Tuesday 29 May 2012

OUGD303 End of Module Evaluation

At the start of the module I was able to choose briefs that I thought I would be able to utilise my skills the best with, and to also improve and learn. I feel they have allowed me to develop my skills that I set out to do and it has helped me focus on who I am as a designer, and to do the type of design that I want. I have pushed myself, and in doing so I have created design work that I am now proud to include as part of my portfolio work. I am now confident that my main interests lye within branding, promotions and publication design.

The first brief, collaborating on the Fine Art yearbook was quite an eye opener, we were able to work closely as a team and each give our input and use each of ours skills to the best of our abilities, each of us having specific jobs, of which mine was mainly to do the layout of the book. Overall I think the yearbook works really well, and after a long process of changing ideas we were able to give them something they wanted. Working on this live brief was an opportunity to incorporate my time management skills working to deadlines, working as part of a team and communicating with clients, which has brought confidence to the work I produce.

The fashion brief was enjoyable as I was working on a sector that I am really interested in. I was able to produce a brand identity for a fashion student, her look book and promotional material. I also did some book binding and working with stocks to create high class, professional printed collateral. Both myself and the client were happy with the results, which overall is what it was all about.

The third brief for St Martins GP Practice was a live brief that I pitched for but didn’t get chosen but decided to carry it through anyway and I am glad I did as I have learned a lot form this brief and about branding, and all the opportunities this brings. I stepped out of my comfort zone as I designed for deliverables and formats that I haven't previously done before including way finding and wall displays. This proved quite difficult as I tried to imagine what the Practice new location would look like, therefore I had to 'make up' what the possibilities could be, as I hadn't visited their new place.

The fourth brief for D&AD, I think I spent the least time on this brief yet it was one of my favourites, I think that when I have less time to do a brief I like the end result more as I don’t spend a lot of time wasting getting initial ideas. I tend to make design decision quicker and since I want a good end result, I seem to work more efficiently and effectively in researching, designing, developing and setting up artworks for print.

The fifth brief I was allowed pretty much free reign as it was self initiated which allowed me to design in any direction I wanted, and looking deeper into the target audience. This was quite a challenge and I had to set myself boundaries, but in the end I created design work that looks as if it would fit in with the high end, luxury sector.

Overall I have enjoyed the FMP project. I am now ready to take the skills I have developed into the real world including brief analysis, reserarch, development, grid system, setting artwork up for print, pre-flighting, knowledge of print process and stocks, craft, software skills, time management and organisation. It has been a long a gruelling project at times but I have learned so much about myself and also the skills that I now have, and I now have work that I will be proud to include in my portfolio.

FMP - Final Presentation Boards

Brief 01 - Fine Art Yearbook:


Open publication - Free publishing - More publication

 Brief 02 - Fashion Identity:


Brief 03 - St Martins Practice:


Brief 04 - D&AD The Typographic Circle


Open publication - Free publishing - More boards

Brief 05 - Jewellery Brand Identity:


Open publication - Free publishing - More branding

Brief 06: Design Context Publication:

Brief 06 - Design Context Publication - Final Images

Here is my final design context publication. When binding the book I had to select end papers of which I chose a striking turquoise to shock and intrigue the viewer. It also worked well as I had some turquoise foil of which I foiled the title onto the dust jacket. Really happy with how this looks. I think it looks professional.

Brief 06 - Final Images

Sunday 27 May 2012

TO DO

Various to do lists over the course of the project to keep me focused of what I need to do. For project management:


To do lists

Brief 02 -Fashion - Final Look book design

Here is the final look book that is ready for print:

After receiving the images from Lorin for the look book on the Friday and having to print it on Monday there wasn't really much time to keep coming back and making changes but I went off the previous designs I did with stock imagery, and Lorin was happy with the design and signed it off to to print. It will cost around £11/12 each to print at uni - which in the end she decided to do so she had one in time for the exhibition

I did some test stitching as it was just a single signature therefore didn't have to bind a few together like my design context book, so it just has a runner stitch down the side in black to blend in with the black cover:





Brief 02 - Look book development

Breif 0 - Fashion Identity - Final Artworks

Final designs for letterhead, compliments slip, swing tags, charms (lazercut), look book wallet, promotional flyer:


Brief 02 - Finals

Friday 25 May 2012

Brief 02 - Fashion - Swing Tags

I designed some tags that are in the form of the square diamond shape that is reflective of the logo itself: however once printed and tested I didn't think these worked too well - maybe it was just the colour.

