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Angela Latham’s Experience Map, showing what my experience was throughout the program. What I was thinking, feeling, and what I was doing. The process work is exhibited to observe how the map came into existence. As well, sketches show the concept of the creation of the experience map.

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My most outstanding personal triumph in each course.

 1.     Creating the Turning Point Video was the highlight of this class, it was the very first video recording created.

2.     Exciting achievements gave way through the creation of the black and white poster creations.

3.     Victory first came in the form of eventually creating the Rainy Day Toys Presentation and then creating the first animated logo, all in the newly learned application of Keynote.

4.     Fearing that writing was the weak link in my set of tools, the conquest arose within the writing skills that was realized, and it can be a bit more fun than it was understood to be.

5.     The creation of a brand that didn’t exist was the high point of this class. It allowed for imagination to come to life, depositing breath into a story for the sake of bringing the project into reality.

6.     The ultimate triumph presented itself through parallax, animation, and video. Learning Adobe After Effects, Adobe Premiere Pro, and Adobe Audition was the most exciting asset that could have been achieved.

7.     The focal point being the thesis project; the decision to work intensely to get all of the tweaks executed to previous work was a great objective, it allowed for the thesis project to be carried out.

8.     The triumph for this class came from the iteration and reiteration of the design of the interior and exterior of 500Cal. It took overcoming an updated application that had not been observed in over nine years

9.     Creatively thinking of guerrilla tactics that would be unique and call for action was a satisfying conquest. Thoughts varied, and four strategies came to maturity.

10.  Rejoicing through the circumstances of a successful questionnaire that the target audience participated in, confirming that 500Cal could be a flourishing entity.

11.  The joy of completion set in after such a trying month. There was a time to celebrate all that had been accomplished although I wasn’t pleased with the outcome.

12.  The end is here, and it is done. Success came in the form of completing the journey of the Media Design Master of Fine Art Program.

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Utilizing the concepts and techniques learned from the program as I designed, developed, and completed my MDMFA Thesis Project.

As the project that was shown for the thesis project, 500Cal, developed into a branding identity, there was excitement with the work that innovatively came to fruition. Many assets that made up the whole to achieve a unique and memorable branding strategy. These assets were created through the concepts and techniques previously learned and magnified through the current teachings. During the time of development of the MDMFA Thesis Project life was hectic and met with the turmoil of having bronchitis for the first time, and the end of year exhibition that I host in honor of my students every semester. There were times of haziness that eventually were fragmented with determination to push through; however, it’s realized that the best of what could have been accomplished was not shown through in the project’s completion. All that had been absorbed throughout the program was able to assist in completing the website of the MDMFA Thesis Project from writing copy, to visually communicating the story, and finally to holistically bring all of the parts together to express the attainments.

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What each course contributed to my personal and professional development as a media designer.

 1.     The beginning of a journey that would be the preparation for what was around the corner for each class; allowing a mental plan for the journey. This mental preparation will assist in planning all projects from beginning to end.

2.     This class inspired a new eye to realize that when you feel that your work is done, think again and reiterate it because everyone may not see it the same way you do. Once your inner designer is pleased that all i’s are dotted, and all t’s are crossed, you can live with the results.

3.     There was already a love for design and creativity established, uniqueness popped up and began to speak loudly in this class. Understanding is important in every aspect of a project, once that was accomplished, screaming to the top of my lungs through that creativity developed and a grasp of what the client needed shined through.

4.     A fear set in and was overcome by raging determination. No longer will there be anxiety when writing is a part of any project. With the skills of effective copywriting, this will take designing for the multitudes to another level and communication can pair with the visuals for a complete mission.

5.     It was applying critical thinking through investigation and observation of what was necessary for the client that became key to the development of an innovative concept for a call to action. Allowing the design process to be self-evaluated and reiterated is a practice that will follow on in order to achieve successful communication.

6.     This class opened up a new form of design that sparked a desire for animation and video. As new skills were learned, it became apparent that these skills could open up new doors as a media designer. Competencies were acquired through Adobe After Effects, Adobe Premiere Pro, and Adobe Audition; these skills will be polished for performance through further courses and tutorials.

7.     This class was reiteration at its best, proving that fresh eyes can always make a difference. Realizing that stepping away from a project and coming back to it will allow you to see things in a different light, as a result producing a consummate outcome.

