Bouncing Ball Project

Bouncy Ball Process

     This week, our class each made a ball bouncing in the Photoshop program. First, we started out with making the background layers (blue sky and green ground). Then, we created the ball for our project using the shape tool and made that any color we wanted (but not too similarly close to the sky or background color). Next, to put a source of light that would affect the ball's dimensions, we added a circular gradient to it. We duplicated that ball layer eight more times and set each layer lower than the one before to indicate that it was falling. Then, we added the squash and stretch effect to make it seem more realistic. We took those layers and added them into a timeline and also copied them so the ball would bounce back up. Finally, we saved it with a GIF format to make sure the bouncy ball was animated.

What I Learned

    During this project, I learned many things. First off, I learned what "squash and stretch" was. It was a concept that is used in animation to make the objects moving appear realistic. When objects fall, they get stretched out. And when they hit the ground, they're bent and such. Then, when we got into Photoshop, I learned how to make different shapes, how to set up a timeline for the bouncy ball, and much more.

What I Would Do Different

     If I could redo this project, I'd do a couple of things differently to improve it. First off, I would make the gradient of the bouncy ball more realistic. When I was doing the project, I found it difficult for some reason to get the gradient to look better. Also, I would probably want to add clouds and such to the background, just to be more creative. I think that I could improve this greatly if I got to do it again.

Colleges and Social Media

     Yesterday, the beginning of Quarter 2 and Animation/Web Design, our class all read an article about students and what they post on their social media, and how it can affect their college admission. The article gave some examples of the situation, explaining why many admission officers felt the need to learn more about each student by searching for †hem online, and seeing how they behave on social media. When they've found disturbing content on it, some of those students have been rejected from that college. Not all officers prohibit the practice and gave their reasons.
     With this, I don't really agree with the practice, but also, in some cases, I highly agree it's necessary. First off, as this was mentioned in the article, some people have a tendency to be copied on social media. They have random accounts fooling people, pretending to be the person they say they are. And if the real student is getting searched for anything negative on their social media by college admission officers, I think it's extremely unfair considering it might not be them and just an imposter.
     Again, I do in some cases think that searching students' social media is a must. I know (and have seen) many people being blatantly racist, homophobic, sexist, etc., on their social media, and get fired from their jobs when people notify them. With that, I honestly believe it should be necessary to deny some people's college admission. As it says in the article, colleges want good people in their community. I think it's best for them to reject people making comments such as those and notify them about it.

Handwriting & Name Logo Projects

     For e9, one of our projects was a name logo on Adobe Illustrator. Each of used the rectangle tool to create our first name. Since I created my nickname, Elly, using the rectangle tool was quite easy because there were no curves and such. It did take a bit time to make sure the rectangles were all mostly the same width and height. I added a sort of chalkboard effect/look onto my name and I think that's what I like best about the outcome. After that, I made several long rectangles for the background. The rectangles were in an ombre effect as I blended the colors and rectangles together. With this design, I think it turned out pretty cool.

     The other project our class did was a handwriting name project. First, we had to write our full name on the top. Then, under that, we wrote ten adjectives that described us. I chose the adjectives: creative, artistic, open-minded, loving, sympathetic, fun, educated, adventurous, determined, and straightforward. After that, each of us had to pick three fonts that described us and write our name in those fonts. The first one I wrote with my name was a flowy and bubbly font. This one was my favorite one. The next one was just my own cursive. My letters are quite clear rather than messy and I think that adds to my character. The last one I did was just a simple, tall, and straight font. Though it was really easy and simple, I think it fits me.