Graphics+Projects

= = =  Graphics Projects =

Graphics Project 1 | Graphics Project 2 | Graphics Project 3 | Final Graphics Project = = = =

=**Graphics Project 1 (Edit a Self Portrait)** =



Step 1: Played around with filters. Applied Filters > Artistic > Weave Step 2: Applied two Supernova in top left and bottom right corners. Filters > Light and Shadows > Supernova (x2). Repeated top left supernova once to add a deeper affect, and then repeated again and moved to bottom right corner. Step 3: Adjust Hue Saturation. Colors > Hue Saturation > Turned up Hue, Lightness, and Saturation. I recently purchased a copy of Adobe CS5 with Photoshop, but I haven't installed it yet and wanted to play around with GIMP since it's a free tool. I am only familiar with the basics of much older versions of Photoshop and need to play around with it and learn more to get more confident. I played around with the various filters and layering functions in GIMP with a few other pictures (not self portraits) before starting on this project. I found GIMP wasn't too difficult, but I had a little trouble switching between layers in my test projects. That is an area I have trouble with, but am looking forward to learning more functions in both GIMP and Photoshop. I used the "Undo" function A LOT for this project!!

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=**Graphics Project 2 (Create an Animated .gif)** =



I decided to create an animated .GIF. This is something I've never done before. The fear of the unknown! I browsed the Flickr commons but didn't see any images I would like to work with. I thought of using a "fish" theme and remembered I had this photo. I used GIMP to create this animation. After watching a tutorial on Youtube, I started out with one picture I took at Monterey Bay Aquarium in CA in 2005. I created 4 layers with the same image, then rotated the 2nd and 4th layer by choosing "Flip Horizontally" and "Flip Vertically" respectively. I added a text layer to say "Swimming Jellies..." and then set the timing to 2 seconds for the first layer and 1 second for the other three layers. It was much easier than I expected once I got the idea in my head. As far as challenges, I had to save the image several times and make several adjustments to get the timing and layers correct. My first attempt was a disaster! Also, I had trouble resizing the image to make it small enough for this assignment. New things I learned: I got more familiar with using layers in GIMP and how to duplicate layers. I also learned how to move between layers and alter the image within a certain frame.

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=<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Graphics Project 3 (Compare and Contrast Online Photo Editors)** =

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Original (from my own photo collection) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Image edited with Pixlr <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Image edited with Picnik <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> The edit tab lets users rotate, crop, resize, edit exposure and colors, sharpen an image, fix red-eye, and auto-fix images. The create tab lets users chose between featured effects (some have notifications that they are only available to “premium members”, basic effects, a chance to add text, stickers, touch-up the image, add frames, seasonal effects, and an advanced tab with features only available to premium members. A premium membership is available for 1month, 6 months, or 1 year. || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Pixlr website: @http://pixlr.com/editor <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Picnik website: @http://picnik.com/app <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Lowensohn, Josh (2009, February 25). "15 Online Photo Editors Compared." CNET News. Retrieved from @http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10170333-2.html
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">**criteria** || <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">**(image editor one)** || <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">**(image editor two)** ||
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Tool selection || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Pixlr || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Picnik ||
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Interface || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Very high quality photo editor. Similar to pricey editing software, or GIMP, another free tool. Not very intuitive. May be difficult for a novice. Tool bar across the top of the page with drop down menu with all options visible upon hovering over the menu selection. Tool bar on the left side with tool icons. On the right side is the “navigator” tool, “Layers” organizer, and a box to show editing history. || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Easy to use basic editor. Tabs across the top of the page are simple: Home/Library/Edit/Create/Save & Share.Once the user uploads a photo on the homepage, they are immediately taken to the “edit” screen.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Speed || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Very little to no lag time when editing. Navigating between tools and undoing unwanted changes was very fast. || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Very little to no lag time when editing. The site loads very fast. ||
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Export || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Gives the user the option to save the image to their computer, or obtain a public url to view their image on the Pixlr website. || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Gives the user the option to save to their computer, Buzz, Email the photo, Create a Flickr Slideshow, Print, Email to a website, Save to Picasa, Twitter, Flickr, Facebook, and more. ||
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Flash/HTML || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Flash || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Flash ||
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Max. file size || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">No Limit || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">16MB ||
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Max. resolution || <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-decoration: none;">2880x2880 (Flash 9 users) 4096x4096 (Flash 10 users) || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">4000x4000 ||
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Cost || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Free || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Free/Up to $24.95/year ||
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Layers || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Yes || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Yes ||
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Effects || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Yes || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Yes ||
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Killer feature || <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-decoration: none;">Feels a lot like a desktop application, complete with a workspace which you can rearrange and customize to your liking. || <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-decoration: none;">Default photo editor for Flickr, very slick interface. ||

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I thought both online photo editing sites were very high quality, and they had a lot of similar options. I liked Pixlr because it had a very similar interface to Photoshop and GIMP, which I am familiar with. I think it is geared toward serious photo editors who already have experience with the various tools offered. While there is a relatively detailed "Help" section for Pixlr, the site wasn't as intuitive as Picnik. Picnik offered lots of fun editing choices such as adding stickers and themes. I think both the novice, and more experienced photo editor could enjoy using Picnik, but many of the features desired by advanced editors are only available through a pay subscription to the site. I could definitely play around with both interfaces for hours. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I think for those who are looking to edit lots of photos using layers and tools similar to Photoshop, Pixlr is the way to go. Especially with it not having a limit on file size. For someone looking to upload photos online or to share them through various social media and web 2.0 tools, Picnik is the way to go.

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=<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Final Graphics Project (Convey the meaning of a word without external images) =

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> media type="file" key="MurphyCATAA1.mp3" width="240" height="20" align="center"

> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Meanings** > <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">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. > > <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Processes** > <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">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. > > <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">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. > > <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">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. > > <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">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. > > <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">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. > > <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Choices** > > <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">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. > > <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">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.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> One other attempt: <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">

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