Project #4: Photorealistic Illustration Reference Photo

For my last project I will be creating a photorealistic illustration from a photo taken by myself. Here is the photo I have chosen:

Please forgive all of the stuff in the background! Wish me luck =)

Project #3: Info-Graphic Thumbnail Sketches

I will be choosing to illustrate either one of the following concepts for my info-graphic project:

1) The progression of hairstyles and eyeglasses styles throughout the decades


2) The rate of animal extinction vs animals that come off of the extinction list

Here are some thumbnail sketches I've come up with so far for the first concept:

The next step will be settling on one of these concepts and doing a bunch of research to come up with the informational content, and reference images...

Project #3: Info-Graphic Research

For project number three I will be creating an info-graphic! Here are several ideas I am contemplating doing for my illustration:

1) The rate of animal extinction vs animals that come off of the extinction list

2) The amount of trees cut down in the US per day vs the amount of trees planted per day

3) How media has effected the amount of outdoor playtime of kids

4) Recommended serving sizes vs actual serving sizes around the world

5) The progression of hairstyles and eyeglasses styles throughout the decades

Now I have to choose one of these and start researching!

Project #1: Editorial Illustration FINAL VERSION!

Open publication - Free publishing - More case study

Project #2: Type-Based Illustration Preliminary Critique

Open publication - Free publishing - More case study

Project #2: Type-Based Illustration Project Statement

1. Background

     Cinecon 2011 Classic Film Festival is a five day event where classic movie fans gather in Hollywood to watch and celebrate 30 rare silent and early sound feature films. These films are rarely screened in public. There will also be several celebrities from the early film era, as well as a memorabilia show and awards ceremony. The illustration is a poster with a classic film star and the titles of the 30 movies that will be showing at the festival.

2. Target Audiences

     The target audience for my illustration will be movie enthusiasts, particularly classic film fans. I also hope to reach out to a newer generation of movie-goers that might not have been exposed to classic films, but who have an interest in learning the film industry’s roots and how it evolved into what it has become today. Another area I’d like to reach is the retired community. These films should bring back some of the nostalgia of their youth.

3. Objectives

     After seeing this illustration I want the target audience to become excited about the festival and to either log onto the internet to find out more and the details of the event, or to spread the word and tell friends/family who might be interested in an event such as this.

4. Obstacles

     Obstacles standing between my objectives and the target audience are some of the older demographic might not have access to the internet, some of the young demographic might not see this sort of an even as being exciting and a place for young people to go. If a young person really desires to go they might face pressures from their peers to not go because it might come off as “un-cool.” One misconception in our present culture that might deter people from going to this festival might be the fact that classic films, especially silent ones, are perceived as boring. Today’s movies are so jam-packed with special effects and excitement, that older movies lack.

5. Key Benefit

     The key benefit the audience will experience upon seeing this illustration is that they will experience a piece of movie history that few have ever witnessed before. It is a rare opportunity to find out how the glamorous film industry began.

6. Support Statements/ Reasons Why

     The key benefit outweighs the obstacles because people like to experience rare opportunities, and they also love the movies. After seeing one of these classic films they will have a new understanding and appreciation for the film industry. They won’t take for granted all of the effects that seem so easy to do in today’s movies. The audience will also get to meet some of the actors from the older film era, which will not be possible in the next 10 or so years due to their age. They younger generation needs to be exposed to these films and culture, or it will fade away as soon as the older audience is no longer here.

7. Tone

     The tone of this piece will be playful and dramatic. I want it to give homage to the glitz and glamour of the era these films came out of. I want the audience to get excited when they see it and create an interest in what might seem boring in today’s culture.

8. Media

     This illustration will be printed as posters and some printed advertisements in the newspaper or weekly magazines. It will also appear online at the Cinecon 2011 website on the home page.

Project #1: Week 3 Preliminary Critique

Open publication - Free publishing - More editorial

Project #2: Type-Based Reference Photos

I've narrowed it down to these three retro beauties for my type-based illustration:

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It's going to be hard to choose just one of them! Come back soon to see which lady I end up choosing...

