were overlapping. I then used the subtract tool, which resulted in a sickle-like object. I copied and rotated the sickle in a circle, and gave each shape it's own unique color.

Lastly, to save your InDesign as a .png, you just need to SELECT YOUR LOGO, and click on File > Export, then change the file-type to".png". (.pngs save transparency layers while .jpgs to NOT save transparencies; and PDFs do not show up in Blogger!)

A pop-up window will allow you to choose "selected" as well as "transparent background".

Now, go find the assignment on our blackboard page

PSA Campaign

To make it easier to view the PSA campaigns, I will post the jpgs here. Remember, I want you to come up with as many similarities and differences as you can.

Adoption:

Autism Awareness:

The Shelter Pet Project

Brian's swatches

What should you take photos of for your Brochure?

I was talking to my 1111 class the other day about what kind of photos people would take for their brochure about the High Point University Passport. The typical answer was something like, "I don't know yet, I'll just figure it out."

I decided to hold a class brainstorm session. I addressed the question to the entire class. After a lot of blank stares, one person said, "swiping."

"Swiping what?" I asked.

"Swiping the passport."

Another suggestion was a photo of the menu at the Point or the Bakery. So far, we had the following:

Next, someone offered something that was starting to move the discussion forward: a photo of something you can get with the Passport. I asked for examples and was given very general ideas: food, gifts. I asked for more specific examples, and someone mentioned "a burger from The Point."

I wanted to chime in, so I added "smiling faces". In the past, students would turn in brochures with the backs of people's heads. If you want to see a great sample of brochures with smiling faces, there is a link on Brochure assignment, which I'll reproduce here:
http://beforeitsnews.com/fine-art/2012/12/40-tri-fold-brochure-design-for-inspiration-2457032.html

In addition to my "smiling faces" suggestion, we talked about some specific places one might swipe one's Passport:

Next, someone suggested taking a photo of someone checking out games at the Point. After that, someone suggested a photo of the people actually having fun doing the things that they check out from The Point (such as video games).

Here's a picture of the final board:

We began with an idea of a literal representation of the Passport: swiping it somewhere, and ended with a fairly metaphorical representation: showing how your life feels when you use the Passport (such as having fun playing video games with friends).

Now go ahead and visit the link to the examples of brochures:

http://beforeitsnews.com/fine-art/2012/12/40-tri-fold-brochure-design-for-inspiration-2457032.html

You will notice smiling faces. You will also notice that there are pictures of people enjoying themselves, and enjoying life in general. Notice even many of the people at work in a business meeting are having a good time.

I also want you to take notice of something else: the use of the detail shot. Remember when we were creating our Photo Story and we talked about using detail shots. Notice how many of the brochures in linked website have detail shots from interesting viewpoints.

Consider these ideas when taking photographs for your brochure. Thanks.