In a previous post, I talked about working with typography in Adobe products like Illustrator and InDesign. However, you are not limited to using just the fonts found on Adobe Cloud or online. Through Illustrator, the possibilities are endless to alter existing fonts or create entirely new fonts.
First, open a new file in Illustrator. Select the “Text” tool and draw a bounding box.
Select a base font that contains the style or movement that your design will simulate and adjust the font size accordingly.
Character MenuAdd text
Make sure you select the text box and then select the Type tab > Create Outlines. This action will create anchor points around each letter.
Using the Direct Selection tool, move the anchor points accordingly. Using the pen, shape, and other tools, add elements to your design.
Anchor points
Shape tools
Pen tools
Although Adobe Cloud and online sources can be abundant, the only limitation to creatively designed fonts is your imagination.
Since we live in a visual world, creative and eye-catching design is vital to today’s packaging and Point of Purchase displays. Every day, consumers come in contact with designs that influence their purchasing decisions. I am no different. I began to think about my own purchasing decisions and how the packaging or labeling design convinced me to buy the product. One of these products I found myself purchasing was ICE sparkling flavored water.
The day I bought this product, I was not incredibly thirsty, but I forgot to bring a beverage on my way to work. In the same situation, I would typically purchase a non-sparkling plain bottle of water. The packaging showed a cube of ice with an embedded lime and cherry within. The beverage had not been refrigerated, but something about the clear crystal cube with the juicy bright red fruit and the slice of fresh green citrus reminded me drinking something that would be cold, refreshing, and with a little tangy.
One of the projects in my Media Design course was to redesign a package label. I had enjoyed a particular brand of bottled water but found the label not very creative or eye-catching. I thought back to other labels influential to my purchasing and decided to use some of the same elements that had caught my attention with the ICE sparkling water.
In the past, I sometimes have purchased products with eye-catching packaging, but later I found the quality to be poor. Sometimes, you can’t judge a product by its cover, and sometimes the cover encourages you to try a great product. I continue to enjoy the ICE brand beverages still today.
Of all the aspects of design, typography has been an element that I knew very little about before attending a Media Design program at Southeast Tech. Most, as I did, think of typography as just some text. But it’s so much more; the style, size, and shape of a font family set the stage for the total design’s mood or message. The following are a few of the basic points of managing typography that I thought I’d pass on.
So let’s say you want to use a specific Adobe font within an Adobe application. The great thing with all Adobe applications is that the font menus are similar when choosing typefaces. In previous editions of Adobe products, the font menu also had a button “Add Fonts from Typekit” in the upper right corner. To currently access additional Adobe fonts, access the Adobe Creative Cloud, click the Font tab, and press the “Browse more fonts” button. From there, you have the option to set up filters to make your search more specific to your needs.
Once you find a typeface, you’ll have the option to activate the complete font family or individual members.
So let’s say you want to use a font from an online site, like DaFont.com. When you press the download button, the font file(s) are placed in your Downloads folder.
Locate the font file in Downloads, and double click on it. A “Font Book” window, which contains the character sets for the font, will appear. In the lower right corner, press the “Install Font” button.
The next time you access the font menu in an Adobe product, the font will appear in the font menu list. (Font Book is a font management tool for Macs.)
As I think about graduating next spring as a Media Design major at Southeast Technical College, I also remember the processes and class course, which brought me to this point. At the time, these General Education classes seemed a necessary but daunting time in my life. Mathematics and English classes were not directly related to my study line, and back then, I could not see how they would be useful in my future career choices. Because I am a nontraditional student at Southeast, I have attended other public and private universities. The classes in English Composition were the most influential and crucial to my studies in Media Design.
As a child, I was very timid. I often struggled to communicate my feelings through speaking and simple writing projects. In my twenties, even though I worked in the computer programming industry and wrote user guides, I still questioned how affective my message was. Also, during this time, I decided to obtain a bachelor’s degree in my current field. It was daunting to see the list of general education classes that I would need to complete to obtain my goal. Composition 101 was one of the first college-based classes I registered. I was not very well prepared. I needed to learn time management and study skills. I also was depending on what I had remembered from my K through 12 education. I’m sure I owe those English professors a massive apology for the many incomplete sentences and improper punctuation I used.
However, knowing how to write effectively gave me the confidence to share my ideas and interests with others. It’s given me the confidence to go back and pursue a career in Media Design. Through my studies at Southeast Technical College, I’ve also realized how important it is to not only to know one’s target audience but also how writing relevant content and structured copywriting is crucial to connect with that audience.
Growing up in the Midwest, one of the mainstays of all gardens in my neighborhood was the tomato. Every gardener I knew was growing at least a few of these plants. And every spring, when I am planning my small urban plots, the humble tomato is always included. Here are a few tips I thought I’d pass on.
