Tuesday 26 February 2013

What is Design Practice - Free Ad Workshop

The session;
After designing our free ads for ourselves and the other two people in our group, we had to show each other what we had done. Sam and Tristan were in my group, although Tristan was ill that day, therefore we didn't see his designs.

Sam Cook;

Tristain Currie;

Daisy Conway;

Task;
In this session me and Sam had to write down the things which we thought we had to communicate about the other person.

We then had to write down the things we wanted to get across in the designs, personally and professionally, so 5 things about us and 5 things about the way we design.

I then had to write down 5 compliments about the design which Sam did for my free ad, including the things that I like about the design, then I have to write 5 things that I didn't like about the design he did for me. I found that this was a lot harder than the compliments as I genuinely really liked the design he did for me, I think that it reflects me really well.

We then as a pair started to look at all of our designs and started to note down 5 things that were similar in both of our designs, and these are the things that we found. Most of the things that we found in common are the things which we wanted to show about ourselves.

We then had to swap tables with another group or pair, and right down the things we thought they had in common, this is so that we can all get an honest opinion as it is easy for me and Sam to just write down the things which we know we wanted to communicate. Therefore when we got out feedback back me and Sam found that a lot of the key words they had found in our designs were the same as the key words we used and wanted to show.

Sunday 24 February 2013

What is a Design Practice - Free Ad

Creating free ads for me and two other people. The two other people in my group are Tristan and Sam, we had to answer specific questions, then share our answers with each other. Using this information and each others blogs we had to create a free add, therefore I started by going through both Sam and Tristan's blogs to find out what they like.

My answers;
Professional name and contact details?
  • Daisy Sunshine
  • DSCdesigns@gmail.com
Words that best describe your design practice;
  • Simple
  • Clear
  • Professional
  • Thorough
Words that best describe you as a person;
  • Happy
  • Determined
  • Friendly
Strongest design skills;
  • Type
  • Hand Crafting
  • Layout
What area of graphic design interest you the most?
  • Product and Packaging
  • Branding and Identity
Favourite designers/Design studios;
  • Noma Bar
  • Anthony Peters
What makes these your favourites? (where can you see their work?)
What are your 5 favourite design blogs?
Things do you want to be;
  • Successful
  • Happy
  • Accomplished
When designing my free ad I wanted to keep it simple as that is how I like to work, I did this by only showing the information which s necessary and nothing more. I wanted to keep a minimal colour scheme which complement each other.




Sam's answers;
Professional name and contact details;
  • Sam Cook
  • Mr-Cook@live.co.uk
Words that best describe your design practice;
  • Lense Based
  • Digital
  • Minimalist
  • Modernist
  • Geometric
Words that best describe you as a person;
  • Genorous
  • Opinionated
  • Leader
  • Friendly
Strongest design skills;
  • Lense Based
  • Layout and Page design
  • Type
  • Text and Image
What area of graphic design interest you the most?
  • Branding and Identity
  • Editorial
Favourite designers/Design studios;
  • Isidra Ferrer
  • Mark Weaver
  • Design Studio 8
Favourite design blogs; After looking at Sam's blog I have learnt a lot about the way he works, and the things he likes, therefore I will try and include them in my free ad. http://s-cook1215-dp.blogspot.co.uk/ I have worked with Sam in groups projects before so I am aware of how Sam likes to work, and the designs he prefers.




Tristan's answers;
Professional name and contact details;
  • Tristan Currie
  • Tristan_Currie@hotmail.com
Words that best describe your design practice;
  • Handmade
  • Crisp
  • Ideas
  • Minimalistic
  • Detail
Words that best describe you as a person;
  • Organised
  • Punctual
  • Neat
  • Reliable
  • Quiet
Strongest design skills;
  • Layout and composition
  • Crisp
  • Perfection
What area of graphic design interest you the most?
  • Editorial and Publishing
  • Wayfinding
  • Product and Packaging

Favourite design blogs;
Things do you want to be;
  • Hard Working
  • Sucessful
  • Motivated
  • Smart
  • Knowledge
I have worked with Tristan before in a group project, therefore I know the way in which he works, I know that he likes geometric designs and likes to keep them minimal and simple. His designs are also not loaded with lots of colour, he has a minimal colour pallet therefore I thought that I would go with black white and grey scales, also keep it simple, by only showing the necessary information.
Original idea, didn't like it.

Pattern made for the 'TC'

Testing different fonts.

Final three free ads;
Me
Sam
Tristan

Friday 15 February 2013

Secret 7 Crit

The Crit;


During the crit we had to show our different cover options, explain how we got to our final ideas, show our 30 thumbnails and explain them. This crit was really useful as we were all in groups of 6, therefore there was a lot of different opinions about our work that was voiced. Also it helped me to choose which cover I am submitting for the Secret 7 as I had a few to choose from and also had different variations of the same ones, to see which looks better.

The feedback from the group;
  • The plain clock has been used a lot in our group, a lot of people who did Public Enemy's Harder Than You Think thought that a clock would be a good idea, but too many people have done it therefore it wouldn't be good to submit.
  • On the cover with the turntable, I should think about putting the clock onto that, to make the ideas combine together, so that the record is replaced with the clock.
  • The preferred cover to use was the fist with the clock gold ring, as it is a different way of incorporating the clock, and also showing power. 
  • The colours work really well together on the cover with the fist and clock.
  • Try changing the colour of the ring, making it more yellow, as the fist looks slightly like a cartoon, therefore making the clock more yellow will allow it to look more in place.
  • See what the clock on the turntable looks like, and if that doesn't look right use the fist with the clock ring.
I took a lot from this crit, as it is going to be people like the people in my crit who will be choosing the cover for the Public Enemy vinyl, it was a good idea for them to choose which one to use rather than me. Therefore I will be using the cover with the fist and the clock ring for submission for Secret 7.

Sunday 10 February 2013

Branding and Identity

Branding and identity design is something which graphic design is used for and here are some examples of branding and identity blogs or websites, also examples of branding and identity in design.

Examples of Branding and Identity on Websites and Blogs;
http://www.boredpanda.com/negative-space-logos/
http://cardobserver.com/gallery/cactus-creme-identity-brand
http://www.behance.net/gallery/Adam-Eve-Law-Firm-Branding/2616335
http://www.behance.net/gallery/Fast-Eddies-Barber-Shop/1056613
http://lovelystationery.com/2011/02/la-charcuterie/#more-63
Examples of Branding and Identity in Design;

http://www.boredpanda.com/negative-space-logos/
The logo for Wineforest is a play on the name, it is showing a forest but the negative space between the trees are the shapes of wine bottles, this is a skill that I wish I could do as I think it is a really clever way to design, negative space in design is really important. The budget for this logo and brand is quite high, you can see this because of how professional and classy the logo is, it is something which is targeted at a specific market, people who have a lot of disposable income.

http://www.thedieline.com/blog/category/features-before-after?currentPage=11
The audience for this brand is children, you can see this through the illustrations used on the packaging, although Cadbury's is aimed at everyone, these particular Cadbury buttons are specifically targeted at children. The budget for this is reasonably cheap, you can see this through the stock used for the packaging, also they are directed towards children therefore they can't be too expensive as normally children wouldn't have a lot of disposable income. This brand is very consistent, keeping the colours used the same allows them to work well together, always the layout and size of the characters allow these products to work as a set and a successful brand.

https://gimmebar.com/view/4ed82e1d2f0aaac93d000091
What is different about this type of branding is the use of embossing on the products. The use of black ink on a white stock shows class and sophistication in a company, and for this it is not different. Embossing the business cards letters and envelopes allow the design to be simple and use only stock, but it also allows the designs to have more depth to it, it again shows that it is a professional company. From this I have taken that the target audience for this brand is professional adults, as thats who it would be suitable for.