8.     A new venture began that awoke dormant skills and liberties to unleash a prior concentration of design. It gave insight that a well-rounded designer that could possibly combine all of one’s proficiencies to complete an unabridged project would help take one to another level in designing for the masses. Not allowing those skills to stay dormant is the best way to achieve that success.

9.     The journey continues in forming a brand identity for 500Cal and inspiration from many directions have taken flight in creative thinking. Through research, it was found that the ordinary things that surround us can be inspiring if only we pay attention to the little things we can find big things within. Opening our eyes to the world around us can make us blink twice with creativity.

10.  It’s basically complete, but what does the world think? A questionnaire was formed, and it permitted the audience to have a voice and express what they thought, what they saw, and how they felt by it. With a bit of anxiety and excitement, the questionnaire answered questions and either confirmed or refuted design decisions. Using this tool to in the future will assist in catering to the audience’s needs.

11.  The end is near and rock bottom is too. With this trying month came many trials, and very few tribulations. This class allowed for a look at how one can rise out of the obstacles that bring you down, it’s through determination, strength, and using the time that you don’t really have. The driving force of responsibilities, while attempting to stay true to yourself, will and can seal the deal in the end. The learned lesson is to not settle, keep pushing through to the best you that you can be.

12.  At the end of the rainbow was the treasure of achievement, it is full and bountiful. The completion and reflection of what has taken place in this journey of the MDMFA have led me to believe that my future looks much brighter with the knowledge attained. By knowing what the expectations are for the industry that is now a career, one can only feel that being ethical and moral is a way of life and now a way of practice through the career of being a Master of Media Design.

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The following project consisted of creating a website for the Thesis Project. Each image shows a screenshot of the page created.

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Presentation of Design Solution MDM690

This month’s class consisted of how to efficiently provide a visual storytelling presentation. As reflection takes place, it allows for an understanding of the mastery levels achieved during the MDMFA program.

Expert connections were made between the readings of the book, “Stories that Move Mountains: Storytelling and Visual Design for Persuasive Presentations,” by Sykes, Malik, & West. This book endorsed the CAST model and the Visual Story Map which works hand in hand. The visual story map leads the CAST model into a partitioned map that is divided into the individual sections that disclose the necessities of the complete visual storytelling presentation. Sykes and Malik and West (2012) explained, “In order to change hearts and minds, we need to focus on enhancing how we communicate. We need to be clear, convincing, and accurate” (The Power of Stories section, para. 10). Both the CAST model and the Visual Story Map assisted in synthesizing the presentation through comprehensible content for the audience, understanding the audience, making the story identifiable, and then telling the story in a format that is concise. Transformation became apparent through the website of the thesis project; from page to page, the most important aspect of making sure that the audience understood the content was to ensure legibility of all copy, placement of captions with each image, and an easy flow of content. Knowing who the audience is imperative to demand a response. Best (2006) claims, “Identify what they are expecting from the presentation. Think about things from their point of view and be empathetic about their expectations” (p.145, para. 2). Understanding what the audience needed to observe facilitated the content. The story was made identifiable through the explanation of each learning outcome. The story is told through imagery and copy within a website wrapped up the presentation yet unfolded the mastery level skills achieved throughout the program.

           Problems solved within this course ascended through making sure each learning outcome was met with acceptable deliverables. Different tactics of creating a presentation that would speak highly of the accomplished tasks developed through consideration of challenges that were encountered through success. Once each learning outcome was discovered, it became apparent that the problem was solved, and explanation could take place with each resolved conclusion.

           Innovative thinking came into play with the designing of the presentation itself. The story needed to be told with a creative voice of one specific project, and that project needed to speak to the brand as well as the audience.

           Competencies Acquired impressed upon the use of Wix. This competency was met with difficulties because of the obstacles of being able to successfully eliminate links that should have disappeared with their deletion; however, a glitch in the system wouldn’t allow for such an action. Other than that specific hindrance, competencies were met with creating a website with this application.

