Motion Imperative: Mental Illness

humpty-dumpty sat on a wall.

Sitting at my humble abode. . . decided it was time to hit up the blogspot. 

Hopeful wishes, random thoughts, no debbie downers here:

a. can we push homecoming to another weekend? 

b. wish I didn't carve a lovely segment out of my pointer this week... you never realize how frequently you use that authoritative phalange. 

c. can someone lend me their immune system please? 

d. I WILL wake up in the morning with magical motion powers. 

e. laugh at s t u p i d i t y & ignorance. 

I love love love the 'MyTimeToQuit.com" video. I want to find music like this for my "public service announcement." Any thoughts on where I can find this? Or create it? 

Wheatfields, yo.

website, check it.

sldkgjalejgalseg.

Haha, I completely forgot how to work this bad boy! How do we join Tad's blog? Assistance puhlease :) 

It's doneeeeeeee!

Round 1: After Effects

BARE WITH ME PEOPLE! :) 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RozYjuM38dY

Inspiration with a sexy accent.

TED website, I feel, is laid out better than Good.is. I think it is easier to navigate through and understand the concept as a whole. Though it doesn't have as many interesting inputs, the structure makes more sense to me.

"Yes, design can make you happy!"
"I know it's incredibly boring to hear about other people's 'happinesses'." -Stefan

What is your inspiration? I never really sat and thought about utilizing things that make me happy as inspiration within my projects. Examining a simple experience with an abstract and open mind can open up creative elements that never crossed your mind. I dig Stefan, he knows what he's talking about & I really want to try the empty conversation bubbles and see what people write in them.

Comedy keeps me intrigued.

"Can I do more of the things, I like, in design & do less of the ones that I don't like to be doing. . . "
This is so true. I find myself striving to do certain project and ideas and it's hard to break out of that norm. This is something I'm working on. I'm also big on changing up the scenery. This After Effects project might be tough because I have to work in the lab and this will be a great task for the A.D.D. student.

"Everything I do always comes back to me."

P a u l a S c h e r bugs me. I can't pin-point why, but I couldn't watch the whole video. . . sorry!

How Good is Good?

"Strong Design for bad causes or products can hurt us even more." 

This article really focuses on the designers utilization of their values and happiness in designing. If it is going to harm someone, is there a point? Also, all the different aspects that design brings upon itself: to remember, to unify, to simplify, to evoke safety, to evoke happiness, to inform, to raise money, etc. All in all, having a great design paired up with a great cause creates the most successful pieces. 

Flash Website

www.people.ku.edu/~addz18/index.html

Poster/definitions

Oh, James Brown. This poster holds great emotion. Automatically I am drawn into his beautiful white teeth and the the way the typography is manipulated to illustrate the curves in his face.
This poster caught my eye. The utilization of typography and image interacting really work well. This iconic symbol (James Brown) has a denotation of his lovable and interesting facial expressions. This poster could reveal a connotation that James is a man of many words or that his personality is full of many many things. The poster is exaggerated with the colors and extreme facial expression. It is altered as it doesn't depict his actual picture, but a rendering combining both text and graphics (could be considered a simile). James Brown represents soul power, strength, comedy, music. Metonymy, using the name of one thing to stand for another, is presented as all the type describes him and his career while creating a visually appealing layout.

Good. Great. Awesome.

Exploring Good.is. . . 

F i r s t I m p r e s s i o n: 

At first glimpse I notice the clean cut lines and organization this website utilizes. Very sophisticated. The establishment of hierarchy is easily identified and the lines are simple with great readability. It has a personal feel as it greets you with "hello!" I like simple but if I didn't know exactly what "good.is" was, I would be a bit perplexed on where to start or what the concept was. After identifying the concept, I find the incorporation of many medias and ideas into one to be quite a task to take on. I think they have successfully created common ground for all the differences. 

Another flaw that I find annoying is advertisements on a website. I hate when they're cluttered with ads that take away from the beautiful designs of a page. I know it is necessary but it's quite frustrating.  

C o n s i s t a n c y is key! 

V i d e o s:

After watching some videos I realized that timing is everything. Some videos utilize the negative space (when nothing is being said) to highlight specific things, while others utilize the speaking by emphasizing the type and layout. I watched many series of  the Good News video with sexy Roger Numbers and really liked the loading icon! It adds a different touch to the video. It's interesting the the way that it incorporates both live actors and animated characters with the whole anchorman plot. The usage of black and white to colors also gives it a comical interaction mimicking the idea behind the whole scenario. This video, unlike others, don't rely mainly on the words you hear. They use more images and scenes that overlay the voices.  

