I know that Barron mentioned about seeing Pixar's UP, so I wanted to give my share about the film:
You have to see it, and you have to see it in 3D! :D I was able to go see it last night for the 3D version of the film, and I must say the 3D did the movie justice! I'm not saying it to say it, seriously, this is the first 3D film I went to, where the images aren't trying to come out to touch you. Instead, they calculated what's important in regards to perspective of the environment and the characters.
Even if you don't go see the 3D version (seriously, you'll be missing out if you do), this movie still had heart, adventure, action, and wonderful characters. I was just in awe with Pete Docter's (the director of the film) style for this film, so different compared to his first one (Monster's Inc.).
I also like how Pixar does its' movies, by making sure they crank out the best concept possible. They duke it out, tell it like it is, what each other likes or don't like, and then they go produce an animated film like their lives depends on it. Never have I seen a studio put in so much heart for the sake of telling a great story every time....I can't say the same for DreamWorks. That's a whole blog post in itself (the animation junkie side of me speaking).
Anyways....go see this film! Trust me, this is not a kiddie film! :D
I can truly say that my 25th year has been the greatest of my life so far. It was definitely a 360 degree turn around from what I had going when I was 24.
So with that said, I'm looking forward to see what no. 26 has in store me. :) That's right, I'm 26 years old today. :)
I have so much work to do. Not that it's on my plate right now, but just learning to play a role that is different from what I normally do.
I am a cartoonist. Not an illustrator, there is a difference. Can a cartoonist become an illustrator? And vice versa? Of course. It just takes a lot of work to get there. And I desire to get to where I can do illustration as an illustrator, not just as a cartoonist. Fortunate for me, I can imitate styles nicely. Still, I just need to get better in my drafting skills, and draw draw draw.
Then there's designing: I want to get better in design, where I can be unpredictable...I always felt like my works would be predictable this past year (probably because of my cartooning skills) in my projects. Probably the most unpredictable result was the last project I did for typography, which I am happy of the results. Hopefully, my typography skills will grow and sharpen, as well as composition. Add some things that will shake up the foundation of how I see things.
Last, and not least, adding motion to my projects. Animating characters, shapes, type, whatever the case may be. I am going to get After Effects, so I can start learning over the summer. Nothing wrong with a head start. :)
A cartoonist pushing to become an illustrator, designer, and an animator. I need all the Starbucks I can get for the next two years....
Read a great article on being effective in networking. While the site is geared to those in the animation industry, I truly believe it applies to any art industry, such as graphic design or interior design.
I agreed with what the author had to say in her first advice:
Creating a network is a long term commitment to building strong, mutually beneficial relationships. If you are a student, begin with the other students at your school, your teachers, and some alumni. You can be a source of information for those who have graduated and want news of their old school. Once you are working, you can be a source to your teachers and the other students at your school about who is working, what it's like on your first job, and who might be hiring.
We need each other to survive in the art industry, no matter how you look at it. In my perspective at least. Hope this is inspirational and encouraging to someone. :)
Saw both commercials today, and I was impressed by the work and concept. The tag line: "Made For Each Other" is shown in both situations...where two objects find a connection. Plus, the styles are different in character design, and it still provides a great sight to watch.
I think most people know, but if not, I'll let it be known: That's what I want to do. Animation. :) Motion Graphics...and hopefully, I'll get a head start this summer. Wish me luck!
An artist from deviantArt posted different resources that you could look up in pushing your anatomy drawing skills. I know I need to this summer, as well as going into the fall semester.
Maybe I am biased when it comes to animated films, but I cannot deny my humongous support for Pixar. It deserved it, time and time again with every project they have showcased. From bringing the first fully computer animated theatrical piece Toy Story, to their upcoming piece Up, Pixar has always grabbed my attention and interest. Always grabbing my inner child, like a parent ready to showcase a new present.
I want to talk a bit about the logos, what I find astounding in their logo designs in a two part series. The next post I will definitely talk more from an passionate animation critic's side (that's a mouthful).
