Portfolio Website

When assigned to create our own portfolio website, I was elated. A graphic designer with a website is a must in order to get your name and work our there for people to see. Having already completed my self-branding, I immediately had a color scheme and layout in mind. In keeping with the simplistic design of my self-branding work, I chose to design the website with few visual distractions. Overall, the website is easily navigated and visually sound. I plan on spending the remainder of the Summer fine-tuning the site and adding more pieces to my portfolio page.

tracymoore.getsdesign.com

Pop Tarts Package

When I received the project specs, I was excited about the challenge
ahead. I didn’t realize just how much of a challenge creating a website based off
of a Pop Tarts package was going to be. I read over the information on the package
to get an idea of what information I wanted on each page. From there, I
sketched thumbnails and created grey boxes in order to begin creating the initial
draft. After a few ideas for the site, I decided upon a blue and brown color
scheme. The feel of the site is calm and a nice contrast to the loud and colorful
Pop Tarts package.

web accessibility and web standards

The web is a wealth of information for everyone to gain access to. The web accessibility standards allow users, regardless of disability, to obtain this information with little or no difficulty. Various sites are designed for specific users with disabilities. For example, a blind person would be able to access a standard site with ease using a page reader. It is important to code the information for the site correctly so the page reader reads the information correctly. When it comes to web standards, W3C is the website to go to for a complete list of website rules. The rules consist of proper (x)html markup, style sheets, and accessibility. Web accessibility and web standards go hand in hand. Web standards, when followed ensure accessibility for all, on the World Wide Web.

Chattanooga Times Free Press

Frank Anthony gave the class a tour of the Chattanooga Times Free Press facility, during which we were allowed to walk throughout the flexography printer. As a result of using the flexography printer, the ink is rub-free which the Chattanooga Times Free Press prides itself on. The press is run around the clock in order to guarantee the Chattanooga area a daily newspaper.

printer guide

The project began with each student assigned to present two local print shops. After the presentations, we created a print guide, each page a different printer. I designed a page for Modern Way Printing and The Silkscreen Printing Co. The Modern Way page is mainly type driven, whereas the Silkscreen Printing Co. page is more of an emphasis on the image.

volume through volume

The class was given an assignment by AIGA to design a vote poster and correlating pin for the 2008 presidential election. The goal was to appeal to designers in AIGA50. The posters were a call to action, register and vote. I created 2 posters to be used within series, which could be increased to 5 or more posters. The posters appeal to the artists, each character is holding an instrument used in designing process. 

word pairs

The assignment consisted of taking a pair of words, opposite of each other, and relating their differences through imagery. The words assigned to me were old and new. I chose to take my own photos and integrate them into the design. Old is described with a photo of the inside of an old piano. New is described with a photo of a brightly colored orange flowered cactus. The imagery is nicely done, with intriguing lighting and composition.

Take Root

The students in the Professional Practices class were given a real world graphic design assignment. We were to create a brand for leadership Chattanooga’s tree planting non-profit organization. At the start of the project, the class titled the organization Take Root. This title represents the effort to increase environmental awareness in Chattanooga and the importance of our surrounding trees. Within designated groups, the class produced everything from a brochure to a t-shirt for the publicity and sustainability of the Take Root organization.

Leadership Chattanooga was very resposive to our questions and advice, which allowed the project to run smoothly. We conversed with vendors about printing materials for Take Root. The vendor we decided upon at Chattanooga State, gave the class a tour of the print shop. While at the shop, we saw first hand the process printed material must take to reach the final outcome. We were shoen the process of mixing ink to get the desired color, as well as consistency. Viewing the process a brochure goes through was the most exciting part of the tour. The brochure was previously cut, then folded and perforated at a high rate of speed.

Overall, the experience of working with Leadership Chattanooga was a great learning experience. Each of us gained more knowledge about graphic design and the positive impact it can make on a community.

visit to RMG

The class was given a tour of the printing presses and we were informed of the various printing techniques at RMG. Having read material regarding the many facets of printing, we were prepared and knowledgeable when viewing the processes. From screen to print, a design goes through many critical stages at RMG. 

visiting artists Mark Andreas, Ryan Wolfe, and [dNASAb]

Ryan Wolfe and [dNASAb] work consists of more mobile electronic based materials, whereas Mark Andreas’ work comes alive without the use of electricity. All three artists introduced new ideas and clever ways of manipulating the medium. The work of Andreas and Wolfe is both captivating and peaceful. [dNASAb] work is vibrant and exciting.