Sunday 16 thru Saturday 22, 2011

This blog will have some history of my work in graphics and my intend to enhance my command of Adobe Illustrator. I believe Illustrator has always saved me professionally. I’ve never been even remotely close to being a “guru” but, honestly, Illustrator got me into the working world of corporate America. I’ve “played” with this application since the 80s. Now I don’t remember how or which Adobe Illustrator version/number I’ve actually used for “professional” work. When I was introduced to Illustrator, the MACs the company had, ran on 4 mgs of ram! I think now computers use DRAM, so, maybe, RAM doesn’t even exist anymore? OK, think of RAM as archaic RAM sticks, does that help? Dude, the new MACs will have flash drives, hard drives will be a thing of the past!


This blog’s background shows my attempts to create my business cards with Illustrator for print. I think I must have tried about 7–9 different angles. I’m not going to delve into specific details about the technique. But, the effect was performed with the simple use of the type, pen and blend tool. If you’d like details let me know and I’ll get them to you. I never had any of these business cards printed. Just couldn’t justify the expense—maybe, these really are hard times. Still, when I created a PDF portfolio, the concept served me well.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/55648749@N08/sets/


Much of my “professional” work was for print and very conservative. (If you take a good look at my portfolio, it does take on a rather “industrial” look.) So, I will also reflect a little on my experiences associated with Adobe InDesign, Photoshop and, maybe, Acrobat. Presently, I’m trying to get a genealogical book out but the author keeps adding pictures and editing the text. Patience and prozac really help. We’ve been working on this book for 3 years. We’ll talk?



Sunday, February 27, 2011

Web sites … a daunting task?

Web sites and web site design are definitely on my mind. I wonder when I’ll be proficient enough to pull off my own Web site? To be sure, my Web Design I professor is really trying to give us the download on Hyper Text Mark-Up Language (.html) and the esthetics on how, why and what about Web sites. Hope I don’t get too much on his nerves because I just haven’t mentally connected with (.html).

Don’t get scared but I have been thinking and have come to the conclusion that Web sites are like everyone’s own magazine. To design and produce a magazine has always been and still is a major proposition and undertaking. I decided to review and discuss a tiny portion of what’s out there. How simple: just note what the professors talk about and mention Communications Arts Magazine which has always showcased Web sites either for their high technological achievement or their esthetic beauty. OK, simple task.

Consider for a moment, how many Web site there are now? This is what Netcraft, (2011) says:
 “… February 2011 survey we received responses from 284,842,077 sites.”
http://news.netcraft.com/

Keep in mind what Boutell.Com (2011), says: “no one is in charge of the World Wide Web, the question is difficult to answer precisely. After all, there is no one central “server” that runs all the websites in the world. The DNS registrars have lists of the domain names that exist, but not every domain contains a website.”
http://www.boutell.com/newfaq/misc/sizeofweb.html

Amazing and daunting. Millions, even billions will be privy to anything I put out there. This does add a little stress to the situation. So, let’s look at what the academics suggest. 

My Web Design I professor and a major “techy.” He is very into all types of applications and programming involved in the creation of Web sites. I’m not sure if I will ever be that consumed by a certain human topic or interest. Still, take a look — it’s whole new world—
• http://www.alistapart.com/
• http://balsamiq.com/
• http://www.smashingmagazine.com/ — (love this one for sure!!)

If you take a gander at the Web sites my Computer Illustration I professor suggested for our view, you’ll realize he is obviously a product of the 60s. One can really get feel of the subversive artistic tendencies … are they subversive? Maybe it’s just artistic objectivity? Take a quick look:
• http://www.usdebtclock.org/
• http://inflation.us/
• http://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/

To round all this out, I decided to go to Communication Arts magazine to check out their following “webpics:”
• http://www.organicvalley.coop/
• http://www.planetpropaganda.com/believe/
• http://www.danielvosovicny.com/

You’re going to need major “RAM juice” to watch the last Web site listed. Of course, this is the one I love. Fashion and it’s implementation of artistic and graphic design always win in my mind. Just gorgeous!!
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