A COLLECTION OF WORK FROM AN INTRO TO GRAPHIC DESIGN CLASS
PEYTON DAUL ART 130 St. Norbert College Fall 2021
Every artist was first an amateur. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
This book was created by Peyton Daul who is a Business Administration Marketing Major with a Minor in Graphic Design at St. Norbert College. This book was created fall semester of 2021, her third year of undergraduate school. This was her first class taken for her Graphic Design Minor.
This book consists of a handful of projects such as dot-line, letter forms, object iterations, public service announcements and a 20x20 artist presentation. Each project starts with a description of the project with objectives, specifications and general information. Then, a handful of process work is shown before the final version. You will be able to see the creative process unfold and how improvements were made. This book also emphasizes the standard of being “perfect.” Something that I realized during this process is that I struggled to let myself finish a project unless if was “perfect.” It was a process to learn to let something be “good enough,” which is a philosophy I have adapted to recently. Art is a beautiful profession where you have the ability to be “good enough,” instead of having to be perfect. Surgeons, lawyers and nurses are examples of professions where “good enough” is not acceptable. It is easy to let yourself slip into a cycle of always reaching for perfection, never letting yourself stop until absolutely everything is “perfect.” In art you learn to let yourself decide when to stop and when it’s “good enough,” which is a valuable to learn in life.
Crash Course Objectives:
The objectives of this project was to create a prototype for a client to solve a problem they were having. We talked with out classmate who, was acting as a client, and talked about general problems we were having in the beginning of our semester. We took around an hour and a half to draw up some ideas for a product that we could make then made prototype out of materials in the studio.
Final Thoughts:
This was the first time I had talked to and worked with a person since the pandemic started a year and a half ago. When interacting with a real person I felt more motivated to make better work. When I was able to talk to them I felt that I was to get a better understanding of what their needs were and how I could help make a product to meet their needs. Also, being in person made me feel more comfortable showing them a unfinished prototype. Given that Prototype: we did have a time constraint with The issue my client/classmate was this project I still did not feel rushed having was they were struggling during the process. I felt that we with there class schedule. They still were able to make a connection were struggling getting into the and communicate with the amount classes they needed and struggling of time we had. Therefore there to communicate with the registrars was a high level of comfort with office. My recommendation was to showing work! If I were to go back make a list of throughout questions and to then go down to the registrars and do this process again I would try to talk to them more to deepen office with them. Therefore, I made my understanding of their problem. a clipboard with a motivational I would take more time to create a statment at the bottom so they more detailed prototype. I would also would be preped and ready to ask like to make multiple prototypes quesitions!
This is one step of 9 that we took when communicating with out client/classmate. In this step I drew out steps in which they would need to take to solve their problem.
so my client/classmate would pick the best option for themselves. This would then in turn help me find the best solution for their problem. This project was refreshing and made me realize how much I missed working with people in person. I truly missed working with and around people and that made this project even more special.
This is the final prototype of clipboard I made for my client. I made it out of differnt types of paper, wire, stickers, and sharpies.
Dot - Line
Objectives:
The ojective of this project was to portray words with paper circles and squares (dots and lines). We were given parameters of how many dots and lines to work with. Which is shown below in the Rules of the Project. This project stretches our ideas of abstraction and how to portray words with simple images. We used the principles of Gestalt to further portray the message. Rules of the Project: - Dots and lines may touch but may not overlap - Dots and lines may extend off the picture plane - Dots and lines may be as large or as small as you care to make them - Dots and lines may be in black or gray, and only one shade of gray - Only one of your final compositions may be all dots or all lines Combination Possibilites:
1 dot + 1 line | 2 dots + 2 lines | 1 dot + 2 lines | 2 dots + 1 line | All dots (use only once) All lines (use only once)
G e s talt an organized whole that is perceived as more than the sum of its parts Principles of Gesalt: Figure Ground - the process of your brain distinguishing between the objects it considers to be in the foreground of an image (the figure, or focal point) and the background (the area on which the figures rest). Images that are larger are usually perceived to be the foreground images. Similarity and Anomaly - when objects are similar we perceive them to be in groups and vise versa. Continuation - When looking at lines the eye will follow the smoothest path regardless of how the lines were actually drawn. Closure - the brain has a tendency to see shapes that could be there or create closed shapes that could be there. Proximity - the eye will close an arrangement of elements to create a group association. Items that are similar and close to each other we assume they are in a group. Parallelism - lines that are parallel to each other provide a sense of balance and association between the two.
