Final blog post for GIT-341-01 DIGITAL FILE PREPARATION WL

This year I learned about making files that can be processed for a RIP. I didn’t even know what a rip was before I took this class. I learned a lot of different design elements such as how to properly make COB, convert spot to process, reverses, and how to properly place content into InDesign. Along with the different design element I learned through out the year I also learned the importance of packaging files. This class has taught me that maintaining a good working relationship with the printing services here on campus is vital to a designers success.

            My favorite project this year was the variable data direct mail piece. I like this project because I got exposed in databases and the importance of thorough instructions so the variable data class could create my project with no problems. I really like learning how to properly create a clipping path COB, because this is a technique I believe I will find myself using frequently. Over all I enjoyed how this class simulates client designer projects. However I was still able to create promotional projects for myself.

Final Project - Folding Business Card

The purpose of this project is self-promotion. I want whoever receives this folding business card holder to be inspired to open it and after seeing this card call me for an appointment. Target audience would be potential clients who need a photographer or a designer. Trim size will be 8.50 inches x 2.50 inches. Fold lines will be at 2.50 inches on both sides. My die cuts will be .875 from fold lines. Bleed will be 8.625 inches x 2.625. Margins will be 8.25. Center where business card will be held is 3.50. Finishing techniques are going to be folding the design at the 2.50 fold lines and the die cuts for my business card.  This design will take one page front and back to produce. The paper I will be using is index paper from Pitt State Print Service. It is a two color job. Pricing is $119.00 per thousand. Die cut & score cost $254.00 per thousand. Price quotas came from Pitt Craft.

All work will be original work of Amanda Couch.

<Thumbs






< Thumbs







< Roughs

 < Roughs

 < Folding dummy

< Folding dummy

 < Final Digital Image Front

 < Final Digital Image Back




 

< Final Image

 < Final Image

 < Final Image













< Final Image

Web Desginer Job Serach Analysis

Web Developer-Designers responsibilities are designing, developing, testing, and delivering web sites. Entrepreneur.com suggests that web designers should enhance and work out all defects in websites for their companies. They are required to have experience in graphics, layout, scripting, programming, and as well as knowing Java and ColdFusion. BS / BA degree is a plus but not required. Preferred skills in this field is knowledge of software such as Adobe Creative Suite, HTML, JavaScript, CSS, SQL, Perl, ActionScript, XML, PHP, Oracle, MS SQL server, ColdFusion Server, CFML, CFScript, IIS, and Windows Server Environments. Other important skills include having very good communication skills, dependable, responsible, and being flexible.  A minimum of 2 years of experience in web design is preferred. Also experience in the use of RUP methodology is important. Web designers on average make 59,000 a year. 

http://www.entrepreneur.com/formnet/form/1159

http://www.simplyhired.com/a/salary/search/q-web+designer

Adobe Tutorial on how to place an image

When you want to place an image into Indesign you first go to file > place in the dialog box look for image to place. Once you have found it click open. It loads into your place courser. Simply click and it will build a frame into it if you don’t want to do that you can click and drag an area. Notice this is proportional to your image or you can place into an image frame that is already created. You can also drag and drop from your finer folder. There are many ways to place an image into InDesign. Adobe strongly urges you to copy and past an image into Indesign always do you best to file place an image. 

http://www.adobe.com/support/indesign/gettingstarted/index.html

Lawsuit Article Review- Chapman High School Logo

Chapman High School in Kansas has been using their leprechaun mascot since 1967. In 2008 a tornado took out 80% of their school facility this got them national attention.  Notre Dame realized the similarities of their mascot and Chapman’s mascot. Once Notre Dame realized this they sent an official letter to Chapman insisting for them to change their mascot. There was many ways to hand this situation but Notre Dame was determined for them to be the only one using this logo. Chapman decided it was time to hold a public contest which they would select their new mascot. 

