The screenshots below show the process in which I took to get the the final layout design.
1. To begin, I made a simple pentagon with a 0.5pt stroke.
Wednesday, 30 September 2015
Illustrator Mockup - Studio Brief 01 - OUGD504
As a little exercise on finding what layout works best for the pentagon shape. I decided to do a little experimenting in Illustrator to find what worked best.
The screenshots below show the process in which I took to get the the final layout design.
1. To begin, I made a simple pentagon with a 0.5pt stroke.
2. Then for the sake of convenience, I added an image I found on the web to work as my 'plant' image, this was made out of a clipping mask to achieve the desired shape shown below:
3. By adding guides I am able to gather an idea of where I want to place my copy.
4. I want my final outcome to reflect my modernist tendencies. So naturally I went for 'Akzidenz-Grotesk', one of my all time favourites because of its simplicity and forward-thought design (For it's time).
5. With some fine-tuning and moving the image around I was able to get the effect I desired. I want to keep the content unobtrusive for the reader as I think that the design process can be quite an overwhelming thing to get to grips with.
The screenshots below show the process in which I took to get the the final layout design.
1. To begin, I made a simple pentagon with a 0.5pt stroke.
Final Fold - Studio Brief 01 - OUGD504
My final fold was't very easy to execute by hand. So in order to get it absolutely perfect, I've had to create it in Illustrator and print off in A3 format and cut it out.
Here are the results from start to finish:
Here are the results from start to finish:
1.
2. 
3. 
4. 
5. 
6. 
7. 
Pentagon - Studio Brief 01 - OUGD504
As I have decided to focus on the shape of a pentagon for my leaflet. I thought it would be a good idea to look into the meaning of the shape and what it represents.
A pentagon has links with the golden ratio, but I'm skeptical of this theory so I will not go into greater detail of this finding, but for the sake of documentation, here is the 'evidence':
A pentagon has links with the golden ratio, but I'm skeptical of this theory so I will not go into greater detail of this finding, but for the sake of documentation, here is the 'evidence':
Although the above image is a 5 sided star, it is still classified under a pentagon, for example a 5 sided polygonal shape.
Other meanings:
Peace
Protection against evil
'Human stars' (Head, arms and legs)
Balance
Versatility
Elements: Earth, Fire, Water, Air and Life
As well as the points above, it has strong connection with plants and flowers, which represent life and creativity.
Visual Research - Studio Brief 01 - OUGD504
To give myself a better idea of what has been done in the style fold that I want to execute, I have had a look on Bēhance to see existing projects that I see as successful.
Gbox Studios By Bratus and Jimmi Taun
This is an identity brand for a design studio based in Vietnam.
I have selected this because I like how the designers have utilised the shape of a hexagon to create the unique fold seen above. They have used the shape throughout the designs to keep consistency along with the white/yellow colour way which makes it easily recognisable to the clients. I want my own outcome to reflect this. To be rememberable and engaging as I'd assume it will be for starting out designers who are new to the designing process e.g. first year degree students.
Although the fold above is very intuitive and well thought out, I think this would be an unnecessary expense for a production of one or more units. If time isn't too pushed I will be able to attempt this as a purely experimental prototype.
5 senses infographic By David Kendall
The infographic above isn't necessarily to my taste, but it's the execution that I wish to focus on. The five sides of the pentagon is representational of the five human senses, I want to represent my own design process in this fashion. I have thought that having the steps open one by one, you cannot jump ahead and open step 5 (digital) before opening step 1, this is vital in the design process as jumping to the final stages before actually doing any planning/research is a very bad idea as I have found out through my own experiences.
The idea of using a different colour for each stage is also a good idea. As a Graphic Designer, I often find myself adhering well to visually orientated (colour coded) instructions, I find that other designers will be alike and will be more visual learners rather than being auditory or kinaesthetic.
COSRX Branding By Triangle Studios
Gbox Studios By Bratus and Jimmi Taun
This is an identity brand for a design studio based in Vietnam.
I have selected this because I like how the designers have utilised the shape of a hexagon to create the unique fold seen above. They have used the shape throughout the designs to keep consistency along with the white/yellow colour way which makes it easily recognisable to the clients. I want my own outcome to reflect this. To be rememberable and engaging as I'd assume it will be for starting out designers who are new to the designing process e.g. first year degree students.
Although the fold above is very intuitive and well thought out, I think this would be an unnecessary expense for a production of one or more units. If time isn't too pushed I will be able to attempt this as a purely experimental prototype.
5 senses infographic By David Kendall
The infographic above isn't necessarily to my taste, but it's the execution that I wish to focus on. The five sides of the pentagon is representational of the five human senses, I want to represent my own design process in this fashion. I have thought that having the steps open one by one, you cannot jump ahead and open step 5 (digital) before opening step 1, this is vital in the design process as jumping to the final stages before actually doing any planning/research is a very bad idea as I have found out through my own experiences.
