Category Archives: graphic design

6-21-15

Posted on by
7:18 PM, Arcadia, CA. What luck. I found a strangely placed rain gutter that’s probably perfectly functional but could have been installed more discreetly. Doesn’t matter because the shot made my day.

7:18 PM, Arcadia, CA. What luck. I found a strangely placed rain gutter that’s probably perfectly functional but could have been installed more discreetly. Doesn’t matter because the shot made my day looking for interesting visual design images.

5-17-15

Posted on by
1:47 PM, Los Angeles. It’s a close up with my camera right up to the handrail and it’s an exercise in taking something out of context. Even though the image is simple and maybe too minimal for some tastes, I think there is something beautiful going on. I especially like the slight bend to the black bar. In fact, that bend makes the photo for me. The photo kind of flattens everything out when there’s actually a 90-degree turn happening here.

1:47 PM, Los Angeles. It’s a close up with my camera right up to the handrail and it’s an exercise in taking something out of context. Even though the image is simple and maybe too minimal for some tastes, I think there is something beautiful going on. I especially like the slight bend to the black bar. In fact, that bend makes the photo for me. The photo kind of flattens everything out when there’s actually a 90-degree turn happening here.

5-12-15

Posted on by
2:46 PM. I recently picked up a new camera. It’s a Fujifilm X100T and it’s relatively small between a pocket size point and shoot and full size single lens reflex. These Fujifilm cameras seem to be popular among street photographers and it has a reputation for very clear images. I’ve posted some of my digital pictures using the Fujifilm on my Instagram account #rickosaka. Please check it out when you get a chance. This picture shows a small gouache painting on paper.

2:46 PM. I recently picked up a new camera. It’s a Fujifilm X100T and it’s relatively small between a pocket size point and shoot and full size single lens reflex. These Fujifilm cameras seem to be popular among street photographers and it has a reputation for very clear images. I’ve posted some of my digital pictures using the Fujifilm on my Instagram account #rickosaka. Please check it out when you get a chance. This picture shows a small gouache painting on paper.

6-3-15

Posted on by
#8, 9:05 AM. This study is the last version. It was a process of numerous additions and subtractions and started with a loosely laid out grid. Also, it was confined to square-like shapes with a limited palette. Overall, I felt that once the grid and the locations of the dominant squares were clear then things had to be broken up by making some areas denser. The grid is a composition enabler but sometimes the results can be stiff or predictable.

#8, 9:05 AM. This study is the last version. It was a process of numerous additions and subtractions and started with a loosely laid out grid. Also, it was confined to square-like shapes with a limited palette. Overall, I felt that once the grid and the locations of the dominant squares were clear then things had to be broken up by making some areas denser. The grid is a composition enabler but sometimes the results can be stiff or predictable.

4-18-15

Posted on by
#7, 4:28 PM. I remember New York City’s grid of horizontal streets and vertical avenues. A lot of Manhattan is organized in a grid when the geography allows it. This digital study has a semblance of a grid and started with an emphasis on the intersections. The iPad study led to an enamel on wood panel version.

#7, 4:28 PM. I remember New York City’s grid of horizontal streets and vertical avenues. A lot of Manhattan is organized in a grid when the geography allows it. This digital study has a semblance of a grid and started with an emphasis on the intersections. The iPad study led to an enamel on wood panel version.

4-18-15

Posted on by
#5, 9:59 AM. I got another iPad. This drawing was done on an iPad Air 2 using an app called Brushes. I’ve found that these portable tools are marvels in efficiency that allow experimenting with many versions quickly. For me, they work great. This drawing is a version exploring repetition and for me, it has a kind of a haiku clarity. It’s based on simple shapes and has a visual organization based on Japanese textiles. Maybe it will lead to a painted version.

#5, 9:59 AM. I got another iPad. This drawing was done on an iPad Air 2 using an app called Brushes. I’ve found that these portable tools are marvels in efficiency that allow experimenting with many versions quickly. For me, they work great. This drawing is a version exploring repetition and for me, it has a kind of a haiku clarity. It’s based on simple shapes and has a visual organization based on Japanese textiles. Maybe it will lead to a painted version.

2-11-15

Posted on by
#1040, 9:22 PM. This is one grid and a bunch of blue triangles drawn on a red background. I used a system of drawing an x in each cell or square in the grid. All done up on my iPad using a finger painting app.

#1040, 9:22 PM. This is one grid and a bunch of blue triangles drawn on a red background. I used a system of drawing an x in each cell or square in the grid. All done up on my iPad using a finger painting app.