Cuneiform and the Sumerians | 3,000 BC

The Sumerians were one of the earliest types of this kind of civilization? What does that mean?
One of the first to have a theocratic culture ruled by a priest king. 
Why is the region of Sumer considered the Cradle of Civilization?
The land was so fertile, and that is were the first recorded language started.
What could the Sumerians practice year round because of the regions climate?
Agriculture.
Post an example of early Cuneiform (Sumerian pictograph).
Why was Cuneiform created?To help keep track of business transactions.
What medium was used to "write" Cuneiform? Explain the process of preparing and writing on this surface?
Clay talets. First you wet the clay, then form it into a flat surface, then use a wedge shaped stylus to make impressions, then leave it out to dry.
What did Cuneiform begin as a series of? 
A a series of pictographs: a pictorial or visual representation of an object.
Post an example of evolved Cuneiform (wedge-shaped).





























After it evolved over time, what shape did the characters of Cuneiform evolve into?
Cuneiform evolved into a wedge shaped language. 
Post an example of Akkadian Cuneiform.

After the Akkadians conquered, what happened to the Sumerian culture and written language?
They adopted the Sumerian culture and their written language.
What is a pictograph?
A pictorial or visual representation of an object.
Why did the creation of Cuneiform allow the Sumerians to become a sophisticated culture?
Because it was a great new form of communication.

Assignment 14: Research and Inspiration

This design poster catches my eye because of the use of
typography. The letters them self actually make up the heart
literally and metaphorically. 

Though this is a cover of a book, I like that he added what Publication
Design actually is on the front. "A guide to page layout, typography, format and
style.  It is a little boring for a cover of a book though. 

I like this poster because of the fun colors. If I glanced at this
poster, I would interested in what it was saying or meant.

Visual Organization

Visual Organization- not directing the audience through the design is misdirecting them.
Eye Movement- the typical eye moves left to right, top to bottom.

•  Controlling eye movement within a composition is a matter of directing the natural scanning tendency of the viewer's eye. 
• The eye tends to gravitate towards the areas of complexity first. 
• In pictures of people, the eye is always attracted to the face and particularly the eye. 
• Light areas of a composition will attract the eye, especially when to an adjacent dark area. 
• Diagonal lines or edges will guide eye movement. 

Optical Center- the spot where the human eye tends to enter the page. Optical center is lightly above mathematical (or exact) center and just to the left.

• It takes a compelling element to pull your eyes away from this spot. 

Z Pattern- our visual pattern makes a sweep of the page, generally, in the shape of a "Z"

• Effective page design maps a viewer's route through the information. 
• The designer's objective is to lead the viewer's eye to the important elements or information. 

Fonts- 

• No more than two fonts on one page, fonts should compliment each other.
• Avoid all caps, except on emphasized words. 
• Choose the right font, font should fit the theme and the tone of the design.
• Don't over use fancy or complicated fonts.
• www.typography.com/email/2010-03/index.htm 

Visual Hierarchy- will establish focal points based on their importance to the message that's being communicated

• A crucial part of the design process is to establish an order of elements, a visual structure, to help the viewer absorb the information
• To establish Visual Hierarchy: Ask yourself, What do I want to viewer to look at first, second, third..? 

The Grid-way of organizing content on a page, using any combination of margins, guide lines, rows and columns.  

• Can assist the audience by breaking info into manageable chunks and establishing relationships between text and images.  
• A grid consist of a distinct set of alignment-based relations that act as guides for distributing elements across a format. 
• Every design is different; therefore every design will require a different grid structure...one that addresses the particular elements within the design.  
• A grid is used to help clarify the message being communicated and to unify the elements. 

