Final Statement: Juxtalines

My book, "Q & A" is a series of juxtapositions with photographs that I took downtown, with line studies; some manipulated, some manipulated then vectored, and some just plain line studies. Within this project the goal was to create a book with at least 6 spreads to interpret a part of Kansas City by only showing lines. My Images consist of objects such as: windows, structural beams, buildings, gutters, and stairs. I wanted to keep my photographs abstract enough to where you have to take a second or two to think about what you're really looking at. I really wanted to emphasize how important lines are in everyday life, they are obviously everywhere, and no one seems to notice them. My use of figure/ground and framing/cropping I feel played a large part in how I rendered each juxtaposition due to my cropping.

Title: Q & A. Due to my semi-abstract quality in my compositions I felt that people would start to question what they were looking at. So, I thought it'd be interesting to play off of a question, and have my book be the answer. So I basically ask, "What if lines did not exist?". I wanted to keep the book light hearted, so that these somewhat silly questions could be answered within my juxtapositions.



Combining the photograph and line study was probably the toughest part for me. It was difficult to find a good juxtaposition between two completely different characteristics, such as photography, and basic black and white line studies. Although, when you do find that one juxtaposition that does work it's an odd connection because you never would have thought that the line study that you created was actually out in the environment, it's quite the coincidence.

The way my book is arranged is by aesthetics. I tended to go towards: simple to busy, busy, simple, busy, busy. Arranging my book this way is to give the viewer somewhat of a break from a complicated line study and photograph, to something simple and understandable. I also tried to connect each photograph and line study to flow from spread to spread through their tone or the way their seams align.

Project 2: Reading Response

Figure/ Ground and Framing, are an obvious element designers try to always have within they're designs. Not only to have within their designs but to be a great way to integrate within their idea to how it is almost unnoticeable when unneeded, as what the reading said. I feel that these three elements always play a large role when I, personally, try to put together an idea. Framing and Cropping could possibly be more important than figure/ ground to me. If you have a good composition within your frame it is normally due to how it's cropped. Such as within our project we are doing in class right now, framing is one of the main elements. Especially in my book, I have a lot of tighter crops to get more of an abstract image, but still be able to tell what the object is. That is where figure/ground comes in; cropping it just enough to where you can still tell what the figure is and what the ground is.

Sequential Process

Through out this entire process I have produced basic line studies, to random line studies, and then integrated them into one large complex line study.

This was my initial line study: Balance

Initial line study: Progression

Initial line study: Progression
Initial Line Study: Random

I then integrated them in to a complex line study:

I did this by taking the first line study, balance, and filling the three blocks with the other three line studies.

This process was long and tedious. I had to redo many different complex line studies many times to get the craft just right. It taught me a lot about craft especially to pay attention in the beginning and be very specific with what I produce.

The next process was manipulation and that was something I definitely enjoyed. Rendering these line studies to be completely opposite or to give the meaning of the line study more depth and help the initial definition out. My example is one that we projected and took a photograph of on the wall/ceiling.After the manipulation process was over I then was put on a photo safari to look for lines, and only lines:This was so that I could start pairing up my line studies with actual environmental photographs so that in the end I would have a successful juxtaposition with a vectored line study and a photo.
To use this photo and that manipulation together I had to hand vector with a pencil the manipulated line study to make it flow better from the vectored image into the photo:

This was done on tracing paper, and by doing this by hand improved my hand craft greatly. I learned about about craft within this entire project. It's definitely good to be precise, and aware.

After the hand drawing I vectored them into the computer. I decided I liked the image inverted because the white beams in the photo flowed better with these white lines in this vector, rather than the black line into the white beams.Finally after all the process for this specific line study I put them together to make a juxtaposition:

SCHER VIDEO

During class Monday we watched a video about Paula Scher who is a designer for the firm Pentagram in New York City. She talked about how much her work is influenced by the city she lives in. She said she wanted to live somewhere she could see her work everyday. I felt that the reason she said this was that so she could see what everyone else saw. Not just in a designers' eye, or an artists' eye; just a normal everyday person walking around New York City. She likes to be in the environment that she is prospectively designing for so that she can render the correct mood for that design. She is also influenced by how large everything in New York City is. She likes to work large, and she is definitely successful at it. Her environmental designs are large and "in charge", you noticed them, no matter what. It definitely relates to what I'm working on right now, my juxtalines book. We have to create a mood/narrative with our images, and I was definitely influenced by my imagery that I used, which was images from my environment to use the appropriate type and text.

