Ecard design- part 2

Well here it is. The layout and design was not exactly what I originally planned, but I think it turned out better because the message is conveyed more clearly. I think this ecard is effective because it not only shows strong, simple images but it also has straight forward wording. My intent was to first show the damage that has been done by ignoring so many aspects of our planet, on the front page. The left column on the middle page is designed to show the harmful things that we are doing to cause the damage seen on the front page, as well as two natural resources that aren’t being utilized to their full potential. The right column shows the changes we can make for longer lasting environmental stability and the words put the responsibility on the viewer. Then the last page shows an example of an environmentally conservative household.

The most difficult part of this assignment was working with such a small format. I found that every time I tried to add an image into the canvas, the pixels looked fuzzy. I was working with resizing in many different ways and I finally got some to look good, but others just didn’t. My favorite part of this project was using layer masks and color effects. By using multiple adjustment layers, I was able to create some really cool looking effects. On the front page, I used HDR toning, layer blending styles, and curves adjustment layer. When I was working on the middle page, I learned the value of grouping layers to apply changes to each layer within a group. I worked on each side of the background separately in order to make the grass pattern background look dead on the left and luscious on the right. Once the desired color adjustment layers were created, I used several blur filters on the center of the background to make them look like they blended together. I was very happy with how the front and middle turned out, but the back page isn’t my finest work. I really had a hard time matching the tones of each of the images I added to the background house picture as well as consistent shadowing. I adjusted each images curves, exposure, saturation, and contrast.

I hope you all like it.