Dictionary definition: Adjective Not present in a place, at an occasion, or as part of something.
2. Someone not paying attention to what is being said or done
Personal definition: Having no presence in a location, missing in action from something, not being a part of an event or memory.
Monday, October 21, 2013
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Understanding Comics
As a character designer I was already aware ahead of time of some of the concepts that the Understanding comics book was trying to address. I already knew that in order for a character to be successful the audience needs to be able to identify with the character in some way, by putting themselves in the characters shoes it lets them imagine that they are the character.
Immersion and relation are the perfect ways to make a character successful, if there is nothing for the viewer to relate to then they are more likely to ignore the character and what the character is trying to display or say. Humans are indeed selfish creatures, we fight over land and try to communicate our ideals just so we can make our egos seem bigger than they are. That is why human characters or characters with human emotions are much more successful.
We project ourselves into these blank slates so that we can live our fantasies through them. I wholeheartedly agree with the book, successful design plays off of this as well. A product that the consumer is able to see themselves using is more likely to sell than a product that is foreign to the consumer. We are more likely to go with what we are comfortable with and what we can see ourselves using than something that could be of unknown origins.
That is another issue when it comes to character design, because we fear the unknown characters that do not play to a trope or a stereotype makes it harder for the person to relate to. That is why I try to avoid the tropes, I know humans are selfish, I believe if I can create something that goes AGAINST what others want it will make it a much more refreshing experience for those who are willing to experiment. I am about experimentation, about making the regular public mad. I am not here to serve your desires, I am here to provide something for everyone not just you.
Immersion and relation are the perfect ways to make a character successful, if there is nothing for the viewer to relate to then they are more likely to ignore the character and what the character is trying to display or say. Humans are indeed selfish creatures, we fight over land and try to communicate our ideals just so we can make our egos seem bigger than they are. That is why human characters or characters with human emotions are much more successful.
We project ourselves into these blank slates so that we can live our fantasies through them. I wholeheartedly agree with the book, successful design plays off of this as well. A product that the consumer is able to see themselves using is more likely to sell than a product that is foreign to the consumer. We are more likely to go with what we are comfortable with and what we can see ourselves using than something that could be of unknown origins.
That is another issue when it comes to character design, because we fear the unknown characters that do not play to a trope or a stereotype makes it harder for the person to relate to. That is why I try to avoid the tropes, I know humans are selfish, I believe if I can create something that goes AGAINST what others want it will make it a much more refreshing experience for those who are willing to experiment. I am about experimentation, about making the regular public mad. I am not here to serve your desires, I am here to provide something for everyone not just you.
Writers Toolbox
The main aim of the writers toolbox is to show that brainstorming and writing down ideas with words and images at the same time can stimulate the brain. It claims to help organize a designers thoughts and to make the creative process easier if it is written down in a concept map that can be connected to more than one possibility.
From a personal perspective the concept map idea wasn't adopted by me until right when this group project started. We were required to choose an object and to write down ideas that could be implemented into making it better without the use of pictures. It took a lot of negotiation and thoughtfulness but we were able to pull it off by the use of verbs and actions that describe the object.
For me when I create characters I do not focus on writing down the characters name and writing a concept map. Though I do have a similar method when it comes to the creative process. I tend to implement writing by thinking of a characters personality and their likes and dislikes and sometimes even their personal history. These character bios that I write are documents that I can refer to when I design the concept art.
The writers toolbox basically says that writing is a massive helper when it comes to creating something either visually or just with words. Writing helps you brainstorm and it helps you develop the concept further than with just images alone. Though I work most with drawings, writing does massively improve the characters I create and the drawings I make that much is for certain.
From a personal perspective the concept map idea wasn't adopted by me until right when this group project started. We were required to choose an object and to write down ideas that could be implemented into making it better without the use of pictures. It took a lot of negotiation and thoughtfulness but we were able to pull it off by the use of verbs and actions that describe the object.
For me when I create characters I do not focus on writing down the characters name and writing a concept map. Though I do have a similar method when it comes to the creative process. I tend to implement writing by thinking of a characters personality and their likes and dislikes and sometimes even their personal history. These character bios that I write are documents that I can refer to when I design the concept art.
The writers toolbox basically says that writing is a massive helper when it comes to creating something either visually or just with words. Writing helps you brainstorm and it helps you develop the concept further than with just images alone. Though I work most with drawings, writing does massively improve the characters I create and the drawings I make that much is for certain.