< Chapman's old logo

< Chapman's new logo

http://rivals.yahoo.com/highschool/blog/prep_rally/post/notre-dame-sues-tornado-ravaged-school-for-use-of-mascot?urn=highschool,wp7383

http://chapmanirish.net/ 

Graphic Designer Job Search Analysis

Salary range for a graphic designer around Pittsburg, Ks area is approximately 38,407.  Graphic designers job description is to create and develop wide range projects. You will work closely with creative director, art directors, design teams, and copywriters at your job. You will need to “sell” your concepts to clients, perform independently and with team member, and excellent interpersonal skills with supervisors, team members, clients, and vendors.  Education requirements are having a four-year Bachelor’s degree is preferred, knowledge of Mac/CS5 with excellent graphic design abilities, 3-5 years experience with a strong portfolio, experience marketing strategies. Skills and software preferred is flash, web/cd-rom, animated banners, and photography direction, experience in web development, understanding of latest trends, well organized, ability to multi-task, problem solving abilities, excellent verbal and written communication skills, strong customer-focus, confidence when pitching ideas and brainstorming with others. 

http://swz.salary.com/SalaryWizard/Graphic-Design-Specialist-Salary-Details-66762.aspx

http://www.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobDetails.aspx?ipath=EXGOO&siteid=CBSIMPLYHIRED&Job_DID=JHN3J16QPQFQW49PS6B

Process Color Adobe Tutorial

Open Panton Color book then select Panton color of your choice.  You will notice in the bottom right hand corner a little triangle with a dot in it. This signifies that this is a Spot Color. Step two is double clicking your Spot Color in the swatch panel. In the dialog box that comes up change the Color Mode to CMKY. In the same dialog box change Color Type from Spot Color to Process Color. Click ok. You will notice that the dot that you saw before is no longer. This means that you have successfully change your Spot Color to Process Color.

 Beginning Spot Color

 Dialog box

After Process Color

http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone/category.aspx?ca=1#PANTONE%20MATCHING%20SYSTEM%C2%AE and domain knowledge of Amanda Couch.

Photography Job Search Analysis.

Photographers have a talent of visually creating a story with their photographs that preserves the images and experience of the event. This world is their studio. You could be a traveling photographer, or work in doors at your own studio. There is no formal education that is required to become a photographer. You don’t necessarily need years of experience in this field either. Employers want to know that, you as a potential photographer have creative skills and understand the technical basics of photography. In the year of 2010 photographers were making ~$14.00 per hour and ~%29,130 per year. Photographer use Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Lightroom, and Adobe Bridge these are just a few examples of what software they use in the photography industry.

http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Media-and-Communication/Photographers.htm

Photoshop Clipping Path

When creating a Clipping Path in Photoshop you want to use your Pen Tool, Add Anchor Point Tool, Delete Anchor Point Tool and Convert Point tool for a high quality image.

• This is my starting photography.

• First you will want to create a Clipping Path around the part of the image that you want to have a silhouette of. 

• Second, go to your Path Panel and on your drop down menu click clipping path... 

• ...and then click OK. 

• This is how your image will look.

• Now double click on the layer that is on your Path Panel and save the path. 

• You have now created your clipping path. This is how your image will look. 

• You will save this file as a EPS.

Information Source http://www.graphic-design-employment.com/photoshop-clipping-paths.html

National Logo Redesign

The old logo has a defiant feel of being cheaper and could reflect that their products are cheap. You do not want this image in this business. With the new logo it gives a feel of a higher quality product. They kept the golden price tag that they have became known for in their new design. It is simple and the name Best Buy stands out more than the tag itself. They use this new logo for products and advertisement. They have neon signs at the top of their entry ways with this new logo. They also used it when sponsoring events. The new logo became their whole new brand. I like the old logo better it stands out and gets your attention. It have the feel that if you buy this bust buy product with this yellow tag that says best buy on it, you will get the best buy.



