Typography Workshop 29/9

A proper typography class with Graham from Vis Comm, like, proper typography, serif and sans-serif, nothing more, nothing less. He's a good guy. We didn't really do much in the way of actual work but instead talked about typography and had a little typography competition, for which I didn't succeed in any way. But no worries I found the class very insightful and am definitely looking forward to the next one.

I don't have much else to say about the situation just yet but I do aim to learn one new shortcut every week, hopefully one day resulting in myself being able to go home half an hour early, every single day.

Morning Concept Development, wednesday 28/9

Session with Fred this morning to encourage us to think more laterally when developing concepts. Was quite challenging but I suppose it'll come in handy, I think.

Anyway we had to answer a series of questions (which were on big sheets so I will upload photos at some point) relating to our chosen 'Good', for which mine was The Golden Ratio/Divine Proprtion/Rule of Thirds; eventually leading us to make a list of 9 slightly ambiguous but provocative answers. I've added a some branding/logos, for reasons I'm not sure why, but I've been asked to.

Here were mine:

1/ It works every time. There's no doubting this, something about the golden ratio taps into our minds and subconsciously causes us to like it. Magic.



It's not wrong..


2/ Designers, artists, architects etc. would/do find the Golden Ratio very useful in terms of placement or composition and stuff like that. Particularly those concerned with modernist, clean cut designs, this ratio comes in handy quite a bit.



pure thirds business


3/ There's quite a few people who more than likely wouldn't be interested in using such a ratio becuase their profession probably doesn't demand it. Other than that I can't really think of anyone who wouldn't find it 'good' because it's something that cannot not be 'good'.



as far as I know, you don't need much knowledge of the golden ratio for plumbing, i could be wrong


4/The Golden Ratio, quite simply, is better to use than not to use it. Whatever names it some under, it's usually good to use the rule of thirds in some way, to achieve a balance with whatever you are producing.



no reason not to use it.


5/ A photographer is one to always make use of the rule of thirds, as he or she is one who is always considering composition, and it would be nuts not to take into account the rule of thirds.



Couldn't quite find a brand to account for this one.


6/ If my 'good' was a celebrity, it would be Kate Moss, as she has a 'perfect' face, in the way that it matches up very well to the Golden Ratio.



Kate Moss.


7/ If it were to be a place, it would be the most expensive seats in a stadium, or the VIP section of a cinema.


sweet.


8/ If it were to be an event, it would probably be the end of the world, people always find some ridiculous patterns to match up to those sort of things.



These lot will probably end the world somehow


9/ Finally, if it were a product, it would have to be the nicest product you've ever set eyes on.



wooooooooooooooooow

by the way

this is second year work now.

MOVING ON

Time to move on with this brief....which leaves to the biggest question of the moment;

What do I want to do and how and I going to do it?

Essentially, as a Concept, I would like to demonstrate/explain/help people understand the Divine Proportion visually through a piece of design.

Whether I create something that solely demonstrates the Divine Proportion, or whether I apply it to some kind of product I'm not so sure yet.

Either way it's going to be blatant and unmistakeable that the Divine Proportion is being used in my work.

I've been cruising around quite a lot of web pages, and there really isn't all that much proper design work that effectively demonstrates the Golden Ratio. One of the few pieces I have found is this:

A poster by Antonio Carusone, which is easily one of the best and most effective examples I have seen...simple and to the point. I'd quite like to make some designs similar to this one, maybe just as a starting point, which inform people of the ratio and how it can be used.

How good were they convinced?

This morning I delivered my 'What is good' presentation to a group of 5 classmates, where I talked about the Golden Ratio (or Divine Proportion, or more simply, the rule of thirds) and explained where it fits into to nature as well as design. Obviously three minutes is not enough to fully detail it....my group filled in a sheet suggesting some things that could be improved and some other useful ideas:

What else is interesting about their good that hasn't been mentioned?

- How the ratio is used in certain famous buildings and structures

- How it is found in various animals and other natural situations

In there a flaw in the argument? What do you disagree with and why?

- Certain animals do not appear to conform to this ratio (for example the Blob fish...according to Lewis...I'll look this one up)

- Certain pieces of abstract design do not conform but can still appear aesthetically pleasing.

What processes, scenarios, or contexts might improve the potential impact of the concept?

- It would be interesting to collect images of people's faces and find out if they match up to the Golden Ratio, perhaps in our class?

Studio Brief 2 - 'Good is....'

Brief Title	Design 4 Print	Semester	1
Outcomes Assessed	1, 2 , 3 , 4

Studio Brief 2 - 'Good is......!'

BRIEF

Part 1 - Concept Development. Based on your Preparitory research and summer presentations explore a range of innovative reponses to the graphic communication of your informed opinions of 'Good'. Your concepts should focus on the development of effective use of industry standard print based media formats and production methods. You should explore: What are you trying to communicate? An idea, a concept, a message a lifestyle......? Who are you trying to communicate to? Why and what do you want to achieve? How will you use print design and production methods to achieve this? What is already out there and how can you adapt, modify, reuse or respond to it? The relationship between your concept, your audience and the context in which t is to be seen/delivered should inform the tone of voice. Do you require humour, sophistication, authority, clarity etc. Where necessary you should consider the impact of stock choices, print processes and methods of distribution on the scale, scope and ambition of your concepts. Part 2 - Production & Distribution.  Based on the research and concept development produced in response to Part 1 of this brief, design and produce a print based graphic response that effectively communicates an indepth and factually substantiated understanding of 'Good?'. Yoyr response should demonstrate an incresingly informed investigation of one at least one of the following Branding and Identity Packaging and Promotion Publishing & Editorial Information & Wayfinding Your solution should explore the use of at least 2 or more print processes and finishing that are appropriate for, and clearly relate to your concept. You response to this brief should consist of a product and its packaging (or equivalent) as well as a strategy for its distribution or delivery through print based media. Where possible or appropriate include considerations of cost and manufacture as well as further development of sets, series or sequences of product ranges.

Background / Considerations

The processes you investigate will be relevant to the contexts you have identified for your idea/product audience etc.  The outcomes you produce should be effective and clearly communicate what you have identified as your ‘message’ to the proposed audience making full use of your layout and visual skills. Commercial print processes are of significant concern and should be fully researched and understood. Artwork conventions and colour systems will also be of a professional level. Consider the various functions of your ideas and how this will affect the print formats and processes that you select. You should take into account the range of possible roles that graphic design plays in print based distribution. These include The utilitarian function of containing, protecting and distributing content and/or contents. The marketing of the product as part of a multi-media age of access and distribution. The sales function and brand manifestation of product at the point of sale or interaction. Product identification and differentiation in amongst a visual competitive culture. A reflection of lifestyle and behavioral patterns of consumers. Opportunities for adding value and stepping beyond the functional. You should consider, recognise and reference existing modes, forms and formats of print delivery where necessary.

Mandatory Requirements	Deliverables
Post evidence of your research and design investigation to your Design Practice blog.  You should post annotated evidence including production methods, stock, colour systems and print finishing, design variations, mock-ups and test pieces.	Evidence of systematic and organised research and development material posted to your Design Practice Blog. PDF artwork of all your final proposals and mocked-up pieces or ‘photoshoped’ contextualisation where appropriate. 5 x Presentation boards demonstrating the practical and conceptual development and resolution of the brief. Ongoing self evaluations posted to yur Design Practice blog.
Studio Deadline	Module Deadline
Final concept pitches will be presented at progress crits on Wednesday 19 /10 / 2011 - 9.30	21 / 11 / 2011 - 1pm

Supporting Material / Resources / Useful Links

The following Websites may form a starting point for your own individual research: www.3deep.com.au www.totalitygcs.co.uk www.graphicthoughtfacility.com www.doylepartners.com www.uhc-collective.org.uk www.apeloig.com http://wearebuild.com/ www.packgraph.com www.graphicpkg.com www.cardboy.tv www.vinyltoys.nl

Studio Brief 1 - What is Design for Print?

Brief Title	Design 2 Print Design 4 Print	Semester	1
		Doc. Code

Studio Brief 1 - What is Design for Print?

BRIEF

Produce a ‘Top Ten’ manual of things to know, consider or remember in order to produce successful Design for Print. You should use the seminars and tasks from the module as a starting point for your own individual/independent investigation of the methods, processes and formats that can be used to create innovative but practical solutions to print based design briefs and all aspects of print- based delivery. You are required to document your research and visual material on your Design Context blog. For submission for assessment you will also be required to select, summarise and evaluate appropriate source material as a multi-page pdf. document that shows your understanding of print processes, conventions and creative options from the perspective of a graphic designer. It should also demonstrates your ability to effectively organise and present a body information in a designed format. This document should be uploaded to your Design context blog via 'Issuu'. See additional briefings for further information.

Background / Considerations

You are graphic designers, everything you produce should be designed, considered and effective. You need to be in complete control, even if it's carefully arranged to look casual! Don't ignore your knowledge of layout but expand upon it! The content should be ordered and informative with clear example of what you mean, the style your own, derived from the study of the work of other designers. Commercial print processes are of concern to you especially as, at times, you will have to relinquish the hands –on production control of your work for a more specification/managerial role. Your research will be informed by the seminars delivered as part of the module but how much more can you find out? What do you need to know about print production and what is relevant to your own practice? How do you communicate your research in a way that is reflective of your creative ambitions Your considered opinion is important. You should use appropriate examples of professional creative practice in order to demonstrate your breadth and depth of understanding.

Mandatory Requirements	Deliverables
To show a good understanding of print through an ongoing investigation. ‘Chapters’ might include, colour conventions, inks, stock, format and others. You will need to evidence research into: Production Methods. Stock considerations Colour systems Commercial costings Tagging of the categories is essential. Failure to organise your research effectively may loose you marks.	Postings to your Design Practice and Design Context blogs demonstrating your ongoing research and methodologies. Clearly tagged mandatory research areas will be used for assessment. An ISSUU document posted to your Design Practice blog . The number of pages will be determined by what you have to say and how you organize it.
Studio Deadline	Module Deadline
18 / 10 / 2011 Progress workshop / Crit.	21 / 11 / 2011 - 1pm