Objective: I have created a digital display that combines both text and imagery. The objective of this motivational display is to support the message and organization of USU STARS: Gear Up. My hope is to help young students see a glimpse of their potential, seek a higher education, dream big, and live life on purpose.
Design Principles:
Contrast: The colors of the font, navy blue and white, were used with contrast in mind. This contrast also helps emphasize the message of the quote.
Repetition: Colors from the image were used as the colors for the text, keeping the look and feel similar throughout the design.
Alignment: Image and text are aligned to create a visual connection with each other.
Proximity: Like information is grouped together, helping the viewer to understand the overall message of the display.
Photoshop/Bridge Skills: I was specifically looking for an image that captured an awesome (as in awe-inspiring) landscape, and an individual with their back to the viewer, looking out at the grandeur in front of them. I felt this image raised feelings of greatness and limitless potential, with power centered in the individual beholding his surroundings.
The selected image was originally much darker. I used camera raw to lighten the image overall by adjusting the shadows and highlights. I also increased the vibrancy and contrast of the photo just a touch. Originally I had half of the photo black and white, with the other half in full color, showing the difference between average and awesome. While I liked the idea of this concept, the image appeared too busy after adding the text. I decided to capitalize on the contrast using navy blue and white text. I used the same color of navy that appears in the USU STAR Gear Up logo to add consistency and repetition. While not always encouraged, I decided to use concordant text, alternating the size, weight, and color. The fonts I used were Abadi MT Condensed Light, and Abadi MT Condensed Extra Bold. I liked the simplicity, crispness, and bold statement this font added to the image. Alignment was a bit trickier. I had the text all over the page before I landed on a right justified body. The text placement allowed for the words "average," and "awesome," to stand-out, while still allowing the subject of the photo to be centered, showing balance and power of what lay before him. In regards to proximity, I kept all the text together, allowing the viewer to consume the information quickly and effortlessly.
Credits: The background image on this piece is stock footage from Shutterstock with a CC0 Creative Commons license.