Reach Out and Read Posters Second Submission

It Is Beautiful Then Gone

Martin Venezky, is a graphic designer whose work though based in working with collage and found materials and photography his work transcends the typical results of such mediums. He founded and operates his design firm Appetite Engineers.

Semester Reflection

How can I summarize what I've learned so far during my first semester at KCAI... The most important thing that I learned is that I know nothing... and its really exciting. Just scratching the surface with so many possibilites and directions to specialize in the future it really inspires me. I know now more than ever that everyone who told me I didn't have to go to art school really didn't understand what it had to offer or at least what KCAI had to offer. I think I'm very fortunate to be here with the classmates and teachers that I have.

I feel like I just went through a huge crash course of design fundamentals and basics that I know will become the solid foundation of bigger and better things in the near future. I know also that I didn't grasp everything as well as I had hoped to and will be doing tutorials and posters once again over break as much as I can but in a new light, with a new understanding of why I'm making the design choices that I am.  I'm glad to have winter break to recap on the semester. I know when we all come back in spring we'll be ready for it!

Past Project Critique

This project in particular challenged me and embarrassed me unlike any art project I've ever done before... but I learned something vary, vary valuable. Have a back up plan. I had a concept I really liked but I pushed ahead without thinking of what could happen if an aspect of it which relied on other people's timing fell short somewhere along the line that I would be in trouble. Not that anyone besides myself is to blame here. That in fact is the point of it. I didn't plan ahead ar enough. I know now that for every concept or idea there should be multiple directions in which it can go all of which ideally strong. Especially when working with clients whose opinons you cant predict.

Project 3

Project 3 as listed on the Viscom blog was to "Exploit properties of non-traditional tools, Understand mark making as aesthetic, expressive and perceptual phenomenon, and Explore symbiotic relationship of concept and form."

Our animations were to compliment the Haiku, retain its poetic grace while adding our own imagination and creativity into visualizing the words. I definitely had a crash course in flash while working on this projects and spent a lot of time outside of class watching lynda.com tutorials. In hindsight I wish I had pushed my animations further. As I mention else where in these final statements I have to learn to express myself better and push harder for excellence. Too often I settle on the first idea I think is worth while and this is a mistake. I had a hard time retaining the essence of the typical haiku and Japanese style of poetry while trying to bring it to life per say. I wanted to keep a graceful but simple composition but I came to understand these were menat to be free to explore our abilities and though that exploration compliment the Haiku. The book was an incredible roller coster of emotion. I'm just glad we gave ourselves enough time to work hard on it. I know were wouldn't have been satisfied with a simple book after all of the work we put into the Haiku animations and marks. All though I know my work could be better and I think I've gotten off to kind of a rough start here in design. I know its where I want to be though. Design makes me happy as a human being. These projects through demanding and difficult and frustrating at times I know i'm learning so much even if its not quite showing as well as I want it too. But here's to a strong finish no matter what it takes. 

Earth, Air, Water - Haiku Book

Front Cover

Side

All Three Books Pulled Out Showing Wax String

Front Cover W/Out Sleeve

All Three Books Pulled Out

Inside Cover Showing Haiku / First Page

Inside the Pages. 

Final Storyboard

Linear Development

Updated Haiku Video

Music Credit to Iron and Wine for their song Boy With A Coin

Reach Out and Read Posters Final Submission

This is my final poster submission for the Reach Out and Read Kansas City AIGA poster contest. I have to admit I've never created so many versions of a poster before haha. But all and all I feel like I learned a lot about how I can better my own processes I use in my poster designs. Big thanks to all of you guys in class. The feedback was priceless. 

Now lets all cross our fingers for our class. 

Video: Stefan Sagmeister: Don't Take Creativity For Granted

Final 3 Digital Shape/Type Compositions

Reach Out and Read Posters: Round #3 Concepts

Reach Out and Read Posters: Round #2 Concepts

Current Perspectives

I was fortunately enough to see Mr. Gobber speak at the last current perspectives. I recommend checking out his work if you like typography and sign painting. 

