Kristy's Gallery

Model

2007-05-06T21:25:00.000-05:00

Photograph taken by Robert Adamo appears at Workbook 29.

Food

2007-05-06T21:24:00.000-05:00

Photograpy by Brennan Photography and appears at Workbook 29. Love the vibrant color of the picture.

Product Catalog

2007-05-06T21:18:00.000-05:00

Taken from How Magazine International Design Award Edition April 2007. The publication is Merrick Product Catalog designed by Darren Dunham, Brandon Bargas, and Janet Brast. I love the layout of the catalog and also the color choices. The photographies are also very appropriate.

Cheese and Pasta

2007-05-06T20:42:00.000-05:00

Photograph taken by Kevin Black appears at Workbook 29. I love the color combination and the concept of the design.

Buffalo Wild Wings

2007-05-06T20:38:00.000-05:00

Taken from How Magazine February 2007 Edition. The project is Buffalo Wild Wings Rebranding designed by Larsen, Minneapolis. The project is created using Adobe Illustrator. I love the new brand design with the different colors for different 'hotness'. I also like the layout of the menu.

Apple Pie

2007-05-06T20:36:00.000-05:00

Photograhy taken by David Bishop. I like the color in the composition. It looks very bright and attractive. I also like the concept of combining a real apple with apple pie.

Light bulb and fairies

2007-05-06T20:34:00.000-05:00

Taken from Workbook 29. I love the concept of the design.

CD Cover

2007-05-06T20:29:00.000-05:00

Taken from How Magazine February 2007 Edition. This is a CD Cover for TJ Dovebelly. Designed by Brady Vest and Katrina Schulze. I love the texture of the design and the symplicity of the typography.

Eyes

2007-05-06T20:27:00.000-05:00

Photograph taken by Stan Musilek appears at Workbook 29. I like the idea of the composition how the eye mimic the lights of the car.

Bacardi Limon

2007-05-06T20:26:00.000-05:00

Photograph taken by Benton Collins appears at Workbook 29. I like the composition, the color combination and the water setting of the first picture.

Baby Announcement

2007-05-06T20:23:00.000-05:00

Taken from How Magazine International Design Award Edition April 2007. The publication is a baby announcement designed by Ellen Bruss Design, Denver. The clients are Mark and Rachel Brown. I like the layout of the announcement and the simplicity of it.

Wedding Invitation

2007-05-06T20:17:00.000-05:00

Taken from How Magazine International Design Award Edition April 2007. This is a wedding invitation designed by Passing Notes, Inc. The Art Director/Designer is Abbie Planas Gong. I like the uniqueness of the format of the invitation and the elegance of the font.

Water

2007-05-06T20:06:00.000-05:00

Photograph taken by Sonja Pacho from Workbook 29. I love how the picture captures the water and makes it very lively.

People

2007-05-06T19:45:00.000-05:00

Photography taken by Kevin Banna appears on Workbook 29. I like the uniqueness of the picture, especially the pose and how the models are not looking at the camera.

Getting Beyond Cancer

2007-05-06T19:40:00.000-05:00

Taken from How Magazine International Design Award Edition April 2007. The title of this publication is Getting Beyond Cancer. The Design Firm is 1919 Design Communication Studio, New York City. The Art Director/Photographer is Peter Klueger. This is a project for Imclone Systems. I like the chose of photography and the layout of the whole publication how the picture took two third of the spread.

Melanie Trump

2007-05-06T19:37:00.000-05:00

Photograph taken by D Bizzaro taken from Workbook 29. I like the balance of the photograph and the color overall. I also love how the font is elegant matched the whole theme of the picture.

Skill Set

2007-05-06T19:28:00.000-05:00

Taken from How Magazine the International Design Award Edition on April 2007. The title of this publication is Ologie Press/Capabilities Kit. Design Firm is Ologie, Columbus, OH. Art Director Beverly Bethge. Designer/Photographer is Dan McMahon. I like how they play with the different fonts and the size of them.

View

2007-05-06T19:24:00.000-05:00

This photography was taken by Robert Brand and was shown at the workbook no. 29. I like the color of the composition and the effect that he used on the picture.

Clean Jeans

2007-05-06T19:20:00.000-05:00

This is taken from How Magazine Edition February 2007. I like the layout of the jeans and the typography.

