Leavon Archer - A Freelance Concept Artist.

Leavon is a freelance concept Artist, he mainly works in the gaming areas. He began his career when he was 15 and he got a job creating comics. He got his first job creating games at 17, once he was 18 he decided to go to college to get some qualifications to help him pursue his dream career. He took and Art & Design course at Chesterfield College although he was more interested in Graphic Design he really enjoyed the course. He believes that the life drawing he took part in during his time at college is one of the main reasons he has come so far in his career, he still takes life drawing classes as he believes it is a great help for his character drawings, being able to draw body shapes and in the right proportion.

He started off with very basic characters and was working in 2D. His first gaming job was inspired by the works of Walt Disney. As he progressed and got more and more gaming jobs his character designs improved and he began using different applications such as Photoshop, this gave him the chance to explore working in 3D and he loved it!

He got to work on a Pirates of the Caribbean game for Xbox 360, photographs were taken from the set of the movies to give him a good idea on skin colour textures etc.

He also shows an interest in fantasy art using brush and pen and ink. He looks at anatomy using parts of the human body and muscle structures to get inspiration for creatures and aliens.

He has worked on statues to, and as he has never worked on the design of animals before he decided to create a Russian statue of a horse and its rider. He said that it was great to get a chance to to work on this project because as a character artist you never a chance to use environmental pieces.

He also discussed with us that a lot of people ask him if he ever gets a chance to create his own projects, and he told us that he has a lot of spare time and he uses this to create his own projects, he’s currently working on a project that he is hoping one day will become a film.

Although a lot of the projects he has worked on have fell through he said the experience has been great and having the chance to work on them has been unbelievable. He regrets working on a lot of the projects he has worked on though as he didn’t get the experience he expected.

Sometimes he draws straight into Photoshop using a graphics tablet instead of sketching the images, although sometimes he will sketch an image and then take a photo and upload it to his computer to then edit on Photoshop. He uses various effects on images when editing in Photoshop such as mirroring the image or blurring it etc. Likes to explore new techniques and make his work look more interesting.

When designing characters before he sends them off to the customers he has to have more than one photo, preferably 3 from all angles.

He designs his images in photoshop and then uses an application called Z-Brush to add sculpture to the images. Z-Brush is a sculpting product associated with the Lord of the Rings movies and games.

I found his work really interesting and I liked the fact that he shows a great interest in his work and has a lot of passion. I am not interested in character drawing for a future career but I found a lot of tips he gave us useful.

Recycling Posters.

After Christmas we are going to be starting a new live project, our main task is going to be to create a poster to raise awareness to recycle small electrical goods. I have decided to review some recycling posters to give me an idea of what the client will be looking for, what looks good and what looks bad, and what i would like my final poster to look like. The images i am going to review are some i found on the Internet, i chose to review the images because they caught my attention.

Poster One - Peace Love Recycle.This is a recycling poster that i found on google images. This poster is advertising recycling in general. I like this poster because it has not been put into an organized layout, each image is just placed touching the image next to it, they haven't been layed out as if they were to fit into a grid. Because the poster has been made to represent a different slogan "Peace Love Happiness", it makes it seem more attractive and draws your attention into reading it. I really like the bright colours and the childlike effect of the text, i think this makes it seem more interesting and it doesn't just attract adults it also attracts the younger generations. I think that because it doesn't have a large amount of writing telling you what the poster is aimed at, it makes you more willing to recycle, because when posters have a large amount of text (unless it is a subject you are seriously interested in) you would not want to read it. I would like to make my poster like this as it is very simple but it is very attractive and it represents its outcome clearly.

Poster Two - RECYCLE! Its a plus for the Environment.

I also found this poster on Google images, this is also a poster advertising recycling in general. I like this poster because it seems quite childlike, it could of even been designed by the younger generation. i think it has been aimed at younger people and obviously trying to encourage people of all ages to recycle. It is mainly showing the recycling of paper so maybe this is what it is advertising, maybe it is advertising in pictures rather than words because people tend to be more interested in images. I like the posters layout because it isn't really organized making it seem more simple. I also like that there are images blended into the background showing you how to recycle, but the designer has not made them the main object as it will put people off. I wouldn't use a design like this for my own poster because i think there's a bit to much going on, but i would definitely like my poster to have the same outcome.