           The three main takeaways from the reading of Stories that Move Mountains: Storytelling and Visual Design for Persuasive Presentations was the CAST model along with the Visual Story Map, Storytelling, and Testing. The CAST model allowed all aspects of presenting a story to come to life, diving into a step-by-step process in depth to cover all parts of the presentation, this will enable all future presentations to be led in a perfect template to and prevent missing information. Storytelling was never thought of with presentations, this will assist in demanding the attention of the audience and confirm that they understand what is being conveyed. Testing is another aspect that not ever considered but will ensure that the presentation is a success and that it works for the cause and effect necessary. A presentation now met in forthcoming projects can be established and guarantee achievement through storytelling.

 References:

 Best, K. (2006, October 31). Design Management. Case Postale, Switzerland:   

       AVA Publishing. Retrieved from http://ce.safaribooksonline.com 

       /book/design/9782940439782

 Sykes, M., & Malik, A. N., & West, M. D. (2012, December 17). Stories that Move

       Mountains: Storytelling and Visual Design for Persuasive Presentations.  

       Chichester, West Sussex: John Wiley & Sons. Retrieved from 

       http://ce.safaribooksonline.com/book/communications/presentations

       /9781118423998

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Measuring Design Effectiveness MDM640

Connecting, Synthesizing, and Transforming:

Expert connections were made between the instructional materials and the end solution of the questionnaire created for 500Cal. “The usage of surveys and questionnaires assist in gathering fact-based as well as opinion-based data” (Visocky O'Grady and O'Grady, 2009, p. 48 para. 3). Building the questionnaire allowed for understanding and amassing the respondent's view of the design solutions created for 500Cal. Synthesizing many questions in the iteration to hone in on those that will be most successful in attaining the information needed to confirm or refute the design solutions became a necessity. Each question that made it into the final questionnaire settled there in a manner to achieve real reactions and responses to the end results. Transforming the original items generated into end resulting inquiries made for a successful outcome. The questionnaire created for 500Cal in the effort of exploring the effectiveness of the design solutions formed the responses of 43, some expected and some unexpected. The questionnaire entails multiple choice, fill-ins, comparisons, Dichotomous questions, and Likert-type scale questions. Designing a survey for the result of not just critique, but feelings, emotions, and opinion were a first for me, and the start of a necessary ending to any branding strategy created, one that I will take advantage of in the preliminary process of any branding design.

Solving Problems:

A variety of questions were formed in search of a suitable set to put before the audience. Questions rejected included the demographic ones because the target audience and design solutions are already configured and created so those questions would not benefit the needed information of the designs themselves. As well, there were questions that in realization would not help the essential information concerning the design clarification, which included behavioral information that would be necessary before the start of a project design and questions that would provide the wrong idea like undercutting the pricing of healthy versus unhealthy meals. One of the problems that needed adjustments concerned the first question of the questionnaire that impacted the manifestation of the logo and what type of industry it appeared to fit in. The question became confusing to the audience because it showed as follows:

What type of business do you think that this logo fits?

a.     Health Fitness Gym

b.     Fast Food Restaurant

c.     Graphic Design Firm

d.     Accounting Firm

 Observing how the respondents were answering the question, it showed that the answers were evenly split between a. Health Fitness Gym, and b. Fast Food Restaurant. This led me to adjust answer choice “a” to see what the conclusion would be from the remaining respondents. Removing the word “Health” from Fitness Gym, without changing the answer and leaving it to read as a gym, not to achieve results that I wanted, but to experiment with the reduction of the word Health to see if it would impact the answers given became necessary. This experiment endorsed the fact that the way the choices were presented made for a waffling occurrence for the respondent and permitted a learning experience for how to approach the validity of answers given. Going forward, a questionnaire would be a measure of collecting data preceding all branding designs and subsequent to designing solutions for any project. I notice that this tremendously helps to avoid

Innovative Thinking:

Questionnaires have regularly been performed for many years; however, it was innovative and unfamiliar for me because I have never created one. I had to innovatively think about why people were choosing, “Healthy Fitness Gym” for the first question, which was concerning the logo industry appearance. As I realized that the word healthy was the contributing factor in the resulting of this choice for the respondents, it became apparent that there was a change that needed to take place. Levesque (2017) expressed that, “the Launch phase of creating successful questionnaires is all about tweaking the questions, putting the questions out there, and if realization confirms that expectations are not met, changes need to be implemented.” It was a positive aspect of the appearance of the logo that exuded a healthy manifestation, but not for a gym. Creating the questionnaire forced me to look into how my design elucidations would make the audience feel, not my fellow design collaborators, who see design in a comprehensible way. Would the audience be drawn to the brand and how would they perceive the design solutions delivered to them to be read? At the end of the project, the goal is to draw the audience in and to generate value in the project. “Value can be measured by, for example, looking at the direct bottom-line impact, profit or loss, or by looking at the impact on the value of the brand, customer perception” (Best, 2006, p. 170 para. 1). To put my own twist on the questionnaire, I provided a picture to all of them to include Likert-type questions where I created the scale imagery to mimic emoticons of Very Poor to Very Good.

