Journal #5

I created these images trying to keep them simple enough for mass production, but also so that they would bring art into the space. The women and men’s bathroom signs have a similar design, the woman’s uses loops and curvy lines and the symbol looks like a flower while the men’s bathroom uses straight lines and looks more like a dynamite explosion. I chose a pink palliate for the girls for its world-wide association with the female sex and dark blue, red, and grey for the men. I chose the dark blue because it is associated with the male sex around the world, red because it is associated with males in France. These symbols will also be an index, seeing as they are to be at the door of the bathrooms.

The janitor’s closet sign has a background of wood and shows an array of supplies and tools that can be found on the other side of the door. The brown wood background gives a sense of physical labor work. I chose a teal-green color to shade the supplies in because it adds a feeling of environmental responsibility (with the cleaning products used). This image has a symmetrical balance; it almost looks like little cubbies for choices in janitorial items.

The executive washroom sign is light and clean-feeling with its pink bubbles, baby blue background, and off-white soap. I’m thinking it could be near the symbol for either men or women’s bathrooms to signal an executive restroom, especially because it incorporates both pink and blue. I really wanted a fun and airy feeling with this symbol. It uses symmetrical balance.

For a fire extinguisher sign I drew a fire, and foam/water shooting at it. I chose red, black, orange and yellow for the fire symbol, and blue for the foam or water. The background is grey not only so that there are not too many colors but it also represents the smoke that comes with the fire. Inspired by all the arrows I have noticed recently, there is even an arrow in the foam pointed towards the fire. The lines from the beginning of the foam expand also show movement towards the fire.

For the exit sign I re-vamped the traditional arrow. I used green colors as if to say, “go!” Not only does the arrow itself symbolize direction, but the way the lines in the arrows are rising from the lower corner and rising to the head of the arrow suggest movement.

My parking garage symbol is one of my favorites. (The other would be the fire-extinguisher.) I drew a road swirling into a cute little interpretation of a house or garage; however it looks more like a house, indicating that you and your car will be safe. At the end of the road there in an “x” showing that you are to stop, the inside of the garage is also red, also indicating a stop. Outside the garage is green, and has some circles, both indicating “go, go, go!” I think it will be clearly understood, especially as an index placed in traffic of on a parking building.

Journal #3

I chose to focus on the symbols we recognize for food items (except the “no-smoking” sign, although it’s closely related). These symbols make products easy to recognize in the grocery store or wherever you may find them, they identify themselves as part of a company. Not only are these symbols identifiers of their brand name, but each has a unique value in the minds of consumers that comes from a combination of past experiences, personal tastes, and brand positioning. I took a bit of a different approach to this assignment, but I believe these logos are also symbols that society has come to recognize and attach a value to.

1)     The Icee logo I found on my cup can also be seen in windows of various gas stations, letting the reader know this sweet treat is available inside.

2)     I found this “no-smoking” sign on my school campus. It lets us know that smoking is not allowed in the area. It is not only a symbol but an icon.

3)     This McCormick brand logo was found on a spice packet in my family’s pantry. I see this brand often in my pantry so I’m thinking that my mom recognized it in the grocery store, had good feelings towards the company, and bought it. (I’m moving out in a month!)

4)    I had this Coca-Cola bottle top in my box where I keep things that inspire me visually. You would have to work very hard to find someone anywhere in the world who wouldn’t recognize this symbol. Even though it is simply text, the font, spelling with hyphen, and specific red color still make the same impact as Coke’s bottle shape icon.

5)     The previously wide-spread Starbucks logo is still extremely well-known. The green hue is a major part of the design, although it is printed as black on this food bag and on their napkins.

6)    The new Starbucks logo is very similar, (on my frappachino cup!) except it is always printed larger than they had previously had their logo, and the “Starbucks Coffee” text that used to surround the girl is gone. Personally I do not like this new logo. It feels unfinished because there is no boarder around it, and I had not noticed that the girl’s arms look so weird until they had to print it so large. Of course, they will probably change the design of the girl in the future as they have in years past. Changing a company logo is risky however, since consumers get used to the original design.

7)    The McDonald’s “M.” It consists of one letter, and two colors. And somehow it has been marketed enough so that most of humanity sees this and instantly thinks of the fast-food restaurant.

8)     This Nestle’ box of cocoa chocolate was found in my pantry. When I get the urge to make cookies I look for this print, yellow color, and Toll House house symbol for a bag of chocolate chips, they have the best recipe on the back! (Just cut the amount of chips in half though.)

9)     My family is brand-loyal to Prego for spaghetti sauce, so this was found in my pantry. Again, it is easy to find in the grocery store even though it’s simply the name, font, and colors used in this symbol.

10) This brand of alcoholic beverages is recognized by its font, color, and name. There is also a circled “k” symbol near the top of the bottle.

11) This next logo doesn’t even need a name next to it to be recognized as Pepsi. The design and combination of colors point readers to the brand name.

12) Betty Crocker even has her own symbol, iconic in the way that it is a spoon, associated with cooking and baking. It is not only the spoon that is recognizable, but the unique font and white color.

13) Kraft’s Macaroni and Cheese has recently changed their box design (yes, I pay attention). They have previously used the yellow-to-orange fading colors, but I’m pretty sure they are now using a new font, and that they want the noodle that looks like a smile to be a part of their brand recognition.

14)This Pringle’s box was found in my pantry. I have noticed a lot of food-related brand logos use a red hue, which is found to stimulate appetite.

15) I like this Sweets Handmade Candies logo—it is stylish and shows the creativity of the business. Sweets also uses this same purple color on their bags. This was found on their business card that I posted on my bulletin (they’re sooo good!).

