Final Project

First let me begin by saying this was the most challenging class for me this semester because I am the most computer illiterate person in the world. But I honestly have to say it was NICE to step outside of my comfort zone and be introduced to new things and tackle them in spite of fear. Of all the projects we have had to complete, this was by far my most favorite because it has actually inspired me to follow through with this business. The project instructed us to create sketches and create our documents from those sketches. I had to redo a few images because the image I had originally used in my sketch came from a random place off the internet. To avoid copyright issues, I purchased images from stock images. Although the site offered free iamges, the images I used were of better quality and appeared more professional and therefore, were worth purchasing.  I changed the original writing style of my documents from minion pro to monotype corsiva on the brochure/letterhead/business card just to give it a more elegant look. I tried to keep it as simple yet as professional as possible. I didn't want to add any color to the designs because my theme colors are red, black and white with a pearl accent in the design. In my opinion, this would show up better on white paper. Below is the end result of my work and one I am VERY proud of.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are the images I used to create the above designs:

 

Buisness Cards/Letterhead Designs/Brochure SKetches

Questionnaire

1)   What is your business?

MY BUSINESS IS AN ONLINE SHOE STORE.

2)   Describe your business in one sentence.

     WE SELL FABULOUS SHOES. 

3)   Who is your target audience?

WOMEN WHO LOVE HEELS...4 INCHES OR HIGHER

4)   Who are your competitors?

SHOEDAZZLE.COM, FAB.COM, ETC.

5)   What makes them better/worse than your product/service?

     NO NEGATIVE THINGS TO POINT ON WITH THE COMPETITORS. MY SITE SIMPLY CATERS TO THOSE WHO AREN'T ABLE TO FIND THOSE PERFECT HEELS ONLINE.

 

6)   Do you currently have an identity?   

   NO

7)   (If your answer to #6 is no, skip this question) 

   SKIP

These following questions might seem silly, but their purpose is to help generate ideas.

1)   How do you want your image to be seen in two years?

WE WANT THIS COMPANY TO BE A TRUSTWORTHY COMPANY AND ONE WOMEN WILL VISIT WHEN WANTING THEIR SHOE NEEDS MET.

2)   If your company was an animal, what animal would it be and why?

IF MY COMPANY WAS AN ANIMAL, IT WOULD BE A HORSE...EXEMPLIFYING GENTLENESS YET STRENGTH.

3)   If your company/brand was a person, who would it be and why?

THE FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA....AGAIN EXEMPLIFYING STRENGTH

4)   If your company/brand was an object, what would it be?

FOUR INCH HEELS OF COURSE :-)

5)   If your customer was a cartoon character, who would it be?

BETTY BOOP

Lyrical Collage

The pictures I had chosen to merge together are from my most favorite movie from 1997 entitled Love Jones and the lyrics I have chosen were from the timeless classic "The Sweetest Thing" by Lauren Hill which was also featured on the Love Jones Soundtrack. 

Custom Graphic Assignment

Self Insertion...Hubby & I in Paris France!

The image I had chosen to use was of my husband and myself and the background pic is of Paris France. We will be taking a trip there this upcoming spring to celebrate our 16 year wedding anniversary so I figured this would be a perfect picture to use.

Complex Vector Illustration--STRENGTH

I decided to try an image of First Lady Michelle Obama. When I think of the First Lady, I automatically think of strength. She is the epitome of that and so much more and serves as a great inspiration. I  uploaded a pic of my image as well as the original to show comparison.

Exquisite Corpse

Having trouble uploading my image for some odd reason. It is only showing the torso and hips not the head and legs. I actually had taken a pic with my phone to verify I did complete the project. Was able to email the image from my phone so I can upload it to my blog. I think I know what the problem is as to why the image itself didn't not upload properly. But nonetheless, I don't have anymore energy to try and correct it because I am beyond tired.

Shoe Logo

So excited I was able to complete this project without pulling my hair out. The only problem I ran into was not being able to shrink the edges of the extra space to resize it. Other than that, I can honestly say I had fun with this project once I calmed my nerves and stayed optimistic:-) Here is the logo for my business SOLEfully Yours!

