Megan Huth's Design Process Book

Hello, Design Designed By: Megan Huth

Hello,

Welcome to my process book; filled with iterations, trial and error, failures, and success. In this book, you will see five projects I created throughout the course ART 130: a dot line series, a letter form series, an object iteration, a PSA poster, and a designer presentation. During this Fall semester of class, I was pushed and treated like a real designer. This was a fast pace course that taught me how to manage my time with each project while still enjoying everyday life. I always had a challenge, whether it was a software issue, time constraint, or difficult project parameter. However, these challenges were what made me a better designer in the end because as a designer, you sometimes have to do things you do not always agree with. I am more confident in my organization skills, the decisions I make as a designer, and my little knowledge in Photoshop and InDesign. Although in the present moment the projects got frustrating, my hard work paid off. Now, I think about space awareness, scale, value, direction, and organization in my pieces without hesitation.

Enjoy, Megan Huth

Objectives •Learn about your classmates •Plan your questions in a purposeful way to help guide your gift creation •Work under a time limit •Be vulnerable and content with presenting unfinished work •Learn the 10 steps of problem solving and sharing your solution

Challenges Typically, I am an artist who needs time to plan, organize, and take many attempts before I reach my completed piece. This activity challenged me to think creatively very quickly. I had to take risks and not think much about my decisions. Concerning how I normally work; I usually have more time to gather ideas or brainstorm possible solutions for my pieces. Despite this, I enjoyed the fast pace because I was able to prove to myself that I can think quickly while still executing my original idea.

D*School

Although I usually am a person who needs my work to be completed and “perfect� before critique, it did not bother me to show my unfinished work to someone else. A possible reason for this is because my partner knew I only had ten minutes to complete my work, so they most likely did not have high expectations for me. I also think it was easy for me to present my unfinished work because the overall mood of the class was very lighthearted and fun. With a positive, nonjudgmental mood throughout the room, it was easy for me to be vulnerable.

Based on my feedback I got for my prototype, I would make my coffee mug out of something more durable and suitable for liquid rather than cardboard. Also, I would probably have a better plan for what kind of questions I was going to ask during the interview. This would have helped me plan out my idea quicker.

Final

Objectives •Understand the basics of gestalt •Learn how to create abstract pieces with minimal elements •Describe a word without using words, but rather pictures •Understand the importance of value, negative/positive space, direction, and scale when creating abstract compositions

Challenges I found it was somewhat hard to represent ideas through illustration just because everyone has their perception of your work. Although I am a strong visual learner and confident in how I lay out my compositions, it is frustrating to hear someone say they see something different in your work or have a different perception of your composition. However, I do understand that abstract is how the viewer personally sees the work, and almost everyone understands work slightly different. In order to try to have my viewer see the same word I see, I have to proactively think about direction, positive/negative space, and value.

Dot Line

Scarcity

I would describe gestalt as to how a composition is perceived fully or as a whole.

Gestalt focuses on how the composition works together as one unit rather than narrowing in on single parts of the piece. Gestalt relates to this project because the layout of the dots and lines on the white paper is what helps us make meaning of what word the composition is trying to communicate. Throughout this project, I tried to see how each composition accurately

illustrated a word with its minimal elements, value, and positive/negative space. How the size, quantity, value, and space worked together as an abstract whole rather than separately is what makes this gestalt.

Stability

This project changed my idea of abstraction moves their eyes. How the viewer analyzes and in many ways. I can see how the relationship moves across the piece has an impact on the between positive and negative space has overall meaning. such a large influence on the whole abstract composition. The relationship between positive and negative space can help bring out certain moods and suggest/communicate different ideas. I always have noticed but never truly understood how the direction and placement of elements play a large role in how the viewer

Chaotic Personally, I do not have a hard time making a “well-crafted object� because I enjoy paying attention to detail. I like to say I am good at paying attention to detail and putting in the time to strive for perfection. However, I do get frustrated when I have to start over on a piece that took so much time. When this happens, I usually end up being much lazier and focus on getting my project done quickly rather than neatly.

