Isabel Bieri: Project 3 Final Critique

My original idea for the image was to make a visual kind of representation of "creative minds," because at CDM we're all about making stuff. I also wanted it to be pretty eye-catching and unique in comparison to your "average" university ad because I really think that extraordinary things happen within CDM, and if it's going to be plastered on the side of the building it should definitely look cool!

I took it a step further by turning it into a sort of mind-map like the ones we've made for class, as suggested during the last critique. I was struggling to find a way to include something more, specifically/ hopefully the CDM majors and I decided that this was a good way to do that and communicate more about CDM/DePaul. All of the majors stem out of a yellow-green line, things that come to mind when I think of CDM stem out of the pink lines, and the DePaul logo stems out of a single blue line. I took away the stripes in the back because I added type beyond the silhouette and that became hard to read. Nothing else I tried looked quite right, so I just kept it a simple but still bright white that I think would contrast nicely against the building.

Had I more time, I really would have liked to take a handwritten looking approach to the type, so as to better go along with the mind-map idea. I tried to still kind of maintain that kind of handmade essence (ish) by not making the angles of the lines too perfect.

Ideally this would be a vinyl banner, 56x40 in dimension which would cost $4,009.60 from chicagoprintingcenter.com

Alexis Brooks-Final Designs

Alexis Brooks-Final Designs

Alexis Brooks-Final Project Process

Alexis Brooks Final Project

This project came in various steps for me. I began with sketches then went to the computer to complete mimi drafts. The title of this project is simply called, "DePaul CDM." I wanted my design to incorporate squares. I decided to use the squares to emphasize a space in a digital world. I also incorporated a simple line drawing. The line and cube represent the somewhat deconstruction of a digital world and all its mini facets. I also chose to use very minimal text. I didn't want to incorporate a lot of text because I didn't want the main message DePaul CDM to be distracted. I also was thinking about the people who drive down Wabash and the people on the "L."I wanted to give my audience a piece they could read in a matter of seconds. Below I have included each step of my design all leading up to the final two.

Alexis Brooks-Project Three Ideas

Alexis Brooks- Project Three Ideas

While conducting research for this project, I came across a couple of brand advertisements that struck my interest. 

In each design, that I uploaded there was an essence of bold typefaces and eccentric colors. From these designs, I brainstormed thumbnail sketches that involved the use of Sans Serif typefaces and the use of vibrant colors. Not only did I begin to note the design aesthetics of the piece, I researched how much it would would be to produce a vinyl that would go along the CDM building. The quote came from Chicago Printing Center.

HRobinson | CDM Poster | Final

The purpose of this design was to create an ad for the DePaul CDM department. This design is to be printed on a vinyl banner with an 11 x 17 proportion, hung on the north facing wall. The design is to attract possible students as well as represent the CDM department and DePaul University. In addition to this the design should be thoughtful.

I started this design with the idea of incorporating what I felt related to the environment. Being in the loop I thought to incorporate the "L" train lines. Instead of my first approach as a literal train line, I thought to use the lines as more of a suggestion. I think this made the design more sophisticated instead of cliché. I knew i wanted to use the blue color in relation to our school logo, and opted for the monochromatic palette using that blue as the base. Although I did not feel like the chromatic color scheme was exciting enough for the ad in the beginning, I believe it will catch the attention of people who should happen to see it, because it will contrast with the brick texture of the building, while still maintaining DePaul's conservative manner. Everything is arranged on a grid; making it geometric, giving it an easy flowing structure, that is easy to follow.

What I like about my design is that it is simple and deliberate. I made choices that I think represent the school, would attract an audience, and most important something that I like visually. I think it is important when designing an ad for someone that one takes into consideration these things. At first I did not think my design was attractive enough, but upon receiving feedback from my peers, I returned to my design with a different outlook.