Information source: http://www.underconsideration.com/brandnew/archives/best_buys_new_tag.php

Everyday Design Inspiration

Brentwood Pointe Apartment Homes

The Brentwood Pointe is a good example of an ugly design. This is a two dimensional ad. It is a black and white flyer with some information that you can’t even read, because text is to small to read on images. The call to action is to call Brentwood Pointe for an apartment to rent. The target audience would be anyone of the age to rent a home to stay in who doesn’t want to buy a house yet. Their logo was create by using colors and effects and when printed in black and white these effects make the logo look unprofessional and a little dark and difficult to read. Typography goes well with the poster and is short and to the point. However, the type in the room is difficult to read. The production process included nothing that is extra eye catching or special effect.

Hitachi

The Hitachi is a good example of good design. The color is good because it is an eye catching red. This will help it stand out on the shelves in the stores. It is also good because it goes with the theme of the product, simplicity. Typography is legible and not overwhelming, again going with the theme of simplicity. The logo is a simple all text logo that communicates the company and the brand effectively. Target audience is those who need high storage for their computers and may not be to tech savvy and would like a simple drive and a simple instillation process. Call to action is to pick this product over others and buy it. The production process is fairly simple. They made use of a COB of this product.

Kool-Aid

The Kool-Aid is a great example of a great design. The colors are appropriate for the flavor it is marketing. The bright colors are appropriate to catch the attention of young kids.  The typography is appropriate for all the type corresponds with the logo which is made completely out of type. Along with the logo they added their mascot the Kool-Aid man. The target audience is young kids who want a tasty refreshing beverages and mothers who would like to see their kids drinking drinks that are low in sugar and have a good source of vitamins. The call to action is the Kool-Aid company wants you to by the 35% less sugar grape Kool-Aid drink mix. The production process was a little different in the fact they printed on plastic that shrinks around the size of the container. This also included die cut in order to make a easy to tear off label for the lid.

Billboard: this is a good example of a bad design on a Billboard. The colors are really dark and makes it difficult to read while passing by. The type is fairly legible size. The display type that says “The Three Avengers” is hard to read while passing by. The logo is not the most prominent feature making it hard to know what company is advertising. The target audience is anyone who is of the legal driving age or above who would be driving down downtown Pittsburg, Ks. that is interested in buying a new vehicle. The call to acting is confusing when you have little time to read while driving by. It makes it look for of a movie advertisement then a vehicle advertisement since it says “Now Playing.” The production process was simple though they make use of a COB of their vehicles.

Amanda Couch in Pittsburg, Ks, took all photographs. All other information is domain knowledge from Amanda Couch.

Billboard Project

My billboard will be with Larmer Graphics. All work will be original work of Amanda Couch. My purpose is to promote my baby line products. Call to action come into my company's store to buy my company's products. Target audience is 18-34 year old women and men who have or is expecting kids. Master image list elements I will include are a screen tint. Project specifications for file format that is acceptable for Lamar Graphics is EPS, AI, QXD, INDD preferred formats is Adobe Photoshop PSD, PDF, & TIFF.  Color mode is RGB. Billboard size I will be using is 10.644 in X 22.894 in.  Live area of billboard I will be using is 10.412 in X 22.662 in. Bleed area of billboard I will be using is .102 in.  Cost will be depends on number of color used, amount of space that is color, location of billboard, must obtain a quote directly from company. Information source came from Christel Benson's Angle page. All images will be original work of Amanda Couch.

<Billboard Thumbs




< Billboard Roughs

 This is my final billboard project.

