Workshops – Abbie Louise Williams

7th Jan 2020

Enhancement Week – Promotional Video Making Workshop

Today I attended the promotional video making workshop with Neil learning about the basics of Premier Pro. Before the workshop I hadn’t used premier pro, this was something that was new to me, but I wanted to learn. Through the workshop I learnt how to import in video footage and how to edit it together to create a basic video using snaps as the transitions. We also learnt that we can add different effects and transitions to make the videos better. I found it useful to learn about how to create a frame in frame effect as I think it would be best to show processes being repeated over and over again. I need to do some more learning on Premier Pro now to develop my skills and understanding of what this software can actually achieve.

From learning some of the basics about Premier Pro, I have noticed that there are a lot of similarities between the controls of Premier Pro and After Effects. As I have had a lot more of experience of using After Effects, I think that if I was to start using Premier Pro more than these similarities will help me to get used to it.

As part of the workshop we learnt about green screen and how it can be used in order to edit in objects. Green screens are used because green is the easier colour to move as it not found in the human skin tone, meaning you can remove it in comparison to the rest of the image. This is really useful to know as it might come in handy for future projects where I might need to show a magazine or branding. We were also shown the studio space where we are able to use the green screen in the future, as well as being shown the camera equipment which we are able to be loaned.

Overall, I think that this was a useful and successful workshop for me as I’ve been able to expand my Adobe Creative Suite skills which will aid me in the future. I found that this workshop allowed me to expand my thinking about how I could bring graphic elements into video editing world, this could allow me the opportunity to create something different in the future.

9th Oct 201915th Oct 2019

Moving Identities Workshop

I signed up to do Matt’s Moving Identities Workshop as even though I have used after effects before I wanted to learn more and have a better understanding of the programme.

I found that the workshop was very useful as I was able recap things that I had forgotten and learn how to incorporate video into my work. This was something that I had been wanting to learn as I feel that this will push my work further in terms of final outcome.

Screen Shot 2019-10-15 at 14.19.40 — Screenshot from workshop recapping skills learnt last year.

Learning new techniques like using different brushes will help me to create outcomes which are smooth and unique. We created an animation/video within the session and I think that it feels more professional and high quality in comparison to the work that I did on after effects last year. The aspects that I learnt in this workshop I will definitely be trying to apply these to animated moving identity as part of my On Display Project.

26th Mar 2019

UX/UI – Adobe XD Workshop

For this project we were going to need to use new software called Adobe XD, which is currently still under development. However, we are still able to download the software form the creative cloud and use it to create prototypes of our apps.

Personally for me the workshop was very helpful as I had no previous knowledge of this software before it was mentioned to me. We learnt about key aspects of the software and elements of the design that would help to create transitions between the different area the app requires. Within Adobe XD there are two areas to work within, design and prototype, in design tab you deal with the visual aspects so what the app looks like whereas through the prototype tab you are able to make elements of the design links to other screens.

Like other adobe programmes I learnt that layers can be used to build up the design, which for me helped me to understand how it works as I know how layers works in Photoshop and Illustrator. However, the layers are shown as folders which is slightly different from the other adobe software. Compared to other adobe software there is a difference in the way that images are brought into the programme. It’s simple as drawing a rectangle then dragging the image into there and it will automatically resize.

In the tutorial we worked through this a create an app which helped me to understand all these elements further. The fact that it uses art board to create the imagery on then eventually link them all together is really good. One tool in particular that I found interesting was the repeat grid tool which means I can select a series of images drag them into one rectangle then use this to repeat them and they will all be identical.

Another really useful tool in XD is the preview of the app, by pressing the play button you are able to see how your app would function. This is good for seeing if the app is suitable and as you wanted for your user. Furthermore, being able to record the app is really good as I think this will help to show my development throughout the course of the project.

Overall this workshop has helped me to think about the possibility that I could create through using this software and it has helped me to think more about how I will be able to put aspects of the design together.

Screen Shot 2019-03-25 at 11.03.04 Screen Shot 2019-03-25 at 11.12.21

8th Mar 2019

Bookbinding Workshop

I signed up to participate in a bookbinding workshop as I felt that this could be a useful skills for me to learn in the future. Before starting the workshop I had no idea about how much time and effort that goes into actually making a single book, however, I now really see the skill that is required.

Firstly we started off by folder the 10 pieces of paper in half then using the bone creaser to ensure that the paper was creased properly, we had to ensure that the corners meet up perfectly. Once this was done we had to make 5 couples by placing one insider the other. These are known as signatures which are stitched together to form the paper block for the book. The next stage was to measure 4 points on the spine of each signature, started by measuring 1cm in then 3.5cm in from the first dots made. Once you have marked each of the four dots on all the signatures then taking the braddle we then made a hole on each of the marks, making sure to twist the braddle to make the hole the correct size.