The idea of using a different colour for each stage is also a good idea. As a Graphic Designer, I often find myself adhering well to visually orientated (colour coded) instructions, I find that other designers will be alike and will be more visual learners rather than being auditory or kinaesthetic.
COSRX Branding By Triangle Studios
By taking inspiration from the above brochures, I wish to use different colour plants and imagery to represent each stage as plants and flowers all have different meanings, I wish to represent the emotion/feeling I get when executing a certain process.
The person viewing the leaflet may not be aware of the representation of the plants/flowers. Whilst this might be the case, I want the leaflet to look inviting and friendly, I find this is a great way of achieving this because of the positive effects plants can have on human behaviour:
Tuesday, 29 September 2015
Folds - Studio Brief 01 - OUGD504
Todays task consisted of experimental folding with various weight/colours of stock.
This was beneficial for me as I rarely create a practical prototype before mocking up a final piece. So finding what folds I want my leaflet to have has clarified the layout in which I will be working in throughout the week.
I tried some not-so practical folds and eventually concluded it would be best I do something simple, less is more in a sense. The fold I wish to do consists of a pentagon, which is a five sided polygon so to speak. This couldn't be sone by hand as it requires a template or very precise measurements in order to cut it out of a square, so I've had to create it in Illustrator and have included it below the images of my practical mock-ups.
The above images represent the folds when you're opening it, there is no specific order which makes it beneficial to produce within a digital format making it easier to work with.
Overall, I received positive comments for this fold, but the only issue with it was that the order in which the flaps come out has no consistency. So I have decided against using this specific fold and settled on the fold below:
The above shows how I am going to fold my leaflet. I have chosen to go no bigger than A3 as it makes it much easier for me to print off by using the standard laser in the studio rather than having to book time in digital print. This is appropriate for time as it is only a week long project
The 'main' container will have the 'finished design' stage, so to speak. whist the other flaps will have a step by step of the creative process. This is good because each flap can only be opened one at a time, meaning the person looking at it will see the steps in the correct order. The other side of the flaps will have the numbers in steps so when the person using it folds it back together, they know which way it all goes back, whilst the last flap, e.g. 'step 5' will have a front cover.
This was beneficial for me as I rarely create a practical prototype before mocking up a final piece. So finding what folds I want my leaflet to have has clarified the layout in which I will be working in throughout the week.
I tried some not-so practical folds and eventually concluded it would be best I do something simple, less is more in a sense. The fold I wish to do consists of a pentagon, which is a five sided polygon so to speak. This couldn't be sone by hand as it requires a template or very precise measurements in order to cut it out of a square, so I've had to create it in Illustrator and have included it below the images of my practical mock-ups.
This was taken whilst experimenting with different folds, as you can see, the blue leaflet (diamond) is the successor to the newsprint fold in front of it. The newsprint was easier to fold which led me to a more precise final fold using the heavier, coloured stock.
The above images represent the folds when you're opening it, there is no specific order which makes it beneficial to produce within a digital format making it easier to work with.
Overall, I received positive comments for this fold, but the only issue with it was that the order in which the flaps come out has no consistency. So I have decided against using this specific fold and settled on the fold below:
The 'main' container will have the 'finished design' stage, so to speak. whist the other flaps will have a step by step of the creative process. This is good because each flap can only be opened one at a time, meaning the person looking at it will see the steps in the correct order. The other side of the flaps will have the numbers in steps so when the person using it folds it back together, they know which way it all goes back, whilst the last flap, e.g. 'step 5' will have a front cover.
Monday, 28 September 2015
The Design Process - Study Task 01 - OUGD504
This one week brief will highlight what my own design process consists of. In other words to visually represent what I would consider my own design process is and how I go about executing a project.
Whilst any design process is the same to certain degree, everyone including myself has their own way of doing things. This project will help me clarify and explore different ways in which I can expand my own conceptual knowledge of the design process in the form of a leaflet.
Developing your own creative process is vital in the graphic design industry, it forms the basic outline on which you execute any given brief, whether that would be branding, web based or even editorial. But, before you can enjoy the freedom of developing your own creative process, you must understand the basics in which a final outcome can be produced so you are not relying on 'happy accidents' or sudden impulses and uninformed decisions.
The (very) basic form of the 'design process':
Research
Plan
Execute
The above looks easy enough. But it's the bits in-between that matter, for example the organisation of your journey is vital.
This is something I fall in a bit of a pitfall with; I have in the past used something called a burndown chart, whilst this was to ensure I keep to a steady flow of work, it also helped me prioritise all aspects of the project through the use of post-it notes that guides me trough the process in the form of the basic points outlined above in colour.
I have yet to find a process I am happy with, and that actually works. Once one is successful, you stick to it.
