Sourcing the Product

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One of the things I learned this week that helped me the most was how to set up a compare and contrast worksheet. By implementing some new formulas in Excel, I had help in sorting through information to choose a supplier and whether to have an affiliate or drop shipping business model.

I found that thinking about the goals of the team members in our case study made choosing criteria for a good supplier fairly simple. Then, whenever I felt that drowning feeling while researching the suppliers, I would come back to the anchor of my most important criteria. Some things to look for besides costs are reliable reputations and quality products. It is not necessary to stress about the “perfect” supplier to start with because more experience will lead to building a better supply chain. I admit that my final choice was also based on the positive experience I had with my winning suppliers website. This speaks volumes to me about the power of a well-organized site. I made a spiritual connection about the power of the Spirit to guide us but to not let that be enough. We need to use the gift of the Spirit to seek pure knowledge when possible.

Choosing between affiliate or drop shipping was more difficult for me because I couldn’t wrap my head around the difference. I read all the required and suggested lesson material along with several articles and definitions from the internet before a clear picture emerged. Once again the compare and contrast was an important tool for making a choice for the case study. Personally, I like the affiliate model because there is less ongoing hassle. Set up a site, drive traffic to it, and when customers click on your affiliates link and make a purchase, you get a commission. In spite of this personal preference I recommended drop shipping for our case study business because this team is looking to become familiar with the ins and outs of web business. With drop shipping not only is high traffic to the site vital, which could be an actual online store or another format, customers orders are forwarded and there is follow-up on correct shipping and customer satisfaction. Awareness of good wholesale pricing and shipping times and prices is also needed. I think the need for more hands on with drop shipping is what the team needed.

I am satisfied with the process my learning went through this week. A little tough but I did it. ♥

Life Snapshots

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Introduction

The ability to capture the beauty of life in a photo is a great gift which a large part of earth’s population carries around in their pocket. But, not all snapshots are created equal. How does one put the perfect frame around the visual story? Below we’ll explore three principles of composition that improve our photographic creations: rule of thirds, leading lines, and depth of field.

Rule of Thirds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The first photo we’ll explore is called Girl Waiting on Step taken by Ryan McGuire.  https://gratisography.com/photo/girl-waiting-on-step/

 

 

 

My friend’s granddaughter graciously helped me create my own version of this photo.

 

 

 

 

Imagine the photos divided into horizontal and vertical thirds. It may be tempting to place the girl in the center square, but the mind’s eye finds subjects placed along the imaginary lines of dividing in thirds more pleasing. Even better if the subject is placed at an intersection of these lines. In the professional example, the head and hand meeting is reinforced at such a crossing. In my photo, the eye is perfectly placed. The original photo uses better contrasting colors and hues which creates a more eye-catching piece. I found that what I thought was good placement as I took my photo was a little off. The miracle of Photoshop helped me trim edges so my subject is where I wanted her. I think it would have been better to take my original photo with a landscape orientation to magnify the rule of thirds effect. The brick and cement backgrounds of both photos create lines that lead the eye to the girls, which leads our minds to the next principle of composition we’ll explore.

 

Leading Lines

This photo was also taken by Ryan McGuire and is called Hallway, Black and White. https://gratisography.com/photo/black-white-tiled-hallway/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My version was taken at the local high school where I work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notice how the lines of the floor and ceiling lead the eye into the photo. The brick walls reinforce these leading lines. Even the repeated lights created a line (highlighted in yellow) to the back of the photos. The original photo is in black and white and has a shorter hallway that ends in a T-intersection. I like how my version’s reflected light on the floor adds another leading line. The blue storm light hinted at from a skylight mid-ceiling is repeated at the window at the end of the hall. Leading lines can do more than draw your eye into the photo, they can also add to a depth of field, which is what we’ll look at next.

 

Depth of Field

The photo Fall Bridge is again taken by Ryan McGuire.
http://- https://gratisography.com/photo/creek-bridge/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While my photo is taken on a lovely, rainy, fall day, it features cooler greens than the warmer yellows of the professional example.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To create depth of field, or to get away from a flat, two dimensional feel, it helps to layer objects and/or place them in the foreground, middle ground and background. In both photos the grass in the foreground is a blurred layer. Mr. McGuire’s subject is clearly the bridge which is in the second layer of depth in his photo along with the river and trees. The trees extend beyond the bridge creating a third layer. The river in the first photo serves as a subtle leading line which continues under the bridge. In my photo the second layer is the river and surrounding trees and the bridge and out-building are in a distant third layer. My river has a stronger leading line that draws the eye in to see the far-away bridge. The different trees with different hues of green enhance the layering effect.