Strawberry Cake

2007-05-06T19:17:00.000-05:00

This photograph was taken by David Campbell and was published at workbook no. 29. I love how the cake is the focus of the photograph and the background was blurred. I also love the unity of the color between the cake and the background.

Typography and Emotion

2007-05-06T18:59:00.000-05:00

Taken from How Magazine Edition February 2007. The article talks about how the visual look of a typography can convey certain emotion to the readers.

Beauty

2007-03-03T22:47:00.002-06:00

Photographed by Keith Major as one of his beauty pictures. Keith Major is a native New Yorker and has been working professionally for more than 15 years.

I love this picture, from the lighting to the pose and the flying hair. The color is very beautiful. I just love it.

Riding through sunset

2007-03-03T22:47:00.001-06:00

This photograph was taken by Gregor Halenda who is based in New York City. I love the lighting and the composition of the picture. I think it's very artistic and the color is amazing.

Richard Thompson

2007-03-03T22:46:00.002-06:00

Taken from Creativity. This is Capital Records Richard Thompson CD. Created by Spur Design.

2007-03-03T22:46:00.001-06:00

2007-03-03T22:45:00.001-06:00

Adaptec

2007-03-03T22:44:00.000-06:00

Taken from Creativity. This is Adaptec, Inc 1996 Annual Report. The Design firm is Cahan and Associates.

Puzzle

2007-03-03T22:43:00.002-06:00

Taken from Design Annual 2000. It's called Puzzle Typeface. Created by Peter Vajda for Alternative Studio.

2007-03-03T22:42:00.000-06:00

Can's Lids

2007-03-03T22:20:00.001-06:00

Taken froM Design Annual 2000. The Design firm is Packaging Create. Typographers Akiko Kigtagawa, Kenji Nishimura, Akiko Kataji, Hisashi Takamuru, Masako Kimura, and more. Created from the lid of the can.

Ride

2007-03-03T22:18:00.000-06:00

Taken from "Creativity - Graphic Design Resource" by Lesa Sawahata. This is the 1996 Annual Report for Ride, Inc.

Coconut and Fruit Salad

2007-02-27T12:26:00.000-06:00

Photographed by Bruce James and taken from Workbook 28. I love the color contrast and combination and how he made the background blurry and focused on the coconut and the fruits.

Water

2007-02-27T12:20:00.000-06:00

Photographed by Jack Anderson taken from Workbook 28 page 942. I love the image of the water and the illusion it made. This picture has been retouched.

Speed?

2007-02-27T12:16:00.000-06:00

Photographed by Alex P with some digital retouching. Located at Workbook 28 Page 300. I like the illusion of the car was turning 180 degrees really fast.

Future Under Crying Kids

2007-01-26T15:09:00.000-06:00

Created by Seiju Toda from Toda Office Design Firm in Japan, this is a Tokyo ADC Future Under Crying Kids Poster. "The unexpected, purposely multicultural look of this child - and the shocking image of blue eyes melting into tears - dramatically reinforces the impact of this poster, which addresses the fears and anxieties of children in the contemporary world."

I found this image from the book "Creativity" by Lesa Sawahata. I like the haunting look of the child and the unusual eye colors and the tears.

Saturn's Visions

2007-01-26T14:59:00.000-06:00

This is Saturs' Visions magazine that they distribute to their clients, employees and retailers quarterly. It's designed by Hal Riney & Partners. I found this image from the book "Creativity" by Lesa Sawahata.

I like how they used a key to replace the letter 'T' at the beginning of the editorial and also the creative use of images to replace the word 'Vision".

ixbe solo

2006-11-20T22:57:00.000-06:00

This is designed by Jose Pepe Menendez from Cuba who is currently the design director at the Cultural Institution House of the Americas (Casa de las Americas). This is a poster for a performance by French circus artists in Havana in 2001.

Menendez said, "My design teachers provided me and other designers of my generation with a perspective on the importance of our profession, the key role that design might (and should, but not always does) play in society, enhancing people's lives. With them we started to learn that design involves much more than beauty or creativitiy."

"The most distinvtive feature of Cuban graphic design is the explosive and incredible convergence of Spain and Africa in one island, visually expressed by a baroque tendency in forms and colours. Politics in Cuba has had a big effect on visual expression, and that the country's revolution in the late 50s and early 60s inspired new forms of visual communication."

Analyzing the design, it has a legato rhythm. The emphasis is on the ball and it's unified by continuation.

Bejart Ballet?

