Final+Graphics+Project

= Final Graphics Project   = media type="file" key="MurphyCATAA1.mp3" width="240" height="20" align="center"

> > **Meanings ** > The meaning I hoped to convey with this graphic was a soft candlelit glow. I think the graphic conveys this nicely. I intended for the viewer to see this as if they were looking straight down over the top of a candle, in dark room. I think the supernova in the middle conveys the idea of a light source nicely. > > **Processes ** > I used GIMP to create this graphic. The first thing I did was create a new image file and set the size to 200 x 200 pixels. I then used the bucket fill tool to make the entire image black. This would act as my background for my text. > > I then created a text layer to say the word "GLOW" in yellow. I centered the text box and set the font at 60 pixels with the font "Bit Stream Vera Sans Bold." I used the "blur" tool to blur the letters a bit, and then used the "blend" and "soft glow filter" tools to mix the text color and background color with a "linear" setting. This blended the letters with the background a bit within the text box. I then zoomed into the image at 200% and used the "smudge" tool to shape the blended shade around the letters by pushing the strong black from the background up to circle the letters. After that, I created a supernova and set it to sit on the "O" in "GLOW" with the color set as the same color as the text and played around with the radius and spokes until I got the desired effect. After I saw the supernova, I knew I was finished. It really looked like what I was trying to accomplish with a candlit soft glowing effect. > > I went through several attempts, starting over several times and just playing around with the tools looking for what would give me the desired effect. I didn't watch any tutorials, just did trial and error until I felt like I was done. Deciding I was finished was just an "A-ha!" moment. > > I think in the future, I will make myself more familiar with what the tools can really do before starting a project. I'm sure that would have saved me a lot of time in the long run, but I enjoy "figuring things out" on my own to learn. I would consider this both a strength and a weakness. > > I found this process very similar to writing an essay. I had to think about what I wanted to "say" to the audience and spent lots of time "re-wording" and "editing" to convey the desired meaning accurately. > > **Choices ** > > I considered several "4-letter words" before settling on "Glow". I immediately thought of "Fire," then I thought of "Land" and "Blur". I created graphics for both "Land" and "Blur", but never felt like I could get the desired effect with "Land" and felt the one I created for "Blur" looked unfinished. When I decided to work on "Glow," I really pushed myself beyond my comfort zone. > > I felt comfortable with the final product and proud of myself for pushing myself to do more and work outside of my comfort zone. I thought the final graphic conveyed the exact meaning I was trying to get across to the viewer.

 One other attempt:



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