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?



Saturday, February 12, 2011

Ying Yang Logotype experiences.

I have another opportunity to create a logotype. It’s going to be fun but I have my reservations. Here’s an overview of my experiences with this product.

Gregg Berryman’s “Notes On Graphic Design And Visual Communication” was suggested reading in college. Logotypes Mr. Berryman states: “are marks which consist of pronouceable words … often a single word … excellent identity devices because they are related to visual and phonic codes with which we are familiar.” In my senior Graphic Design creating a logotype was a major undertaking. The process took about a month and a half. This very logotype would encompass the entire class packaging project and would count for half the grade -- a very stressful situation.

Before I even went to college, I had produced logotypes for various typesetting houses and printing service bureaus. I saw it as a play with typefaces. The names of fonts intrigued me: Helvetica (I’ve been to Helvetica now!), Didot, Bodoni, Garamand, Galliard, Trade Gothic, Copperplate, Univers, New Times Roman, etc., etc., etc. For many years, I didn’t even know why or how they were named. Academia changed all this. As a Graphic Designer for CINTAS Corporation endless hours working with logotypes: redrawing, rebuilding, redesigning, proportioning, recoloring, creating and specifying them. I did I miss anything? At one point, a VP commissioned the production of an award for the Sales Executives in the form of a “check.” Scary.



As as freelancer, I’ve designed logotypes for various marketing directors, students, and start-up businesses. Here in San Antonio I got the opportunity to design a “Don Quixote” logotype for Don Quixote Imports. It took about 18 edits and redesigns to get their marketing director’s approval. Only with his approval could I go on to design the business cards, brochures, product labels, wraps for the company vehicles, and signature for the store front. Just when you thought drawing could be cool! Take a gander at some of my work (http://www.flickr.com/photos/55648749@N08/sets).

For this logotype at hand I will get inspiration from “Communications Arts” ; Erik Spiekerman’s Blog ; and, Jacob Cass’s “2010 Logo Design Trends” -- this should help.
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