Archie Scott Gobber received his B.F.A. degree in painting from KCAI in 1988. Since then he has been in countless local and national group and solo exhibitions. He currently is a Review Studios artist resident and just completed a large-scale public artwork for Missouri Bank and Trust entitled “Dream.” His work can be found in private, corporate and institutional collections including those of Hallmark Cards Inc., Sprint Nextel, Spencer Museum of Art at the University of Kansas, Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art at Kansas State University, Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art at Johnson County Community College and the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art. Gobber received a Charlotte Street Award in 1998 and was an artist in residence at the Missouri State Fair in 2003. In 2004, his work “It’s a Free Country” was raised on the H&R Block Artspace Project Wall, and his Lawrence Lithography Workshop print, “Doers,” was included in the show “Artists’ Interrogate: Politics and War” at the Milwaukee Art Museum. His work has been reviewed both locally and nationally in publications that include New Art Examiner, Art Papers, Art in America and Artforum. He is represented in Kansas City by Dolphin and in Dallas by Marty Walker Gallery.

Reach Out and Read Posters: Round #1 Concepts

Hand drawn poster concept. My typography is based on books in various states of falling open and through that making up the letter forms. I will be illustrating the entire piece but I wanted to see how this aspect of the poster went before I added any other designs or inked. 

This poster is based on a photographic background consisting of books floating in space. This image is a concept place holder. I will be shooting my own take on the matter. 

This particular poster was created using the selection of type (Helvetica Bold) and drawn across diagonally with my wacom. 

Same concept as above but experimenting with thiner lines. 

This concept uses the photograph from before. 

My concept is the word "READ" showing through the blurred image portraying a sense of clarity that comes from literacy. 

Basic placement and concept. "Read" in white at a lower opacity. 

"read" in lowercase and left aligned. Blue in this concept to match the book covers. 

I also have this version with green and yellow type. 

"READ" selection formed out of brush strokes. 

"READ" selection formed out of brush strokes using more color.

"Because you love them" I was trying different quotes to invoke a reminder of affection for ones child. 

Another quote. 

"Read" showing through this brick wall of poverty & blight to a forest or adventure to be had. The concept of reading will help give a child a chance to escape the slums. 

Same as above but lower. 

same as above by larger and placed differently. I'm experimenting with what layout makes the forest clearer. 

Wacom line strokes over Helvetica Bold. The photo is a sense of poverty. 

Books as hope for a child. 

I need some help getting these transformations down. 

Different layout of the same concept. 

Inspiration: 50+ Vector-Based Book Covers

Inspiration: 50+ Vector-Based Book Covers

Haiku Imagery Updated w/Customized Type

Image Adjustments: I extended the bend in my "Must spring time fade?" images to give it a more of a fading display. In my image for "Then cry all birds... and fishes'" I simplified the imagery down to relate it better with the other two by removing the feathers that surrounded it prior. I also spaced out the distance in the details giving it a less condensed composition and adjusted the shape to better resemble a tear drop. "Cold pale eyes pour tears" remained unchanged. 

Type Adjustments: I kerned each letter by itself and adjusted the points of most of the letters to give them a more realistic script appearance by scaling back on some of the flourishes. I also made a 2nd version of each image with a pairing with the type in a more dynamic location. 

Please click "Read More" to see the rest of my Haiku images and adjustments. 

Thrive Workshop Experience

Thrive.

Taking part in the Thrive. Workshop was a really great learning experience. Terrance Clark (KCAI Design 05') and Will Staley (KCAI Design 04') are very dedicated to the work they're doing in Helena, AR designing to end rural poverty. They along with Tyler Galloway had a great deal of good advice for all of us throughout the project. 

After going over the situation in Helena and discussing key elements in the city the nine of us consisting of sophomores, juniors, and seniors sectioned off into three groups of three. We were then assigned to create an event to help better the city by creating jobs, drawing in tourism, and improving the overall life of the citizens of Helena through design or in this case event design and promotion. 

Our group and the other two groups all basically devised the same plan in varying degrees of music, arts, film, cuisine, and history. We created in the matter of two meetings one friday and one saturday an event statement, an audience, a promotional plan, clear objectives, and a five year plan to renew a since of culture in Helena. Our project was called "The Delta Crawl" A first friday like event but on the first Saturday of every month because a primary part of our audience were young teachers (TFA Teachers for America) who worked friday's. The Delta Crawl spanned the five main blocks of downtown Helena. Basically it was a more locally benefiting culture based blues festival like the one they have once a year which brought in most of the cities revenue. Sadly this main festival is run primarily by out of town groups which is limiting the real benefit Helena could be receiving from their own rich delta blues cultural heritage. 

We're hoping through all three group projects that the best points can be taken, revised, and prepared for the local board back in Helena and possibly our event in one form or another can come to fruition. 

Overall the workshop was a nice taste of things to come and I feel like I will be able to better prepare myself for the next few years because of it. I am seriously considering the summer trip to Helena. 

Here is the statement Luke, Patrick, and I formulated:

THE DELTA CRAWL 
MISSION

The Delta Crawl, a monthly reoccurring celebration of historic downtown Helena-West Helena. Focusing on the 5 blocks of Historic Cherry Street. Stretching from Rightor Street to Missouri Street with live music, visual and performing arts, restaurants and food booths all celebrating the culture of Helena-West Helena. The results of This event will not only be urban renewal through increased revenue and community pride but as well as invigorating individuals to take up their own entrepreneurial potential and change the future of Helena-West Helena.

AUDIENCE

The Delta Crawl is primarily aimed at the Teach for America (TFA) Teachers in the region. This will help give the teachers an event to look forward to monthly. The Crawl should also captivate the regional 18-24 year old demographic and the local based Philips County Community College, and High Schools. Connecting with the under 25 demographic will help foster community pride and help Helena and other near by localities keep students from moving away as fast. Through our marketing and branding we will be able to captivate the younger and older communities.

PROMOTION

The initial promotion of The Delta Crawl will consist of mailers, guerilla posters, gallery flyers, radio announcements, billboards, street banners, bulletin boards, community murals, and window signage.

Branding of The Delta Crawl will be present on all promotional materials as well as a map of locations, schedules, and street banners; to include environmental elements such as way-finding, lighting of the streets, and storefronts.

OVERVIEW 
The Delta Crawl event is founded on the utilizing the local cultures of the Delta. Consisting of food & dining, arts & crafts, music, film, and history of the Delta.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of The Delta Crawl are to foster community pride and unity, support local businesses, promote safety, inspire entrepreneurship, and involve surrounding communities through an organic event based on loose guidelines for participation with a level of standards set by the participants and the community.

FIVE YEAR PLAN 
Expanding locally, a renewed since of culture in Helena, and transplanting to other delta communities.

Taxonomy Ideas

The haiku: Must spring time fade?
Then cry all the birds and fishes
Cold pale eyes pour tears

The Classification Options:Nature vs. Animal
Flora vs. Fauna (what we're leaning towards)
Sky vs. Ocean

The Sub Categories:gradients and density
mark making method: stamp/pressing vs. dragging/rotating

The Tools:fish bones
flowers
leaves
grass
sticks
feathers
wood
small bird

The Book:6x9 saddle stitch
6x12 saddle stitch

The Format:One mark per page
Create a contact sheet

Haiku Imagery Round #1

Must springtime fade?

Then cry all birds...

and fishes'

Cold pale eyes pour tears

- Basho

Periodically Speaking [Pu] Final Designs

Monogram

Magazine Spread

Web Spread

Element [Pu] Type Spreads - Round #4 Possible Final Spread

Final Adjustments Made:

I removed the section of the "9" that was rolling over into the right side of the page. 

I kerned the "9" and "4" closer together. 

I moved the element information to the left side of the spread and aligned it with "Its a blast" on the left side of the spread. This helped lighten the left side of the spread. 

I moved the molecule image into the center between the newly placed element info and the body paragraph. 

Plutonium Website Layout's Round #4 Possible Final Layout

Final Adjustments Made:

Monogram moved up another two times.

Element information has been center aligned. 

Lined up body paragraph closer to "Its a blast" title. 

Plutonium Website Layout's Round #3

#4 Updated

Changes Made:

Changed the side bar spacing by moving the monogram into closer visual balance. 

I shrunk the column size down but retained the end of the body paragraph left side gap for the image to fit into by adjusting the image inwards towards the right side. 

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#4 Prior Revision

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# 5 Updated (Body Paragraph Aligned to Element Details.)

Changes Made: 

I centered the details in between my monogram and plutonium image but left my title alone. 

I spaced out the monogram, details, and plutonium image more. 

I made two versions of paragraph re-alignments. This is the first. The second it below. 

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# 5 Updated (Body Paragraph Aligned to "It's a blast" title.)

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Prior Revisions