My first project for my Photoshop class was to create an inspirational quote image. I decided to go with the quote "Only you can control your future" by Dr. Seuss. I like this quote because it is true, and your future depends on you, and how you decide to make it.
First, I chose an image I thought would match that quote. I decided to use a sunset picture I took this past summer. After I chose my image, I used the filter "watercolor" on my image to make it look like it was painted. After that, I wrote out my quote and decided to use the font "Hipsterish". I felt that this font matched the scene and the quote. I decided to make the font 92 pt. so it is not too big or small. I centered the quote and decided to put a circle around it. I made the circle white and made the opacity 40%.
Above is my completed picture. I think it looks really nice and I like how the circle is around the quote, making it the main focus of the quote image.
Project 1
Project 3
For this project, I had to create a pizza. I started with the dough. I took my quick selection tool and put it on its own layer. Then, I made the background a picnic looking tablecloth. I think this goes well with pizza, because some pizza places have tableclothes that look similar. After that, I made a sauce layer. I used my paint brush tool to add some red sauce. Then, using the paint brush tool again I made cheese. I decided to use a yellow color and the grass looking paint brush. This created a cheese looking layer. After adding the first layers I took my quick selection tool and created layers for the mushroom, pepperoni, sausage, green pepper, olives, and bacon. By making it their own layer, I used the quick selection tool and selected the image. Then, I copied and pasted it into its own layer. This deleted the background and allowed me to put it on pizza and make it look realistic. For the spinach, I decided to use my magnetic lasso tool. The quick selection tool picked up the white background because the spinach stem was too small. I used the same method, copying and pasting into its own layer. Finally, my pizza was done and it looked very realistic!
Project 4
For this project, I had to create a picture with a giraffe, an elephant and sunglasses. I had to place all of this on one background. First I cut out the giraffe from a blue background. I used the quick selection tool. Then, I used the healing brush to take away the white spots on the giraffe's tongue. I used spot healing to take away one big brown spot on the giraffe's neck. After that, I used the quick selection tool to remove the elephant from a background. I put the elephant in the far distance of this image. The background was placed, and I had to adjust the brightness to make it seem like it fits. Then, I placed sunglasses on the giraffe's head. I decided to make the giraffe's head big, in front of the camera. I think the caption "I'm ready for my close-up" was a funny caption becuase it looks like he popped up to the camera. I had to adjust the brightness and contrast of the elephant to make it fit with the background more too. This left me with my final image!
Project 5
For this project, I had to create a new menu of an existing restaurant. I decided to do a pizza place I love in Gainesville. I decided to stick with grey, white, black and touch of red for color. This reminds me of a brick oven pizza place like this one. First I created my background by putting a black and white layer together and adjusting the opacity. I added a brick photo and adjusted the opacity of that as well and I ended with the background you see. Then I made all of the white text boxes by using white and adjusting the opacity. I decided to put all of the pizza dishes on the left side of the menu, and all of the salads and others on the right. This pizza place has a build your own bar, so the "create your pizza" is a menu of the options to choose from. Building a pizza is $7.95, so I put a price at the top. The two boxes underneath are for the simple pizzas; classic and one topping. I decided to use the font "Andes" for the titles of the menu options, such as "create your pizza" and "signature" I chose a deep red for these so they stand out to people. For the featured menu items I used the font "BreamCatcher". I liked how it looked similar to Andes, but it is a little easier to read. For the explanation, I chose to use "Khmer". This font is cool, but it is easy to read as well and less decorative. I decided to make the font of the menu items black, but I placed them behind the boxes so they look gray. The descriptions are in white, and the prices are in black. This allows every aspect of the menu to stand out, and it is easy to read. I did the same thing on the right side of the menu for the salads. I put desserts and drinks at the bottom in a smaller font. This is because these are usually an after thought when ordering a meal. For my logo, I decided to keep it simple. I liked the idea of putting a pizza pie instead of the "o". This allows people to quickly understand that "Dough Religion" is a pizza restaurant. The pizza shovels indicates that it is made in a brick oven which is a big part of this restaurant! That is how I came to my menu, as you see it above!