First set of process work that consists of different combinations of dots and lines with varying colors, sizes, and positions. All representing an abstract version of the corresponding word.
After variety of combinations were created one was picked and explored deeper. The same general shape was maintained but different colors, sizes and orientations on the page were experimented with to expand the original idea.
Final Work Terror - Collage
With this piece I wanted to portray the feeling of terror. Due to the way the lines are placed and their thickness I view them as buildings. The slant of the two extenuates the feeling of fear like they are almost falling. The black circle is so big that the weight of the ball makes it feel as if it is about to fall, playing with the feeling of impending doom. The slight space between the ball and the line furthest to the left also reinforces the feeling of an insecure place to put your feet. With this piece I want to portray the feeling that the two shapes were longing for each other or even that one was thinking about the other. I used the principle of “figure ground” to attempt to make the black dot seem far away. I did this by making the black dot small and in the far top left of the picture plane. The two shapes are in the same place but still have this tension between them.
Longing - Collage
Opression - Collage
It was a challenge
to use the principles of Gestalt and paper to portray very real emotions. When creating a well-crafted object I struggled with getting the hang of cutting straight lines and making cohesive circles. Same with gluing, I struggled to not get glue on the front of my pieces or on any of the white paper. This forced me to re-do many of my pieces and having to deal with the realization that I could not get these pieces to be “perfect.” This project made me realize how I was unconsciously using the principles of Gestalt in my work. It also brought to light how Gestalt was impacting the
This was my favorite of the three pieces that I made. I wanted to make it seem like the black circle was being oppressed by the two gray lines. I did this by making an enclosed shape around the black circle. Yet, there is still a small opening between the two lines. This gives the illusion that there is a way out of the oppression, even though as a viewer we can see that the dot could not fit through the small opening if it could move. This symbolizes the small sense of hope that oppressed minority groups can feel. way I perceived things. I feel that I am better able to realize what these principles are and how to use them. Therefore, they make abstraction almost seem less abstract because there is a sense of understanding now. When putting my collage together I did not find it difficult to represent ideas without an illustration. Personally, I found it easier to play with shapes on paper and move them than illustrating. Moving around paper was the easiest for me in creating these pieces. I can see myself using these principles in my everyday life.
Letter Forms Objectives:
The objectives of this project was to become comfortable with handling text. We learned how letters can affect the way we percieve words. We also learned how to work with the form of the letter and negative space impact how a word is interpreted. We do this specifically with this letting and kerning. Letting is the space between horizontal lines and kerning is the space between individual letters.
Project Specifications: 1. Letters Only
Printed “straight” clean with even kerning. 2. Letters + typographic variations For example using changes in kerning, letting, etc. that enhance, conflict, or otherwise play off of the content of the letters 3. Letters + Modifications
For example, draw back into the letters, cut them out, print them on a How To Do This: photo, etc. Modifications We do this by carving letters by hand should relate to content. onto unmounted linoleum. We carved 4. One More of Any Kind letters using a variety of different carving tools. Then using ink, a brayer, ink knives and ink slabs we printed each letter individually onto white drawing paper. We also learned different methods to using a photocopier. We were taught how to photocopy items, layer items, and different techniques of moving the paper to create different effects.
