Portfolio

Megan Dotson

Page 2

Contact
Megan Dotson
3885 Taylorview Ln
Ammon, Idaho
214.794.9559
dot14001@byui.edu

Table of Content
Web Page ... 4
Stationery ... 6 - 8
Flier ... 10
Event Ad ... 12
Brochure ... 14
Logos ... 16
Photodesign ... 18
Montage ... 20

Page 4

Webpage
Description: Create a webpage to showcase an original logo.
Objectives:

Size and optimize an original logo as a .png for a web page so the long side is
300 500 pixels.
Write content to describe the process of creating your logo and how it appeals
to a target audience. (Minimum of 200 words. Include rationale for colors,
appeal to target audience, design skills, etc,)
Acquire a working knowledge of HTML. (Include all required tags Doctype
(provided), html, head, title, meta charset (provided), body, h1, h2, p, ol or ul
(with li tags), img, br, and a link to blog)
Acquire a working knowledge of CSS. (Customize the provided CSS provided
to format the HTML to complement the logo design. Change at least the
following: The h1 text color & h1 background color, font colors for the
paragraphs & list items, the background color, font families and add at least
one css comment.)
Identify hex colors to match logo, using Photoshop color picker.
Open the HTML page in a web browser and capture a quality screen shot with
.5 inch margins for printing.

Process:

After a crash course on html and css coding, I got to work. Any question I had, I
either asked a good friend for help or went to the internet. I had a simple outline
that I used for the base of my CSS and HTML. I changed the fonts, experimented
with positioning and padding, and I changed the colors of my text and
background to match my logo.
Programs used: Text Wrangler, Photoshop, and Illustrator.
Communications 130 Visual Media
Instructor: Joel Judkins
Date: 11. 21.2015

Page 6

Letterhead
Description: Matching letterhead and business card designed using a personally
created logo.

Objectives:

Use the basic tools in Illustrator & InDesign.

Create a new logo to fit a company or personal image. Do not imitate existing logos or use
previous designs. Dont use photos or live trace.
Use the new logo to design consistent layouts for a business card and letterhead. Photos
are okay on business card and letterhead as additional design elements. Letterhead
should be 8.5 x 11, full-bleed optional, but trim only .125. Business card should be 3.5 x 2
and printed above center on a vertical page.
Apply typography rules, keeping small copy.
Keep designs simple with light watermarks and drop shadows and plenty of white space.
Include contact information: name, address, phone, website, and email on each piece. Use
periods, bullets, or spaces in phone number; no parentheses/ hyphens.

Process:

I used Adobe Illustrator for this project. I used pathfinder, shape maker, and the pen tool
to create the design. I used the pen tool to outline my lower case e used for my water
mark because it was bleeding off the page and causing problems for when I saved the
letterhead. Then I chopped the shape so it fit the page. I also used the pen tool to outline
the icons for the social media and filled them in with the same blue from my logo.
I wrote in my information for my letterhead after I created that crescent moon shape for it
to sit in, then I finished everything with the three lines to add contrast and also to create
unity between my letterhead and my business card.
My business card was easier for me. It was a smaller surface for me to design on and it was
just repetition with my logo and the colors. After I added my background color, I put in the
text, the social media icons and my logo, adding the three lines after everything fit inside.
Programs used: Adobe Illustrator
Communications 130 Visual Media
Instructor: Joel Judkins
Date: 11.7.2015

Eclipse Studios
Megan Dotson
555.553.3333
444 Justdownthe St LA
eclipsestudios@hotmail.com
eclipsestudios.com

Page 8

Business Card
Description: Matching letterhead and business card designed using a personally
created logo.

Objectives:

Use the basic tools in Illustrator & InDesign.

Create a new logo to fit a company or personal image. Do not imitate existing logos or use
previous designs. Dont use photos or live trace.
Use the new logo to design consistent layouts for a business card and letterhead. Photos
are okay on business card and letterhead as additional design elements. Letterhead
should be 8.5 x 11, full-bleed optional, but trim only .125. Business card should be 3.5 x 2
and printed above center on a vertical page.
Apply typography rules, keeping small copy.
Keep designs simple with light watermarks and drop shadows and plenty of white space.
Include contact information: name, address, phone, website, and email on each piece. Use
periods, bullets, or spaces in phone number; no parentheses/ hyphens.