Written response to IDEO
Watching the IDEO company design video was actually really fascinating, as a child my original perception of the designing department included the typical cubicles and blueprints. But as a child I actually dreaded going into this department, not being able to draw and design what I desire but rather having to follow the rules and regulations of someone above me bothered me to a degree.
I have always perceived good design as being useful and enjoyable, but in my mind when I was younger I always thought that by conforming to what others want you are removing what makes the job enjoyable to you in the first place. I was reluctant to show that I could draw because I didn't want to be stuck inside a cubicle for the rest of my life.
In IDEO while being in a cubicle and following the bosses rules is part of the job, its not the only thing that every designing company has to offer. Collaboration with your group and exchanging ideas makes the process of creating easier, working with others towards a similar goal can be quite enjoyable on its own merit.
While not every designing company will have the freedom and prosperity that the people at IDEO do it makes the perception of working in groups a little easier to bear. And trust me, I usually prefer to work alone so when I heard we had to work in groups to redesign an object I was originally horrified. But after stepping back and trying to work it through my head I come to realize the collaborating with others is not so bad. Sure we don't have the same freedom or resources as the people at IDEO do. But maybe if we adopt the same attitude of being positive and valuing each others ideas it makes the entire thing a little bit easier to adjust to. And in my case it worked wonders.
I have always perceived good design as being useful and enjoyable, but in my mind when I was younger I always thought that by conforming to what others want you are removing what makes the job enjoyable to you in the first place. I was reluctant to show that I could draw because I didn't want to be stuck inside a cubicle for the rest of my life.
In IDEO while being in a cubicle and following the bosses rules is part of the job, its not the only thing that every designing company has to offer. Collaboration with your group and exchanging ideas makes the process of creating easier, working with others towards a similar goal can be quite enjoyable on its own merit.
While not every designing company will have the freedom and prosperity that the people at IDEO do it makes the perception of working in groups a little easier to bear. And trust me, I usually prefer to work alone so when I heard we had to work in groups to redesign an object I was originally horrified. But after stepping back and trying to work it through my head I come to realize the collaborating with others is not so bad. Sure we don't have the same freedom or resources as the people at IDEO do. But maybe if we adopt the same attitude of being positive and valuing each others ideas it makes the entire thing a little bit easier to adjust to. And in my case it worked wonders.
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Dan Norman Video
The video was about three corresponding emotional responses that all designers must entice in their customers in order to make their design a success. Making people happy is what design is meant to be used for, in order to provide something aesthetically pleasing and simple to enjoy. But what about the designer who creates the object or design?
Sure making people happy is just one of the core concepts of creating a successful design, but what would happen if we did not get one of those emotional responses that the video named? Would that make the designer who put their heart and soul into the design a failure? Just because one person does not respond to the design in such a way does not mean it is a complete lost cause. It takes time and effort in order to get people to respond the way they are supposed to respond in order for the design to be deemed "successful."
Adapting to peoples demands and emotions is key to becoming a designer who can be depended on to create something that will draw people to the product. I know of that and I have known of that for a long time. But does that mean that the designer must completely give up their experience and style in order to make money? Design should not be all about money and attracting costumers, the designer should set aside time to make themselves happy while balancing the money making so that their job doesnt become dull and boring.
Sure making people happy is just one of the core concepts of creating a successful design, but what would happen if we did not get one of those emotional responses that the video named? Would that make the designer who put their heart and soul into the design a failure? Just because one person does not respond to the design in such a way does not mean it is a complete lost cause. It takes time and effort in order to get people to respond the way they are supposed to respond in order for the design to be deemed "successful."
Adapting to peoples demands and emotions is key to becoming a designer who can be depended on to create something that will draw people to the product. I know of that and I have known of that for a long time. But does that mean that the designer must completely give up their experience and style in order to make money? Design should not be all about money and attracting costumers, the designer should set aside time to make themselves happy while balancing the money making so that their job doesnt become dull and boring.
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Summary of Project
What did I learn from this project? That design is picky and demanding and that you not only have to go step by step from what they provide you but they expect you to do what they tell you exactly as they tell you and when they tell you. You cannot work on your own schedule it has to be by a deadline that they set for you and that if you need to learn to adapt in order to get it to work.
