ART205 DESIGN METHODS PROCESS JOURNAL SHAYLA KERR SPRING 2018
00
introduction
Art and I are lifelong friends. We have
such as digital art. I was introduced to the
always been together, and I have never
realm of digitally made art by a good
really known anything the way I have
friend; since then, I have been familiarizing
known art. Every aspect interests me,
myself with the various digital art programs
and I love how it opens new doors to other subjects. In my eyes, it is never just drawing or painting. It is also dance, music, writing, and language. As a child I constantly moved, and would often be living in a hotel my parents could barely afford, or crammed into our minivan on the side of the road. I never saw it as being too terrible because each day was a new and wondrous scene out my window. It was a chance to observe new places to capture with my camera, or scribble into my college ruled
that the Internet had to offer. Often, I
“sketch� book. I began to find more areas
spent my days watching tutorials on how a
of art to apply my skills and interests to,
clipping mask works, or how to use the pen
tool. This led me to discovering my love for design. The more that I learned the basic elements of design, the more I began to look at the world around me and see how design was used in nearly every aspect of our lives. What I want is to design things can be put out into the world and seen by others.   At first, I wasn’t very confident in if I would truly love this field or even be good at it, but after taking the Art 205 class, I have never felt more confident in my life that this is exactly what I want to do. Every project that has been given so far has been a challenge, but one that I gladly accepted. I have tried my hardest in every aspect and made it a point to be punctual when assignments are due. I want to continue this road I have started myself on so I can keep doing what I love and expand my skills and
concepts, and a chance to really define myself as a designer and artist. If given the chance to study here, please know this is not an opportunity that will be wasted on someone who is trying to decide if this is the career for them. This is an opportunity that will be appreciated and valued; I have looked forward to this my entire life. I know this is where I belong, and I hope to prove
knowledge on design.
that to you if given the chance.
  I see this experience as an opportunity
Shayla Kerr
not just to hone my skills in design, but also as chance to meet new people, see new things, be exposed to new ideas and
Statement of Intent 2018 BFA Graphic Design Application
01
does it fly
This project, I have to admit, was very difficult for me. I knew that for this project I would need to research things that would not be so easy to find, and most likely dabble in a little bit of physics and aerodynamics. A lot of what inspires me comes from nature and I thought I could continue that theme into this project, which is why for a good portion of my process I spent time observing leaves and sycamore seeds. I would be lying if I said it didn’t disappoint me that these leaves and sycamore seeds weren’t working very well when I put them to the test. At many points, this project did frustrate me, but I knew that I would be able to create something decent at the end of it all. The final product I eventually I created seemed like after all the tests that it would fly very far when dropped, but unfortunately, it only fell about a hundred-something inches because the paper I used was too heavy. Oh well, you create and you learn.
Finding references from nature that could help me succeed in making a paper figure that could fly some distance was very difficult. I realized quickly that things like leaves and seeds only flew so far mainly because they were being carried by the wind, which was something that we would not have when throwing our planes.
02
syntax and semiantics
During our Syntax and Semantics project,
enough, I wasn’t exactly sure where I had
I had many conflicting emotions that
room for my creative liberties. I wanted
helped move along, but also stunt my
something that stood out but also kept to
process for this assignment. The first
the assignment. Not only this, but I had
couple of emotions that I felt where joy
only ever used InDesign in passing when
and excitement. I was excited to be doing
I wanted to quickly introduce myself to
a project that was to be made digitally
the program, and the one time I made a
and involved professional printing and
graphic design meme.
felt excited to begin. However, I was also feeling anxiety as well as some high levels
  A lot of this assignment was also me
of stress. I was anxious because even if the
worrying about the font. I never realized
project was fairly cookie-cutter and simple
just how important font was in the graphic
design industry, and during one of
majority of other projects that were
the presentations we were given
turned in and hanging on the wall,
during class it finally clicked. This
but I was still happy with it. Most of
stuff is super important. There were
all I was happy that I was able to
leading and serifs and kerning and
pick up on some basics of InDesign
all sorts of things that I had no idea
fairly quickly. The program is still
about, let alone how to adjust them
practically uncharted territory
in InDesign. Most of my time going
for me but I am much more
into this project was primarily spent
comfortable using it that I was a
on the font. I think because of all
week ago.