Process:

I used Adobe Illustrator for this project. I used pathfinder, shape maker, and the pen tool
to create the design. I used the pen tool to outline my lower case e used for my water
mark because it was bleeding off the page and causing problems for when I saved the
letterhead. Then I chopped the shape so it fit the page. I also used the pen tool to outline
the icons for the social media and filled them in with the same blue from my logo.
I wrote in my information for my letterhead after I created that crescent moon shape for it
to sit in, then I finished everything with the three lines to add contrast and also to create
unity between my letterhead and my business card.
My business card was easier for me. It was a smaller surface for me to design on and it was
just repetition with my logo and the colors. After I added my background color, I put in the
text, the social media icons and my logo, adding the three lines after everything fit inside.
Programs used: Adobe Illustrator
Communications 130 Visual Media
Instructor: Joel Judkins
Date: 11.7.2015

Page 10

Flier
Description: This flier was designed to promote a graduate leadership conference
using the images and text provided.

Objectives:

Apply the design principles and use appropriate typography.

Incorporate basic InDesign skills to improve basic flier layout.
Retrieve image and logo from links on this page.
Create a project folder with image, logo and InDesign document to keep links in InDesign intact.

Process:

My first design looked simplistic and unprofessional, so I scrapped it and started over. I
kept a triangle shape throughout the design and reversed the colors to create contrast.
The photo I used didnt start out triangular, but I really wanted it to be. I took it into Illustrator and used a clipping mask over the picture. Once I fixed all the mistakes in the
text, I placed it into my design at different angles. I feel as though this brings in a twist to
the design and makes it stick out a little more. The paragraph of text was hard to read at
an angle, so I kept it as is and tried to align it with everything else as much as possible. I
placed my logo at the bottom and then felt as though everything was too high. I moved
my triangles and text down, but kept the logo where I placed it. After two and a half
hours of work, I finished my work by exporting it to a .png file and saved. I really like my
flier now and I hope you do too.
Programs used: Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator.
Communications 130 Visual Media
Instructor: Joel Judkins
Date: 12.11.2015

Grad

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Vouant Communications is devoted to

helping tomorrows leaders gain essential
leadership skills in the workplace. During this
dynamic three-day seminar, attendees will meet with
top executives of Vouant Communications to discuss breakthrough
leadership techniques, while cultivating attributes of leadership that
will market to any employer. Conference is available to graduating
seniors. Space is limited. Registration and more information available at

vouantcomm.com/leaders
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Page 12

Event Ad
Description: On Microsoft Word, design a full-bleed ad for an event fundraiser with
a scanned picture from magazine, book, ect.

Objectives:

Comprehend image sizing (how pixels and inches work together)

Find, scan and import a high-quality image.
Create a full-bleed design.
Choose a color scheme and typeface(s) that work for your message and audience.
Learn to use only Word design features without using any Adobe programs, including
Photoshop.

Process:

I started off by spending at least two hours looking through the magazines in the library
to find a high quality picture. After I found my picture, I scanned it to my computer then
started sketching outlines and layouts for my design. From there, I decided on the sketch
I liked most and started designing on Microsoft Word. Some critiques were made by a TA
and classmates and I was able to perfect the design.
Programs used: Microsoft Word.
Communications 130 Visual Media
Instructor: Joel Judkins
Date: 10.10.2015

Bird Watchers United

th

100

Annual

Fundraiser and Breakfast

All donations will go to the conservation of endangered wildlife.

This years event will be show casing

the Hillcrested Swaddle Beak.
Breakfast will be catered by
Cinn-for-Rolls, locally owned
cinnamon roll boutique. Vegan
options will be provided.
Time: 7a.m. 12 p.m.
Date: October 30th
Location: Central Park, New York
Bring your own binoculars or
rentals will be available for $4

Page 14

Brochure
Description: Create a brochure using a new logo.
Objectives:

Set up and align a two-sided, folded document.

Create an original, new logo and use it in a brochure.
Incorporate quality images. Incorporate at least four quality images, not including the
logo. One should be clipped in Photoshop and text-wrapped in InDesign so the text
follows the cutout shape of the image.
Write at least 250 words of original copy in at least three paragraphs, headers, and
subheaders.
Trim for a full bleed and print in duplex (two-sided) color.

