Portfolio

Kirstin Cutler

CONTACT
Kirstin Cutler
20413 South Main St
Carey Idaho 83320
208.720.9983
kirstincutler@gmail.com

TABLE

of

CONTENTS
Brochure
Flyer
Business Card
Letterhead
Web Page
Logos
Montage
Event Ad
Imaging

EVENT AD
Description:
Full-bleed Event Ad in color to promote a benefit for local public school music programs.

Date:
October 10, 2014

Course/Instructor:
Comm 130 Section 11
Emily Kunz

Program(s)/Tools:
Microsoft Word, HP scanner

Objectives:
Comprehend image sizing (how image pixels and inches work together)
Scan and import a high-quality image
Use only Word design features to create a full-bleed design

Process:
I began by scanning the guitar image with an HP scanner and then used color effects and picture
effects to create the sketched look in Word. After achieving this image I sketched some different
design ideas for the ad, chose my favorite layout and moved forward with the design process in
Word. In the process of designing, my layout changed from several smaller circles into the drum
idea. I used two different fonts in repetitive colors and weights to create unity and used circles in
several sizes for repetition as well. In order to convert my pdf file to a jpg I used pdf2jpg.net. It is
great to know that there are other tools and programs available to design with if needed outside of
the Adobe suite.

BROCHURE
Description:

A full-color, two sided (duplex) tri-folding brochure designed to promote a company.

Date:
December 6, 2014

Course/Instructor:
Comm 130 Section 11
Emily Kunz

Program(s)/Tools:
Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign

Objectives:
Set up and align a two-sided, folded document.
Create an original, new logo and use it in a brochure.
Incorporate quality images. Clip one image in Photoshop and text-wrap in InDesign.

Process:
I formulated my plan by sketching logos for this program. After choosing the one I thought would
work best, I designed it in Illustrator. I then sketched some different layouts for the brochure before
proceeding in InDesign. I set up the fold lines for a standard tri-fold brochure by dragging the lines
from the rulers. I used the pen tool to draw the horse shape and then decreased the opacity. I filled
in the background with an American flag and a texture to give it a distressed look. For the clipped
image I used the magic selection tool in Photoshop to select the people and the horse and then
used the refine mask dialogue box to smooth and slighty feather the edge of the image. Then with
the mask selected I used the brush tool to hide the area between the lead rope and the people in the
center. I then placed the image in InDesign and applied text wrap so the text would wrap around
the image. I utilized the same flag and texture treatment to create a smaller version next to my
headers and quotes to add repetition and emphasis, as well as enhance the military theme on the
inside of the brochure. I found a great font that had a military and textured appearance that worked
great for my title copy and the distressed military theme I was designing. I made a decision that the
logo I had wasnt communicating appropriately and so I went back into Illustrator and created a
new logo. It freed up my creative juices so I was able to add a title to the logo. With great fonts and
a proper logo everything came together.

LOGOS
Description:

Three original logo variations for the same company using shape, type, symbol or illustration.

Date:
November 1, 2014

Course/Instructor:
Comm 130 Section 11
Emily Kunz

Program(s)/Tools:
Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign

Objectives:
Create three completely different, original logos to fit a company or personal image.
Use only the Illustrator tools to create and draw your logos.

Process:
I formulated my plan by first determining what company I was going to create logos for, then I
sketched up some ideas. I then went into Adobe Illustrator and began to create my ideas. I began
with the type tool and found a strong serif typeface that I liked to make the Cs. I made them into
outlines and reflected one of them so it would be a mirror image of the other. I then used a sans
serif font for the rest of the text. For the next logo I first used the shape tool to create a square and
then used the pen tool to create the C and the puzzle parts. I chose some contrasting fonts, aligned
Cutler with the edges of the puzzle piece and Concepts with the outside edges of the large and
smaller puzzle pieces to create an overall shape. I was really excited about my concept for the third
logo, but have struggled to really bring it to life. I used the shape tool to create a circle and then the
pen tool to append the bottom part of the light bulb and pencil tip to it. I used the type on a path
tool to create the curved effect of Cutler Concepts, I think the last logo needs more work but I ran
out of time for this assignment.