the new things I was introduced to, that is why I went for a simple design of my overall project much like the example shown in class. I didn’t feel ready to try and add my own flare while also trying to learn a whole new program. I didn’t want to overwhelm myself by worrying about more than I should. Overall, I was pretty happy with the outcome of my project. The printing process was something that I picked up quickly, thankfully. My project blended in with the vast
Looking back on this assignment, I am glad that we did it because it helped me understand the basics of using InDesign as well as help remind me that colors, shapes, and objects all have connotations and different associations to them. It’s a useful skill that now I try to remember while designing something.
03
great ideas poster
During this week, we began our new
  The first photo is a board showing my
assignment about making a poster. I was
thumbnailing and idea process. I had five
honestly so excited for this project that
quotes that I really gravitated towards
before I was even given the assignment
and I made three different thumbs for
I was already preparing my paper for
each quote. I tried knocking out the basic
thumbnails. Stuff like this has to be my
ideas that almost everyone would have
favorite type of project to do just because it
had for the same quote, just so that way
gives me a chance to use my skills from my
they were out of my head. I for those types
illustration background and use familiar
of ideas, they were really literal and less
programs. This sort of assignment is
metaphorical. The ones with stars next to
something that I have more experience in,
them are the ideas that I liked the most
so I am happy to work through the process.
and could potentially flesh out more.
  Eventually, I pinpointed two ideas and began to flesh
  Mind you, this had all been accomplished over the
them out. One of them, the one with the flower, just did not
spans of forty-eight hours. I know that I work kind of fast
progress as well as I would have liked. I tried to create a draft
and try getting everything down very quickly, which can be
both digitally and in traditional mediums, and neither felt
overwhelming. I just have all these ideas and try getting them
as strong as I would have liked it. So I started focusing on
down very quickly because I never know what could be the
the poster with the person hugging herself. This is what the
one idea that works better than all the others. Overall, I am
second photo displays because it is a progression board of
going to continue to move my concept forward until I feel I’ve
my process on this particular poster. I planned what I would
created something that I am completely satisfied with.
like the quote and overall composition of the piece would look like. After getting feedback in class over all that I had, I am now focusing on contrast, the color palette, and making the overall piece more universal and identifiable for people to relate to.
03
great ideas poster
One of my first ideas that I began to flesh
I used light washes of gouache in big
out was the “Simplicity” prompt. The idea
blocking shapes. Then, on the zoom-in of
was to use a flower that could represent as
the leaf was very detailed in showing every
being a simple object, but then when you
cell and vein on the flowers leaf.
look very closely at it you see that it is a very complex form made of tiny complex
Even though I already put so much
structures. I went ahead and thumbnailed
work into this particular prompt, I wasn’t
to get the overall composition and play
as happy with it as I could have been.
with colors. I referenced multiple types of
After this, I started working on the Maya
flowers to see how simple and basic of
Angelou prompt instead.
shape I could achieve with the flower I create in the end. When starting off on this initial first draft, I had this idea to do a collage. I tried it out and realized that the collage went against the “simplicity” idea. It was very busy to look at and I used multiple textures in different areas of the whole piece. After noticing this problem, I threw away the collage idea and decided to paint the piece instead. It was very intentional that
03
great ideas poster
I’ve gone through a lot of trial and
illustrating, but I never knew I could find
error with this project because I redid it
quotes so inspirational. This whole project
four times. I kept tearing it apart and then
actually inspired me to go ahead and start
remaking it and it was so frustrating, but
my own personal poster projects. It’s really
in the end, even after all the feedback,
enjoy knowing that I can make art about
I finally made something the I felt really
things that really matter to me and then
confident in and happy to turn in. I was
make them in poster form. Posters are a
really hoping during crit that we would
loud statement where the whole purpose it
get around to my poster, but we didn’t
to practically scream at the viewer to pay
have enough time in class. Honestly, this
attention to them.