2006-11-20T22:44:00.000-06:00

This poster is designed by Felipe Taborda from Brazil. It is one of a series of five posters for a dance festival in 2000. I found this design in World Graphic Design book by Geoffrey Caban.

Taborda said, "My design interests and approach have been influenced by many factors. We are all products of what we are made of, in terms of cultural influences during our lifetime. Among the many influences on my designs have been the works of other designers, particularly Aloisio Magalhaes, who was the pioneer of design in Brazil. Comic books and films have also influenced the way I think and design, and they continue to do so. I am still under construction!"

What I like about this design is ad and the typography. I also like the color. I like how the designer emphasized the line of the leg. This design is unified by continuation and color. The emphasis is on the foot and there is no rhythm utilized. It is using an asymmetrical balance.

Nega Gizza

2006-11-20T22:37:00.000-06:00

This is a record cover for the group Gizza which was created in 2003 by Veronica D'Orey, a self-taught graphic designer, from Brazil.

D'Orey said, "The tropics, the beach, the luxuriant forest and the monkeys by my window push me away from the high-tech, first world trend. For brazilian designers, there is a mix of popular, third world influences and vibes from the Northern Hemisphere. Trying to blend both worlds in a less than ideal situation means that a lot of improvising and creativity goes into making this possible. Gaining recognition for the practice of graphic design in Brazil and an appreciation of its value, continue to be a heroic undertaking."

What I like about this design is the concept of covering one's face and showing the hands clasped which symbolizes something I'm sure.

World Cup Fever

2006-11-20T22:35:00.000-06:00

This is a poster for World Cup in Korea. The poster is created by Jae Sik Kwon from Korea. I found this design from World Graphic Design book by Geoffrey Caban.

I love the different colors and the dots (footprints). It is using a complementary harmony. It may look like it's using a random balance because of the dots, but the dots are actually forming the shape of foot prints. It's unified by repetition and continuation and the emphasis is on the word "World Cup Everywhere."

The Last Jet Engine Laugh

2006-11-20T22:26:00.000-06:00

This design is created by Itu Chaudhuri from India who studied architecture in India in early 80s before concentrating on graphic design. Later on he formed his own company - Itu Chaudhuri Design (ICD).

His approach to design was influenced significantly by his meeting with the famed Indian designer Aurobind Patel in 1984. Itu said, "The factor that has had the biggest influence on my approach has been the dsign vacuum in India. This is a country with just one real design school, the National Institute of Design in Ahmedabad and it was only when students from NID began to work with me that I was able to discuss design with the vocabulary and concept I possessed, responding to to a market and making a living from design takes a much heavier toll of a designer in a developing country. The tone and texture of the concerns voiced by western designers would seem comical utopia in India. As India globalizes, its designers will become increasingly international in their values and concerns. The exception would be those who use traditional Indian imagery."

In this design, Itu used a metaphor of a jet dashboard for the controls to the narrator's memory with the control themselves parodied to reflect the events and the comic concerns of the narrative. The rendering style draws from computer games. The aim is not simply to interest readers to try the book, but also to enrich their reading of it as they progress.

This picture is a little scary but yet somehow it's also pull you in it. The color and the concept is interesting. The emphasis is definitely on the creepy object outside the window.

Playing Card Design

2006-11-20T22:16:00.000-06:00

This playing card is designed by Fang Chen from China who is a professor of graphic design at Wuhan University of Technology in China and visiting artist at both the Cooper Union School of Art in New York and the University of Texas in Austin. I found this design in World Graphic Design by Geoffrey Caban.

Fang Chen has written extensively about graphic design and design education, including a series of books enttled 'The World Masters' showcasing international designers. He is also a recipient of many international awards including 4 gold medals in design competition in Asia, Europe and USA.

The card is inspired by the cards of heroes of the water margin chronicles by the seventeenth century painter Lao-Lian Chen. It is based on a principle of illusion that would be an extension of the double-ended western pattern: the heads of each subject are derived from chinese history or mythology and the key feature of the design is the illustration of two moods for each subject.

The king is a portrait of Gong Ming Zhao who was known as the spirit of wealth and reportedly was able to summon thunder and lightning, eradicate evil and epidemics, uphold justice and deliver riches.

Fang Chen said, "The idea is the soul of graphic design and the creation of the idea is the result of cumulative knowledge and broad artistic immersion. With regard to poster design, I think that explaining the profound in simple terms is very important."

