Art 130 - Spring 2023 Process Book

Learning Design Fundamentals as a Graphic Design Major

By: Kyle McFadden

An Overview of My Design Career

Way back in my childhood, I wanted to learn how to draw and become an artist. I had a strong interest in drawing when I was a lot younger. Still, I never really improved upon my skills until high

school, when I took many different art courses and learned new techniques, design programs, and even learning how to construct a proper art portfolio to show off my work and my reflective

thoughts on that work. Fast forward to about three months ago, right about when I first started taking this course. Intro to Design was a lot different from the fundamental art class I had taken

years before. This class focused more on the idea of doing your work in ways that help convey a message or a sort of idea. While my art classes prior were more selfexpressionist, this class was trying to

prepare us to work with clientele and it felt that way due to how limiting some of these projects were. I felt less free with some of these projects, and while I could rest in that I just needed to have my projects meet the

This was a t-shit logo I created with Adobe Illustrator. It was my final class project for the first semester I took Graphic Design in high school

rubric expectations, I sometimes wanted to go above and beyond, but there were guidelines I had to follow with every project. I understand that this course was just learning the basics, but it kind of scrapes up against my past experience. Despite all that experience, I found a few of these projects challenging due to the limitations set upon me, but I also learned through the course that sometimes less is more. Not everything needs to be complex and beautiful. I can just be black text on a white background and still stand out in its own right.

D-School

Engaging with a real person, I was able to get feedback on my idea from a different perspective. I could create my prototype based on what my client needed but already had. I was then given positive feedback on what worked and criticisms on what needed to be improved. It gave me more ideas on ways that I could make my prototype better in the future. It felt kind of wrong to show my client unfinished work, but I believe that it was necessary to get a better idea of how my client reacted to the concept and whether or not I

should continue with it or change it up a bit or scrap the idea altogether. The pace of this short exercise felt quick, and there wasn’t much time to think or come up

with great ideas. I don’t like to rush my assignments or my projects because I want my finished product to be completed with my best effort.

I struggled to come up with ideas and sketching them in a timely manner.

If I could, based on what I learned after I completed this exercise, I would go back and continue to improve my design since it had some flaws. If I were to start all over

again, completely, I would have probably gotten out more information/ come prepared with questions ahead of time (that wasn’t the point of the exercise, but I would

do this in a real-life scenario). If I had more info about my client’s “deeper” struggles, I could have come up with better objectives and problems to solve.

(Above) My “finished” prototype

(Left) My client’s feedback on the prototype

The second set of sketches contains designs that I chose and iterated into different compositions

This first project focused on Gestalt theory, which is the theory of how we perceive an image or piece of artwork as a whole before

we visualize the individual parts.

Something that this project relates to is how our compositions were made to represent

an emotion or feeling. We were drawn to the pieces as they were created to represent a feeling in our minds before we considered that these were simply just dots and lines. I started off by putting a lot of focus into making detailed illustrations, which wasn’t allowed in this project. I’m a person who spends his time trying to get all the details right. I started off by putting a lot of focus into making detailed illustrations, which wasn’t allowed in this project. I’m a person who spends his time trying to get all the details right. Of course, I’m really

The first set of sketches that I made. Some of these were “too illustrative,” which was not allowed for this project, so I ended up scrapping them.

passionate about some projects more than others, so if I need to get stuff done quicker, I’m not going to stress about every single detail.

My thoughts on abstraction didn’t really change much after this project. It’s not really something that I’m good at, nor do I enjoy working with abstraction. I can definitely see the value of abstraction from a designing perspective, but in general, for art, I’ve never really understood it all too well. It was challenging when it came to coming up with ways to represent my dots and lines in a non-illustrative way. I always had this desire to

establish a narrative to represent my word theme. It was kind of hard to show non-figurative relationships with the objects without giving them figurative characteristics. This project taught me a couple of lessons about design. In the design world, it’s essential to evoke feeling in your design, but you need to be able to portray it subtly without it being too explicit in some cases. A lot of times, the colors, shapes, and arrangement of a design piece can overall affect its tone, so it’s essential to be aware of these elements at all times.