Cutler Concepts

web.design.graphic

cutler
web.design.graphic

cutl

ts
ep

conc
r
e

MONTAGE
Description:
A spiritual poster montage made by blending the pixels of 3 images and the use of type.

Date:
October 25, 2014

Course/Instructor:
Comm 130 Section 11
Emily Kunz

Program(s)/Tools:
Adobe Photoshop, Pentax K10D Camera

Objectives:
Use the FOCUS design process with strong focal point and flow
Unify a layout with a consisten theme and dominant spiritual message
Learn to blend two or more images together gradually, using masks

Process:
I selected the spiritual message and several different images from my own gallery, including the
image that I wanted to be my focal point and created sketches around those images.
I picked the sketched I felt would work the best and began working in Photoshop.
In Photoshop I took my background image and cropped it to 11 x 8.5 inches.
I then used levels, vibrance and selective color to enhance my photo.
Then I applied a Gaussian Blur to the photo and applied a layer mask. With the opacity at 40% I
revealed the sky and mountains leaving the ground blurred.
I brought in my two other pictures of the buffalo and wildflowers, applying the same image
enhancements of levels, vibrance and selective color.
I applied a layer mask to each photo in separate layers and with the opacity at 100% painted away
the rough edges of the photo. Then with 40% opacity I carefully blended the pixels of each image
with the background image.
I added my message with two contrasting types. To create the drop shadow I copied the type and
put it in a different color, then move it into position for a clean, tight look. I have found I prefer this
method to the shadowy look in the effects panel.

10

IMAGING
Description:
Demonstrate our skills as a photographer as well as editor and designer using Photoshop. Design
needed to include an original quality image, color scheme and use of design elements.

Date:
October 18, 2014

Course/Instructor:
Comm 130 Section 11
Emily Kunz

Program(s)/Tools:
Adobe Photoshop, Pentax K10D Camera

Objectives:
Learn basic photography skills
Choose a color scheme, take a photo to match those colors and then incorportate them.

Process:
I began my plan by choosing to use a Big Split Complementary color scheme. While out taking
photos I looked for opportunities to capture images that included a full range of fall colors. I
knew that I wanted to incorporate the blue either through the sky or through water. I took the
images with my Pentax K10-D camera in manual mode and enjoyed being in nature while I did it.
I struggled a bit with picking some of the shots because I had many favorites. Then I pulled the
images into Photoshop and edited them with the levels, vibrance and sharpness tools. I did not
use color balance because I was happy with the colors after using vibrance to enhance the natural
colors that had been captured. I used circles to mimic the peaceful flow of the river in colors I pulled
with the eye dropper from the image. The text was selected from poet and lover of nature Henry
David Thoreau who enjoyed teasing these same waters with his rod and reel. When I first designed
this the colors of the circles were bright and over powered the image, to tone them down I used a
lot of techniques that I found out after meeting with Sister Kunz were advancing into next weeks
assignment. So I had to use the simplify technique a lot. I used some transparent circles to tone
down the brightness of the colors and in a sense get the same effect I had going for without all the
extra effects. It is definitely a different look, but it accomplished it purposes. I am happy with the
end result and how the picture really stands out now as a more important part of this design.

12

WEB PAGE
Description:
This is a webpage to showcase a logo I created.

Date:
November 21, 2014

Course/Instructor:
Comm 130 Section 11
Emily Kunz

Program(s)/Tools:
Adobe Photoshop, Sublime Text

Objectives:
Size and optimize and original logo as a .png for a web page.
Write content to describe the process of creating your logo and how it appeals to a target audience.
Acquire a working knowledge of HTML, and CSS.
Identify hex colors to match logo using Photoshop color picker.

Process:
I used Sublime Text, a text editor to edit pre-made HTML and CSS documents. I inserted my image
png file in the HTML document and then edited the CSS file colors to match the colors in my logo. I
found the hex colors by opening my logo in Photoshop and using the eyedropper tool. To choose the
gray color I first selected the blue color in Photoshop and then selected a gray color within the blue
range so the colors would look good together. I changed the fonts so I had one sans-serif and one
serif font. I floated my logo to the left, which made room for an introductory paragraph on the right.
I put padding around the logo and the intro paragraph to create white space and a clean look. I used
span to change Process, Colors, Target Audience and Design Skills to the blue color to highlight
them. I really like working with CSS and seeing the changes that can be made with just a few rules.