Pots with bottoms removed
I start with small plants that I usually purchase from a local greenhouse. Because the growing season in Sioux Falls, SD, can be relatively short, I’ve found that it’s best to buy a type that produces fruit within a shorter time, like “Early Girl.” Since I like to use the tomatoes to make salsa, chili, and pasta sauce, I’ve found that most commercially grown plants have an excellent tomato taste. The one unique thing I do is use a used landscaper pot to plant the tomato plant in. Since I cut out the bottom of the pot so that the roots can expand into the soil, the pot’s sides protect the small plants from wind and later are useful as a measurable water reservoir. Throughout the growing season, consistent watering is key to growing tomatoes that do not split or have dry rot. I fill the bottomless pots with water up to their tops with a garden hose every morning (and at night during drier days.)
Tomato blight is another situation I attempt to overcome every year. Since I have a limited amount of space available for growing vegetables, I grow tomatoes in the only raised beds which receive full sunlight. Not being able to rotate plants from contaminated soil continues the blight problem from year to year.
Tomato blight
Since contaminated soil is usually the catalyst of the blight problem, a few things can be done to lessen the disease.
Water always from the bottom. Water droplets will cause the soil to come in contact with the leaves.
Use mulch or grass clippings to provide a barrier from the topsoil. This method is especially useful when it rains since drops will cause the soil to splash upon leaves.
As the fruit ripens from the bottom, remove as many leaves from the base of the plant. See the above photo.
Another unique maintenance chore with tomatoes is removing sucker branches that form in between a leaf and from the main vine of the plant. From the following photo, you can see one of these branches. Snap off sucker branches as soon as they form since they produce small berry-sized fruit but take much energy from the plant. If they are larger (like the one in the photo), use a garden clipper to remove it.
sucker branch
And last but not least, I wanted to discuss the necessity of providing supports for the plants. I’ve found that the standard tomato cages are acceptable when the plants are about 24 inches tall. However, once they start producing fruit on the lower branches, the main vine will grow taller.
To build support that would accommodate the taller plants, I attached two ready-made trellises (5’x3′) to the raised bed bottom boards. I used pipe holders to secure the trellises.
I used pipe holders to attach trellises.
Using three 8’x1″x2″ pine slats, I created crossbeams by spanning them across the two trellises.
I used three 1x2s as crossbeams on top of the trellises.
As the plants grew taller, I secured the branches to the crossbeams with twine.
As the plants grew taller, I secured the branches to the cross beams with twine.
So after a few months, you’ll be able to reap the benefits of all your TLC with buckets of tomatoes. Follow along with my blog for upcoming salsa recipes and other uses for tomatoes.
Sometimes inspiration comes from the most unexpected situations or something from our pasts that we remember. As a homeowner, I have found watching home improvement programs a way to get new home renovation ideas and be entertaining. “This Old House,” which aired in the 1970s, was one of the first shows I watched. For the past ten years, however, the television program, “Fixer Upper,” has been a source of inspiration not only for architectural design but for trends in color, textures, and forms.
In addition to their many endeavors, the hosts of the show, Joanne and Chip Gaines, publish a magazine. “Magnolia Journal” frequently offers their suggestions for interior design ranging from wall paint colors to nontraditional materials, creating unique textures for walls, countertops, and floors.
In her “farmhouse or industrial with vintage” designs, Joanne Gaines’ style uses mainly light monochromatic color palettes. White-washed shiplap, concrete countertops, and neutral wall colors are commonly utilized to create a calm but stagnate environment. The design gains interest when the element of contrast is included in these interiors; black iron and aged patina copper fixtures create differences in value, color, and weight.
These interior design ideas have inspired me to use similar color palettes. But whether I am creating a magazine layout or an online web page, I am reminded of how vital the element of contrast is in design.
My initial fascination with Frank Lloyd Wright’s design began when I worked for a Sioux Falls stained glass company. For those acquainted with stained glass design, the element of line is essential, and it is “line” that brings repetition, movement, and rhythm to these refractive compositions. As a designer and stained glass artisan, I soon recognized that Wright had an innate ability to use lines to bring nature into their most basic geographic forms. FLW also connected his design philosophy directly to nature; his belief was, “A building can only be functional when integral with the environment and so formed in the nature of materials according to purpose and method as to be a living entity.” This philosophy of “form should follow function” is one that I strive to use in my designs.
Wright used the repetition of squares connected with lines to depict the theme of hollyhocks. He consistently used “strips” of glass to represent the stems of flora.
Wright used repeating chevron motifs to represent the prairie sumac or the pendant flowers of the wisteria.
Wright used softened hues of nature: golden hues and muted green colors. However, he also incorporated the unexpected jewel tones of purple and turquoise.
The “tree of life” motif was one of Wright’s most typical designs, which suggests a tree’s upward branching.
Although straight lines rarely occur in nature, Wright used this motif to combine natural hues and shapes to create a formal, symmetrical composition.
In the past, I struggled to find a balance between too little or too much editing. I sometimes have felt the need to use all of my ideas, and as a result, I created a confusing message to the audience. The designs of FLW have reminded me of the importance of reducing structures to their simplest forms. If a shape, typography, color, etc. is not for the purpose (or functionality) of the design, (e.g., to reach a target audience), it should be removed. As a media design student, FLW’s thoughts about design have inspired many of my printed and web-based projects.
