TECHNICAL
Technical steps I took in creating this piece were using brushes, shapes and pictures and combining them to create a very simple one-toned flag. I used a brush if the tree and then copy and pasted parts of it to create leaves blowing off of it. I used different colours.
IDEA OR CONCEPT
Ideas I used in this piece were to show in this piece was to show one united world. I showed a man's strength and individuality by showing one tree. I showed undividedness by using a circle, I linked them together to show strength that comes with unity of everyone. I tried to show freedom and peace by the gracefulness of a flying bird. I showed an earth y using dots to show people across the world. My idea which changed throughout the creation was using multi-coloured objects or a lot of colour within my flag. I wanted to use this to show equality, but in using a few simple colours, which were balanced, I created the same effect.
INFLUENCES
The piece which influenced me the most in creating this image was an Internet example shown of the earth in red made into a cartoon heart shape, with a white circle around it with a blue background. I liked the colour combination and simplicity of the flag.
COMPOSITION
I balanced my flag asymmetrically. I put emphasis with my tree by putting it on top of the other graphics and creating it red. Movement is created in this flag by having leaves blown off of the tree around it. Movement is also made by having the birds fly in a group to the one side as well. The viewer eyes move around my piece beginning looking at the tree, then to the circle surrounding the tree with the dots in it. Eyes next move to the circle linked to the other and then to the flying birds.
MOTIVATION
Beyond fulfilling the requirements for this assignment, my motivation for creating this piece was to be able to portray a symbol or symbols which represent everyone across the globe. I also wanted to show togetherness and something which could bring people together similar to how Olympic games are supposed to, only being able to reach everyone, unlike the Olympic games.
CRITICAL ASSESSMENT
Elements I find most successful and interesting are the contrast of the blue and red. Although they are not direct compliment colours, they are so close they are able to create contrast and interest. I also find my world successful as it unlike the classic image of the earth in the globe but still shows that it is the world as it has the effect of the dots inside the circle. Parts of the process of the creation of this piece that surprised me was how difficult or how much thought must be put into such a simplistic graphic images. With additional time, I would like to improve my tree. Because my tree is composition of two tree brushes, there are parts of the trunk in the centre which do not mesh or blend together well.
Navigation throughout my portfolio I believe to be easy to understand and click by having them visible, readable fonts which remain in the same spots throughout the pages of my portfolio. I plan on having something similar to a logo for myself, of my name on each of the pages, in the same spot in order to increase the ease of navigation. The information will be clearly identifiable and readable by using a legible font and by organising my ideas . For one of my pages I have my work being displayed through a key hole into my dresser drawer. My work is displayed on pages in it. By having the work organised, it will more usable. Information and text will be easy to find and display by using contrasting colours from background and text and making sure emphasis is put where it should be (on text for my resume, about me page, on my work for that page) and not by distracting too much by the background from the important information. This will be a combination of professional and creative because it uses a creative theme, but this theme is more simplistic and lighter colours will be used.
TECHNICAL
In creating this piece I used Photoshop to edit the pictures and then animated and added sound in Macromedia Flash. I began by changing the colours in the picture to make them more realistic, normal colours (changing the yellow walls to white) and by dodging and burning the slightest bit the image. I then used the clone stamp tool to edit various unnecessary, distracting people and objects out of the image. I added neon looking letters to the stage by adding a layer style to the text layer which gave it an 'outer glow'. I created the stage lights by making cone-like shapes, and erasing parts of them and making them with a gradient. I created floor lights by making rectangular shapes and changing their opacity and style to 'luminosity'. I also added the picture of speakers and created lights on the wall by creating shapes and just as the text, changing the layer style to 'outer glow'.
IDEA OR CONCEPT
The idea I eventually used in this piece was that school spirit encourages school community which is important to build and maintain. The message of this space in this piece is to encourage excitement and community with the school. The purpose would to encourage students to get greater involved and excited about the school. I kept my original plans, which was to have lights in the floor which interact with people walking on them, as well as music being played. I was unable in this animation to show the cheers being displayed on the floor. I was also unable to show the lines or courts being not painted on the floor but made of LED lights.
INFLUENCES
An piece of interactive architecture which inspired me in creating this piece was, the Ocean of Light. Its interaction with the viewer with its use of changing LED lights was what I found inspiring to create this piece.
COMPOSITION
The balance of this piece is symmetrical. I put even amounts of colour and lights on both the top and bottom as well as the left and right. There is emphasis put on the lights on the stage because they change colour and are bright. I also tried to show the interaction between the floor and players as important by having the players move and the lights move with them. Your eye move around the image as in the beginning you are simply looking at the players but as they move and the lights shine and change, the viewer understands it is not only about the game, but the school.
MOTIVATION
Beyond fulfilling the requirements of this assignment, my motivation for completing this piece was to be able try to show the importance of school community through this piece. It is very easy to go through high school without appreciating the experience. Without stopping to realise that students and teacher interaction can be very important, especially through ages which you are growing. It is good to rely on others and being able to show that within a community, there are people there to help you. I wanted to show that it is perhaps not easy, but it is important to interact with all of the classmates around you.
CRITICAL ASSESSMENT
Elements I found most successful in this piece are the use of neon changing coloured lights on the stage. I found these successful because I was able to actually show the letters as glowing letters which I like. I also found the animation of the changing stage lights successful because, although it is simple, it is also effective. The sound within the animation, I was pleased with because I struggled with creating a stop and start with the sound, as while trying to do it, I found myself almost wrecking the rest of the animation. Elements I would improve, with time allowing me would be the animation of the players and the lights. I would have liked to show the players walk and actually have some of the lights disappear as they moved. Parts through creating this piece that surprised me would be how difficult I found it to create the floor lights and that I was mostly able to remember how to animate using flash.
