Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Job of a Graphic Designer

Graphic design is an artistic way to represent communication visually. This is done by creating and combining symbols, images, and words. Graphic design uses those tools to convey a message and/or idea creatively. The process and products which the designer uses generates what is on their mind, and what they believe others are thinking.

Graphic design are seen everywhere. You may see them in magazines, web pages, even on cereal boxes. The designer uses shapes and colors to unify the final product. Composition is a graphic designer’s best friend. It brings together all the materials and elements.

A graphic designer’s job is more complex then what I stated above but that is the main idea of it.
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Vector Art: Joey Funk of Optic Blast Studios
www.joeyfunk.com
www.opticblog.blogspot.com

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

KNOWLEDGE: Real Hip Hop

Hip hop is not just a genre of music; it is a lifestyle. Hip hop is the coming together of different people from around the world, in other words, the unity of people.

The media and society has depicted the hip hop culture as being negative. For example, in music videos they show the rappers with all this money, cars, and women around them. But this is NOT Real Hip Hop!

Brief History:
The hip hop culture is a movement
which started mostly by African and Latin Americans in the Bronx, New York in the 1970s. Hip hop has four major elements which are MCing (rapping), DJing, graffiti writing (graffing), and bboying (break dancing). Also, there are other elements such as beat boxing, fashion, and slang.

Hip hop was based around DJ’s and MC’s which created a rhythmic beat and style of singing. Then, the original style of dancing and dressing soon followed. Graffiti writing comes into hip hop as a form of visual art. Also, beat boxing is a unique vocal technique which mimics the DJ’s beats. Over the years there have been a few tune ups to each element.

Hip hop has a mixture of genres which can be a way of understanding it such as funk, disco, soul, samba, scat singing, performance poetry, and blues.

Watch the video below and it will give you some insight on hip hop…



Sunday, June 21, 2009

Art & Life

Life is so unexpected! We have no idea what is going to happen but all we know is that life is beautiful and we should enjoy it to the fullest!

This brings me to my next point…

Art is beautiful. Art is what you make it. There is so much art in the world that we have not even started to experience or realize. Art is expressed in the way we talk, move, eat, drink; it is seen in everything we do in our everyday life. Art is expressed in our movement, speech, and clothing. It is, also, expressed in our neighbors’ gardens, in the wind, even in the cars we drive.

The art of life is the overall experience. It can include good or bad experiences, but it is our life.

In conclusion, art and life go hand in hand.
LIFE IS LIKE ART, YOU MAKE IT AS YOU WANT IT!

All the art of living, lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on.
-Herny Ellis

Believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create the fact.
-William James
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Monday, June 15, 2009

The Latin Influence on Music in Miami

Miami is known as a melting pot. It has many types of cultural backgrounds but the Latin influence is a lot stronger then the others. Out of all the forms of art Latin’s influence music the most in Miami. Latin music has a wide variety of genres. There is no one style of music for the Latin culture. Each country has their unique sound or slight variation.

Like stated in my previous blog, Cubans are known for Son, Dominicans for Bachata, Puerto Ricans for Reggaeton, and Columbians for Vallenato. Each of those countries does have many more music genres but those are the most popular. Latin music may include Samba, Cumbia, Merengue, and Spanish Rock.

Miami’s diversity in cultures leads to beauty and variety. It allows us to embrace our individual identity. The music is beautiful, and it allows us to show our acceptance towards different cultures.

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Sunday, June 14, 2009

Art in Culture

Culture can mean many different things; it can be someone's upbringing, religious faith, art forms, and/or community's traditions. Culture gives people a sense of belonging. For most individuals, to be a part of something is very important.

In this case, culture influences the different types of art forms that we engage in. As for me growing up in Miami, I am greatly influenced by the Hispanic culture; the food I eat, music I listen to, as well as, the way I dress.

The most influential forms of art, in my opinion, have to be music and dancing. Each culture has their own genres of music and way of dancing. Like for Cubans, their most popular genre of music is Son and form of dancing is Salsa. Dominicans are known for Bachata, Puerto Ricans for Reggaeton, and Columbians for Vallenato. Music and dancing allows each individual to bring their culture no matter where they live or where they are at.

Culture also has a major roll in fashion. The way we dress allows us to show our background to others. For example, in India the women wear saris which the material is in vibrant colors and in Japan the traditional clothing are kimonos.

In Miami we have many different cultures so it is easy for us to be a part of something and have a sense of belonging.
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Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Dancing Expresses...

Dance

Dance is a passion,
There's millions of dance moves,
Just like fashion,
You must know some,
Like the worm,
Or the twist,
But be careful don't break your wrist,
You can dance in heels,
Or tennis shoes,
Dance to the blues,
Or country rock,
Dance down the block,
Even around town,
Dance to whatever sound you hear,
Dance in a gown,
Or a t-shirt,
Dance with a group of four,
Never ignore the dancing rhythm,
Or you'll regret that forever,
Dance whenever you please,
When your hugging a tree,
Or running from bees,
Dance is an art,
Dance with your heart,
If your smart,
Don't give up dancing,
So don't drift from your dancing skill,
It's a great gift.

-Mariah Clary