I think the idea of abstraction is a great style to teach young kids because it allows them to use pictures and their interpretation rather than just words. It encourages kids to think outside of the box at a young age and use their creativity to enrich their explanations. In addition, gestalt is a theory I should always consider in all of my compositions going forward. Every time I create an assignment or make something for a client, I should ask myself: Do the parts of my piece communicate the desired meaning as a whole? How is the relationship between value, positive/negative space, symmetry, and the number of elements influence the overall message?

Final

Objectives •Create many iterations and see how more is always better •By using a basic sans serif font, understand how kerning and the negative space around the words impacts the meaning of the word •Learn the basics of ink printing and value the time-consuming process

Challenges While creating my pieces, I often was frustrated with the kerning and noise. To easy this frustration, I had to realize how this ink technique to form words is not supposed to be perfect. This mindset was challenging, but once I released my “perfection” mindset, I was able to value the noise on the page.

Letter Forms

First Attempt

Although this project was time-consuming, I enjoyed it and learned so much about letter forms. I appreciated the history and process of ink printing. I never knew so much went into creating one printed letter. Through this project, I was also able to see how the kerning between the actual letters played a key role in the word’s ability to communicate. When the kerning is off, so is the meaning behind the word.

Lastly, I learned the importance of presenting to your client different interpretations or iterations. To make a proposal more successful, it is crucial to present different iterations. For example, the word “lively� has so many different meanings such as energetic, growth, and culture-like.

In Process Critique

Final If I were to continue working with these letters, I would get messier with my work. I always strive to have cleanly presented pieces. However, depending on the word, it may be better for me to create more noise or intentionally leave smudges on the paper. This would be such a challenge for me, but beneficial because I would be pushed to think outside of my creative box.

Objectives •To be introduced to Photoshop and InDesign •Stay well organized and learn the importance of computer folders to keep work in one place •Study masterful artists and integrate/replicate their style and techniques •Create different media to resemble an object or animal in different forms

Challenges The most challenging media for me was the collage because once I got fixed on one position and idea, it was hard to find alternative pieces and ways to layout the turtle. To get inspired with a different position, I would look back at all my printed images of the green sea turtles in different poses. I still enjoyed collage because there were fewer boundaries and more freedom. The collage could be made with a specific theme in mind or random.

Object Iterations

The Green Sea Turtle

Through this project, I learned how complex and unique the green sea turtle’s shell and body are. However, I thought it was very hard to show the texture of their skin and get the exact pattern of their shell. This possibly could be because the texture and shell pattern is unique to every turtle. In addition to this, I learned green sea turtles like to eat sea grass and algae. This was featured in my masterful artist (Beatrix Potter) piece.

Out of all the media I created, I enjoyed my masterful artist, Beatrix Potter, the most. This is because I was able to use watercolor, and it was fun to make the sea turtle somewhat cartoon-ish with the way it was standing and wearing a top hat and bow tie. I appreciate Beatrix’s ability to complete such sophisticated watercolor pieces that are still youthful and fun.

In Process Critique

I learned so much about Photoshop and cannot wait to continue using it. Moving forward, I will remember all things layers and backgrounds, the importance of using key commands, curves, quick mask, and how to shade/multiply a project. If I had to continue with this object for a year, I would start to represent green sea turtles in 3D by

making different sculptures. I think it would be interesting to make the 3D sea turtles out of objects and trash that are harming them in the ocean to give off a deeper message. I also would create abstract pieces that could resemble green sea turtles using different forms, shapes, and colors. This would also mean I would begin to explore color.

Final

Objectives •Know the “Dos and Don’ts” of poster creation/text layout •Learn the importance of value, scale, orientation, negative/ position space without being dependent on color to show visual hierarchy •Be introduced to the real world of graphics (client/designer consultations) •Being forced to work with a topic that may not be your first choice to work on.

Challenges I thought it would have been challenging to only use type, but it turned out to not even be a struggle. Before I began, I thought a good way to show visual hierarchy was to have text in different fonts. However, while I was creating my project, I focused more on using bold, italics, and different sizes. I believe those are the three main factors that guided what the viewer read first. In addition to this, the specific organization and placement of text played a major role in what the reader read first.