piece inspired me a lot. I knew I enjoyed
04
character mark
For the last two weeks we have been
concept phase it was easy to make almost
working on designing logos and honestly,
like a mini illustration and then break it all
I know it probably sounds like I say this
down to its simplest forms. Something else
every time, but I really think this is one of
that I really appreciated was how quickly
the most challenging things I’ve ever done.
I was able to adapt to Adobe Illustrator. I
I really loved it, but damn is it hard. I never
am definitely not an expert at it, but I still
realized there were so many things I had to
feel like I understand the whole program
consider when it came to making logos. I
so much better compared to a week ago.
never thought of the fact that it needs to be
Overall, I’m really happy with my designs
readable in black and white, super small,
and I am appreciative of the experience.
super big, what emotions are associated with shapes and colors, GESTALT PRINCIPLES. It’s really overwhelming. But honestly, if you look at it all critically, it makes sense that all these elements are necessary for a successful design. I really feel like my illustration background helped a lot with this project because during the
04
character mark
  This project required a lot of me. I had
caught. The second logo was my attempt
to take a good look at my characters
to get away from the first idea even
and try stripping them down into their
though I loved it so much. The remnants
basic, most readable forms. I found it
of the first logo, however, are still very
hard to create something so simple yet
prevalent within the second logo. The final
able to completely represent a person
and my last real attempt at Grandpa Joe’s
accurately. Grandpa Joe was the hardest
logo ended up being a similar idea to the
to make a logo for but I wanted to try and
second, but nothing at all like the last two
challenge myself and create something
logos I had made. I tried my hardest to
accurate to him. The above images show
catch the essence of Grandpa Joe through
the progression of Grandpa Joe’s logo.
his hair since I found it really unique to
It started off as too specific, referencing
him.
something that barely anyone would have
Finale product.
05
book cover design
For this week, working on the book cover
was happy with. I had made a handful of
project has been my greatest struggle.
designs that I felt were pretty strong and
Really hammering out a solid concept
choosing the strongest one was difficult
that corresponds accurately with the
but rewarding because it turned out
book title is not easy I’m learning. I never
great in the end. If there was anything I
really expected to be easy, just not as
regretted it was maybe that I didn’t make
difficult as it is now. I chose the political
the Gerrymandered Wisconsin look more
title mainly because politics is something
like Wisconsin. I had gotten mixed reviews
that is important to me and should be to
about how it looked, but in the end I kept
most everyone. If you don’t know what’s
is a more amorphous shape because I
going on in your own country, then can
wanted to keep emulating the child-like
you really call yourself apart of it? It took
scribblings. They’re not very accurate or
a lot of brooding to think of a concept that
controlled looking, and for that reason I
I felt really encased the whole meaning
kept Wisconsin a less refined shape.
behind the book. I ended mainly using my own associations about government and the positive and negatives that come with it to help give me a concept that I
05
book cover design
Semi-rendered sketches of my three strongest ideas.
Here I decided on an idea and began to work and play around with it.
05
book cover design: concept statement
Finale product.
06
design methods process book
This has to be by far my favorite project
my book that go off the edge, so I need
that has been given in this class! I love
to figure out how I am going to print this
bookmaking and being able to see the
correctly. I love how my book has turned
progression of all my work in this class is
out so much and I don’t want to change
great too. I’ve never made a book using
anything, but I know that if it’s best, then
InDesign before and trying to organize all
it’s best. I did some digging around in the
of my art and writing on top of figuring
art library for some inspiration. I went and
out a consistent aesthetic is difficult. In
looked through some of the typography
the beginning, I felt like I was constantly
books that were available to see what
at war with how I wanted things to look
elements I can use to create an appealing
aesthetically and how I wanted to organize
and engaging book.
it all. Not just that, but I can already tell
Hopefully I can work out the kinks
that there are going to be some issues
somehow and have something in my hands
printing.
that I love and am proud of.
