Today I continued my research involving Game design. I found a useful site which describes all the elements a successful flash game needs. I looked at a few styles of games and decided that I will make a platformer-style flash game. I drew up a "pitch" with a few sketches and a description of my idea, which I will share with the teacher next class period. I knew that the game would have to have a unique, interesting name. Since the game will involve the periodic table of elements, and the word adventure is overused, I decided to name my game "Periodic Sojourn." I also made sure to stay on task the entire day, and be friendly and respectful to the sub.
This was the site I mainly used.
Also looked at.
This site also had tutorials, although I haven't had the chance to look at them yet.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Game Design Thoughts
As I continue my research into game design, I realized that there is far more that goes into it than I originally thought. I am mostly looking into flash game design, and it looks like a complicated process. There is a lot of software, work, and creativity that goes into a game. Surprisingly, there are even entire careers based on flash game design.
I did find one useful site that summarized the principle components of flash games. One of these components that I feel surprisingly strong about is actually the naming of a game. It might seem simple, but with so many games out there already, it is quite hard to think a creative and attractive name that hasn't been used by another person. A name is also the very first thing a person sees when they're browsing for a good game to waste some time on, so is very important.
It wasn't too hard coming up with an idea for a game that could be fun AND educational at the same time. My game will involve chemistry, and the way I see it, chemistry is both interesting and an academic topic, so it could work. Many people also struggle with it, so it could serve to help people in that area. The only thing that I'm having trouble grasping is HOW exactly one makes a game. I'm pretty sure it involves some kind of software. That's what research is for though.
I did find one useful site that summarized the principle components of flash games. One of these components that I feel surprisingly strong about is actually the naming of a game. It might seem simple, but with so many games out there already, it is quite hard to think a creative and attractive name that hasn't been used by another person. A name is also the very first thing a person sees when they're browsing for a good game to waste some time on, so is very important.
It wasn't too hard coming up with an idea for a game that could be fun AND educational at the same time. My game will involve chemistry, and the way I see it, chemistry is both interesting and an academic topic, so it could work. Many people also struggle with it, so it could serve to help people in that area. The only thing that I'm having trouble grasping is HOW exactly one makes a game. I'm pretty sure it involves some kind of software. That's what research is for though.
Monday, January 23, 2012
My Last Thoughts on Typography
After having created my own project with typography, I think I have enough experience with it to have an opinion. Overall, I think typography is quite interesting. When done well, it looks good, and sometimes even incredible. When it comes to doing typography however, I dislike it. I find it quite repetitive and just boring. My favorite form of typography is "Drawing with Typography." When an talented artist puts enough effort into his work, it comes it well. Other forms, like Kinetic Typography, just don't seem as appealing. In a way, all forms of writing are typography. The fact that everybody has their own writing style makes it a bit like art. Made of words. Thus, writing is typography. Although it is illegal, graffiti is definitely a form of typography. It is just like writing, except that in most cases, its sole purpose is to be art. Sometimes, graffiti even looks good.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Typography Project- Drawing with Typography
Investigate
The first thing I did after being assigned this project and reading the directions was look at each of the project choices given to me. The only one that both interested me and looked possible was Drawing with Typography. I then looked at other examples of typographic art. While not directly copying, I did get some ideas from other works. After realizing I was going to make extensive use of the Photoshop Type Tool, I went and reviewed a short tutorial on it. I also looked at some of my earlier drawings to get ideas on how to actually make my words look like a picture.
Plan
In this phase, I started actually planning on what image to reproduce out of words. I didn't want an overly complex object that would take ages to complete, but I also wanted my project to challenge me. I have already based a few projects on football this year, so I decided on a new theme. I'm a big fan of Halo, and I play Xbox a lot, so I settled on designing an Xbox 360 controller out of type. I looked up images of Xbox controllers on Google, and one immediately caught my eye.
Create
I was finally ready to begin. I opened up the image of the controller on Photoshop. Applying past knowledge gained from my first few Photoshop pieces, I put a solid white layer over the background image, and set it at 50% opacity. I slowly and painstakingly created word after word with the text tool. I thought it might be a neat touch if, instead of using random letters or words, I made my work out of words pertinent to Xbox's and gaming in general. Before I knew it, I was including more personalized references to my own gaming life. I sped up as I went, transforming the words until the image finally came together. One final improvisation I made was adding a bit of a black pen outline to help clarify where different boundaries were between sections of the controller.
Evaluate
All in all, I think this project turned out pretty well, considering I've never done anything even remotely like it before. One doesn't have to try very hard to see the intended image. That doesn't mean I enjoyed working on this project. On the contrary, it was miserable, repetitive, and slow work. I hope I never have to do anything like this again, and if I do, I plan on picking a much easier picture, or at least putting less effort into it. The design cycle ended up being useful to me. By following its steps, I was able to approach the project in a logical and convenient way.
Final Product
Bibliography
The first thing I did after being assigned this project and reading the directions was look at each of the project choices given to me. The only one that both interested me and looked possible was Drawing with Typography. I then looked at other examples of typographic art. While not directly copying, I did get some ideas from other works. After realizing I was going to make extensive use of the Photoshop Type Tool, I went and reviewed a short tutorial on it. I also looked at some of my earlier drawings to get ideas on how to actually make my words look like a picture.
Plan
In this phase, I started actually planning on what image to reproduce out of words. I didn't want an overly complex object that would take ages to complete, but I also wanted my project to challenge me. I have already based a few projects on football this year, so I decided on a new theme. I'm a big fan of Halo, and I play Xbox a lot, so I settled on designing an Xbox 360 controller out of type. I looked up images of Xbox controllers on Google, and one immediately caught my eye.
Create
I was finally ready to begin. I opened up the image of the controller on Photoshop. Applying past knowledge gained from my first few Photoshop pieces, I put a solid white layer over the background image, and set it at 50% opacity. I slowly and painstakingly created word after word with the text tool. I thought it might be a neat touch if, instead of using random letters or words, I made my work out of words pertinent to Xbox's and gaming in general. Before I knew it, I was including more personalized references to my own gaming life. I sped up as I went, transforming the words until the image finally came together. One final improvisation I made was adding a bit of a black pen outline to help clarify where different boundaries were between sections of the controller.
Evaluate
All in all, I think this project turned out pretty well, considering I've never done anything even remotely like it before. One doesn't have to try very hard to see the intended image. That doesn't mean I enjoyed working on this project. On the contrary, it was miserable, repetitive, and slow work. I hope I never have to do anything like this again, and if I do, I plan on picking a much easier picture, or at least putting less effort into it. The design cycle ended up being useful to me. By following its steps, I was able to approach the project in a logical and convenient way.
Final Product
-Leggett, David. "Using Transform in Photoshop." Tutorial9 - The Best Resources for Designers, Every Day. 1 May 2008. Web. 17 Jan. 2012. <http://www.tutorial9.net/tutorials/photoshop-tutorials/using-transform-in-photoshop/>.
-Rennegado. "Como Desligar O Controle Sem Desligar O Xbox 360 ? – Tutorial." Wordpress. 24 Mar. 2009. Web. 17 Jan. 2012. <http://zippdown.wordpress.com/page/83/>.
-Wegscheid, Shaun. "Multimedia." Technology. Blogger, 4 Jan. 2012. Web. 17 Jan. 2012. <http://sw-multimedia.blogspot.com/search/label/multimedia>.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
My Thoughts on Typography
I would define typography as a type of digital art that involves using words, letters, punctuation, and other characters that are normally used to express language, and then formatting and arranging them in a way that forms an image. Often, different fonts and letter sizes are used to change the effect made by the characters.
In my opinion however, typography is more than just an arrangement of words and language. It is interwoven with emotion, memories, ideas, and experiences. When the typographer spends hours working on his piece, it is impossible not to leave a part of himself in his work. This is what makes typography special, and distinct from other forms of art.
In my opinion however, typography is more than just an arrangement of words and language. It is interwoven with emotion, memories, ideas, and experiences. When the typographer spends hours working on his piece, it is impossible not to leave a part of himself in his work. This is what makes typography special, and distinct from other forms of art.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Anatomy of a Font
2. Spine
3. Apex
4. Serif (bracketed)
5. Bowl
6. Finial
7. Counter
8. Descender
9. Stem
10. Terminal
11. Link
12. Loop
13. Ear
14. Ascender
15. Arm
16. Crossbar
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