The "Hidden Cost of War" video is very intriguing. The way the typography is brought to the screen makes me really excited to do our project. I would of never thought of many of their transitions. And at first it made sense to me to have the text appear on the screen as the actual words were being said but now, after watching this video five times, I realize that it kept me on my toes as the typography appeared at different times. I love it. The music helps as well. The graphics and typography work so well and really utilize the fore and background. Can they do my project for me? :) Please! THESE VIDEOS MADE ME EXCITED FOR THIS PROJECT! 

G r a p h i c s/M a g a z i n e: 

The graphics AREN'T overwhelming! I like it a lot b/c I have realized that many websites or blogs have "icon throw-up" The placement of everything seems to be very thought-out. In many videos they do a fabulous job of using both typography and graphics to represent what is being heard. This is smart because it kept me more interested in what was being said because it forced me to create the iconic connection. 

The magazine layout is also very simple and consistent. Allowing the viewer to comment is something that I feel makes or breaks a website. I usually find the comments on an article more important than the article because people identify ideas that I would of never created.  

Trial 1: Posters

Final covers

Concept Statement: Secrets can be both exciting and extremly exhausting. Holding something so dear, in the dark, can stimulate a craving to know more of the unknown. The unknown was all I wanted. He was all I wanted; it was plain and simple. But was it ovbious? How love gave someone the power to break you in the simplest ways. 

To Suggest: 

A sense of curiosity/wonder to the unknown

A sense of growth in time 

A sense of youthful romance 

A sense of juxtopistion by utilizing simplicity 

A sense of timelessness

A sense of progression 

JFK is sexy.

Ask Not What Your Country Can Do For You/Inaugural address

John F. Kennedy is speaking. . . in his sexy voice. ((His speech)) 

This speech is incredibly important and ranked the second most famous speech in all of history. It was given after he was sworn into office It's a motivational, persuasive, & inspirational speech encouraging American's to get actively involved with their country. It is noted for it's powerful verbal communication with it's excellent use of words. Mr. Kennedy's native tongue provides more appeal to the historic occasions he speaks of. It captured the entire nations attention & is still referred to today. This speech also gave him the positive recognition he was lacking, due to being the youngest president elected and first Roman Catholic in office yet. 

I feel it is important because I think it would be hard to get a big group of people excited to become involved in such a broad category. He took about 13 minutes to deliver this speech, making it the 4th shortest inaugural speeches ever delivered. This exemplifies my point that he used his words very wisely and is viewed as the best inaugural address ever given. 

"Let the word go forth.....that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans."

The emotions felt in the speech are extremely patriotic and positive. His utilization of words and fluctuations in tone make it easy to remain interested. He is very dominant and confident throughout the speech. Though he doesn't change volume very much, he uses tone changes to create emphasis. Whenever America is said, it is exaggerated. You can tell he gets excited when his main point comes across. The part I have chosen to analyze and illustrate is in the last minute of the speech. Within this minute, more emotion is felt than everywhere else. The important aspects to this area should be louder and more dominant than others. 

This gives a speech great effect and makes me actually want to help our nation. You can tell that the audience is very enthusiastic throughout the speech. Their attentiveness says a lot and the amount of cheers after each part shows their true appreciation. I'm not sure if there could be another interpretation. This speech is very well written and executed that I'm sure any American listening to it would be grateful for their president and his desires to run and aid the country. 

Emphasized words from exert I am choosing to illustrate: In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility -- I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it. And the glow from that fire can truly light the world.

And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.

JFK was the 35th president. He graduated from Harvard & joined the navy; serving in World War 2. He worked as a reporter (winning a Pulitzer Prize, the only president to do so at this time) which lead him to politics. He served as Massachusetts 11th congressional district from 1947 to 1953 as a Democrat. He then served on the U.S. Senate until 1960.  He then defeated Vice President Nixon in the presidential election. As he got more involved with politics, his interest in presidency grew. He served from 1961 'til he was assassinated in 1963. 

Animated Typography.

a n i m a t i o n: Typography, usually viewed as a static medium, can be animated to create an artistic expression and convey emotion and mood.  It utilizes typography's similarities and differences to illustrate the content being said.  

((This is incredibly fascinating to me. I tried doing this approach with my flash video last semester! Little did I know, we would be doing a project about it! Skiiiidileedooo!))