Something that I did was I cut out my letters from my first “straight” piece. I did this to use the outlines as a guide to eliminate the noise from around my letters. An example of the guide is shown on the previous page.
First set of process work. Above includes one “Letters Only” and three “Letters + Typographic” Variation. Something that I fixed for the final was orientation of my letters. The last three the letters are all going in the same direction. I experimented with different ways to portray my message of failure with different letter orientations. I also added With these cut out letters I was to a “Letters + Modifications” to my final manually position the word to get it to set. exactly what I wanted. This made it much easier and saved me a lot of time in the printing process.
Final Work Overwhelming Failure - Mixed Media on Paper
For this piece I did letters straight across and flipped the ‘e’ on its side. I also printed multiple of the same letters around the original letter with the leftover ink from the original stamp. The straight letters represent the feeling of getting through something but still “failing” at the end. The letters around the original word are meant to portray the overwhelming feeling of stress and anxiety when you feel as if you are about to fail. This is also my visual interpretation of what a migraine feels like.
For this piece I had the letters go in a downward slant to almost show that the letters themselves were failing as moving from left to right. Additionally, it shows a progression of failure whereas when you first fail, you tend to fall down, but then begin the process of picking yourself back up. Also I flipped the letters to reiterate the fact that each letter is failing in a different way. Failure - Mixed Media on Paper
For this piece I used the photocopier to create a collage. I first started by ripping up some old chemistry homework I had and defacing it to follow the guidelines of the Honor Code. I experimented with different layouts of the paper in the photocopier until I came up with a product that I was satisfied with. After I had a finished product, I taped the individual letters to the photocopied piece I had just completed. Next, I scanned it so that the letters I had taped on would be apart of the piece rather than just taped on. After that, I took the finalized piece and put it in the photocopier machine once again, but this time I grabbed the piece with my hands while the machine was copying so that my fingers would be apart of the piece. This helped to relate the idea of failure to being that of a human quality. This was my favorite piece that I created. I loved the irony of using this specific homework because none of it was actually incorrect; however, one can feel as if they are a failure even if they are perfect. Many students can make themselves feel like a failure if they get a B over and A. I believed this encompasses our generation well.
STUDENT JURIED
Art Exhibition The Student Juried Art Exhibition is an annual exhibition of work by current St. Norbert College students. Two of my pieces were accepted into the 2021 showing. The exhibition took place in the Baer Art Gallery at St. Norbert College. This was the first time my work was shown in a gallery.
The two pieces that were picked for the show were STEM Failure (shown above) and Overwhelming Failure (show to the right.) Both are Mixed Media on Paper.
In this project I learned a lot about typography and how intricate it can be. I have a greater appreciation for the way these texts were created, as in before computers. Having to carve the letters really made me realize how much goes into a font and how fonts are different from one another. Also, I learned to become more comfortable changing the letter forms to convey a deeper message. There are many ways that you can change the world just by doing simple things. I learned that the simplest of things can convey the strongest message.
Vocational Question:
If I were to continue with this project I would want to go back and re-carve my letters. I would want to work harder on removing the chatter and making it easier for myself later on in the printing process. I would also like to see if I could cut the letters in such a way that it would make it very easy for me to line them up on the same baseline. I think that I would also like to be able to play with different words and see what else I could learn from doing a different word.
What is the greatest failure you’ve It still helped me to be empathetic and understanding towards people experienced in your life? and led me to the path I am on I do not feel as if I have a greatest today. Also I took general chemistry failure in my life. However, there and biology at SNC my freshman have been many things that I have year. These were very difficult classes tried my best at, but did not end for me and I put a lot of effort into up working out. I do not consider them. This played into the piece these things to be “greatest failures” “STEM Failure” as I felt myself to fit though. All through high school this title. I would not consider myself and for part of college my plan was a failure, but taking these classes always to become a nurse. I worked was indeed something that did not as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) play out in my favor. for six months and this helped me to realize that I just could not handle the stress it brought me. It was really hard for me to see people in pain.