I was influenced but the simplicity and geometric structure of the SAIC posters I posted before by Daniel Marsden, and I think that influence shows in my design. In comparison with what I've seen by my peers, many of us are working with the same elements as far as text, theme, color goes but there are a variety of designs and concepts that appear to be successful. Overall I believe my design is successful. My strength in this design would be working with the grid to ensure a straight forward and simple ad. My weakness in this design would be the color even though I think it is a fine choice considering the assignment, monochromatic colors tend to be dull so I'm not 100% in love with it.

Chicago Printing Center Quote
22' x 34' Vinyl Banner
Unit Cost = $964.92
Grommets Cost = $28
Total = $992.92

Maher and Nader Final Critique and Essay

          The purpose of the design was to create an advertisement that would be hung on the north side of the CDM building.  We used a mixed of software, such as illustrator, indesign, and photoshop to create my composition.  We were assigned the task by our professor in GD 300 to potentially create an advertisement for the CDM building.

          The design or composition will be a vinyl mesh print that would be an illusion as if the pedestrians are looking inside the CDM building.

The print would be pasted or hung on the north side of the CDM building.  Like i said i used an array of software to create a small version of the forty by thirty ft canvas print.  The purpose of the advertisement was to promote and to convince new students to choose Depaul University as their new college choice.  Also to promote the CDM building on what it has to offer to new students as well as to students who don't even no what exactly is the CDM building in the first place.  To present the variety of departments as well as activities and tools that the students are allowed to use at their disposal.

          In terms of the project having a personal feeling, I think anyone who is a CDM major should have some connection to the building.  I started off my major as a CDM major and I will end it as a CDM major.  I have given this building four years of my life, utilizing every single ounce of what this building has to offer. My connection is somewhat strong for this building, Heck it even has a prayer hall for Muslims on the fourth floor to perform their prayers.  When designing the print, we wanted to make sure that we captured the essence of what CDM meant to us and what it did for us to achieve where we are now.  We wanted to present a variety of images that will show case the different departments in the CDM as well as the activities that go along with it.  

          So the purpose of the design like we said, is to attract newcomers into coming in, as well as, checking out what the CDM has to offer.  Since the print would be hanged on the side of the CDM building, we wanted to make sure that it was big enough and readable for people who are passing by on a car, a train, or walking by.  Since the wall is the only out-dated element in the building we wanted to play around with that by creating an illusion that the wall is broken and that people can see inside of the CDM building.  So we wanted to showcase the different departments through imagery since people connect more with imagery that with words. The weakness of the design would probably be the images that we took, I wished we had more time and more images to showcase each department more efficiently.     

Nader and Maher Final essay

For the CDM advertisement I have designed a banner emphasizing on what Depaul CDM has to offer. Mainly focusing on the majors and also the different activities that Depaul has in the CDM. My brother and I took different images around the school and created
out line circles around the images. We both wanted to have a cut out banner that would give the look that the bricks on the wall of Depaul are breaking out and you are looking through what Depaul has to offer.

The banner will be 40 width by 30 height. It is not going to be a square shape image like you see here it is going to be a cut out image and the bricks are there for showing what it will look like on the actual wall. The top image is my brothers design and the bottom image is my design. The only main differences is that mine has blue and white boarders around the images and spell CDM out. I didn't want it to cover the whole wall of Depaul I wanted to give it affect that when people pass by they would be thinking that they are looking through inside Depaul and what it has to offer. he price for the banner will cost around $3,544.

To create the design I use only Photoshop mainly because I was dealing with photos that My brother I took of Depaul. We both use the brick wall to out line the cut out image and cleared out the form. Then we fix the images and change the lay out of their design as a circle. Each of the images represent the majors and activities that Depaul has in the CDM. For the top design Maher switch the CDM meaning to his own meaning and I kept the CDM meaning the same.

The target audience is new students and parents who are looking for a university to attend. The main audience are the students and mostly the ones who are interested in Games, Computers, Graphic Design, and so on. It is the reason why I chose these specific images of the game lab, computer lab, and the graphic design lab.