Fm, Fermium

From start to in progress. I started off with doing just random sketches of my letters Fm, for the element Fermium. It is to end up being a logo representing the element. I also did a lot of research learning about what the element is and what it is used for. I wanted each letter to have a on going line from one letter to an other to make the logo a cohesive graphic, so that the viewer is not looking at too many different things at one time. I feel that some are definitely more successful than others. My favorite one is probably the two capitol helvetica letters joined at the top of the F going into the top of the M. That could definitely change though.

The element Fermium is an element found only in a hydrogen bomb. Which was discovered in the 1950s, after the first hydrogen bomb explosion. Scientists discovered the element within the debris of the explosion, and they realized how dangerous it was. Fermium is a very radioactive element, it is known that small amounts have ever been produced, or isolated. It is also said that there are no known uses for this actinoid, which means it's radioactive. The process that Fermium takes is that it hits another element that is not radioactive and increases the size and weight of its nucleus but doesn't increase the number of protons. Then it starts the process of radioactive decay. Fermium is a synthetic element, which means it is too unstable to be found naturally on earth, it has to be produced and developed by certain
process.
Atomic Number: 100
Atomic weight: 257
Melting point: 1,527 C
Discovered by: Enrico Fermi
Appearance: Unknown, probably silvery, white or metallic gray
Element Classification: Actinide
Phase: Solid

Color Drawing and Form Update

Moving on into color, from our three dimensional letters is honestly, quite exciting. I'm sure that color for everyone is exciting. It's a completely different part of design, and definitely can make a design fail, or succeed. For our first project in color we're making a book to play along with a narrative. In this project we are again using photography, but instead of making a completely different image, I think that we get to alter, and mess with the images that we take.

Small ideas:
-Collectibles
-Music
-A walk
-Documentary
-A relationship
-Animals
-Vintage
-Sewing
-Knitting
-Quilting


Big Ideas:
Within this idea I'd like to something to do with the sewing process. It could be Knitting, Quilting, Sewing, or Hand stitching. The list can go on and on. The process really attracts me and it involves many different colors. Such as different fabrics, tools, machines, and environments. Or another option for this idea would using photographs that are just images of different types of fabric, yarn, thread, essential sewing supplies, with out use.

-Everyone has something that they collect, I'd like to go around and find little knicks and knacks that people have collected throughout their life. Or they could all be my collectibles from what I've collected. These would all be very coloful items of course.

-One object: different environments:
For this idea I'd like to find one specific item, knick knack, or figurine to have in every photograph, but change the environment it is in. These would vary from outside to indoors, it could be anywhere really. In a class with me. Anywhere that I see a lot of color I'd like to put that object in a photo.

Juxtalines

For my final accordion book, I hope to incorporate eight of my compositions as my way to show how lines can be the most important thing when it comes to what the eye sees, everyday. Here are a few shots of how my mock up looks like. The second two images are two different compositions for the book. The first is a diagonal line study that was first a combined line study that was projected on a wall. I decided to vector it due to the quality of the photo that was taken, it didn't fit well with my photo. The last image is a combined line study projected on the wall as well, but is not vectored. I felt the look added a good aesthetic feel to compliment my photo of shadows in a coffee shop.

For the writing portion of this accordion book I based my initial idea off of how the world would be a hard place to live in if lines didn't exist. Which in some aspects is completely true.


It's interesting how well lines work. They make objects, they form details, they work as two dimensional forms, and also three dimensional forms. Lines work in so many different ways, that I feel the world would not function if lines did not exist. It's an odd thought. What if lines didn't exist? What would the world look like, and what would make a good substitute for a line? Dots? Squares? Triangles? Would people be people? Would buildings really exist? Would a building even be able to close completely without one straight line? There would be no visuals to look at without lines. So, I think I prove my point. Lines are essential, and the world would not exist without them.


What if lines did not exist?