Growing up in Sioux Falls, SD, I have taken for granted the numerous parks and statues for which my city is known. One of these parks, Fawick Park, is one of the most notable and has been a topic of controversy. On my daily commute through downtown Sioux Falls, I would find myself glancing at the statue of David and began to wonder who the person that this park was named?
Statue of David looking at downtown Sioux Falls. Fawick Park
Thomas L. Fawick, born in Sioux Falls in 1889, was an inventor and engineer of 300 patents, a composer, and a musician. Although he never went beyond the 7th grade, his accomplishments are incredible. At the age of 11, he taught himself to play the violin. And at the age of 19, he designed and built the country’s first four-door automobile. The “Fawick Flyer” was one of the first automobiles built in the US. Early auto builders could use any materials and place the steering wheel on either side. Fawick put the steering wheel on the right side and used aluminum rather than steel. Considering that the speed limit in Sioux Falls at that time was seven mph, the “Fawick Flyer” was probably named so since it could travel at 60 mph. Only eleven of these automobiles were built in a workshop on West 13th Street in Sioux Falls, SD. The first “Fawick Flyer” is currently located in the lobby of the Old Courthouse Museum.
Fawick Flyer at Old Courthouse Museum
In addition to Fawick’s automobile endeavors, he also contributed to the WWI and WWII war efforts when he designed clutches for amphibious landing crafts, tractors, and ships. Most notable are the clutches he created for warships, which could reverse these massive ships’ direction in ten minutes. During WWI, England purchased 900 tractors that Fawick had designed.
As I reviewed the extensive list of Fawick’s additional designs, I found that he was a designer who focused on each of his projects’ functionality. Whether creating rubber components for industrial machinery or rubber grips for golf clubs, Fawick’s designs always centered around the targeted purpose. Also, a gifted musician and composer, Fawick created a method for aging the wood used for his violin designs. Many of his designs are still used in manufacturing today.
Other designers and inventors, including Michelangelo, influenced Thomas Fawick. In the early 1970s, he donated the statue of David, which resides in Fawick Park and the Moses statue, located on the campus of Augustana College. According to Paavo Rasmussen, an educational assistant at the Old Courthouse Museum, Fawick wanted to thank the city of Sioux Falls for the support he received when he was a young automobile designer.
Just to let you know – you are now old. You never imagined that you would be the same age your dad was when he died. How could you? I thought I would give you a little advice to make the road to your future a little smoother.
First, please be more careful with your body. There has not been one ear infection, sprained ankle, or fall that will not later affect your health. At the time of the injury, healing took no time at all, but I can attest that each of these will manifest into hearing loss, arthritis, or other nuisance. Currently, there is a pandemic that has caused the deaths of millions of people worldwide. Although many of the deaths are attributed to the health of the elderly, many young people will suffer from the effects of this disease. There is still much to learn about COVID-19, and looking back on my past ailments, I am concerned about what long-term effects will be on younger populations. When I was young, I thought I was invincible and took the risk of injury without any consequences.
Secondly, do yourself a favor and stop worrying about fitting into the status quote. Everyone has their own idea of success, and you’ll find yours. It might not be your parents’ idea of success, but that’s okay. I need to admit that I have struggled most of my life trying to fit into my family’s, my country’s, my church’s, my community’s idea of success. Find out what makes your life have meaning; this may take some time. I recently went back to school for Media Design, and although I am very much a non-traditional student, it’s something that I have always wanted to do. But you already know that.
For now, that’s a couple of pieces of advice. Be kind, be safe, and remember to breathe.
I’m hoping that the readers of this post realize that I have taken GREAT literary liberties in the title of this essay. As an assistant to a master framer for the past five years, I can assure readers that nothing could be farther from the truth. On the contrary, framers are given the privilege to shortly peer into other people’s lives and create a safe place for keepsakes and create displays for admired works of art. From personal experience, I can attest that even the most strongly refrained framers cannot help but smile in admiration when seeing an original Harvey Dunn sketch or a Carl Grupp lithograph.
During this time of COVID-19, however, I’m reminded of the times I assisted Mary Selvig in handling and framing several historically significant art pieces. First, we planned; we laid out the tools and materials needed and also thought about how we were going to flip or turn the art safely. To assure that no oil or foreign substance touched these pieces, vinyl or white cotton gloves were worn. We never talked while working on these art pieces since we knew that this seemly harmless action could direct accidental water droplets onto these expensive artworks. (We were probably smiling on the inside.) Although the silence could be a little awkward at times, we altered our behavior because it was – necessary. Necessary, because we were entrusted with these valuable items which could not be replaced.
Currently, I feel like I’m being bombarded with “social distancing” limitations; it’s awkward, and I’m being asked to alter my behavior and go outside my comfort zone. But looking back on the responsibility of framing those precious keepsakes, I can see the similarities to the responsibilities of social distancing. This time, however, I am being entrusted with the most valuable and irreplaceable type of artwork – those people within my community.
A man is but the product of his thoughts - what he thinks, he becomes.
Mahatma Gandhi
As a nontraditional student, Michele Meester decided to return to STI to pursue a second career in Media Design. Throughout her experiences as a computer programmer, freelance artist, and mother, she has had a life-long interest in combining her artistic aptitude with the technical aspects of this field.