What I like about the design is the uniqueness of it and the choice of color. It is a playing card and everybody knows how a playing card looks like. Analyzing the design using the design principle, it is unified by continuation and some repetition of the heart shapes. It's asymmetrical balance and the emphasis is on the picture of the head. There are some lines on the picture that can be considered as legato rhythm.

Cellphone Card Sellers

2006-11-20T22:08:00.000-06:00

This is a cover design for Huru magazine 2003, designed by Michael Danes. Michael Danes started Danes Design in Harare, Zimbabwe in 1992. His work is focused on branding, packaging, publication, corporate identity, interior retail and website design. An ongoing objective of the studio is purposefully to challenge the perception of African design and to brand African products innovatively for every market - Zimbabwean, regional and international.

An important influence on his design is a Zimbabwean designer Chaz Maviyane-Davies, whose works on human rights issues has described a new culture in African graphic design. He is also influenced by the natural landscape of Zimbabwe, which is a wild country with vast national parks. The aim of this publication (Huru) is to try to uplift Zimbabweans' perception of their country in the midst of all the current political hardship.

I like the concept of using photography to get their point across. It's a typical daily event that the Zimbabwean would see and they should embrace their own country and people.

Dancers and Calligraphy

2006-11-20T21:59:00.000-06:00

These posters are created by Su Tsung-Hsiung (Jeffrey Su) from Taiwan. I found these posters at World Graphic Design book by Geoffrey Caban. These posters are parts of "the dialog between dancers and calligraphy" series which he created in 2002.

Inspiration behind the posters came from the intriguing body language of two young modern dancers and the tension in their movements. Su's design is a mixed of traditional and contemporary. He studied in an art school in Taiepei, Taiwan and he went to Graduate School of Visual Design in Tokyo, Japan. He said that a number of cultural, geographical and political factors have influenced the development of his design philosophy.

"Taiwan is a diverse and multicultural society as a result of its history of colonization by Holland and Japan and its proximity to the Chinese mainland. There has been a blending of chinese and westerb fashion and styles, and one positive result is the flexible and open-minded way in which designers think and practise."

Looking at the first poster, what attracted me right away was the color (I love the color!) and also the flow of the lines. We can see here that the designer is definitely utilizing the legato rhythm. The design is unified by repetition, color and continuation. It is assymetrical balanced by position. The emphasis is obviously on the dancers (by shape) and there is depth by overlapping.

The second poster, because of the hard lines, I think it has a staccato rhythm. The emphasis is also on the dancers (by shape) and it's unified by continuation and repetition.

So, how do you like them?

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

2006-10-11T01:06:00.000-05:00

I found the following design from "The Art of Design" book by Cheryl Dangel Cullen. I picked this one because I love the picture - now that we've learnt about the stock image, we know how to find one!

This is actually a poster for Clarici Extra Virgin Olive Oil. The client, Azienda Agraria Clarici, wanted an image that is visually strong and I think the art director, Gianluigi Tobanelli, achieved this effect. The picture is strong and the color combination and the contrast of the writing make it even stronger. I looked up the dictionary and the phrase "Il profumo, il sapore e il colore di una terra generosa" means the scent, the flavor, and the color is very earthy? I am not entirely sure though.

Anyway, the artist gets his inspiration from a renowned painter of the Italian Renaissance, Caravaggio. He was the first Italian artist to paint still lifes and he often placed fruits and flowers near the human figures. In his works, the background almost dissapears.

Applying the design principle of balance, this picture is assymetrical balance to me. Some people may think that it doesn't look balance, but I think the contrast of the writing on the top balance the heaviness of the picture on the right. For emphasis, I think the emphasis is the phrase and also the bottle. The phrase caught my eyes first because of the contrast of the color and then the bottle because of the size. It is pretty unified based on the proximity of the objects, it continues and repetition, the curviness of the objects.

So what do you think?

Olympic Winner?

2006-09-26T18:47:00.000-05:00

I stopped on my track when I saw this picture. Okay, the scanned image didn't turn out that good. The red is supposed to be more vibrant than this and the overall color is supposed to be brighter.

This poster is designed by Primo Angeli from Primo Designs for San Fransisco U.S. Bid City 2012 Olympic Games. Well, they didn't win but London did. But this is still a GREAT design from the color to concept to everything, in my opinion. The inspiration behind this design was the cubist movement. We can see it from the squares on the background.