 

 

 

Company Logos

When we see the Nike add we are automatically reminded of the JUST DO IT slogan. In my opinion, this was the best logo Nike could have ever come up with. It is a simple check mark which some of us relate to being good or accomplishing good things from a grade school perspective. The color and background is simple yet profound.

The Baby Phat logo is one well known to not only the urban community but to anyone who has followed the fashion line of Kimora Lee Simmons. This is another example of a simple yet profound logo. When I see the cat in the logo, I instantly think of the femininity and the sleekness of a woman which in my opinion is the message Kimora Lee is trying to convey in regards to her clothing line.

United Way is a company that has been around for quite some time and the logo it uses is quite self explanatory. The image of the hand holding a person exemplifies the help United Way gives to those who are in need. Could another image be used to convey the message "always lending a helping hand?", probably so, but it probably would not be as effective as the current logo.

 

This is one of my most favorite stores ever and the whomever came up with the logo did a superb job. The name of the store and the logo are so well fitting and again, very self explanatory. When we think of a Target, we automatically think of a bullseye and their use of colors to create the logo is an attention getter as well.

 

The Dodge Ram is a logo which is full of strength. The meaning of ram is not only a male sheep but it also means to drive or force, and in my opinion Dodge exemplified both these meanings with this logo for thier product. The Dodge Ram is a truck of strength and is able to be utilized for vigorous work.

 

 

 

 

Calligram

My calligram is of an ankh which simply means prosperity or the key of life. The words I chose to use to form the picture was live, laugh, love.

Part II Business Sketches

Now its time for the fun part of our business ideas: creating the sketches. I am so not an artist, so what I decided to do was surf the web for possible pictures catering to my business ideas. A couple of photos was shot by yours truly and then redesigned on powerpoint.

SOLEfully Yours Design:(my photo)

 

 

Rhyme & Reason Lounge:

 

Arousing Accessories: (photo of my jewelry)

















Greek Paradise:

Travel Shore:

Part I: Business Ideas

We were asked to brainstorm and think of five possible business ideas. I simply thought of my favorite things to do or my favorite items to buy which resulted in the following ideas:

SOLEfully Yours:
A shoe boutique which carries only the hottest shoe styles for women who want to cater to their inner DIVA! "Any heel under a 3.5 inches will be uncivilized" is our motto.


Rhyme & Reason Lounge:
Being I am a lover of spoken word and music, I decided to create a business for like minded individuals. The lounge will serve your favorite adult beverage and appetizers while enjoying the sounds of a jazz band or local artist who want to showcase their talents via music or poetry.


Arousing Accessories:
I live, eat, and breathe beautiful accessories, therefore it only makes sense to create a business which centers around it. Big earrings, flashy bangles, body chains, clutches, necklaces would be my focal point. Some people place so much emphasis on brand names and the how much it cost. My store would cater to those who aren't so caught up in the brand name but moreso the fashion and style.  My motto would simply be "it's not about brand, it's about STYLE".


Greekdom Paradise:
As a member of a Black Greek organization, I have found it hard locating stores which sell Greek paraphernalia here in the Tampa area. I did find one store which was located by USF, but the choices were very slim. I would open a store possibly in Westshore Mall as well as create an online store to cater to members of the Divine Nine (African American Sororities & Fraternities).


Travel Shore:
One of my favorite past times is being able to travel when time does permit me to do so. Therefore, I created a business to help others plan their wonderful vacations. I love the name Travel Shore only because of the play on words.

Project #1

3pm: The image I am attempting to create is a simple and beautiful picture of an Ankh with Egyptian pyramids in the background. The Ankh symbol is near and dear to me and the meaning is something I apply to my life on all levels. It simply means: life and prosperity.

11:30pm: Well I have been working nonstop since my last posting on this blog and although my expectations were high for this project, the mission was NOT accomplished. My project has gone from what I had anticipated being an ankh with egyptian pyramids has turned into a shark in the water at the beach lol. Nonetheless, I am HAPPY with it because my knowledge of this coding deal is slowly but surely increasing!

Coding:

<!DOCTYPE HTML>
 <html>
 <head>
 <script>
 window.onload = function() {
 var canvas = document.getElementById("myCanvas");
 var context = canvas.getContext("2d");

///////////// start below this line ???????????

//sand
context.beginPath();
context.rect(0, 0, 800, 600);
context.fillStyle = 'tan' ;
context.fill();
context.lineWidth = 10;
context.strokeStyle = 'tan';
context.stroke();
//Water
context.beginPath();
context.rect(0, 0, canvas.width, canvas.height/1.5);
context.fillStyle = 'blue';
context.fill();
context.lineWidth = 2;
context.strokeStyle = 'blue';
context.stroke();

//sun
    context.beginPath();
    context.arc(750, 100, 80, 0, 2 * Math.PI, false);
    context.fillStyle = "yellow";
    context.fill();
    context.lineWidth = 4;
    context.strokeStyle = "yellow";
    context.stroke();

// begin custom shape
    context.beginPath();
    context.moveTo(170, 80);
    context.bezierCurveTo(130, 100, 130, 150, 230, 150);
    context.bezierCurveTo(250, 180, 320, 180, 340, 150);
    context.bezierCurveTo(420, 150, 420, 120, 390, 100);
    context.bezierCurveTo(430, 40, 370, 30, 340, 50);
    context.bezierCurveTo(320, 5, 250, 20, 250, 50);
    context.bezierCurveTo(200, 5, 150, 20, 170, 80);
// complete custom shape
    context.closePath();
    context.lineWidth = 5;
    context.fillStyle = 'white';
    context.fill();
    context.strokeStyle = 'white';
    context.stroke();

//shark fin
    context.beginPath();
    context.moveTo(198, 300);
    context.lineTo(298, 100);
    context.lineTo(398, 300);
    context.lineJoin = 'miter';
    context.fillStyle = 'grey';
    context.fill();
    context.strokeStyle = 'grey';
    context.stroke();
   
    

///////////// end above this line ????????????

};

</script>
 </head>
 <body>
 <canvas id="myCanvas" width="800" height="600"></canvas>
 </body>
 </html>

Aggravated...(Heart Assignment)

10:08 am, I keep attempting to make this heart but it is either turning out sideways, not connecting, or simply not showing at all and I have been going at it since last night. Still making an attempt to complete but receiving no such luck....ughhhh! Once my finished project is completed, it will be posted.

As of 1:53pm, I FINALLY was able to get something to show up with this assignment. I literally have been working on this since last night. Tried again this morning during the class time until now and my brainis fried. If THIS was suppose to be an easy assignment, then I need to take a valium to calm my nerves for next weeks project. My end result looks a little funky but the lines are connecting. We will call this piece "A Heart Attack".

 

 

<!DOCTYPE HTML>
<html>
<head>
<script>
window.onload = function() {
var canvas = document.getElementById("myCanvas");
var context = canvas.getContext("2d");

/////////// start below this line ??????????

var controlX1=300;
var controlY1=0;
var controlX2=100;
var controlY2=200;
var endX=200;
var endY=320;

var controlX3=380;
var controlY3=400;
var endX2=300;
var endY2=450;

var controlX4=425;
var controlY4=300;
var endX3=500;
var endY3=325;

var controlX5=600;
var controlY5=200;
var controlX6=550;
var controlY6=0;
var endX4=300;
var endY4=100;

var grdstartX=300;
var grdstartY=0;
var grdendX=300;
var grdendY=500;

//Rectangle
context.beginPath();
context.rect(0, 0, 800, 600);
var grd = context.createLinearGradient(grdstartX, grdstartY, grdendX, grdendY);
grd.addColorStop(0, 'rgb(255,0,255)');
grd.addColorStop(1, 'rgb(0,0,250)');
context.fillStyle= grd;
context.fill();
context.stroke();

//Heart
context.beginPath();
context.moveTo( 400,200 );
context.bezierCurveTo(controlX1, controlY1, controlX2, controlY2, endX, endY);
context.quadraticCurveTo(controlX3, controlY3, endX2, endY2);
context.quadraticCurveTo(controlX4, controlY4, endX3, endY3);
context.bezierCurveTo(controlX5, controlY5, controlX6, controlY6, endX4, endY4);
context.fillStyle='rgb(255,0,250)';
context.fill();
context.lineWidth=5;
context.lineCap='round';
context.strokeStyle='rgb(255,255,255)'
context.stroke();

/////////// end above this line ?????????