After speaking with Lorin she said that she wanted to include some gold charms with the swing tags that people could keep and even attach to bracelets. This would mean cutting the charms into some gold mirrored acrylic. I thought using black swing tags would probably work better with the goal charms with the name Lorin Shepherdson foiled onto them in gold. I changed the shape to rectangular strips and they now have more of an elegant feel to them:



Brief 02 - Fashion Tags

Brief 06 - Design Context - Book Binding

Binding my publication:



Bookbinding

Brief 05 - Jewellers - Illustration Change

In the feedback I received form the crit I was shocked to find out theta the Tears of Joy read 'Jews of Joy' to some people, which could be quite offensive - nobody had pointed this out previously btu it is now too late to reprint work before the deadline but I have changed the illustration for use on the board. I connected the 'A' properly and then thickened the 'r' stem: Tears of Joy Change

FINAL CRIT - FEEDBACK

Just had the final crit, which has made me so much more aware of what I have yet to do in the time we have left. So I need a plan to best utilises this time:

Here is some feedback I received:


Brief 1: Fine Art
- very well documented with good time management, to do etc
- put more on first board - product shot of book rather than cover artwork
- think about actual size of boards and size of images
- post up some examples of tother yearbooks and artist books as research for yearbook
- images need to have more impact - get some photos done of proof book or printed sheets - no large pics of a text page page - it doesn't have enough impact

Brief 2: Fashion Branding
- use photos of products rather than artwork
- print out stationary - even if printed in library the compliments slip and letterhead will look good when photographed
-  the plastic tags seem to be back to front!
- the logo works well put with the name - by itself the logo doesn't work as well

Brief 3: St Martins
- could do with more development posted to blog - the project seem to have a big gap so this needs addressing - upload everything
- first presentation board works really well for impact
- on boards - space between the 2 lines and practice don't seem to be equal

Brief 4: D&AD - Type Circle supplements
- good research
- need to show development more - couldn't find any mock ups or development - on blogs or printed

Brief 5:
- jewellery packaging is really clever and neat
- products finished to a high standard - good use of stock and finishes
- photograph jewellery products on something more luxurious
- use photographic work were possible rather than artwork - for Cavello posters
- don't need two boards of photographs of the box - lose a board


Blog:
- all labels and tags are clear and work well
- some images on blog are too big
- thorough
- good documentation of development




In response, and also adding to my to do list here is what I have left to do:

Brief 1:
- Photograph proof copy - cover and spreads
- print and photograph flyer
- finish blogging - ensure nothing is missing
- use photographic imagery on boards

Brief 2:
- print alternate colours for the reverse of compliments slips and letterhead in the library and photograph them for the boards showing how they could change to adapt to each collection (or mocked up)
- photograph business cards - (Lorin should receive these these tomorrow)
- photograph garments with tags and labels and look-book wallets
- attach bag handles
- photograph packaging - wrap something with the gift wrap and clasp
- make swing tags - black with gold foil - with charms
- re-cut charms - wrong way around!
- lookbook and promo flyer - imagery still needed from the shoot - print
- blog

Brief 3:
- blog progress and development
- line in the logo at either side of Practice aren't equal - change this
- finish designing welcome pack and print
- signage and wayfinding mock ups - photoshop in context - interior and exterior
- children's area proposal - mock up what it would look like
- laser -cut the attachable decorations
- photograph door sign with doctor name
- laser-cut clip boards

Brief 4:
- finish designing fold out info posters
- packaging
- print - Monday
- photograph
- do boards - include text

Brief 5:
- print booklet for box - Monday
- wrap for box - bow?
- photograph products on some luxurious material
- mock up in store display
- redo tears of joy illustration
- boards


Brief 6:
- finish binding - hardback - Friday
- foil dust jacket - Monday

Tuesday 22 May 2012

Brief 06 - Design Context Publication - Final Design

Here is the final design for my design context publication:


Open publication - Free publishing - More context

There are a total of 52 pages plus the cover, so I chose to split the book into 3 signatures (2 signatures with 4 sheets (16 pages each) and 1 signature with 5 sheets (20 pages)):

I saved the files as postscript files to get the pagination right for printing. Since the printing room is fully booked I will be printing the book down at the Vernon street building, and also binding it myself. I always intended to do this as the content is all work that inspires me, so making it myself gives it more of a personal touch to it. I am also a perfectionist when it comes to making things, and since I know a few others who have sent their books off to be printed haven't come out how they would have liked, doing it myself would mean I am in control of who it will end up.

I will be printing on to white matt paper and putting a black material covered hardback. I have also chosen turquoise/blue end papers to give a fresh, bright feel to the book, which will work nicely with a black card dust jacket with a turquoise foiled title.

Signature 1 ready for print:


Open publication - Free publishing - More context


Signature 2:

Signature 3:


Open publication - Free publishing - More context

After binding the book I also designed a dust jacket but first I had to measure it properly it cam ego 255mm height with 398 mm width (including 18 mm spine) and then for the flaps that tuck inside the book I asked Miek in th bubble if I could pritn somehow that was on the A3 printed but was abel to print bait longer as there would only be 10mm flap either side. I was able to print 470 width so that left 35mm flaps for the inside. I had to do it this way because I wanted to foil the title on the front and therefore have to print on an inkjet printer:

DC Publication - Dust Jacket

Brief 02 - Fashion - Business Cards

Lori asked me to get her some quotes for business cards, she wanted something with a nice finish to them to make them stand out and have a special quality to them - I goat quote from IST printing *shown in email) and also from team impression who quoted £200 for 100, which is a bit too steep. In the end I order 100 from moo.com, as they were £21 plus VAT and then extra for rush delivery which she wanted, think the total came to around £50 which was a lot better than the other two quotes - although without a specula finish. She will be receiving them next week in time for her exhibition. They are pretend on 350gsm matt laminate and have a smooth finish. Here is also the artwork for the cards: Fashion Business Card

