Portfolio

By Michael Van Valkenburg

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Contact
Michael VanValkenburg
264 W 3rd N #2
Rexburg ID, 83440
(720) 690-4016
van09004@byui.edu

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Table of context
Brochure
Logos
Stationery
Montage
Web Page
Flier
Event Ad
Business Card
Photodesign

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Brochure
Title: Rexburg Zoo Brochure
Date: March 27th, 2016
Course & Section: Visual Media COMM130 Section 1
Instuctor: Ben Pingel
Objectives: Create a Brochure using Photoshop, Indesign, and Illistrator.
Description: A one fold brochure.
Process (Programs, Tools, Skills): I set up the fold in the middle of the document in Adobe
InDesign. I split my layout so that the front and back were on the first page and the the second
page was the inside of the brochure.
I used the logo design throughout the brochure to create repetition and flow. I deliberately
chose animal photos that helped the message and to create contrast against the white and a
thematic element to unite all the photos.
For the images of the Giraffe, Gorilla, Lion and Bird I used the quick selection tool in Adobe
Photoshop to remove the background of the image. I then used the refine mask dialogue box
to smooth, feather, shift edge and apply contrast to the outline of the flamingo. The changes
I made in the refine mask dialogue box made a softer image that didnt look so sharp and
cutout against the brochures background. I then placed the images into InDesign where I
used the text wrap option to wrap my text around the alpha channel of the image.
I created the logo in Illustrator using the pen tool and then I placed it into InDesign.
Programs/Tools Used: Adobe InDesign/Adobe Illustrator/Adobe Photoshop
Top Thing Learned: I learned how to wrap text around an image in InDesign.

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Logos
Title: Fossil Trace Golf Course Logo
Date: February 19th, 2016
Course & Section: Visual Media COMM130 Section 1
Instuctor: Ben Pingel
Objectives: Create three completely different, original logos to fit a company or personal
image that will appeal to the audience.
Description: Logo for an organization
Process: I loved creating this logo in illustrator. After trying out several drafts and ideas, I
took a vote on which was the best. I made the name of the golf course a green color so that
i stood out. I made golf course sit under and next to fossil trace to pull the readers eyes
down the page. I made the L in golf bigger so that i could add a flag to it, making it look like
the hole. I made the flag with the curvature tool to move a rectangles sides in and out. I added
a circle and lines making it look like a golf ball going to the hole.
Programs/Tools Used:
Adobe Illustrator
Pen Tool
Curvature Tool
Rectangle Tool
Text Tool
Message: Come golf at Fossil Trace Golf Course.
Audience: Golfers
Top Thing Learned: How to draw using the pen tool and to change shapes using the curvature
tool.

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Stationery
Title: Crossfire Burners Stationery
Date: Febuary 25th, 2016
Course & Section: Visual Media COMM130 Section 1
Instuctor: Ben Pingel
Objective: Use the new logo that I created to design consistent layouts for a business card
and letterhead.
Description: Matching letterhead and business card designed using a personally created logo.
Process (Programs, Tools, Skills):
I created the logo using simple shapes in Adobe Illustrator. I also used the pathfinder tool
combine to shapes. Once the logo was created, I opened a new two page InDesign document
and placed my logo .AI file into this document.
I decided to make my first page a letterhead. I positioned the placed logo in the top right
corner of my letterhead. I made sure to keep it at least .5 away from the edges. I then
typed my contact information into a text box and positioned it on the right hand side of the
letterhead. I made my name 14pt font to contrast with the 10pt contact information. I added
two black lines to separate the information and to get some repetition.
Programs: Adobe Indesign and Adobe Illustrator
Audience: Anyone in need of a fire pit with a new crossfire burner.
Top things learned: How to brand a company using a unified letterhead and business card
design.

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Montage
Title: Wisdom Montage
Date: Febuary 11th, 2016
Course & Section: Visual Media COMM130 Section 1
Instuctor: Ben Pingel
Objective: 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
Description: An inspirational montage made by the blending of three images, and the use of
typography.
Process (Programs, Tools, Skills, Steps taken while designing):
I cropped the background image to 8.511.
I selected the wood image and moved it to the background image, then I added a mask.
With black paint and a 100% opacity, soft-edged brush, I painted away the hard image edges.
With a larger black brush at 30% opacity and 30% flow, I blended the image into the
background, so it looks like the pictures are one.
I repeated the process with the burnt paper.
I added some type with two contrasting fonts.
Programs/Tools Used: Adobe Photoshop
Programs: Adobe Photoshop
Audience: Anyone looking to be inspired
Top Thing Learned: How to gradually blend two images

