Self-portrait Propaganda Poster

 

The second major project for Vectors in Adobe Illustrator consisted of making a self-portrait. The first step was choosing a picture, and I decided to go with the one I used for the first HW assignment. After choosing the picture, I had to create a new document in AI. I opened the picture in a layer and then locked it. In a new layer, I started to trace myself with the pen tool. For certain parts, I used the reflection tool to equal both sides. After tracing the whole portrait, it was time for the hard part, adding color. Choosing the right colors and shades was hard because it either looked too animated or looked zero like the picture. I quickly realized that the problem wasn’t the color and that small details on the face made a huge impact. After a few hours of working on the self-portrait, I was satisfied with the outcome. However, after viewing other portraits from my classmates and examples on the internet, I knew I had to make changes.

Ultimately, I change the skin tone to my actual color by using the drop tool. I did the same with every part of the portrait, and it did make it more professional. I then fixed the nose and added different tones around it to show where the light was coming from. I was finally happy with the result and decided to start the next part of the project.

I proceeded to group the portrait and start a new layer. For part two, I needed to choose a topic for my propaganda. I decided to focus my propaganda poster on self-improvement. I wanted to be creative and show that change needs to start today rather than worrying about the future. Time does not stop, so the future will come. When people realize that improvement is about today, not tomorrow, everything becomes clearer, and it becomes easier to focus. 

That is why I decided to create a tunnel. The tunnel would use perception to showcase a distant door of light surrounded by dashes that represent time. It showed that if you focus on yourself today, the future will be brighter. I enjoyed creating this poster and didn't really struggle with anything. I got to test all the skills I learned and used every tool I was familiar with. I created and merged shapes, used Pathfinder, added color swatches, edited text, and more. I was more than satisfied with the final outcome, as I got to be creative and entertain myself in the process. I plan to keep using Adobe Illustrator and improve it. 

Photoshop Tutorials

 This five-minute Photoshop tutorial was the perfect video to start with. It briefly introduced Photoshop and its tools. I realized that the basic function of Photoshop is a little like Illustrator. You create layers, overlay layers, add effects, and make arrangements/adjustments. The adjustments panel gives you all the color options and basic photo editing. This Adobe application gives many options to play around with, and I am eager to learn more about each of its tools. 

The effects are my favorite part of the tutorial and something that interests me. Photoshop offers many options in the filter section: 3D, blur, blur gallery, distort, noise, pixelate, stylize, etc. Each of these effect selections has selections to choose the one of preference. For example, the distort option has a sphere selection where the photograph becomes spherical and looks like a “fish eye.” Nonetheless, I look forward to trying this effect on future projects.

This tutorial was my favorite of all. One of the first lines of the video was, “Photoshop is a program to edit and create images made up of pixels.” I had never thought of it that way, and I always thought that Photoshop was the editing of a picture (sort of a collage). I learned that a pixel is a small box. with just one color. Each pixel with a certain color comes together to create an image. Moreover, I like that the function of Photoshop is similar to Illustrator, as the home option looks the same, and files are stored in the same way. 

The tutorial covered everything you need to know before starting to create. It states that the workspace is something completely personal as it is customized to how you work and the kind of projects that you do. Understanding each panel and option will make it easier to know what is needed. The one thing I will struggle with is remembering all the small but important things when starting a project. For instance, the canvas was something I didn’t quite get. This is one of the last things explained in the video; therefore, one of the most advanced. It was intriguing how you can merge different canvases, but I do not understand if you can overlay them or make them into one canvas. 

The last tutorial I watched was specific to a certain function. It was an addition to the other tutorials, and it only focused on Photoshop layers. Layers are the foundation of Adobe, and I know that layers in Photoshop are the same as layers in Illustrator, but as my father always tells me, “repetition makes perfect.” The video explained how the layers are created as multiple images, one on top of the other. By stacking images on top of each other through different layers, you can create a whole different world. Everything that you do in Photoshop is made of layers, and you decide what goes into each. Layers are one of the most important things in Adobe, as they give you independent control over every element. 

While working in Illustrator, I sometimes forgot to create a new layer, which made it difficult to edit certain things. This is the main reason why I decided to watch a video tutorial only on layers. As the tutorial states, layers are always handy for exploring design alternatives, and doing it all in one layer will result in a mess. Now, I feel a lot more comfortable with the basic function of layers. With a better understanding of their function, I realize that they are the building blocks of every document you create. From now on, I’ll definitely always remember to use layers and keep my designs organized. 