~Kara

Project #2: Inspiration Type-Based Illustration

While working on the editorial illustration we are finding inspiration for our next project...a type-based illustration! Here are some inspiring illustrations I came across:

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Now I need to find some reference photos to use for my type-based illustration...

~Kara

Project #1: Editorial Illustration Project Statement

Background

This editorial article is about the epidemic of honey bees dying off around the world and how scientists are trying to intervene by breeding a "super-bee" that can survive under today's harsh farming/pollinating conditions to keep our food sources from becoming extinct.

Target Audience

The target audience for this piece is middle to upper class American adults, ages 25 - 65, people that are concerned about environmental issues and science.

Objectives

After reading this article, the target audience should feel a sense of urgency to be mindful of the state of the health of bees. There is hope that bees will be regarded with more care and concern then prior to reading this article. I also want the audience to start a conversation with their peers regarding the decline of the bee population. In turn hopefully the public will be more aware of the issue, and might push for more eco-farming choices such as banishing the use of pesticides. 

Obstacles

A major belief that stands between the audience and the desired objective is the misinformation that bees are harmful creatures out to sting you and your loved ones. Another obstacle is the general view of farming practices tells us that the use of pesticides is okay. It might also be hard for some readers to grasp the impact that bees have on our lives, as most people do not link bees with our crops and farming. Upon reading the article the reader might be fearful of the notion of scientists creating a "African Bee" type of breed which was a big scare several years back. This time scientists are not messing with the genealogy of the insect, rather they are using "survival of the fittest" techniques to weed out the strongest of the bee population.

Key Benefit

One benefit the audience will experience upon reading the objectives will be that they should gain a better understanding of the importance of the bee population in our world and might be more willing to let go of their fears about the insects once they find out bee's vulnerabilities. 

Support Statements / Reasons Why

The reason why the key benefit will outweigh the obstacles is because the threat of our food sources being extinguished along with the bee population should motivate people to be concerned and want to come to a resolution to the problem. Once people are aware that our survival as humans depends on the survival of the bees, they should start thinking of how they can ensure the bees don't die off as a priority instead of treating them as "just another insect." The message contained in the editorial is beneficial because if we can raise awareness to this issue, we might be able to prevent the demise of bees. This article will also give the readers more incentive to pay attention to other aspects of farming and ecologically responsible behaviors. 

Tone

The feeling my communication will have is one that is somewhat relaxed and light, but with a hint of seriousness. I want people to be drawn into the story and not feel like they are being lectured to or scolded. I want them to feel as though this issue is something they can take into consideration in their daily lives, hence a casual tone will probably be best to win the reader over. Being too serious is risky because the  reader might feel as though this issue is way above their realm and they could have no impact on the situation.

Media

This illustration will appear online to accompany the editorial article. It might also appear in print as part of informational brochures on the topic of honey bee survival.

Editorial Illustration Sketches

The article I chose for my editorial illustration was:
Can 'super-bees' solve the world's food crisis?
Below are my process sketches:

Now I have to choose just one of these awesome sketches to make into my final illustration...choices...choices...

~Kara

Project #1: Editorial Research

My first assignment this quarter is to create an editorial illustration for an existing article using Adobe Illustrator. The first step is to find three possible editorials to work with. I scoured the internet and came up with these three gems:

Our view: Chains should disclose calorie counts

Obesity alone is no reason to remove kids from their homes

Can 'super-bees' solve the world's food crisis?

Along with the articles, I was asked to find some existing editorial illustrations for inspiration. Here are a few of the ones that I liked:

After choosing an article out of the three choices I will create thumbnail sketches to come up with ideas for my final illustration. Stay tuned to see which article I will choose to illustrate for my project!

~Kara

Thanks for stopping by!

Hi! I'm Kara and welcome to my blog!! This blog was started for my Summer Quarter class, Computer Drawing, at the Art Institute of Seattle. I will be exploring illustration using the computer over the next several months. This blog will be a place where I research, compile ideas for projects, and share my creations. Hope you enjoy!

Feel free to stop by my personal blog over at karabou-creations.blogspot.com!

~Kara