14

BUSINESS CARD
Description:
Matching letterhead and business card designed with a newly created logo.

Date:
November 10, 2014

Course/Instructor:
Comm 130 Section 11
Emily Kunz

Program(s)/Tools:
Adobe Illustrator and InDesign

Objectives:
Create a new logo to fit a company or personal image.
Use the new logo to design consistent layout for a business card and letterhead.
Keep designs simple with light watermarks and drop shadows.

Process:
I created the logo in Adobe Illustrator using the ellipse and pen tool for the masks. I then brought
the logo into InDesign as an .ai file and began creating my letterhead. I decided it needed a little
more dramatic flare and so I first used an image of a theater curtain, but the image was conflicting
with my simple hand drawn masks. I went back into Illustrator and created a simple outline of a
theater curtain. Once I brought in into InDesign I decreased the opacity on both the letterhead and
the business card. Then added the information in on the letterhead and used the same treatment
on the business card with the exception of a color change. I wanted the back of the business card to
call attention to itself, so I used the red as the background color and the masks at a larger size. This
should be an easy card to find in any collection and a fun one to have!

16

M
O
KIRK
T
E
N
S
E
N

Kirk Mortensen
Director
2209 Columbia Ave
Lynchburg, VA 24503
p 408.204.9639
e kirkmort@gmail.com

LETTERHEAD
Description:
Matching letterhead and business card designed with a newly created logo.

Date:
November 10, 2014

Course/Instructor:
Comm 130 Section 11
Emily Kunz

Program(s)/Tools:
Adobe Illustrator and InDesign

Objectives:
Create a new logo to fit a company or personal image.
Use the new logo to design consistent layout for a business card and letterhead.
Keep designs simple with light watermarks and drop shadows.

Process:
I created the logo in Adobe Illustrator using the ellipse and pen tool for the masks. I then brought
the logo into InDesign as an .ai file and began creating my letterhead. I decided it needed a little
more dramatic flare and so I first used an image of a theater curtain, but the image was conflicting
with my simple hand drawn masks. I went back into Illustrator and created a simple outline of a
theater curtain. Once I brought in into InDesign I decreased the opacity on both the letterhead and
the business card. Then added the information in on the letterhead and used the same treatment
on the business card with the exception of a color change. I wanted the back of the business card to
call attention to itself, so I used the red as the background color and the masks at a larger size. This
should be an easy card to find in any collection and a fun one to have!

18

M
O
KI RK
T
E
Mortensen
N Kirk
S Director
E
N

2209 Columbia Ave

Lynchburg, VA 24503
p 408.204.9639
e kirkmort@gmail.com

FLYER
Description:
Grayscale promotional flier for a communications companys upcoming leadership conference.

Date:
Octboer 5, 2014

Course/Instructor:
Comm 130 Section 11
Emily Kunz

Program(s)/Tools:
Adobe InDesign

Objectives:
Apply the design principles and use appropriate typography
Incorporate basic InDesign skills to improve basic flyer layout.

Process:
I first sketched 4 different flier ideas, then began designing my best sketch in InDesign. I used the
boxes to group the message together and to create flow; the white diamonds also create flow and
repetition. I made Leadership all caps to emphasize it, put the date, time and place in a different
typeface and italicized the question to create visual hierarchy. I kept the body copy at 10pt, but
spaced it out to improve readability. The text, logo, image and website were all provided.

20

Graduate
LEADERSHIP
Conference
October 21
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Lincoln
Convention
Center

Do you want to have the

competitive edge
in business?

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 make them marketable to
any employer.

Come learn how at

Vouant Communications
annual Graduate
Leadership Conference.
This conference is available
to graduating seniors.
Space is limited.

Vouant Communications is devoted to

helping tomorrows leaders gain essential
leadership skills in the workplace.
Registration and more information available at
http://www.vouantcomm.com/leaders