Illustration Cover : New Scientist

Image source:lightpaintphotography.com

Before beginning this brief I felt it would be challenging for me as illustration is not my strongest ability. However, I feel it has taken me out of my comfort zone with unexpected outcomes. The first step was to choose the subject for the magazine front cover, as I am really interesting in space and the galaxy I was drawn to the title 'New Big Bang.' To begin my design I looked into existing front covers to understand the content needed, I discovered I would need to use the magazines logo to make it recognisable and to position the barcode on the cover; I also feel each cover uses bold typography which harmonises with the illustration whilst also standing out. Other than these factors my illustration could be as unusual and unique as I wanted it. 

bbc.co.uk

As I was unsure on the visual of my illustration I decided to watch some documentaries and record the words and visuals which stood out. I feel this increased my knowledge on the subject and sparked my initial idea for my design.

Authors own image

Authors own image

From this I could visualise my idea and created an illustration using watercolour which involves bright colours and interesting merging colours. To add depth and texture in my illustration I used sea salt as it soaks up the watercolour to leave interesting forms. I also used white paint splats as a representation of the thousands of stars. I am really happy with my outcome and feel it will be successful when combined with typography.
With this I went onto editing my illustration - simply by changing the contrast to create a more realistic and brighter visual.

I continued to experiment with the illustration whilst also exploring typography, colour and composition; I discovered using a bright image meant I struggled choosing an appropriate typography colour and position. However, after many try outs I finalised my outcome:

Authors own image

I feel my final outcome is successful because the illustration stands out whilst harmonising with the typography. I enjoy the bright colours, texture and dimension created within the illustration; the composition of the typography also works well as it is clear and stands out on the darker background. Overall I surprised myself with my design as I began the brief feeling uncomfortable and unsure, from this I have learnt to take on each brief with positivity and not to doubt my abilities.

Campaign

This project involved creating a campaign based on a subject of my choice; I decided to focus on creating awareness for anxiety as I feel it is a common issue in todays society which many people of my age group face. 

Authors own image

Authors own image

I explored many ideas involving composition and typography to understand how the visual would work and capture my audience; I feel my experiments identified the most successful outcomes and contributed to my final design.

Authors own image

Authors own image

Authors own image

I found this project challenging and although I created interesting visuals I feel there are improvements I could make to ensure it would be successful. I feel the visual I have created may be considered as 'predictable' and I should have created something new and unique to catch my audience attention and engage them into the campaign. I feel I could have also bought my campaign to life by using social media - this would have helped me understand if my design and idea's would really work in todays society through the feedback I would receive. Overall I did not enjoy this project and do not feel satisfied with my outcome. However, I have learnt where I went wrong and how I can improve my use of time, techniques and ideas for future projects.

Data Translation

Authors own image

infographicspedia.com

This project involved communicating complex information in a visually interesting, unique way. The first challenge of collecting the data; I did not want to use data from the internet as it is easy to access and would most likely be the same as another students in my class. Therefore I decided to create my outcome on primary data I had collected. I chose to record how many planes passed over my house within 3hours, this idea was created by the fact I live in the City Airports flight path and constantly hear planes passing over. However, as I began to experiment with my idea and discuss it with other peers I realised I had nothing to compare my data to, and decided to move away from my primary data. I began detailed research on the number of passengers at airports considered to be London based and developed my design from these figures. 

Authors own image

When looking at existing data graphic designs I understood it is common for the information to be highlighted and compared through the use of scale and colour; with this in mind I began to experiment with my own idea. I made several paper planes to create the basic form of my image, this helped me create a plane form within Illustrator using the path tool. I then explored colour and scale before finding an idea I was satisfied with and could develop into my final design.
I continued to explore composition, colour and typography with my basic idea to ensure my outcome was successful visually but also the understanding of the information within it.

Authors own image

Authors own image

Authors own image

I really enjoy my outcome and feel it is successful, the simplicity contributes to the effective visual as the scale of the planes stand out and draw you into discovering more. The use of flat, block colour ensures the information is easy to read whilst also making the images stand out. Overall this project has expressed how simple designs can be most successful and do not need to be over worked or chaotic. If I was to improve my design I would focus on the names of the airports as I feel the spacing between them appears inconsistent as the scale decreases.

Victoria and Albert

I was really drawn in by thus work by Chris Ofili because of the movement and texture involved. As I looked closer I realised the interesting visual is created from simple diverging lines; I feel this work represents how an interesting design can be created from a simple repeated idea. I also enjoy the way in which it is displayed - I feel the small scale pulled me in and made me want to discover more.