The videos without music use movement of the text and changes with sizes and speed to create a visually appealing and very interesting video. The impact is further heightened when the sound is added. The similarity between many of the videos is the emphasis on certain words and the use of scale. The actions of the typography is very interesting as one part turns into another. 

I analyzed a couple different types of videos. The song ones caught my attention more because the words appeared to the beat. . . this kept my interest. . . I'm easily entertained. But as I started to watch more of the speech typographic solutions, I became more intrigued. As the ones follows the songs, I knew when the type was going to appear, but the speeches were different. The words didn't appear, fall, or change in size to a specific beat. Some videos are  simple and rely on layout of sentences to keep appeal, while others are all over the place. I prefer all over the place. . . it's more my style.  The feelings change as the colors, pace, tone of voice, and fonts all differ. I am attracted to all the different types. . .I can't choose what I "don't" like. Ha. 

The transitions, that I find most successful, utilize the shapes within the letters either by zooming in or way out to create new space for the next word. The turning and skewing of words to fit the content is very appealing. I find keeping a solid and simple background helps the viewer to focus on the text and not be too perplexed by changing backgrounds. 

The "Catch Me If You Can" opening sequence is awesome! The colors used aren't too over dramatic and allows the text and simple graphics to tell the story. The use of overlapping and scale with the animations, while the texts remains the same size is a nice juxtaposition. The way simple shapes are utilized to create different objects (the rectangles turning into an elevator) just adds to the in-depth storytelling process and really kept me interested. The graphics are fabulous! So simple yet so intriguing. I really like how both a vertical and horizontal feel throughout the whole thing, keeps it flowing nicely and one situation quickly turns into another. The music also creates interesting theatrical appeal. 

Of course I love the "Superbad" sequence. It automatically sets the mood for the movie. The simple outlined figures creates a cartoonist approach that works well with the disco song. By keeping the text simple, it allows focus on the figures and their funky dance moves. 

The "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" sequence does a PRIME JOB of telling a story and setting the mood. A sense of urgency and wonder are tempered with as the graphics and text interlace to create dramatized situations. The colors fit the role and the simple approach to the shapes is nicely counter-pointed with the intensity of the scene. 

I love Dane Cook. He's mine, back off. 

Dane Cook Typography. . .FUNNY! 

Drift. 

I have chosen to drift. Drift like a log of wood. Drift down the river and allow nothing to consume me. Consume? I am a bit hungry. Why am I always thinking about food. I must not think of just food. . . .though I could go for a hot pocket. My glasses are extremely dirty but I guess I just get so use to looking through the gunk that it only becomes an issue when someone else brings this to my attention. I'm bored as hell. . . Facebook is getting very old. Though I do love love love looking at girls albums that they create of just themselves. (No, I am not creepy. . well kind of , but that's what Fbook does to ya) Self-indulging people make me laugh. It's great, I love to laugh. Andrea makes me laugh. I don't laugh with, I laugh at. She can handle it. I think I'll drift to sonic. . .then when mom sees all the sonic charges on my card I'll be able to simply tell her that it was for class. I am drifting, duh. Someone is making popcorn, yuck. I never realized how easy it is to drift. I should probably not let myself do this often. It's easy. Are you easy? 

eh? 

Bruce almighty: A canadian designer, born in 1959, is now the creative director of Bruce Mau Design and founder of Institute without boundaries. He studied at Ontario college of Art & Design. He has worked at Rice University, Fifty finger Design, University of Toronto, and others. He is an honorary fellow of the Ontario college of Art & Design & Royal Canadian Academy of Art. He's great, 

His design company uses the power and promise of design to create an ethical sustainable future for our studio, our employees, our clients, our community and the world in which we live; for us, it is not about the world of design, but the design of the world."  I find this quote very interesting. The wording choice seems to illustrate a true passion for his career. He seems great :) 

yo andrea-

 Kidd is a very known American graphic designer, author, editor & best known for his amazing book covers. He was born September 12th, 1964 in PA, and grew up with strong American influence. He chose his career path as he succeeded in his design classes at Penn State. He currently stands as an art director at Knopf and has been since 1986. His covers have been explained to be, "creepy, striking, sly, smart, unpredictable covers that make readers appreciate books as objects of art as well as literature."

"Chip Kidd is the closest thing to a rock star in graphic design today!"    -USA Today

Mr. Kidd is very important to us because he can teach us a lot. He produces over 75 book covers a year and does so with such creativity and exquisite results. Being known as "the world's greatest book cover designers" stands for something! We can study his covers and analyze why they work. This will aid our process. Though he is extremely important in the designing business, he also dabbles with music, and is fascinated with comics. 

Check it out! 

John Gall- Born in 1963 in New Jersey. He graduated from Rutgers University and brought a new and inventive style as he became the Vice President and Art Director for Vintage & Anchor books. 

He know serves as another art director and Knopf and designs book covers! 

"Gall’s stylish sensibility, simple but elegant use of typography and quietly rebellious spirit infuse these literary works with an added dimension. Subtle and compelling, his covers play with the perceptions of the viewer in unexpected ways, and to satisfying effect."

"Maintaining distinction was a matter of form for independent book publishers, expressed both through editorial choices and graphics. With formerly independent publishers reduced to imprints within much larger corporate entities, uniqueness is all the more difficult to achieve." 

To Mr. Gall a great book cover is: "A really great cover is going to convey the essence of the book in a unique and surprising way that maybe pushes the design envelope a bit. It might even add to and enhance the editorial content of the book. A cover that is seen and respected by other designers is a good thing too, I guess, but the mission is really to allow the book to make a great first impression."

Cool video about John! 

(( Gives tips about designing book-cover!)) 

To me, a book cover is something that automatically intrigue you. It makes you WANT to pick it up and investigate. I am one to get distracted quite easily so, I need something that will captivate me. It also should conjure an emotion, while evoking  a thought process. It should utilize typography and images in a specific manor and create a feel for the book. I tend to be attracted to books that make me go "wait, what?" They use the type either very simply and the book remains simple, or the type and images make me think.  I'm all about humor as well! 

EXAMPLES: 

What grabbed my attention in many of these was the imagery. The use of common actors, automatic relations with comedy is presented. Also the use of an eye is a connotation with beauty and that was made before the text was read.  The big bold type used and the choice of color is very attractive. Also, at first glance you notice one thing but as you investigate further and further you realize other meanings. That is very important to me. Gives more depth to the cover. The use of photographs really hits home as well as the drawings because it makes it seem more present. 

Addie Miller

Typography 2: A. Wertzberger

January 2009

 

Series: -a group or number of related things

            -a set of successful volumes

            -a sequence of terms

            -number of events in a succession

Sequence: -the following of one thing after another

            -order of succession

            -a continuous or connected series

Sign: -stimulus pattern that has meaning

            -a conventional or arbitrary mark or symbol used as abbreviation

            -a motion or gesture used to express

            -something that suggests something else

            -representational

            (The following are all examples of signs)

             Icon: -simplest since in its pattern

                        -physically resembles what it stands for

                        Example: Picture of your face is an icon of you

            Index: -direct link between sign and object, visibly, audibly, smellable

                        -something used to point out, in correlation with

                        -something that directs attention

                        -it serve, to indicate

                        -evoke emotion

            Example: beep from oven is index that the cookies are done, dark clouds                              in the west are index of impending rain

            Symbol: “Words are symbols” –sound patterns with meaning

                        -word with meaning that associates counterparts

                        -no logical meaning

            Example: any spoken word is in representation to it’s physical form

                        -a 'signifier'- the form which the sign takes; and

                        -the 'signified' - the concept it represents.

 

“Publishers should think artistically when packaging novels.”

 

Successful book-jacket?

            -engage and excite a reader before reading a single word

            -catch human’s eye and convey idea/emotion behind the book

Personal attraction to a book cover: -Simple, easy to read but also makes me curious, later reveals meaning in the book, comical, interesting choice of color

 

Tips for book-jackets:

            -know your market

            -research covers in relation to your book topic

            -choose colors that will set the mood

            -level of legibility

            -title scaling, fonts, correlation

            -reversing type, white space

            -images and relation to one another and to fonts, opacity

            -placement

            -protective coating

 My book-covers: 

(Subject to change due to final product! J)

I have chosen to re-cover three books from the Twilight series ( the first three)

By Stephenie Meyer –Vampire-Romance novels

(No subtitles)

 

About Stephenie Meyer

Stephenie Meyer graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor's degree in English. She lives with her husband and three young sons in Phoenix, Arizona. After the publication of her first novel, Twilight, booksellers chose Stephenie Meyer as one of the "most promising new authors of 2005" (Publishers Weekly).

(Stephenie Meyer was born in Hartford, Connecticut, to Stephen and Candy Morgan. She grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, with five siblings: Seth, Emily, Jacob, Paul, and Heidi. She attended Chaparral High School in Scottsdale, Arizona, and Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, where she received a B.A. in English in 1995.[6] Meyer, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, met her husband Christian, nicknamed "Pancho", when she was growing up in Arizona, and married him in 1994. Together they have three sons: Gabe, Seth, and Eli.)