What would take their place?

Would something even take their place?

Squares?

Dots?

Circles?

Triangles?

What would everything look like?

Would humans exist if lines did not?

Would buildings be buildings?

Are lines really that important?


Titles idea:
The end of lines
Ending lines
Never ending lines
Q and no A
Q and A

F + S

"I feel like there are more possibilities when I work with my hands."
-Oded Ezer

I really enjoy this typographers work. Ezer is known for integrating Hebrew text with graphic design in a different manner, he enjoys working with form in a three dimensional way, and it usually tends to be smaller. The first image I have is a picture I took from one of my books: New Masters of Poster Design, which they even said it was quite an anomaly for a typographer being in a book about posters. The second image is off the internet, and I really enjoyed this because it shows that he's not specific in what he enjoys to do, he's very diverse and is willing to experiment in many different ways.

Quilting

In my fiber class we're working on our quilting swatches. It's my first time experimenting with Quilting, but so far it's pretty enjoyable. It's nice being behind a sewing machine. I also really enjoyed the colors I chose to use within my swatches, I think it'll definitely have some influence when we start up with the color section in Color Drawing form. I also messed with some typography within my applique swatch. FUTURE T!..sort of.

Text Options

"The man who asked"

As I walked out of Jimmy Johns I transitioned my mind set to only see lines, lines, and lines. It's in someway how Superman can see through walls; to show an extreme comparison. As I started walking down Main towards 12th street, a man passed me and said, "what are you taking photos of?". I respond with, "lines." He had a puzzled look on his face due to the confusing aspect of taking pictures of lines. As I walked away thinking of why he had a puzzled look it occurred to me that the everyday person doesn't look at the structure of lines, or how lines basically make every single object around us.

"Juxtalines"

Lines forming from one point to another can be infinite or can be choppy and start and stop just like that. They can be random, they can be progressive. It's just in the idea of how each line forms a relationship with another line. Which in my case, make a juxtaposition. Juxtapositions and lines have a lot in common. Just like lines, juxtapositions can be infinite and have the need to go on past the composition. As well random and metaphorical, while not just looking at the image, you look at the content in what is within the composition.

"Armageddon of lines"

It's interesting how well lines work. They make objects, they form details, they work as two dimensional forms, and also three dimensional forms. Lines work in so many different ways, that I feel the world would not function if lines did not exist. It's an odd thought. What if lines didn't exist? What would the world look like, and what would make a good substitute for a line? Dots? Squares? But wait, lines make a square. This isn't going very far. So, lets go with dots. Using dots instead of lines would be an interesting substitute. Volume, and depth would no long exist either, due to dots not conjoining without a line. In a broader look though, a dot is technically a circle filled in. And a circle is one line connected as an infinite form. So, I think I prove my point. Lines are essential, and the world would not exist without them.

Titles Options:
Kansas City
Downtown
1 day 1 line
12th and Main
Linear aspect
A view of a linear block

F+S

I found this image surfing the web, and I felt that this was a really great example of what most of us in class are looking for in our juxtapositions. Although, this has two different important aspects to it. First, the obvious similarity in shape, and size. But, also the different between new, and old. Which, I feel is also a great way to show a juxtaposition after looking through so many images that they explain themselves as old and new. It's interesting to see the use of a juxtaposition, rather than just the shape, and size, but also what they present and bring to the entire image.

Here is another juxtapositon that I felt was different, but also had some good qualities.

The reason I see it as being a juxtapositon is the obvious seam that lays throughout the entire image. The horizon line, along with the hot air balloon, and the boy in the river.
It's odd looking at a juxtaposition within one image, rather than pairing up two different images and making it one, so I thought both of these photographed brought a new aspect to my eye.

Typography Animation process

Here are my two initial compositions to start and finish my animation. The first one is a bold trade gothic P, and the second one is a Old style Goudy P. Throughout my animation I tried to make the transition from the Gothic to the Goudy.

The two compositions above our my start and finish compostions with images to give a feel for what I wanted to accomplish in my animation. I decided to ultimately go with my background images as black and white, and my color to be my letter.

Patriots and Poppies

Untitled from Taylor Pruitt on Vimeo.

