AHRD Poster (Module 3 Assignment)

I made this poster using Inkscape, an open-source image editor that works on Mac, Windows and Linux.  I like the idea of having another option for graphics, especially one that works on many platforms.  Using it on my Windows XP computer, the interface was very clunky and frustrating compared to how smooth it is to run Photoshop on my Mac. Still, I was able to do everything I needed to: text, images, grid/layout.  Not a very sophisticated tool, but the it did the job.

For this poster, I used an image from my department (JMU University Unions) and chose typefaces that match the JMU graphic standards.  The idea is to really emphasize the value of an education from JMU, and the photo really shows this is a traditional brick-and-mortar institution, not online-only.  I ended with a call to action ("visit").  Hopefully, this design gives the viewer a cohesive experience when they visit the website.

Image Credit:

JMUBuildings-72 [Photograph].  Retrieved January 25, 2014, from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/university_unions/

AHRD poster

I used GIMP to create this poster and I have to admit it was more challenging than I thought it would be.  I had never used GIMP and the learning curve on how to do things (like import images) was higher than I thought.  I created a logo in PowerPoint, but could not get it to import.  I had about 5 different versions because sometimes I would add something and could not figure out how to undo or change things.  I tried to keep with the purple and gold theme and took items from the flyer to add to this.  Not sure how happy I am with the final product, but I as pleased I was able to at least get things relatively where I wanted them. 

AHRD Poster

I created my poster with Sumopaint, as my Adobe Photoshop trial expired and wouldn't let me re-download it.  I had an awfully hard time with Sumopaint, in that it looks just like Adobe Photoshop, but is not as user friendly.  I had a particularly hard time trying to set margins, as well as using the text boxes.  Also, when I saved my image, it still showed the boxes that I had used for formatting purposes.  Although I hid the layers, I could not get them to disappear in the saved JPEG.  If we have to work off of this and edit it for future assignments, I very well may re-create it in Adobe Photoshop in the lab, so as to allow myself greater freedom to edit accordingly, and ensure that the poster edits and saves properly. 


(All photos used were retrieved from Google Images)