This assignment for ARTC 1302 - Digital Imaging I consisted of creating a self portrait. This file was required to have multiple layers and each layer had to utilize the skills learned to date. The image of my family, myself, and I love coffee each had their backgrounds removed. The text layers each used various layer effects including bevel & emboss, outer glow, drop shadow, satin, gradient overlay, and stroke. I also warped some of the text to help it shape around my image. The background consists of a textured image set as an overlay over a solid color background. The image of me has a watercolor filter and the crips winter look color lookup adjustment. I was also required to submit a one page explanation of my self portrait which is posted below.
My self portrait contains more than just a picture of me. There are many different things that make up who I am. I am a wife, a mother, a coffee lover, a huge geek, a Twihard, and a Disnerd. The most prominent influence on who I am is family. No matter what I do, they are there either cheering me on or influencing my actions. I could not be who I am without their love and support.
I have been a Disnerd ever since I can remember. I am the first person most of my friends think of when ever anything Disney is brought up. I love the animation, film-making and theme parks. My life is surrounded by Disney from my home decorations all the way to my clothes. I get so excited and geek out about anything new happening at Disney. It flows over into my school work often. In high school, Walt Disney was the topic of one of my research papers. In college, I prepared a speech about how Walt Disney’s amazing advances in technology ranging from the world of animation all the way to engineering and electronics. I would definitely be a different person without my love for Disney.
Another huge part of who I have become is thanks to being a Twihard. The Twilight fandom introduced me to Fanfiction. This completely changed my life. Twilight Fanfiction introduced me to people all over the world I would have never had the opportunity to meet. Twilight Fanfiction led me to my love for graphic arts. I started out making story banners and avatars for writers. This eventually led to teaming up with a few friends to start a publishing company.
The Writer’s Coffee Shop, the publishing company my Fanfiction friends and I started, completely changed my life. It gave me the confidence in my ability as a graphic designer. We were lucky enough to land the Fifty Shades of Grey Trilogy. My cover design for these books are still talked about today. The funny thing is no one really knows who the designer is. My family and friends laugh that I’m the metroplex’s best kept secret.
Without all of these influences, I would not be who I am or pursuing my current dreams. I may no longer be a graphic designer for a publisher, but do have my own graphic design business and I am pursing my degree in Graphic Arts. I feel that thanks to these influences, I am finally becoming the person I want to be.