Object Iterations Objectives:
The objectives of this project were to work with an animal or object and be able to translate it into a variety of illustration styles. We were challenged to work with a variety of media and stretch out horizons of what illustration could be, while still having our animal or object be recognizable. Project Specifications: One 12” x 18” poster printed on card stock featuring all six required iterations: - Continuous Line Drawing - Two Master Artist Iterations - Collage - Type Collage - Geometric - All images must be black and white - All images must be composed in square frames
My Animal - Highland Cow:
The animal that I picked for this project was the Highland Cow. The Highland Cow is a Scottish breed of rustic cattle. It originated in the Scottish Highlands and the Outer Hebrides islands of Scotland. It has long horns and a long shaggy coat. It is a strong breed of cow, bred to withstand the intemperate conditions in the region. I was drawn to this animal because of its long horns and that many of the pictures had its tongue sticking out. They always looked like they add an attitude and a little bit of sass.
Artist Iteration My biggest struggle with this project was of my artist iteration. My artist was Roy Liechtenstein a pop art artists in the 60s . His work defined the premise of pop art through parody. He did paintings of comic books and focused on distressed women with a serious undertone. M-maybe (1965), Oil on Canvas For my project I didn’t know how to make a cow look like a comic book and also make it in black and white. So first I decided to do a painting in color then turn it to black and white after to see what different shades would come through. Things I did like about my first attempt was the mouth, chin and how to incorporate the half-tone filter, which is the dots commonly found in comic books. A big breakthrough for me was finding an illustration of my animal on a coffee grounds bag at a grocery store. This helped me a lot to visualize what the mouth would look like if it were to be illustrated. This product is the Berres Brothers Highlander Grogg Ground Coffee inspired by the Highland cow!
Next I just drew the outline of the cow and tried to fix the mouth and the chin. I still couldn’t get it right but it was an improvement. I also started to play with Photoshop to add dimension through different effects, such as using a “curves layer”, using the paintbrush to add different colors at different opacities and editing the paintbrush marks to add more dimension. For this one I re-drew my original image and fixed the mouth and chin again. I reached a place were I was happy with how the mouth turned out. I also realized that it was very difficult to draw on Photoshop with a track-pad; therefore, I added some shadows before Photoshop and also enhanced them in Photoshop as well. For the final project I added a halftone filter in the back and added more shading in photoshop. I did this with the paint brush tool, a curves layer, and other filters. I also made the picture black and white to meet the requirements.
Final Work I learned a lot about how my animal moved and I realized all the minute details that make up the whole picture. For a long time, I really struggled drawing the mouth. It never looked the way I wanted it to and it took a long time before I figured it out. I had to go back and find more reference photos and work off of those. One example of this would be the coffee bag shown on the previous page. The media that was the most challenging to me was the text collage. I had a challenging time separating myself from the words I saw on the page. I also struggled to find a way to integrate the details that I was used to drawing. The collages never looked the way I wanted them to because I could never fit all the details I wanted into the piece. Over time I had tried to look at the overall shape of my animal to see how I could portray it without details. The most enjoyable piece was the artist iterations. It was enjoyable because I was able to use media I was already familiar with.
This made it easier to get across the image I wanted to portray. The most useful things that I learned in Photoshop were to remove the background, use the multiply tool in the layers tab, and add a halftone filter. I can see these as being the most useful things to enhance my work in the future. Things I might do differently is trying different combinations of collages. I would take more time to look through more magazines to see if I could find better material to work with. I would also try to find more images with various positions of the animal. This animal is used in lots of art that is massproduced. With this, it has narrowed the way the animal is portrayed to just having it be seen from the front. I would like to travel to see these animals and spend time with them. I feel as if this is the best way to understand them.
