Project Updates

Project: TBD Logo Update
Notes: Building a logo within a couple of hours, particularly with minimal design direction and reliance on a reference for direct inspiration, demanded a unique approach that balanced creativity with efficiency with this specific project. Luckily, I had a reference that served as a blueprint, offering a clear visual guide for structure and style. I experimented with different color schemes that were in relation to the site I was also building for this project. The client mentioned wanting to have color in the logo so I stuck with a color scheme that revolved around a blue color. Ultimately, I ended up choosing a logo that utilized one color, yet I believe this choice shows professionalism and something modern without appearing too convoluted.

Project: UTFC Green Screen
Notes: I worked on a UTCF green screen assignment I created myself. This sheet focused on anatomy and health vocabulary terms in French.

 

Project: UTFC Banner Redesign
Notes: I used some extra time in my shift to develop a redesign for the UTCF Banner. I discussed with a fellow STA, Princeton Tran, that the current banner appears outdated and difficult to read. How will students register what the city landmarks are if they are just introduced to the city? Another focus of this direction was to create a more efficient way to develop these deliverables. Using one image instead of three seems to be more cost and time effective as well. Below I made some iterations of some possible redesigns.

 

Project: Giving Feedback as a Project Manager/Art Director in Training
Notes: 

Activity: Sketch logos, draft in Photoshop or Illustrator, transform into a favicon, and mock up the design on different items. https://leilanimcabello.myportfolio.com/

This project’s purpose is to put oneself into words and distill the essence of a personality in written and visual language. It allows one to distill their personality, values, and aesthetic preferences into a simple and effective visual representation. By creating a wordmark logo of myself, I was able to establish a strong visual identity that can be used across various platforms, from social media to business cards.

Creating a wordmark logo requires a deep understanding of typography and branding.  Throughout the process, I experimented with various typefaces and layouts to find the perfect balance between readability and aesthetics. The challenge was to create a wordmark that not only looks visually appealing but also aligns with my personality and style. I went through numerous trials and errors, testing different font weights, styles, and colors, until I arrived at the final design. The process taught me the importance of paying attention to every detail, from kerning and leading font selection, to creating a cohesive and memorable logo.

To me eyes are a form of looking into the soul, you can read so much about a person by looking into their eyes. I have a fond attachment to them which is why I decided to incorporate and mimic my own brown eyes into this logo of my name Leilani Cabello. Overall, I feel confident about the outcome of this project. Through understanding the medium and researching how wordmarks work, I believe I conveyed an idea of who I am. I was able to have creative freedom, learn more about typefaces, and understand some basics of Adobe Illustrator.

I decided to take a unique approach to the assignment Activity #1: Creating your Color Wheel. I created a composition of flowers in an art nouveau style with a faded aesthetic to break away from the traditional color wheel concept. This decision stemmed from a desire to challenge myself and take an advanced approach to the project. I saw this as an opportunity not only to fulfill the assignment’s requirements but also to create a piece that could enhance my portfolio and further solidify my understanding of color theory. In selecting the colors for the flowers, I carefully considered the meanings and values commonly associated with each hue. For instance, I chose a soft and muted palette of pastel blues and purples. These colors are often linked to tranquility, serenity, and a sense of balance. While I initially entertained the idea of using bolder and more contrasting colors, such as vibrant reds and oranges, I eventually discarded them because they could have overwhelmed the composition and distracted me from the overall aesthetic. By focusing on hues and adjusting their saturation and brightness, I aimed to create a soft and pleasing composition that would complement the art nouveau style and convey a sense of timelessness and elegance. In summary, this project allowed me to deepen my understanding of color theory and apply it in a creative and unique way

Summer 2023 UTFC Logo

Project: UTCF Logo
Notes:

Designing a logo for the UTFC textbook was a transformative experience that deepened my understanding of logo design and its nuanced aspects. The initial stages involved the crucial task of outlining key sections and call-to-actions, which served as a foundation for the logo’s design. The concept of travel, language, speech, and internationality was a multifaceted challenge that required thoughtful exploration. The globe and speech bubble combination emerged as a compelling visual metaphor for an international community and effective communication. The iterations and experimentation with the layout of the Earth and the speech bubble allowed me to strike a balance between subtlety and clarity.

One pivotal moment in the design process was finding a way to represent continents and languages without being overly literal. The idea of rendering continents as speech bubbles and incorporating dots around the Earth to enhance the sense of connectivity added a layer of whimsy that aligned well with the tone of the project. It was a lesson in the power of visual metaphor and how it can communicate complex ideas in a simple yet evocative manner.

 

 

The challenge of demonstrating connections among cultures and people was particularly instructive. The suggestion to have people around the globe touch to symbolize these connections prompted me to think deeply about the logo’s narrative and its ability to convey a sense of unity and harmony. It underscored the importance of storytelling through design and the need to engage the audience on an emotional level.

 

The feedback to focus on Africa, Europe, and North America while making them more recognizable in the design taught me about the importance of balancing symbolism and clarity, especially in a logo intended to be scaled down to small sizes. This fine-tuning process enhanced my attention to detail and my ability to make design decisions that prioritize the core message.

 

The request to change the logo’s color scheme to blue, white, and red to reinforce the link to French culture and to outline all the people in black, with additional adjustments to character colors, emphasized the power of color psychology and cultural references in design. It taught me that color choices can significantly influence the viewer’s perception and understanding of a visual identity.

 

In summary, the process of designing the UTFC textbook logo was a rich learning experience. It sharpened my skills in symbolism, cultural representation, and visual storytelling, making me a more thoughtful and versatile designer capable of creating designs that effectively communicate complex ideas while engaging and resonating with the audience.

Summer 2023 UTFC Print Ads

Project: UTCF Advertisement
Notes: The process of designing an ad for the UTFC textbook has been an educational and enriching journey, one that has profoundly impacted my growth as a designer. The collaborative process of mocking up various logos and textbook ad placements allowed for an in-depth exploration of visual composition and placement, making me more attuned to the iteration processes of graphic design.

A pivotal aspect of this project was the recognition that the provided text was not final. This underscored the indispensable role of well-crafted content in effectively conveying the ad’s message, reinforcing the notion that design and content are linked, and that they should evolve in tandem. This realization sharpened my understanding of the importance of close collaboration with copyediting services, as the quality of content is equally as crucial as the visual design.

 

The request to move away from stereotypical representations of French culture, particularly images of Paris and the Eiffel Tower, presented a captivating creative challenge. It necessitated an exploration of alternative imagery that authentically represents the rich tapestry of the francophone world, pushing me to think outside the box and break free from clichés in design.

 

In summary, this project has been instrumental in enhancing my grasp of the interplay between design and content, reinforcing that successful design emerges from a harmonious relationship between the two. It has also heightened my awareness of the significance of cultural sensitivity and the need to challenge preconceived notions in design, ultimately making me a more versatile and culturally conscious designer.