Acquiring Competencies:

Competencies acquired included working with Survey Monkey. There was some inexperience when it came to publishing questions in a particular manner that achieved the resolution of the answers necessary. I struggled with which builder types to choose from for specific questions. Thankfully, I was able to press through the iteration of different models to select the best choice for each question.

References

Best, K. (2006, October 31). Design Management. [Safari Books Online]. Case Postale, Switzerland: Ava Publishing. Retrieved from http://ce.safaribooksonline.com/book/design/9782940439782

Levesque, R. (CEO). (2017). Better Questions, More Sales. EntreLeadership Podcast. Retrieved from https://www.entreleadership.com/blog/podcasts/ryan-levesque-better-questions-sales

Visocky O'Grady, J., & Visocky O'Grady, K. (2009, February 1). A Designer’s Research Manual: Succeed in Design by Knowing Your Clients and What They Really Need. Gloucester, Massachusetts: Rockport Publishers. Retrieved from http://ce.safaribooksonline.com/book/graphic-design/9781592535576

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The following entails the questionnaire created for valid responses of the design solutions built for 500Cal, as well as the results of that questionnaire.

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Multi-Platform Delivery MDM650

Connecting, Synthesizing, and Transforming:

 Four problems were approached in the branding and marketing for 500Cal, the formation of packaging design, the production of a website, the social media design composition, the generating of guerrilla marketing tactics, and finally completing the style guide. Connections made first and foremost through what the client desired and with the research assembled in order to produce designs that meet with the brands attributes which are Dependable, Inspiring, Energetic, and Sensible. Connections existed through the readings and instruction of Best and Beaird & George. Best (2006) articulates, “Brands manifest themselves in the products, services, sites and experiences of an organization (p. 100, para. 3). Making sure that the brand consistently speaks the same language is extremely important. The design process of a website, the discovery, exploration, and implementation phases made for a well-guided progression into an effective website (Beaird & George. 2014). These phases allowed for a website that released a user-friendly experience with energy and viewer interaction. Connections likewise formed when researching just what was necessary to craft successful guerrilla marketing tactics. Lum (2016) declares, “Face-to-face marketing “builds confidence and trust between you and your potential customer,” and creative guerilla marketing has the potential to make a lasting positive impression on consumers.” Synthesizing came into play with the creation of packaging mockups to show what different elements would look like, which transformed into making sure that they could be sustainable for the environments safety. Synthesis developed through bringing together features for the website. These elements included items that would cause the viewer to connect with the brand through interactive menu’s, links that provided the journey through the site, transforming the website into a well-navigated structure. After creating the website, the social media banners became a factor that needed to emulate what the online presence should portray. When synthesizing the guerrilla marketing tactics, what came together was the creation of a car wrapping, an interactive billboard, a tweeting vending machine, and the great reveal logo signage. The transforming of these components exhibited a unified design that converted into customer luring entities. Reflecting back on the creation of these facets, they provided a sense of connectivity, excitement, and vibrancy for 500Cal, craving and contemplating being able to be a patron of this restaurant that now feels real.

