What skills have you developed through this module and how effectively do you think you have applied them?
In context of practice, I feel that I am now more capable of viewing and analysing the work of graphic designers in an informed and in depth manner. During the sessions we have had, I feel I have begun to use this skill more effectively, not just within this module, but within all of them. This analytical approach has also been useful when in Crits, as I feel like the feedback I give now is more valuable and valid.
Through creating my publication, I have also developed my indesign skills, and have been able to create more confident and interesting layouts, and explore how to create more professional editorial.
What approaches to/methods of design production have you developed and how have they informed your design development process?
I have developed my skills on Indesign, and also on photoshop, in creating my publication, as I was creating a lot of editorials and editing images for the diary. I have focussed mainly on working with the software as opposed to designing onto paper first, which seems to work better for me, although I am aware that had I thought through designing onto paper more thoroughly, how useful it could have been in terms of organisation. I have begun to plan my time better in terms of production, and have also learnt about how to set up and send my work to be professionally printed, which I am sure will become a useful tool for the future.
What strengths can you identify in your work and how have/will you capitalise on these?
The main strengths I can identify in my final publication are the editorial layouts I created, and also the general style of the publication, which I feel looks professional and considered. I have also felt able to understand and design for a wider audience, which the publication is aimed at, meaning that I can capitalise on this in the future by beginning to explore my understanding of audiences more heavily in my designs. I also feel I have more of a strength in creating ideas, which I can capitalise on in the future by simply developing and pushing my thought process so that I can create something more innovative, or more successful.
What weaknesses can you identify in your work and how will you address these in the future?
I find that the finishing of the publication has let it down, and the fact that I had to send the book off to the printer in 2 parts means that the publication doesn't look as I hoped it would. I need to begin to become more confident in my ability to finish and bind books, so that I can control the final outcome more.
The feedback I received also stated that there was not enough space to write in the planner, so in future work I need to create more tests and mock my work up so that I can analyse the design better.
In academic writing, I need to widen my vocabulary and also begin to research more in depth into subjects, as I am not completely happy with the essay I created.
Identify five things that you will do differently next time and what do you expect to gain from doing these?
1.Start to use more of the contextual resources, such as pre existing design theory books to inform my knowledge, instead of just relying on the internet.
2.Explore subjects that interest me within design context in more depth.
3.I would like to experiment more with formats of publications from now on, as I feel like I have begun to grasp Indesign and would now like to experiment with it.
4.Create mock ups and test the work extensively to ensure the best final outcome.
5.Develop my analytical writing style so that essays in the future can be improved.
Attendance - 4
Punctuality - 5
Motivation - 3
Commitment - 3
Quantity of work produced - 3
Quality of work produced - 3
Contribution to the group - 3
22 May 2012
Amended Essay
Open publication - Free publishing - More essay
This is my completed amended essay, with the parts of the essay I have changed in light blue.
This is my completed amended essay, with the parts of the essay I have changed in light blue.
Publication Ammendment
I have now placed the written content from the poster into the designer diary, so it acts as more of an introduction to give the content some context.
I have not changed the layout of it particularly, as I thought that it actually looked alright, it just needed presenting in a different format.
21 May 2012
Advertising - Graphic Designers
Erik Kessels/Kessels Kramer
One of the most well known advertisers, with a witty and unconventional approach to advertising design.
De Facto
A Nottingham based company that creates stylish advertisements and branding strategies for a number of brands and clients.
http://digitalthread.com/designcompanies/international_firms/de_facto_design.php
One of the most well known advertisers, with a witty and unconventional approach to advertising design.
http://creativereview.co.uk/cr-blog/2012/april/erik-kessels-dad-north
http://www.wallpaper.com/wallspace/erikkessels
Brave
A British ad agency that has several high profile clients, and creates crisp, contemporary ads for modern brands.
http://www.brave.co.uk/
http://www.campaignlive.co.uk/news/1034873/
http://www.campaignlive.co.uk/thework/1116587/
http://www.haystackonline.com/page/133589/agencies/brave/braves-style-addict-campaign-breaks-for-john-frieda-full-repair
http://www.thedrum.co.uk/news/2012/01/06/ecover-unveil-major-tv-campaign-brave
Fallon
Fallon are responsible for creating some of the most prevalent advertisements in recent British culture, with clients such as Orange and Cadburies. All their adverts are fun, interesting and unique.
http://www.fallon.co.uk
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/advertising/theres-no-monkey-business-about-the-success-of-fallon-1769863.html
http://www.thedrum.co.uk/news/2012/02/02/cadbury-dairy-milk-bubbly-creates-joyville-fallon
http://www.theadbar.tv/directory/256/fallon/
http://www.campaignlive.co.uk/news/971550/
M&C Saatchi
One of the most famous names in advertising, and probably one of the largest agencies worldwide, creating interesting modern adverts for a number of high profile clients.
http://www.mcsaatchiplc.com/2012.aspx
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/mediamonkeyblog/2012/feb/03/mc-saatchi-ad-agency-mi6-recruitment
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/9156432/Mobile-advertising-boom-boosts-MandC-Saatchi.html
A Nottingham based company that creates stylish advertisements and branding strategies for a number of brands and clients.
http://www.septemberindustry.co.uk/de-facto/
http://www.defacto.com/http://digitalthread.com/designcompanies/international_firms/de_facto_design.php
Modernism - Graphic Designers
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/07/17/lessons-from-swiss-style-graphic-design/
Otl Aicher
Aicher was a prominent German graphic designer, most famous for being the lead designer of the Munich Olympics in 1972. His work explored the use of grids and layout, typography, and image, to create iconic modernist design.
Otl Aicher
Aicher was a prominent German graphic designer, most famous for being the lead designer of the Munich Olympics in 1972. His work explored the use of grids and layout, typography, and image, to create iconic modernist design.
Wim Crouwel
The dutch graphic designer and typographer who was an inspiring figure of modernist design. He was a purist designer, who mainly worked with type, although later in his career he began to include non typographic elements, which reflected the fact that he had non dogmatic view of modernism. His works are always vibrant and explore the visual possibilities of typography in an innovative way.
Max Burchartz
Burchartz was a part of the Contructivist international, and was an influential figure in the development of Modernism. He is best known for his photo montages, and his graphic design was strong and confident, achieving an aesthetic that promoted and pushed the boundaries of modernist principles.
Paul Rand
The American graphic designer who is well known for his work with corporate companies, creating their iconic logo designs. He is also one of the innovators of the swiss style of graphic design. He promoted the idea of simplicity in his design style, particularly with logos which he said must be designed with the utmost simplicity if they are to be enduring and iconic.
Herbert Bayer
Austrian American graphic designer Bayer was heavily involved in the Bauhaus movement, producing their publications for some time before moving onto Berlin, and then New York where he had a prolific career. He was a pioneer in visual communication thanks to his modernist designs that explored layout, colour and typography.
http://www.designishistory.com/1920/herbert-bayer/
http://www.thinkingform.com/2012/04/05/thinking-herbert-bayer-04-05-1900/
Graffitti and Street Art - Graphic Designers
Karol Gadzala
Explores street art through typography, creating cool, interesting and playful designs with an urban influence.
YOk
Playful large scale street artist that creates detailed, engaging graffiti, his designs add humour and life to the environment.
www.theyok.com
http://www.australianedge.net/cities/melbourne/the-yok-interview/
http://graffart.eu/blog/2010/08/the-yok-art-pack/
http://www.dudebox.com/blogs/artists/4611242-meet-the-artist-yok
http://theyok.tumblr.com/
123KLAN
123 KLAN are a street art studio creating bold and provocative graffiti designs that use strong urban visuals and eye catching colours to make a big impact in the environment.
http://wantsversusneeds.com/2011/11/interview-with-123klan/
Steve Power
Steve Power decorates blank walls with large scale typographic works, that explore a different visual style that is typical of many graffiti artists. His designs are bold bright and beautiful, and the messages he communicate are fun, light hearted and often motivational.
