Naomi Farrar– Final Major Project

Brief Rationale- Why, When & What

2012-02-29T19:02:00.001Z

Finalised briefs- what I'm doing, why I'm doing it, and when I'm doing it.

Open publication - Free publishing - More briefs

Permy Mi Jang Won

2012-02-29T16:34:00.001Z

This South Korean hairdressers - 'Permy' is a brilliant illustration of how far design can be pushed. I think this is essentially what to keep in mind with every project I do... Creating the environment it will exist in, as well as the printed ephemera. It needs brand guidelines to bring it all together.

I love the colour scheme used... It's all the little details like this and the shape of the chairs that make it work so well. Need to translate this to my swimming brief, as well as considering how far I can push the fashion one. And the Number 17 brief too....

The Hacienda Quote

2012-02-29T16:29:00.002Z

"We made history not money"

I like this. It's depressingly positive.

Darren Newman

2012-02-29T16:27:00.000Z

Typographer and Illustrator Darren Newman was mentioned by Trevor Johnson at the Note To Self talks in Manchester last night... I felt this warranted a blog post:

Very similar to Si Scott's style of type- using black and white with extreme curves to create decorative poster pieces of type. I really like his work, it's much more nouveau than Si Scott's... Just a bit different. I like the clipping masked type too, with the filler lines and gradient... Just beautiful.

Note To Self Manchester- Bruno Maag

2012-02-29T16:20:00.002Z

The theme of the night's talks was 'passion' - Bruno probably interpreted this in the most literal way, as he didn't necessarily speak about his passions, but he spoke passionately about relevant subjects.

He began by talking about the suit he was wearing, which he had made for his 20th wedding anniversary. He'd gone to London and selected fabrics very carefully, and then spent 45 minutes being measured. When he returned for his fitting, they told him they'd been unable to use the fabric as it had a minute imperfection in the weave. He compared this to our own practice of design- in that the measurements that were taken were the brief to work to, and the fabric was the medium. He suggested that we should all strive to do the same as the tailors, to not settle for something that 'will do' but to work with the best available, and only produce the same.

He went on to speak about a number of things, including internships, font licensing, foreign alphabets and education. Oh, and the Tories.

Points he made were that interns should be valued- not necessarily paid for the work they do, but for their time at least. Expenses should always be paid, at minimum. We aren't necessarily, as students, contributing ot the income of a studio, but learning, and to do so requires a means to live by.

A project he worked on for Vodafone, to create the corporate typeface for use by the company, required letters in different alphabets, not just Latin scrips... On their website it explains more:

"The visual challenge is to transfer the expression of a Latin wordmark into more exotic script systems. We were able to develop wordmarks in non-Latin scripts that carried through the essential design features that gave the Vodafone font its character. It is important that a wordmark should have the same feel in all languages, so we used native readers to help us capture the core values of the brand in each of the different cultures."

Maag said about the project, that the Kannada language was the most difficult to portray in the same tones, but they gratefully accepted the challenge- "How do we translate all these squiggly wigglies from out Latin text?"

Another point he made was about the way in which design students are required to write about their work- the dreaded dissertation. He explained his frustration with such subjects as the 'metaphor of type'- and said that "there IS no metaphor, it's just type, it's just letters"

Also, he told us that nobody should be helping Google web fonts out in their pursuit to glamourise the web... Even with the best intentions, Google can take all your right to the font and use it however they please. By submitting your font to Google Web Fonts, you sign away your rights, and could wake up tomorrow morning with it in place of the google logo itself... So summarised this point by saying quite frankly: "F**k YOU Google Web Fonts"

Long summary of Bruno Maag's talk, but I think it was the most inspiring for me, being focussed on type, and so relevant to students. I think we were actually probably the only students to attend, but it was definitely worth it. I just wish there were student tickets left for the Manchester Design Symposium.

Note To Self Manchester- Trevor Johnson

2012-02-29T16:01:00.001Z

Terry spoke at the Note To Self talks about what he had a passion for, and then what he is passionate about... He drew a line between the two- right under Manchester United...

I think what he had to say was very similar in terms of thinking as what I am approaching with my 'uncategorisable' chapter for my context book... He mentioned things like signage, everyday typography and stability as being factors which enable his practice more...

He told us something that his son had said, which I think is an excellent quote: "Half an apple is an app"

He also talked about Darren Newman's work, which I didn't know about- I'll do a post on this later.

Note To Self Manchester- Retrofuzz Talks

2012-02-29T15:49:00.001Z

Last night Jonny, Hazel, Gemma and I went to Manchester to the Note To Self talks at the Cornerhouse.

They were truly excellent, and we all had a really good time. I'm going to go through some info that I took away with me in particular from each of the talks.

First, Retrofuzz:

"We prefer to do the work, rather than talk about it"

"No clue + No idea = Winning Combo!"

They also quoted from John Maeda a bit, saying that "Simplicity is about subtracting the obvious and adding the meaningful."