 Solving Problems:

 The problems faced included the fabrication of packaging, the forming of a website and social media presence, and guerrilla marketing considerations. The packaging was solved through much research, it was decided that the packaging should be of sustainable materials that didn’t have the usual fast food restaurant quality or appearance. The packaging needed to feel energetic, inspiring and dependable to customers. The packaging consisted of recycled plastic cups, containers, and bottles, biodegradable boxes, and recycled paper wraps. The target audience for this restaurant will care that 500Cal cares about the safety of the environment. The solution for the website anticipated ensures navigation that excites the next movement throughout the site. There are sections within the site that inform, interact, and inspire the viewer to induce a loyal customer. Links provided on each page gave insight to social media, which pulls the customer in even further to the brand. The social media pages are just another way of establishing the brand. The resolve for guerrilla marketing came about through four different events, the car wrapping, the interactive billboard, the tweeting vending machine, and the great reveal logo signage. The car wrapping comprised not only a vibrant, eye-catching design but a memorable speaker topper that would make deliveries and travel throughout the community. A jingle that played through the external speaker above grasping the attention of those it passed with energetic music, and the jingle, “Healthy Eating Made Simple for You, Me, and the Community, Yes that 500Cal!” There will also be information provided by the external speaker of the current sales and events. The next resolve included an interactive billboard that is set up at a bus stop and will encompass a game where viewers can guess the calories of different meals that are served at 500Cal, and if they come within 5 calories of the correct number, they will receive a printed coupon to use for a meal. This interactive guerilla campaign allows the target audience a chance to learn about the companies’ meals and draws them into the restaurant at the same time. The third resolve entailed a tweeting vending machine that is technology savvy through facial recognition. The Tweeting Vending Machine pulls the viewer into the restaurant through social media, free gear, and an attached coupon. As the viewer begins, they are prompted to create an account with 500Cal’s MVP Rewards Club, which then guides them to tweet a message to @500Cal and allows them to choose the gear that they desire. State of the art technology is present in the tweeting vending machine through facial recognition so they will be restricted to retrieve more than one gift. This gear could include t-shirts, hats, water bottles, and cooling towels. The last resolve comprised of signage that would release one element at a time to reveal the logo and gift makes a statement from the highway. The signage would be mounted along the roadside for passersby to view as they drive by. They would be mounted about 20 feet apart, and when the passerby reaches the last sign, it will reveal the entire logo along with a call to action that provides a discount code. The final problem solved consisted of creating an eflip guideline that would embed media for a view of animations and videos.

  Innovative Thinking:

 When contemplating the creative thinking in an innovative way the packaging makes a statement through sustainable measures, which is not always considered. The website encompasses two interactive menus, a regular menu and a catering menu. These menus literally look like the menu from the restaurant with its flip of the pages that allows one to click on the item and learn about the product along with its nutritional value, calorie, ingredients, and ability to add it to the cart. Innovative thinking also came into play with the custom-made speaker topper on the car wrap, the interactive billboard that prints out coupons, and the tweeting vending machine with facial recognition. Innovative thinking entered the scene by way of presenting the brand style guide, as to provide a professional appearance to the standards of 500Cal. It felt satisfying to be able to think out of the box for a company that is rare in form and well needed in today’s community.

  Acquiring Competencies:

 Competencies obtained during this workshop involved working with animated gifs for a seamless view of how the website would be observed from different devices, desktop, tablet, and phone. Research provided competencies with the digital magazine publishing software of Yumpu. Yumpu granted the ability to optimize the 500Cal Branding Guidelines pdf file into a multimedia magazine that could embed videos without guiding the viewer away from the document. Competencies gained from using after Adobe Affects Effects and Adobe Premiere Pro included the use of tracking graphics to footage, slowing video footage down to speed sufficient for viewing and the collaboration of both applications for a productive visual. These competencies will allow for future efficient projects that can take developments to the next level.

  REFERENCES

Beaird, J., & George, J. (2014, June 17). The Principles of Beautiful Web Design, 3rd Edition. Retrieved from Safari Books Online.

Best, K. (2006, October 31). Design Management. [Safari Books Online]. Retrieved from http://ce.safaribooksonline.com/book/design/9782940439782

Lum, R. (2016, August 3). How Guerilla Marketing Works for Small Businesses. [Creative Guerrilla Marketing]. Retrieved from http://www.creativeguerrillamarketing.com/guerrilla-marketing/guerilla-marketing-works-small-businesses/

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The following includes the social media banners and the guerrilla marketing tactics for 500Cal. The guerrilla marketing tactics include a wrapped car, an interactive billboard, a tweeting vending machine, and the great reveal logo signage.

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The following includes the packaging and website branding for 500Cal.

