"Cuneiform and the Sumerians | 3,000 BC"

The Sumerians were one of the earliest types of this kind of civilization? What does that mean?  Nomadic civilization meaning they moved around a lot.

Why is the region of Sumer considered the Cradle of Civilization?  It was where the first written language was created, cuneiform.

What could the Sumerians practice year round because of the regions climate?  Year round agriculture

Post an example of early Cuneiform (Sumerian pictograph).

Why was Cuneiform created?  The civilization grew and business transactions increased so they needed a way to keep track of everything.

What medium was used to "write" Cuneiform? Explain the process of preparing and writing on this surface?  They chose to write on clay tablets. They would wet the clay, then form it to a flat surface and then use a wedge to write. Then lay in the sun so it can dry.

What did Cuneiform begin as a series of?  A series of pictographs

Post an example of evolved Cuneiform (wedge-shaped).

After it evolved over time, what shape did the characters of Cuneiform evolve into?  The pictographs became more abstract and the number of characters grew, so they evolved into a wedged-shaped figure.

Post an example of Akkadian Cuneiform.

After the Akkadians conquered, what happened to the Sumerian culture and written language?  The Akkadians adopted the language.

What is a pictograph?  A picture that conveys a message.

Why did the creation of Cuneiform allow the Sumerians to become a sophisticated culture?  It was a new way of communication and made recording easier.

"Visual Organization"

• Not directing the audience through the design is misdirecting them
• Eye movement: the typical eye moves from left to right and top to bottom; controlling eye movement within a composition is the matter of directing the natural scanning tendency of the viewer's eye; the eye tends to gravitate towards areas of complexity first. 
• In pictures of people, the eye is always attracted to the face and particularly the eye
• Light ares of a composition will attract the eye, especially when adjacent to the dark area
• Diagonal lines or edges will guide eye movement
• Optical center: the spot where the human tends to enter the page; it is slightly above mathematical (or exact) center and just the left
• It takes a compelling element to pull your eyes away from this spot
• Z Pattern: our  visually pattern makes a sweep of the page, usually in the shape of a "Z"; maps out the way the viewer's eye moves throughout the design; objective is to lead the eye to the important things 
• Use no more than two fonts on a page and make sure the fonts complement each other
• Avoid all uppercase letters unless it is necessary  
• Choose the correct font; make sure you work with the a tone or feeling that goes with the design
• topography.com/email/2010-03/index.htm
• Effective page design maps a viewer's route through the info; lead the eye to the important parts of the design
• Visual Hierarchy: it will establish focal points based on their importance to the message that is being communicated
• A crucial part of the design process is to establish an order of elements
• Ask yourself...What do I want my viewer to look at first...second...third?
• All designs involve problem solving; all th elements must come together to convey a message
• The Grid: way of organizing content on a page using any combinations of margins, guide lines, rows and columns; originated by Modernism
• The grid can assist the audience by breaking info into manageable chunks and establishing relationships between text and image; consist of a distinct set of alignment-based relationships that act as guides for distributing elements across a format 
• Every design is different therefore every design will require a different grid structure...one that addresses the particular elements within the design 

"Careers"

NAPP- National Association of Photoshop Professionals (Users)

• NAPP was launched in New York in 1998
• the people in the NAPP create in-depth designs that are market-leading to a certain audience (books, movies, magazines, etc.)
• the NAPP represents photographers 
• Groups of members that utilize Adobe Photoshop to create designs
• focus on emphasis and balance to create an effective eye visualization 
• need to have working experience with advertisement, creativity, imagination
• do not have to attend college, but if you do it will increase chances of finding a job

Production artist: people who assist graphics designers; they edit with like music; learn how to  use color modes, programs like Indesign, Photoshop, illustrator, need at least four years in college; entry level position out of college


Graphic designer: create visual solutions to problems in the most effective way; use color type, layout techniques, photography, magazines, newspaper, packaging, etc.; skills: creativity, communication, problem solving and be familiar with graphic software

Art director: comes up with the visual concepts for build board ads, magazine layout, etc; skills: judgement, creativity, good writing, verbal, written, and visual communication; $82,000-$150,000 salary; build skills and electives in terms of graphic arts and photography 


