OUGD503: Responsive Session 2

For this session we were placed into groups of four and asked to explain our briefs to the rest of the group. This was to get an idea of the range and variety of briefs our peers had chosen to look at. It was also an opportunity to form a clearer explanation and understand ing of our own chosen competition briefs. This was beneficial as I was given useful feedback towards my thought processes. Leo suggested that it would be beneficial to create mockup designs for the book jacket both before and after reading the novel. This is because the target audience is potentially being aimed towards people who know the story and want to recommend it to others, but also people who know nothing about the story. Someone who knows nothing about the story plot would be engaged and drawn into the book on the cover design alone. First impressions are crucial.

Our next task was to answer a list of questions to better define our interpretations of our briefs.

5 most important words on this brief?
timeless
book
cover
Outsiders
teenagers

5 things you need to consider?
The plot/storyline
Concept
Typography
Broad Audience
Cover copy & Design template

5 design products related to your brief?
On-screen
Digital e-books
Promotional
Advertising campaign displayed in book shops/supermakers
Novelty products - sold as gifts?

5 places related to your product
Online
Bookshops
e-books/kindle
Supermarkets?
Gift shops

Who is your audience?
Teenagers buying the book for themselves or their friends
Parents of teenagers

Who should your audience be?
Young people with a passion for reading, attracted to more modern-looking books.
People interested in classic books
People unaware of classic books, looking for something new to read

Who could the audience be?
An older generation looking to re-read the classic book which they read during their childhood? - This could bring sentimental value

What do 'they' (the audience) do?
Go out a lot and socialise, study, discover new hobbies and interests - learning more about themselves (teenagers)

Where do they go?
Bars, clubs, restaurants, college, university, shopping, social events, Family events.

What do they buy?
Clothes, textbooks for education, magazines, food, alcohol

Who do they live with?
Family, Friends - depends on the ages of the teenagers

What can you do?
Attempt a new an innovative approach to book-jacket design. Through research I will form a concept which has been rarely applied. Attempt to form a new idea different to any previous approach. Apply all design knowledge.

What are you going to do?
Carry out thorough research into Penguin and previous designs or 'The Outsiders'. Also read the book to form more a justified and well-formed response to the brief.

Why are you going to do it?
Because I have a large interest in Penguin and their professional work ethic. Also I have generated a previous project around Penguin book cover design, which I hope will support my knowledge of the themes and aesthetic which best suits Penguin.

What could you do?
Contact previous designers and winners to gain advice and knowledge on designing for Penguin and designing book jackets generally.

TASK FOR NEXT WEEK:

• Fill out the blank brief with your own interpretation of chosen brief.
• Effectively, rewrite your own brief to better clarify your response.