http://www.minimalistdesign.org/brand-identity/coco
This is a very minimal design, this is not because of the budget as the target audience for this brand is quite high end, you can see this in the colours used, also the choice of stock used, especially the business cards, the look very professional, with a quality finish. I think having the logo in negative space allows the brands to be stronger also by using appropriate objects such as coconuts to form the logo makes the brand stronger, the business cards must have been screen printed to get that clear colour, the method of production works well with the brand.

http://www.webshopapps.com/blog/2012/05/fedex-ship-manager-retirement-in-magento/
The function of this is that it is a logo for FedEx. A logo is a very important part of branding and identity, the logo says a lot about the brand, purely the use of colour could change the way you see a brand. The FedEx logo shows an arrow in the negative space between the 'E' and 'x' this shows a lot about the brand and the company as it is sending packages to different places, claiming to be sent fast, therefore the arrow helps to shows this, which is displaying the identity of the company.

http://www.behance.net/gallery/Adam-Eve-Law-Firm-Branding/2616335
The Adam and Eve Law Firm branding is using simplicity to show how simple and easy they are, how if you use their law firm things will be simple and they will do all they can for you. Branding and identity is something that is very strong in Adam&Eve, it is something they are using to their advantage to help them with their publicity.
http://lovelystationery.com/2011/02/la-charcuterie/#more-63
La Charcuterie is something quite unique, I have never seen anything like this before, I think this is one of the reasons why it is so effective. Using meat such as salami as they background behind their logo is really clever as it is the kind of thing that stays with you, as it is different and weird in a way. Although the colour might not be consistent they still work well as a brand because of the concept and idea behind the logo and the brand.

http://ffffound.com/?offset=125&
What is so effective and recognisable about this brand it the font that has been used. Also the format and the layout for each piece is very similar, this keeps consistency and keeps everything looking like they should be together. This style of branding is appropriate for its audience, it attracts them to it and works really well. Although the stock looks like its a good quality I think the budget for this is quite low as it has only used one colour in printing which makes it cheaper.

http://newgrids.fr/2012/03/29/moomah/
What I find so interesting about this example of branding and identity is that the logo is actually different each time, but they are also very similar in the way that they have been produced, and even though they are not the same they still work as a logo and a brand. The tone of voice for this is very professional you can see this on the quality of the stock and the prints that have been used on the business cards, the subtle shade of blue on the brown stock works really well with the illustrations used in the logos.
http://designspiration.net/image/1735218283249/
Having a colour that stands out from the rest is a good way to attract attention, and this is exactly what this branding is, it is creating and identity for itself, something which reflects the identity of the brand onto their products, as this is very vibrant but still quite simple which reflects the tone of voice well.

Editorial and Publishing

Editorial and Publishing design is something which Graphic Design is used for and here are some examples of Editorial and Publishing blogs or websites, also examples of Editorial and Publishing in design.

Examples of Editorial and Publishing on Websites and Blogs;
http://creattica.com/editorial/wired-magazine/66891
https://itunes.apple.com/nl/app/gardens-illustrated-magazine/id487573767?mt=8
http://www.touchey.com/post/15395830073/10-awesome-fashion-magazines-layouts
http://grainedit.com/2011/04/07/timbuktu-magazine/#more-5290
http://inspirationhut.net/inspiration/54-fantastic-and-modern-magazine-design-layouts-to-inspire-you/

Examples of Editorial and Publishing Design;

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ffranchi/3154339862/in/photostream/
The purpose for this design is to communicate information through text and image, it looks as if it is in a different language therefore it is not aimed at English people, although as the vector images are quite clear, it is understandable to most languages. The layout for this publication is very busy and cluttered, there is a lot of information they are trying to get across, and although it is very cluttered, it is also organised appropriately to make it look interesting and still readable.