Magazine Advertisement Project

My magazine will be Glamour. All work will be original work of Amanda Couch. My purpose is to promote my company’s baby line products. Call to action is to visit my company’s website and come into my company’s store to buy my company’s products. Target Audience is 18-34 year old women and men who have or is expecting kids. Master image list elements I will include is a reverse, raster silhouette, and screen tint. Project specifications I will be using for my file format is PDF.  Color mode will be CMYK. Ad size will be 8 x 10 7/8.  Live area of ad will be 7 ½ x 10 3.8. Bleed area of ad will be .125.  Cost will be $170. 08 without bleed. There will be an additional 15% charge for all bleed advertisements. With bleed there will be an extra $25.21 added. Total of my ad space will be $195.59. All images will be original work of Amanda Couch. Information source is http://www.slideshare.net/MShahab/glamour-magazine-media-kit-analysis

                                            ^^ Magazine Thumbs ^^

                                         ^^ Magazine Rough 1^^

                                         ^^ Magazine Rough 2 ^^

 

This is my final magazine project.
 

Adobe Tutorial of a Bitmap

When wanting to turn a hand drawn image into a bitmap you need to scan your hand drawn image in to your computer. Keep in mind when you draw this image it needs to be drawn with solid black ink. Also, consider drawing the image at the size you are want to place the image into the software or bigger. 

After you scan your image onto your computer, open it in Photoshop. First thing you want to do is choose Image > Mode > Grayscale. Then choose Image> Mode > Bitmap. This will convert your file to a two-color file. After you have your image in BMP mode you can edit your image with other effects.  According to Adobe Photoshop CS5 website, referenced at the bottom of my blog, you can choose from one of five bitmap conversion methods. These five choices are 50% Threshold, Pattern Dither, Diffusion Dither, Halftone Screen, and Custom Pattern. After you have edited your picture the way you like it and set the correct resolution then you are ready to place your image into your desired software where then you can use this image. 

 Information came from http://help.adobe.com/en_US/photoshop/cs/using/WSfd1234e1c4b69f30ea53e41001031ab64-73d0a.html and also the domain knowledge of Amanda Couch.

Adove Tutorial Duotone

A duotone is made with two colors, black and a spot color. Here is how you can create a duotone photo in Photoshop. Your first step is to open your file in Photoshop. Then, create a grayscale image by going to Image > Mode > Grayscale. After you have a grayscale image go to Image > Mode > Duotone this will bring up your Duotone Options box and you can add your duotone Pantone color with the default black. I have chosen to work with the Pantone colors because in this course we have been working with Pantone colors. After choosing your colors you can now edit the duotone curve if you desire. Fifth and final step is to save your image. If you would like to continue to edit this photograph go to Image > mode > RGB then edit your photograph then go to File > Save As and save your file as EPS.



This image is my before image.



This image is my after image.

Source: http://www.digital-photography-school.com/convert-duotones-photoshop

Master Image List Descriptions

Master Image Description:

Bitmap: is drawn and then scanned and brought into Photoshop were it is converted to a black and white image and is saved as a EPS.

Reverse is paper showing through a sold background may be used in any color mode and saved in any file format.

Vector Art is created in Illustrator can be saved out as an AI, TIFF, and EPS. This can be used in either CMYK or RGB mode.

Grayscale Raster is created in Photoshop. They are pixel dependent and made in grayscale mode and can be saved as flattened eps or tif.

 

Duotone Raster is originated in Photoshop, pixel dependent, and is converted to grayscale then to duotone. Duotone consists of two colors, black plus another color. This can be saved as EPS.

Silhouette Raster originated from Photoshop and is pixel dependent. This is created by making a path around the desired silhouette and then saved out as an EPS. Also can be created in any color mode.

Full Bleed Raster originated from Photoshop and is pixel dependent. This Image bleeds off page in all four sides of the document. This can be saved out as IND or PDF.

Four Color Raster originated from Photoshop and is pixel dependent. This image is created in CMYK color mode. Save as flattened eps or tif.

Screen Tint originated from Photoshop and is pixel dependent. This image can only be made in CMYK using process colors can be saved out as PSD, EPS, and TIFF.

Information sources: Adobe Creative Suite Applications, written by Claudia McCue. Domain knowledge of Amanda Couch. Image from Christel Benson's Angle page or created by Amanda Couch.