Passage of time

I focused on personal family dates for my passage of time project including weddings, births and deaths. I felt it would be interesting to focus on the typography, composition and colour of the numbers and wanted to challenge myself in creating an interesting visual with no image. I began my experiments by exploring texture, I used a range of mediums, the most successful outcome involved using tape to remove numbers from the paper. However, I was unable to control which dates the tape collected; this meant the technique created unexpected and unique outcomes. I also explored sewing the dates onto a rough piece of paper - I really enjoy the old, used visual of this outcome and this inspired me to continuing exploring texture.

 I went onto investigate 3Dimensional forms and was delighted with the outcomes. The use of light and a white background emphasised the focus onto the numbers whilst creating a sense of the unknown as the dates become difficult to read and understand at certain angles. I chose to highlight the impotent dates in red as I felt this would make my audience question the meaning of each one. I feel the tracing paper form is successful because the light complimented the transparent material. 
I also enjoy the shadows created from the delicate sculptures and feel they contribute to the dimension and texture of the image.
I was drawn into one image because of the form, shadow and light captured. I used Photoshop to enhance these features and blurred the earliest dates to represent how memories can fade. I explored adding typography onto this image as I feel it would be successful if used on a family history website or book.  
Overall I feel my outcome is successful because it is visually interesting and represents a unique way of presenting a passage of time. I also feel I succeeded in challenging myself to focusing on typography without combining it with and image.

Book Series - Exploring Alice In Wonderland

The aim of this project was to design a trilogy book series, I began by looking into existing book designs including 'The girl with the dragon tattoo' and 'The Hunger Games.' I really enjoy these book designs because although each one is different and unique there is a clear connection through the use of typography and composition; I will need to consider this when designing my book trilogy.
I chose to design Alice In Wonderland as I am interested in the magical aspect of the narrative, I also feel the unusual images throughout the book would be exciting to explore. For example Alice falling down the rabbit hole or Alice shrinking.
I started by experimenting with silhouettes and a range of bright, bold patterns; I really like the eye catching aspect of the outcome and feel it is a unique visual of representing the rabbit. 

Continuing to explore I had the idea of using an unusual format for my book - I felt this would place the reader into the protagonists position and involve them in the narrative. My aim was to make a hole through the book as a representation of the rabbits hole and as the reader turns the page it would be as if they are falling down the hole. However, when trying this idea I discovered the hole could be inconvenient and annoying for my audience; I also feel it would  be difficult to

read as the hole would interrupt the sentence. I then revisited the previous silhouette idea as I feel this could become a successful visual. I combined aspects of the narrative by creating a rabbit silhouette from a playing card. I feel this idea is really affective and continued to explore it with a range of compositions and typography. I feel these visual experiments help me decide what is most successful and which I could develop into my final outcome.

I feel my unusual format design is successful because the confusion of having to flip the book as your reading emphasises the feelings of the protagonist in the narrative. The scratchy typography and dark red and black colour palette relate to the horror genre - I feel this is appropriate because I consider Alice In Wonderland to be quite scary as she is presented with a range of unusual events and characters. Overall I feel I was successful in meeting the brief because my design is a unique take on a traditional narrative, the visuals throughout the design are also interesting and will engage the audience.

I also feel my book company logo is successful because it is simple and stands out on the spine. To create my logo I explored a range of geometric animal forms on Illustrator, I felt this was appropriate for the company name 'Geometric.' Once I had decided on the dragonfly I experimented with a range of materials to understand if I could give the logo a shiny surface. However, this was unsuccessful as the outcomes did not look visually pleasing. Therefore I decided on a simple orange toned logo on the spine as this was eye-catching but did not take the focus from the book design.

Identity and Beyond

The branding project required me to create a  new brand, the name, image, promotion and to bring it alive. I could not replicate any existing designs or ideas; this is when I decided to create a whole new product - I felt this would widen my abilities and help me push my thinking process. 

My final idea was a sustainable washing powder bag; I chose this as I feel sustainable products are becoming more and more popular and important. I began my research by looking into the existing market and the products within it. I discovered the packaging contains bold typography and bright colours which make them stand out, I also enjoy the use of the abstract images on the packaging. 
My first focus point was designing the logo, my chosen brand name is 'Sustaina' and the colour palette I want to use is a range of greens and blues - I feel this palette is appropriate for the sustainable aspect of my brand and would form a visual link to the earth. My main image focus was based around an earth created from clothing, I feel this is successful because the colours are bright and vivid which helps them stand out and become eye-catching. After many composition, typography and colour experiments I decided on a simple outcome. The typography used is Helvetica Neue Thin; I feel this has a clean appearance which emphasis the product being a washing powder. I also feel the simple typography increases the focus onto the image which will stand out and attract my audience. 
My next intension was to design the product to understand how it would work and how I would promote the idea. I began by drawing my ideas and then progressed onto making a prototype. I feel making the physical product helped me understand the concept of my brand and how I could make it unique and stand out. 

It was suggested I researched the brand E Cover as they are a brand whom create cleaning products that reduce the environmental impacts of cleaning agents. I really enjoy the design of the packaging and website as it is simple and easy to understand. I will be considering this when designing my website for my brand as I want my audience to be able to understand the brand and how they could use it.
Overall I feel 
my branding project is successful, the idea is unique and would stand out within the market. I feel the concept of personalising your own washing bag increases the excitement and will engage my audience as they have to get involved with the brand and their product. I also feel the simple visuals emphasis the clean, modern aspect of my brand and help my audience recognise it through the colour palette and typography.

 

               

                                                                

Illustration Into The Imagination

Authors own image

Authors own image

The illustration workshop challenged me to use a technique I am not confident with and encouraged me to explore new mediums and ways of viewing the world. I began by observing my surroundings and capturing this through quick sketches; this way of working represented how a illustration does not have to be photo perfect but to express what I see. I then went onto creating visuals from my imagination and combining them with observations - The aim of the final outcome was to create an A1 illustration which explored ones imagination and how they thought about the world. I was inspired by a leaf like pattern on my pencil case and developed this into an unknown setting which involved unusual forms of colour.

Image source : telegraph.com

Image source: telegraph.com

I looked at the illustrator Quentin Blake because I enjoy how he has created his own unique style which is easily recognised. Blake uses quick sketchy lines to create his illustrations and the bright, bold colours bring the characters and settings to life.

As I began to create my A1 illustration I felt quite intimidated by the large white space therefore decided to break it down into to four smaller illustrations. I had a idea in mind but did not want to plan my actions so I could add spontaneous aspects without being under pressure off following a plan. I feel this allowed me to continuously use my imagination, as I am interested by the universe I added illustrations of planets. I tried to make my illustrations unique and  different to existing illustrators so used eyeshadow on the surface to add a shimmer affect when viewed in bright lighting. I also experimented with the use of tin foil to create a shiny, textured surface which catches my audience attention, I also feel it added an interesting and unusual visual. Overall I feel my outcome is successful and helped me overcome my fear of drawing and exploring new medias and techniques. I really enjoy the visual because each time you view the work you discover more aspects such as hidden hands and mushrooms.

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Software Workshop

Image source : goodnaturedog.com

Image source: tutzor.com

The aim of the software workshop was to understand the basics of Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign and then use these skills to create a poster for the film 'The 33.' Before jumping into my own poster I wanted to analyse existing designs to understand the key aspects needed within the design. I looked at the 'Jaws' poster because I really enjoy the simplicity of it and the use of the bold typography which catches my attention and draws me in. The use of the blood red conflicts with the blue below which reinforces the conflict within the film. The composition of the shark beneath the innocent character also places it's audience on edge as they predict the next action. I also looked into a more complex design for the film 'War' and discovered although the image appears quite chaotic my eyes were immediately drawn to the typography which stood out against the darker surroundings. I have learnt that the typography is important as it represents the title of the film and will help the audience remember it. I also discovered the use of images portrays the atmosphere within the film and hints at key aspects of the narrative.

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The film I am designing the poster for follows the true story of the 33 Chilean miners whom were trapped underground for several weeks and were finally rescued and reunited with friends and family. Although I have limited knowledge on using the softwares I tried my best to experiment with each one. I feel my outcome is successful considering the time frame I had to do it in and the learning of new skills with the technology. I chose a dark visual to connote the atmosphere of which the miners would have experienced, I also used simple typography which would stand out among the image. However, the use of black typography to express the narrative of the film is difficult to read on the background. Therefore I would explore a range of colours and fonts to discover the most successful. Overall I feel the workshop has helped me understand the basics of the softwares but I aim to continuing my practise to ensure I can use them effectively and to my advantage within my designs.

Calligraphy Workshop

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 The calligraphy workshop involved creating handmade letters with ink, at the beginning I found it quite difficult to create the delicate forms. However, as I continued to practise I felt my outcomes were improving and becoming more sophisticated. The aim of the next task was to use calligraphy to create an elegant wine label. I chose a simple name and design as I feel this would be most effective when used at a small scale on a wine bottle and would focus on the use of calligraphy. My firs initial name was 'Noir Grape' but as I began to experiment I discovered by using a simple leaf form above the 'O' it created a grape like image. I feel this was a good representation of my wine name and created an interesting visual. Overall I really enjoyed my  first experience with calligraphy and feel it would be a technique I could use within future work, I also like the smooth finish ink creates and plan to use this medium in future work. I feel I could develop my wine label further by experimenting with a range of compositions and colours to understand how it would affect the outcome.

Authors own image

Authors own wine label
Google images: wine bottle

Exploring The Library

Authors own image

Authors own image

 The aim of the day in the library was to seek inspiration in existing work and books. I really enjoyed having time to appreciate and admire the work within the books and felt motivated to created my own. The task consisted of producing a book cover in a subject I am interested in, I chose typography as I wanted to experiment with letter forms and understand how they could be interesting and the main focus without using images. I experimented with a range of materials and ideas before deciding on developing hybrid letters. I really enjoy the visual of hybrid letters as each one is unique and as a collective can be visually interesting, I also explored a range of painted backgrounds in several colours to understand the most successful. I feel the outcomes are successful because each one has texture and depth. 
As the time to create the book cover was minimal I tried to do quick experiments to identify successful techniques and outcomes; once happy with each element I experimented with the composition on the cover. I feel my final outcome is successful because it is visually interesting and each aspect is appropriate for the contents of the book. I also positioned my book within the library to understand if it would work as a usable product. I feel my book was interesting and fitted in with existing typography books, I would improve several factors within the cover if I had a loner time to do so - these would involved exploring the scale of the typography on the back cover and experiment with the tone of colour in the background.

Authors own image

Authors own image

Personal Manifesto

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My intension for my Manifesto was to focus on my weakness of the fear of making mistakes. I feel it would help me relax when creating work and improve my quick experiments and development process. I also aimed not to rely on Photoshop within my development and tried using a range of materials to create visually interesting outcomes. I really enjoyed layering tracing paper with hand drawn typography on because it formed dimension and texture. The rough appearance also contributed to the feeling of mistakes and inspired me to experiment with other materials and techniques.

Authors own image

Authors own image

I also explored moving typography on a photocopier to produce unusual forms within the lettering as if the manifesto is being disturbed; I feel the outcomes from this are successful as they represented the theme of mistakes and presented an interesting visual. From this I used Photoshop to enhance the outcomes by simply changing the contrast to improve the colour within the photocopies. I also explored spacing between the letter forms and simple replaced them with colours - The idea was to question if it was a mistake to not have words within a manifesto? I feel the composition of the random yet organised forms would draw an audience into my work as they would want to discover more about it and my thought process. However, I chose not to use this idea as my final outcome and revisited the technique of layering typography, I feel the layering within my manifesto gives a messy, chaotic visual which becomes confusing for my audience. Although this feeling and atmosphere is successful and it meets my expectation of not being a perfect outcome, but one which represents many experiments and my thought process through each stage of my development. 
Overall my manifesto has improved the way and speed in which I work, I feel this will continue throughout future work and help me further my experimentations without being afraid of producing unsuccessful work.

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