Project 6
My assignment was to create an advertisement that a brand could use on the web. It has to go along with a campaign of theirs. I decided to do Dove, because I love their campaigns and think they're so meaningful. This campaign is the beauty debate. Many of them look like the one above. Here are some examples:
I decided to go with a teen girl who was in an advertisement for Dove. It was a different ad, so I thought I should use her for this campaign. I think teenagers need more reassurance that they are beautiful and don't need to feel any sort of self-consciousness. First, I placed the girl, and I removed the background except for her. I placed her on a white background because that is what their ads are on. Next, I chose what I wanted my ad to say. I made two boxes, and wrote "braces?" and "beautiful?" next to them. Underneath that, I created another text box and wrote "Why can't more women love their smile? Join the beauty debate." This is what a lot of the other ads had. Different debates, but something relating to the rest of the ad. I tried to match the bottom as best as I could. I wrote "campaignforrealbeauty.com". Then, I used a different ad and cut out the background to get the same logo and "Dove" as the others. After that, I effected the girls face. I added a drop shadow so she stood out, and I made some image adjustments as well. That is how I came to my final product!
DISCLAIMER: I am not affiliated with Dove in any way, this is for educational purposes only.
Project 7
The book cover I decided to redo is The Girl On The Train. I just read this book, and the movie just came out as well! I really enjoyed reading it, and since it is fresh in my memory I decided it would be easiest to redo the cover. The cover above is the current book cover. It does not say much about what the book is about, so I will give you a quick summary; Rachel takes the same commuter train every morning and night. Every day she rattles down the track, flashes past a stretch of cozy suburban homes, and stops at the signal that allows her to daily watch the same couple breakfasting on their deck. She’s even started to feel like she knows them. Jess and Jason, she calls them. Their life—as she sees it—is perfect. Not unlike the life she recently lost. Until today... And then she sees something shocking. It’s only a minute until the train moves on, but it’s enough. Now everything’s changed. Unable to keep it to herself, Rachel goes to the police. But is she really as unreliable as they say? Soon she is deeply entangled not only in the investigation but in the lives of everyone involved. Has she done more harm than good?
I couldn't put this book down, I definitely recommend reading it!
In my redesigned book cover, I decided to put the character they used for the movie. I decided to cut out the background, and just use her head. I moved the image to the left side of the cover. Then, since the train is a major part of the book, I added a picture of a train. I adjusted the opacity, and I decided to use that one image of the train for the front, back and spine. So, I used the same train picture with the same opacity for all sides. Then, I chose a font that was easy to read, but fit the plot. I added a drop shadow to the font. I kept the cover pretty simple, because the train picture was busy enough. For the spine, I kept the same font for the title, and just adjusted it to fit. The back cover, I decided to put the summary on the black part on the top. I added a picture of the author, by using a clipping mask. I found a picture of a barcode and placed it where it is placed for most books. I like how the front, back, and spine all go together, and the picture flows. I also like how the real cover does not give much away, so I tried to keep it that way when I made mine. Here is my finished design!
DISCLAIMER: I am not associated with the book, author, or publisher in any way, this is for educational purposes only.
Project 8
For this project, I had to create a logo for a high-end hair salon located in Los Angeles. I decided to keep it simple and modern. I think black and white is classy, and screams high-end. First, I found a blowdryer image that I thought would fit my vision. I cut it out and changed it to a light gray. Then, I came up with the name "Element Salon". I liked this because when leaving a salon, it is important to be in your element (you are doing what makes you happy). I also liked how it is one word, and a memorable one. I used the font "sail" for the word "element". I liked how it was bold, and cursive but it was still sophisticated. For the word salon, I used the font "raleway". This was a clean font that fit well in the bottom of the logo. I like how the words are over the blowdryer, but it doesn't lose focus. I adjusted the letters in both words and brought them closer together. Then I created a grayscale, and black and white version. Since my logo is black and white, the grayscale didn't change all that much. The black and white inverted the colors, and it is shown above. I put a black background behind it so you could see it better. I personally like both ways.
Project 9
I had to create a mood board for myself. I always love grey, pinks and touches of greenery. I especially love this for home decor, and that is how I got my inspiration. My bedroom at school is grey, pink and has touches of greenery. I love the mason jar look too, so I found a picture that matched my style. I like these colors because they are fun, and not too girly at the same time. I love pink, but I don't like to over do it. I chose pictures that I think represent me. The pencils are a reminder that I am a student. The dreamcatcher is a way to show people that I love to chase my dreams. The picture of the candle just shows that I can be laid back, and love to relax. The bouquet is because I am my sisters Maid of Honor in her wedding coming up. I love home decor and decorating in general, so the last three pictures just show my style, and what I like. I chose a light pink that I think matched the rest of the pictures. I decided to use a light green instead of a dark one, because it adds brightness. I took the medium grey mason jar color because that grey matched. Lastly, I used a clipping mask to create the blooming flower in the middle. This signifies that I am still growing as an individual. I enjoyed this exercise because it allowed me to express myself, and my style.
Project 10
I had to create a website homepage for a restaurant of my choice. This will be what the live browser window looks like when signed on. I chose a simple design that is easy to navigate. I chose to do a Mexican restaurant that just opened in Gainesville, Florida, called Felipe's. I wanted to showcase the food, and have it be the main focus. I decided to blow up one dish as the center image, and then write the name of the restaurant over it. I decided on this picture because it does not have too much going on, but it shows what type of food the restaurant serves. I made a white box and changed the opacity to make the name more visible. I wanted to make sure the logo was also used, so I put the logo in the top left. I decided to use two bars on the bottom, and I took the colors from the logo. I decided to use the red, and yellow. I came up with a few different menu options, and I split them up with a simple line. Under that, I used logos for the social media icons, and logos for the contact options. This idea is that when you click it, it will take you to the correct page. Personally, I like when a website is simple, with not too much going on. I like when you can easily find what you're looking for, and there is nothing too distracting.
DISCLAIMER: I am not affiliated with Felipe's Taqueria in any way, this is for educational purposes only.
Project 11
I had to create web ads for a brand of my choice. This campaign is for the winter holidays. I purposely did winter, because that is when most people go shopping, and buy gifts for others. I decided to go with a "boot" campaign, since people tend to buy boots in the winter months. I came up with the line "Reboot your holiday season". I incorporated all boots into the ad, so people can see some of the options the store has. I made it all black and white, to match the logo, and the boots I chose. I decided to add a snow effect in the background to really give it a wintery feel. I see these ads showing up on Facebook pages, for people who recently visited similar stores, and on websites that bring a similar audience to this store.
DISCLAIMER: I am not affiliated with this company in any way, this is for educational purposes only.
Project 12
I had to create an email campaign for the brand The Shoe Box, and I decided to do one for the winter holiday season. I chose to use the line "Reboot your holiday season" because it incorporates the word boots. The winter is a time when people buy a lot of boots, so I wanted to emphasize buying boots. I chose that picture because it pops, and I wanted some color in the email. The blue boots are attention grabbing, and people will want to know what the campaign is about. I decided to add the locations, the phone number, along with more information and options at the bottom and their website menu, and logo at the top. This all helps with the feel of the store and website, and keeps the brand image in mind. I also made a "suggestions for you" section which will change for every person depending on their browsing history.
DISCLAIMER: I am not affiliated with this company, this is for educational purposes only.
Project 13
I had to create a social media campaign for a company or city in the travel industry for Spring Break. I decided to do my home state, New York! I thought doing the city would be reasonable, because people are definitely interested in visiting. When people think about Spring Break, they typically think of partying somewhere on a beach. I wanted to steer away from that. I decided to do my campaign as a way to move away from that. I want people to look at these pictures and think that this is a better option than the normal spring break trips. I included main attractions from New York, things that a lot of tourists would love to do when they visit. I thought these would be the most enticing.
For the first cover photo, I chose the Brooklyn Bridge. The second, I chose to Times Square, and for the third I chose to do yellow cabs. These are all major highlights of NYC, and I think the pictures are eye-catching. For the twitter photo I chose a really pretty skyline picture. I wanted a photo that would sum up the city, and not focus on one attraction. For the geofilter, I chose to do the original I love NY logo, but changed it up. I took the font from the logo, and I decided to change the heart to a big apple. I chose an apple with a city skyline so it really ties it all together. I wanted something classic, that all ages can use, and not just spring breakers.
DISCLAIMER: I am not affiliated with this company, this is for educational purposes only.
Twitter Cover Photo
Facebook Cover Photos
Snapchat Filter
Project 14
For this project, I chose to create an infographic on Oranges. The article I used to find the nutrition facts is http://www.livescience.com/45057-oranges-nutrition-facts.html. I wanted to create an infographic that was clean looking, and not too overwhelming. I decided to use three different designs so it was easy to read. First, I read through the article, and found that there were years I could use. I decided to make a timeline look on the bottom of the page. I used three facts with years. Then, I found three facts with numbers and decided to accentuate the numbers. Instead of using rectangles again, I chose to do circles. This is eye-catching because of the different shapes. Finally, I decided I didn't want to use anymore orange, or shapes so I chose to do a simple design. I decided to use the grey I used for the title. This created a good separator for the page. I thought my page looked a little plain, so I took a photo of an orange, and changed the opacity to make it the background. I chose the font for the title to be Arial Black so it was bold. I decided to make it one word, and change the color of each word. I like the simplistic design, but it is obvious what the infographic is about.