PSA Poster

First Attempt

Suicide Awareness YOUR STORY

;

Does not end

here

A semicolon is used when an author could’ve chosen to end their sentence,

but chose not to. the author is

YOU

and the sentence is

YOUR LIFE For more information, check out projectsemicolon.com twitter.com/projectsemicolon

I think orientation and scale were the two biggest things I focused on to create visual hierarchy. Keeping my paper in portrait allowed me to align all of my text in the center on a vertical axis. This also created an easy-to-read rhythm. Within the text, the use of different sizes (scale) was probably the easiest way for me to create separation and importance. I also thought it was useful to test different opacities to show which words were worth remembering. Instead of having all black text, I decided to leave some yellow. I was hoping these words would come across as more important, and what the viewer would take away from the poster.

In Process Critique I learned so many new techniques that involve text in InDesign I know will be useful in the future. I also finally realized the importance of negative space, and how it can give off a different mood within your poster or even affect how the viewer reads it.

One of the major things I will take away from this project is how important it is to consider where sentences are broken. When breaking a sentence in different lines, it needs to flow and feel complete after each line. This was very important to consider when creating my poster specifically.

;

YOUR STORY

does not end here

A semicolon is used when an author could’ve chosen to end their sentence,

but chose not to.

The author is

YOU YOUR LIFE. and the sentence is

For more information, check out

projectsemicolon.com & twitter.com/projectsemicolon

;

YOUR STORY

does not end here

A semicolon is used when an author could’ve chosen to end their sentence,

but chose not to.

The author is and the sentence is

YOU YOUR LIFE.

For more information, check out

projectsemicolon.com & twitter.com/projectsemicolon

;

YOUR STORY

does not end here

A semicolon is used when an author could’ve chosen to end their sentence,

but chose not to.

The author is the sentence is

YOU and YOUR LIFE.

For more information, check out

projectsemicolon.com & twitter.com/projectsemicolon

Final

Objectives •Learn many styles of contemporary artists and their influence on the art culture and society •Create a minimal, clean presentation that allows the artist’s work to speak for itself •Present under a time limit •Present findings/information to classmates in a persuasive, interesting way

Challenges What worried me the most was the timing/rotation of each slide. I think it would have been less pressure if we had to stay under a certain time, but the slides didn’t rotate on their own.

That being said, to overcome this pressure, I took advantage of note cards and practice my presentation in front of many faces.

Designer Presentation

Victor Moscoso

“Recognized for originating an enduring graphic style instrumental in defining both underground comix and the psychedelic rock posters of the ‘60s, and for their indelible impact on American culture.”

-AIGA

Psychedelic Art I was drawn to Victor Moscoso’s passion and rebellious attitude. He was not afraid to experiment and test his theories of what would catch his viewer’s attention. I also was drawn to Victor Moscoso’s overall style because it is so different from my own. I think we can all learn something about his work. His chaotic, vibrating posters are a way of playing with colors and grabbing his audience’s attention from a distance.

Gig Posters I was very passionate about Moscoso’s work and art time line, so this presentation was fun for me! I was excited to show his style to the class because I do not think many in my generation are familiar with the rock posters created of the 1960s.

Zap Comix

If I were to explore one of the designers my classmates presented, I would research the American graphic designer, Aaron Draplin. His style really caught my attention because it was very natural and fun. I like his inspiration and ideas about the art culture. When I look at his work, I see positivity and innovation. I also was very intrigued by his motto, “Do good work for good people.�

Vocation

I believe I am called to creative work and always have. Since I was little, I have been gravitated towards paint, markers, or anything to do with “coloring.” Now, in my life, I use my creativity in school, decorating, cooking, and fashion. I also am taking advantage of my calling; as I am completing a major in graphic design. I am constantly learning as a young designer, from the major “dos and don’ts” to specific techniques. I cannot wait to see where my creativity takes me through my life journey and career.

I love any type of food and beverage packaging design.

Whenever I walk into a grocery store or market, I am naturally drawn to every package through its use of color, fonts, chaos, or minimalism. That being said, I dream about being a graphic designer for microbreweries. Being from a family full of craft-beersnobs, I am always looking at the different labels and logos.

This book was made as part of Introduction to Design at St. Norbert College in the fall of 2019. The fonts used include Rockwell and Bodoni 72. It was digitally printed, and saddle stapled at the college’s print center.