Creative director: determines the best way for a company to represent itself; have to have a high level of concept in design, Photoshop, Indesign; they need to pitch designs to clients; have to be able to manage multiply projects at once and work with a team; need to work with print and have knowledge of topography and tell a story through a design; the average salary is $130,000


Illustrator: combine art, design, and creative ideas to create visual images for a wide range of products; skills: good drawing, imagination; bachelor's degree, highschool experience; $14,000-$19,000 a year


Webdesign: use the Internet to create  designs: recommended background with computer, Photoshop, illustrator, and more; don't have to go to college but need to take topographer, computer advance design, etc.; work at home or a company


Package design: knowing a product that can stand out, use color schemes, shapes, eye grabbing things; bachelor or a social's degree, average salary is $62,000


Comic book artist: they bring a story to life with comics (pictures and writing); completion from an art school, helps if you worked in the newspaper or a school; make $100-$300 per page but some of the bigger company people can make $40,000- $50,000 a year

Computer animation: create three-dimensional renderings and give motion through the process; video games, sometimes NASA, movies use comp. animation; skills: draw, good sense of story telling, understanding of motion, size, and direction; starting salary in around $40,000


Publications design: someone who handles the look of a publication by building advertisements and graphics and photos; need organization, communication, and ability to work with a team; need a bachelor's degree with three years of experience; $30,000-$65,000 as starting salary


Free lance designer: also called an independent contractor because they don't provide themselves for one company; need patience, good organization, hard working, knowledge, self motivation, don't have to go to college but the experience could help; starting salary is $32,000-$52,000


Storyboard artist: visual scenarios artistically; need to be familiar with Adobe and Coral system; free lanceing; don't ned a bachelor's degree but you do need experience; start at $30,000 but can always increase 


AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Arts): people who try to inform and inspire artists who want to go into graphic design; have to have experience for more than four years


PIAG (Printing and Imaging Association of Georgia): support graphic arts; educate the public about the prints and act of a catalyze for the printing industry; to become a member you have to fill our a sheet with info on in and submit it to them


SPD (Sociey of Publication Design): professional organization that support that design publication (magazines, newspapers, etc.) 


Copywriter:  individual that creates design for magazine, newspaper, catalogs, commercials; need to have a knowledge of topography; the average salary is around $40,000 and more; companies will higher you if you have 3-5 years of experience


Portrait photography: take pictures of individuals or group; work in studios or on location; be a multitasker; have to be good with technology; you can move up to a studio manager, teach photography, or open your own studio for your money; salary in $31,000


Documentary photography: create truthful, objective and candid photography of cultural things everywhere to document history, inform the public, and more; you need a bachelor's degree; the average salary is $39,000


Advertising photographer: you take pictures of various subjects for promotional materials; need technical and conceptional skills to work with tools and you also need creativity; work can show up in magazines ads, commercials, etc; salaries is $55,000 and more; you should take highschool classes like art, photography 


Editorial photographers: takes photos for stories and articles and create the overlook look in books, magazines, websites; assign projects, reviews, adjustments, select final photos, and make sure certain guidelines are meet; they look for people that are creative and have imagination; earns an average salary of $25,000 per year; bachelor's degree in editorial photography 


Fashion photography: advertise designers portfolios; you need the ability to capture things; salary is $50,000-$100,000; should take a visual arts class


Sports photography: 


PPA (Professional Photographers in America): it was founded in 1869; use online database to represent photographers; mission statement is "creating a vibrant community of successful professional photographers by providing education, resources, and industry standards or excellence".


APA (American Photographic Artists): helps you find other jobs; help you establish, endorse, and promote professional practices, standards, and ethics in the photographic and advertising community


NPPA (National Press Photographer Association): dedicated to the advancement of photos; high quality in professional performance; they have competitions in contests and work shop and seminars 

Photo journalism: provide clear high quality imagines that convey a story; $18,000-$40,000 a year; you can build up your career with internships having an organized portfolio; need a bachelor's degree in arts of some sort