Type and Grid Concertina Book

What is Good? Concept Workshop.

On Wednesday we got into groups and we each presented three concepts to the others. I found this process very helpful and it was interesting to see what everyone had come up with as every theme was different. Here are three concepts that I presented:

Concept One:

Publication - Journey across the island, traveling to different points of architecture

Highlighting:

• architecture/temples
• Balinese family home
• natural aspects - wildlife
• landscapes - volcanoes/rice fields

Will use techniques such as embossing and foiling to accentuate the textures and design style of the culture.

Concept Two:

Brand/create a resort/hotel/spa

Based in London it would be an experience and themed hotel where residents could get a feel for the island and its culture and customs.

Would create:

• logo/branding
• hotel ephemera
• artwork
• promotion

Concept Three:

Create a selection of greetings cards, accessories and stationary inspired by Balinese landscapes, architecture and dance/costume.

Range:

• cards
• gift wrap
• gift boxes
• gift tags
• pens
• notebooks

Would also include related processes such as foiling, embossing and laser cut. To enhance the design of products and also to give them a luxury and high end look and feel.

After discussing my ideas a lot of points were raised and people had a lot of different opinions on why certain concepts were better. Some preferred the publication as they liked how the processes would enhance the design and it also gave me the chance to look into new techniques. Although it was argued that I had already done a lot of publications and gift cards and that I should experiment with something different like the hotel. Although after some discussion a new concept was decided that incorporated different aspects from each:

Re-worked Concept:

Create a home wear collection inspired by Bali. It would include western items with an Indonesian influence. I would also create a catalogue/look book that would display the collection, the processes discussed previously could also be used. I could also look into web and promoting the products that way as well.

Products:

• Dining
• plates
• cutlery
• table mats
• table cloths
• Bathroom
• tiles
• General
• wall paper
• cushions
• curtains
• Bedroom
• duvets
• quilts
• pillows

Type and Grid Workshop Four.

• headlines should be in the boldest typeface to demonstrate importance
• drop down a weight for a subtitle
• body copy can be set with differing type size but the same weight
• to work effectively wit hierarchy you need to understand the information you're working with
• you don't have to have complex hierarchies
• if your information need separation use a second type weight or indentation etc

Task

• select a font
• select a distinct character
• make it between 200 - 500 point size on screen
• draw a grid over the character
• delete the letter and keep the grid
• by hand use your grid to redraw the typeface
• identify what makes a typeface distinct, what makes it different, how is it constructed?
• enlarging and hand rendering will give you an appreciation of how it is constructed.]

Frankenstein type

• pick a word from the list: bungling

• pick three standard fonts
• futura
• bernard mt condensed
• consolas

• use pieces of each to create a new letter

Type and Grid Workshop Three.

Construction of grids

• before you can make a grid you must know what you're making it for
• in industry you will know your stock, size, quality, print methods beforehand
• thumbnail sketches will make the final design of layout more productive
• thumbnail sketches should be proportionate to the final outcome
• before drawing consider the number of columns
• more columns gives you more scope for design and layout
• 2 columns could be subdivided into 4
• 3 columns opportunities for arranging and accommodating text and illustrations in numerous sizes
• a 3 column grid could be subdivided into a 6 column arrangement
• disadvantages of 6 column are that the lines of text will be narrow and a small typeface would have to be used
• for statistics, figures, graphs and trend line publications use 4 columns per page
• 4 columns can be subdivided into 8, 16 etc
• the width of a column dictates the size of typeface used
• the rule, the narrower the column the smaller the typeface

Thumbnails

• make a variety of thumbnails of layout designs
• do not just rely on one set of thumbnails
• enlarge a section of appropriate thumbnail by 1:1
• compare them and select and repeat process until you are confident with the design
• it is about generation of ideas

Apply type to columns

• the first line must fit flush to the top limit of the column grid
• the last line must stand on the bottom limit
• it is difficult to find the final solution the first time around
• it could mean that your grid field is to high or to low

example 1

• 10pt type - 15pt leading
• column length 15cm
• loosely means use 15pt leading
• at this length there must be 10 lines per field
• meaning 30 lines every 15cm
• the depth of my field assertions how many 10pt type lines I have

example 2

• caption text - 4pt type, 6pt leading
• header and footer tet - 7pt type, 10pt leading
• body text - 10pt type, 13pt leading

Type and Picture

• A4 format
• 8 & 20 grid fields
• 8 grid fields are used for advertising material and brochures
• the grid is only an instrument in which you, a designer, can make interesting and balanced designs
• 20 field grid has quite a large scope for idea solutions
• there are 42 possible layout options

Task

• concertina folds
• 5 - 16 pages
• use own work as content
• challenge the layout
• use multiple grids

What is Good? Re-writing Brief Workshop.

5 words that sum up my good

1. culture
2. colour
3. decorative
4. architecture
5. beautiful

5 words that sum up my target audience

1. cultured
2. tourists
3. creative
4. photographers
5. architects

5 words that sum up my tone of voice

1. informative
2. descriptive
3. sophisticated
4. creative
5. topical

5 products I could create

1. a publication
2. posters
3. packaging for related objects
4. three dimensional representations
5. a website/app

5 processes I am interested in using

1. embossing
2. debossing
3. foiling
4. binding
5. lasercut

Rewritten Brief

What is Good? Format Workshop.

Five things I don't know about the formats

• blizzard bind - the exact folding process
• concertina bind - whether it is better to secure the pages in the mountains or valleys
• accordion bind - how long will the stock need to be to get an appropriate amount of pages
• japanese bind - what is the best thread to use
• screw bind - where to buy the screws themselves

Five things I don't know about processes

• laser cutting - how do you work the programme
• laser cutting - how do you just indent the surface rather than cutting all the way through
• embossing - what is the best stock to use
• embossing - how damp does the stock need to be
• embossing - what material is the best to create the stamp to emboss with

Reasons why favourite example (blizzard bind) is bad

• the stock that would be needed to be used would be very long
• it might not be very strong
• it could deconstruct easily
• the process seems very complicated

Reasons why favourite example (blizzard bind) is good

• very unique and original
• pages slot in easily
• content can be changed and rearranged

Type and Grid Workshop Two.

What is Good? Branding Workshop.

Things to consider with branding:

• target audience
• communicate an identity
• colour
• typeface
• scale
• image

Things to consider with print material:

• target audience
• context
• where
• how people interact
• stock
• special production methods
• foiling
• embossing
• laser cutting
• etc

Product Analysis

Magazine : Hypebeast

• Glossy stock.
• Audience can intereact with the photography and the image.
• Would find it in high end fashion shops.

Clothing Tag 

• Been die cut.
• Would be found in clothes stores 
• Stock is a heavy card. Some gloss used too.
• Audience will interact by looking at price and information about this product.

Oasis Tag

• Been die cut
• Made from a durable stock so is hard wearing, won't fit easily.
• Stock is also quite glossy, possible been laminated.

Shoe box for Oasics

• Hard stock so it is hard wearing.
• Easily can be transported.
• Easy to open and use contents inside.
• Most importantly its cheap and reusable. 
• Its venerable.
• Box has been die cut and die stamped.

Chanel Business Card

• Card has been embossed.
• Printed on a nice textured, thick stock.
• Audience will be high end successful people. 
• Conventional shape to fit in pocket, wallet etc
• Would be found at fashion shows ect.
• Easy to store

Top Shop Makeup Flyer

• Audience, female and trendy, people interested in fashion.
• High street.
• Would be found in store or in a magazine.
• Student pack, freshers fair. 
• You can read it, take advice from it, put it on your wall. 
• Cheap stock Process put it has got foiling. 

Richard James Invitation 

• Very thick stock, makes it seem expensive and professional.
• Been printed with a stock colour
• Text had been de-bossed slightly.

Topshop handout/ Promotional 

• For customers and a young female audience 
• Would be found in store, freshers fairs.
• Dj Sets.
• Could be found through the post. 
• Read it to find out about what it is selling.
• Pin it up on your wall. 
• Stock is a nice grainy cheap card. 
• It has been foiled, and die cut. 

Label for jeans 

• Found on the item, found in Topshop.
• People read it to find out size and cleaning instructions
• Stock is a transparent, fabric that is sturdy and not likely to break. 
• It has also been stitched.
• We all agree it has been printed very cheaply. 

Label for Moto

• Found on products from Moto.
• Stock is a off white card, sturdy, not likely to rip or break. 