This animation for type is about the war memorial flower, the poppy. I really enjoyed learning about flash, and I hope to learn a lot more. I feel it's definitely an essential skill to have, especially using it for web design, since that's were most of the business world is heading.

I really emphasized using the alpha tool in this animation as well. I felt it gave it more of a memorial feeling. I feel that adding the words in the animation was a hard part for me, due to me enjoying the aesthetic look that is has without them, but after messing with it a bit, I came to like the idea of have words in throughout the animation.

VIS COM: NY Times

Throughout reading the article about how juxtapositions were in everyday life made me really wonder where I could start to find them. It was quite interesting to see the accidents that supposedly happen within each image and ad. It in someway frustrates me, because in some aspects I feel that this was by total chance, and for me...I have to work so hard at finding certain images to go with a certain type of line study, which is difficult. Juxtapositions are obviously something that happen everywhere, and you just need to open your eyes and look for them, but understanding the concept of a juxtapositions I feel is where the trouble starts to happen. There are so many different ways to get to a successful juxtaposition, but it's all about if it works with the composition, and if it's completely readable.

Visual Communication update on Juxtapositions

In the process of deciding on what photos to use, and what line studies to use, but here are some of my rough drafts, I hope if they work, that I'll correct them with my hand, and then I'll have them vectored into photoshop. Here are some examples:

Color Drawing and Form Letter T

So, finishing up my second letter T that is 12 inches high, and 4 inches deep has almost come to an end. I've taken some progress shots:

Animation of the letter P

So, for the type project I'm using the letter P in Goudy, and Trade Gothic. We are suppose to make an animation of one letter form transforming into the other letter form. Here are my first set of possible animations.

Project two reading assignment

After reading about lines and planes and how they make relationships within space I realized that everything can relate to this information. In our current project we are dealing with how lines can create a relationship with an actual photograph. We have to find a line composition and match it up almost perfectly so that it looks as if it's one entire image. Using the information from the

Lupton book really helped me look at my compositions in a different light. Rather than looking at my line compositions as just flat images, it helped me look at them as if they are a plane in space, and possibly they can be more than just "lines", they can become an extension of a building or a certain wall.

Here two examples of my manipulated line studies that I'm dealing with to make work with certain photos:

This was one done with a projector and camera.

And this one was done on the photocopier.

NOTE: As I work through these drawing of each of my line compostions, I am also starting to see the accidental part of this project come to play. It's quite interesting how serendipity plays a part in this entire project.

All around update.

Throughout the past two weeks I've actually accomplished a lot. I built a 6 inch 3 dimensional future T, along with come up with another idea I'm going to do for my 12 in letter T. I also got some really nice pictures while out downtown for my Vis. com. class. Juxtapositions are a difficult concept, but I feel it'll be nice when everything is done and laid out. And, finally in type class I got a good feeling for what my total theme and animation was going to be about, along with some cool new flash skills I've developed. So now for a more thorough update on Type we've been developing ideas and compositions for a certain letter we chose from the alphabet, in two different typefaces. I chose the letter P, and with that my final words were Plaid Pianos, People and Poppies, People and Pennies, and Pope and Politics. I think for imagery and the narratives sake I'm going to go with People and Poppies, and build upon the idea of how poppies are a symbol for fallen soldiers. Flash is a neat program, it seems way too complicated...but I'm interested in seeing what I could do with it. And it's definitely a skill I want to acquire while being here.

Vis. Com is going well too, I feel that when I'm looking for certain compositions to use for my juxtapositions I fall short somehow though, I need to go out and take more pictures to develop more ideas to use for my line compositions.
I have a sample of what process we're going through. It's quite interesting really. We started with plain vertical line studies about balance, progression, and randomness. Then mixed our original line studies with each other and made a combination piece. Next, we manipulated our combinated line studies on the photocopier, with a camera and projector, or on the scanner. The results of those were really nice. I'll post some images later for that.

Color Drawing Form is also going well, I fell that my T I finished for class was well constructed, but the texture from the paint, glue, and Spackle were almost impossible to get off in certain spots, so craft probably wasn't what it should have been. But, I'm looking forward for the next part in that class...we're making somewhat abstract forms of our letter we used.