Poster Three - you CAN do it! RECYCLE.

This is another poster i found on Google Images I liked this image because it was simple and straight to the point. It is advertising recycling in general and i think that it is really effective. I really like the fact that it has two languages on it, making people who speak in a different language feel more welcome into our country and explaining to them what they should do to help make the world a better place. Although i think the image would look better if the recycling logo was faded out a bit. i think the colours are really bright giving it a happy vibe encouraging people to recycle because it looks fun. When i create my poster i would like it to be like this because the colours are really nice and i like the child like effect it gives.

Poster Four - How many ways can you think of to recycle?

Here is another recycling poster i found on Google Images, this is advertising recycling in general. I like the fact that it is humorous and quite child like. I don't really like the colour combination of the background and the image i think it is to much of a contrast. I really like the fact that the text is small and at the bottom so if your interested you will read further into it to see what it is about, i also like that it is showing you that its the earth your harming by not recycling, i really like the fact that it is straightforward to the point. I would definitely like my poster to look like this because i like the simple cartoon character.

Conclusion:

I have learnt a lot from looking at these posters, it has given me a variety of ideas of what i could use in my poster and what i shouldn't put in my poster. I already had numerous ideas of what i would like my poster to look like, but after looking at the other posters it has given me a more precise idea of what i would like my final outcome to look like.

Proposal - Unit 4: Communication through art & design.

For this project we are going to be creating our first live project for Chesterfield Borough Council. The project is to design a recycling scheme aimed at small electrical goods. By the end of the project we are hoping to have designed a poster encouraging the general public to consider the life cycle of goods that they may have previously sent to landfill sites e.g. hairdryers irons etc.

We are going to be researching contempary artists who use recycled goods in their work. We are also going to investigate recycling/green themes and imagery alongside more contemporary illustration styles that you might want to use as inspiration.

For our posters to be successful we need to develop the use of visual imagery coupled with quality typography to be powerful enough to change peoples actions and perception of recycling their small electrical goods.

I have looked at the work of an artist ‘Clare Graham’, he uses recyclable items or ‘discarded materials’ such as tin cans, bottle tops and buttons in his work. He began his work during his childhood, growing up in a working class family with limited means and four siblings meant he had to make the best of hand-me-downs and whatever raw materials he could possibly find. Obviously he didn’t expect to have a future career from the work he created as a young child. http://hautenature.com/clare-graham-artist-and-recycling-guru/. Because his work is enormous in scale he has to work in a warehouse in Highland Park California.

Evaluation.

For the past five weeks i have been working on creating this blog for one of our projects. I am not new to blogging as i have used one for a project at school. Blogging has learnt me a great deal of how important blogging is for me passing this course and for use in the future.

I thought that using a blog for college was going to be really hard to use but it turns out it is really simple and easy to use. Using a blog to post your work makes even the less interesting work look more proffesional. Also all posts can be used as a portfolio for university interviews etc.

I have really enjoyed this project as it has been really easy and i have been able to use it for personal work as well as college work. Its great to know that all the work produced on this blog is going to be a great help for getting into university.

However some people find it unfair that people can create a blog so simple and easy making the proffesionals look less proffesional, because they believe they should be appreciated for their hard work and with people not having to put in half the effort it 'isn't fair'.

Whilst creating this project i have found out many new skills about using blogger than i didnt know whilst using blogger at school, such as: Creating my own logo, background & changing the layout. I have also learnt that fonts, colours and sizes need to be appropriate for people with difficulties such as dsylexia.

Overall in my honest opinion i have really enjoyed using blogger, i think its extremely easy and simple to use, and it is a good way of researching hobbies and interests. Also helping you keep in touch with people you would like to follow.

Tis the season to be jolly.

Well as its nearly christmas, & we've had a LOT of snow just recently, i thought i'd give you a little nosey at how we've been enjoying it!

Here is my four year old sister Sammie enjoying the snow. This picture was taken before the big downpour of it! By her side is my mini snowman. Just minutes after my stepdad had shoveled some of the snow into a pile she decided she would attempt to dive onto it!

The local park where we spent most days sledging!

Mine and lewis's snowman! this took a lot of time and made our hands very red and cold! sorry if its a little crude for your liking ;)

Typography.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eDrAzyz5vWo/TQZHDptfZnI/AAAAAAAAAI8/hzTIhyC8_wg/s1600/red2.jpg



"Cool label, at least you’ll be sure of what you are buying."

This wasn't actually an article i found, it was basically a picture with a simple description and a date. But i found the typography interesting as it was so simple but so detailed at the same time.

5 Photography techniques you should know.

I recently looked at a graphic design web page. And then found an article that intrigued me, called '5 photography techniques you should know'.

http://www.designer-daily.com/5-photography-techniques-you-should-know-11679

"You don’t need to be a photographer to be a good designer."

I found this article interesting as it is all really true. It is great for anyone interested in photography and would be a great help if you didn't know as much as you would like to. I liked reading this article because i am interested in photography myself. Although some of the information is slightly technical for me, the only way to learn more about photography is to read into something you don't know.

The reason I chose: Sarah France.

Content:
I chose to follow this blog because most graphic designers I find tend to be male, whereas this graphic designer is a female who shares a lot of the same interests as me. She is interested in general design, crafts and photography. I liked the fact that she uses a lot of personal work in her blog.

Background:
A plain white background is used making it much easier to find your way around and view things.

Layout:
A simple layout is used throughout the blog giving it a modern organized look. Images are large which makes them look more appealing and intrigues you to read the text.

Font:
Different fonts are used for different things but the same font is used throughout all posts making it more organized.

Doodle Project.

Here is a piece of work from my sketch book for our doodle project. I chose to do this doodle page in this style as I have done because a large amount of my work are bight and vibrant doodles and this would be a contrast against these images.

Here is another piece of work from my sketch book for our doodle project, this image was inspired from a book my four year old sister was drawing in, it contained numerous doodle like images and I decided I would copy some of these images as they would look great in my sketch book.

Here is also another piece of work from my sketch book for our doodle project, I got really bored one night and didn't have any homework to do so i decided to do lots of cute doodles in my sketch book and this is what i ended up with. This is my favourite doodle page as it is really cute and full of colour.

Doodle Project.

Here are a few images of one of my final pieces for my doodle project.
For this piece of work we were given someone elses work to adapt and modify using our own techniques and doodles. As you can see the final image has many layers as we were told that lots of layers gives a better finishing touch.
The words love were already on the paper i just adapted them by making them larger. also some small flames were drawn in the corner so i decided to enlarge them numerous times and use them throughout the whole image i also did the same with the bubbles.

Google Reader.

Recently we have been shown how to view our Dashboard in Google Reader. Basically Google Reader puts your Dashboard into a simple format, making it a lot easier to find and read updates of the blogs your following. Making it more viewable as everything is put into the same text format.

Sheffield Hallam University, is it an option?

Sheffield Hallam University.
MDes Graphic Design.

http://www.shu.ac.uk/prospectus/course/545/entry/

About the course: The course will last for a period of four years full time. Entry requirements are 260 points from at least two GCE/VCE A levels or BTEC National qualifications, including a relevant subject, such as art, design, design technology, textiles or graphics. AS levels and Key Skills may count towards these points.

Year one
You strengthen your graphic design skills and techniques, and establish good working practice. Key themes and objectives are to

• explore a range of media areas

• develop your critical skills

• develop your idea generation skills

• understand the design process

• learn how to creatively solve problems.

You also explore

• drawing

• printmaking

• typography

• photography

• digital media

• moving imagery

• branding and marketing.

Year two
This year helps you to focus on one or more areas in graphic design including • advertising • motion graphics • illustration • packaging • interactive design.

Subjects include competition and live industry briefs with emphasis on professional methods and standards. We also prepare you for an increasingly independent approach to working and developing your portfolio.

Year three
• research for practice 1

• research for practice 2

• project

• professional enhancement (industrial placement or exchange)

Year four
• creativity, innovation and professionalism

• competitive design (project)

• final project

After reading about this university and this course i would definitely like to go here, it is quite far to travel but it is still close enough to home that i would not have to move out. I believe i will be able to fit the requirements and get into this university. The Course sounds really interesting and is definitely what i am looking for in the future.

University of Derby, is it an option?

University Of Derby.
FdA Applied Photography.

http://www.derby.ac.uk/applied-photography-fda?csId=&courseQuery=

About the course:
The course is a part time course containing 16 Modules in total. You'll develop a wide variety of knowledge and practical skills in areas including darkroom work, digital photography, studio lighting, career development and project management. During the course you have the opportunity to do work experience, or take advantage of a freelance opportunity if you're not already working. If you're already working with photography, you'll be able to develop the skills you use every day at work. When you graduate you could go on to work for a wide variety of organisations in the photoimaging sector of the creative industries. Or you may choose to work as a photographer on a freelance basis. Entry requirements are usually 80 UCAS points from A levels or equivalent qualifications, such as a BTEC National Diploma, Scottish Highers etc. If you've completed an Access/Foundation course, we also accept these qualifications.

I would like to study here as it is only a short distance from home meaning, travel would not be an issue and i would be able to carry on living at home. I would also like to go to this university as i know family and friends also taking courses there. The course criteria sounds really appealing and is what i am looking for. Once i have completed my college course i think it would be really easy to get into this university looking at the expected requirements.

BA (Hons) Visual Communication (Graphic Design)

http://www.derby.ac.uk/visual-communication-graphic-design-ba-hons?csId=&courseQuery=

About the course:
The course can last up to a period of four years. entry requirements are usually 180-240 UCAS points from A levels or equivalent qualifications, such as a BTEC National Diploma, Scottish Highers etc. If you've completed an Access/Foundation course. As part of third year and second year modules, students from our Graphic Design course had the chance to work with Thoughtful Design Group "James Graham" and weregiven a live brief for Innocent smoothies. Several pieces of work have been chosen by the design team and students may also get the opportunity to present their work to the clients themselves.Assessment is based on coursework, relevant to each module. This may include portfolios of artwork, exhibitions, sketchbooks, research and background material, essays, reports and presentations. The course explores fundamental elements of art and design such as creative image making, colour, spatial awareness, composition and concept development. You'll be encouraged to be original, questioning and challenging what the subject can be, and to understand your work in relation to its historical and contemporary context.

I would like to study here as it is only a short distance from home meaning, travel would not be an issue and i would be able to carry on living at home. I would also like to go to this university as i know family and friends also taking courses there. The course criteria sounds really appealing and is what i am looking for. Once i have completed my college course i think it would be really easy to get into this university looking at the expected requirements for both courses.

Nottingham Trent University, is it an option?

Today we have discussed whether we would like to go to university after completing college. We discussed the different options we could take, whether we would stay local or move away, what courses we would like to do, and UCAS points. We went off to the learning centre to do some research and look into the different universities and what courses they offer.

Nottingham Trent University.

BA (Hons) Graphic Design

http://www.ntu.ac.uk/apps/pss/courses/cf/60809-1/10/BA_%28Hons%29_Graphic_Design.aspx

About the course:
The course will last for a period of three years, all three years feature two core modules covering practical and theoretical work. The course encourages you to develop your own interests and express viewpoints, imaginations and visual skills within specialist areas such as: Print, Illustration, Advertising, Branding, New Media and Motion Graphics.The course is taught by specialist staff including internationally recognised practitioners, researchers and educators who are actively involved in the contemporary graphic design arena. The entry requirements are A minimum of 280 UCAS tarrif points (from a minimum of two A-levels or equivalent qualification (such as a BTEC National Diploma or art and design foundation course). Additional tariff points obtained from AS-levels, where the subject was not continued to A-level, will also be accepted towards the 280 UCAS points required).

Year One

• You will gain a comprehensive in troduction to the basic principles and history of graphic design.
• You will also participate in a series of project briefs and a learn-by-doing approach combines creativity with technology and incorporates modern software and visualisation techniques.