Cave Paintings- 35,000 years ago

What are cave paintings? 
Beautiful, detailed and colorful representations found on the inside of cave walls and ceilings. 
Name several common themes found in cave paintings?
The most common themes are large animals like bison, horses, and deer and tracings of human hands and abstract patterns.
How were these paintings created (tools, pigments)?
From mixing water, plant juice, animal blood, soil, charcoal, and hematite, a form of iron oxide.What is the most famous cave painting site? When was it discovered and by whom?
A cave in Lascaux, France, it was discovered in 1940 by four teenage boys.
Post an example of cave painting(s) from this cave.



















Why did this cave have to be closed? What was done to satisfy public curiosity?
Wall paintings were being damaged by the carbon dioxide emitted form the tourists. The French Government created Lascaux II, a man made replica of Lascaux.Post an example of cave painting(s) from Altamira cave.

In Altamira cave, why do most of the paintings have a red hue?
The red clay in the soil that was used to make paint. Who discovered this site? How old are the paintings confirmed to be?
Marceline Sanz De Sautuola and his daughter Maria. Nearly 19,000 years old.  What is the oldest known cave painting site? When was it discovered and by whom?Chauvet-Point Arc. It was discovered in 1994 by three speleologists. 
Post an example of cave painting(s) from this cave.
























What was different about the painting techniques at this site?
The walls were scraped clear of debris, 3D effects were created by etching around the edges, and they also found fossilized remains used for brushes. What is "speleology"?
The scientific study of caves. What three reasons do archeologists and historians believe prehistoric man created cave paintings?



To tell a story or recount an event that already happened. Created as an instructional visual aid to help teach about hunting techniques. Or created for magical or religious reasons. 

Assignment 13: Research and Inspiration

- Exquisite Corpse: a method by which a collection of words or images is collectively assembled. (Wikipedia) 

- Surrealism: is a cultural movement that began in the early 1920s, and is best known for the visual artworks and writings of the group members. (Wikipedia) 


Exquisite Corpse                                                                   Surrealism 

    

I like this Exquisite Corpse because it
looks like someone actually drew it,
so it looks more realistic. I also like that
they made the fish fun by adding non
realistic details like the 6 pack and the
silly pants.

I like this example of surrealism because it makes you think.
The top of the hot air ballon looks like a cloud. You have to look
closely to tell which is which. 

The Creative Process

Why do we need a Creative Process?
-To improve consistency.
-Ability to plan and time your work.
-Raise the quality of your work.
-Communicate more effectively and in a more professional manner.

Steps of the Creative Process:

1. Research- go online, look in magazines, listen to music, pay attention to the world around you. The more you know, the easier the project will be.
2. Brainstorm/Inspiration- Follow the current trends and strive to be unique and innovative, it insures a fresh and creative approach. Coming up with adjectives that describe the project will help you. What kind of message am I trying to communicate? Who is my audience? What am I trying to tell them? What kind or color or style will work for this audience? 
3. Sketching- Thumbnails. Sketch to get your thoughts out and to work through ideas. 
4. Execute- Implement your ideas. Combine type and imagery, into a well developed composition. Utilize design principles and visual organization guidelines to help. Try techniques, explore possible options, and analyze the outcome. If you get stuck, walk away and clear your head. If the piece isn't working, try another idea. You cant force an idea. 
5. Critique & Revise- Take a step back and look at your design with an objective eye. Make sure the design effectively conveys the message to the intended audience. If it doesn't, go back and tweak the composition until it does! Ask others for their opinions. 

Photo Composition

Snapshot: A quick shot, often spontaneous, taken to record a moment in time.
Photograph: An image take with care and thought.
Rule of Thirds: imaginary lines drawn dividing the frame of your camera into thirds, horizontally and vertically.
 -For a close up image. fill up the entire frame with the subject.
Leading Lines: Lines created within the foreground or background of the composition to lead the viewer's eye through the photo.
Point of View: change the way your subject is perceived by changing the camera position.
 -If you want your subject to seem tall, compose the shot so the camera is looking upwards.
Simplicity: Keep your background simple and clear of clutter.