http://blog.betheckel.com/
This magazine is aimed at people in the design industry, or people who are very good at Photoshop and wish to improve, or get tips on how to get better. The colours used work really well together, it is the main things which drew me to this publication, the use of Photoshop on the cover shows the readers what kind of thing can be done on Photoshop, which is a good way to promote it. The cover itself looks like it has the genre sci-fi, I think this is intentional as inside there are '25 SCI-FI TIPS' which means they are apply the skills they are showing in the magazine on the cover.

http://creattica.com/editorial/wired-magazine/66891
With this publication I like the use of limited colours and the typeface that has been used. The vector drawings are also something that appeal to me as it is the way I like to work, they add to the design and give is something extra, having one page as image based and one as text based makes the publication a lot more balanced. The large typefaces also break up the body copy so that its not too overwhelming and people turn off. This looks like quiet a high quality article and there was probably a large budget for it for a article, this shows in the quality of the design.

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=rolling+stone+magazine+layout&view=detail&id=0D2F9DA1DC9098455197D4E8D850ADF0F3723D7F
Simply by having Zac Efron on the front cover of the rolling stones will attract women towards this publication, it will also give the publication a lot of merit and prestige as Zac Efron is a very famous actor and having him on the front will show that the publication has high end readers. Also the budget must have been really high for the designing of this magazine as it will have cost a lot of money have Zac Efron on the front of magazine, although this is something which Rolling Stones does a lot, which means they must have a high budget for their magazine.

http://serialthriller.com/post/24948932052/magazine-layout
Something I think looks really good when it is done well, is white type on a dark background, although the document is small I can see that this is another time which it has worked well, apart from maybe where the hair goes behind the type, as I don't know if that will be as easy to read. The layout for this publication is consistent, I like the way that both pages have a similar grid system, also how the text mostly moves around the image.

http://pages.adateintimecollectibles.com/11804/PictPage/3923619107.html
This publication has an audience of people who enjoy reading science fiction magazines, I also believe that it is quite an old copy, as although it has been kept in a good condition, the colours look like they are slightly fading which shows age, it also has a date up the side. Looking at this publication allows me to see how things have changed since the 50's and how technologies have moved on. I think the budget they had for this publication was medium, and with that same budget today you could do a lot more, relative to the inflation in money since the 50's.

http://grainedit.com/2011/04/07/timbuktu-magazine/#more-5290
What I like about this publication is the simple shapes used to create a large impact, the limited colour palette highlights the main issues they are trying to direct you to in the publication. Although that I believe that this publication is about serious issues and global warming, I think that the audience isn't only people who are concerned about the environment, I also believe that it is directed to designers and people who are interested in information graphics and minimal design, as this publication is appealing to me. Another thing I like and admire about this design, is the way there is no information or illustrations near the edges of the piece, everything has used a grid and you can see that there is a lot of negative space, which I like in design.

http://www.papier-mache.com.au/magazine/
The simplicity of the cover of this magazine shows that the content inside is likely to be quite simple and straight forward too. It is directed to people who are interested in taking care of their house and have a lot of pride in the decoration in their home. The issue looks like it about simple and minimum decorations around the house, therefore when people see this who like minimal design, they will buy it. The typefaces that have been chosen are very appropriate for this magazine and they work really well, it make the magazine look more professional.

http://www.creaturecomfortsblog.com/gifted-magazine
Gifted magazine is aimed towards house wives, women and most people who are interested in gift wrapping, because as well as showing different gifts you could buy for someone, they are all packaged very professionally. Having a pair of scissors on the front cover also makes the readers think there will be crafts inside the publication, this is why I believe that it can be directed towards creative people as well. The content of this magazine is appropriate for the audience it is being aimed at. Although I don't really think that typeface is suited to this magazine, only because it leaves a lot of empty space at the top of the magazine, I think that they should either have a different logo or allow something else to be in that area.
http://popculture.knoji.com/pulp-fiction-magazines/
This is also directed at people who enjoy science fiction and fantasy, it is quite and old edition, and I believe that at the time the budget for this was quite high, and now-a-days if someone had that budget they would be able to produce a lot better and more appropriate things with the technology that there is now. The layout of the publication reminds me of propaganda from Germany.