Concept and Manipulation of Theme

warmth

shock value

mischief

human element

obscurity

caprice

nostalgia

practicality

variety

Vector & Bitmap Art

Everyday we see images all around us and to the naked eye they all appear to be the same. This is not true, however, and there are numerous different kinds of image types that are used. In this blog, I will be focusing on vector and bitmap images.

Vector images are created on computer programs by using points, paths, and shapes. Some of the programs used would be Illustrator or Freehand. What makes vector images so easy to work with is their ability to keep proportions and quality when sized up or down.

(wikipedia)

This image is a great example of a vector image because it shows how easily the size can increase yet the image is not distorted. It also shows how the bitmap image is distorted.

Bitmap images consist of pixels. This type of image allows for greater detail and a smoother image. Unfortunately, bitmap images do no resize as easily and often have a distorted look. This is most likely the type of images you are used to seeing.

(google image search)

I chose this image to show how this bitmap image of a soda bottle differs from the vector image. There are more colors and the image looks real.

(google image search)

This image has the bitmap (left)  and vector (right) images side to side. You can really see the difference in quality and color. 

(design was here)

This vector image is very well done, yet still obviously computer created. I think it is almost better to have a vector image because you are able to have more flexibility with the way you use it.

Verdana

"Typography is not a science, typography is an art."

I have always thought that type was a very expressive form of graphic design, possibly even my favorite form. That may be hard for the average person to understand because most people barely even notice type. They look at a sign and read it, I look at a sign and see art. "Type. In your lifetime you've seen billions of letters and millions of words, yet you might never have consciously noticed the typefaces you read" (Daniel Will-Harris). There is so much that can be done with type, so many possibilities. There are so many different fonts and styles, shapes and designs, it just really is a blank canvas. I have never been very good at drawing so typography is an easier way for me to express myself.

Ever since I was little I always had a fascination with handwriting and how everyone would write differently. I had always hated my own handwriting so taught myself to write how I wanted. Over the years I've observed many different handwritings and kind of "stole" what letters were my favorite. For example; if my friend Sarah wrote really nice a's I would teach myself to write my a's like hers. It does sound a bit crazy, but it is almost like I made my own font just for myself.

One font that I find particularly intriguing is Verdana. It is simple yet sophisticated, organized yet wild, it just has so much to offer. My main reason for liking Verdana so much is because it gives of a handwritten feeling without looking sloppy. It is also very easy to read in small sizes on a computer (one of the reasons it was designed). It is a futuristic font that features that is accepted globally.

Verdana has gained a lot of popularity in past years and numerous companies have switched logos. Ikea switched from Futura to Verdana.

Not long after Ikea made the switch Verdana, Apple Inc. also hopped on the Verdana bandwagon.  

Verdana is a type face that is sure to keep its popularity in the future years and it will probably be popping up on more logos too.

Smores Sunday

     Summertime, the warmth of a fire, and hot freshly made smores. Nothing smells better then the scent of burning wood and marshmallows. Every time the scent crosses my way I cant help but think about the many hours of my childhood that were spent creating delicious smores and spending time with family.

    It wasn’t just roasting marshmallows that I think about rather the great times spent with family and friends. Smores night was a big deal for my family. My uncle would bring the chocolate and marshmallows, my mom would get the graham crackers, and the kids were in charge of finding the perfect sticks.

    When the kids would get ready to find sticks we had contests to see who could find the best sticks in the shortest amount of time. While we were running around the backyard of my grandparents’ house looking for sticks the adults got everything ready.

    When we were done collecting sticks we were greeted to a vast variety of chocolates and graham crackers. There was white chocolate, milk chocolate, and (my favorite) dark chocolate and any type of graham cracker you can imagine.

 After everyone roasted a few marshmallows and ate a few smores it was time for charades. The teams were male vs. female and the losers of the game were forced to clean up. All the games were very competitive but usually resulted in a female victory.

    The combination of family, fun, and food is something I will never forget. We stopped the smores tradition when I turned 12 but still to this day the smell of smores brings me back. When I have children I will definitely want to reinstate “Smores Sundays.”