One concept of longing that didn’t make the cut. It still looked too humanoid for my tastes.

Another WIP composition that was scrapped, because of the visual image of the parent holding thier baby.

Pictured is a mock conecpt of one of my more visual ideas. I used all line shapes to make an eye.

Final Iterations

(Left) Longing Composition: I don’t think this composition really achieved what I wanted it to. It sort of achieves the message, but I think I was trying to make too strong of a visual representation of longing, which ended up being the downfall of this piece. There isn’t a lot of room for the circles to breathe in, and I believe the large line “gaps” overshadow the circles. It’s not the greatest composition, but it’s hard to make something ultra-spectacular with just lines and dots.

(Left) Rejection Composition: This comp. was one of my earliest ones that got reworked after my inprocess version (which I do not have a photo of, unfortunately). The two most significant changes were the large circle being slightly larger and off the frame and the black “gate” being separated and parallel with the other half of the “gate.” My overall concept was a little basic for this one; however, the final piece turned out better than it had been previously (except for the blatant spray mark).

(Right) Chaotic Composition: I chose to do chaos after one of my in-process designs of comfort didn’t receive a lot of good feedback (the 2nd image on pg.[XX]). I let myself go loose on this one since it was meant to show chaos. The bottom-right line seems less “chaotic” than the rest, and this was an intentional part of my design. The line juxtaposes the rest of the image by being flat, square, and neatly tucked in that corner. I’m really found of this design; it’s my favorite out of the three.

A broken heart made out of lines. I couldn’t create imagry for this project, but I thougt my concept was still neat

Letter Forms

I learned a lot about how I could convey ideas through the use of language and imagery in this project. Words can be used in designs and as a form of language, and I found it interesting to come up with

ideas that could help convey the word and its meaning through my design.

I would most likely improve on some of the designs if I were ever to continue this project in the future. I would probably make the words

more legible, or I would likely start experimenting with new ideas. I never went through with the burning paper concept, and I’d be curious to see if I could achieve something to that effect with some thicker paper that can singe easier.

(Left) Early brainstorming for ideas - ways to interpret and think about the word “fire.”

(Below) The original printing of my chosen word, “Fire”

(Left & above) Practice sketches: getting to know typefaces and ways that words can be cleverly conveyed.

(Right) One of my in-proccess designs that I refined later

(Below) A sheet of different saturated stamps that I used to make my typographic variations with

(Left) I shredded an “I” for use in one of my final iterations.

(Right) I cutout a copy of the lettering to use for my modified iteration

Final Iterations

Normal iteration -

Edited so the character leading was even and so the font sat on a flat edge. I think the reason I chose this word, was due to the range of meanings and cultural signifcance this word takes on.

Varied iteration #2 - This iteration was the only one of my compositions that was unedited, meaning that I created this without the use of a photocopying machine. This is partially due to how this one got made and when it got made. I made this one last minute, and my idea for it felt vague at the time, but I remember that I wanted to try and give it a “smoky” feel, so I did just that. I was surprised that it got received well. This was an unnatural case for me. I wouldn’t recommend doing this for a project ever.

Modified iteration - I decided to take an earlier concept I had where I wanted to burn the lettering on actual paper. Instead, I cut out the letters and slapped the cutout onto my desktop monitor. Because the paper was so thin, the entire image bled through anyway, which was not my intention, but I think the image would not have been clear enough.

Varied iteration #1This one resulted from a reworked in-process design, and I like it much better than that one. First off, having a vertical framework is much better for the kind of image I am creating. Secondly, I think this iteration could have multiple meanings to it, which I think makes it all the better.

(Bonus) Modded iteration in color

Who DesignsSusan Kare

What drew me to Susan Kare was due to her work background. I’m also a computer science major, so this designer’s work fascinated me. I think that it was interesting to hear and learn from someone who worked on one of the very first home computer systems. People sometimes take for granted that these menu UIs had to be thought out in so many ways, such as what elements should be placed where, what kind of designs should be used for icons, and whether or not they accurately

represent what a menu option does, etc. I like using the Windows operating system, but coming from my own past experiences, it can be challenging for a first-time user to use this kind of interface because it’s not always uniform and user-friendly. That’s one thing I can give Apple, is that they know precisely how to create a clean and simple interface to use while also

(Above)

(Below)

“Macintosh icons” - Kare

“Microsoft Solitare cards” - Kare

making a powerful and fast computer.

