Monday, 19 November 2012

OUGD403 - Message and Delivery - final presentation and self evaluation

Final Designs:






Today we presented our final designs to our peers. We swapped our designs with other tables, and judged each others work. We had to pick what we considered the best design. Our group chose to pick the design that not only looked professional, was relevant in aesthetics, but also communicated the message really well. 

My piece was picked by the other group as the best one. They said that it was because my posters had a comical, lighthearted mood and that my mail piece had an interesting concept with a clear message. They said they liked how it had an action for the reader to take, by directing the reader to a website, which made it stand out from other designs.




I really enjoyed creating these posters and direct mail piece because it gave me a chance to communicate my own opinions. I really enjoyed researching into something I am passionate about and at the same time, using lighthearted themes to portray this. 

If I were to do this task again, I would work harder in getting all of my pieces to coodinate and thus making them more of a set. I would also listen and respond to constructive feedback from my peers suggestions (written feedback in this case).

Overall I personally think that my designs are successful in communicating a message but maybe not so much in aesthetics because of the lack of consistent style.


Sunday, 18 November 2012

OUGD403 - Alphabet Soup - Illustrator Typeface - finished product and evaluation

In this project, I was asked to digitise one of my ten designs visually portraying the word layer.

In terms of using the software to create my letterforms, I found it relatively easy because I would consider myself to be very familiar with basic tools in Adobe Illustrator. And, although I didn't find the creation to be too difficult, I still came across some problems, which I overcame or compromised depending on how seriously it impacted the design.
Looking at my final design now, I am really happy with the way that it turned out as it looks very contemporary, apart from the letters Z and Q because I feel that the shape of the letterforms could have been emphasized more.
Other than that I have thoroughly enjoyed creating this typeface and think that the outcome has helped me explore Adobe Illustrator and helped me learn things I didn't know before about the program.





Friday, 16 November 2012

OUGD403 - Message and Delivery - final crit





There are mixed reviews from my critical feedback. The first sheet describes my work as 'unclear as a campaign', unclear in message and inconsistent in style. However the other is very complimentary and says it is clear, 'gets the point across' and 'gets the audience involved'. 
Because of my confusion surrounding this I have decided to ask them about their opinions further. The people who wrote the first sheet said that they didn't understand what my message was because they weren't aware of political correctness in modern times. The people who wrote the second sheet said that it was perfectly suitable and that they agree with the message that was being portrayed. 
Because of these conformations I have decided not to change my design, because my message is not to teach people about political correctness, but to simply comment on its use and recruit others who feel the same way.

Tuesday, 13 November 2012

OUGD402 - What is Graphic Design For? Task 4

What is Graphic Design for?

There are many aspects/ fields of Graphic Design, that, as an artist you are usually assigned to/ specialize in. Through exploring these fields, as a designer I can establish and aspire to creating through my most favoured aspects. 

5 categories that these fields can be sorted into:
  • Information & Way-finding
  • Publishing & Editorial
  • Branding & Identity
  • Product & Packaging
  • Retail & Promotion
 How these categories can be determined even further:
  • Genre
  • Content
  • Audiences
  • Sectors
  • Functions
  • Format
-----------------

A few examples of what these categories consist of:

EDITORIAL & PUBLISHING

Editorial design is magazine design such as: creative covers combining photography and typography, to double page spreads. Publishing design is book cover design.

Editorial/ Magazine Design: ('Above the line' design ie, is seen by the public eye, is on trend, up-to-date)


Genres/ Content/of editorial and publishing design:
  • Fashion
  • Music
  • Lifestyle
  • Health & Beauty
  • Current Affairs
  • Photography
  • Technology
  • The Arts
  • Hobbyist
  • Food & Cooking
  • The Home
  • Bridal
  • .... and many more, around 50+ genres in fact.
Audiences of editorial and publishing design:

 Functions/ Format:
  • Double page/ single page spreads
  • Bodycopy in relation with type and image
  • Grids
  • Unified templates, as specified by art director/ graphic designer
  • Trend- driven designs
5 Websites/ blogs to define editorial and publishing design:


http://www.editorialdesignserved.co/



Genre - The home / lifestyle / current affairs (environmental)
Content - (russian) instructions on how to be more eco-friendly at home.
Audiences - adult audiences responsible for looking after the home /recycling etc 
Sectors - public / recreational / advisory / tips and hints rather than a strict campaign
Functions - instructions on how to be more eco-friendly at home.
Format - trend- driven minimalistic collage style, perhaps to promote eco-friendliness as trendy.

Genre - music
Content - front cover of anniversary issue
Audiences -  music lovers, adults
Sectors - public / articles 
Functions - entertain / review / advertise
Format - front cover - alternative indian style, referring to the psychedelic era of music, when rolling stone magazine was at the forefront of music news.





Genre - fiction / dark
Content - fiction
Audiences -  adults 16-40
Sectors - paperback / public
Functions - advertise the story
Format -front cover paperback


Genre - action / thriller 
Content - fiction
Audiences -  adult
Functions - inform / advertise story
Format - front cover

http://bookcoverdesign.tumblr.com/



Genre - fantasy / childrens
Content - fiction
Audiences -  children / younger audiences
Functions - Advertise / inform about story
Format - book cover


Genre - non fiction / food & cooking / Hobbyist
Content - recipes
Audiences -  adults / cooking fans
Functions - inform / advertise / instruct
Format - a3 book cover



Genre - lifestyle/ photography
Content - non fiction
Audiences -  adults / photography enthusiasts
Functions - advertise contemporary photographers
Format - double page spread


Genre - photography
Content - non fiction
Audiences -  adults / photography enthusiasts
Functions - advertise and showcase current photography
Format - double page spread



Genre - lifestyle / interview
Content - non fiction / interviews
Audiences -  adults /fans of cover star
Functions - advertise contents
Format -magazine cover


Genre - alternative / music
Content - interviews / reviews
Audiences -  adults / alternative fans
Functions - advertise contents
Format - magazine cover


Publishing/ Book Design: ('Above the line' publishing ie, is seen by the public eye, is on trend, up-to-date)
  • Fiction
  • Non-Fiction
  • Travel
  • Biographies
  • Manuals
  • Childrens Books
  • Education
  • Training
  • Reference
  • Language
General Publication Design: ('Below the line' publishing ie, is seen in a corporate environment, to portray information etc)
  • Annual Reports
  • Catalogues (event)
  • Catalogues
  • Brochures
  • Instructional
  • Public Sector
The designer can still have fun with even factual and informative design. Through design different mediums and printing techniques can be explored, experimentation with stocks and assembly techniques - books can become the product!

RETAIL & PROMOTION

Retail and promotional design is everything that promotes a company in it's store environment. For example, in-store advertisements, counter-top point of sales that presents the items but are not packaging.

branding & identity/ product & packaging can be integrated into this field. 

5 Websites/ blogs to define retail and promotional design:


http://retaildesignblog.net/

Genre - decoration
Content - nike logos / interactive digital info on nike
Audiences - nike customers
Functions - decorate nike shop and communicate with customers
Format - wall decor

Genre - decoration
Content - illustrations and random facts about the store
Audiences - store customers
Functions - decorate the store
Format - wall & floor decor




Genre - decoration
Content - company logo
Audiences - fred perry customers
Functions - decorate the store
Format - ceiling hanging

Genre - informative and decorative 
Content - 'exit'
Audiences - drivers using the car park who want to exit
Functions - inform and instruct the direction of the exit
Format - wall transfer




http://thewindowdisplayblog.com/


Genre - decoration / advertisement 
Content - company logo / product placement
Audiences - customers of store
Functions - decorate and advertise products and company
Format - window display

Genre - decoration / advertisement
Content - company logo / product placement / decorative imagery
Audiences - customers of store
Functions -decorate and advertise products and company
Format - window display


http://www.design4retail.co.uk/blog

Genre - decoration and advertisement 
Content - company ethos- related phrases
Audiences - customers of the store 
Functions - decorate and advertise products and company
Format - wall transfers