Journal #4

Arrows. Since about 25,000-50,000 BC they’ve been around; over the centuries meaning has been attached to them and embedded in the minds of the human race. Arrows can be used for so many things, and we all seem to instinctively know what they are communicating to us. When I first read this assignment I thought, “Arrows? Twenty different arrows?” but as I began to look for them I experienced what Phil Patton had experienced (http://www.aiga.org/content.cfm/setting-sights-on-the-arrow), I began to see arrows everywhere. They were in everything, around the corner, lurking secretly everywhere I passed, even up in the tree tops. Soon I had more than enough arrows to choose from, so I put them in a collage. Here is what I found: (#1 is in the upper left-hand corner)

1)     I found this arrow on the sliding glass doors that gave entrance (or exit) to the cafeteria at my community college. The arrows are directing us to physically push open the doors if there is a fire.

2)     The arrow in this sign “Cash for Books” was also found on my college campus, in fact, right beside the cafeteria. This arrow is directing us in which way to go to sell our text books.

3)     This arrow was found on a water-bottle machine (also on campus!) and I was actually pretty excited when I found it since it’s so inconspicuous and small. It’s directing people where to insert coins.

4)     The Chevron arrow…was found at a Chevron gas station. [Oh--it was kind of awkward taking this picture (most all of the pictures were awkward to take actually), people were looking at me so I pretended to be trying to send a text.] This arrow is part of Chevron’s logo, telling its readers what company they are about to be mugged from.

5)     The “Automatic Door, Keep Moving” arrow was found right above the #1 arrow, on the sliding-glass cafeteria doors. [I ignored its command and stopped moving to take the photo, however, the door kept moving so it became sort-of a game.] This arrow lets the readers know that the door will move for you, and directs traffic to continue walking for everyone’s convenience and safety.

6)     This next arrow was found taped on the inside window of the bookstore on campus. It directs its readers to keep walking to the “new” door. [I’ve been there for TWO YEARS and have always been told to use the “new” doors.]

7)     This arrow I found in the shade, it is from part of my house’s rooftop. It’s not directing or anything, just an organic arrow.

8)     This is a painting my sister gave me (with the octopus). The arrow is at the tip of the anchor. It is an organic arrow and is not meant as a signal, just a hook.

9)     I found this arrow on my house door lock. You might think that it points to “lock” or “unlock,” but really, it just points to wherever the lock is pointed already, so I’m not positive this triangle is meant as a directing arrow.

10) The arrow in this picture can be found on the volume button on a TV remote. These arrows symbolize “up” or “down”.

11) Arrows are often on the tops of medicine bottles, and that’s where I found these. They instruct to push down and turn to open.

12) Glancing at my folder I had out, the letter “A” seemed to look like an arrow. This “arrow” doesn’t direct or communicate except that in it is part of a letter.

13) This arrow is on the timer function of our house fan. It allows the reader to see where exactly they are setting the time on the dial for.

14) On a menu, Lucille’s had put together a number of small images to make what looks like an arrow symbol. It draws attention to the alcohol on the beverage list.

15) This is a street sign, a photo I captured *kahem* not while driving. It indicates that the road ahead turns.

16) These arrows are drawn on my calendar, to show a continuation of travel dates. (The green arrow after this photo is simply added as part of the collage design since I already had 20 photos).

17) The fence at a park in Auburn, CA makes the shape of an arrow. Though not directly, the “arrow” is perhaps saying “stay out.”

18) This next arrow is hard to see in this photo (sorry! Another awkward “why is this girl taking a picture of that?” moment!) but it is an emergency exit map. This arrow points the way in case of a fire.

19) Found in a cooking booklet, in “you’re home, you’re world,” the “o” has a rooftop above it, which makes an arrow. This is a design used in the advertisement.

20) Again, a little bit tricky to see in this small photo, but there is an arrow at the end of the text box which says, “CREATE like crazy” on one of my sketchbooks. It is a design element but it is also saying, “turn the page!”

I’ve found arrows don’t just say one thing, but in context can say many different things. Arrows direct you to push, pull, insert here, go, stay away, turn, look at this, and more. An arrow can lead you to safety or identify a brand name. The arrow is the ultimate director, a symbol understood across the country and across cultures around the world.

Journal #2

Little Miss Muppet
You can do a lot with lines, circles, squares, and a couple letters! (I was completely surprised!)

Journal #1

I drew this image as a symbol of what represents me. The cross in the middle gives a stable foundation, and is also like the Christian cross, as I am a follower of Jesus Christ. The wings are like eagle wings, strong, and high on the "shoulders." Inside the wings are the feathers which also look somewhat like tiger strips--another symbol of strength. Curling across the middle is a thorny twine. It curls around the center, and inside the center is a heart. My heart is guarded by all of these strong things, fences and walls. But coming from the red heart in the center are very light colors of pink, purple, and blue. There is softness inside of all the hard, protective edges.

I chose this image to represent how other people perceive me. (I found this image online.) I think others see me as an angelic little girl--innocent and pure. This girl is happy and upbeat, enjoying all life has to offer. Which, I don't doubt that they do, because this does describe me to an extent. (I like the connection these two pictures have with the wings--the wings I drew in the first image are supposed to be more like eagle wings, while these are obviously angelic wings.)
But, I surprise people when I show how tough and resilient I am. Or how my mind can travel so far down the depressing, sad, road. I don't play it safe, I go for it. I always protect myself, and in those rare times when I can't, I either love that someone else does or hate that I couldn't do it myself. I have a hard time asking for help; I want to do it all, perfectly, on my own. Yet I know that I need help, I especially need the support of my family and friends, even though I hide away alone in my room at times.