If you are reading this, then you’ve been April-Fooled, courtesy of Matthew Charles Gullette. Have a nice day :-)
This is my Visual Communications portfolio, consisting of a Kiosk flyer done by Adobe Photoshop and Adobe In-Design and a typography assignment, done by using Adobe In-Design.
Happy Birthday, Google!
Google’s logo is a variation of the typeface Catull BQ (which apparently costs 100 bucks to install). Known for it’s playful presentation and distinctive serifs, the original typeface was invented nearly 20 years ago and recreated by Ruth Kedar to form the current font (thanks for the background information, Google). Here Google has used the font and playfully arranged it to celebrate their 13th birthday, which you noticed if you went on their page today. It’s still not as cool as the Guitar Logo, but definitely creative enough for me to go on Wikipedia and look up all these Googley facts!
Super Mario Bros! Somewhat improvisational using Windows Movie Maker for the video, Adobe Audition for the recording and Maverick (my guitar) for the sound. As you can tell I am a novice at the two formers, not so bad at the latter. I figured why not post it on here while I am still learning my way around Tumblr.
Miami Dolphins - the Logo.
I remember as a child I was immediately attracted to the teal color of the Miami Dolphins uniforms, and as if I even had any choice in the matter, they have been my favorite team to this day - I own about 20 jerseys.
In this particular photo, I love how the heavily saturated blues of the ocean really bring out the logo. You’ll notice how it makes the Dolphin come alive against the water even creating a “splash affect.” Really cool.
Soul-Proprietor
I am the sole-proprietor for this heart of mine.
“Open for Business,” it reads on the sign.
Closed, though it seems, as empty as shelves
with books not yet written and clocks stricken twelve.
Not a partner invested in nickel nor dime,
its shares are unowned, not sharing their time.
Still stocks they may soar with promise of treasure.
Because business is business, and business is pleasure.
Atlantic: my page theme
This theme is focused with heavy contrast between the pictures and the words. It’s easy to read, set up sort of like a newspaper, with enough room for the messages to breath without overwhelming them. Most of all, it’s simple, clear, and concise. While novelists, poets and other artists may seek more abstract ideas, the journalist, or aspiring one, seeks clarity.
The Sponge
There was a quote in the first chapter that really stuck out in my mind, mainly because I had thought of the same concept but never quite clearly put it into perspective:
“Once you can name something, you’re conscious of it. You have power over it. You own it. You’re in control,” (Robin Williams, the author of The Non-Designer’s Design and Type Books).
If you read the first chapter of the book you’d know that the quote is an allusion to a childhood story where the author first becomes familiar with a Joshua tree. For Christmas she received a tree identification book, and despite the fact that she didn’t know Joshua trees previously existed in her neighborhood, she quickly identified that they were all over the place and right in front of her Northern Cali porch - literally. Que epiphany.
It’s weird, because I have those little epiphanies all the time - when I hear (what I think is) a new word, phrase or unique form of expression that hits me at the right time and consequently draws me in. I mean, maybe I’d heard it before but Naturally, I go look it up because I’m curious, and then afterwards it feels like I hear it all the time everywhere I go - it’s totally exciting! Like a whole new world or something.
I like to refer to these experiences as “sponging.” As a writer, I constantly try to expand my diction and my understanding of the world around me, whether consciously or subconsciously, so that I can use that knowledge and pass it on to others. It’s the teacher and observer in me - I can’t help it. So when I do have these epiphanies I try to learn from them and use them in my every day vocabulary, and eventually my writing - sort of like a sponge soaking up water and releasing it on whoever is thirsty (cheesy, I know).
I find that as a creative person, that’s how I keep myself inspired - fueled by new, little epiphanies and soaking up the inspiration and creativity of others around me, hoping to one day to find my own unique voice. So while I have no experience in graphic design and limited experience in computer lay-outs, I am thirsty for knowledge!
Or as Elaine Benes would say, I am definitely “sponge-worthy.”
-Matt Gullette
