Veggies

Just in case you wanted a closer look at the veggies I created in the bowl (which I am proud of) I have posted an image of them below. Also, the tutorials I used are below.

http://vector.tutsplus.com/tutorials/tools-tips/illustrating-a-chili-pepper-with-illustrators-envelope-distort-tool/

http://vectorboom.com/load/tutorials/illustration/how_to_illustrate_a_tomato_using_adobe_illustrator/5-1-0-72

First Draft

So for my project I decided to create my own version of the Aztec Goddess Chicomentl, the goddess of produce and maize (corn). I wanted her holding/presenting a bowl of vegetables and salsa (w/ chips of course). There are three different outfits the Goddess will be wearing, 1 for each can. I presented my first draft (pic below) to my class and I received some good feedback. My teacher enjoyed my design very much and that made me feel awesome. :) I made a few changed since then but otherwise I only have minor changed left before I turn in my final copy. This is probably my favorite design I have done all quarter and I worked for hours on it. Its designs like this that make me excited about being a designer and keep me fighting through the disappointments.

Face in progress

So I have been following some tutorials and I came up with a few ideas for the face for my salsa can project. Ill post the one I have now, I am still working on it though. I used the "modeling the human face in illustrator" tutorial (link below) at first. It was a great tutorial, easy to follow and understand, however the face wasnt exactly what I was looking for my project. My roommate and I thought the face looked like the next Aztec Disney Princess instead of a more realistic face. So I used the general outline from that tutorial and applied a gradient mesh. After spending some time working with the mesh tool (that was a new experience) I developed the face below. I am pretty happy with it, but I think it still needs some work before the final.

http://vector.tutsplus.com/tutorials/illustration/modeling-the-human-face-in-illustrator/

Interesting Tutorials for Project Salsa

So for my Salsa can project that I am working on I found some tutorials for Adobe Illustrator to help me out. I love tutorials. I learn so many new things when I sit down and work through some. If you're interested, check them out:

http://taho.deviantart.com/art/Vector-Tutorial-Anime-Coloring-91818217

http://chewedkandi.deviantart.com/art/VectorTutorial-for-Illustrator-28952359

http://www.bittbox.com/illustrator/complex-circular-design-techniques

http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/GuidanceDocuments/FoodLabelingNutrition/FoodLabelingGuide/ucm064904.htm

http://vector.tutsplus.com/tutorials/tools-tips/illustrating-a-chili-pepper-with-illustrators-envelope-distort-tool/

http://vector.tutsplus.com/tutorials/illustration/modeling-the-human-face-in-illustrator/

http://layersmagazine.com/adobe-illustrator-in-3d.html

http://www.digitalartsonline.co.uk/tutorials/?featureID=1956&pn=1

http://www.caramelink.com/illustrator-flowers-leaves-vector-graphics

http://www.vectordiary.com/illustrator/gradient-mesh-flower-tutorial/

http://vector.tutsplus.com/tutorials/illustration/reflections-done-right-creating-a-money-roll-icon/

http://vector.tutsplus.com/tutorials/tools-tips/create-a-painterly-apple-with-illustrators-new-bristle-brush/

Fun Fact:  Hippo milk is pink!

Salsa Project

So my latest project I am working on is a new design for a can of Herdez Salsa (which is amazingly delicious). For the project the first step is to hand draw an idea for you design using line-drawing only. So absolutely no shading or detail work. I was having a hard time getting inspired for this project. Probably because it is the end of the quarter and my brain is trying to fall into a comatose state. But even while battling an exhausted brain I somehow have come up with a pretty cool idea. Now I just have to draw it out....

So basically my idea is to have a girl dressed as the Aztec goddess Chicomecoatl (produce goddess) presenting a bowl of the salsa (w/ chips). The Herdez name and type of salsa will be presented around the image and there will be some interesting patterns and LOTS of color. I'm going to work on this idea tonight and post my finished drawing either tonight or tomorrow. I am really worried about using illustrator to create the image of the girl, but I found some tutorials that I think will help me out (these will be posted later...).

Fun fact: It was the duty of Chicomecoatl to "awake slumbering vegetation"and to grow the maize.

First Entry

I'm pretty new at this whole blogging thing and don't really know what all to post about. The goal of this blog is to focus on my graphic design and potentially get some feedback on my work. I am still learning and I know I have a long way to go in the design world, but I am making progress. Slow...but steady progress. I want to keep track of good tutorials that I have tried and tips I have learned about designing so that I can use this blog as a resource in the future. Think of it as a big binder full of my design crap.

I also love to learn new things. Therefore at the end of every entry I plan to post a quote, fact, etc., that I find to be interesting and fun. Well thats all for this entry, but I should be posting more stuff soon.


Mamihlapinatape – “the wordless, yet meaningful look shared by two people who both desire to initiate something but are both reluctant to start”
 (comes from a dead language from Tierra del Fuego)