I was also interested in this design by Sonia Boyce because of the similar lines which create movement and texture. However, I feel it is difficult to read and understand the typography without looking at the description. When reading this I discovered the work  is based on a groups of women's memories about black British singers and the print surrounding the names reflect sound waves. I really like this work and the inspiration behind it because of the interesting visual and the feeling of wanting to discover more.

The big bold colours really stand out among the surrounding white wall. The artist Atta Kwami divides his time between the United Kingdom and Ghana where his style has been compared to the woven cloth made by the local Ashanti and Ewe people. I feel this work has shown me how your environment and surroundings can inspire a design.

I really like the conflicting colours within Thamae Setshagos work because I feel this makes the child like forms stand out. When first observing the work I was able to understand the visuals of birds and lizards. However, it was not until I was reading the description I discovered it also involved a woman behind an elephants head. I also thought the white strokes were paint representing the blades of grass; but in fact the work was cut from lino. Overall I really enjoyed discovering  what the visual is and comparing it to my first thoughts.

'Large Leaves Bowl- Hosono Hitomi' 
I really enjoy the intwining leaves because of the texture it creates, I also feel the diverging lines create movement. The use of the colour removes the recognisable leaf shapes and creates an interesting and unique form. I feel the shadows which would be created from this bowl would be interesting but also suggest a harsh sculpture because of the vivid, sharp points of the leaves. 

'Dish - Kitaoji Rosanjin'
The natural aspect of this work feel really organic. I really enjoy the plant like print within the design because it feels the work involves a 'chance' aspect ( designer has little control over the positioning of the plant.) I feel the range in tones contribute to the texture and I enjoy the rough but interesting visual.

'Composition No.162 - Takeuchi Denji'
I was drawn in by this sculpture because of the bright, vivid colours and abstract visual. I was also astonished by the balanced appearance. This work has shown me simple forms and colours can be made interesting through the use of composition.



'Noh Dance - Kishi Eiko'
I really enjoy the geometric form of this sculpture and feel it contributes to strong, powerful visual. I also like the slight texture on the surface of material. I feel I could use a similar technique in my previous mapping project as I feel the forms have a visual connections.

Wayfinding and Mapping

My aim for the mapping project was to create a new and unique way of representing a map, to do this I began by filming the movement of my family within a confined space. For this I chose the kitchen as it is the busiest room in the house. Once I had this video I was able to observe the movement and capture each person in a colour - although the outcome looks confusing it gave me the starting point for the following experiments.
I replicated the observational line drawing using cotton; this process was time consuming but I feel the outcome was successful as the coloured cotton creates dimension and texture. I also enjoy how simple lines can form an interesting and chaotic visual but it is difficult to follow a single path because of the overlaying technique. This is when I simplified this idea by choosing one path to represent, I used the conflicting colours black and white to ensure it would stand out. I feel this outcome is successful because the recorded path creates dimension and it is easy to focus on the independent  lines. I also repeated this technique but decreased the scale of my outcome - I feel the small outcome emphasised the mapping is within a confined space; I also feel the minimal colour palette gives my outcomes a sophisticated visual.

 I went onto exploring 3Dimensional forms of my map and really enjoy the outcomes because the shadows created are interesting and distort the direction of the lines. I feel the diverging lines adds a sense of movement which is reinforced through the circular form of my second outcome.

In this experiment I wanted to explore colour to understand how it affects the visual in comparison to my previous black and white outcome. Although the chaotic outcome looks interesting I would improve it by painting the surrounding box white as I feel the colours get lost within the brown - The use of white would emphasis the colour and help it stand out.

I tried to capture the path within my kitchen where I first captured the data. Although the outcome looked interesting in person I found it difficult to photograph. The string blended in with the tiles and the shadows did not stand out as successfully. I want to develop this experiment further by using coloured string and recording all 4paths; I feel this will be more visual and will create a chaotic scene in a confined space. I really enjoy how I am able to control the space I am in.

I revisited the black and white 3Dimension experiment but this time used string as I felt it was stronger and thicker - these aspects helped the path stand out within the black box. I really enjoyed using the string in comparison to the cotton as it was more versatile; I was able to create tension without the material breaking. I feel the visual is also easier to follow the path because it does not blend in with the surrounding. 

My final outcome involved an installation within my kitchen in which I used coloured string to track the movement of each person previously recorded. I really enjoy my outcome and feel it is successful; if I was to take this idea further I would aim to fill a gallery room with this mapping technique where my audience and visitors would have to manoeuvre through the maze of diverging lines.