How does my project demonstrate good design and good color usage? My poster is simple in design, its aim is to showcase the various colors that the nintendo 3DS comes in. I did not rely heavily on the 3DS's features like I originally intended instead I decided to take a much more simple approach. Simplicity is the name of my design and my poster aims to reflect that without distracting the viewer. How it used good color usage is a little bit more difficult to explain. My 3DS and all other 3DSs tend to come in different colors of different shades and values. Not all colors of the system compliment the others and not all shades are the exact same type. Instead I decided to focus on the chromatic aspect, I decided to darken the chroma on the poster in order to get the 3DS rainbow to match in at least in some shape. That way it is easier for the viewer to look at without their eyes trailing all over the page.
What would I do differently? I would go back and use my own hand drawn pictures more rather than relying on the photos that I can find on the internet. Drawing by pencil and paper is my strongest aspect and I wish I could have figured out how to scan earlier that way I could have used my own sketches in the final piece more than I did.
What was the most difficult part? Trying to have the patience to work at the design classes pace rather than my own. I enjoy design most when I can do it for my pleasure and for my aims rather than having to meet the criteria of someone else. But accepting criticism and working around deadlines is part of the experience and I had to learn the hard way to accept that. Also learning to use Indesign on the mac desktops since I dont have my own was a hassle as well.
Did my ideas about design change? Of course they did, not really from a professional standpoint but rather from my own personal one. I had to learn to adapt to their rules and expectations while also following my own interests and principles. I am pretty confident that my poster shows what is required of me while also adding my own personal opinion and style to it.
How does my project demonstrate good design and good color usage? My poster is simple in design, its aim is to showcase the various colors that the nintendo 3DS comes in. I did not rely heavily on the 3DS's features like I originally intended instead I decided to take a much more simple approach. Simplicity is the name of my design and my poster aims to reflect that without distracting the viewer. How it used good color usage is a little bit more difficult to explain. My 3DS and all other 3DSs tend to come in different colors of different shades and values. Not all colors of the system compliment the others and not all shades are the exact same type. Instead I decided to focus on the chromatic aspect, I decided to darken the chroma on the poster in order to get the 3DS rainbow to match in at least in some shape. That way it is easier for the viewer to look at without their eyes trailing all over the page.
What would I do differently? I would go back and use my own hand drawn pictures more rather than relying on the photos that I can find on the internet. Drawing by pencil and paper is my strongest aspect and I wish I could have figured out how to scan earlier that way I could have used my own sketches in the final piece more than I did.
What was the most difficult part? Trying to have the patience to work at the design classes pace rather than my own. I enjoy design most when I can do it for my pleasure and for my aims rather than having to meet the criteria of someone else. But accepting criticism and working around deadlines is part of the experience and I had to learn the hard way to accept that. Also learning to use Indesign on the mac desktops since I dont have my own was a hassle as well.
Did my ideas about design change? Of course they did, not really from a professional standpoint but rather from my own personal one. I had to learn to adapt to their rules and expectations while also following my own interests and principles. I am pretty confident that my poster shows what is required of me while also adding my own personal opinion and style to it.
Written description of project
The first project of the semester is trying to select one object and making a poster that focuses on that object from a marketing standpoint without relying heavily on text. The aim is to get us to balance color theory while also using basic designing principles to create a poster that will attract the audience while also managing to give the aim of the object without distracting them. The poster has to be in color and has to focus on the object of our choice.
Because I have experience in the video game field, I have chosen my nintendo 3DS as my object. There is no set color theory but instead there will be a focus on chroma because the 3DS comes in various colors that do not always match each other. My original aim was to focus on the different features of the 3Ds but now I am focusing on the different colors that the system comes in. A rainbow of sorts with aim towards a comparison of Skittles as well. There will not be any rainbow text or rainbow colors because that is just a cheap tool to rely on plus it will only distract without providing anything that the poster can benefit from.
Because I have experience in the video game field, I have chosen my nintendo 3DS as my object. There is no set color theory but instead there will be a focus on chroma because the 3DS comes in various colors that do not always match each other. My original aim was to focus on the different features of the 3Ds but now I am focusing on the different colors that the system comes in. A rainbow of sorts with aim towards a comparison of Skittles as well. There will not be any rainbow text or rainbow colors because that is just a cheap tool to rely on plus it will only distract without providing anything that the poster can benefit from.
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