out of the loop

Summer of Theatre - Advertisement

SCLO Summer of Theatre advertisement - Adobe Photoshop CS5

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Fairly straightforward. This is the 4"x6" ad that goes on the back of the brochure. A 20-minute project that was due today.

I intend to use the fonts for the poster design... maybe not the starry vintage background though.

Poster soon to come!

All In The Timing - Poster

All in the Timing poster - Adobe Photoshop CS5

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SO.

The public relations officer put me in touch with the director of this show. Who gave me the following request:

I see a very dark poster that is dark all around but in the middle there is light that illuminates a three sided boxing ring with two couples inside the ring playing miniature golf and in the very back background of the whole frame is a mass of furniture, stacked on top of each other from floor to almost ceiling but it is very vague and whimsy at best.  (sort of 1776 only modern day – the stack of furniture.)

Easy, right?

I set my own record for how hard I procrastinated on this project. Because I'm a perfectionist, I have to know that I can do it perfectly or it won't get done at all.

But a deadline is a deadline. I sat myself down for 5+ hours and struggled with trying to get all the aspects of his poster into my design.

 

 

But it just wasn't happening. I wasn't happy with how anything looked.

And then I found a sketched illustration of a windmill. I kept going back to that image after reading the synopsis of the play. Time passing, movement, slow, deliberate... and there's still a little hat tip to mini golf.

Still freaking out that it wasn't exactly what he wanted and I was failing him as a designer, I plugged away at my little antique poster.

I sent it off with the following note:

I discussed with Nina about the whole miniature golfing aspect of the design and we both agreed that it was too much to include within the design. I CAN incorporate the silhouette of a couple walking... or maybe a mini golf flag/hole in the corner...

I want the visual to be simple and striking and eye catching.

I want people to be intrigued.

So please let me know what edits I can make to the attachment (which is my interpretation after reading the play synopsis and your ideas and having Nina's input).

His response?

I love this poster.  Thank you so much, you are a wonderful designer.  Don’t change anything.

AND I WONDER WHAT ON EARTH I WAS WORRIED ABOUT IN THE FIRST PLACE.

Scholarship Invite

Angels for the Arts Scholarship Reception invitation - Adobe Photoshop CS5

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For two stock images and some text, it ain't shabby...

...but it ain't gorgeous neither. I do like how the text is laid out into a little pyramid composition. I thought it was a good solution in the face of how much text is on there. And if I'm being totally honest, I think that's the only thing I really really like about it. Shh.

The gal I job share with requested this invite. We're doing a big hurrah for the fine arts scholarship recipients on May 7th. Red carpet, paparazzi and everything. I'll be done working retail by then (thank goodness) so I actually get to attend.

Hashtag quick-n-dirty!

Below is the modified portrait version for the front of the cover...

Best Little Whorehouse - Poster

Best Little Whorehouse In Texas poster - Adobe Photoshop CS5

Best Little Whorehouse In Texas postcard - Adobe InDesign CS5.5

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It's times like these when I wish I had more time and resources to create exactly what I see in my brain.

Below are some thumbnail sketches I presented to the scene designer. Having never seen or heard of this musical before, I did some quick research. With a basic synopsis and some feedback from the director... these are the ideas I came up with:

   I was playing with the lipstick on the collar concept for a long time, but I didn't have the resources to make it look good and meet the deadline. Went with the neon concept instead. Again, with more time I may have been able to make it look more... neon-y.

But it gets the point across.

I'd love to take an advanced Adobe Suite class over the summer. I wonder if any of the local art schools are offering an intensive.

Might be a nice summer tradition!

Big Band Swing Thing - Thank You Board

Thank You Supporters Poster - Photoshop CS5

DISCLAIMER: I did not create the Big Band Artwork. Just the text/logo layout and execution. Saddleback Graphics Dept. is responsible for the former. ;-)

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This Saturday, March 8th, is our biggest fundraiser of the year. The Angels for the Arts is the Fine Arts scholarship organization of Saddleback College. I was selected over the summer to participate as the student representative on the Board of Directors.

While on the Board, I'm supposed to be the voice of the students in the Fine Arts Department, coordinate student events, and encourage my peers to apply for the Angels scholarship.

Supposed to be.

I have a lot of ideas about how to reach out to the Saddleback Campus. Contacting the Associated Student Government to collaborate on raising scholarship awareness, keeping the faculty informed of my events so they can keep the Fine Arts website up to date, creating a Facebook page, a Twitter account, maintaining a blog (through blogspot.com, probably) of what's happening in each of the Music, Theatre, Cinema/Radio/Television, Arts departments (respectively), writing student profiles about the scholarship applicants and submitting them for publication to The Lariat (our on-campus newspaper)... and the list goes on.

I have only created a twitter account just last week (@TheStudentRep). Tweets: 0.

The Open Mic and the Costume Karaoke events were the only two events that were created in my name on behalf of the Angels for the Arts. After the poor outcome for both these events, the staff (who helped me to coordinate the darn thing) discouraged me from even using a microphone and a speaker system. So I wouldn't distract the current classes.

Because... at noon... that's where all the students are.

In classes.

Originally, I suggested a Rocky Horror Night in the black box theatre.

When that didn't fly, I suggested an evening event to showcase the music, theatre, art, dance, and cinema students (followed by an open mic). An artists' party. Complete with cheap pizzas.

