XXXII LAST EGD POST

This is the last post for my EGD Journey blog, thank you for joining me on this journey for the past 16 weeks. Can't believe I'm close to ending a semester of poly life, seems like school just started yesterday..

Though there were many challenges along the way, like because I'm more of a left-brain thinker (I think that I am), EGD has never been easy for me. But I guess overall, EGD wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. It's probably the first design related lesson that I enjoy. From learning the basics like theory/principles of design to the more hands-on - Photoshop, Illustrator and not to forget InDesign.

I enjoyed the process of getting your final work done, though it wasn't easy. I think the satisfaction you get after seeing your final work complete is what pushes me to go on. This is a set of skills that I'm glad I've learnt, even though I may or may not end up in magazine production or related stuffs. It has made me appreciate and look at publications in a different light, due to the access of "behind-the-scenes"work.

A BIG thank you to Ms Teh for making lessons so much more interesting and easier to digest! Though this assignment is a long one, I've never seen it as an assignment anyway. EGD lessons is coming to an end for this semester and I think it has indeed been a fruitful one.

I'll miss this place

XXXI Group Project (3)

We barely started on our group project and finally got down to work today. Man, it's tough. We were kind of lost because we don't know where or what to start on first. And seeing all our other classmates doing fine wasn't exactly encouraging either but it pushes us to get the work done.

We started on our style sheet first but we spent a lot of time deciding what fonts to use, would this be better etc. Looking for the pictures wasn't easy either because we wanted this picture to be of a certain angle but no pictures on the net we found could fit. Also, we used only one computer to do our work but we realized that it was slower this way and decided to spilt up the work.

Everyone's down to doing a certain part of the final work and we'll come together to show what we have tomorrow. Let's hope we can get at least 80% done tomorrow!!

don't give up now, the finishing line is near. 

XXX Group Project (2)

This week's studio B was spent on discussing more details on our group project. The pictures below shows our final draft. Changes have been made after consulting Ms Teh and I can't wait to see the end product on screen! 

However, because the pictures we want/plan to use are not easy to find, that we even thought of going down to Sentosa and take photos ourselves!?! We were asked to look for the pictures we want to use first, before getting down to do up the newsletter. Here's to more 'squinting eyes' session to look for pictures! 

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XXIX Group Project (1)

Because we got stuck for our design and we were lost for creative ideas, (or rather because there were many submissions to be done before this), my group decided to go to Google and search for some inspiration. We managed to find quite a number of good designs that we plan to use. (Keyword: plan, may or may not use at the end of the day.) Here's a couple of pictures of what we found!

 

XXVIII Group Project

The group project is to create a newsletter using InDesign and Photoshop (pictures). After much discussion, my group has decided to do a newsletter for Sentosa's club members, also known as 'Islanders'. The newsletter would include past events, what's going to happen in the next few months, some good-to-know facts, ads and benefits of the Islanders.

We struggled at just thinking of what our newsletter should be about. Which was really funny because everyone was already starting on their draft and our group was stuck at what we're going to. We decided on RWS Sentosa at first, but it wasn't approved because we didn't have a 'main idea' or rather what the newsletter is for so Ms Teh suggested that we could use our idea of Sentosa though and therefore, the Islanders came about.

Hoping for this journey to be smooth, wish us luck!

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XXVII InDesign II

hello there, 

Last week, we had another exercise on InDesign again. I think this one is more tough compared to the previous one. Because just for the picture (the black & white prison), I had to shift the frame(blue box) of the photo and the photo itself(brown box) to match the original sample. 

Also, I think trying to make sure everything is aligned is another challenge. And that's one big thing to take note when using InDesign. Because when everything is not aligned, it would seemed as messy. Like for example, the words in the columns had to be aligned such that it would be neater for the audience to read.

The one on the left is the original and the one on the right is my version. Not completely done with it yet but I think I'm almost there. (Somehow I can't complete it at home because it was said that the version of my InDesign and Mac Lab's is different.) 

Still prefer InDesign to the the other two, even though all requires straining of eyes haha. 

