Exhibit 4

Background

For this design, I wanted to create something that could be used as a graphic in schools to promote proper COVID-19 protocol. I used colors to help the design feel like it took place in fall.

Design

  • Contrast: I wanted the words to stand out against the busy, brick hallway, so I put a solid background under the text. I still wanted the words to have a stronger contrast from the rest of the design, so I created a layer mask under the text box and lowered the opacity to about 30%.

  • Repetition: I used the eyedropper tool to select a color from the background to fill the text box. This repetition helps the design look more simple and prevents the background from becoming too busy.

  • Alignment: The words are the main focus of this image, so I used white font on a darker brown background to help the words stand out in the design. To add balance to the piece, I put the text box on the opposite side of the subject. I also aligned the text in the middle of the text box, which keeps the design simple and clean and adds additional balance to the design. The brown box is also centered in the semi-transparent layer mask.

  • Proximity: I used kerning to change the spaces between the letters in the text box to center the words and make the spacing uniform.

  • Typography: I used American Typewriter font because I felt like it matched the fall and school themes I used throughout this design. I think it is simple and easy to read.

  • Color: I chose to use shades of brown for this design to embody the warm feel of fall. I really like the color scheme I chose, and I like the way the shades of brown work well together.

Photoshop Skills

  • Layers

  • Layer masks

  • Paint bucket tool

  • Selection tools

    • Subject select

    • Refine edge tool

    • Quick selection tool

    • Magnetic lasso tool

  • Text tool