Again, highly discouraged.

It's not that I'm pouting about how my ideas get shot down because of expenses, safety/noise issues, or doubt of attendance...

But it's hard for me to put motivated effort into something I feel won't be appreciated.

I feel like the college is stuck in a place and either refuses to move forward because "this is how it's always been," or they can't move forward because there's too much red tape and legal stuff that it's just not even worth the time.

Maybe I'm not seeing the full picture. After all, I'm just a student representative.

And only for another three months. Then I'll be passing off my baton to someone else.

Would it really be worth it to put all my talents into something I may or may not be cut out for in the first place?

Ah, the cliché joys of being 20 and feeling like nobody understands you.

Mozart, Mendelssohn and More: Choir Concert - Poster

Mozart, Mendelssohn and More: Choir Concert - Adobe Photoshop CS5

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I want the large one up on my wall fo' sho'. I'm really, really, really happy with it.

Possibly in love.

I did this design in about three hours. I've always been looking for excuses to use stampy looking fonts. I thought this project was a good one to spend them on.

The music conductor of this particular event (who gets final say on the design) insisted on the following:

• No music notes.
• No sheet music.
• No treble clef.
• No fancy fonts.

All of these bullet points are traps that the graphics department usually fall for. Music means music. End of story.

Not necessarily. But I repeatedly am learning to catch myself before I sign up for the obvious.

"Make it hip and young and edgy and trendy."

So I gave them glasses.

I'm realizing more and more that "if I like it, they'll like it." I'm learning, slowly but surely, to stop apologizing for the good stuff I make.

#learning

Starla Hibler-Raley Piano Recital - Poster

Starla Hibler-Raley Piano Recital - Adobe Photoshop CS5

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Always on board for brushing up on my masking skills in Photoshop. Probably one of the simplest designs I've done for Saddleback College. A few vector lace elements, a curvy banner and some Victorian wallpaper. It doesn't scream "old woman."

More of a feeble whisper.

Hey, whatever makes 'em happy.

Also! Important things! This particular assignment marks my first ever graphics request received (and completed) as an administrative assistant. Details to follow.

Saddleback Star Competition - Performance Notice

Star Competition Performance Notice Poster - Adobe Photoshop CS5

Star Competition Performance Notice Postcard - Adobe InDesign CS5

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Kept with the theme and general design of the audition notice. And since the school colors are burgundy and gold...

Voila. Have some gold.

Fiverr Update - Part 3

- Introduction - Part 1 - Part 2 -

I'm averaging about 3 to 4 orders a day. I've also been upgraded to Level 1 Seller. Which allows me to add some "gig extras," meaning I can charge an extra $5, $10 or $15 for an upgraded order. Like if they want it within 24hrs or the original .psd files...

Dope.

More learning:

1. I love having tracks to run on. Buyers with a vision of what they like are my favorite. They leave the specifics and creative decisions up to me, but I love having the "this is what I was thinking..." conversation.
2. The difference between "I have to." vs. "I want to." The latter wins. Everytime.
3. Time management. For something that qualifies as a rough comp? 1hr. 2hrs for a nice product. 3hrs for a gem that I'M proud of. The time lessens on each of these phases if I'm really into the project. 
4. Lucy needs input. It's getting harder and harder to create new designs the less time I have to recharge and get ideas on my own time. I'm considering suspending my own gig for awhile... just so I can have a break.
5. I miss getting my hands dirty. It gets lonely in Photoshop. I need to start sketching again, tearing pages out of magazines, shuffling scraps of paper around on my desk... I feel like that would definitely generate new outcomes. I'm feeling stagnant and my eyes are getting tired.

Fivver Update - Part 2

Read about my First Fiverr Gig here.

Tuesday, January 21st. Filmed video footage with my trusty Canon 60D.

Wednesday, January 22nd. Uploaded promotional Fiverr video.

Wednesday, January 22nd to Monday, January 27th:

With 8 orders still left to complete!

Continuing the theme from my last update, here are a few more things that I've learned:

1. Positive feedback and constructive criticism from my buyers is really important to me. Surprisingly so. I need affirmation and reassurance that I'm on the right track and that I'm giving them exactly what they're looking for.
2. I prefer creating advertisements for parties, concerts and social events. "Website promotion," "get cash quick" and "sign up today" are trigger words for boredom. I'll do it. But not happily.  
3. The more I make 'em, the more efficient I get. This is probably a "no duh" concept, but I'd like to acknowledge it for future reference. I'm a very impatient person.
4. I love compliments. Now, I KNOW these are not my best work (I try to get them done within an hour or two)... I always strive to work better and faster with a little encouragement boosting me along.
5. Breaks are a godsend. Even though I'm doing something I truly like to do, I'm realizing more and more the importance of a long walk or a conversation with someone over coffee about anything other than what I've been working on.
6. I'm all about incentive. A little bit of spending money is always a plus, but glowing recommendations, a good reputation and a developing skillset are new priorities for me. Well. Maybe not new. Just... more focused, I guess. As a result of consistant quality work, I achieve all three of these things. Which encourages me to create more quality work. And so on.

To piggyback off #6...

As I'm exploring the beginning stages of blogging, freelance design work, advertising, self-education and business, I'm discovering that the more I learn, the more I want to learn.

Which is an exploding neon sign that these are things I love to do.

Also, recognition is a warm and fuzzy thing.

^_^