Friday 23 November 2012

End Of Module Self-evaluation


1. What skills have you developed through this module and how effectively do you think you have applied them?
I have gained a wide range of skills throughout this module. The fast pace in which in which we have been required to deliver briefs has helped me improve my time-management skills. Because of this, I have become more aware of how to prioritise different tasks. I have also enjoyed learning about Adobe Illustrator, as I feel that it has given me a new range of digital skills.

2. What approaches to/methods of design have you developed and how have they informed your design development process?
The majority of my design processes have been digitally based. However, the combination of incorporating hand-drawn material has caused my outcomes to become more developed and refined. As  I usually do not prefer drawing, I feel that this module has pushed me away from  my comfort zone. This has generated a good response through my personal response and the support of other people's feedback.

3. That strengths can you identify in your work and how have/will you capitalise on these?
I feel although my work has developed in quality and structure through feedback given to me during crits and tutorials. Therefore I think the work towards the end of the module reflects more strength and confidence due to my development skills improving.

4. What weaknesses can you identify in your work and how will you address these in the future?
Although I am aware that my time-management has improved, I would still like to develop this further, as I feel that at times I have not been up to date with briefs - particularly on my blog. I also need to work through briefs in a more organised manner, including working with more design sheets.

5. Identify five things that you will do differently next time and what do you expect to gain from doing these?
1. Read the briefs more thoroughly to ensure a greater understanding of the tasks required.
2. Concentrate on time-managagement to ensure i remain on top of my work.
3. Try to keep my work more organised.
4. Use my blog more effectively to convey developments, research, ideas and inspiration.
5. Ensure to create more design sheets with annotations to develop stronger and more justified outcomes.

6. How would you grade yourself on the following areas?
Attendance - very good                  
Puctuality - very good
Motivation - good
Commitment - very good
Quantity of work produced - good
Quality of work produced - good
Contribution to the group - very good

Tuesday 20 November 2012

Illustrator Typeface

The letter I have chosen to base my Illustrator Alphabet is T:
I intend to create a digitalised alphabet using the same theme, design and context as used above.

Experimenting with circular patterns

I began adding white circles top of the existing black ones to create a more intricate, unusual pattern.

I gradually continued to add more black and white circles to form a unique and interesting pattern, yet still ensuring it was relevant to my original letterform.




Once I was satisfied with the pattern I'd created I began experimenting with letters. As my original typeface was based on 'Cooper Std.' I remained with this throughout the development process. 

I placed each letter individually onto the pattern as shown below. Once I was happy with the position of the letters I created a clipping mask which placed the pattern onto the letter. I then copied the letters onto an A1 sheet where I experimented with different stroke and fill settings to discover which colour and style worked best.

I really liked the design shown below on the letter D. I think it is elegant and unusual, however I decided it was not as appropriate for my typeface as the original pattern was more suitable for the word 'boom'.

I experimented with different gradients as I was curious to see how much more effective the outcomes were. Below are the best examples, however I felt none of these were as bold as black and white alone.
Gradient

Magenta

Cyan

Yellow

After experimenting I decided to remain with the original black and white pattern but add a black outline to all the letters to make them more legible, clear and defined.




Final Alphabet



I am very pleased with my final alphabet. I feel that the patterns within each letter are different enough to represent the concept of soundwaves 'booming' into each other, yet so so different they become inconsistent. The overall alphabet works in different ways from far away and close up but I feel that this  allows for further interpretation and could possibly appeal to a wider audience.



Saturday 17 November 2012

Message & Delivery: Distribution


I began by brainstorming different methods of distribution to use for my mail shots. This included things such as leaflets, labels and possibly fold-out options. I also wanted to start thinking about the designs and context of these and how they would be most successfully presented. I then considered using a play on words to generate a memorable, effective message.



Experimenting with mail shot ideas:
Using a Statistical News Release from www.homeoffice.gov.uk (Home Office) I found facts about racial hate crime. I considered using this and using typography in a visually engaging manner to draw the audiences attention to the high figures stated in this report. The poster below was one of my initial designs using this idea.
Another idea was to create a flyer presented using an equal balance of black and white. I used www.acas.org.uk to discover more about racial discrimination which is where I have used the facts below from.

I then considered including labels inside my envelopes, possibly as invitations to an event, or with quotes or information on the subject of racial equality. These could alternatively be used as stickers, flashcards or loyalty cards to an association. In order to remain consistent I decided to use the same image as presented on my poster.
Following on from this I thought about possible flyer design, referring back to my initial ideas of using a strong bold catchphrase which would be memorable and bold to support the imagery and give my mail shots a stronger visual quality.

I decided to use black card for the exterior of my envelopes and thought it would look most effective to use a pattern on the interior as a contrast. Below are two ideas of scale and sizes of the pattern I chose. However the bottom was the idea I remained with as it is more subtle yet still as effective, if not more than the one above.


Eventually I decided to use facts from a report made from the BBC in the Telegraph online. The topic is more specifically aimed towards schools in areas with the highest rates of racist incidents. This was double sided with the main heart-hands on the reverse.
Lastly I designed a mailing list including key elements from all of my development from this brief. I chose to send my envelopes to the top 5 areas for racial incidents within British schools: