Communication Artifact Bear Bones Systems

For my communication artifact I chose to design a product brochure for Bear Bones System. I chose to do a brochure because I felt this product would greatly benefit by having an artifact that demonstrates the many features and functions this unique product has. Another communication objective that this brochure would offer is that it shows the variety of uses, as well as showing what different items this trailer has the potential to tow which would reach different audiences.

The style guide that I followed is the Bear Bones Systems is in Cinzel font. "Bones" is in black font with white shadow "Bear Systems" is 25% grey. I used the accent colors of black, grey and white in my design process to account for the same color to be present with the type style color.

   

While I was thinking about how I was going to put this together I kept in mind the vocabulary of design. Starting with lines I wanted everything to line up on the brochure on each page and I wanted the lines on the image to lead you down the brochure to the next part. The lines and the form in relation to the shapes on the page go with each other because the text is inside the shapes on some pages but also those shapes have distinct lines that bring everything together on the page. I like how on a couple of the pages the shapes bring depth and space to the brochure. I used the images in certain places to bring good spacing between each one so that it didn't feel like there was to much going on and the space and depth make the image pop and grab your attention. Although the images are computer generated images I feel the images do a good job of showing texture and real life qualities to show the user what this product would look and feel like. I wanted to be very simple in the design process but still have it be attention grabbing. The images themselves are very simple images and the color scheme is very basic but I feel it came together very well with simple qualities being implemented. Looking into the brochure and seeing what forms of contrast  I used I see things like the light/dark aspect where I used gray as a background but also used black on another. The placement of the images I feel like used good contrast in making sure none of them over powered the other the orientation turned out good in my opinion. Each image has meaning and relationship with the content on its respected page I feel I did good to not have to much but just enough to keep the user interested. The figure ground relationship I find to be unique in this design process I used images that had a mirrored figure ground relationship. I did this because I like how it brought about a showcase vibe within the brochure displaying the product as if it was in a showroom may make the consumer more likely to look into what this product is. The images that I used also worked really well with the white backdrop because I used images that had shadows giving it a 3D element on the actual products within the brochure.

Looking into the gestalt principles that are present I first notice that I used the law of similarity where items that are similar are grouped within each page of the brochure. I purposely did this to show what each drop-in and ramp was capable of doing to all for the user to find information fast on which ever function they were using at the time. Looking into the law of pragnanz I wanted things to look simple and not to complicated for the user so they could view the content without feeling overwhelmed. I used the law of proximity on a couple of the pages where I used the same trailer style with two images grouped together to show its functions from different angles or aspects to show the user different looks.  I feel like I used the law of continuity in how I placed my images on the brochure and the way they were angle allowed for your eyes to follow the brochure the way it is supposed to be followed when reading it. Each image has lines present that natural move your eyes along the brochure. I used the law of closure where one image shows the exploded version to show how it is put together but then I also have an image present that shows it completely put together.

Even though this isn't a website the axioms of web design are very much applicable to a brochure design in how you would want to design it. First of all on the inside flap I constructed the business and communication objective by describing the business type and presenting that this product has various uses which makes the user want to view more. I feel like I did a good job of building a strong grid that I used for the placement of certain text and images. The images flow well with each other for the axiom of continuity, I feel that is what I did best on this brochure I feel it flowed really well and it wasn't overwhelming with information just enough to keep you interested. I feel like the product itself is very intuitive which makes the brochure intuitive its a unique product so when someone sees it on this brochure I feel it will catch your attention right off the bat.

Overall I felt I did a really good job on this brochure I was pretty impressed when it was done, I feel I used a lot of design elements in my design process and it all came together really well. I enjoyed this project it allowed me to use ideas and concepts that we learned over the course of the semester and apply them in very useful way.

Mis-En-Scene

Mad Max: Fury Road
Production Design (Colin Gibson)


I was very excited to be able to look further into what went into creating the world of Mad Max. Mad Max was very successful this year with awards and accolades many of which came from the design process of the film. I choose to analyze the production design process because I was curious about the vehicles that they constructed and used throughout the film which was a good majority of the production design that went into creating this film. In film a production designer is the person responsible for the physical overall look of the filmed event. Production designers have a very strong creative role in the creation of motion pictures and effectively portraying the stories they tell. Working directly with the director and producer, they must select the settings and style to visually tell the story. The ideas and concepts behind the production design had been in process for the last 15 years. This film was in the mind of George Miller back in the early 2000’s but faced many delays and speed bumps in the process of getting filming started and ready to shoot. Miller said that he did not feel he had to top himself in terms of production design compared to the previous films in the series. Instead, he wanted the production design to both reflect back to the earlier films and highlight the changes of the past 30 years. When you make a movie that's essentially one long car chase, you're going to need a production designer who knows cars. Colin Gibson, the production designer, said that they developed an internally consistent history to explain the film's look and justify its use of hot rods. Gibson designed the film's vehicles, all of which are fully functional. Construction of some of the vehicles began as early as 2003.The cars were designed to show characterization and detail in their own unique world, including the characters' feelings of guilt, loss, and their attempts to recycle the remains of civilization. Each was as unique as the characters. One of the things that’s clear in this movie is that everything is recycled. What is new is old again or what is old is new again, that everything is a composite of new and recycled parts, that everything gets repurposed. Something that I found interesting while listening to an interview with Colin Gibson was that each vehicle that was designed served a purpose and was treated as if it was its own character. Names were given to each vehicle and it had its own back story, as well as a planned end about how the vehicle will be destroyed along with the characters who drove them.

The vehicles design process was based heavily on recycled materials from many years and styles of vehicles. Many of them are designed using symmetrical and asymmetrical features depending on the style of the vehicle and the character who drove it. Balance and texture was highly considered in designing the vehicle. The vehicles needed to be fully functional so balancing them within their appropriate layout was crucial considering many different parts were used which brought different texture within the vehicle. Shape, and color were used to design the vehicles based on the salvaged parts as well as in its respect to the character. The use of lines was used in the layout in which they drove through the desert. They each had a respected place in the formation as they stayed in line and in sync as they drove. Also present within their formation is the concept of the figure ground relationship between the vehicles and desert floor. The way they were organized in their formation reminds me of the law of proximity were similar styles were grouped near each other. Other uses of lines were seen within the vehicles that make up their shapes. The vehicles matched the costumes and make-up design mainly due to the idea that the entirety of the movie was designed around the vehicles based from the story board. Essentially the vehicles are very unique but also represent a sense of similarity in color and in style between the vehicles and the characters. Each group was represented with a different style of vehicle but at the same time used the law of similarity based from the idea of using recycled materials from the apocalyptic world in which they operate.  

Compose a Frame

I walked around in the later hours of the evening when there wasn't very many people around because I really wanted to look at a lot of different places without running into a bunch of people. The Holland building is a very well designed building with many unique features that once you start to look at all of the little things you really appreciate the planning and artistry that goes into designing a building such as this one. After walking around I ended up in one of my favorite spots in the building which was the fourth floor balcony. I usually use this spot to take pictures of the sunset as well as the unique layout of the land in which St. George is known for. This time I turned my lens to the building looking for a frame that represented the elements of still composition. I moved as far back as I could and I finally saw the frame I wanted to capture and this is what I came up with.

This frame immediately caught my eye when it comes to the notion of the rule of thirds. I originally viewed this from left to right as opposed to right to left. The night sky and the banister meet in a what I would consider to be a figure ground relationship to form the first third in this picture. The middle thirds of this frame is the walkway of tiles to the glass window that eventually leads to the ceiling with draws your eyes back up the frame then back to the tiles. The last thirds of the frame is separated by a vertical column which separates the walkway and the inside of the building as well as the red walls and white board.