Due to the parameters that were given, it was highly recommended to not have anything on our spreads that would go to the edge of the page. Well, of course, miss-difficult-me, I have some things in
06
design methods process book
Process shots of different iterations I played around with while making this process journal.
01
personal projects
MY LOGO A lot of the projects that we have done
helped me create my overall brand. The
this semester really inspired me to do my
decision to make the ginkgo leaf yellow
own little projects off to the side. The
was intentional because I didn’t want
logo project not only inspired me, but also
to make the leaf a traditional green, as
helped me understand the elements to
much as I love the color. I wanted a color
creating a logo. I used this new knowledge
and catches the eye and I remembered
to help me create my own logo so that
reading somewhere that the color yellow
way I have something that I can put on
is noticed by the human eye quicker. I
all my social media and projects that
added the darker orange to help contrast
can represent me and be used as a part
the yellow and make seem brighter. While
of branding myself. Just like with the
creating this, I kept looking back at the
logo project, I went through the whole
Gestalt Principles to make sure that I was
process of creating a logo I felt properly
creating something that was at least semi-
represented me. In my sketchbook I started
successful. After working out if I wanted
by taking down notes of things that like
to incorporate text or not, I ended up with
or incorporate often in my art. Eventually
something that I am happy with and now
I chose a ginkgo leaf because it fit my
use for my art blog, YouTube, and even on
love and frequent use of plants. I chose
the cover of this project.
the ginkgo leaf specifically because my main art blog was called “Ginko Art” which My YouTube banner.
I chose to make my logo symmetrical because I found it more aesthetically appealing and grounding to the viewers eye.
02
personal projects
FEMINIST POSTER Something that has always been very
design. The tampon string curling into a
important to me and appears often
dollar sign as well as being apart of the
in my work is feminism. From a young
initial quote itself I find to be very powerful
age it has always been something that I
and interactive..
have advocated, and as I grew, I started incorporating it into my art so I can help create make an impact in my community. After the poster project, I was very inspired to continue making posters, especially now that I had some knowledge on how to use illustrator and how to print. Using a similar method to how we created our poster projects in class I started making my own personal poster as a side project. I had read a quote by Cristina Garcia about the tampon tax that really helped fuel this poster. The luxury tax on tampons has been something that has always bothered me and many others. My concept was simple but I am proud of my overall
does it fly
Final product.
03
personal projects
BOOK MAKING Something that I have done since I was
the quotes through visual metaphors. The
in elementary school was create books. I
illustrative style that the overall zine is in,
have always been writing and illustrating
is one that I use in a lot of my work. It is
and I thought it only necessary to bring
very angular and flat toned, almost never
it all together into a book. This is still
adding shading.
something that I enjoy and do often even today. As of recent, I have been keeping
  My overall product didn’t exactly come
myself busy by hand making mini multi-
out as I would have liked. For the zine I
media sketchbooks for sale. Something
wanted to use the simple method of using
that I have been experimenting with even
a single sheet of paper into eighths, make
more recently is zines. I always saw them
a slit and then fold. The text size and color
and heard what type of impact that they
of my illustrations all came out perfect, the
make and felt really inspired to make my
biggest problem with printing I am facing
own, focusing on the female body and the
is learning bleeds and trying to get the
self in general. Majority of the quotes that
whole image to the end of the paper.
I used were geared towards sexual abuse, femininity, and self worth. All of these topics are important to me and many others, and I wanted to create a book that emphasized these topics and portray
03
personal projects
Design Methods by Shayla Kerr was designed, printed, and bound by Shayla Kerr in Spring of 2018 at the University of Louisville for ART 205. The Body Text used was Josephine Semi-Bold 10/16. Header Text used was Ubuntu Bold 44/31.
does it fly