OUGD405 (Studio Brief 1) Further Research

To continue with my research, I went and took more photographs of things that I think would work well when edited on a photo frame backing paper. These photographs could be used on some of the more delicate styles and designs that are previously shown in my research. 

These above are some images that I took around leeds, in the victoria quarter and trinity. 

I like these images taken as I think that they show a nice landscape display. If these were edited they would make a nice backing paper for an antique looking frame. I could play around with the opacity levels to create a different look, and I could also overlap some images. 

Research into branding

Laura Ashley is one of my favourite home brands, as I feel that their antique and elegant style home furnishings are very pretty and the attract the right consumer. I have looked into some of their existing photo frame backing papers, and they already come with a more upmarket floral print, which is similar to some styles shown in my initial photographs in my research.

OUGD405 (Studio Brief 1) Research

After I collected photos of various types of frames, I begs to brainstorm initial ideas. When producing the backing paper for the photo frame I will need to consider the target audience, purpose, age, the image and what it communicates, the designs must work as a set of three. I started to brainstorm initial ideas, with photo frames revolving around the idea of holding memories, it is important to capture this within the design. With this in mind, it suggests that I could perhaps incorporate the idea of reminiscing memories within the actual backing design. I could give my designs a special, personal and delicate theme. From the initial photographs that I have taken, it is obvious that I have taken a liking to the floral and elegant backing paper designs. I could research further into floral patterns and intricate images. 

With the idea of memories being the most relatable, I brainstormed initial ideas and made a very brief mind map. 

Crit

For the interim crit, we were asked to present our initial idea. For this brief I am very unsure in what direction to take my design process. I presented my very brief sketches, so that I could get some feedback on how to progress with my designs. 

Along with these rough sketches, I noted down some key ideas which would help my peers understand my ideas. I thought about two possible concepts that could be the basis for my designs, fun memories and delicate and special. I thought about the delicate theme I could use a simple script font, subtle colours and maybe play around with the opacity of the image to create a more gentle feel. If I was to choose the fun theme, I could use bold bright colours and images that would have a high impact on the consumer. These initial sketches shown show the ideas I have originally thought of, one being I could base my design on the theme of a postcard, which could attract consumers that want to capture their memories of travelling or past visits.

Crit Feedback:

• the postcard idea seems to be the strongest concept; could expand by designing it as a functional postcard which then gives the backing paper a useful purpose
• use photographic elements rather than illustration
• chosen typeface should be suited to the audience
• choose carefully when and if selecting a script font
• the delicate theme seemed to be a popular choice, could expand this by creating a family orientated themed backing paper
• incorporate the postcard and theme of delicacy together
• using a stamp makes the design more personal

With the feedback from the crit, I wasn't very sure where to take my designs, as I was unsure how to develop the idea of post cards successfully. Therefore I will do further research, and I will take more photographs to help with this process.

OUGD405 (Studio Brief 1) Frame research

To start my initial research, I went to various shops including Next, Debenhams, Marks & Spencer and also Urban Outfitters. I photographed existing photo frame backing papers, as I wanted to get an idea of what different brands use to promote their photo frames. I noticed that depending on the store, the prices varied. The more expensive the photo frame, then the backing paper was produced to a higher standard. Most shops that I looked in had photo frames with varied prices, some had the value range where their backing paper was not as intricately designed as the higher end photo frames came with an aesthetically pleasing design for their backing paper. A lot of the backing paper consisted of delicate designs, including floral prints, elegant photography and also family/friend orientated images. The lower cost photo frames usually consisted of a simpler image, one that is not as aesthetically pleasing, however the design did the job, as would the frame.

This is an example of one of the frames with a lower cost, the backing paper is very plain and does not really grab the attention. The purpose of this design is just to simply do the job, it has no aesthetically pleasing qualities that could entice the consumer into the purchase of this frame, unless the value of the frame would be the point of purchase. 

These frames found in Next Home, have a very friendly and personal quality about them. The photographic images used for the backing papers suggest that the frames purpose is to hold the special memories shared with 'family and friends'. I like the idea of creating a frame backing paper that would be personal to the consumer, as I believe it would be a unique selling point for the finished product.

This backing paper designs is one of my favourites as the delicate floral images give this frame aesthetically pleasing qualities. I like the idea of using images that include different opacity qualities within the design as it gives a gentle feel.

OUGD405 (Studio Brief 1) Design Process- Frame

Collect, Categorise, Communicate: Studio Brief 01 - Frame (Photoshop)

Brief

Re-imagine the backing paper for a photo frame. This must include the dimensions of the frame. You must produce a minimum of three designs, which work as a set across three different frame sizes. Choose from the frame dimensions below: 6x4 inches - 7x5 inches - 8x6 inches A5 - A4 - A3 Be creative with your manipulations and compositions. Consider how to engage a buyer and what needs to be communicated. All typography and vector based images must be produced in Adobe Illustrator. Any images must be manipulated in Adobe Photoshop. The final composition must be produced in Adobe Photoshop.

