Artwork: Reagan School Flag
Exhibition Text
The intentions behind my flag are to show how a community has been formed by Reagan, MPS, and IB. The flag consists of 3 different colored rectangles that are connected by a chain link. By placing the chain in the middle of the 3 rectangles shows how Reagan, MPS, and IB are their own communities, but when they come together a stronger community is created. My main sources of inspiration were Reagan's logo, IB's logo, and MPS's logo. As well I looked at each of threes mission statements.
Project Guidelines
The first image is from a packet that was used throughout the entirety of the project. This page in particular gives a brief overview of what the project is, the objectives, and the materials that were provided. I think this is important to include in the background of this project because it lays everything out in simple terms that are easy to follow.
The second image is notes that I took during the debrief of the project. The debrief gave me insight on the 5 principles of flag making and the anatomy of a flag.
The second image is notes that I took during the debrief of the project. The debrief gave me insight on the 5 principles of flag making and the anatomy of a flag.
Inspiration/Research
Reagan Mission Statement~ To provide superior educational opportunities so students can achieve their highest potential. Our administrators, staff, parents, and community supporters work together to make this mission a reality for our urban teens. Our dynamic high school has experienced skyrocketing success since its inception in 2003.
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MPS Mission Statement~ Milwaukee Public Schools is a diverse district that welcomes all students, preparing them for success in higher education, post-educational opportunities, work, and citizenship.
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IB Mission Statement~ The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.
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To start my research I looked at the logos and mission statements of Reagan, MPS, and IB. This was important because the flag needs ti represent all three, so I wanted to see if there was any similarities between the three. When looking at the mission statements I highlighted important words/phrases.
After reading and highlighting I found that all three have a similar goal, which is to help students achieve their best and prepare them for the outside world. As well as providing support/opportunities to reach their highest success. The most notable thing that I found was all three want students to be able to go out into the world with a high understanding of it, and change it.
After gaining an understanding of the overall goals of Reagan, MPS, and IB I wanted to look at their official logos. At first I noticed that all of them include text, however if I was looking at all three from a distance I would only be able to see the MPS logo because it is large and bold. The Reagan text is small, and the IB text is to light of a color. As well I noticed that the Reagan logo has many elements compared to the MPS and IB logo which are composed of a large circle placed inside of another circle. The colors that are used for the MPS logo are good because there isn't to many but also if it was but into grey scale you would be able to distinguish between the different colors. However the colors used to create the Reagan and IB logo are to similar to be put into grey scale.
After reading and highlighting I found that all three have a similar goal, which is to help students achieve their best and prepare them for the outside world. As well as providing support/opportunities to reach their highest success. The most notable thing that I found was all three want students to be able to go out into the world with a high understanding of it, and change it.
After gaining an understanding of the overall goals of Reagan, MPS, and IB I wanted to look at their official logos. At first I noticed that all of them include text, however if I was looking at all three from a distance I would only be able to see the MPS logo because it is large and bold. The Reagan text is small, and the IB text is to light of a color. As well I noticed that the Reagan logo has many elements compared to the MPS and IB logo which are composed of a large circle placed inside of another circle. The colors that are used for the MPS logo are good because there isn't to many but also if it was but into grey scale you would be able to distinguish between the different colors. However the colors used to create the Reagan and IB logo are to similar to be put into grey scale.
After analyzing what I liked bout the flags I started looking at symbols that I could use to communicate the key aspects of the mission statements, as well I began to look at color.
When starting my research on symbols I first looked at common symbols and their meanings, as well I wanted to find something to represent MPS, Reagan, and IB coming together, I found that a chain link best represented this. For the colors I looked at the logos and what colors that appeared the most. Both IB and Reagan's main color is blue which is why I decided to use a yellow-gold to represent MPS because I didn't want the colors on the flag to be to similar. |
Planning Sketches
The first step for this project was to create a mind map. The objective behind this was to write down any ideas that came to mind. When creating my map I put Reagan in the middle since Reagan is the whole reason that this project was made possible. As well after I completed the map I put stars next to the ideas that showed up multiple times, or that I thought were important aspects that I needed to include in the flag.
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After completing the mind map the next step was to create 15 thumbnail flags. In this step I spent a lot of time trying to figure out how to best represent the relationship between IB, MPS, and Reagan. I did this by focusing on symbols, I wanted each flag to be different so I had many different options when moving onto the next step(Experimentation).
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Experimentation
After completing the critique of the 15 thumbnail flags I transferred 3 of thumbnails onto larger rectangles for a final critique before creating the final flag.
During the critique the first flag that was discussed was flag 1. I didn't receive any feedback on what to improve for this flag because the professor could not think of any ways I could improve this flag. When transferring this flag to the larger squares I experimented with the color of the chain link, I decided that I liked the look of the black chain more.
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The next flag that was disused was flag 3. The feedback I received on this flag was to change the direction of the horizontal line so it went from the left bottom corner to the top right corner. This was suggested to emphasis the meaning behind this flag, which is to lead students to success. With this flag I changed the direction of the line, and experimented with the color of the line as well as the symbols. I wanted to challenge myself to do more then circles.
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Lastly the feedback I received on flag 13. It was suggested that I find a better way to represent Reagan, because the original flag had a black circle in the middle. After brainstorming I decided that I wanted to use a paw to represent Reagan. When transferring this flag I experimented with the color of the paw.