 Twilight series: About relationship between mortal Bella Swan and vampire Edward Cullen

“Meyer says that the idea for Twilight came to her in a dream on June 2, 2003. The dream was about a human girl, and a vampire who was in love with her but thirsted for her blood. Based on this dream, Meyer wrote the transcript of what is now Chapter 13 of the book.[7] Despite having very little writing experience, in a matter of three months she had transformed that vivid dream into a completed novel.[8] After writing and editing the novel, she signed a three-book deal with Little, Brown and Company for $750,000. The book was released in 2005.”

 

Book #1: Twilight (will re-write own version)

            Isabella "Bella" Swan moves from sunny Phoenix, Arizona, to rainy Forks, Washington, to live with her father, Charlie. She chooses to do this so that her mother, Renée, can travel with her new husband, Phil Dwyer, who is a minor league baseball player. Bella attracts much attention at her new school and is quickly befriended by several students. Much to her dismay, several boys in the school compete for shy Bella's attention.
                  When Bella sits next to Edward Cullen in class on her first day of school, Edward seems utterly repulsed by her. However, over the next few days Edward warms up to her, and their newfound relationship reaches a climax when Bella is almost run over by a fellow classmate's van in the school parking lot. Seemingly defying the laws of reality, Edward saves her life by stopping the van with his bare hands.
                  Bella then becomes hellbent on figuring out how Edward saved her life, and pesters him with questions constantly. After tricking a family friend, Jacob Black, into telling her local tribal legends, Bella concludes that Edward and his family are vampires who drink the blood of animals instead of humans. Edward reveals that he initially avoided Bella because the scent of her blood was so desirable to him. Over time, Edward and Bella fall in love.
                  Their relationship is thrown into chaos when another vampire coven sweeps into Forks and James, a tracker vampire, decides that he wants to hunt Bella for sport. The Cullens plan to distract the tracker by splitting up Bella and Edward, and Bella is sent to hide in a hotel in Phoenix. Bella then gets a phone call from James in which he says that he has her mother, and that Bella must give herself up to save her. She does so and James attacks her, but Edward, along with the rest of the Cullen family, rescues Bella before James can kill her. Once they realize that James has bitten Bella's hand, Edward sucks the venom out of her system before it can spread and change her into a vampire. Upon returning to Forks, Bella and Edward attend their prom and Bella expresses her desire to become a vampire, which Edward refuses to let happen.

 

The cover from the book is from: “Stephenie Meyer has stated that the apple on the cover represents the forbidden fruit from the book of Genesis. It symbolizes Bella and Edward's love, which is forbidden, similar to the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, as is implied by the quote from Genesis 2:17 that is quoted at the beginning of the book. It also represents Bella's knowledge of what good and evil are, and the choice that she has in partaking of the "forbidden fruit", Edward, or choosing not to see him.

 Book #2: New Moon

“For Bella Swan, there is one thing more important than life itself: Edward Cullen. But being in love with a vampire is even more dangerous than Bella could ever have imagined. Edward has already rescued Bella from the clutches of one evil vampire, but now, as their daring relationship threatens all that is near and dear to them, they realize their troubles may be just beginning...” http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/newmoon.html

 Book #3: Eclipse

“As Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge, Bella once again finds herself surrounded by danger. In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between her love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob—knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the ageless struggle between vampire and werewolf. With her graduation quickly approaching, Bella has one more decision to make: life or death. But which is which?” http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/eclipse.html

Associated Word List: (and definitions)

Mysterious: difficult or impossible to understand, explain or identify; having an atmosphere of strangeness or secrecy: deliberately enigmatic

Scary

Creepy

Animals

No eating/drinking

Open windows

Dark: with little or no light, hidden from knowledge, unenlightening, closed, not in use, not reflecting much light,  brown or black in color, richness or depth, characterized by unhappiness or tragedy, gloomily pessimistic, evil characteristics

Cloudy

Pale/skin: light in color, having less color than normal, typically a result of shock, fear or ill heath

Perfect faces

Touch

Rainy: moisture in the air, misty, atmosphere, fall/descend, overwhelming sizes

Ominous: giving impression that something bad is going to happen, threatening, unpleasant, forbidding, portentous