Jewellery Packaging

• Found in store and can be posted.
• Easy to open. 
• Can be de-constructed.
• Stock is a textured, thick card.
• Net seem quite complicated.
• Easily opened to get to whats inside. 
• Been die cut, stamped and sticked.

Card Holder

• Found in people housed, on a desk 
• Found in card shops and craft fairs, exhibitions.
• People interact by placing their card on it.
• Fun and playful product.
• Stock is a strong card so it can stand up and support cards
• Stock looks foiled but is just a glossy card.
• Has been die cut.

Book

• Find it in a book shop, in your home, in a office, in a deign studio.
• People read it and can rip pages out to stick up.
• Can be scanned in.
• A lot of imagery through out the book so an easy read and can be easily understood.
• The front has been embossed.
• The book has been perfectly bound with glue.

Post Card Holder

• Would be found in craft shops. 
• Flat so can be easily stored and transported. 
• Can be interacted by being opened and closed. Cards can be easily stored.
• Stock is a simple card, looks very similar to card board.
• Gives the idea it is environmentally friendly. 

A4 Folder

• Found in stationary shop, offices, schools, studios.
• Good for organisation of documents.
• Easy to carry and store. 
• Stock is a simple brown card. Very durable, not likely to damage easily.
• Spot Varnish. Die cut. Flat Pack.

Type and Grid Workshop One.

Fibonacci sequence

• ratio 8:13
• links to golden section
• this sequence is not only evident within design but also nature
• the human face follows the ration
• we find people who's faces are truer to the ratio more attractive
• classic renaissance masterpieces
• architecture from antiquity
• a series of numbers in which each number is the sum of the two preceding numbers
• 1 > 2 > 3 > 5 > 8 > 13 > 21 etc

• draw two small squares together
• draw a third square using the combined lengths of the two original squares together
• continue to repeat the process

• 55 point title should be complimented with 34 point body copy by applying Fibonacci's sequence
• correlates to two following numbers within the sequence

The golden section

• 1.62 is the golden number
• forms the basis of paper sizes and its principles can be used as a means of achieving balanced designs
• many ancient cultures from the Egyptians to the Greeks used this thinking to gain beautifully designed proportions
• is also known as the golden rectangle, a rectangle in which the ratio of the length to the width is the golden ratio
• 56cm divide by 1.62 = 34.56... round to 35
• then 35 divide by 1.62 = 22

Presentation screen shots

What is Good? Concept Workshop.

My initial list

1. My mum cooking my tea - because it tastes better and I don't have to do it
2. My dog - because she is always happy to see me and gives good hugs
3. Lie ins - because I always want more sleep and it's warm and comfortable
4. Dancing - way to keep healthy and have fun with friends
5. Toffee ice cream - because it tastes so good, yum

Group list

1. Home cooked meals - comfort, reminder of childhood, taste, no effort
2. Art and design - getting inspired, thought provoking work
3. Travel - seeing new things, new experiences, different cultures
4. Finishing work and relaxing - relief, sense of achievement
5. Music - sounds good, makes you feel better, entertaining
6. Lie ins - lazy, relaxing, not caring
7. New clothes - getting something you want, feeling good wearing it
8. Watching a good film - escapism, emotional, relaxing past time
9. Apple products - quality, reliable, aesthetics, new smell
10. Tea and coffee - comfort, relief

Turning good to bad

1. Cake and dessert - unhealthy, damage your teeth, sickly
2. Sunshine - get sunburnt, makes you squint, get to hot and sweaty, dehydrated
3. Live music - to loud, the band could be disappointing not as good as recorded songs, annoying crowd
4. Clean sheets - getting an allergic reaction to the washing powder, having to wash them in the first place, starchy
5. Cheese - smelly, could be allergic, fatty, mouldy, stringy cheese gets everywhere
6. Films - no idea what's going on, everyone has different tastes so could be difficult to pick, not productive
7. Making people laugh - could be an inappropriate moment, laughing at you not with you
8. Playing instruments - expensive, listening to someone who can't play is annoying
9. Adventure - dangerous, tiring, getting lost, stressful
10. Learning something new - could take forever, frustrating, time consuming

Responsive Workshop Three - Second Proposal.