Saturday 19 May 2012

Brief 01: Fashion - Labels

Lorin sent off for her logo to be printed onto some labels so that she could stitch them into her clothing:

She printed the logo in white over black:





Friday 18 May 2012

Brief 05 - Jewellers - Promotional Posters

Here are the set of posers for the Cavello Row Jewellers to promote each of their diamond collections. They will be print don to black paper and foiled in orange. Promo Posters

Wednesday 16 May 2012

Brief 06 - Design Context - B&W Print for proof read

Here is a black and white printed version of what I have I done for the DC publication to do the proof read before I send it to final print. I really like how it is looking now and can't wait to get it printed and bound properly:


DC B&W copy test

Monday 14 May 2012

Brief 01 - Fine Art Yearbook - Finals

Here is the final yearbook, fully proof read and signed off by the Fine Art team. We have just sent it off to be proof read by senior management:

Cover:



Open publication - Free publishing - More publication

Content:



This is also the froth and back final design chosen by the FA team for the A6 flyer:





Saturday 12 May 2012

Brief 05 - Jewellery Brand - Diamond Info Booklet

Information for the booklet about the diamond shapes, that comes with each purchase

Content used from:

http://www.qualitydiamonds.co.uk/marquise-cut-diamonds
http://www.thediamondbuyingguide.com/round_brilliant_diamond.html

Brief 05 - Jewellery - Diamond Booklet

The booklets incorporated each information about each diamond, I included the illustrations with th the information in some different compositions:


Final Booklet ready for print in the correct pagination - 12pp + cover The over itself will be black card with the logo foiled in orange to keep that consistency

Thursday 10 May 2012

Brief 02 - Fashion Lookbook Wallet

I thought it would be quite nice to design a wallet/slip for the look book, for when they sent out to people on request, to add that special touch to them. I chose black to work with the collection and brand identity, however it could also be worked contrastingly in white say for the alternation between spring/summer and autumn/winter collections

I payed around with the idea of using the pattern laser cut onto card so that the cookbook is slightly reveal underneath. I played with a few variations were a diamond square was cut through the centre to reveal the logo but I think I prefer if when the logo on the froth of the cookbook is not viable because it then makes you want to tai fit out of the wallet and see. As for the log pattern going over the edges, they re a bit flimsy so I would have to not let the pattern go over the edges next time:


Brief 02 - Look book Wallet

Brief 06 - Design Context - Order of Contents

Here are the final spreads:

And here is the order of content of which the spreads will be in:


Brief 06 - Design Context - Layout Development

I decided to change the grid to make the content fit nicely with some more space in the margins and column widths, as my layouts were looking too crowded. I also increased the scale of the pages to 190 x 250 mm To make it slightly bigger yet I will still be able to print the spreads on an A3 sheet with the bleed and crop marks.

Wednesday 9 May 2012

Brief 02 - Fashion - Bag design

Net: 
 Working to see who the logo could be used as the clasp n the bag:














Brief 02 - Bag

Brief 02 - Fashion Brand - Logo belly-band mechanism




 How it could look around the wrapping paper-


Here is what each piece is cut like (blue) with a little cut the the separate pieces attach with. As they overlap I don't want the logo to be visible underneath, so I am go gin to treat the logo as if it has been cut in two, not overlaid and intwined. 

The scale for the is 3mm width band with 100mm width logo, and the length of the band will have to vary for different size products. unless I can create a second faster at the end of the band that can be adjusted underneath...


Here are the bellybands ready for test printing - I have done both black an white versions: I am going to print on a thick matt card

Here is the wrapping paper design using the symbol pattern, I am going to print onto A2 tracing paper:



Brief 02 - Fashion Brand - Promotional Leaflet


Using the info from the look book I adapted it to the leaflet/flyer
Front side-


 Reverse side-

Brief 02 - Fashion Brand - Expanding deliverables

After the crit, it got me thinking about more of a range I could create for Lorin's fashion brand by adapting the style and identity I have already created, including:

- bag - different sizes (small, medium, large)
- wrapping paper
- belly-band for wrapping paper or stickers
- clothing tags
- clothing hanger


Tag sizes - I prefer the larger tag at 10mm diameter and 7mm. I chose the diamond square shape as I have already used this within the look-book as it is similar shape to the logo and has a 'sacred' feel to it. The logo could be printed on one and then a separate card of the same shape could contain the information:

The belly-band can offer various design possibilities. Either as a clasp, or something that fastens underneath. The logo symbol itself could be made into a clasp. However, I need to work out the mechanism for this.


 The clothing hanger could have the logo lazered onto it, or it could have a card cover that slips over the top, of which could be changed to match the collection. I need to get the measurements of the hanger before I move on with this, and also figure out the size accordign to the garment necklines, so that it can still be seen.

Brief 02 - Fashion - Business Card quote

I contacted Benwells for a business quote for Lorin, here is the email contact:


The quote seems a bit steep...
I have just contacted IST to see if I can get this any cheaper, and I also asked about alternate print finishes: