One thing I have gained from throughout this module is how confident I now feel with who I am as a designer and how I have realised my aspirations. My rationale at the beginning of this module was;
'Simple and effective delivery focussing on type and layout within identity, text and publication.'
Once getting into the briefs, I found that I was constantly looking for ways to include exhibition design into my work. I realised that this was something that was very important to me and therefore thought it was relevant to include in my rationale. My rationale was then changed to;
'Simple and effective delivery focussing on type and layout within identity, publication and exhibition.'
I would definitely say that identity design is my specialism, as well as further applying the visuals to a range of promotional material, something that I definitely want to continue to do.
Working collaboratively for the Photography Yearbook with Emma, Chloe and Carl was extremely beneficial to me in many respects. I've gained general design skills such as layout and grids and paying great attention to detail with little things I used to overlook. Then more personal skills such as how to approach a project and even small things like keyboard shortcuts.
Being able to experience first hand that dialogue you have with the printers was great, it definitely no longer feels daunting anymore. Just gaining an idea about print costs and how to locate stock has been great. I now feel confident that I know the 'language' and how to talk to them which is what I used to worry about.
What is frustrating in the photography yearbook, however, is that the presentation boards and product don't reflect the amount of time we put into the brief. It's the project with the least boards, but the one I spent the most time on.
The End of Year Show proposal ended up turning in to a substantial brief. I initially set out to have this as a short brief and use it to play with audience interaction as stated in my rationale. I really began to enjoy experimenting, and ended up with what I felt was a very strong concept, though it could of had a stronger design direction. I've now got something in my portfolio that isn't so 'safe', which is something that has been suggested in portfolio surgeries.
As the End of Year Show proposal became such a substantial brief, I feel that this is the reason that I didn't get to fully exploit the Type Design brief. I initially proposed to produce 3 typefaces, each with a range of promotional material, however I was only able to complete 1. I must admit, I really didn't enjoy designing the typeface as much as I thought I would and was almost making excuses to not complete the brief. This brief was also meant to be a research lead brief, and although I did the research, it really just became about what I wanted to produce. This is definitely a brief that didn't go too well.
On a more positive note, the Art ward brief is something that was really successful. It came together a little bit better after it was submitted to D&AD, but I'm generally really happy with how this brief went. The same goes to the Pica Cafe brief. I found that I generally just didn't know when to stop as I was enjoying expanding the range that much, and probably ended up spending a little more time on them than I should of.
My general time management wasn't great, especially at the beginning of the module. The late Easter definitely hit me hard, and it did take me a while to get back into that routine. I can't help but feel that I've let myself down in this module in terms of quantity of work, I'm not sure whether this is because there are a few briefs I didin't get to fully explore as much as I would of liked to due to lack of time.
Blogging has been good, once again pretty much kept on top of with my design practice, however I let my design context blogging slip a little. It's not that I wasn't looking, I was just saving the images and thinking that I'll blog about it later, which really was a mistake as I never got round to blogging the majority of it. This is the first time I've done this, I really shouldn't of let it slip.
Overall, a really great module and a good end to the year. I've got a few briefs that I'm really proud of, and gained a much better portfolio which completely reflects me as a designer. I actually feel professional and more than prepared to face the industry.
Final FMP Boards
Pica Cafe
Brief
Based on the ISTD 'Mutton Quad' brief.
Create the brand identity for a typographical themed café.
Rationale
A chance to develop a strong concept thats executed effectively.
The Art Ward
Brief
Create the name and brand for a touring art gallery based in hospitals that will showcase a range of work from fine art to installations.
Rationale
An opportunity to do more signage and exhibition design.
End of Year Show
Brief
Create a concept and design direction for this years graduate show at the Leeds College of Art.
Rationale
Experimentation with audience interaction.
Photography Yearbook
Brief
Design and produce the BA(Hons) Photography yearbook that will run alongside their end of year exhibition.
Rationale
Collaborative experience.
Type Design
Brief
Create a typeface influenced by type trends from over the past year.
Rationale
Explore and learn more about typography.
Flatland
Brief
Produce a proposal for a new edition of Flatland that doesn't necessarily engage with the conventions of a 'book'.
Rationale
Audience interactivity through typography and layout.
Tracy Identity
Brief
Create a logo and apply to a range of stationary for nail and beauty artist, Tracy Buckberry
Brief
Based on the ISTD 'Mutton Quad' brief.
Create the brand identity for a typographical themed café.
Rationale
A chance to develop a strong concept thats executed effectively.
The Art Ward
Brief
Create the name and brand for a touring art gallery based in hospitals that will showcase a range of work from fine art to installations.
Rationale
An opportunity to do more signage and exhibition design.
End of Year Show
Brief
Create a concept and design direction for this years graduate show at the Leeds College of Art.
Rationale
Experimentation with audience interaction.
Photography Yearbook
Brief
Design and produce the BA(Hons) Photography yearbook that will run alongside their end of year exhibition.
Rationale
Collaborative experience.
Type Design
Brief
Create a typeface influenced by type trends from over the past year.