Background / Considerations

Explore a range of concepts in your research and development of your own ideas. Consider the usage, functionality and display within commercial outlets when resolving this problem. Not all your investigations should take place on the Mac. Digital image capture methods such as scanning and digital photography allow you to import media from a range of sources (photographs, photocopies, drawings, tracings, found material etc.) Once you have imported this material how can you manipulate using the tools and capabilities of Photoshop (cropping, selecting, layering, repeating, colour changes, reversing out etc.)

For this brief we are instructed to produce a minimum of thee designs for the backing paper of a photo frame. To begin this project, for my primary research I will photograph existing photo frames with the backing papers inserted. 

OUGD403 Module Evaluation

Overall, I found this module challenging but exciting. Things that I thought went well about this brief were when we were allowed to experiment with the different elements of design, for example during brief 5. I liked the way we were limited and restricted to the use of image, image and type and just type, also having to choose only three colours to work with.

I have learnt alot about the anatomy of type, and all the different elements within typography, which has enabled me to develop my skills. I have been able to put these skills into practice during brief 1, 2 and 3, as they are all typography based briefs.

Within brief 3, I enjoyed manipulating an existing typeface to communicate the characteristics of my partner, I could experiment playing round with removing and adding serifs to different typefaces to create subtle yet clear manipulations. 

The illustrator brief I found very challenging, as I have never used illustrator prior to this brief  however I am pleased with the overall finished product. The digital print resource was also a good way of producing the final resolved typeface.

I enjoyed the research side to the message and delivery brief, as I was able to go off into a tangent and make my initial story more interesting, and relate to a younger target audience. 

I am pleased with my overall responses to each brief as I feel like I have learned new skills when developing each brief. 

OUGD403 (Studio Brief 5) Final Posters

Once I researched existing graphic design posters displaying simplistic, high impact ways of communication, I started development on my own final set of three.
Taking feedback from the crit, I developed the idea of using the twitter zombie, direct questions and also incorporating the famously recognisable twitter glyphs.

Image poster

This shows my initial sketch developed, the illustration is the significance of the poster, as it communicates a worn out looking twitter bird. This relates to the idea of being consumed and overly obsessed with the social network. I feel that this communicates what was asked in the brief as it portrays my ideas and the message being suggested is obvious.

Type poster

Here are my final ideas for the text poster presented. This poster speaks volumes as the type is very clear and simple. The simplistic qualities present my interpretations on the modernist approach, as there does not need to be any overpowering statements within the poster. I have pursued the concept of communicating direct questions to the audience, and this is very effective as it really grabs the viewers attention.

Type and Image poster

This design includes all the concepts I have thought about when researching and developing my posters. It includes a direct question to the audience, and also included the idea of the twitter zombie. This poster communicates a strong message and makes the audience question themselves after reading it.  

Final poster evaluation

Overall I feel that I have completed the delivery brief and understood the concept well. my final set of three posters have been influenced by the initial research of how social networking sites, such as twitter can have a major impact on the social media. The typeface I have used is Ariel, the reason behind this is because I felt that this font was suitable to create effective impact yet keep the type simple and clean cut. Ariel is also the body copy used on the social networking site twitter, therefore I felt it was the most appropriate to use. The decision behind my colour palette also refers to the social networking site. The blue instantly distinguishes the twitter branding, and also a lot of white is used. So I decided to keep my colour palette simple and relating to the original colour already used when associated with twitter. 

I feel like the posters can be recognisable as a part of a twitter campaign either standing alone, or working together as a set of three, and they also communicate the message well and are of high impact.

OUGD403 (Brief 2) Final illustrator typeface

Digital Print
Once the final typeface was finished using illustrator, we used the digital print resources to produce our final A2 print out of the typeface.

This is the digital version of my finished typeface, consisting of 26 letters.

This shows the digitally printed version of my typeface, it was printed on to a matt stock, the brief was to print the typeface on A2. I am pleased with the completed typeface, and the production of print was a good method to use as the quality keeps my typeface looking clean. This also includes a brief description of the typeface in the bottom right hand corner, explaining my initial ideas and how the typeface was developed.

OUGD403 (Studio Brief 5) Poster research

Some of the posters I looked at were very minimalist, and stuck to a limited colour palette, which links in well with the brief as we are instructed to use only three colours, one being the colour of the chosen stock. 
These designs show very simple designs, yet they still communicate their message to the audience. 

These designs are very simple, yet they get the message across which is what I wish to do with my set of final three posters. 

I also looked into the idea of swiss modernist design, this is because the styles of their typography are very simplistic but very high impact. 

These are good examples of minimalistic, high impact designs.