Shepard Fairey
One of the most famous street artists, who has created iconic images that have been synonymous with popular culture. His strong use of bold colours make his art immediately engaging, and the visuals he creates are arresting and not only aesthetically pleasing but aim to spread a deeper message.
Explores street art through typography, creating cool, interesting and playful designs with an urban influence.
http://yllv.pl/
http://www.behance.net/yellove
http://www.cuded.com/2012/02/typography-by-karol-gadzala/
http://designcollector.net/karol-gadzala/
http://www.juxtapoz.com/Illustration/text-and-gadzala
YOk
Playful large scale street artist that creates detailed, engaging graffiti, his designs add humour and life to the environment.
http://www.australianedge.net/cities/melbourne/the-yok-interview/
http://graffart.eu/blog/2010/08/the-yok-art-pack/
http://www.dudebox.com/blogs/artists/4611242-meet-the-artist-yok
http://theyok.tumblr.com/
123KLAN
123 KLAN are a street art studio creating bold and provocative graffiti designs that use strong urban visuals and eye catching colours to make a big impact in the environment.
http://www.123klan.com/
http://www.behance.net/123klan
http://www.computerarts.co.uk/interviews/123klan
http://becauseweliketo.com/123klan-interview/http://wantsversusneeds.com/2011/11/interview-with-123klan/
Steve Power
Steve Power decorates blank walls with large scale typographic works, that explore a different visual style that is typical of many graffiti artists. His designs are bold bright and beautiful, and the messages he communicate are fun, light hearted and often motivational.
http://www.firstandfifteenth.net
http://www.designworklife.com/2011/10/10/espo-love-letter-to-brooklyn/
http://www.unurth.com/Steve-Powers-Love-Letter-Philadelphia
http://www.coolhunting.com/culture/steve-powers-st.php
http://blog.vandalog.com/2010/10/video-interviews-steve-powers-eine/
Shepard Fairey
One of the most famous street artists, who has created iconic images that have been synonymous with popular culture. His strong use of bold colours make his art immediately engaging, and the visuals he creates are arresting and not only aesthetically pleasing but aim to spread a deeper message.
http://www.interviewmagazine.com/art/shepard-fairey/#_
http://www.aiga.org/interview-with-shepard-fairey-still-obeying-after-all-these-year/
http://www.avclub.com/articles/shepard-fairey,28943/http://topics.nytimes.com/topics/reference/timestopics/people/f/shepard_fairey/index.html
http://www.interviewmagazine.com/art/shepard-fairey/
20 May 2012
Media Specificity - Graphic Designers
Kyle Cooper
Kyle Cooper creates film title sequences, exploring specifically new and advanced technology to communicate to audiences, setting the whole tone of the film. His work with film titles is visually arresting and interesting, creating something of significance, such as the title sequence for Seven, where his work heightens the tension and intensity of the film before we have even seen it.
Kyle Cooper creates film title sequences, exploring specifically new and advanced technology to communicate to audiences, setting the whole tone of the film. His work with film titles is visually arresting and interesting, creating something of significance, such as the title sequence for Seven, where his work heightens the tension and intensity of the film before we have even seen it.
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/12.06/cooper.html
http://www.watchthetitles.com/designers/Kyle_Cooper
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0178204/
Print and Grain
Print and Grain are a small print company who work specifically with letterpress, a medium they manage to do so much with, mainly used for advertising purposes.
http://www.designworklife.com/2012/05/08/etsy-finds-print-and-grain/
http://www.etsy.com/shop/PRINTandGRAIN
http://www.printandgrain.com/#
Tind
Tind creates screen prints that explore the medium in an innovative and exciting way, such as using UV inks, and pushing the boundaries of what is capable with screen printing.