New design boards:

Points I want feedback on:

• do my design ideas fit with a female 18-25 target audience?
• do my initial designs work as a pattern?
• do you prefer the linear or block colour style?
• what possible colours could I use?
• how could I also target a male audience?

Feedback:

• linear style is more popular but it was suggested to experiment with both as they will give very different looks
• try block colour background with the linear style, maybe red/black/white to fit with the brand
• bird design isn't to anti-masculine so I could just replace the flowers to fit a male audience
• as the design is going it does fit with the female audience
• experiment with highlighting specific aspects of the design with colour

ISTD Brief Analysis Workshop.

Chosen Brief: 10 Things you should know about

Five problems:

1. unspecified audience
2. wide range of categories
3. no specified format
4. publication and supporting material need to be created
5. will have to do a lot of my own research

Five reasons why I want to solve them:

1. I would like to target a specific group of people and tailor my design to suit them
2. I would like to find a topic I can find interest in and get interesting ideas for outcomes
3. layout etc is something I really want to develop and because it is open I can explore
4. I would like to create a range of products
5. I can develop my knowledge on a chosen topic

Five facts about your subject:

1. inter-railing is one of the most popular ways to get around Europe
2. holidays are often used as a time to relax
3. back packing is very popular with students
4. there are lots of caravan parks around the UK
5. you can also travel via boat e.g cruises 

Five things I don't know:

1. what are the most popular ways to travel?
2. what are were holidays to 'butlins' etc most popular?
3. who am I aiming this at?
4. what other covers could I do... what are the topics?
5. what format will work the best?

Five things about the audience:

1. people looking for a new holiday experience
2. people who are enthusiastic about travel
3. people with the necessary funds to travel
4. age from 16/17 +
5. male and female

Five ideas I want to communicate:

1. the different options of travel across the world/UK
2. possible destinations
3. different levels of holidays e.g from basic to five star
4. prices for these different options
5. opinions from people who have already done it

Five deliverables:

1. book form publication
2. corresponding website
3. two linking additional covers
4. poster
5. set of information cards

Five points of distribution:

1. travel agents
2. airports
3. railway/coach stations
4. travel guide websites
5. city self promotion websites

Responsive Workshop Two - Brief Proposal.

Ten steps to writing persuasive project proposals:

1. Set clear aims and objectives
• overall aims/specific aims - things you're going to change (behaviour/thinking/buying habits)
• objectives - methods you're going to use to achieve your aims
2. Be smart
• specific - detail exactly what needs to be done
• measurable - achievements can be measured in terms of units or specific success criteria
• achievable - the resources, scope and scale are within your capabilities
• realistic - the objective is possible to attain
• time bound - the period of time, target dates, schedule or time table is clearly defined
3. Use words from your brief
• specialist interest
• analyse your competitors
• manage your finances
4. Justify the need for your proposal
• who needs it?
• why do they need it?
• what evidence to support your argument?
• what circumstances have created this need?
• don't make empty statements
5. Describe your audience
• demographics
• locations
• lifestyles
• which industry?
• what values do they have?
• why will they engage?
6. Describe your motivations
• what are your goals?
• what are your ambitions?
• what is your success criteria?
• what are your values?
7. Consider the reader
• make proposal easy to read
• profesional template
• using appropriate tone
• check grammar
• no repetition
8. Eliminate vagueness
• words to avoid: unique, nice, special, bland, sleek, definitely, totally, I, really, good, bad, cool, individual, boring, interesting, maybe
9. Visualise the ending
• begin with your vision of the ending in mind
10. Assume nothing
• apart from the fact that the reader knows nothing about you
• explain everything

My proposal

Feedback

To do list:

• look into unisex designs
• research into colour, introduce limitations
• further brand research
• look into and research materials

Design for Web Workshop Four - Adding Content.

• Box model: margin, border, padding, content

• when adding padding you must minus it from the width and height.

What types of content we can have:

• video
• images
• text
• animation
• links
• games
• audio
• maps

Adding images:

• Static image
• insert > image
• light box

• copy code onto template in the 'head' tag

• open your chosen image in Photoshop, resize and create a thubnail
• save as 'image1' and 'thumb1'

 

• paste code into column 3

• edit the code to get a thumbnail

• change caption

• to add more images and group them together

• another variant is 'fancybox' and 'slimbox' supports video and audio
• 'flexslider' slideshow style