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XXVI Diagrams for layout of newsletters

For lessons this week, we learnt about the different kinds of diagrams to guide us on how should our layout be for our group assignment - Newsletter.

Golden Triangle:
spiral indicated page that will first capture attention more

Villard's diagram:
To get the diagram,
1st step: draw diagonal lines from both bottom corner of the page to the blue line.
2nd step: draw diagonal lines from the same point to both top corner.
Note: Text should not exceed the purple line but pictures can.
          Set to 25.4 cause x2
          Gutter divided into 2

Columns Grid System:
No. of columns don't matter. Can be 4/6 columns. They are just guides.

Ms Teh's tip: Be sure of your layout and plan to ensure efficiency and effectiveness. 

With all these diagrams stuck in my head, how to look at publications the same way haha.

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XXV MORE Grids

We had a lesson on folding a A4 paper into folds such that we can get the lines for a grid.

I got stuck at Step 3 and so were my group mates. We tried the calculation method at first, which got me very confused. Then I somehow figured my way by just folding the paper into halves but I end up getting confused by all the folds. We pretty much gave up already but we decided to seek for our tutor's help. She also later added on saying that the lines are actually guides for us to know where to put our headlines and other information so that everything seemed aligned and not messed up.

Fun Fact:
A5 - 21 x 14.5
A4 - 21 x 29
Each rectangle is 1 x 1.414

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XXIV POD

Haven't done a post on POD for quite some time already and I just so happened to come across this poster on my Twitter timeline the other day. I thought that the message is put across clear and powerful.

The poster is symmetrical and it makes it seems very clear. Instead of having a lot of information, the poster had a simple picture with just one sentence, "STOP ONE. STOP THEM ALL." I think that highlights the main purpose of this poster. It attracts the readers to the main message because that's the only thing that they can read. The series of the posters are consistent so when someone sees one of it, it would remind them of the others too.

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XXIII Grid

Learning about the grids used to organize a newsletter has changed the way I read newsletter.

This is the basic "vocab" that we need to know. 

Folio: A cooler word for page number haha 

Who knew that behind the creation of a newsletter, there's so much to know! 

Reminder to self: REFER TO THIS WHEN CREATING YOUR OWN NEWSLETTER

XXII InDesign

Class on InDesign has started and so far, so good. 

This is the original work that we are supposed to make a copy of: 

And presenting to you *drum rolls*, my copy!! 

Not too bad right ;) 

Some notes to refer to, so as to help my memory.

Always on ‘Essentials’

To open file, double click on the empty space

*Page size* (A3 - foldable)

Cover page is on the right, left is back cover 

Purple line = safe area, text must be within this area.

Blue line = shows how big the image is

To create columns for text box:

Object> Text Frame Options>

*Gutter is the line in between the columns

To fill it

Type> Fill with placeholder text

To make the first letter big:

Type> Paragraph> Drop cap 

At least 3 lines of text

*The key beside Drop cap is to increase the no. of alphabets to drop cap 

Headlines: (Sans Serif) 

Type tool> Text box across> increase font size 

Need help aligning?

View> Grid & Guides> Show Baseline Grid (foolscap paper) OR Document Grid (Graph paper)

Paragraph> Align to baseline paper

Make sure nothing is selected when placing the picture

Free Transform Tool to resize the picture

Blue line = frame 

Brown line = refers to picture

Remove contrasting background from picture:

Object> Clipping Path> Options> Detect edges

Double click on the picture if picture don’t move with the frame

Text Wrap:

Table> Text Wrap> Wrap around bounding shape/

NO HYPEN. TURN OFF HYPENATE (Paragraph) 

Last button to preview/presentation 

To save:

Export> PDF

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XXI Final Work

Finally done with my final work and have already submitted it. Like a stone lifted off my shoulders, really.

Here it is:

Turns out that my final work is not much similar to my original idea. I couldn't figure out how to do that "spraying effect" and the impact of that wouldn't be big as it would be folded and readers won't notice it as much I guess. 