The Company:
Pixar's logo alone represents the quality and craftsmanship the company brings to their animation, consistently. That's something Disney has lost in the mid to late 90's. Looking at the letters, minus the "X", the footing for the serifs are strong. The font looks like it is in bold, as Pixar has taken bold risks with their storytelling formats. Not to mention when one says "Pixar", most people will nod in awe or have a positive reflect. The font is very clean and crisp, just as they push their animation to be smooth and clean. They also made the logo playful with having Luxo, Jr. (the jumping lamp) coming into the scene, jumping on the "I" until it's squished. The playfulness and wonder of the lamp is the spirit that Pixar carries in each film project they set out to do.
The Movies: What amazes me about the logos for Pixar's movies, is that they mostly represent or give an indication of what the film is about. Or, it at least ties in with the movie. I guess that's what I look when it comes to logos, is how does the illustration or the type reflect the project or the client. Does it represent it as a whole? Or what part does it want to represent? Pretty much, Pixar not only delivers in animation, but it also delivers in design:
Toy Story's logo is the only one (along with Toy Story 2) that uses the primary color scheme for the entire logo. From my color theory lesson, primary colors are meant to grab your attention quickly, like fast food restaurants (Burger King, McDonald's, Wendy's). As kids, when we saw a toy that was pleasing, we would get excited. It would grab our attention the moment we see it. Having it being the first fully computer animated movie in history, it needed to be something to grab audience's attention (otherwise Pixar would have gone bust - watch the Pixar Story, you'll know what I mean). I thought the logo was also playful with the different sizes in the word "Toy", and having the shape behind "Story".
For A Bug's Life, the design team continued to use bold letters for the type, while adding a twist. Shapes of different bugs were used as counters, as well as the apostrophe in the title. Instead of all caps, the letters were all lowercase, keeping in relations with the subject matter of the film. Having the type being a warm color was inviting to take part of a small world, that we would never think of on our own.
With Monster's Inc. as Pixar's fourth film (Toy Story 2 being its' third), you can see that the company has strong taste in sans serif type. As well as using a bold typeface for the title. The blue is different from A Bug's Life's tone, having a cool calm head for both main characters in a fiery situation. Not that they were calm at all. The eye in the middle of the "M" makes it interactive with the viewer, as well as giving a chance to be animated if need be. I believe also that it relates to the usage of doors in the film, where the monsters have to peak through the closet, ready to scare the children as part of their work day.
What is really interesting for Finding Nemo, is how the word "Nemo" is big. I know I have talked about it before on this blog, I'm just revisiting. Having "Nemo" big looks like someone is shouting. Especially with the font in all caps and using bold. Pretty much the wave moving under the title does give me an indication that the setting will be water. Also having the counter in the "O" as a fish, makes the logo complete and represents the focus of this wonderful film.
For The Incredibles, the design direction went for emphasis on the action by bringing in warm colors (red, orange, yellow). The logo design for the "I" (under the title) shows movement, as superheros must act swift to any and all distress calls. To me, this emblem design shows more movement and animation in a static pose compared to the other Pixar movie titles. The curve in the title really goes with the crescendo and decrescendo in saying it's name. Where it starts strong, lowers in sound a bit, and then finishes strong at the end. Working that enunciation.
I will continue to analyze the other movie logos in Part Two.
Today, my brother graduated from Valdosta State University. He received a Bachelor's in Political Science with Honors! :D
I'm very proud of his work ethic and I know I will have a great time catching up this summer. It's been a long time since I have seen him, due to this graphic design process...but I know I will have a great summer being home.
Due to poor craftsmanship, and low on time to finish my entire portfolio, I didn't include the sleeve as another 3D piece. However, I could say I enjoyed this project more when it came to designing something that needs to be cut and folded. Definitely for sure.
I just wanted to post this up. I know portfolio review was yesterday, but at the same time, I wanna keep adding more to my blog, regardless of the results.
I know that Barron mentioned about seeing Pixar's UP, so I wanted to give my share about the film:
