LIBRE GRAPHICS

GIMP & INKSCAPE

RESEARCH

RICHARD STALLMAN

Richard Stallman is a software developer. He launched the development of a free/libre operating system called GNU, also known as "Linux".

Four aspects of freedom when using a free software:
1. Freedom to run the program as you wish.
2. Freedom to study the source code of the program and then change and shape it so the program does what you wish.
3. Freedom to redistribute the exact copies of the software when you wish.Passing to one and another.
4. Freedom to distribute copies or modified versions when you wish.

OPEN SOURCE PUBLISHING

A platform where a group of individuals of different design practices work together on collaborative projects. This allows users to use and manipulate their work freely.

The use of free software stores all the files for a project. Open source uses tools such as screenshot tool which has available links to clone and download snapshot.

It is open and accessible to the client and outside public. A way to generate ideas and content. It is a source of interaction and communication almost like storytelling.

GIMP

A series of scaled images using Gimp, a free and open source image editor. I have scaled the image and focused on a part of the image to emphasise detail.

The sequence of images convey the sense of plant cells. I used a photocopy filter tool to do this. I explored through multiple colours which reinforced the idea of simple and lined patterns.

Using the scaled explorations, I then manipulated them further using the Paths tool, and selected parts of the image to colour in. This added more depth to the image.

I used the Hue and Saturation tool to experiment with colour.

I used the scaled images to explore colour theory. Looking at Johannes itten, a Swiss painter, colour theorist and a member of the Bauhaus. I developed Itten's seven colour contrasts for organising colours.

Itten’s developed a wheel consisting of twelve colors: the three primary colors, the three secondary, and the six tertiary colors.
He was one of the first to develop successful methods of creating striking color combinations.

His seven approaches were:

- Contrast of Hue
- Contrast of Light and Dark:
- Contrast of Cold and Warm
- Contrast of Saturation
- Simultaneous Contrast
- Contrast of Complements
- Extension Contrast

Contrast of Hue

Contrast of Hue

Contrast of Light and Dark

Contrast of Saturation

Extension Contrast

Contrast of Cold and Warm

Simultaneous Contrast

The video shows the relative size of everything in the universe in an 8-minute sequence using animation camera shots. This video reminded me of the set of images I created in Gimp which reflected the sense of scale .

INKSCAPE

Using Inkscape, a free and open source vector graphics editor, I created a pattern using the line tool to reflect the images I previously produced in Gimp. I designed a plant cell by creating repeated shapes and pattern.

I used the overlays filter to suggest growing cells which is further reinforced from the lime-green colour I applied.

I used this image to manipulate further in Gimp and used the same method of the photocopy filter to emphasise the lines and shapes within the scaled image. I added a hint of light to create dimension, making it look more realistic and scientific in the image.

Step 2

Step 1

Step 3

Step 4

Colour Theory using Gimp

RESEARCH: SCALING