Saturday, January 30, 2010
Name:
Chae Rin
Your graphic (url):
http://i47.tinypic.com/mi2ydd.jpg
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~Colour/Color - 2/3
Judging by the words on the artwork, I suppose you've carefully chosen the color pink as a background. It is a good choice because pink is usually associated with love and romance. The shades of purple is also very nice: adds a nice contrast to the pink. Maybe you should have incorporated the border color into the background as well. The border color seems out of place. One question: why is the female “character” so yellow? Perhaps you should change her hue and saturation because the bright yellow and the hint of red is...too much? Maybe you were trying to contrast the two characters. If you lighten her color and find that it doesn't stand out, then how about darkening her image? Play around with the blending modes and the opacity...use an eraser if needed. This might help you achieve the right look.
~Font -1.5/3
There isn't much that I can talk about because the main text in this artwork is super simple. Simple is a good thing, but sometimes we just have to take it up a notch. The font of the main text is fine. I like the fact that it is easy to read, and that it pops out. Two colors and the dark shadow is a good technique. I'm having a little problem with the designer credits. The color is out of place and it's a little hard to read. I did not deduct 1.5 points because of your credits. Now that would be silly. It is only because you have plenty of room for improvement. Keep in mind that all text/fonts/quotes/etc. require as much attention as everything else. I'm not telling you to go crazy and add extravagant fonts/font styles to a graphic. I'm suggesting, according to this particular artwork, that you should be more familiarized with the fonts. Make them a part of your art, not just a labeling tool. In other words, even though your font is standing out, there's still something about it that doesn't really connect.
Image Suitability – 1.5/3
-I like the fact that the picture of the male character is large. Not only that, but the photograph itself expresses deep emotions. On the other hand, the other picture is of lower quality. I guess it's all right since her picture includes the bench and book. (free stock...why not?)
-Overall, a good choice of pictures; however, I can see some of the harsh lines that almost killed the quality of the artwork. If you look carefully, you notice the pixel-(like) marks on his his face. You can slightly use a small brush and blur those harsh lines away. A small brush is good for accuracy while the blur tool will easily smooth out their skin. Another method is to do like a gaussian blur filter and then edit>fade. Small details are important, right?
~Overall layout – 2.5/3
Even though you added brush strokes throughout the background/image, there's still that empty left top corner that stands out. Instead of that one brush in the pink shade, it could have been in a different color that would help balance things out.
I usually have a problem disproportionate images, but this one works fine. When you designed this, did you try other placements? [[Imagine pulling him towards the middle left and her blended right next his shoulders...would that work?]] (It's just a thought...I'm curious)
Finishing touches- again, those brushes are good, but there are many other options such as...gradients/textures/patterns/filters/etc.
Take this exactly graphic and try adding more layers. Now the key isn't in adding more layers, but actually to pull the graphic together: the feelings of unity.
Result: -7.5/12
Extra: It is judged 100% on the graphic provided only. This may or may not help you in general, but I hope it does somehow. We (graphic designers) all have different styles; therefore you probably don't agree with my personal suggestions/opinions. Totally understandable. Anyways, just have to give a shout out to your background. It's just too cute. Ah, almost forgot, I notice the lines on her face because of the lines of the background was the cause of her yellowness. Try to avoid having this problem by setting a duplicate layer of her picture on top of everything else. With a little bit of touch ups, it will be less noticeable. Hope it helps...?
Keep up the good work :]
Serenity | 2:52 AM