An example of a thorough process:
Research:
Identify what the brief is asking of you. Gather all of the information you have so far, e.g. meetings with the client. Highlight key words such as adjectives that the brief is asking you, for example, modern, simple or sophisticated. This will help you get an idea of the 'vibe' the client is after.
Ask questions. What are you going to be communicating. Expand on the previous points, give them more detail in your own language that you can decipher and don't stop until you are satisfied/confident that you fully understand what it is you're going to be designing.
The research phase can take as long as you need it to. It could be one day or one month, it's all relative to how well you understand the brief and how confident you are that you're outcome is going to be successful.
Planning:
Translate the above information into basic visuals. Using the elements basic shapes and then from this you can then work through permutations of the arrangements of those shapes.
Begin to experiment with layout. Look into wha typography and/or imagery will be most appropriate.
Work towards refining what you will be developing for your final outcome by sketching more detailed drawings of what your research/early planning has led you to. Gather feedback from multiple sources and consider what you want to keep and get rid of.
Execute:
Pixelate your drawings. Get onto a computer and develop your drawings in a digital format. This may include mock-ups and rough vectors of the final outcome.
Experimenting with colour is a must. It needs to comply with certain standards within industry. Is it for web or print (RGB or CMYK)? Must is be executable through CSS or can it be in raster form?
Finalise your digital outcomes and gather feedback for the last time, this is normally in the form of a pitch to the client.
Now is the time to ensure the final outcome is to the best possible standard that is appropriate for the medium. Finally, evaluate your journey as a whole and get paid $$$.
Task:
Whilst any design process is the same to certain degree, everyone including myself has their own way of doing things. This project will help me clarify and explore different ways in which I can expand my own conceptual knowledge of the design process in the form of a leaflet.
Developing your own creative process is vital in the graphic design industry, it forms the basic outline on which you execute any given brief, whether that would be branding, web based or even editorial. But, before you can enjoy the freedom of developing your own creative process, you must understand the basics in which a final outcome can be produced so you are not relying on 'happy accidents' or sudden impulses and uninformed decisions.
The (very) basic form of the 'design process':
Research
Plan
Execute
The above looks easy enough. But it's the bits in-between that matter, for example the organisation of your journey is vital.
This is something I fall in a bit of a pitfall with; I have in the past used something called a burndown chart, whilst this was to ensure I keep to a steady flow of work, it also helped me prioritise all aspects of the project through the use of post-it notes that guides me trough the process in the form of the basic points outlined above in colour.
I have yet to find a process I am happy with, and that actually works. Once one is successful, you stick to it.
An example of a thorough process:
Research:
Identify what the brief is asking of you. Gather all of the information you have so far, e.g. meetings with the client. Highlight key words such as adjectives that the brief is asking you, for example, modern, simple or sophisticated. This will help you get an idea of the 'vibe' the client is after.
Ask questions. What are you going to be communicating. Expand on the previous points, give them more detail in your own language that you can decipher and don't stop until you are satisfied/confident that you fully understand what it is you're going to be designing.
The research phase can take as long as you need it to. It could be one day or one month, it's all relative to how well you understand the brief and how confident you are that you're outcome is going to be successful.
Planning:
Translate the above information into basic visuals. Using the elements basic shapes and then from this you can then work through permutations of the arrangements of those shapes.
Begin to experiment with layout. Look into wha typography and/or imagery will be most appropriate.
Work towards refining what you will be developing for your final outcome by sketching more detailed drawings of what your research/early planning has led you to. Gather feedback from multiple sources and consider what you want to keep and get rid of.
Execute:
Pixelate your drawings. Get onto a computer and develop your drawings in a digital format. This may include mock-ups and rough vectors of the final outcome.
Experimenting with colour is a must. It needs to comply with certain standards within industry. Is it for web or print (RGB or CMYK)? Must is be executable through CSS or can it be in raster form?
Finalise your digital outcomes and gather feedback for the last time, this is normally in the form of a pitch to the client.
Now is the time to ensure the final outcome is to the best possible standard that is appropriate for the medium. Finally, evaluate your journey as a whole and get paid $$$.
Task:
For the task today, we were split into groups and set the activity of documenting what 'we' as a group of creatives thought the design process was.
We chose the path of questioning. This meant everything you do has a reason. Whilst outlining the basic thought process of the above (Research, Plan, Execute.) we were able to create a 'cycle' of tasks that would be gone through when you are designing.
This was then pitched to the group and we received feedback on the task. This was mostly positive, and the 'Why' was highlighted as being a great way of informing every decision you make.
Thursday, 17 September 2015
Presentation - Summer Brief - OUGD504
Today I finished my presentation for when we start the term.
The presentation includes a little explanation of the journey I chose to take, the final images and a small caption to go along with each image:
The presentation includes a little explanation of the journey I chose to take, the final images and a small caption to go along with each image:
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