I used gradient for the background of the perfume because I want it to be the centre of attention. I adjusted the product according to the name of the product, Flower In The Air, (I thought this would make it more interesting). I did the logo myself, using rectangles and my own drawing of the flower. I also came up with a slogan for this perfume haha. The idea of the second page is linked to the slogan I came up with. As Kenzo's original advert for this perfume is, they showed Shu Qi dancing with a red umbrella in France. I thought having a red flower bed to replace that France background would be good too and that dancer is to show that you will be happy, wild and free just like the flowers when you smell this perfume. 

I'm proud of my work, though I struggled with Illustrator and Phtotoshop. Let's hope InDesign would be easier :) 

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XX Beginner (E-Learning)

I chose the Beginner one because I think I'm really a beginner here. Took a look at the Intermediate one, really is too much for me. One step at a time Kimmy.

I got stuck at this part at first and consulted my friends.

I think EGD is really a test of patience. Still far from the actual end product but I'm proud of what I have now. Keep working on it, Kimmy!

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XIX Poster from words (E-Learning)

Reading the instructions for the activity didn't seemed like it was very tough but somehow when I did it, it was. The instructions wasn't that clear, I feel. I got stuck at step 3 and tried almost 100 times (nah kidding) to figure it out but to no avail.

This is what I got before I was stuck: 

Is there consultation for EGD or something haha, Kimmy is really bad at this. 

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XVIII Progress for Assignment 2 (II)

As you may or may not already know, my product is KENZO Flower In The Air Eau De Parfum. 

This is how it originally looks like: 

I wanted to look for an image without the box but the pixels are not working with me so i settled for this in the end. And because of this, my original idea has to be changed. :( (Hopefully it'll turn out good)

I used Puppet Warp Tool to adjust the cover of the perfume to look like a flower shape. (I hope it does looks like one) I set the points on five corners and one in the middle. I was afraid that my box might be out of shape as well but hey, nothing happened so yay!

Alright, that's all I'm gunna reveal for my assignment 2!! Stay tuned for my final work!! :) 

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XVII Progress for Assignment 2

So I have decided to do my ad on KENZO perfume. 

As I was getting started on my assignment, my mind was actually blank. Thinking where should I start from, is this feasible... 

So after staring at my blank piece of work for awhile, I decided to start on the logo first! My idea is to make the 'O' of the word 'KENZO' to become a flower so I started by searching for a flower like the picture below. 

Original

And then using the Pen tool, I drew out my version of the flower. 

To crop it out from the background, I used the Quick Selection Tool and created a transparent background for it.

Told me quite a while to figure out how to do this because my memory is so good that I can't remember much about Illustrator and Photoshop. BUT I'm so glad I did this, looks better than I thought it would be!! The details are very important I guess, I mean I could have done the easy way out and just draw it without the curves on the petals (That wouldn't look as nice I believe) 

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XVI Ideas for Assignment 2

Assignment 2 is still in my to-do list despite having holidays. Before the holiday, I've been thinking about what to do for my advertising. So here are my ideas - 

First Idea: 

I plan to do on perfume. Maybe Versace Bright Crystal or Kenzo Flower In The Air. The whole idea is that when you spray the perfume, it brings you to "another world". 

Second Idea: 

OR maybe I'll do on Fossil watch. The one where the strap can be changed by yourself. (look at my attempt on drawing the logo LOL how about A for effort hahaha) 

OR maybe none of the above haha. We'll see how things go. 

P.S sorry for the bad quality of photos and terrible drawing haha, I can't draw for nuts.

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XV Assignment 2

I honestly forgot that we still need to continue this blog during the holidays, so here's a recap of assignment 2.

We have to create our own advertisement suitable for publication. Pretty cool because it's like we're all designers now and our creative juices can flow everywhere. (But I don't have much haha)

This is an example showed by Ms Teh to give us an idea of how layers can be done. I was able to visualise the process of one layer done and the other 'layering' over it. I really like this advertisement and it gave some inspiration, hopefully I'll be able to apply them to my own.