http://www.tind.gr
http://www.designworklife.com/2012/02/10/tind-what-you-see-is-what-you-get-posters/
http://designdefined.co.uk/?s=tind
http://designbadassery.com/post/4032249686/die-rakete-posters-by-tind
http://www.thedisciplesofdesign.co.uk/2011/09/tind/
Rob Ryan
Rob Ryan works mainly with the laser cut technique, exploring its possibilities with paper, which has made him quite famous in recent years. His designs are beautiful and charming, and are technically incredible, given how complex and intricate they are.
http://www.misterrob.co.uk/
http://www.dazeddigital.com/fashion/article/2882/1/rob-ryan-designs-for-earnest-sewn
http://www.independent.co.uk/extras/saturday-magazine/features/designer-rob-ryan-cut-it-out-805973.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/oct/19/rob-ryan-artist
http://thedesignfiles.net/2008/02/rob-ryan/
Constellation and Co
Another company that works solely with letterpress, creating beautiful and nostalgic designs for a contemporary audience, exploring the possibilities of their craft.
http://www.constellationco.com/blog/
https://www.facebook.com/constellationco
http://twitter.com/#!/constellationco
http://feltandwireshop.com/seller/constellationco
Rob Ryan works mainly with the laser cut technique, exploring its possibilities with paper, which has made him quite famous in recent years. His designs are beautiful and charming, and are technically incredible, given how complex and intricate they are.
http://www.misterrob.co.uk/
http://www.dazeddigital.com/fashion/article/2882/1/rob-ryan-designs-for-earnest-sewn
http://www.independent.co.uk/extras/saturday-magazine/features/designer-rob-ryan-cut-it-out-805973.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/oct/19/rob-ryan-artist
http://thedesignfiles.net/2008/02/rob-ryan/
Constellation and Co
Another company that works solely with letterpress, creating beautiful and nostalgic designs for a contemporary audience, exploring the possibilities of their craft.
http://www.constellationco.com/blog/
https://www.facebook.com/constellationco
http://twitter.com/#!/constellationco
http://feltandwireshop.com/seller/constellationco
Communication - Graphic Designers
Margaret Calvert + Jock Kinneir
Calvert and Kinneir created the highway signage still in use today, which is one of the prime examples of good communication that perfectly fulfils its purpose. The amount of consideration taken in the design to communicate to a universal audience is remarkable and promotes the idea that good graphic design is not simply based on aesthetics.
Susan Kare
Susan Kare created the icons for the first Mac, and since then has been responsible for designing for numerous high calibre companies. Her work has the ability to translate message into image in a way that is universally understandable, which performs one of the most necessary uses of graphic design.
Susan Kare created the icons for the first Mac, and since then has been responsible for designing for numerous high calibre companies. Her work has the ability to translate message into image in a way that is universally understandable, which performs one of the most necessary uses of graphic design.
Graphic Thought Facility
Graphic Thought Facility are a contemporary design studio who have an impressive portfolio that demonstrates the successful communication of multiple brands and companies - all of the work is intelligent, modern and stylish.
www.graphicthoughtfacility.com
http://designmuseum.org/design/graphic-thought-facility
http://www.artic.edu/aic/exhibitions/exhibition/graphicthought
http://www.computerarts.co.uk/interviews/profile-graphic-thought-facility
http://www.designersjournal.net/agencies/graphic-thought-facility-london
David Carson
He is best known for his innovative magazine design, and for his experimental typography. He communicates the very grunge aesthetic of the 90s through his work, and has worked with many high profile clients.
http://www.davidcarsondesign.com/
http://www.ted.com/speakers/david_carson.html
http://layersmagazine.com/an-interview-with-david-carson.html
http://www.computerarts.co.uk/interviews/david-carson
Wally Olins
Wally Olins is a well known designer who creates corporate brand identities for clients such as Orange, his work communicates in a way that is fresh, clean and contemporary.
http://www.wallyolins.com/
http://www.designcontest.com/blog/graphic-design-icons-wally-olins/
http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/brand-called-wally-olins-131125
http://www.icograda.org/feature/current/articles1052.htm
http://www.design-emotion.com/2006/04/07/getting-emotional-with-wally-olins/
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