OUGD404 Studio Brief 02

After being briefed on the second part of this module, I am feeling confident in myself to produce a book with content that I can choose. Having the openness with a brief is something that I have looked forward to with the course as I have highlighted in previous projects that doing work that I enjoy means that I feel more confident with the work that I am producing as well as having a range of ideas to experiment with for a brief. Although doing projects that I have not necessarily had a wide interest in, it has shown me alternative routes and methods to design. From learning these skills I am able to apply them to briefs that I am more confident and have a greater interest in, such as producing a ten double page spread book.  

Presentation Template

From what I have learnt in design principles I have produced a grid layout in InDesign for my design boards and presentation. The documents will allow me to place the images onto the inDesign pages therefore making the process of putting design sheets and presentations together much simpler!

For the design boards I have kept more of an equal balance of text to image, working with a three and two column template. This can be changed to suit the content without having the vastly adjust the design. Having a continuos design of the brief title, code and my name in the top left and right corner makes reading the sheets consistent as your eyes follow the same pace layout each time.

For the presentation template I have focused on having a more imagery based design. This gives the audience something that is strongly visual to look at whilst listening, rather than reading text that I am also saying. Text would be added when appropriate and depending on whether it was being used along side myself speaking or alone. My main influence for the template is the Country Living magazine. The layout of the magazine works around the strong photography that each double page spread maintains as well as having paragraphs or short sections of text. The text is either an article or a short description therefore providing context to the imagery. I have added a heading to the design to add an context to the page as well as helping me when presenting. Having these features increases my confidence as they are little helpers that are there distinctively when presenting. These are areas that have been highlighted to me from the first presentations that we carried out when starting the course and I have found that they make the experience a lot less stressful therefore I feel as though I come across more confident in the presentation. 

Letterpress

After having the letterpress induction, I felt that it was something that I needed to practise over time so that when it became relevant in a brief I would feel confident to produce a successful piece of work with minimal mistakes being made. To experiment with the process I decided to print my own christmas cards. This gave me something fun to do but would also be something that I could give to my family and friends so that they can keep up with the work that I am doing. As letterpress is a very precise method it took me some time to get the layout and fixing of the stencil correct. However after a few attempts I was able to complete some successful prints. 

After sending my mum a copy of the above picture, she ordered me some stamps to print some more cards for her. 

The stamps were from Noolibird and through ordering the stamps we were able to be in contact with Nula, the designer and company owner. Through this contact and the kindness of Nula, she has said that if I ever have a design that I would like made into a stamp, she would be happy to do this for me. This is a great opportunity and I am thankful to my mum for this contact! I hope to keep in contact with Nula and work with her in the future.

Presentation Skills

From today's presentations I have gathered a number of techniques to help improve my confidence in presenting work. From recognising these areas I hope to be able to apply them to my future presentations.

- Having a story/reason behind the images

- Using the presentation to fit with the speech allows the  presentation to flow (this helps with the direction of the talk so if you’re struggling you can find direction from the presentation without the audience being aware)

- The use of titles on the page allows for the audience to have an understanding of the topic of the page 

- When presenting images in a  collage form, it adds understanding for the audience if there are small titles that stand out against the images

Tom Frost

I discovered 'The Boy Frost' whilst reading an article in the Country Living magazine. This article covers Tom's passion for traditional print to create 'evocative images of flora dan fauna'. I was drawn to this article as screen printing is something that I have had a recent interest in exploring. On reading Tom's story I discovered that he was approached by the Yorkshire Sculpture Park to produce '50 new pieces on a flora and fauna theme' which then lead to him having a gallery collection at the sculpture park for a number of months.

 As I was intrigued by the work that Tom produces I decided to look up his website, which then lead me on to his blog. One post in particular that caught my eye was titled "Earnest'. From reading the blog post I have learnt that some of Toms work has been featured in the publication which I have now ordered to explore further!