As seen from above, the sweets is one layer, the boy is one, and the hat is one. Even the background is also one layer. It's amazing how everything seems to fit nicely together and it looks so real. I hope mine would fit nicely as well.

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XIV (Filters)

hello there,

Our last lesson of EGD for the term was learning how to use filters on Photoshop. BUT these filters are very different from those on Instagram. The filters on Photoshop changes the way the picture is like. For example, the picture can be edited such that it looks like it was painted instead of a photograph. 

(Just using the filters)

Second attempt to make it better: 

(Adjusted the saturation/hue or something)

I think this function is rather useful for my assignment 2. We'll see haha.

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XIII POD

EGD lessons is coming to an end for the term and I think it has been fruitful to me. Here's a recap of POD since I haven't done one for quite a while.

I think this poster made good use of the white space because since it wants to highlight that the Faber-Castell colour pencils, white space would bring the attention to the colour used. Also, the weight of the poster is pretty equal because the colour used to write the logo is also similar to the background, this makes the logo obvious enough but not stealing the attention. Gradient was also used to enhance the colour and thus, making it the centre of attention.

In my opinion, I think this advertisement is very creative because it does bring out the main message of the ad, which is Faber-Castell colour pencils has true colours and it's so true that it's the same as the object itself.

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XII (Puppet Warp)

hello there,

So we learnt about Puppet Warp today and it is one of the functions which I find easier to use compared to the others.

Recap:
- Go to Edit -> Puppet Warp.
- Click on the joints to create pins.
- Drag the parts we want to change
- Click on the tick to confirm

To add this to another picture,

- Open 'New'
- Place background
- Place the Puppet Warp picture in
- Adjust
DONE!!!

Reminder to self: Don't overdo it otherwise it'll look fake.

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XI (Typography)

hello there,

Before today's lesson, I thought typography was about typing words but nope, not just that! It was about kerning(space in between alphabets), making use of certain objects to replace an alphabet (as seen from the example I picked)

I found an example of really bad kerning.

It was meant to be "Flickering Lights" but look what it became due to bad kerning. 

From this, I think we can all see that kerning plays a BIG part in typography.

I found this image on Google and thought that it was a good example of typography. To bring out the message of this poster, which is you're only allowed to drink when you're 21, the glass bottle is used to replace the '1' to make it seemed more obvious and eye-catching. 

Funny how we don't notice these small details before and now we do. These small details aren't that small after all. 

Before learning about this, I would have think that this amendment is not needed. 

Or I might not even understand why the change is necessary. 

It may not mean much but even Google is doing it. Take a look - >  http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/5/26/google-logo-before-after.gif

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X (Failed Attempts)

hello there, 

I thought about what to post for this week's second post to replace my sketch for assignment 2. (not posting it yet because it's not confirmed yet, and it looks like some primary school kid's drawing) And I thought, maybe I should post some of my failed attempts on the tutorials. As seen as above, I didn't understand the instructions and didn't watched the video due to bad internet connection and therefore it looks like this. I can't wait to get the Adobe softwares so that I can try at home~

Magic Wand Tool: I think it is supposed to be similar as the Quick Selection Tool but I'm not too sure as well. 

Lasso Tool: Now this got me pretty fed-up because I have no idea what I'm doing. The dotted lines wouldn't go the places I want it to go and it gets big and small randomly. I must be doing it all wrong. :(

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IX (Photoshop)

hello there, 

So this week, we learnt how to use Photoshop. Using all the functions I've learnt, this is what I came up with! 

(First attempt)

Not much changes. First, I applied "concealer" to make her not look so old because of the coverage of her wrinkles. Bloat the lips to make it seems thicker. Adjusted the edge of her lips to make her seems like she's smiling. Enlarged the eyes and shrink her eyebrows haha. 

Healing Brush Tool: Act as a concealer.

Liquify: To enlarge the eyes, adjust the edge of the smile.

(Second attempt)

My second attempt was to apply make-up. I used the quick-selection tool and highlight the parts where i want to edit the colours and ta-da!! My final work :)

Admire those people who have so much patience to photoshop their photos all the time. 

