Davis Woodruff, Colorblind friend who helped test
You will create two skateboard graphics using any creative tools you'd like. The first part of the assignment will be to think about, investigate, and define the project's theme as a class. We will further discuss these topics in class. You will then begin the design process with the goal of creating designs that will make your personal interpretation of the theme. You will then be responsible for creating a unique way to display your skateboard for the winter art show.
Theme: Dull vs. Vibrant
I took the theme a few different ways. I thought about doing a color design with a laser cut logo and vice versa, I thought of a photoshop collage design and a minimalist design, but I landed on the idea of a colorblind test. I personally am colorblind so I naturally see duller compared to everyone every day, i thought that it would be fun to play with the literal side of this prompt, especially since I am colorblind.
I decided to go with the color blind test idea, but there were a lot of options to go with. I had a set of ideas for illustrations everyone could see, and one only regular seeing people could see, and my third was one no one could see. I had also heard of a reverse colorblind test that I wanted to try, but I didn't know how it would work. I had to decide how to mix and match these ideas to portray my theme the best. I also had to come up with an illustration simple enough to be portrayed through varying colored dots, but also meaningful enough to have a dull and vibrant side.
My final design of choice consisted of two skateboards with matches on them. One board being a reverse colorblind test and the other being a regular colorblind test. The flame would be lit for whichever board you can see, and unlit for the other board. The flame itself is a more symbolic side of being dull and vibrant, light versus darkness. Then also the idea that one board would appear dull and the other vibrant, and the two would switch depending on ones vision would bring a whole other level to the theme. It kind of gives a sense that depending on your view you can see vibrancy in the dullness, or vice versa.
To design the Ishihara Test (Colorblind Test), I just googled a tutorial. From there I found this very helpful video, and a script that fills a shape with multicolored circles. Using the video as a sample, I drew up my matches, and filled the shapes I had designed with a color set I collected from an image of a match, a colorblind test with the answer highlighted, and a reverse colorblind test. I also ended up designing a candle with a flame instead of a match because it used the space of the board better, and it also fit the size of the flames better.
The most important part of the design process was testing the design on colorblind and non-colorblind people. Colorblindness is genetic, so i was able to test the boards on my cousins, grandparents, and my dad. I had a colorblind friend who helped a lot as well. Thanks Davis. I also had to test the boards on people with normal vision as well. After getting the design as close as I could to the colors I began creating the skateboard. The mainly green board is the reverse colorblind test, and the other with the orange and yellow is the regular colorblind test.
Next I had to decide how I was going to create the skateboard. I decided to do a gel transfer over a skateboard I spray painted white. I knew that this would give me the best color results to allow the color stayed the same so the test would work. Then I began to test.
Test Board Photo
To test the board I printed out a sample of each design with a label of each above each sample. After I put the acrylic gel medium, I let it dry, and tested a few objects to see what removed the layer of paper the best. I found out that the best way to remove the paper was just my hand, water, and a little pressure from a Mr. Clean Magic eraser.
Then it was time to create a full print of each board and transfer the design onto the board. Since each board's design was larger than the laser printer could print, I had to cut the designs, print them separately, cut the paper down, and then tape them together. This process took a lot of patience, but eventually I got two prints that lined up great. I showed the prints off to some regular vision peers who were working on their project, and they said that they couldn't see the designs. From there I had them help fix up the designs by adjusting a few colors and circles and I reprinted the designs.
I started with the reverse test board's gel transfer. I transferred the design, and rubbed all the paper off the board over Thanksgiving and it turned out great. The next week I attempted to transfer the design of the normal board, but it did not turn out. I did not put enough gel on the board and half of the design didn't stick. Later that day I went home sanded the whole board down, and repainted the board. The next week I reapplied the acrylic and the design.
The next time I cleared the paper from the board it worked out great, with very few blemishes. Once I had both boards finished I just had to put a clear coat on and drill the holes for the trucks.
In the end the boards turned out great, and even though the test didn't turn out perfect they still work on most people, colorblind and normal sight. The boards turned out better than I expected them too, and im glad to have created them.
This is me with my two boards once they were done(except for my holes being drilled out)
Actual final of the boards after being hung up
