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.

Authors own image

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.

Authors own image

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

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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