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VIII (Photoshop: Marquee Tool)

hello there,

Last Thursday's lesson was supposed to be e-learning but I ended up in the Mac lab anyway. None of the video was able to load so based on the instructions given, this was what I managed to come out with! 

(I did this by myself!!!)

Due to the failure of loading of videos, I had to go through all the icons one by one to know what each icon represents. I'm not sure if I did this right, but I tried. Was really happy when I managed to do what the instructions say. *jumps for joy* Didn't got it the first time, I was stuck at step 3. Got so mad so I re-do from step 1 and *jeng jeng jeng* GOT IT!!!! And to make sure that I really got it and it's not just pure luck, I tried again! So happy :) I also tried the other tools but let's save it for another day :)

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VII (Gradient)

hello there,

So during one of my recent EGD class, I learnt how to use the gradient tool on Adobe Illustrator. Pretty cool actually, but I wish I have more creative bubbles in my brain. The fact that I ditched art and D&T for two years, I think coming back to it is still going to be a pretty crazy journey.

What is the gradient tool you must be wondering. Ok, how should I put it. This tool is something which can turn a solid colour to different shades(something like how ombré works) 

(so this is how the original picture looks like)

And this, (the eyeball) is done by me!! 

Was really disappointed at first because I couldn't get the gradient right no matter how much I tried to adjust it. But thankfully, with the guidance of my friends, I managed to get to this end product!! Just one eyeball and it already takes so much work, just imagine how much hard work and effort is put in for the whole end product! (Then what about those that creates animation for cartoons?!) Ok I know it looks like it doesn't take much work but if you look closely, you can see the different shades of grey and the bubble that makes it look more 3D! *pats on my shoulder* Well, you tried kimmy.

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VI (POD)

I was at the Esplanade yesterday and this poster caught my attention. Maybe because this play was the reason I went there. I literally stood there and took a photo of it. People stared at me like as if I was doing something wrong haha. So back to the point, I think this poster was beautifully designed. Why? Love the colours used as it makes the background looks like the galaxy (where unicorns exists) and how she seemed so happy in this poster, makes me smile just by looking at it :) Also, the headline (#unicornmoment), image (as seen above), copy (basically is the synopsis), slogan (HAD ONE LATELY?) and logo (Checkpoint Theatre) is all there. The information isn't too much or too loud even though everything you need to know is there. I'm in love with it.

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V (POD)

On my way home yesterday, I saw this poster and the first thought that came to my mind was "there's so much room for improvement!!" (Maybe it was because I had a three-hour lesson on EGD) The words are so tiny that I can only see what it says when I'm right in front of it. Maybe this is their strategy to make people go forward and read what the poster says haha. But I got lost reading the entire thing because there is too much information to digest. All I can get is "Mediacorp switches to digital broadcast" hahaha. Maybe the designer should have just put the main message up and the rest on a website, where people who are more interested can get more information about it. 

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IV (POD)

hello there,

On this very warm and humid day, all I can think of is to have a cup of Starbucks. (I only realized I said what the slogan is after I finish the entire post haha) And coincidentally, this poster happened to appear on my twitter timeline. Ok, back to the point. There is white space in the above. Simple, yet eye-catching. The colours used are of different sides of the spectrum and thus the contrast. The words and the illustration are aligned and therefore it isn't messy. This also makes the poster stands out. Very balanced poster.

I like how the designer of this poster puts a picture of a coffee bean and brain together into one image. As their mission says "To inspire and nurture the human spirit - one person, one cup and one neighbourhood at a time." I think all Starbucks lovers would agree that Starbucks is actually fulfilling what they promised. I think I'm getting out of point, the end.

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III (POD)

hello there, 

I came across this advertisement while watching drama shows this evening. It caught my attention so I thought, "why not search on Google for the poster version!" I like how the contrast of colours is used to better convey the message. Red is used to highlight the main message/point while the rest of the poster is in black and white. Red means danger and usually used for warnings so this helps the audience to remember this poster better. Also, people will know what they can do to prevent dengue. As the poster is symmetrically balanced, the weight is evenly distributed.

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