LCA

Identify and explain 5 reasons why you chose to study on this course

1. The facilities that are available for this course attracted me to study at LCA. Although it is a graphic design course there is the opportunity to take a brief in any route that you like which provides me with the flexibility to experiment in other areas; such as screen printing and photography

2. The course is not limiting on the briefs that are selected therefore cover a wide range of design areas. This an important part of the course as I am unsure of the design direction that I want to take within graphic design, therefore this will allow me to explore various areas

3. The small number of students - this makes the course very focused and personal, as everyone knows each other which adds confidence to the environment which I think helps when producing work. (This is better than being surrounded by people you barely know therefore would be less likely to ask for opinions/help)

4. I like how all the tutors are practising graphic designers who each have their own individual interests and way of working. This is something that I wanted going in to uni as I was restricted previously to a limited design opinion

5. Leeds - It feels very similar to my local city and being one of the fastest growing green cities I still feel at home in the countryside (at times) 




Identify and explain 5 things that you want to learn during your time on the course

1. I would like to learn to use InDesign and be confident in using the programme. This application has been highlighted as a requirement to do experience in a local design studio that I would like to explore

2. I would like to learn how to present myself to a design studio/client. This is a key skill needed to get out there in the industry and being confident in approaching such people is key

3. Traditional print - this is something that I have always had an interest in however the facilities have not been widely available to me. I think that this will aid my design and I will hopefully find more areas that I am confident in



Identify and explain 5 things that you think are your strengths

1. Working in small groups - I think that this is one of my strengths as I am able put my opinion across as well as feeling confident in approaching the task in a number of ways to ensure that everyones strengths are used

2. Adobe Photoshop - This is a programme I have used for a number four years now for editing photographs as well as illustration work

3. Time keeping - I think that from the beginning of a project to the end I manage my time quite well, keeping up to date with the work and always being finished 24hrs+ of the hand in so that I am not stressed and fully prepared




Identify and explain 5 things you would like to improve

1. I would like to improve my skills on illustrator and being able to use the programme with confidence for a number of different projects and not always for just the same thing

2. Presentation skills - I already feel that I am becoming more confident in talking about my work to a large group of people but by the end of Level 04 I would like to have overcome the fear of presenting!

3. Time - I could spends months over a project however I would like to learn and appreciate short briefs and be happy with the work that I have produced in the small amount of time

4. Sketching - A lot of my work is digital as it is where I feel most confident however I would like to start sketching before transferring to digital to have more in-depth ideas...hopefully the more I sketch the better I will get 




Identify and explain 5 things that inspire you

1. Adventures - I follow a number of photographers/designers who travel the world, capturing beauty. Not only does their work inspire me but it encourages me to fulfil my dreams

2. Pinterest - This is my go to place for inspiration as you can search for the specifics and save them for the future. As well as using the website for design purposes, I also like to use it for crafts and beauty

3. National Geographic/Country Living (magazine) - I not only read the articles in both magazines through interest but I also like to look closely at the design of the magazines and the photographs that are captured by the explorers/photographers

Identify 5 examples of design that demonstrate your fields of creative interest

Daily To Do Lists

An organisation method I have investigated is'Plan: Organise your life' which is a website (app coming soon) run by Google to help 'organise your life'. This interactive calendar allows you to schedule events/tasks  by drag and dropping in to your personal calendar. As well as having a clean layout that you can personalise to your taste, the website also allows for you to put in how many hours sleep you've had, as well as how many hours you've spent working. This clever feature can help you monitor your routine so that you can squeeze everything in or enjoy some personal time. 

2-5th November 2015, To Do List:

Monday: 

- move on from research and begin thinking of direction (Alphabet)

- take a book out from the library 

- catch up on Gogglebox 

Tuesday:
- take a book out from the library - cop?
- complete experimentation design boards
- look in to what's on in Leeds next weekend (13-15 Nov)

Wednesday:
- complete experimentation design boards
- read a section of 'Critical Writings on Graphic Design'
- organise cardboard letters 
- attend film club!

Thursday:
- gain feedback to progress with alphabet
- complete deliverable design boards
- read a section of 'Critical Writings on Graphic Design' (train?)

Time Management

From this mornings season it has been highlighted to me why it is important to manage my time; reason #1 clears the mind for creative thought process, reason #2 planning, reason #3 stress/burnout. As I have been used to a busy schedule with a number of different deadlines, I have already got in to the routine of allocating time to do work as well as relaxing and enjoying activities that I want to do. To do this I have lists on my notes pages on my phone, where I can tick things off and highlight things that are important. When I have free time at a weekend or on a nighttime I also have a separate list of places I want to visit locally and international as well as craft projects to do.

I frequently add things to this list on a weekly basis. This means that there is always something there to go to whether it be a day trip that I can plan or a smaller craft project to start.

I have researched Apps such as Plan and Google Callender, however I think that I would spend more time playing around with the apps rather than getting something done. This is why I like to keep to simple lists that I can edit easily without getting to creative and caught up in it. This way it is something that I access unconsciously rather than spending the time making an event look pretty on an app. 

What's on in Leeds

One event that I have come across is 'Curious About Leeds?' which is run by the Leeds Art Gallery. The event occurs regularly and involves two self-guided, heritage walks. There are booklets available to buy or download that contain a map of routes and attractions. The walk takes you on a path of discovery whilst answering clues and reading stories about the facts of the city.

Tthis would be an interesting event to attend as a new comer to Leeds. It would highlight interesting places to visit that you would otherwise not know of and as the walks are regular it is easy to find one that you could attend on a weekday or weekend. 

10 Inspirations

1. Pinterest - As well as posting my own work I frequently use this discovery tool to gather a range of inspiration for a project that I am working on. I usually have a specific board for a project but also a more general design board. However, I also use Pinterest for hobbies that I enjoy, for example DIY Crafts and Beauty. This gives me a range of resources that I can gather quickly when beginning a project.

2. Instagram - As a designer, Instagram is not only a form of social media, it is a way to experience what other artists are experiencing and gain inspiration from their work. 
   Some of who I follow: 
- National geography (natgeo) 
- Bethany Marie (bethanymarieco) a photography and style blogger
- Alex Strohl (alexstrohl) a photographer and adventurer
- Elowyn (elowynmakesart) a fine artist 
- Desi (designs_by_desi) a graphic design student at VCU

I look at each of these artists on a daily basis to keep up to date with their activities but I also use Instagram on the more social side to follow what my friends/celebrities/retail are posting. I feel that this keeps me up to date with the current trends in social media which I think is important as developing artist.  

3. Behance - I use Bechance to look at specific artists that I have discovered/been told to investigate, as well as just browsing through the specific topics of design. In the past I have used this website to contact and artist and have received a response. I found that this was a great way to gather information about how the artist works and what inspirations they use. The artist I contact was Raphael Vicenzi, who replied with a very detailed response to my questions.

4. National Geographic - I am a yearly subscriber of the NG magazine, as well using social media and the website to keep up to date with what is going on in the world. I not only read the articles through interest but I also like to look closely at the design of the magazine and the photographs that are captured by the explorers. Something I look at frequently is the 'Photo of the Day' 

5. From Up North - This design blog is something that I came across through following a picture link on Pinterest. I use this website to explore various categories of art and to gather a range of professional inspiration. 
Website Link

6. It's Nice That - I was introduced to this website on starting the course. I have so far used it to read articles posted by artists on subject areas that I am interested in.
Website Link 

7. The Library - I have recently started to use the library as a direction to gather information. Depending on the subject area I will begin to read a range of books and magazines to form an understanding of the project and the media that surrounds the area. For example I am currently reading 'The field Guide To Typography' - Peter Dawson' to better my knowledge of typography and applying some of the information that I learn to the current logo type brief.

8. Youtube/Vimeo - I use Youtube tutorials to learn something new on photoshop or illustrator. I find this a useful way to gather a knowledge of shortcuts and to see how other designers use the Adobe suite. Something that I was introduced to was The Sandpit video on Vimeo. This has made me interested in this area of photography and is something I am going to research and learn more about to hopefully try out in the future.  

9. Tedtalks - As well as using Tedtalks for an eduction purpose, I enjoy browsing through the topic areas and watching a quick talk on something new to broaden my inspiration and knowledge. 

10. Music - For previous projects I have designed a range of cd covers, tour posters and tour t-shirts. This is something that I have a personal interest in, following a number of bands on social media as well as going to current gigs as well as feeling confident in this design area. I am continuously looking at artwork from cd covers on Spotify and researching merchandise and other advertising products on Pinterest.

   

John Peel Lecture - BBC Radio 4

Brian Eno 

Is art a luxury? 

'Culture is the creative arts. Art is everything you don't have to do.'