This frame is heavily dominated by the diagonal rule in many different aspects. The one that I can't overlook even if I tried is the banister moving along a diagonal plane that leads to the glass window which shows what's inside the building. As it so happens there is a lighting fixture placed almost directly over the banister that moves in a diagonal plane in which the two work together the actually form a natural vanishing point for the eye to follow. The diagonal lines on the tables lead your eyes inside the building in the which then follows the lines from the lights as well as the red wall and white board which continues to flow through the entirety of the frame. The lines on the pillar moves your eyes to the ceiling which also includes many lines that bring out texture in the ceiling. There is a figure ground relationship between the floor and the glass banister on the right which both include diagonal lines that move your eyes back and fourth. With the diagonal lines there are graphic vectors present that are created from these lines. One that I notice a lot in this frame is the glass windows and how the diagonal lines lead to this vector and bring a sense of direction to the layout of this balcony naturally all lines are leading you back inside the building from this spot.
 

Axioms of Web Design

Axioms of Web Design
Utah.com

When deciding what webpage I should do for this activity I had to think long and hard because I couldn’t think of a particular website that was my absolute favorite. I happened to pull up Utah.com to look at some new hiking trails that I hadn’t been on yet and I was looking through it and it hit me that this was a very well put together website and worked perfectly for this activity.

When looking into what is considered to be the most relevant bit of understand and what information is present about the overall business objective, is listed right on the landing screen about everything that Utah has to offer and why it is viewed as one of the top travel destinations in the world.

Utah.com uses the strong grid very well in communicating their message and making it easy for the user to find the information in which they are looking for. All the information needed is present at the very top with links to get you to navigate quicker through the page to access the information that you are looking for.

Scrolling through the page I found there to be many images that followed the lower right axiom. The entire page consisted of an image in the lower right of an activity or place that you can do. I found this to be very effective as well as having it lead my eye down the page at an angle. I would view the content as I scrolled down the page but also found my eyes shiftily moving at an angle to view the images that were present. This combo made the viewing process very easy and was filling the page with a lot of information in a small amount of time which I enjoyed without being to overwhelmed.

There is a high degree of intuitiveness in the pictures and the slogans they use with each picture. Each picture has a very appropriate wording to make you strongly believe the message being portrayed. The main point that is trying to be portrayed is that we are a very outdoor friendly state and that is shown in the landing pages’ video which sits center and has a high degree of contrast drawing you into that video and making you want to click play. A side from the landing pages’ video, there are very aesthetically pleasing images present within this website that draws the user in. The pictures are of Utah’s beautiful landscapes which we know to be truly stunning. The website portrays those images very well making the user want to visit these places which is the websites business objective. The website also does have the ability to change the aspect ratio to third and fourth screen devices allowing for mobile use on the go.  

Design Presentations

For my design presentation and in honor of the 50th Super Bowl over the weekend I decided to take a closer look into the history of the Super Bowl logos. As I was looking through the logos over the 50 years of this celebrated event I came to find something very interesting from the first forty five logos, to the previous five. The logo itself is a very important part of the Super Bowl its patched on to all the jerseys, displayed on every football that is used, as well as placed on the 50 yard line for everyone to see. The Super Bowl is a recognized world wide event the logo is essentially the identity of the event its what people and fans recognize when they think back on a particular Super Bowl.

The design between the first forty five and the previous five are much different. Looking into the use of contrast in design I feel the first forty five all have so much more uniqueness with their respected colors and orientations. The logos seem to use colors associated with the cities in which the games were played the logos consist of 2 or 3 colors. The use of the colors brings the logos to life the logos with the color are much more aesthetically pleasing to the eye then that of the newer logos which lack any real color. The position of the letters and roman numerals is important in the layout of the logo each has its own uniqueness. The size of the lettering and numbers works in relationship with there positioning within the logo. All of these forms work really well in the design of these logos. The balance within the logos uses the forms of contrast to develop an appropriate look and layout for the pieces used in the logo. I noticed that the logos use symmetrical as well as asymmetrical principles of balance. The older logos do a better job of utilizing the law of similarity as well as proximity in there design. The similar objects are grouped together to create a unique orientation for the logo. The Super Bowl logo from 92 was the one that I liked the most out of the 50 that have been designed. This game was played in Pasadena California at the rose bowl which is why the use of the red roses are presented. The placement of all the pieces that make this logo are in perfect harmony with each other and a symmetrical balance is present. The colors compliment each other from the red and the green to the blue background. The logo itself is much simpler then that of the new ones the use of shape color and orientation in the old compliments the logo much better then the new ones. The new ones have no color but rather they have incorporated shapes that demonstrate the cities that the game is being played. The new logo to me is boring it doesn't portray the uniqueness of the Super Bowl.

