Illustrator Class project
I have gone back to school this fall! I’m currently taking Intro to Multi-media and Graphic Design as well as Illustrator I at our local, community college. I will definitely admit, it has been a bit stressful keeping up with everything but some of the stress involved has turned out to be a “good” kind of stress! Yes, I do believe there is such a thing as “good” stress. I truly think this is just what I needed. I will say it has somewhat given me a creative jumpstart! I have started painting again….after a rather lengthy hiatus. I just finished a commission a couple of weeks ago (will post that a bit later) and have started sketching out my next painting idea as well as a new commission. I have also started a new photography project called 365 Project. Check it out at www.365project.org ….I will post about that a little later as well….. Anyway, back to the original topic… attached is a photo of my latest endeavor in Adobe Illustrator. The assignment was to recreate a metallic/chrome object with illustrator…make it look like the metal you are portraying….get the highlights and reflections….layer by layer/piece by piece…then add that object to a CD Cover. Create a band name and album name then put everything together for a visual concept to critique with the class. The object I chose was a chrome hood ornament from some old car. It was amazing the amount of time it took to create this but, I’m particularly proud of it….hence my post 
I will say I also have a new found respect for graphic designers and illustrators J I am amazed at how time flies in front of a computer, doing image editing or, in this case, graphic design.
Funny how the creative mind works….some things can spur it into working and cause a landslide of ideas and yet other things that you’d think would help initiate creativity just don’t. I’ve said many times that I have to be in the “mood” to paint. Well, that “mood” has been absent lately and I just did not have the initiation to try and find that mood…. I know, shame on me. Well, this project was very labor intensive and stressful at times, however, I have to admit the process has gotten me jazzed about other new and upcoming projects…gotten my mind thinking on the creative level again….the mood has found me instead! I was not expecting this….I mean, after all….when you got right down to it….this was homework. Homework isn’t supposed to be “fun”, right?? 
….at least that’s what my children, nieces, and nephews tell me J I think last night’s class critique session also helped with that. I have to admit, I don’t always look forward to those sessions but I think they’re very necessary. It just so happened, last night’s critique was a definite positive. I received positives overall and was joking told everyone in class hated me now…thanks everyone! 
….I can’t help but think, “Would I still feel as jazzed and creative if the critique wasn’t as positive and there were things that I lacked and suggestions for change?” I hope I would….even though suggestions and criticism aren’t always easy to take.
Anyway, what do you think?? Does it look chrome??
March 30, 2011 at 2:35 pm |
Very neat! It does look chrome. I thought that it was a photograph before you said otherwise. Sometimes I think some classes would be fun, but I don’t know how I could handle adding more to my already busy life. I’m glad that you are enjoying your new avenue. : )