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Web Page
Title: Fossil Trace Golf Course Web Page
Date: March 10th, 2016
Course & Section: Visual Media COMM130 Section 1
Instuctor: Ben Pingel
Objective: 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.
Description: A web page designed to showcase a personally created logo.
Process (Programs, Tools, Skills): I created this web page using adobe Dreamweaver and
TextWrangler. I had never seen or written any HTML/CSS. It was interesting to learn about
coding and how you could make a web page by only using a simple text editor. It was
also interesting to use the http://www.W3.org HTML validator. It was very helpful to have
something validate my code.
I attached a pre-made CSS document to my HTML that the teacher gave to each student. From
there i then used photoshops eyedroper to get the hex colors of my logo. I then used the
colors from my logo as the colors for my web page. I also changed my fonts to Bodoni 72 and
Tamil sangam Mn. I declared some backup fonts just in case the viewers browser didnt have
these fonts. I also used padding around the logo and text so that they would not be too close
to the edge of the web page. The Hardest part was getting the layout of the web page though
CSS.
Programs/Tools Used: TextWrangler, Dreamweaver & Photoshop
Audience: Anyone looking for a professional Golf Course.

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Top Thing Learned: Basic web creating design skills. How to change fonts and colors using
CSS.

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Flier
Title: Graduate Leadership Conference Flier
Date: January 22nd, 2016
Course & Section: Visual Media COMM130 Section 1
Instuctor: Ben Pingel
Objective: 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.
Description: Black & White promotional flier to promote a graduate leadership conference.
Process (Programs, Tools, Skills, FOCUS principles):
I began this project by creating some sketches of my layout. Once i had some ideas of what i
wanted the flier to look like I created this layout in Adobe InDesign. I used an image that would
give a look of professionalism to the flier. I also emphasized one word in my title for more
contrast, and to create a good focal point. I left white space and kept my body copy small. I
was given the image, logo, and content for this flier.
Programs: Adobe Indesign
Audience: Recent graduates who are 22-30 years of age.
Top Thing Learned: I learned the importance of alignment.

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Event Ad
Title: Family Fun Day Event Ad
Date: January 29th, 2016
Course & Section: Visual Media COMM130 Section 1
Instuctor: Ben Pingel
Objective: 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.
Description: A color full-bleed event ad to promote a fundraiser using only Microsoft Word and
a scanner.
Process (Programs, Tools, Skills, FOCUS principles):
I scanned the image from a Athletic Business Magazine. I inserted that image into the word
document and placed it on left side of the ad. Then I added 2 boxes that were yellow ad blue tat
split the page in half. I chose one font with contrasting weights for simplicity. I was surprised
at how much I could do with the hidden design features of Microsoft Word. I can now design in
word. Programs I used: Microsoft Word, Epson Scanner, PDF2JPG.net (PDF converter).
Programs Used: Microsoft Word
Audience: Anyone in or around the community with children, looking to support the
community.
Top Thing Learned: I learned how to scan an image from any book or magazine. I also learned
how to design in word.

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Business Card
Title: Crossfire Burners Business Card
Date: Febuary 25th, 2016
Course & Section: Visual Media COMM130 Section 1
Instuctor: Ben Pingel
Objective:Use the new logo that I created to design consistent layouts for a business card and
letterhead.
Description: Matching letterhead and business card designed using a personally created logo.
Process (Programs, Tools, Skills):
I created the logo using simple shapes in Adobe Illustrator. I also used the pathfinder tool
combine to shapes. Once the logo was created, I opened a new two page InDesign document
and placed my logo .AI file into this document.
On my second page I used the rectangle tool to create the front and back outline of my
business card. I then copied/pasted the logo and contact information onto this page. I kept
the logo and contact information about the same size as the information on the letterhead. I
made sure that no important information came any closer than 1/8 from the edges.
Programs/Tools Used: Adobe Illustrator & InDesign
Programs Used: Adobe Indesign and Adobe Illustrator
Audience: Anyone in need of a fire pit with a new crossfire burner.
Top things learned: How to brand a company using a unified letterhead and business card
design.

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Photodesign
Title: Crossfire Burners Business Card
Date: Febuary 25th, 2016
Course & Section: Visual Media COMM130 Section 1
Instuctor: Ben Pingel
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 (nondestructive 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.
Description: Insiprational Photodesign
Process: I first formulated my plan by choosing a color scheme from the Visual FOCUS book
for my layout, I decided on Split Complementary. I went and capture a quality photo with good
light, and nice composition. I then brought the photo into Photoshop and used these specific
editing techniques: levels, sharpness, saturation, and color balance. Then I design an 8.511
layout that including my photo, text, and repeating design elements. I incorporate my color
scheme title, color swatches, and color names into my design. I used the eye dropper tool and
adjusted the color in the color picker to match a little more accurately. I created rectangles
with a monochromatic color scheme and then added orange text.
Programs Used: Adobe Photoshop
Audience: BYU-Idaho competitive sports players.
Top Thing Learned: I learned basic photography skills. I learned how to plan and prepare for a
photo shoot before taking a photo. I learned how to pick a color scheme.

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