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Design Integration MDM 620

Connecting, Synthesizing, and Transforming:

Connections were made amongst what the client desired and research gathered in order to generate a design that met with the brands attributes consisting of the characteristics of being Dependable, Inspiring, Energetic, and Sensible. The logo was approached through multiple attempts to strive for the best exemplification of 500Cal. The architecture of the building was carefully designed in a progress forward nature and then synthesized from the beginning sketches, assessments, reevaluations and then formed as a whole through a building information modeling system. Connections were also built through previous teachings of Best. Best (2006) explained, “From an organisational point of view, the brand is the face of the company and represents its purpose, values and beliefs. Essentially, it tells people, internally and externally, what the organisation is about.” It has been necessary to make sure that the brand is consistently expressing who 500Cal is as a healthy fast food restaurant. Connections were made when the uniform design was considered, by linking them to a sporty fit style that portrayed a sense of comfort and health. Synthesizing came to fruition through transforming stationery mockups for a real outlook of what the items will look like, as well, synthesis derived from the unique signage that transformed the drive-thru experience as a take on an organic, modern, and concise occurrence.

 Solving Problems:

The problems consisted of solving a logo identity that communicated the brand as a healthy restaurant, strategizing an architectural structure that symbolized a modern, sustainable, way of life, producing corporate communication materials and uniforms that was consistent with the brand, and creating signage that allowed for direction, informed the customers, and demanded attention. The logo took many forms before realizing that the one to personify 500Cal needed to be unique, clear, and concise; one that at first glance there was no doubt what it portrayed. The exterior and interior of the architectural building was studied for its size and modernization to meet the needs of the client. Building the architectural structure, allowed for skills to be utilized from previous educational and world experiences, which gave a sense of being a well-rounded designer. There were obstacles that were met with using Autodesk Revit since it is not a software application that is available for Apple users. This meant that usage had to take place on a computer that was not self-owned; the sacrifice was well worth the end result. Natural materials were used, wood and recycled glass, to influence the target audience. The problem met with choosing the best stationery for the brand, was making sure that it was unique and spoke to the brand. It was essential that the stationery was made to incorporate items that could be used for training and meetings that would influence a creative and professional environment. The problem with the uniforms guided the design for a sporty, yet comfortable feel. The uniforms are layered with an urban style apron that confirms the restaurant necessities. The feeling of creating something that was exclusive to 500Cal was necessary to stand out from the uniforms of the normal, competitive fast food restaurants. The problems concerning the signage were resolved through ensuring that the signage used the state of the art technology of digital use. Digital usage showed itself through the indoor menu’s, the drive-thru menu’s, self-ordering kiosks, outdoor signage, and the monument signage.

 Innovative Thinking:

When considering the logo, there were many things that came to mind that evoked the thought of healthy eating. There were things such as tape measures, heart-healthy aspects, and exercise, but the words themselves couldn’t stand out on their own without explanation. The thought of changing the number five to conjoin with greens along with a fork sticking out of the greens was a unique and innovative connection to tie the logo up in a complete package. There were architectural structures that were created indoors to keep with the style and design of the circular form of the exterior. These structures were formed into walls and table structures. Innovative thinking presented itself through creating circular business cards, instead of the customary rectangular design. This design would be attention grabbing because of its uniqueness. The uniforms took on innovation through its relaxed, fit, and energetic vibe. Innovative thinking was exploited through the circular structured forms used to house the drive-thru digital menu signage. Consideration was taken to keep the organic modern forms consistent throughout.

 Acquiring Competencies:

The competencies acquired during this workshop included working with Autodesk Revit. This software was a great learning tool for not only building the architecture of the building but building 3D models that can be used in future projects. Competencies were also obtained in using Issuu, the application of creating e-books, which made for a unique presentation and one that could be visited from multiple devices.

   Best, K. (2006, October 31). Design Management. [Safari Books Online]. Retrieved from http://ce.safaribooksonline.com/book/design/9782940439782

Seating Expert. (2018). Dining and Specs Center. Retrieved from https://www.seatingexpert.com/help_design.asp

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The following is the Brand Guidelines for 500Cal, which is a healthy fast food restaurant. The brand guideline was created based on the fact that any designer creating a brand identity for a client may not always work on the branding, and there needs to be a guide to assist anyone, to include the employees, and any other outside agencies. This will guide the client in making sure that the brand is consistent.

