Marks and Symbols

Marks and Symbols Overview

  In the graphic design world, the 'marks' should help solve visual problems but still be easily comprehended. Marks can be split into many categories, like symbols, pictographs, lettermarks, logos, and trademarks. 'Symbols' are marks without type to help easily identify a company, agency, etc. Without type, symbols are successfully able to express a company or group. 

Logos and Symbols- What's the Difference

   A logo is the use of word(s) in type that also help identify a corporation or other business. Artistic touches within the font can be put in the logo. Like before, a symbol does not contain type. When symbols and logos are put together, it is called a combination mark. Although the two can work together, it is also important that the symbol and logo can be separated and still be recognized. 

Important Information

   While designing symbols, it is crucial to remember that a symbol should have a quick impact, but that impact should be lasting so that it is easily recognizable. Symbols should also have the ability to be rememberable at smaller sizes, even at half of its original size. Symbols should be successful with one color and the use of negative space that flows throughout it. With this critical information about symbols, the newly designed symbol can be visually appealing but not too complicated and it can be better recognized by the public.

For Future Projects...

  In the future, I will be designing logos for myself to promote my work online and to other professionals. With the information that I learned today, my logos and the symbols used in them can express the values in my work. Now I know how to make a successful symbol or logo that will be easily recognizable, not too complex, and I will know strategies to help make my logo or symbol thrive in the graphic design world.

Overall Thoughts and Conclusions

   Symbols and logos have had a lasting impact on the graphic design world. Symbols and logos help make companies, groups, and other organizations easily recognizable. This information can be incorporated into more of my projects to help brand my work in a professional matter. 

Movie Trailer Remake Reflection

Assignment Goal-

The goal of this project was to recreate a movie trailer (that took place in a school building) shot-for-shot, edit-for-edit, and to use advanced camera work for the shots that required them.

Pre-Production-

For this project, we had to story board every individual shot from the trailer. We typed the script and scouted for locations (some were in the building, some were filmed at a house). We casted outside actors in the beginning of the process, but we ended up using our group members and another group from the class. 

Production-

The production process turned out to be a lot more difficult than we originally planned. We dedicated a Saturday afternoon to film most of the shots (we were able to get in the building that day). However, we still had a couple of shots that were more difficult to get because we couldn't find a tetherball and we couldn't transport a bike and ramp for one of the shots. We had to improvise with some of the shots, for example, we used a skateboard in place of a bike and we used a regular truck instead of a red convertible. However, we got all of the shots that we needed. 

Post-Production- 

For editing, I had to learn a couple of new techniques, like adjusting the audio levels on certain parts of the background music and stabilizing the clips. We replicated our own graphics and purchased the song to finish our trailer. 

What I Would Change-

For my next project, I think that I really need to spend more time planning out the shots exactly so that they are replicated to match the original trailer. I also hope to be more comfortable while editing in Premiere so that the editing process will be smoother. 

Experience-

Overall, I learned the importance of exactly replicating shots so the trailers look identical. I also learned how to edit volume levels on a song and how to stabilize clips. I revisited old techniques and methods like adjusting gain on original clips and organizing clips. In a couple months, I think that I would be able to recreate this trailer much better because I will learn more techniques that will valuable to the project.