Rationale
Explore and learn more about typography.
Flatland
Brief
Produce a proposal for a new edition of Flatland that doesn't necessarily engage with the conventions of a 'book'.
Rationale
Audience interactivity through typography and layout.
Tracy Identity
Brief
Create a logo and apply to a range of stationary for nail and beauty artist, Tracy Buckberry
Typeface - MyFonts mock up
I do intend to complete the typeface in font lab and upload to a site where it can be downloaded, probably for free though. For now, however, I thought I would mock it up to see how it would look next to the other typefaces.
All rewritten briefs.
Brief summary
A really great brief, one that I got really excited about and I feel fully exploited. It actually got the the point where I couldn't think of any other way to expand it.
Really happy with the branding and the range of deliverables, a good mix of print / exhibition / web. I'm also happy with the concept, I feel I've successfully created something that appeals to the general public rather than just graphic designers.
Brief summary
This brief definitely didn't go to plan. I started this brief quite early on and left it to complete a live competition brief, but when I came back to it, I had lost all enthusiasm. I just couldn't get back into it, and it meant that everything was taking longer than it should be.
This was meant to be a substantial brief, but as the End of Year Show proposal became a substantial brief, I decided to cut this brief short. I initially proposed to complete 3 full typefaces, each with promotional material, but just ended up completing one. I am happy with the typeface, but I must admit, I really didn't enjoy designing it and realised that this isn't something I want to spend my time doing.
Brief Summary
BAGD yearbook pitch went ok. Our knowledge of print costs were minimal and this definitely showed through in the proposal.
We struggled to nail a good concept that we were all happy with, and this definitely hindered our progress. We were designing it without a concept, meaning the decisions we were making weren't done with good reasoning behind them. Looking back at the proposal now, though there are elements that are working, it generally doesn't sit together well.
In terms of how we worked as a group, there was definitely some tension. This should of been resolved as soon as, as this carried on into the Photography yearbook brief.
Brief Summary
Live D&AD brief went well and seemed to come up with solutions I was happy with quite fast. I was quite rushed towards the end though, and what was submitted to D&AD could of been much stronger.
I did pick it back up after however, and developed it into something which I feel is really strong.
Brief Summary
This was always going to be a short experimental brief which allowed me to play with typography and layout in a way I'd never done before.
It actually turned out much better than I expected and am really happy with the results. It did feel a little strange doing the packaging for the books, but I enjoyed it, and though it was a short brief, I managed to apply to a range of materials which I always enjoy.
Brief Summary
End of Year Show brief was quite a surprise to me. This, again, was another proposed short brief for me to experiment with concepts and audience interaction.
Really happy with how this turned out. Though the design direction could of been much stronger, the concept was there.
Brief Summary
Leading on from the BAGD yearbook pitch, we went on the do the Photography yearbook. Though we had some collaborative issues where there were deadlines missed and a general lack of communication, I am really pleased with the outcome and have something that I am proud to put in my portfolio.
I took a lot from this brief - mainly in terms of experience with the printers and a general idea of print costs, which is definitely very beneficial.
I think we went about this brief the right way in terms of starting off with a high spec proposal with a print finishes. This meant that though we sacrificed a few elements, we still ended up with a really high quality book.
Brief Summary
This live brief came in quite late on in the module and was initially unsure if I would take it on or not. In the end I did, it turned out to be a nice break, and was in an area that I hadn't experienced before - nail and beauty - so was quite exciting.
Though a short brief, I'm really happy with the outcome. It's got a different feel about it to my other work and I think it's nice to have a range of work rather than just what I want to do.
Art Ward - printed boards.
Printed the boards for the Art Ward brief this afternoon, not overly happy with how they have printed.
The green has printed really dark, which is weird as I've printed it on numerous occasions and never had a problem with it. Maybe it's the stock? Or the printer?
Anyway, unless I can get in tomorrow, I'm probably not going to get chance to re-print, so it's slightly annoying.
Also, the exhibition render has pixellated. I checked this numerous times, and made sure a larger image was rendered at the time as I knew it would eventually be printed A2, so i'm not really sure whats happend. Maybe somethings gone wrong when I've edited it?
Will upload all boards on here, and also hand in a CD with them on anyway, so hopefully will still get the same effect.
They're not that bad really, it's just frustrating after spending all that time on it.
*add in image of boards
The green has printed really dark, which is weird as I've printed it on numerous occasions and never had a problem with it. Maybe it's the stock? Or the printer?
Anyway, unless I can get in tomorrow, I'm probably not going to get chance to re-print, so it's slightly annoying.
Also, the exhibition render has pixellated. I checked this numerous times, and made sure a larger image was rendered at the time as I knew it would eventually be printed A2, so i'm not really sure whats happend. Maybe somethings gone wrong when I've edited it?
Will upload all boards on here, and also hand in a CD with them on anyway, so hopefully will still get the same effect.
They're not that bad really, it's just frustrating after spending all that time on it.
*add in image of boards
Flatland - iTunes mock up
Didn't make sense to have an iBook and not advertise on iTunes, so have quickly mocked it up.
Carries through the identity and gets straight to the point.
Carries through the identity and gets straight to the point.
Flatland - Photoshoot
Actually quite happy with how this project has come together. Though it was only an experimental brief, i'm really happy with it.
Photos have come out quite well too, and have got quite a good representation of the blue which I was worried about.
Just need to drop them into my boards now.
Photos have come out quite well too, and have got quite a good representation of the blue which I was worried about.
Just need to drop them into my boards now.
Design context - the publication
Received my publication back from Lulu today, and I am pretty happy with it. It's turned out much better than I thought.
A few issues such as a pixellated image and a white border across the bottom of the book where it hasn't been cropped properly, but other than that I'm quite happy.
The format is comfortable to hold and fits well with the layout and the black on the cover has come out really well, I thought it might come out dark grey.
Please ignore the rubbish photos, will take some better ones soon.
A few issues such as a pixellated image and a white border across the bottom of the book where it hasn't been cropped properly, but other than that I'm quite happy.
The format is comfortable to hold and fits well with the layout and the black on the cover has come out really well, I thought it might come out dark grey.
Bibliography.
Websites
http://www.septemberindustry.co.uk/
http://www.pentagram.com/offices/
http://www.creativereview.co.uk/cr-blog
http://www.experimentaljetset.com/archive/helvetica-gary-hustwit.html
http://www.theconsult.com/work/
http://www.aisleone.net/
http://www.huntstudio.com.au/
http://www.behance.net/?content=projects&search=typography
http://ilovetypography.com/
http://heystudio.es
http://wearebuild.com
http://www.ilovedust.com
http://www.babeldesign.com
http://www.pentagram.com/work/#/all/all/newest/
http://www.uppercasegallery.ca/
http://afom.com.au/projects/all
>http://typophile.com/
http://typographica.org/
http://lovelystationery.com/
Books
Making and Breaking the Grid, Samara. T
Studio Culture: The secret life of the graphic design studio, Shaughnessy. A
Logo, Evamy. M
Desingers' Identities, Farrelly. F
Grid Systems in Graphic Design: A Handbook for Graphic Artists, Typographers, and Exhibition Designers, Muller-Brockmann. J
Los Logos: Compass, Klanten. R
Typomag, Meseguer. L
This obviously isn't everything, I've tried to be selective.
http://www.septemberindustry.co.uk/
http://www.pentagram.com/offices/
http://www.creativereview.co.uk/cr-blog
http://www.experimentaljetset.com/archive/helvetica-gary-hustwit.html
http://www.theconsult.com/work/
http://www.aisleone.net/
http://www.huntstudio.com.au/
http://www.behance.net/?content=projects&search=typography
http://ilovetypography.com/
http://heystudio.es
http://wearebuild.com
http://www.ilovedust.com
http://www.babeldesign.com
http://www.pentagram.com/work/#/all/all/newest/
http://www.uppercasegallery.ca/
http://afom.com.au/projects/all
>http://typophile.com/
http://typographica.org/
http://lovelystationery.com/
Books
Making and Breaking the Grid, Samara. T
Studio Culture: The secret life of the graphic design studio, Shaughnessy. A
Logo, Evamy. M
Desingers' Identities, Farrelly. F
Grid Systems in Graphic Design: A Handbook for Graphic Artists, Typographers, and Exhibition Designers, Muller-Brockmann. J
Los Logos: Compass, Klanten. R
Typomag, Meseguer. L
This obviously isn't everything, I've tried to be selective.
Type specimen book printed
Not overly happy with the cover - it doesn't have the effect that I wanted it too. Also, the stock is picking up all my finger prints like you wouldn't believe, which is very annoying. It's the satin stock from downstairs. I don't particularly want matt though, so I'm unsure what to do.
We'll see how it photographs. If I have time, I will re-print the cover before hand in.
We'll see how it photographs. If I have time, I will re-print the cover before hand in.
Flatland - Covers
In order to get rid of lulu's very shiny stock for the cover, I've printed off some wraps on matt stock.
Flatland - books from lulu
Soft cover books arrived from lulu.
Initially, I really didn't want the soft back books, which is why I ordered the hard back. But since playing around with them, I quite like them.
The stock for the interior is off white, which is nice but is too much of a contrast from the bright white cover. I'm hoping the cover wraps will solve this. It's also very thin, thinner than what I've received from lulu before, but it means you can faintly see the page underneath it. Nothing I can do about that now though.
Initially, I really didn't want the soft back books, which is why I ordered the hard back. But since playing around with them, I quite like them.
The stock for the interior is off white, which is nice but is too much of a contrast from the bright white cover. I'm hoping the cover wraps will solve this. It's also very thin, thinner than what I've received from lulu before, but it means you can faintly see the page underneath it. Nothing I can do about that now though.
Art ward - poster mock up
Have been meaning to do this for a while - mock up the poster to show it's intended scale.
Gives it so much more context.
Gives it so much more context.
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