The Patriot Guard Riders
Posted on: February 8, 2013
Based in South Dakota, the Patriot Guard Riders is a nonprofit, volunteer group dedicated to showing support for the families and communities of fallen soldiers. Although most of its members ride motorcycles, the Patriot Guard Riders have only one requirement to join: respect for the men and women who have risked their lives defending America’s freedom and security. The main way in which the organization shows this respect is by attending military funeral services. With the motto “Standing for those who stood for us,” the group’s mission is twofold: to honor the heroes and their grieving loved ones and to shield them from any interruptions that may be caused by protesters. This protection is accomplished through nonviolent means, which include forming flag lines to create a buffer zone and providing escort assistance to the cemetery.
About the Author:
A volunteer for the Patriot Guard Riders, Rochelle Brancato is the owner of Brancato Domani Industries, LLC, a graphic design company in the Black Hills area of South Dakota.
Perhaps first discovered by a prehistoric artist with a cave wall for a canvas, there are basic, irrefutable elements to graphic design. These are design’s basic building blocks, and include value, size, space, and texture, in addition to the following three discussed here.
A line is a mark that connects two points. It is not necessarily straight, solid, or thin; it can be a curve, a wave, a gradation from thick to thin, or interrupted, as in a dotted or dashed line.
Shape is any drawing that has width and height. There are many types of shapes, including natural, abstract, and geometric. Graphic designers use shapes to grab or maintain attention on a text-heavy page or as a way to direct visual flow.
Color, when it is used, is very powerful. All the preceding elements can be used in variations of gray that range from black to white, but it is color that can best draw attention, create organization, attract the eye, and instill an immediate emotion.
Rochelle Brancato is the owner of Brancato Domani Industries, LLC, a creative design studio that serves the South Dakota Black Hills area and beyond.
As a free event, the annual South Dakota Festival of Books welcomes thousands of visitors who are interested in engaging their passion for books. For three days in Sioux Falls, individuals can participate in book signings, watch presentations, and attend panel discussions. More than 50 authors representing the genres of fiction, non-fiction, children’s literature, history/tribal, and writer’s support come to the celebration and answer questions from readers. Previous guests have included Neal Conan, Pete Dexter, Susan Power, and Annie Proulx.
To learn more about this decade-old event, log onto http://www.sdbookfestival.com. The website contains important information about the upcoming South Dakota Festival of Books, such as lists of speakers and sponsors. Moreover, individuals can register for a Free Full Weekend Pass, discover local hotels, and apply to volunteer.
About the Author:
As owner of Brancato Domani Industries, LLC, Rochelle Brancato designs book covers and other products for clients in the South Dakota Black Hills region. Active in the literary field, Brancato supports the South Dakota Festival of Books.
As a graphic designer, I provide creative services for book cover designs in a wide variety of genres, including coffee table books, literary works, how-to-books, and vanity books. I enjoy using my professional talents in the creative process of book publishing.
Among my favorite activities in my home state is attending the South Dakota Festival of Books, an annual autumn event. The next festival will mark its ten-year anniversary, and will feature author presentations and signings, panel discussions, and exhibits. This year’s festival takes place the weekend of September 28 –30, 2012 and will feature science writer Sam Kean, who will discuss and sign his much-anticipated book The Violinist’s Thumb. Past presenters include Louise Erdrich, Annie Prouix, Sonia Monzano, Dave Eggers, and Ian Frazier. Due to wide sponsorship by individuals, foundations, and businesses, the festival is free. If you plan to attend, please register ahead of time at www.sdbookfestival.com/index.htm. About the Author: A native of South Dakota, Rochelle Brancato studied at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts. She owns and serves as Lead Designer for Brancato Domani Industries, LLC.Whether viewed in print or electronic form, compelling book covers present readers with a positive initial impression. Before beginning a cover design, it is essential to possess a good grasp of the book’s content and to identify the target reader. Below, find a few practical suggestions for crafting effective book covers.
1. Design a variety of covers for each project. Consider trying as many variations of images and text as necessary until you have achieved a design that precisely expresses your vision.
2. Instead of setting text over a bland background, select a dominant cover image to draw the reader’s eye. However, it is important to avoid using cover image clichés like pictures of clocks or chess pieces.
3. Refrain from using common typefaces, such as Arial or Times New Roman, on your cover. Instead, chose from the multitude of original fonts available on the market.
With more than ten years of experience, Rapid City, South Dakota-based graphic designer Rochelle Brancato creates book design projects on a wide range of topics, including Americana, the military, and transportation.
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