Assignment #2

COMPOSITION

SIMPLICITY

I thought that this Coach ad demonstrated simplicity very well.  It has the most simple color scheme possible--black and white and uses simple lines to guide your eyes around the image.  The background is basic white with some shading and the logo is small and all black.  Even though it is so simple, it makes a big statement, and I love it!  This is a JPEG file which means that it is a "lossy" file, each time I save it the picture loses some of it's integrity.

CENTERING

This is a great example of centering.  Everything in this photo is crazy and unorganized, but it is still very balanced because it has a strong center for the eyes to focus on.  The line of the street also draws the eye towards the center using leading lines.  This image is also a JPEG.

RULE OF THIRDS

I thought this was a great example of the thirds rule.  The four points of interest are the left and right sides of the fullest part of the bow and also the edge of the red sole, both of which are defining features of these fabulous Louboutin shoes.  The photographer did a great job with the angle as well.  Most people are looking down at shoes as they or someone else is wearing them.  The eye level angle makes these look super dramatic & makes me wish I could afford them!  :)

How to Change Your Background

I had a lot of people ask me how to change your blog background, so here are some simple instructions.  Generally the Blogspot template you have selected does not effect the background, but the best template to use is Minima.  Most of the backgrounds are made for that template, and it is also transparent so that the whole background is visible behind your text and photos. 

There are several websites and blogs that have free layouts and backgrounds.  Here are a few of the ones that I use:

Allie Brown Layouts

Delightful Dots  (This blog has a lot of links to more blogs & websites.)

The Cutest Blog on the Block

Hot Bliggity Blog

Shabby Blogs

Once you find the layout you like, copy the code.  From the Dashboard page where you manage your blog, click on Layout.  Now you will be on the page called Page Elements.  This page allows you to move the elements around wherever you want them.  In order to change your background, you must click on one of the Add a Gadget links.  It does not matter which one.  The gadget that you need is the HTML/JavaScript.  Now, paste the code you copied earlier into the content section and save.  That is all there is to it.  Most sites give you instructions and some have a general layout HTML that you copy, then choose the background code to paste in a specified area of the general HTML.  Good luck!

One of the problems that happens with using the cute backgrounds is that it can make your text really hard to read.  The best way to solve this problem is to change your template into a 3 Column.  This is kind of confusing since you must intentionally edit pieces of the HTML code, but if you are up for a challenge, CLICK HERE for instructions.  It took me a couple tries to get it right, but you can also restore the default HTML if it gets really messed up, so there is no harm in trying! 

Assignment #1

CONTRAST-Chanel

This Chanel ad demonstrates good use of contrast. The first place that your eyes focus is the large black purse which is perfect because it is the item being advertised. Then you notice the sunglasses, bracelets and large ring, all of which are black. The use of white everywhere else really makes these elements bold and noticeable.

PROPORTION-Christian Louboutin

I thought this ad was really awesome. It has extremely interesting proportion. The shoes are most definitely the dominant feature, and then you see the crushed cars. I'm not sure exactly what it means, but I loved the size relationship between the shoes and cars.