};

</script>
</head>
<body>
<canvas id="myCanvas" width="800" height="600"></canvas>
</body>
</html> 

No Idea What I Am Doing BUT Trying!

I attempted to complete the assignment given for Wednesdays class. I was more lost than Stevie Wonder trying to run a marathon with no guidance..smh. But nonetheless, I followed the tutorial and made a few adjustments which ended up in the following:

I can not honestly say I fully understand this assignment but hopefully throughout class and me being PRESENT, I will gain some type of knowledge.

Presidential Campaign or Mud Slinging!?! Hmmm....

The candidates are making good use of todays technology. While viewing facebook, watching television ads and browsing the internet, I found that President Obama covers a broader demographic in regards to his ads. He doesn't focus on a set group but tries his best to reach everyone whom he feels will be affected in this election. His facebook page is not only informative but covers his platform and gives statistics and comparisons to the other candidate. I had taken time out to view Mitt Romney's facebook page as well and it only shows images of him campaigning, images of his supporters, and he continues to discuss his opposition of Obamacare. One thing I noticed was Romneys opposition of Obamacare is posted as a status update periodically. In my opinion, it's posted to take up space...no new statistics or grounds are being covered. I had taken time out to view a couple of speeches given by Romney as well. The speech he had given to the NAACP back in March appeared to be an attack on Obama as well an attack on the ideas which appealed to African Americans. I am sure he was aware this would be a group of individuals he knew would not support his platform or anything he had to say but chose to attend anyway. His speech resulted in boos from the audience and an overall feeling of being disrespected in their own "house". I honestly feel it was a move made for more media coverage so he can continuously defend what he had to say at the convention. In new polls, it shows Romney has zero percent support from the African American community.

The best image I have seen thus far in regards to the presidential candidates use of todays technology was that of President Barack Obama. When I typed Mitt Romneys name in the search bar on youtube, I expected to find a channel in support of him. Instead, I found ads that had given more attention to the Obama campaign which in turn directed me his own political channel on youtube.  Another example of his platform being more broader and visible. The worst campaign image I found was when Mitt Romney addressed a crowd in Michigan making what I call a sucker punch comment which stated "No ones ever asked to see my birth certificate because they know this is the place we were born and raised". First off, how many times will this issue be addressed....it's like beating a dead horse. In no way am I saying the Obama camp is perfect, both parties have a great deal of convincing to do to gain the trust and vote of the American people. One truism is this, I will be happy when all of this political campaigning is over so we can see who will really be a man of their word when elected. I came across a very interesting video on youtube which compared Obama and Romney and although its edited, its clear the two shared the same perspectives on some topics. Here's an idea,  just come together so the bigger picture can be achieved: the right thing for the American people!  Instead of posting a video of each candidate, I chose to post the video of the late Whitney Houston singing the Star Spangeled Banner because in the grand scheme of things we are one body living in the land of the free and the home of the brave and we need to act as such!!

Who Am I!?!

Hello! My name is Tikela (yes pronounced like the drink) and I am a 38 year old mother of two beautiful children ages 9 and 10! I have been married for the last 15 years to a wonderful man who is a Green Beret/Special Forces officer in the U.S. Army. I don't think I am your typical Lieutenant Colonels wife....instead of baking apple pies: I own and ride a Kuwasaki Ninja 600, have 16 tats, and write erotic poetry lol.

We have lived in the Tampa Bay area for three years and we have fallen in love with the sunshine state. I am currently enrolled in the Continuing Studies/Graduate Program. In 1996, I received a degree in English from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and decided to pursue a second degree in Comminucations last year. I am beyond excited about this new endeavor and look forward to seeing the positive outcome of this journey.

 

 

 

I am a pretty simple chick who lives life to the fullest! I am an easy person to get along with and you will never have to second guess anything I am thinking because I say what I feel and mean what I say (respectfully of course)! I am so looking forward to this course and learning new things in regards to digital art and design and most importantly I look forward to learning new and interesting things about each of you!