Genre - decoration and advertisement
Content - company logo / decor
Audiences- louis vuitton customers
Functions - decorate and advertise company
Format - window display


  1. tags/labels
  2. bags
  3. packaging
  4. point of sale
  5. window displays
  6. decoration
  7. perfume testers etc
  8. packaging for samples eg cosmetics
  9. using the store as an exhibition space, considering scale and 3D environments
  10. create moods and experiences through design

In this field especially, designers and artists have to learn to work in the team/ fit within the production cycle. Ie, you may not be the one who designed the logo, but the one that determined the colour scheme and identity for this season.

PRODUCT & PACKAGING

Product and packaging design is the design of the casing that surrounds a product during shelf life, transportation and storage. It's practicality and aesthetics depend on the product, such as a crate of flat-pack furniture may be simpler and sturdier in it's design to that of an expensive bottle of perfume.

Graphic Design is the product more than ever in this field. 

5+ Websites/ blogs to define product and packaging design:


http://lovelypackage.com/category/fashion/ 

Genre - containing
Content - company logo / info on company / shirt
Audiences - company customers
Functions - contain shirt
Format - wooden & glass case

Genre - containing
Content - company logo / info on milk / milk
Audiences - milk drinkers
Functions - inform on contents of milk / contain milk
Format - tetrapak carton

Genre - containing
Content - company logo /  advert for company / coffee
Audiences - coffe drinkers / company customers
Functions - advertise company / contain coffee
Format - card cup


Genre - containing 
Content - company logo / info on juice
Audiences - smoothie drinkers
Functions - inform on contents of juice / contain juice
Format - tetrapak carton



Genre - containing 
Content - company logo / info on soaps
Audiences  - males
Functions - inform on contents of soaps / contain soaps
Format - packaging various

Genre - containing 
Content - company logo / info on pepper / pepper
Audiences - pepper users
Functions - inform on origins of / contain pepper
Format - packaging 






Genre - containing
Content - company logo / yoga CD
Audiences - yoga enthusiasts
Functions - inform on yoga / contain yoga CD
Format - CD cases and sleeves



Genre -containing  
Content - company logo / info on coke
Audiences - coke drinkers
Functions - inform on contents of coke / contain coke
Format - glass/ metal bottle

Genre -containing 
Content - patterns / logo
Audiences - coffee / hot drinks drinkers
Functions - hold hot drink
Format - handle

Genre -containing
Content - company logo / info on cider
Audiences - cider drinkers
Functions - inform on contents of cider / contain cider
Format - glass bottle




Genre -labelling 
Content - company logo / info on cider
Audiences - cider drinkers
Functions - inform on contents of cider / contain cider
Format - glass bottle

Genre - foodstuffs 
Content - company logo / info on wine
Audiences - wine / fair trade customers 
Functions - inform on contents of wine / contain wine
Format - carton


Genre -labelling / commemoration
Content - company logo / info on vodka
Audiences - vodka customers
Functions - inform on contents of vodka / contain vodka
Format - glass bottle 

Genre -labelling / anniversary
Content - company logo / info on soup
Audiences - soup / art lovers
Functions - inform on contents of soup / contain soup
Format - tin can




  1. t shirts
  2. mugs
  3. badges
  4. Greeting Cards
  5. Napkins
  6. Wrapping Paper
  7. Wallpaper
  8. Stationery
  9. picture frames
  10. food
  11. toys
  12. perfume/ cosmetics
  13. protection/ transportation
Lots of the time in this highly competitive field, designs have to be spread across a range of different products and packaging, and so design has to be applicable to multiple purposes/ forms. Exploring with typographic elements and choice of stock/materials in this field is essential.

BRANDING & IDENTITY

The design of the logo, colour scheme, language, website, imagery, message and ethos of a company.

retail and promotion/ product & packaging can be integrated into this field. 