Conclusion

Time invested to be aware of the rule of thirds, leading lines, and depth of field payoff in better photos. These little details bring a nice sense of satisfaction to the mind and heart, just like taking care of little details in other areas of our lives.

 

Believe It

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The first article of faith-We believe in God the Eternal Father, and in His son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost

LDS Media Library

Introduction

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has  a wonderful media library which is where I found this print.https://www.lds.org/media-library/images/category/pearl-of-great-price-picture-quotes?lang=eng   No credit is given to an individual artist, but this is one in a series of thirteen that use the eternal truths of the Thirteen Articles of Faith. Each print uses the same simple design, including a contrast in typography, to draw attention to the message.

 

 

script

The eye is drawn in by the script typography in the middle of the print which is characterized by the look of handwritten lettering.  It has a large size and heavy weight which boldly states the purpose of the print. It’s just enough to make the reader want to find out what follows in the short paragraph underneath.

 

Sans Serif

The meat of the message is in the clean lines of a sans serif font. Although some sans serifs have a slight thick/thin stress, this particular one is monoweight.  It is easy to read and draws no attention to itself so the mind can focus on the statement being made. It is smaller and lighter than the script font and creates a nice contrast. Appropriate space is given between the message and its reference, which remains in the same simple sans serif.

 

Bonus

The image on the print appears to be in the same sans serif as the second half of the typography. A nice cool color keeps it from dominating the print, but the size and weight aligned with the right edge of the print contrast with the rest of the typography. Its contrasting direction adds a subtle sophistication to the print.

 

Conclusion

The simple beauty of an important truth is powerfully portrayed in the contrasting fonts and type of this print. The typography is used without other images so the mind can focus on the message.

 

Ski Utah-Cool Use of Design Principles Basics

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As a native of Utah, I treasure the mountains and outdoor activities. Even then, I’ve never skied the notorious snowy slopes that surround my home. I am more of a hike through the trees kind of girl, and I’ve been known to strap on some snowshoes in the winter.

I can still appreciate this advertisement that was part of Snowbird Ski Resorts Fall 2017 campaign. Snowbird marketing director David Amirault credits collaboration with their agency Struck for the idea to turn one-star customer reviews into appealing promotions for core customers. This image was found at https://www.adweek.com/creativity/this-ski-resort-turned-one-star-reviews-into-a-five-star-ad-campaign/. The efforts of Struck won it a Rosey Award and the team recognized for its creation can be found here: https://roseyawards.awardsplatform.com/gallery/NLBxMMqR/DoXKgbwy?search=22ac40111ae498a9-6

CONTRAST

Skier enveloped in snow powder in front of majestic winter mountain sceneThe contrast of the black text and the more subtle blue coat arm against the white snow in this majestic scene bring the eye to focal points that reinforce the advertiser message. The additional contrast of white mountain tops against the blue sky and the dark shadows against white snow add depth and draw the eye into the photo. The Snowbird logo is also nicely contrasted on a white border. There is also contrast of text size within the main body of text as well as between the three sections of text. The familiar contrast of one dark star among five peak a reader’s interest.

REPETITION

There is a lot of repetition of color, which will be talked about in a minute, but there are also other less obvious reiterations. Crisp lines are along the mountain tops and at the top and bottom borders of the photo. Obviously, this is a photo of a snowy mountain, and the idea of cool is repeated in the blue hues. Height is also repeated as the flying powder is over the skier’s head and the tops of pine trees border the ski slope. The overall perspective of the photo shows the height of the mountains in comparison to the buildings in the canyon. The white border is repeated at the top and bottom of the photo.

ALIGNMENT

The main body of text left aligns with the contact information at the bottom, which in turn is bottom aligned with the logo on the right. Interestingly, the left and right edges of the test align with peaks in the background mountains. The eye is drawn naturally to the mouth of the canyon which forms a natural arrow that aligns with the top of the obscured skier’s head.

PROXIMITY

The proximity of the stars, review title and the review itself create a focal point that draws the eye right to the message of the advertisement. This text box is in close proximity to the skier, reinforcing in picture what the words are saying. In contrast, the logo and contact information are in opposite corners but share the white bottom border space.

COLOR

Monochromatic hues of blue dominate this photo. The eye-catching contrasts are simply brighter shades of blue. The beauty of the blues are contrasted against the white of the snow as well as the white borders, although the white often takes on blue tones which reinforce the cool colors and play into the mood of the campaign.

REACHING THE BASE

The excitement of a challenging ski run should end up safely at the base of the mountain. This advertisement manages to reach its audience through the color that serves as the tram that carry the elements of contrast and repetition, while proximity and alignment are the perfect powder to ski on down the slope.