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Process
Creating the Final Flag
After receiving feedback on the larger rectangles I began creating the final product. In the end the flag I ended up going with was flag 1. The first thing that I did was sketch out the design. When completing this step I used a ruler, pencil, and a cut out that was the shape of a chain link. I sketched the design lightly so that no pencil marks could be seen under neath. I used the cut out so that the piece didn't looked rushed.
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Next I began to color the flag. I first started with the background. I decided that I was going to do the blues first so that none of the color would transfer onto the yellow rectangle. When coloring I used long strokes that went in the same direction so that the overlap of the color pencil would not be seen.
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Mounting the Flag
Before the flag could be mounted, the foam core board needed to be cut to the appropriate size. After measuring out the right dimensions I cut the board, to cut the board I had to use a new x-acto knife blade and apply a lot of pressure. This was important because when cutting foam board you want to cut it with one cut otherwise the edge of the board will look rough.
When completing this step I did some practice cuts so I could get used to the amount of pressure I had to apply. |
Reflection
Overall I am happy with the piece I created, especially because at the beginning of this project I had little to no ideas what I wanted to create. I think the message behind my flag is very easy to understand even just by looking at it. As well I think that I chose the right colors to represent the three main cimpontents of this project, Reagan, MPS, and IB. The symbol that I chose to represent the community the three create is unique, I wanted to push myself to do more then just a circle because that is a common symbol people use to show unity. The final piece fits all the criteria of what a flag should be because it’s simple, easy to reproduce, doesn’t include any text, is transferable into gray scale, and easy to read the message behind it.
Compare and Contrast
Reagan Flag & Reagan Logo/Mission Statement:
Similarities-
— Both incoptate a dark blue color
- Both have a shape that draws the eye to the middle
Differences-
- The color scheme of both differ from eacother
- Reagan’s includes words
- Reagan’s has multiple aspects in the middle which draw the eye
Reagan Flag & MPS Logo/Mission Statement:
Similarities-
— Both include a yellow and blue color scheme
- Both are made up of few elements
Differences-
— MPS’s logo is a circle
-MPS’s logo contains a word
- My piece has 4 colors were the logo only has 3
Reagan Flag & IB Logo/Mission Statement:
Similarities-
— Both include a light blue
- Both are made of simple elements
- Both use curved lines
Differences-
— IB’s logo contains words
- IB’s logo is a circle
IB’s logo is only made up of two colors
ACT Response
Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause effect relationship between your inspiration and its effect on your artwork?
There are clear connections between my work and the logos of Reagan, MPS, and IB. For example the colors of my flag come directly from the three logos.
What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
The overall approach regarding my inspiration was finding symbols that communicated unity. I wanted to challenge myself by looking at more then a circle.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, culture, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
Symbols are another way for people to communicate with each other. These symbols are well known by other people and would be hard to verbally explain.
What is the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?.
The main theme behind my inspirational research was trying to find symbols/colors that could successful show how Reagan, IB, and MPS are all different yet come together to make a community.
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
An inference that I made while doing research was that there is simple and complex symbols that are recognizable to almost all people. This is important because this is another way for humans to communicate with each other without words.
There are clear connections between my work and the logos of Reagan, MPS, and IB. For example the colors of my flag come directly from the three logos.
What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
The overall approach regarding my inspiration was finding symbols that communicated unity. I wanted to challenge myself by looking at more then a circle.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, culture, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
Symbols are another way for people to communicate with each other. These symbols are well known by other people and would be hard to verbally explain.
What is the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?.
The main theme behind my inspirational research was trying to find symbols/colors that could successful show how Reagan, IB, and MPS are all different yet come together to make a community.
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
An inference that I made while doing research was that there is simple and complex symbols that are recognizable to almost all people. This is important because this is another way for humans to communicate with each other without words.
Bibliography
“Chain.” Chain Emblem, Symbolic Meaning (66), www.biz-logo.com/logo-symbol.php?symbol=chain.
Iborganization. “Mission.” International Baccalaureate®, www.ibo.org/about-the-ib/mission/.
“Strategic Plan.” MPS, mps.milwaukee.k12.wi.us/en/District/Initiatives/Strategic-Plan.htm.
“The Meaning of Lines: Developing A Visual Grammar.” Vanseo Design, 29 Mar. 2010, vanseodesign.com/web-design/visual-grammar-lines/.
“The Secret Language of Symbols.” Symboldictionarynet The Secret Language of Symbols Comments, symboldictionary.net/?p=1914.
“Welcome / Overview.” Reagan IB High School / Overview, www.ronaldreaganhs.org/domain/57.
Iborganization. “Mission.” International Baccalaureate®, www.ibo.org/about-the-ib/mission/.
“Strategic Plan.” MPS, mps.milwaukee.k12.wi.us/en/District/Initiatives/Strategic-Plan.htm.
“The Meaning of Lines: Developing A Visual Grammar.” Vanseo Design, 29 Mar. 2010, vanseodesign.com/web-design/visual-grammar-lines/.
“The Secret Language of Symbols.” Symboldictionarynet The Secret Language of Symbols Comments, symboldictionary.net/?p=1914.
“Welcome / Overview.” Reagan IB High School / Overview, www.ronaldreaganhs.org/domain/57.