Process:

After lots of sketches and planning, I came up with this design. It started in InDesign and
then I used Illustrator and Photoshop when needed. I used the create outlines tool, text
wrapping tool, eyedropper, and layers. I did three drafts and plenty of critiques before I
finished the brochure. Lastly, I moved my two pictures that outline the page theyre on so
they are more symmetrical. And I took off the automatic hyphenate for one text box and
placed a hyphen in award-winning. I learned how to properly print a two sided paper
so that everything matched up and that was a challenge, but I did it. It was an absolute
pleasure making this assignment, and I am very happy that I could.
Programs used: Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop.
Communications 130 Visual Media
Instructor: Joel Judkins
Date: 12.6.2015

(front)

(inside)

(inside)

(back)

Page 16

Logos
Description: Create a logo for a real or fictional organization.
Objectives:

Create three completely different, original logos to fit a company or personal image that
will appeal to the audience. Do not imitate existing logos or use previous designs.
Market research: gather opinions from at least ten people about which logo appeals most
to them.
Use only the Illustrator tools to create and draw your logos. (No Illustrator pre-fabricated
flares, symbols, etc.. No photos or live-tracing. You may use an image or drawing as a
guide to trace it with the pen/pencil, but delete the image before submitting.)

Process:

I started with several sketches of different companies. I chose Eclipse Studios because
I thought I could be very creative with my three designs. Once the sketches were done,
I got to work with the designs. By using Adobe Illustrator, I had a much easier time with
creating these logos than if I had used any other program. I followed a complimentary color
scheme and repeated my circular shape to give my logos better unity. I used the shape and
eyedropper tool the most, so I could create that unity. Then using the text tool to follow the
line of the beam of light, I wrote Eclipse Studios.
Programs Used: Adobe Illustrator.
Communications 130 Visual Media
Instructor: Joel Judkins
Date: 10.31.2015

Page 18

Photodesign
Description: After taking an original photograph, demonstrate basic Photoshop
skills and create a poster.

Objectives:

Learn basic photography skills.

Choose a color scheme, take a photo to match those colors, then incorporate the
colors into the layout.
Use a digital camera to take a quality image, then download it.
Adjust image levels, saturation, color balance, sharpen tool on separate layers for NDE
(non-destructive editing.)
Size and crop the image, then place on an 8.511 page layout.
Use layers to design text, and repeating graphic elements in Photoshop.
Print with full-bleed margins. Trim only 1/8 (0.125) from all four sides.

Process:

After picking my color scheme, I went out and took pictures at sunrise. I had taken several
pictures before I found one that I liked. After changing the contrast of the picture slightly
and sharpening up a few things here and there, this picture turned out much better
than I could have ever hoped. I had my picture, but now I needed to make the design.
I sketched a few designs before deciding this layout was best. One quick search on
Pinterest gave me the inspiration to create my own quote for the final touch.
Programs Used: Photoshop
Communications 130 Visual Media
Instructor: Joel Judkins
Date: 10.17.2015

Page 20

Montage
Description: By using two or more images, create a design to inspire the
audience.

Objectives:

Use the FOCUS design process with strong focal point and flow
Unify a layout with a consistent theme and dominant spiritual message
Learn to blend two or more images together gradually, using masks
Demonstrate more advanced Photoshop skills for layout with multiple elements
Use a mask to apply a filter to one part of the image
Apply typography principles (titles, quotes, events or scripturesyour choice)
Format type: Legibility; Small copy & Title with varying text size. Theme word(s)

Select good quality images

Process:

First, I made a sketch of what I hoped to accomplish and then began working. My first
draft was not my best work. In fact, I disliked it so much I started over completely with
a new concept and design. I found my quote and the rest of the design sort of came
to be in my head. After deciding on a color scheme, I found turtle picture. I wanted
the turtle to look happy so that it sent a positive tone for the rest of the picture. Next, I
needed a background. By finding this long and winding path, I accomplished my goal
of expressing that the turtle did a hard thing and survived. Using a masking layer to
save pixels, I blended the turtle into the background. After several attempts and redos,
I got the turtle how I liked it then moved on to the text. It seemed as though I looked
forever trying to find the right text, but when I did I felt grateful that the search was over.
I played around with font sizes and complimenting typography, but it all looked very
one dimensional. Deciding my text needed more, I added a rectangle to hold it and a
slight drop shadow. I felt as though the picture was missing something and I was right.
What was this turtle smiling about? What was the goal he was trying to get to? The
finish line! I found a picture of a finish line, changed the color to a darker purple and
masked it into the design to finish it off.
Programs Used: Photoshop
Communications 130 Visual Media
Instructor: Joel Judkins
Date: 10.24.2015