Contrast, Balance, and Harmony

When thinking about all three of the categories of contrast, balance, and harmony I think of delicate arch in Moab Utah. This arch is in perfect harmony with its surroundings and the fact that it stands there undisturbed so majestically speaks to these three principles. Looking at this image you can quickly identify the common forms of contrast that are present. Size is the first one that stands out to me. The size of this arch dominates the image and the scenery in which it stands. The arch stands breathtakingly tall when you stand under it is when you realize how big it really is and how small we really are. Just left of the base you can see a couple people and that brings the realism of the size that this arch stands. The position of the arch is astonishingly perfect it sits along the edge of a cliff with a 100 plus foot drop off. The position within the image is that it highlights the arch but brings perspective to the background as well with shows the uniqueness of this area. The shape and the texture of the arch is influenced by the elements of the earth. The wind removes sand and pieces of the arch everyday constantly reshaping the texture and the shape. Though these changes are not noticeable they are happening the image captures how the arch will be remembered and not always how it will be seen. The elements and nature created this arch and the elements and nature will one day take it away. The color shows the culture of the area; the red rock informs us of the unique red rock of Utah. The balance of this image is a strong principle that is present. The balance of the arch in the image is that it is the visual center of the page and your eyes immediately go to the arch before analyzing anything else within the image. The balance of the arch is essentially asymmetrical with both horizontal and vertical elements being present that gives the arch its uniqueness. The ground figure is that of the scenery and background in which it sits the arch is oddly out of place and it’s amazing to think that this formed over time and that it still stands to this day. When you take this hike and you approach the top and come around the corner and see this arch standing there you have no words for what you’re seeing. The scenery in which it sits and portrays this arch is so harmonious and peaceful to experience.   

My visceral response. As I drive up and approach the 6th tee of Coral Canyon golf course here in St. George I get the immense feeling of beauty and intimidation all at the same time. This tee shot is a par 3 120 yard shot with an island green surrounded by beautiful red rock. Almost looks as if your playing a round of golf on mars where the entire course is engulfed in red rock and little mountains. The view on this particular tee shot is intensely stupefying and you can't but appreciate the beauty of what it takes to build and maintain a course such as this one. In this picture you can begin to appreciate the different colors that are present. Beginning with the tee box where it is a stunning shade of green cut to the perfect length of grass to set up what you need to be a perfect shot. As you place your ball on the tee you look up and out at what you see is 100 yards of red rock with nothing in between you and your target which leaves little room for error. The feeling when you look up from the tee and you see the beautiful island green with the flag waving knowing you have to hit a perfect shot is exhilarating to me. When I see this picture I get that feeling of when I'm on the tee box about to tee off. As I tee off and my ball launches into the air you see this beautiful mountain nestled in the background surrounded by gorgeous blue sky which tends to give me goosebumps while I watch my ball soar through the air. As I await the landing of my shot I am able to observe the colors of blue, green, and red which is very aesthetically pleasing to the eye. Once the ball lands you observe a heavy amount of green with a red mountain backdrop. You identify your ball placed on the circular green and if its a pleasing shot you cant help but smile because you feel accomplished for what you achieved in the face of this holes difficulty and beauty, however you still have a birdie put that you need to sink.

Golf is a passion of mine I have played sense I was young and always enjoyed the beauty and uniqueness of every course. I feel as if golf courses are a work of art the way that they mold in with there surroundings is amazing and beautiful to me. I get goosebumps every time I play a course because the work that it takes to keep up something so beautiful as golf courses is something I really appreciate.