Writing about this artist wasn’t very difficult, and I really wanted to share more in my original post, honestly. Still, I tried to talk about the main points, mostly on what makes Kare a great designer for digital and bitmap design. I would happily give an

actual presentation on Susan Kare, because I enjoy seeing her work and reading about early UI design for home desktops.

I had a list of designers at the beginning of this project that I wanted to research. I would probably still look into my 1st draft candidate, Art Chantry. Looking

back, I’m glad that I didn’t choose him. I think Nico, a classmate, whom I had lost a tossup with, probably had a more fun time looking into his history than I would have. I also would like to look into Massimo Vingelli sometime; he did a lot of work on typefaces and maps, which are meant to convey information simply and efficiently.

(Left) “Pinterest” - Kare

(Below) “Macintosh control panel” - Kare

Object Iterations

After finishing this work, I learned that there are many different aspects of certain creatures and objects that we generally overlook because we are always fixated on the predominant features of the object/animal. Given that mine was the platypus, the most distinctive features were their bills and tails. I also learned a few fun facts about platypuses, which are always fun to learn.

My animal of choice: the Duck-Billed Platapus

(Above) Contour line sketches

(Right) Magazine Collage creations

I based my sketches off of these real life photographs

Typographic collage pieces

The most challenging media to work with was the master artist iterations. I had to try and emulate another artist’s work, and having to work with the pressure of making the pieces look eloquent akin to

Sketches that try to mimic Botero’s style

the work of someone more experienced and talented is challenging. Working in a different medium that I’m not used to is also challenging. I enjoyed the collage ones,

because I could make something more abstract using whatever I was able to find in the large stash of magazines.

Landschaften und Stimmungen: 60

Holzschnitte - Frans Masereel

His work was made using wood engravings

Pope Leo XFernando Botero

Process sketches before I did my full iteration. I practiced trying to make a texture on the platypus fur and his bill.

Master artist Botero - in color Medium: oil pastel

Source used for Masereel iteration

Geometric Iteration - I did an origami version of my platypus

The final product was created in In Design, but all the photo work was created using Photoshop. I didn’t really learn a lot of new stuff since I was taught how to use the program before. Photoshop can sometimes be aggravating, and

An image that I used to place my origami on

after coming back to it after I learned how to use Illustrator, I can safely say that I think I like using Illustrator more.

Photoshop is still helpful in cleaning up photos and making collages, but that’s mostly what I’ll ever use it for when I end up using it again.

The end result of my collage. I ended up scrapping this, because the background was too busy.

If I ever got to continue making designs using my animal, I would probably find other mediums to use in my iterations. I would even maybe try to parody a famous art piece using my animal.

(Left) I used a Rubbermaid bin full of water to use for my geometric iteration as a background instead of the river. This resulted in the background being a lot less busy.

My in-process poster which I received feedback on. The layout was what needed to be changed the most.

Final Poster

Individual Iterations

Contuor line iteration - This was a simple little drawing I made, one out of five of my original sketches. I edited it in photoshop and gave it gray tones and increased the contast of the linework, because I drew this in pencil.

Collage iteration - This was one of my original five that I did. I liked this one, because it looked the most liked “Platapus” and I thought it looked funny. I think it looks better in color, but my final product had to be in grayscale.

Botero (master artist#1) iteration - This was not my greatest piece, mostly because I was unfamiliar with the medium, and I felt overwhelmed with the quaility of the end result.

Geometric iteration - This iteration was not the most “unique” concept out of my iterations, but I liked the origami’s simplicity, and I made the background a little more special because I didn’t want just to use a plain grey background, so that’s why I had the idea to make it look like it was submerged in water.