If I have to analyze this picture based on the unity concepts, this is how it will be:
1. Continuity - Yes, we can see that the design starts from the top (the hand of the person) down the body length and to the feet and to the ground.
2. Proximity - Yes, there is one focal point on the picture with the olympic logo and they are all close by each other.
3. Repetition - Yes, we can see this from the squares on the background and some curves. I think they are all based on geometric shapes.
4. Color - Yes! I think the main color here is red. Even though the colors are not exactly from the same family, they all work. I can see that they are trying to use the colors of olympic (the five rings) and cooperate them in this picture. The end result is a very dynamic and vibrant design.

I absolutely LOVE this design. What about you? What do you think?

Music for Love

2006-09-26T00:52:00.000-05:00

I saw both these paintings at an apartment building and I absolutely love it! The painter's name is Park (based on the signature) - I am not sure who he/she is though. I love them because of the impression it made.

They are both oil paintings. I can see her love for her music from these paintings. The first one when she was studying her music and the second one, teaching a girl how to play the piano. I can tell that she spends a lot of time in front of the piano. She is probably also a singer in addition to a pianist. The little girl is probably one of her many students. She is also still performing across the country.

Isn't it amazing how one can create a story based on a painting? I think a great painting will let your mind wanders and creates stories about the painting. I suppose I am a little biased because I do love music :)

Massachusetts College of Art Catalog

2006-09-20T01:40:00.000-05:00

The following image is the front cover of Massachussets College of Art, which offers programs from fine arts, media studies, and design. It is created by Clifford Stolze who is a leading graphic design in Greater Boston Area. I found this image from The Art of Design book by Cheryl Dangel Cullen.

Stolze said, "We explored the inter-connectivity of these varied visual disciplines, finding common ideas across them. All art forms can be reduced to or comprised of the basic building blocks of geometric and organic form..." For this specific design, he found his inspiration in the work of the art students and the world in which they live, Paul Klee's painting - a Swiss artist, and cubism and elements of geometry.

The first thing that attracts me to this design is the color and the different layer/shapes of the background. At first I didn't even pay attention to the 9 symbols on the cover. I was so drawn into the background that the 9 symbols disappeared. But then I looked again and I saw them and paid more attention to each of them, also trying to figure out what they are supposed to represent. I suppose Stolze explained this concept himself when he said all art forms comprised of geometric and organic form. The symbols are different things that are actually made of different geometric shapes.

I just love the way he used the color! This is considered as an abstract art, I believe. I am not usually attracted to abstracts, but this one, because of the color, drew me into it.

So, how do you like it?

A Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot

2006-09-13T22:09:00.000-05:00

The following is a wine bottle label design - Sonata:

I found this design from The Art of Design book by Cheryl Dangel Cullen. This is a Michael Osborne Design and its sources of inspiration are elements of music and Caio Fonesca, an Italian-American painter whose abstract paintings are based on musical themes.

I can actually see that there is a musical element in the design. I love the color and I see the background has a flowy quality like how melody is, flowing smoothly from one to the next. It is an abstract painting and it may not make sense. But the overall presentation with the font (the word Sonata), the color, and the random shapes (which represents music I suppose) make it interesting to me and I like how they match the bottle.

A Little Devilish?

2006-09-13T01:19:00.000-05:00

To show a contrast from the previous posting, I posted a picture of a graffiti that I saw on the wall of an arcade in Charleston, West Virginia.

I actually find this picture a little disturbing. From the strong color that the artist used to the lines and also the expression of the subject. Sometimes I wonder what drew people to this kind of art, but if I have to analyze it I would say that the artist must not be a very happy person. I think the arts reflect the artist and the somber color represents the mood that they are in.

Roses

2006-09-13T01:08:00.000-05:00

Since I haven't had a chance to go to Parkland Library yet, I decided to post a photograph I love that was taken by a friend of mine.

I know that this is probably a different kind of art that most of you are doing or attracted to. I think this is more of a commercial kind? I find this photograph artistic and I love how the red from the roses is contrasted with the ivory from the bedsheet and how the roses are off centered. It drew your attention to it.

My Gallery

2006-09-13T00:19:00.000-05:00

Hello Everyone,

First entry on my blog: I chose to use blogger instead of wordpress because I have a blogger account and I am pretty familiar with it. So I decided to use what I've already known rather than having to relearn how to use a new one.

This blog will consist of some of the arts that I found interesting and also disturbing. I think it will be fun having to critique an art piece as I've never done it before.

So there...