PSA Poster Objectives:
Public Service Announcements or PSAs are messages that are meant to inform the public about a variety of issues. These usally come from the government or non-profit organizations and are done for free. Their purpose is to warn, educate, encourage, and promote change through a community. Our purpose was to research an issue about which we are passionate about and create specifications for a poster. We then would give our specifications to another person in our class so they could make a poster about our cause. This allowed us to work with others as we would with clients. Also we got to work as a client to understand what its like to have someone else make art for us.
Specifications:
A 8.5” x 11” poster using the text supplied by your client, printed in black and white on colored or white paper - A coherent creative brief that includes ALL the text your client has given you Composition: Poster is text only, no illustrations - Maximum two fonts, but you can use variations of the font family (italic, bold, etc.) - Text can be reversed out (white on black or gray) - Poster can be a bleed print, where the paper has been trimmed back so the image “bleeds” off the edge
I created a series of different posters and experimented with the heirarchy of different words. I made the most important elements the largest and the less important smaller. This is why “VOTE” is the biggest. It is the attention grabber of the poster. The other information will be the next steps to read to further the knowlege of the reader. I then spoke with my client and she chose the design she liked best.
Final Work I didn’t find it challenging to be limited by only using type because there was so much variety in the text that I could use. Having different thicknesses in the text helped my to easily use the visual hierarchy to my advantage. I think that it made me realize how much you can do with just type. It made it much easier to One way that I tired to show visual hierarchy was through the scale of the word. I tried to bring emphasis to the word “Vote” by putting it on a diagonal and making it a different font than the other text on the page. I also tried to take up as much space as I could with the text given. This way it could easily been seen from a distance. Now that I have a much better understanding of visual hierarchy and how it affects the way we perceive posters, I can see myself frequently using this to my advantage in the future. For this poster something that I did to make my job easier was to write out the order of the visual hierarchy that I wanted.
I can see myself using this technique in the future because of how helpful and effective it was in this project. Also I enjoyed being limited to just text. This made me realize how much you can do with text to get your message across. I know that in the future I will use this to be less dependent on graphics and color to make my work stand out.
Visual Hierarchy ac c ordin g to G e s talt ps yc h ology, is a patte rn in th e vis u al f ie ld wh e re in s ome e le m e n ts te n d to “s tan d ou t,” or attrac t atte n tion , m ore s tron gly th an oth e r e le me n ts , s u gge s tin g a h ie rarc h y of im por tan c e .
20x20 Talk Ruth Ansel
The designer I picked for my 20x20 presentation was Ruth Ansel. Ruth Ansel was a graphic designer who worked with editorial fashion magazines. She has worked for Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue, and The New York Time Magazine. She was the first female art director at each place she was hired. Working for such high-caliber magazines is what drew me to her. I have always been interested in editorial fashion magazines and runway shows. I admire her and how she paved the way for women to hold leadership positions in their companies. She set an example for women that they can be respected as executives in their field. She went on to win the Gold Medal for Design from the Art Directors Clubs in 1970. This is the highest individual award given. She was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Art Directors Club in 2011 and in 2016 she was awarded the Art Directors Club AIGA medal for her outstanding work.
Vocational Question: If you were guaranteed it would support you financially, what would you want to design or make for a living? If I was guaranteed financial stability, my first instinct would be to try to pick a low-stress career because I would be financially stable. I would want to live in an diverse city with a lot going on so I could make art about the people and culture around me. Or I would move to a place with beautiful scenery and paint landscape all day long. But I don’t think I would be able to do this for long. I know that eventually I would want to use the power I have as a designer to act as a catalyst for change. I think I would end up doing work that brings attention to minority groups in America and social justice issues such as income inequality, racial injustice, climate change, or sexism. This would probably end up adding more meaning to my life as well as I feel as if I would make an impact on the world to facilitate change making my impact on the world last longer than my life.
This book was made as part of Introduction to Design at St. Norbert College in the fall of 2020. The fonts used include Didot and Helvetica Neue. It was digitally printed and saddle stapled at the college’s print center.