Year Two

• You'll begin to expand on your creative development and work through the design process in a series of projects.
• These will include areas like brand identity, interactive design, advertising, illustration, typography, editorial design and digital techniques.
• You'll have the chance to take up a work placement for up to four weeks within a commercial design company.

Year Three

• You'll have the freedom and flexibility to specialise in areas of your choices by developing your own projects and design briefs.
• You'll get the chance to enter national competitions.
• You'll put together a portfolio of self-initiated degree-show work and a fully research dissertation on a subject of your choice.

I would like to study at Nottingham Trent University as it is close to home meaning i will not need to move away from friends or family. The course sounds appealing as it has all the right things i am looking for and it will be easy to get in because of the course i am currently studying.

The reason I chose: The Ward-O-Matic

Content:
I chose to look at this blog by Ward Jenkins because he is an illustrator/animator, and that is one of the areas i would really like to work in. A lot of the work on his page is simple but it is very interesting. He also has some photography on his blog and this is another area i am interested in. everytime he updates his blog i find something new that interests me.

Background:
The background is a simple plain colour with white boxes around all text and gadgets. this makes the blog simple to read and follow.

Layout:
the layout is simple, sophisticated and really organized, making it modern and easy to find things.

Font:
The same font has been used throughout the blog, a theme has been mainted for the blog.

The reason i chose: Justin K Thompson.

Content:
This blog has been created by an artist names Justin K Thompson, I enjoyed looking at this blog as it contains a lot of his own work as well as other artists work he likes. He works with a variety of different arts such as, interior designs, sketches, furniture designs self portraits and doodles. I chose to look at this blog because furniture design is one of the areas I am considering for a future career or hobby.

Background:
A black background with white text is not a good idea if you have dyslexic followers. I didn't struggle to read the writing but a lot of other people may have found it difficult to read. The simplicity of the background made it easy to follow.

Layout:
The simple layout works well as there are a lot of images in Justin's posts, I found the layout really easy to follow and I enjoyed being able to find a simple blog that is organized.

Font:
Throughout the blog Justin has used the same font type, size and colour, although for some important words, headings and links, he has either brightened the colour, increased the size or emboldened the text.

The reason i chose: JE;SU.

Content:

JE;SU is a design company based in Copenhagen, Denmark. specialising in communication, graphic design, web design, trends and illustration. I enjoyed looking at this blog as it has numerous things i am interested in, such as graphic design, web design and illustration.

Background:

the background is a simple white background, this makes the blog look more modern and professional.

Layout:
The layout is very simple and has little detail with the exception of one large image at the top. this shows that the blog is looking for a professional look.

Font:
The font remains the same throughout the blog giving it a more sophisticated look, this also makes it easier to read and follow.

The reason i chose: Ryoki.

Content:

I haven't always been interested in tattoo artists, but just recently as more and more tatoo's have come about, i have grown a strange interest in them. I liked looking at this blog because it is a female artist and she has a lot of bright vibrant work.

Background:

The background is a template used on the Google blogger. It works well but the dark blue text on a black background was quite difficult to read.

Layout:

The layout is a simple layout with a dividing line. Everything is in a specific order making it easy to read.

Font:

The artist has maintained the same font throughout the entire blog giving it a more proffessional look.

The reason i choose: I am Fashion.

Content:

i have always shown an interest in fashion, and i enjoyed looking at this fashion design blog. The artists work is excellent and i found it really interesting. I like the fact that she shows what fashion she likes not whats popular. She shows her own individuality.

Background:

The background is just a simple white background but is very effective as the posts are very vibrant and colourful giving it a contrast.

Layout:

The layout is very simple and organized. Instead of a bright colourful background it has a large image at the top which is very detailed but is simple in colour. Instead of dividing areas with lines bold titles help keep the blog organized.

Font:

Throughout the blog the artist has used the same font for almost everything, but for some links a different font has been used to separate certain areas of text. The same colour scheme has been used throughout the blog: Black for all text and then Violet for links and important words.