Image... Scale/Frame/Format... Research

Secondary Research

When I was given the object pear to work from, I initially did not feel very inspired as I didn't think there would be many different ways in which I could draw a pear - an object with not much detail on it. I really needed to get lots of research as a starting point to help give me some ideas.

Creative uses of pears in craft and design

A lot of these images are from etsy.com or from printandpattern.blogspot.com. I was surprised about how many different creative ways people had to found to make imagery of pears. I noticed in a lot of the designs colour and pattern plays an important role. As I can only use two colours, and my images need to be simple to make sure that they can be seen and are still legible from twenty feet away, I can't rely on colour or detailed pattern to make my work stand out. These images got me thinking of ideas, and I drew a page of different pears inspired by some of the creations I found.

Drawings and photographs of pears

As I don't know much about pears, I did a bit of research to find out what different types look like so I have something to draw from. I didn't know there were this many types of pear!

Standard examples of eye tests

To make my eye chart as realistic looking as possible (despite the fact it will have images in it rather than letters), I researched types of eye chart, so that I could use these as a template for how I should arrange my design.

Pictograms

As this task is all about the image being able to still communicate over distance and different scales, I figured pictograms would be the perfect thing to research. The key to these symbols working to tell a message is how simple they are, without detail to distract. They work just as well small as they do large, and this is what the images on my eye chart need to do, so I will keep looking back at these pictograms to make sure my images fit in.

Creative eye tests

I had a look for how other people had answered a similar challenge, there weren't many examples available but here are a few to help me understand how to arrange my imagery.

Group Business... Promotion Research

[How we can promote ourselves...]

For my next task for the group business, I need to research ways of how we can promote ourselves. As a graphic design company specialising in branding and identity, it is important our branding and identity are really amazing. There are different ways we can promote ourselves so I have researched these.

Business Cards

One of the most obvious ways to promote yourself is to hand out business cards. We will need them for networking events and other opportunities to hand to potential clients. I have been recommended to look at [toxel] website, as there are lots of collections of business cards. Here are a few of the clever ones I have found. I think these are a lot more interesting than your standard business card, but at the same time, when we create our business card, we need to set a standard of sophistication rather than appearing gimmicky.

Here are business cards I collected from the degree shows I have been to, and also from D&AD. As someone who is interested in illustration I find the image based ones suit what I like, however, this style wouldn't necessarily be fitting towards our group business. I think the business cards with a clear logo on the front and contact information on the back would be most like what we should aim to create, as they look good, clean and professional, and would represent our branding skills to create a card like this.

 

Websites

Here are some screenshots of branding and identity graphic design agencies websites to show us what our competition do to promote themselves.

 

Press ads 

These are the press ads from the latest issue of creative review, giving examples of how other companies advertise themselves.

Networking events

Although we haven't yet decided on a location, here are some networking events for creatives and business people in Leeds that we could attend to meet other creatives.

Catch Up Leeds

Creative Networks Yorkshire

Business Breakfasts Leeds

Top 10 Things... Pattern Research

As I am creating patterns for the background of my video and also for my packaging, I thought it would be appropriate to research some patterns that would relate to my vintage housewife theme. Images of patterns found in The cookery book for girls and Cupcake magic as well as patterns found in print and pattern 1 & 2 featuring: Cath Kidston; Lark; Orla Kiely; Chyanne Ganzel; Noi publishing; Jennifer Ellory and Amy Butler. I think the simple patterns such as spotty, stripy and gingham will work the best in the background as the floral patterns may be a bit much. The examples of patterns used as backgrounds in the cupcake magic cook book show that patterns can work as backgrounds, as long as they have a low opacity and that the colours are too bright and distracting. I have been experimenting with creating my own patterns on photoshop, following online tutorials. [see blog post]

Image... Types of Type

For my second image brief, I am looking at type as image. While I have researched type as image as a specific subject, I've also looked at different 'types of type' to give me some things to think about, such as what I saw in the presentation from Amber. Normally, I'd either create my type on the computer, or hand draw it probably with fine writer, so maybe it is time to try something new.

TYPES OF TYPE

not totally relevant but inspiring... to get me thinking!

Most images are from the blog: fortheloveoftype

I have included this example because I like the mixed media effect, with a hand drawn font and then computer generated type. I like how texture is created through the crumpled paper, and use of selotape, and how the colouring in of the hand drawn letters is not completely perfect. This is a good example to show that not all type has to be created perfectly on a computer.

This image shows that the type doesn't necessarily have to be drawn straight on to paper, I could create it on another surface and then photograph it.

This is an example to show that they type could be created out of a material, turning the type 3d, but then back to 2d as it would be shown through photography.

Type can be found in different places, it may be existing type that is photographed and used again, or type that is drawn on to an unusual surface and then photographed.

Type can be beautiful both computer generated and hand drawn, especially in this example, with different weights of thickness and the use of shading to really make this image more dramatic.

 

Type can be made as 3d and then photographed. This is probably a time consuming process but the results are effective.

Type can be crafted, with letters made from other objects. This is something I have done before, such as in a brief last year, where I created my own type for the response to the opposites brief. Type could also be stitched, carved, arranged etc...

Type can be displayed in an unusual way, such as this 3d type which requires the viewer to wear glasses to see the 3d effect.

Type can be made up of other type, this was one of my initial ideas for how I could answer the brief, and this is an example of how if type is arranged in an organised way it can make up another letter.

Print techniques, such as the processes we learnt in the print module, need to be considered when designing type, as this can effect the visual outcome. For this brief I don't have a lot of time, but if I did, I would like to consider letter pressing or screen printing my final piece.

Type can be made from food, or anything really, for an unusual and memorable outcome.

Type can be decorative and made up of other objects to work as image. The choice of stock also effects the final outcome of the type, and the materials it is made from. When hand drawing type, this might not necessarily mean just drawing with a pencil, but by trying different materials such as paint, watercolours, inks... etc...

This is a photograph from a BAGD LCA yearbook, featuring Lucy Gibson's page. There is a mix of 3d type and printed type arranged to show the contrast between the two.

zimandzou

Beautiful weave alphabets, digitally edited to alter the colours, showing how beautiful type can be hand made.

I have found this a really fun subject to research and didn't realise before hand just how beautiful type can be. I've always considered myself an image person, but it is good to know that I can combine type with image, to create pieces that not only look good, but can be used as means of communication. I think this post will be useful to look back on for other projects also.

Top 10 Things... DVD Case Research

Part of the brief is that: 'All digital files should be submitted in an appropriately designed and packaged dvd format that reflects the content of the work', so I have decided to look for some existing DVD cases with an exciting edge to them to help me think about what I can do, that reflects my work but is a little bit different from what is expected.

Here is a DVD case I made for an art foundation project.

Here are photographs of some of the covers of DVD's I own. I have included ones with illustration on them, as the assets that I have been making are vector illustrations. I think this is a good touch, as it will be a contrast to the photography of cakes in the actual content for the show, so it is good to have an illustrative video intro.

I've tried to find DVD case's relating to my theme, but obviously, as baking shows wouldn't usually be available to buy on DVD, there isn't a lot out there. Instead, these two films have a similar vintage feel. I have included a larger copy of the Marie Antoinette case to help me see what kind of information I need to include on my dvd cover to make it seem realistic. In both of these examples, I think it is mainly the use of colour that makes the vintage theme stand out. On the waitress DVD cover, a patterned background has been used, and it works well without being distracting, and this is what I want to include on my DVD case.