Exposure

      We all want to get our names out there somehow. However,  it's not just getting our name out there, but also keeping it out there. How do we go about doing that? Well, this week, I want to go over exposure in graphic design! Without further ado, let's jump in.

      Now, one thing we always need when putting ourselves out there is confidence. Be willing to face criticism, be ready to improve, and be sure to keep motivated. Another thing to remember with exposure is to ensure your name is on the work. Whether the commission gives a shout out, or you have the project on the resume, let them know you're connected. However, this is just the first part.

      Once you have exposure, you need to make sure you keep it. Recommend yourself for follow up jobs, keep up with interviews, show off personal projects, etc. A good example of staying exposed, I would say, is Mariah Carey's 'All I Want For Christmas Is You.'. It's played every year, gives her a decent check every Christmas time, and it keeps her name out there for people to remember. So, I figure a good way to keep ensure people see your product; wether its in a store, or played regularly, just as long as it constantly gets your name out there.

      

 

Image  courtesy of Wikipedia

     

      Now, obviously there are limits. Don't go putting your name out everywhere, or to everyone, you might get in trouble, etc. Just have a good persistence about it. With that in mind however, thank you so much for reading! Hope you enjoyed, and stay tuned!

Happy Thanksgiving 2022!

     It's that time of year again everyone! I hope you all had a happy Thanksgiving day. As usual,  here are my photos.

   Once again, happy Thanksgiving! As usual, I hope you enjoy, and stay tuned!

Reused Assets

 

     We only have so much time before we finish a project. Sometimes, we have to remove elements we wanted. Other times, we'll need to set ourselves on a timer for how much comfort time we have. One thing creators will always find themselves doing however, is reusing assets. From using the same textures for different graphics, to having the same basis for a picture. For this week, we'll be talking about reusing assets, and the pros and cons of it.

Used the same base asset for this.

     So, what is a pro of reusing assets. Well, as stated earlier, it saves up on time. No need to make every individual piece of grass unique; people won't notice, so you can copy and paste the same texture. Another bonus is you can keep those assets for later projects, such as a character model, or custom gradient. This saves up on computer space, and gives you more tools to work with. The versatility of what you made in the past can help what you make in the future.

      As for cons, keep in mind reused assets can look lazy. People have eyes, and if a prominent asset is familiar, they will recognize it. Do this enough, and it will most likely turn the off, as they're tired of repetition. Let's not forget to mention that eventually, your work will look outdated. Do not let yourself become stagnant; if a grass texture looks like it was made in 2000, make a new one to reflect your current ability.  So if you do decide to reuse assets, be prepared for people to critique.

      At the end of the day however, it is your decision to do reuse assets. I'll, even I've done it in the past. I just hope we all consider the pros and cons I have listed. With that said however, thank you for reading, and stay tuned. 

Unlikability

      So, I want to believe we all desire to be liked. If not by everyone, or praised to the moon, then at least tolerated. As for what we create though, we might not instantly want it to be liked. Spinning off of my controversy blogs there are people who do want negative reactions to their works. Perhaps it is for attention, story purposes, or whatever reason. This week, I say we look into it.

    So to start, let's take a look at how we could portray something unlikable. Usually,  when we portray something likable, we hype it up, we think about what we, or our audience want to see, and then build it up. So to portray something unlikable, draw attention to what they don't want to see, and again, build it up.  Don't focus on praising it though, keep attention on the negative aspects. In the case of a story for example, show how the unlikable subject affects people around them.

      Now, keep in mind, it's best to portray unlikability, and not go forward to making something completely unlikable. Not to say it can't be done right, but keep in mind, you will have an audience. If there is too much obnoxious noise in a commercial, no insightful commentary about something awful, or no redeeming qualities whatsoever, it will turn people off. Whether this disliking it is intentional, or not, be wary with your portrayals.

       Remember, it is ok to have an element that is unlikable, just remember to balance it out somehow.  Main character is a jerk the entire time, have him get his comeuppance in an embarrassing way. Doing a documentary about an awful event, speak with knowledge on the matter, and condone those in the wrong. Just making something for the sake of upsetting people isn't a smart way to seem artistic. It is cheap, uninspired,  and shows you probably shouldn't be worked with.

     Once again however, thank you for reading! I hope you got something out of this, and stay tuned!

    

Enthusiasm

    

     It is easy to tell when a project isn't done well. Whether that be many typos, a lack of color, or just poorly edited, it's going to be obvious to the audience. One of the reasons for this lack of skill shown could very well be just a lack of enthusiasm. A problem several Graphic Designers, myself especially included, have faced. Let's talk about it, the effects, and how to avoid it this week.

    So what really causes a lack of motivation in Graphic Design? Well, the mood of a designer is one example. Say they've gotten sick for a majority of the project, or have a carefree attitude at the time, either extreme can effect the output. What could normally be a well-made video or logo, would instead be a rushed, bare-bones product that looks like a draft. A designer needs to make sure they are in the right mood to design, otherwise they'll rush out something they'll be very ashamed of.

     Another factor for lacking enthusiasm is, strangely enough, being to successful. Sometimes if a creator has gotten enough money from other projects, they'll put less effort into future ones.  Not to say they can't retire if they feel the time is right, or that they need to force themselves to work harder. Just that sometimes they'll make things seem like a big deal and then, barely work on it.  At that point, it feels less like they are happy to move on, and are more just looking for another paycheck.

       At the end of the day, the best way to combat a lack of motivation is to find the right jobs. Don't just pick something up for the sake of it, do it because you enjoy the work! Work when you're in the right mindset, and find a way to put yourself there, if need be. Now, this isn't saying you'll always be super motivated for everything you do, but it's best to stay motivated for anything going forward. Whether in Graphic Design, or in life. With that being said, thank you again for reading, and stay tuned!