5 +Websites/ blogs to define branding and identity design:

Genre - advertising /uniforming / representing university
Content - company title / imagery
Audiences - customers / potential customers
Functions - advertise university
Format -logo

Genre - advertising /uniforming / representing company 
Content -  imagery
Audiences - customers / potential customers
Functions - advertise company
Format -logo





Genre - advertising /uniforming / representing 
Content - company title / imagery
Audiences - customers / potential customers
Functions - advertise company
Format -logo

Genre - advertising /uniforming / representing 
Content - company title / imagery
Audiences - customers / potential customers
Functions - advertise company
Format -logo



http://designspiration.net/tag/logo/ 



Genre - advertising /uniforming / representing company 
Content - company names / imagery / info
Audiences - customers / potential customers
Functions - advertise / inform
Format -stationery

Genre - advertising /uniforming / representing company 
Content - company names / imagery / info
Audiences - customers / potential customers
Functions - advertise / inform
Format -stationery



http://www.brandingidentitydesign.com/ 



Genre - advertising /uniforming / representing company 
Content - company names / imagery / info
Audiences - customers / potential customers
Functions - advertise / inform
Format -stationery

Genre - advertising /uniforming / representing company 
Content - company names / imagery / info
Audiences - customers / potential customers
Functions - advertise / inform
Format -stationery


http://ohsobeautifulpaper.com/ 



Genre - advertising /uniforming / representing anniversary baseball game
Content - team name / imagery / dates / info
Audiences - team fans
Functions - advertise / inform about game
Format -invitation / memorabilia 

Genre - advertising /uniforming / representing wedding 
Content - bride and groom names / imagery / dates / info
Audiences - wedding guests
Functions - advertise / uniform about wedding
Format -invitation


http://www.brandsoftheworld.com/ 


Genre - advertising /uniforming / representing company
Content - company title / imagery
Audiences - customers / potential customers
Functions - advertise company
Format -logo
Genre - advertising /uniforming / representing 
Content - company title / imagery
Audiences - customers / potential customers
Functions - advertise company
Format -logo



http://www.behance.net/search?field=109


Genre - advertising /uniforming / representing 
Content - information about company
Audiences - customers / potential customers
Functions - advertise company
Format - stationery

Genre - advertising /uniforming / representing 
Content - information about company
Audiences - customers / potential customers
Functions - advertise company
Format - stationery




INFORMATION & WAY-FINDING


Clear, concise and usually simple for readability for instructions and mapping purposes.


5 Websites/ blogs to define branding and identity design:

http://visual.ly/ 

Genre - informative / statistical 
Content - graphic statistics 
Audiences -  people setting new years resolutions
Functions - inform about popular new years resolutions
Format - image / infographic

Genre - informative / statistical 
Content - graphic statistics 
Audiences -  cinema enthusiasts
Functions - information about current movie theatre enthusiasts
Format - image / infographic



Genre - informative
Content - graphic information
Audiences -  sufferers of diabetes 
Functions - inform /instruct about coping with diabetes
Format - image / infographic

Genre - informative / statistical 
Content - graphic statistics 
Audiences -  adults / console enthusiasts
Functions - inform about decreasing popularity of gaming consoles
Format - image / infographic



Genre - informative / statistical 
Content - graphic statistics 
Audiences -  adults / religious people
Functions - inform about geographical assortments of religion
Format - image

Genre - informative / statistical 
Content - graphic statistics 
Audiences -  facebook users / adults?
Functions - inform about hotspots of facebook use
Format - image



Genre - fantasy / childrens
Content - information / lego instructions
Audiences -  children / younger audiences / parents
Functions - inform / instruct how to build said piece
Format - book page

Genre - fantasy / childrens
Content - information / lego instructions
Audiences -  children / younger audiences / parents
Functions - inform / instruct how to build said piece
Format - book page


http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2007/08/02/data-visualization-modern-approaches/


Genre - informative
Content - world news
Audiences -  readers of news
Functions - highlight the most important / big stories in a hierarchy system 
Format - webpage for mobile 

Genre - informative
Content - heat - vision
Audiences -  blog owners
Functions - shows the blog owner the most popular parts of the website today through a heat - sensor concept
Format - webpage