1. overall, i think my pairings work well. the connections are strong when viewed side by side. in my compositions, however, i lose the pairings in a couple places in the first and third PnL compositions, as well as the third west side poster. by incorporating more of the image, i could make a stronger link between the two worlds.
2. with the photographs, again i need to bring in more information to the composition. my cropping is too tight and i loose some of the illustrative qualities of the area
3. the line studies i used are all photographed, manipulated line studies. therefore, the edges are rough. those qualities i can use to my advantage in providing a more seamless transition into the safari photos, but when viewed alone, need to be vectorized for a cleaner appearance.
4. i feel the type choice is appropriate. critiques have been in scaling (overpowering in PnL #1 and west side #2) and case choice (all caps in the west side comps). the integration of type into the composition is improved from the first round of iterations, but still needs to be resolved in downtown #1 and west side #3.
5. composition has been improved from the first round of iterations, now working more with the frame to create more excitement. overall, i'm really proud of them. in west side #3, i need to close the gap a bit more (though i don't want to merge the two sections. i kind of like the anticipation of the line study sneaking up on the virgin mary while her back is turned... not in a sinister way, but as far as creating tension goes).
6. the connection to the neighborhood is lost in the downtown compositions due to a lack of contextual information. power and light works well because of the incorporation of the line study. the two together actually provide more insight into the development of the district. though maybe a bit literal and heavy handed, the image of the deteriorated virgin mary works well to describe the west side because of its strong latino cultural influence and the rough, low income underside of the neighborhood.
Row 1, column 1: I really enjoy the orientation and positioning of the pairing. The white space helps to bring out the pairing, which is really strong and represents downtown well. Perhaps you make the lines go into the image to make it blend in better. The photograph is fairly "legible" (Since I'm not a KC resident, I am not familiar with the architecture) and I understand it in this context. It is definitely engaging and has visual interest. Perhaps you could play with the scale or improve the continuation to make it look more seamless. The line quality is fairly clean. It needs to be vectorized, although I enjoy the tonality. The are small clean ups around the left end. The type choice is great, it modernly communicates the area and the placement is fairly integrated (nice size and typeface). The overall composition is beautiful, it is clean, simple, and legible. The continuation is smooth on this, but some refinement would help it feel less cut in half. Downtown is definitely represented in this composition; I enjoy the fact that it isn't cliche and that you took a beautiful facade to represent it.
ReplyDeleteRow 1, column 2: Similar to the previous design, I really enjoy the white space because it allows the pairing to speak for itself. I have the same comments about the pairing and photo because the only difference is the orientation (vertical versus horizontal). See the answers for questions 1-3, 5-6. However, I will comment on the type choice, question 4. I think it is interesting that you tried to create a gradient, it certainly caught my eye, but I don't know if its necessary. Also, I think using gray might not balance the black/white line study up top. Perhaps you could make the type color black to give it balance.
Row 1, column 3: Visually, it is a striking, abstract poster, however, you lose the pairing by slicing the photo. I get lost in what is the photo and what is the line study. Keep the pairing like the previous ones, aforementioned. The photograph lacks legibility because it is so abstracted and edited. Just keep it the way it was. The line study is definitely fuzzy and needs to be vectorized. I don't know if gray toning the pairing was necessary. It makes it kind of fade and it doesn't stand out like it should. The type choice is a little weak since I am comparing it to the other iterations you had, but it is integrated literally. I don't know if curving it in works. The overall composition employs continuation, and alignment, but it isn't strongly communicating the neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteRow 2, column 1: The visual strength of the pairing is good because you've integrated the line study into the photograph. You could try fixing the reflection above the bricks because it looks edited. I think the photograph is very legible, but the brick reflection doesn't look believable. The line quality is fantastic because it is so cleanly integrated into the photography. Perhaps you could take it out of the photograph and extend it through continuation. The typeface choice is good, but the size/scale is overwhelming. It competes with the pairing. The overall composition is interesting since there are angles and the framing is well done, it keeps the focus on the bricks, etc. I think it does exemplify the neighborhood well.
Row 2, column 2: I have mostly the same comments for this one as for the previous one. I don't think the reflection in the center is working. It looks edited, so perhaps refine it to look more like a reflection. I enjoy the type in this composition because it is sits at the top and is aligned with the composition.
ReplyDeleteRow 2, column 3: For me, the visual strength of this is weak. The pairing doesn't work for me because it is too simple, making the text the focus of attention. I think if you include more context to this, it might make it more visually interesting. The photograph is not really legible, I can't tell which one is the line and which the photo. Again, adding context to the overall composition would give the viewer some understanding. The line study is not crafted to the best it could be, the fuzziness is distracting and confusing. I think it could use vectorization. The type choice is really working, but it is the most attentive thing in composition. The overall composition doesn't really use principles to the best it can. It is aligned. It doesn't say much about power and light. It might just be too simple.
Row 3, column 1: This is visually strong. I enjoy the pairing a lot because you've created the historical connotation. I think the the improvement would be in removing the dropshadow...maybe. The photography is very legible, and very engaging. I enjoy the balanced switch between photo and line study. However, I don't know if you should keep the dropshadow, again. The line study is well crafted, however, to make it clearer, try vectorizing it. I think the type choice is nice, but it's a little too hidden behind the line study. Try bringing it out more. Your composition dynamically employs alignment, framing, and continuation. Great. It could be further improved by maybe adding some scale to create dimension versus relying on a shadow to show depth. This definitely communicates the neighborhood. Although I don't know much about it, Jamie covered the communication of this in crit.
Row 3, column 2: This is my personal favorite. I enjoy the the pairing, but the image of Mary doesn't feel as connected as the linestudy with the line shadow. Perhpas try finding lines in Mary to connect to the line study. I think the photo is very engaging and striking. It could use some scale and or framing, but I like it the way it is. The line quality is mostly good, it's a little rough on the bottom and could use some vectorizing. I think the typechoice is a little too loud, so scale it down some, other than that, it's fine. The graphic elements in this really communicate the neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteRow 3, column 3: This pairing is feelin' a little disconnected. I think it's a great poster though. You should try putting the line study with the photo literally; so make some kind of connection. Also, I think the photograph is legible and beautiful. It could use some more connection with the line study. I think the line quality is good but again, needs some cleaner refinement through vectorizing. The type choice is great, perhaps you could play with the positioning. The overall composition doesn't employ many principles, so try using continuation and scale.
The graphic elements communicate westside, but are disconnected visually.