I asked Matt at the end if he would be able to send me the presentation that they did... I think he seemed a bit reluctant as to what I'd do with it though... So I may have to email and explain a bit more... It was just because I forgot my notebook (!) and couldn't remember all the quotes I wanted to at the time... It'd be really handy to have them to recap.

Banksy on Advertising

2012-02-29T15:27:00.002Z

via The Fox Is Black

"Fuck that. Any advert in a public space that gives you no choice whether you see it or not is yours. It’s yours to take, re-arrange and re-use. You can do whatever you like with it. Asking for permission is like asking to keep a rock someone just threw at your head."

Quote for my design context book.

Alex Mathers

2012-02-29T15:18:00.000Z

I've been aware of Alex Mathers' work for a while, but haven't blogged it before...

I think that it fits in well with my swimming brief- the colours and the focus on using shapes to create imagery that resembles water.

I especially like the Kidney Island image (2nd above) - it's so bright and cheerful, yet ever so slightly sinister. I might have to colour pick some shades from it...!

Sawdust

2012-02-29T15:08:00.001Z

Typography from Sawdust, studio featured in Computer Arts Collection this month:

I like the custom type designed by Sawdust- they've created interesting letterforms, without being cliché or unreadable. I want to feature the work from CA Collection in my context book.

Finished Yearbook Spreads

2012-02-28T14:30:00.000Z

All yearbook spreads for the student pages are now complete. They will need minor tweaks when we receive the images, and some of the shapes for the photo space have already been altered to fit the picture better.

Filler Pages- Course Info

2012-02-28T12:03:00.000Z

For the filler pages we're using photographs which showcase the course areas, equipment, activities etc... General ongoings in the course. I only have one to work with for now though...

Multiply effect on photo- alternative text colours. This block might be too much to fit in...?

The edges of this image are black, which means I can smoothly match up the side to a black pannel and use it as a place for type.

Above is a heavier weight of Helvetica... I think it's good as Bold, but too heavy in Black.

The point size could do with many more variations... Whether it's a few keywords highlighted in 28pt or something, or maybe just smaller paragraphs of text to work with in a small point size.

Week Time Management

2012-02-27T16:42:00.000Z

This week's plan... I've got quite a bit of blank space after my tutorial... But I think this is necessary as I need to know what I have to do before I plan it out...

Obviously I still have deadlines in place, but what I do to meet them is variable at this stage:

Yearbook Photoshoot

2012-02-27T14:00:00.000Z

For the student photographs in the yearbook, we booked out a photo studio and some lighting equipment. Rob, Maya and Robyn ran the shoot, setting it all up so we'd get the same sort of photo for each person, and they'd all look uniform.

I decided to step back from this part- it didn't need four of us to run it, and I'm not going to pretend I know how to take good portrait photos really...

Anyway, all but 8 students turned up, so a reasonable success. We need to run another one though to get the rest which is frustrating.

Rob will edit the photos, making them B&W as well, so they can be linked into the student pages in the book.

Jenna Stationery

2012-02-26T22:30:00.000Z

Stationery developed for Jenna's identity. I've created 3 different layouts for letterheads, compliment slips and a few for the business cards.

Business Cards:

(First is front, rest are back)

Compliment Slips:

And Letterheads:

I'm still to do the stickers and return adress labels, as well as the website layouts. The packaging is still being decided upon at Jenna's end at the moment.

Herlihy Type

2012-02-26T14:47:00.000Z

I've started on the typography for Sindead's branding:

I've started with Gotham Medium, I'm just going to round off all the corners, and change them so they're smooth curves on the same letter shapes.

I like the above, but I think now it looks a bit too 'friendly', a bit too soft. So I'm going to add some angles back in...

I have taken the alternate corners for each letter and made them into right angles (or the appropriate angle) For the R though this didn't seem to work as well:

It looks unbalanced, and the weight of the line toward the top right gets too thin. So I've put the curve back in and it looks more balanced now.

I've tried Insignia next:

Originally the crossbar for the R wasn't level with those of the H or E, so I've corrected it to what looks better in my eye. I've experimented a bit with an underline too, but this might be too much if Sinead is going to be doing foiling.

I've tried Futura Condensed next: I wanted to do the same as with Gotham and add in curves, but I'm going to try doing this with more circular angles- using the space between the parallel lines of the H, I've spaced the circle as this diameter:

Then I've adjusted the shapes of the letters with the same sort of system:

Trouble with the R- now it doesn't look right at all, since the curve isn't matched to the circular shape.

I've tried to amend this by adjusting the bowl of the letter to be more vertical and stretched, with circular corners:

I've also had to make a lot of change to the Y- it was very anular in the arms before, so I've made them simple vertical lines with a circular curve at the bottom.

I've looked at Anivers next, as the R has quite a nice flourish on it, and the tops of the letters aren't so harsh. I've attempted to match this in the left side of the Y.

I like the Gotham version best with the curves and angles- the mixed version. I think this is heavy enough type to hold foil really well, as well as sit nicely upon a format with squared or rounded corners.