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The following project is based on the newly established healthy fast food restaurant, 500Cal, which is in need of a branding identity. The branding strategy encompassed a logo, corporate communication materials, building architecture for the exterior and interior, uniforms, and site signage. There will be more to complete the branding identity within the next class.

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These are the sketches created for 500Cal along with the top chosen sketches transformed into vector images. The most successful logo exploration is number nineteen.

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MDM615 Design Strategies and Motivation

This month’s class consisted of a walk down memory lane with the evaluation and feedback from the Design Committee. Their assessment called for changes in the logo application and video presentation for Rainy Day Toys, a change in the “Sexual Violence” ad of the Testimonial Ads, and a change in the individual artist web page, and the video promo for Sea Turtle Survival campaign. These necessary revisions to prior projects would enhance them and approve the appearance of my work portfolio.

The revisions made for Rainy Day Toys included revamping the logo applications to show a consistent brand as well as recreating the video presentation. Revisiting some of the previous instructional materials helped in connecting the products to its brand by synthesizing the logos on applications that would be used for the toy company which transformed the exhibition of the brand. Connections were made with the directive of pulling out details in the video presentation that would inform the client of what was provided for their company. The problems were solved, and competencies were met by a well-produced display of the usage of the logo and incorporating the detailed information into a presentation for a professional demonstration. It was satisfying to be able to recreate the logo application usage by choosing packaging and shopping bags to exhibit how the logos would look in use. I found that Apple’s application of Keynote is not the most successful software to use for recorded presentations and it wouldn’t be the go-to software for these type projects.

  The revisions made to the Testimonial ad included changing the layout and imagery to represent a cohesive ad series. Connections were made through going back to the beginning of my journey with the online instructional courses which explained the importance of hierarchy and layout. With this refreshing of information came research and synthesizing an excellent series by transforming powerful imagery in vertical form to match the other ads. The problem was solved by choosing representation that spoke highly of the message of sexual violence. Innovative thinking came about when images were combined to speak to the audience about such a discerning subject matter with an explicit approach. Competencies were acquired by using Adobe InDesign to recreate the layout and input imagery in the correct direction to attain a united ad series. I discovered that imagery can speak sufficiently when assessing the message more than once.

 The revisions made for the Sea Turtle Survival Concert branding strategy was the artist individual web page and the reconstruction of the video promo. There were minor changes made to the web page by synthesizing the layout of how the individual images of the artist appeared in the space of the page, it transformed the page into a user-friendly environment. The problem was solved by designing the artist picture to drop down with the bio information. Innovative thinking was introduced through allowing the artist picture to enlarge, without overtaking the space and keeping the other artist's images in view, yet grayed out. Competencies were acquired through using Adobe Photoshop to adjust positioning and color adjustments to achieve the best solution. The video promo was synthesized by reconstructing it to present an interconnected video with the rest of the branding. This revision transformed the video to speak to a different audience than expressed initially; the target audience changed from teens and young adults, 15 to 25, to children and teens 8 to 16. The problem was solved by using the cartoon imagery along with the turtle video to complete a cohesive brand. Innovative thinking came into play using the cartoon imagery in two different sessions to create the whole instead of a video of musicians. Competencies were acquired by using a Parallax Effect in Adobe After Effects and Photoshop to create a movement of the cartoon imagery with the original background of the first session and then taking the cartoon musicians out and placing them on a newly designed environment and have them appear to actually be playing their instruments. I uncovered a new love for motion graphics and video animations which will be a part of the skills used in future projects.

The thesis project, 500Cal, is in the research and exploration phase. There were sketches explored to reach the best logo for 500Cal, which is a healthy fast food restaurant. The connections made with the research and data collected allowed for a SWOT analysis and a basic competitive analysis, which assisted in the synthesis of the best possible logo. The transformation was generated through many sketches and then vectorized. These vectorized images helped solve the problem of fulfilling a logo that speaks to its target audience. Innovative thinking came in to place with the combination of the number 5 in 500 became the eating vessel with a fork extended out of it. The competencies acquired were using a scanning method to input the sketches into Adobe Illustrator to create the vectorized images. This is a project that will allow me to use all of my skills, from interior design to architecture, as well as, graphic design. It makes me feel that becoming a well-rounded designer is possible.