The next stage of the process was to stitch the signatures together, which was one of the hardest parts of the whole process. This was done using a needle and linen book binding thread, we used around a meter of thread each. We tied a double knot in the end then knotted the thread to the needle before we started stitching. The sticking was the hardest as you had to remember where to tie the knots and which holes you needed to go through however, in the end I think that I really enjoyed the entire of the sticking and found it quick relaxing. As a reminder for the future ensure that you make sure each of the stitches are pulled through tight in order to ensure that the pages are kept together.

Once this was all secured in the place the next part was gluing the scrim to the spine and then making the jacket for the book. The scrim was relatively easy using PVA to secure it, we then had to cut the board to create the jacket, the board I cut were 14.8×12.4cm then the spin was 1.2cm x 12.4cm. This was one of the harder that I first thought as you needed to be so accurate however, in the end I achieved it. then using PVA glue I attached the bored to the cover fabric. Then it was time to fold the fabric onto the board, to ensure there were no air pockets I used the bone creaser to help. Once this was complete then it was time to bring the two items together by using PVA glue to attached the first and last page to the covers and creasing along the hinge gap on the cover.

Overall I found this workshop very useful and interesting. I have learnt a new skill which I think will aid me in the future not only for my academic practices but could be a new hobby. It could be a workshop I develop further if I ever need to produce pop up books or likewise for the project.

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28th Feb 2019

Screenprinting Workshop

Day 1

As an extensions of the screen printing workshop that we completed a few months ago, I decided to continue and sign up to learn a different technique on how you could screen print. Prior to the start of the workshop we were asked to print an A4 image that was contrasting black and white. I decided that using a threshold from photoshop on my image would give me the best contrast between black and white.

The first thing that we learnt was to prep the screens, using an emulsion which coats the screen and allows the image to transfer onto the screen to allow us to print it. After prepping the screen and placing them in the drying rack we had to allow 30-40 minutes for them to dry. While this was happening we learnt about how we could create hand rendered style prints through drawing on acetate using markers. The black marker lines would transfer onto the screen allowing them to printed. This was a really interesting technique as it allowed me to become really creative.

Once the screens had dried it was time to transfer the photo and acetate onto the prepped screen. To do this we needed to expose them using infrared light to transfer them onto the screens. For photocopies and acetate 3 minute and 30 seconds was suggested to us as the best amount of time, obviously this changes depending on the thickness of the material. Once transferred using the pressure washer we had to wash off the rest of emulsion, by doing this also allowed us to see out image transferred onto the screen. Compared to the initial technique that we were taught I thought that this one worked better for the type of imagery that I tend to use in my outcomes.

We then set these to dry ready to be printed in the next session on the following Monday. As the final print outcome would be a combination of the three techniques (paper, acetate and photo) we were asked to print the paper stencil using the technique that we had previously learnt. I went for a simple square at the bottom of the A3 page to provide a contrasting background for the acetate image and photo to sit on.

Day 2

On the second day our screens were completely dry which meant that we were able to print the images that we had transferred using photo emulsion. As we had two images on the same screen we had to tape around the first image that we were printing to stop the ink from going onto any of the other stencils which were on the screen. I decided to print the light blue first as I thought it would be interesting to experiment with the hand drawn (acetate) stencil over the top. I used a yellow ink to print the lightbulb as I thought that it would create an interesting composition. Printing the lightbulb proved to be a challenge as I think that the ink that I used wasn’t the right consistency which meant that the paper kept sticking to the screen. This meant that on one of the prints I was left with an interesting texture. I experimented with printing the lightbulb at different angles, I printed one the way I imagined then (green block at the bottom), but I also printed the lightbulb upside down to create an interesting outcome.

Once this was completely I washed and then dried the screen before I was able to tape off the second stencil and print this onto my images. I thought I would use a bright orange to create a clear constants between the green and yellow. Again I printed the first one light I had imagined but played around with the angles to create unique compositions. I think that through doing this I have created outcomes which are interesting and have a distinct colour contrast.

Overall from this workshop was useful to me as I have now been inducted into the space which means that I will be able to use this process for further projects. I think that this process could lead itself nicely to further poster design projects that I do, it could bring a handmade element to my work. I really enjoyed the working with the photo emulsion I think that this will allow me to take my digital work and turn into hand rendered work.