- Putting it so simply made me realise that art isn't something we have to do and engage with to stay alive, yet we do out of our own choice. 

'When a child says lets pretend, they're really saying lets imagine'

- Our imagination starts from an early age which develops as we grow and forms the way of life. 

'Children learn through play but adults play through art'

'Art offers you a chance to have feelings about things without it being dangerous. It offers you a safe place to have extreme and dangerous feelings'

- Culture is keeping us together although we are all very different. 

Belgrave Feast

Saturday 10th October

I was given Belgrave Music Hall and Canteen in the first introductory task on to the graphic design course. As I had only been there once before whilst exploring Leeds, It was interesting to find out more about the establishment. From researching the bar I came across an events page and signed up so that I would be in the loop to the music, art, film and food events that they hold. This led me on to find their 'Belgrave Feast' event which I attended over the weekend. As well as trying out a range of global foods, I was interested in the way that the food stalls advertised themselves. There was a clear definition for each stall in terms of the way they advertised what was available, to the presentation of their stall. This has highlighted to me they key in presentation and to experience a brand before doing design work. This ensures that the company has an appropriate visual identity that truly represents what they stand for.

Getting to Know People

Within our group we were given the design studio Hey Days to research and create a short presentation on which covered four key areas:

1. Who they are 
2. Where are they based
3. What do they do
4. What makes them unique

As I had not heard of this company before it was all new information to me. To begin the research project we all decided to explore the website and take out what we found interesting about the design studio. The main element of their website that stood out to me was the phrase 'We remove noise to add value'. This is shown on all their social media and promotional pages. I then began to make notes that focused on answering the key areas of enquiry:

1/2. Hey Day are based in Oslo, Norway and are a team made up of 6 graphic designers. The company has been running for five years and is one of the most award winning graphic design agencies in Norway. 

3/4. The focus of their work is developing visual identity and design solutions for a  number of clients, ranging from small and big names. They like to work closely with the clients to identify and clarify core values to make a relevant and appropriate solution to the presented brief. As well as their own team they have a well-developed network of other talented artists who are available to contribute to the brief.



As this was a research task it was interesting to take notes of the other companies that the rest of the groups explored.

1. AH HA Studios - A communication and graphic design studio based in Lisbon that was established in 2011. This design studio explores a variety of creative interests, ranging from interior design to traditional and fine print design. 

2. Hey studios - This studio is again another small studio with a team of five. They are based in Barcelona and mainly work with illustration briefs. Colour is a huge part of their work which adds to their own individual style of design. 

3. Sagmeister & Walsh - 

4. Lust - This design studio experiment with expressive traditional methods in their 'Lustlab'. This is brining back the use of traditional methods rather than producing work digitally. This makes the studio very unique in their industry.  

5. Studio Dunbar - 'Our style is that we don't have a style' This quote is from the team at Studio Dunbar and represents their work perfectly. They have a very abstract visual design style that is displayed through visual and online branding.

6. Build - This is a UK based design company that are internationally recognised for their branding and identity work. Their advertising work mainly involves typography with a 2 to 3 colour palette, keeping the designs current and simple.

7. Elmnwood - Elmwood studio is no1 in current and historic effectiveness league tables, making it one of the most recognisable design studios. They have a keen interested in sustainability which is demonstrated through their commercial and contemporary packaging designs. 

8. Bleed - Bleed is a multidisciplinary design studio who create design using parts of the company who they are working for. This can range from the colour scheme they withhold to the architecture of the firms building. This makes the studio unique as they use alternative inspiration to guide their design which ensures that the identity is true to the company. 

9. Face - This super modernist design company have a set method of producing work; approach, checklist, quote, brief, research/analysis, concept, design and delivery. Following this procedure for each of their projects makes the studio unique in the way that they work. 

10. Dessein - An Australian design studio based in Perth who have been running since 1987. They are a packaging and identity based studio who's designs are simplistic and flat. Many of their designs involve illustrations and photography is incorporated in their packaging designs which demonstrates their diverse cultural backgrounds.

11. Wolf Olins - The aim of this design studio is to make a brand that lasts forever. What makes this company unique is that if you contact them through their website, you can set up a meeting where they come to you and teach a class about brands. This is a way of developing a relationship with the studio and learning how and open and creative they are with the work they take on.