Graphics for anything

So, I'm furthering my graphics abilities and now applying them to newsletters. After my mom asked me to put together a newsletter template for her I started thinking, "I'm not even sure I would know where to start". Well duh! Where I always start, thinking about who or what i'm trying to portray. So, in this case putting my moms character and love for teaching into a design. Easy right? yeah, pretty easy. Color? well she's bright and a little pozazzy. Format? Simple but nothing too bland. Visually appealing because she's definitely not boring. Shapes are a definitate because well, it's school and lets face it a little bit of scrapbooking never hurt anyone. Also keeping in mind the flow. It does have a picture on the left so the reader may be directionally stimulated to read the feature article that was done by a few students in the class. Then you may move to the right and read the "welcome" updates. As far as the header, there isn't really a logo and the font should be simple with a little funk. Voila. My first attempt at a wonderful newsletter.

Limitless Creativity

This graphic was created to brand what was previously known as "art day". We first went through a list of words that would inspire creativity from the congregation of people. Not just creativity and art as in painting, sketching, or doodling but creating ANYTHING that was inspired by God in and through us and taking action by designing/creating. The best word to describe this was "Arise".
Some people think "Oh, i'm not creative" or "I can't draw or paint". What a false statement. Each person IS creative in their own talent. Just as a baker is as creative as a painter or sculpter or a writer as creative as an architect.
So, this graphic takes the city or people and lets the creativity "arise" out of them. Kind of like an outpouring or growth of imagination rising out, taking all different directions. Be creative, be inspired, be yourself.

My First Kit & Kaboodle

This project is one of my pride & joys. Possibly because its my first project that encompasses a series of graphics that were all tied together including the new design of the inside of the bulletin. For those of you who have seen the inside of a bulletin may feel unmoved about it and that was my aim to change. Church doesn't have to be typical or boring. My goal is and was to show that God is creative and it doesn't have to stop at the threshold of church. Typical bulletins are often left to right, column based, and a bit shall I say boring. Well, I say, lets spice it up. My ultimate goal is to show that God is living, active, fun, and creative, and he can show that through talents he's given us, ultimately He is my inspiration.

So, as you dissect my work please feel free to give me advice and/or what you may have done differently. Constructive criticism is always welcome to help me become a better artist and designer, a lifetime aspiration.

Taking Note:

My ideas aren't always going to be the best

Input from others is KEY to a great design so its not all stagnate ideas from me

Design with balance in mind

Never go without a logo

My Photographer Side

Designing isn't my only interest. Getting certain angles and some stretching towards the odd side are what I shoot towards the most. I love a good challenge and photography is just enough of a challenge that while persuing it I am still enjoying it. I'm not afraid of lying on the ground and shooting the camera to get a certain angle, even though I may look foolish. I've found that capturing the perfect angle or pose is crucial to a good shot and takes practice.

What better place to take some pictures than New York City and Central Park. One of the funnest times I've ever shot and having company with a couple of friends. Hopefully I will take more time as life slows down to work on my photography.

We all start somewhere

Where does every design start? With an idea, a thought, an ahh ha moment. The first design was for the Christmas series at NECC. The goal was to create a 4x6 postcard that would connect the city, Jesus, and people that fit the image of NECC. The best colors to use, which everyone can associate with, Christmas red & green. Since this is my first graphic work I wasn't sure how well it would go. Tapping into design skills and some of my love of creative advertising got those wheels a tourn'n. After some feedback from the NECC staff and multiple hours of designing later. Voila. Not so fast....I had to take that design and create a bulletin cover, web banner, powerpoint background, and posters all cohesive, creative, new. It was a lot of fun to design and gave me a new outlet for designing besides advertising.