Book Poem Visualization

The Day the Saucers Came by Neil Gaiman

In my book, I chose to explore the contrast between the fantastical and jarring imagery of the majority of the poem with the normality of the end of the poem. The person about whom the poem is written sees none of the chaos outside because he or she is so focused on waiting. Therefore, the poem is superimposed on a chaotic background illustrating various verses and overlayed by a plain white sheet. The poem and the imagery is only noticable as the hands on the clock turn. The clock itself serves to emphasize the waiting.

Poem Visualization Project

My book will be based on the poem "The Day the Saucers Came" by Neil Gaiman.

Link to the poem on spiderwords.com.

Self Visualization Triptych

My triptych evolved into a study on my heritage, and specifically two strong, feminine role models in my life. The bottom piece is about my paternal grandmother, the middle piece is about my mother, and the top and largest piece is about myself, and how the two other women featured helped shape who I am today. The format of a deconstructed jewelry box explores the relationship between memories and jewelry, how a woman's entire life can be passed on to later generations in the form of a keepsake necklace.

Word Visualization: Imprison

Collaborative Presentation: Designing Lightscapes

Designing Lightscapes: An Exhibition by Diane Marra and Michalina Zemel

In the past, there was no distinction between the artist and the graphic designer. The finest artists of the day were sought out to paint posters advertising all aspects of life. In our time, a graphic designer is a trained professional who undergoes a great deal of schooling to properly design quality work. This exhibit seeks to explore the work of two modern, untrained artists who have made such a statement with their individual styles that they are actively sought out by companies to do their advertising. Though neither claims to be a graphic designer, they are perhaps markers of the industry’s leaning back toward talented individuals with strong and varied voices.

Chuck Anderson
Lichtfaktor

Illustrator Tracing Exercise

Project One: Illustrator

For this part of the project I did have a definite plan in mind. I wanted to change the scene to that of a nighttime street fair like you might see in a city. In taking it out of context (a wooded area instead of urban) I retained the somewhat eerie atmosphere of the original photo.

To achieve the effect, I loosely traced a stock photo of a street fair in Chinatown. I then distorted it in separate groups to fit the perspective of the scene. Next I hand drew certain portions to enhance the atmosphere. Lastly I added the silhouettes of people to draw the entire scene together.

Overall I'm pleased with the effect, though I wish my addition to the scene was less clean-cut. The original photo is very rough in nature and the two different styles create a disconnect.

Project One: Photoshop

I really liked the original photo I had taken and wanted to keep the overall feel. Initially I didn't have a specific plan for the image so I just approached it intuitively. I began with subtle color changes and then worked my way into the narrative. Eventually I had a very poetic, fantasy scene.

Project One - Original Photo

I took this photo on the path I take to class each day. In the evening there's beautiful lighting that I found myself inspired by.

I originally tried to leave the flash on and get the interesting color combinations I captured in my last round of photographs, but there was just no way to keep the person in without him looking like a ghost. Luckily there was enough light from the street light to go without (even at one in the morning).

I felt like I was trying to photograph bridges in NYC right after 9/11 while taking this piece. Campus police watched me like a hawk and even drove onto the grass on my side of the street while I walked away! I didn't realize street lights were a matter of national security.

Project 1: Artists

My favorite of the three artists would have to be Cindy Sherman. I love the intimacy of the black and white photos as well as the glamorous star-like quality she presents to the viewer. I feel most connected to the subjects in her work whereas with the artists I feel somewhat disconnected.

I also enjoy Gregory Crewdson's work for is edited style. I like the way he unapologetically modifies a scene beyond reality. The other artists strive for an image extremely close to reality.

I am not particularly fond of Jeff Wall's work. Though incredibly realistic, the gritty quality of his work puts me at a distance.

Example

An example of color, form, and aesthetics that appeal to and inspire me.

About

I'm a graphic design major at TCNJ and currently work as a design intern at Firmenich, Inc.