Masereel (master artist #2) iteration - I think I liked how this one turned out in the end, despite me still believing that this one could have been improved a bit more. It doesn’t quite look comparable to Masereel’s work, and I think the fur could use a little bit of a redraw. Otherwise, I think the rest of the drawing went well. This was done in Sharpie instead of a wood engraving like Masereel would have done it in. I just didn’t have access to the materials.

Typographic iterationThis one’s not too special, except for how I used the “U” for the platypus bill. I chose this one over the other one because this one was more aesthetically pleasing to me.

PSA Poster

A bunch of mockups that I did for my PSA poster. It was much more challenging to make these mockups because I had to use what my client gave me for text. It was a lot of text that I had to fit into this poster.

Being limited to type/text only for this project, I was okay with it. I think it would have taken me longer to design the illustrations if I

had to draw one, but I think my project was more suited to just text. I was able to effectively use the black gradient in my design to get

the feeling of dozing off to sleep and feel like it adds to the overall design in a good way.

(Above and right): Full mockups of design layouts. These were done larger and in more detail.

Early font designs of my poster’s title.

Among the gradient that I mentioned, I also was able to focus on creating a visual hierarchy through my usage of font size and font type. I had it built where the headline was on the left side of the poster, and then the subhead was to the left. The two columns were meant to be read that way as well. I had a lot of text to work with, so I tried to give as much space as possible for the bullet points.

Working on this poster taught me about using font styles and their differing formats (some fonts, for example, have it where the L and E in “sleep” would be combined to fill up one character space). The skills

I learned from this project will likely go towards my process book (which is what you’re currently reading), and I think these skills will also be helpful in my future courses as a part-time graphic design major.

In-Process Version - A lot of elements were small, and thus the hierarchy of the text was not working in the way that I had hoped.

Final Poster

(Above) The final iteration that I submitted for this project

(Below) A version of my poster that doesn’t have the gradient

This poster design is the one I ended up with because it displayed the information clearly and compellingly. Part of why this poster was so challenging for me was due to how much text I had to work with, which was all given to me by Wendy, one of my classmates who acted as my client. She wasn’t very fluent in English, so I worked with her to try to change some of her text so it sounded more persuasive and less repetitive. I’m pretty proud of the poster; I was able to make an eye-catching title and subhead, I filled in the negative space, and I think I made a good choice with my font type. The gradient was something extra that I added after I was done, and I thought nothing of it, really, but to my surprise, it ended up working to my advantage. It gave my poster a soothing look to it, which worked in tandem with its intended theme.

Final Reflections

I made this selfportrait of myself over a year ago (Dec. 2021), and I’m proud of it for a few reasons. One thing I have to say first is that this work came from an art project which had us create animestyled self-portraits, so that’s why most of my facial features seem less realistic and more cartoony. The reason I am most proud of this piece is that I got to show off my drawing skills and my skills in the medium that I created this in, which was chalk pastel. The first project I did using this medium was sloppy because I didn’t know how to use it properly. I

learned and utilized new techniques on how to apply the pastel, and I improved my shading

greatly. I showed off a lot of my art skills in this piece, and I see it as one of my personal favorites.

I think what I would define as a good life is a life where a person can live and die a happy person, whether that be because they were able to make strong and loving relationships or fulfilling most of their goals, or because they were fortunate

not to end up in (or were able to escape) poverty and/or famine. A significant life is a life in which a person can impact or change other people’s ways of thinking, affecting the hearts and minds of those around him.

I think when people hear the word

significant, they think of a person being well-known, like a celebrity or historical figure. In all actuality, practically everyone’s life is significant for reasons such as being a family member or being a productive leader/ worker in your company. Having a good or bad life is completely separate from having a significant life. You can have a bad life but lead a very impactful life. You can also have a “good” life while you impact others negatively. Your life will always have significance; it’s just whether or not you will be a beacon of righteousness or a stain in the history books.

This book was made as part of Introduction to Design at St. Norbert College in the spring 2023. The font used in this book is Tahoma. It was digitally printed and saddle stapled at the college print center.