Project 1: Digital Images

Introduction and Learning Objective

The purpose of this image is to introduce the basic interface that learners will be using in Canva to create their own habit or goal tracker as well as the "duplicate" command they will use to create multiple identical elements as part of the design. It is intended to provide a static visual component that will complement later audio and video components of the learning experience.

Learners will be comfortable with areas of the Canva interface for online graphic design and will be able to execute the "Duplicate" command for project purposes. 

Original File Links & Licensing

Both of the first screenshots are "original" images from one of my Canva accounts. The Photoshop screenshot shows my working file prior to publication.

Techniques

Basic Raster Techniques

• Change size: original screenshot images were resized.

• Adjust brightness and contrast: lowered brightness, increased contrast

• Adjust hue and saturation: slight increase to hue, moderate increase to saturation

• Use smart filters: "Sharpen" was applied to screenshot images. 

Advanced Raster Techniques

• Use the brush tool to fine-tune a selection: brush tool was used (along with eyedropper) to remove my personal Canva profile picture from the header of the screenshots.

• Remove small objects: see above

• Add objects by cloning: pink rectangles were added to the first screenshot to call out areas of importance for learners. 

• Create a graphic shape: rectangles were drawn for text boxes. 

Basic Vector Techniques

• Draw simple shapes: rectangles were drawn for text boxes.

• Add a line of text or paragraphs of text: text descriptions were added for each screenshot to explain areas of importance and order of operations to learners.

• Format text: text size was changed to best fit available space, color was changed to match other design elements using the eyedropper tool.

More Advanced Vector Techniques

• Create color gradients: a subtle color gradient was applied to the background of the image. 

• Reshape Text: the headline of the image was applied to a curved path for visual interest

• Draw with the pencil tool: subtle, contrasting spiral design was drawn over the darker portion of the background gradient.

Design Elements

Contrast

Screenshot images are predominantly white and the background of the overall image is a color gradient to distinguish and distance the images from the background.

Repetition

All added elements (screenshots, text boxes) have the same complimentary gradient applied to their borders to tie the elements together. The pattern of the elements also repeats: screenshot, text box, screenshot, text box.

Alignment

All elements are center aligned and occupy most of the available space in the overall image dimensions.

Proximity

Elements are a tight fit in the overall image but are evenly spaced to allow some elbow room between the screenshots and text boxes. 

Reflection

As a maximalist, I continue to find it difficult to distill the lessons or important points I want to impart to my learners in a concise way (and confined space) that doesn't lose their effectiveness. It was a challenge to figure out which screenshots would provide the best reference for learners and should be included since they had to remain a decent size in order not to lose too much detail for the viewer. I learned a fair number of Photoshop tools and processes during this assignment and while it was a struggle working in the program again after 10+ years away from it, I'm glad I wasn't starting from absolute scratch.