Week 1: 2D Design

2D Design

This image is an example of a good 2D design with the understated design. It has a lot of detail, yet is not an eyesore because it isn’t too colourful. In short words, simple and elegant.
The typography is easy to read and doesn't detract from the image. The tree is referred to as the tree of knowledge and is relevant to what it is used for as a library is a source of knowledge that continuously grows.

http://www.themusicpage.com/oldsite/showimage.php?id=3728

This page is very badly designed and an excellent example of bad 2D deign. The background graphics draw the eye and are unpleasant to look at. The Header of the webpage is too busy (a simple text graphic would have been more effective, or a focus on the text with a simple background image – if any image at all), the text on the page is difficult to read due to the background image. Also the picture that advertises what products are sold is not good because the words are difficult to read and the images are not in proportion.

http://chasemor.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/baddesign.jpg

On a random note... For a really horrid site to look at for a bad combination of graphics and animation go > here < This literally made my eyes water and ache.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0H5g9VS0ENM

This you tube video about a 2D animation game was entertaining and had me strangely transfixed (the music has a relaxing quality to it which possibly contributes), while the graphics are very basic (and only basic shapes and drawing tool available) it does look quite entertaining and addictive. The options to apply to the 2D shapes in the game are diverse and would make for hours of fun making most likely pointless 2D animations. The controls look quite simple and easy to use, creative possibilities while not endless are still vast. Seeing this video makes me wan to go and try it for myself. :D Not to mention, seeing if its easy enough for young children to use and have fun with.


Background image

So i sketched this with pencil, then drew the lines with a fine line pen. 3/7/12

Put it into Photoshop and this is it so far. 3/7/12

Reflections


This first week was interesting and served to remind me that what is good and bad visually to some people may not be for others. I had an entertaining time viewing the bad 2D designs just as much as the good 2D designs. It was interesting to see just what people have out there on the world wide web.