Steven Heller

by Steven Heller

An article I came across was on a website called (http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/07/graphic-content-hand-lettering/) and is discussing the aspects of typography and the theory of  seen and not heard.  The above piece of wok is done by Steven Heller who is known to be the "God" of graphic design.  Graphic Content/ Hand Lettering is the name of the article. Art Nouveau, Victorian, and or Art Deco Styles are where a lot of hand lettering is seen also.   With the popularity of comics and graphic novels, hand lettering of the comic strip variety has also emerged as vogue.  Hand lettering offers a dynamic way to use type and visually make the graphics and type work as one whole unit even though each entity serves its own purpose.

making inside environment with PS tutorial

     I was interested in finding some supernatural looking environment involving buildings and using a two point perspective grid for the initial layout.  I found this grid to be helpful because you can reduce the opacity of it in the background and use it as guide when you need to.  I have always wanted to learn how to paint more efficiently in photo shop  and learn the different techniques involved.  The two point perspective is easy to use with creating depth with the buildings being forefront and the buildings seeming to vanish into the skyline.  It shows how to use the middle ground and build different shapes in the them to create spaceship like elements.  The reasoning behind my curiosity is because of an upcoming project with type 3 for a PSA announcement with NRDC issues at hand.  The tutorial talks about what kind of brushes to use for the windows and effects involved.  I am excited to attempt the tutorial and see what comes of it. It takes 4 to 5 hours and the tutorial is 12 hours long. May the force be with me.

http://airage.deviantart.com/art/Inside-Environment-Painting-2-29149738

traveling to the west coast

     This past summer I took a vacation to Portland, Oregon. The west coast is beautiful and I felt at home in the progressive state.  They are more "green" than we are here in Ohio, the people are less judgemental about what you are wearing or what kind of car you drive and they have a saying...."Keep Portland Weird".  They do believe in same sex partnerships and recognize them as legal, but not "marriage" per say, is recognized. The whole state is in love with dark beer and I have never seen so many different kinds. I am now a Oregon Duck Fan.....only because of the Mrs. and I am love with how free they live their lives there compared to here in Akron, Ohio.  The arts there are unbelievable and I came across some really knockout artists and their work.  They are very abstract people and really take it to the next level in the world of the supernatural and the essence of what they think is beautiful or intriguing.  I loved the beaches with pieces of driftwood that naturally washed along the shoreline.  I had seen some of the most beautiful waterfalls, one imparticular, Multnomah Falls.  It was absolutely breathtaking.  I feel revived and refreshed coming back to Ohio, but I can see myself being a west coast freak all the way.