Media Design: Color and Balance

This magazine print shot is stimulating to the viewer both visually and comprehensively. The design of the ad works because there is high contrast, high resolution, high color visibility and balance. There are four main colors in this design piece. The bright green compliments the deep blue on the eyes, and the black gloves and neck-piece work with the pale skin and blonde hair. All the colors together are used consistently throughout the ad. The colors are used to convey meaning and they work together to tell a story to the viewer that is neither distracting nor confusing. The use of color enhances the experience to the eye.

Another design component I love in this ad is the composition and balance. Because the eye is more attracted to color than to a neutral image, a small area of color, especially the bright green, can balance a larger neutral, skin in this case, or dully colored area. The small ringlet of hair, which is farther away from the center, balances the larger shiny neck-piece. It is at the center of the design. The hand on the top left corner also brings attention to the blue eye-piece. By placing the black glove next to the skin and sharp blue eye area, the combination with both the eye-piece and the neck-piece work tremendously well together. Neither is distracting to the balance of the work.
An unbalanced object will cause discomfort in a viewer. Both sides of the design balance each other which gives it a certain calm and stability. As a result, the viewer's attention goes toward the center of the design which is the shiny, heavy neck-piece.

I also think that there is an interaction between color and composition where we can find balance that creates unity in the design.

Stamp: American First Class Actress(s)

This stamp features Katherine Hepburn as the main "face" of my work. The other actresses are Grace Kelly on the top left corner, Bette Davis on the top right, and Audrey Hepburn on the bottom left with Elizabeth Taylor on the lower right hand corner.

I used Photoshop to include pictures of the actresses on the US postage stamp. The actresses from the 1940s and 1950s American cinema era compliment the color and style of the stamp which gives it an authentic vintage appeal.

Best of Stills : Shoes Tell A Story

What does your shoe say about you??

These shots were taken around college of studens wearing interesting and fun shoes. Sophia and I were really interested in hearing the stories behind the shoes and the students were kind enough to share some of them.

The pretty camel pair with the lace,the student bought them at Strawberry about a year ago, and they are her favorite pair. She needs to get them re-soled but she keeps wearing them anyway because they "go with everything" she wears. The second pair, the student reveals that she got them as a birthday present from her mom. She had seen them online and wanted them badly,and her mom suprised her. She wears them almost everyday.
The third pair, belongs to a young lady who loves vintage shopping. She bought her beige boots at a vintage store in Rochester, New York, earlier in the year, and she absolutely loves them. The checkered preppy sneakers belongs to a gentleman who says he has over fifty pairs of sneakers. He bought these, Polo, online because "they looked cool" and they were at a really great price. And last, the gold vintage-inspired pair of sneakers belongs to a young man who lives downtown Manhattan. He says they were really expensive and was quite flattered when we asked to photograph his shoes. He says that they are very comfortable and stylish,and enjoys wearing them.

We thank the students for participating in our photography session.

Mr. Potato Head

Class MEDP150:51

This is my first time using Photoshop. It is simple, I know, but I had a difficult time putting it together. Thanks to Grayson in the Media Lab, I was able to do this. Thank you Grayson! You are awesome!!!!!!