Nerve racking

Blood curdling

Misty

Humorous/Sarcasm

Good vs. Evil

Immortality: Endless life or existence, enduring fame, vampires

Mortality

Interesting

Protection

Questionable

Absorbing

Compelling: enthralling, captivating, evoking interest, attention, admiration in a powerfully interesting way, not able to be refuted, overwhelming

Compulsive

Stimulating: turns me on, raises level of activity (physically/mentally), encourage interest or activity in

Perplexing

Strange

Cold

Heart-filled

Vampires

Flying

Secure

Speed

Strength

Love

Lust

Sneaky

Secrets: not known or seen or meant to be known or seen by others, fond of or good at keeping things to oneself, giving security classification

Lies

Questions/Curiosity

Legends

Tribes/Indians

Hunger: a feeling of discomfort or weakness caused by lack of food, coupled with desire to eat, a strong desire or craving

Desire

Simplicity

Choices

Safety

Mirrors

Marriage

Death

Life

Blood

Scents: distinctive smell, a trail, evidence, very important and prominent in these books

Wind

 

 

Tone: Thus far I have read the first of these series but, plan to read at least the next one. The mood of this book is very melancholy and mysterious. It is fiction and somewhat frightening due to the involvement of vampires and sucking of blood.

 

-romantic

-HUNGER

-ominous

-intriguing

-captivating

-unfamiliar ground

 

To Suggest List:

            -a sense of curiosity

            -a sense of the unknown

            -a sense of being scared

            -a sense of love/lust

            -a sense of juvenile

            -a sense of time/forever

            -a sense of darkness,

            -a sense of the unknown
             -a sense of questing objects,

            -a sense of maturity while still being young

            -a sense of sexual drive/ sexy

 

Quotes/ excerpts/ other stuff

“Hot List”-sexual drive in the movie

“Propelled by suspence and romance in equal parts, will keep readers madly flipping the pages of Meyer’s tantalizing debut.”

“secret love & hushed affection” 

“Twilight will have readers dying to sink their teeth into it!”

“Teens will relish this new adventure and hunger for more!”

“piles on the suspense”

“leaves fans breathless”

 

“Vampires to me have always been very sexy!”

“Whether we fall by ambition, blood, or lust, like diamonds we are cut with our own dust.” – John Webster

“Lust’s passion will be served, it demands, it militates, it tantalizes.”

–      Marquis De Sade

 

“Sound perverse? It is. But it's also sexy, and we as readers get to enjoy Edward's excruciating attempts to control his animal side, just to be able to stand near Bella, while the latter stubbornly resists any natural fear or sense of self-preservation, because, well, he's perfect. (And not perfect in a sappy way either - Edward Cullen may be willing to die for love, but he's also a bit of a show-off, patronizing, impatient and easily frustrated.) He starts popping up everywhere, with his inhuman speed, fascinated by Bella but unable to touch her until he is absolutely positive he can control himself.”  (http://laist.com/2008/08/11/book_review_twilight.php)

“A pair of lovers who are supremely star-crossed.”

 

Quotes from the books:

#1

"Softly he brushed my cheek, then held my face between his marble hands. 'Be very still,' he whispered, as if I wasn't already frozen. Slowly, never moving his eyes from mine, he leaned toward me. Then abruptly, but very gently, he rested his cold cheek against the hollow at the base of my throat."

 

"I'd never given much thought to how I would die--though I'd had reason enough in the last few months--but even if I had, I would not have imagined it like this."

#2

"Time passes. Even when it seems impossible. Even when each tick of the second hand aches like the pulse of blood behind a bruise. It passes unevenly, in strange lurches and dragging lulls, but pass it does. Even for me."

 

"Even more, I had never meant to love him. One thing I truly knew - knew it in the pit of my stomach, in the center of my bones, knew it from the crown of my head to the soles of my feet, knew it deep in my empty chest - was how love gave someone the power to break you.

I'd been broken beyond repair."”

#3

--"There’s something strange about the way you two are together. The way he watches you it’s so protective. Like he’s about to throw himself in front of a bullet to save you or something." -Renee

 

--"Besides…the more time I spend with you, the more human emotions seem comprehensible to me. I’m discovering that I can sympathize with Heathcliff in ways I didn’t think possible before." -Edward

 

--"The right thing isn't always real obvious. Sometimes the right thing for one person is the wrong thing for someone else. So...good luck figuring that out." –Charlie

 

--"But if you ever bring her back damaged again - and I don't care whose fault it is; I don't care if she merly trips, or if a meteor falls out of the sky and hits her in the head - if you return her to me in less that perfect condition that I left her in, you will be running with three legs. Do you understand that mongrel?" Edward