Logo

LOGO SKETCH

    

The second project for FMX 210 consisted of creating a unique logo for our persona. Not only did we need to design our own logo, but it had to be something we would tattoo on our forehead. After considering it, I decided to include my initials in each sketch. I quickly realized that I was looking at the project the wrong way. I was trying to be too professional and simple when the point was to create something different and representative. Nevertheless, if there is something I deeply love, it is my family, and if there is something I admire, it’s hard work. That is why I had to base my logo on those two things. I started researching objects that symbolize loyalty, strength, passion, etc. In the end, I went with my favorite animal, the jaguar. Jaguars symbolize strength and courage, two qualities involved in hard work. 
What better way to represent a jaguar in my logo than to use its print? Adding the jaguar print as a background symbolized my strength of hard work, and the idea was completed by adding a wolf print. Wolfs represent loyalty and strong ties to family, something I deeply admire. The final logo idea consisted of the jaguar print in a circle and a wolf's paw. It symbolized how my family and my admiration for them marked my hard work. 

                                                                                 B/W LOGO

    After finalizing the sketch, I had to bring the logo to life with Adobe Illustrator. The first creation of this logo had to be in black and white. I did not struggle while creating the logo, as I am familiar with the basic tools of Illustrator. Add the sketch to a layer and trace it with the pen tool. Then, I created the paw by merging shapes through Pathfinder. After the logo was traced out and ready, I filled the circle and added the jaguar spots with the paintbrush tool. This black-and-white version was one of my favorites.

                                               THREE COLORED LOGO'S

    The last part of this project was to create three color versions of the logo. The first color version I created was a regular yellow and black jaguar print with a white paw on top. I had to use the actual colors of a jaguar print in order to give the logo a real feel. However, my favorite part about the color versions was searching for color themes on Adobe Color. I searched for different terms describing my logo and how its symbolization made me feel.  I chose orange, black, and gray colors for the second version of the logo. These colors showed up when I searched “curiosity.” I am a curious person, and I believe that is a strong quality.

    

    The paw had the orange, and I became curious because of my family and how I was raised. My father always encouraged me to think outside the box and to stop and ask whenever I got curious. The black sports and gray background gave a nice contrast to the paw. The last version of the colored logo was inspired by the word professional. It is a clean use of colors, using blue, light gray, and dark gray. This was my favorite version, as it reassembled aspects of my letter to self in project one. I owe everything to my family, and my future will hopefully make them proud. I believe this version of the logo is the right fit for describing the feeling. I would never tattoo my forehead, but if I had to do it, I would proudly wear this logo.

 

Calligramme Project

    The Calligramme project was definitely a great introduction to Adobe Illustrator. I had never used Adobe, but I had seen work others created with the application. I always found it intriguing that people created astonishing things using basic shapes or tools. Now that I finally have the opportunity to learn to use Adobe, I encountered my first project of many. It consisted of writing a letter to our future self 20 years from now. The words themselves reflected a timeless truth through a professional and elegant approach. Nevertheless, the second part of the project consisted of making a sketch that symbolized the letter. I drew a man in a shirt and tie. 

    It isn’t necessarily describing how I want to look in 20 years; instead, it's how I want to feel. The words in yellow above both shoulders—pride, professionalism, timelessness, dreams, opportunities, and inspiration—showcase what I most want in this life. To be a good example towards others and myself. 

Moreover, as you can tell, the project took its final form when the sketch had to be created through text only. It was a long process, but I enjoyed every second of it. I learned to use the basic tools in Adobe Illustrator and expanded my creative knowledge. I look forward to the next project, as I'll continue to develop more skills and better understand the application. 

Letter:

Dear you,

I write this letter with love and admiration, as I can’t wait to see how far you’ve gone. I say “you” because the truth is that you are who I admire, and today, I am who you used to see dream. Right now, life is good but not perfect. I am a second-semester junior working part-time in Media and Services for UT. I am pursuing a career as an entrepreneur but, most importantly, a creator. Now, on the personal side, I am content, but I’ve seen people that I love get hurt by lies. So, I won’t lie to you and say that, to some extent, I am afraid. I fear life won’t turn out how I want it to. Nevertheless, I know I’ll make it and that you’ll be proud when reading this at 41. 

You know how hard life can get; I can only imagine it gets harder. With these dreams and ambitions that I have, you will have accomplished them or at least tried without giving up as you read this. Without giving too much context, my ideas will become a reality and portray what I’ve always known we are capable of. After graduating college, I want to get a job in the advertising industry to understand the creative world. I don’t want to waste much time working for a company that builds someone else's dream. Instead, I want to pursue my dream of building my own company. I hope to foster an excellent example for my family, friends, colleagues, and company members. To keep those I love the most and continue to meet great people. 

Every time I think about what my life will be like, I imagine a whole different person. Countless things will change from when I write this letter to when you read it. I can imagine you reading this while sitting beside your beautiful wife and children in the outdoor living room of your beautiful home. Through that hardworking ethic and all the skills that build our persona, dreaming big is merely the start. 

I know you’ll be professional and timeless when facing an opportunity. I’ve probably said this a lot, but through your pride, dreams will be accomplished, and your life will settle for the color blue— our favorite —reflected in the sky, promoting a state of inspiration, wisdom, and peace. 

Go on and make me proud. 

With love,

Your young self