Herlihy Logo

2012-02-24T12:24:00.000Z

I've been working on the Herlihy type for Sinead, she wants something that could fit in with rounded corners for business cards. She emailed me some sample fonts that she's keen on:

And a document that has some inspiration in it, things that she likes the look of:

Open publication - Free publishing - More fashion

So, I'm going to work using manipulations of existing fonts as a starting point. I want to incorporate formal and dignified angular lines with more feminine curved elements to soften it.

Yearbook Development

2012-02-22T19:36:00.001Z

I've been developing the spreads for the yearbook layouts- using the file that Robyn created, and tidying up things like the corners, grid and typefaces, so every element is uniform and easily transferred through the book.

Feedback received from Jenna

2012-02-22T19:28:00.001Z

I've got some feedback for the concepts I sent to Jenna yesterday evening:

I need to clarify with her how stuff will be printed, as well as the packaging element- I'm not sure how to go about this as it's something I've not really any experience with...!

Update: I've replied and Jenna has responded too. She's been very understanding that I'm not quite sure of the direction to take the packaging in... And we've arranged that I'll do some mock up layouts for a website- suggesting colours/fonts/layouts for it. This is something I am capable of doing, if not overly familiar, and I think it's necessary experience that I should have.

Yearbook Meeting #4

2012-02-21T19:34:00.000Z

We've had our fourth meeting with Mike now... Getting the designs underway.

Robyn has been working on layouts for the pages too, and has come up with a more versatile system that I think will work better for the pages. We're going to adopt this and take into account changes that Mike has requested. I'll be working from these layouts from now.

Because of the way students will be organised via discipline, the contents page must be really clear and informative about which year/course the students are graduating from!

Final 3 Concepts for Jenna

2012-02-21T19:26:00.000Z

My final concepts I'm going to send to Jenna:

Water Imagery

2012-02-20T19:39:00.000Z

I've been looking more at the image side of using the circular grids... Having set up the typeface, I have assigned plenty of watery colours to the document, and will just work with these for now:

The way in which I've created the shapes is simple:

Creating circles that align at their edges and spaced out randomly across a page, then connecting them with straight lines. I've filled the shape, and deselected the outer circles.

Using the pathfinder tool I've combined all the shapes together to form a single flowing rippley shape.

I've also been experimenting with these overlapping with opacities. I need to come up with a brand name too for the products.

Week Plan so far

2012-02-20T16:39:00.000Z

My plan for the week at this point...

It's a Snap!

2012-02-20T15:31:00.002Z

Such brilliant advertising. What on EARTH?!

Oblique Strategies

2012-02-20T10:53:00.000Z

I've just found out about Brian Eno's Oblique Strategies... A way of working through creative blocks. I WISH I'D FOUND THIS THREE BLOOMING YEARS AGO!
Pft. Anyway- it's a system of suggestions for continuing a project, with ways of working through of overcoming problems. Simple sentences like 'What mistakes did you make last time?' or 'Work at a different speed'

I'm going to use this when I find myself stuck next...!

Type Merge

2012-02-19T11:38:00.000Z

Lovely specimen of typography by Josh Parenti- using two typefaces to create a new one:

Stunning colours, as well as type. This sort of font would be perfect for Jenna's identity, but it's not available. Boo.

Jenna- Colour Elements

2012-02-18T12:04:00.000Z

I"ve been trying to incorporate shape and colour elements into the identity design for Jenna- she seems to like bolder colours and I want to use stronger shapes along with the type:

I think I've now got two concepts for an identity I can present to her- It would be better to have a third though...!!

Jenna- Script Font, Width Tool

2012-02-17T19:26:00.000Z

I've figured out the width tool in Illustrator which has helped a lot with getting the script type off the ground after all... Going back to the hand written style of type I did with the tablet, I've developed each letter so it has more of a calligraphic effect:

Organising Student Info

2012-02-16T19:38:00.000Z

For the yearbook we're working from a word document to collect the student information... This isn't very easy for me, as I like to be able to visualise where my information is...

So I've just copied it out onto paper and organised a way of checking the information we have from each student:

Yearbook Development

2012-02-16T19:32:00.000Z

I've been working on the layouts for the yearbook over this week... Developing the profile column that will be on every student page:

The idea is that the uniformity allows the information to be accessed easily and in a familiar way, and the colours can be changed according to the student's work- to coordinate, or according to their discipline. Or they can simply be arbitrary.

The problem with these is that the pages are going to be really static, and samey... It is a good thing to know where information will be found, but only to a certain extent... It needs to be more versatile...

Jenna Identity- Further

2012-02-16T12:01:00.000Z

I'm not getting anywhere with the hand drawn type I feel... It's not something I'm 'good' at apparently... I'm going to see if I can use simpler parts of it- the flourishes and decorative elements, along with an existing script font. I'm struggling a lot with creative block with regards to selecting fonts this week it seems... Sigh.

I've found Nouvelle Vague, a serif font, similar to didot/bodoni but with thicker weights combined into the mix. It says 'for personal use only' which I think will be okay within an identity- as it's not a selling point of a product, like on a book cover or something...

Going to play around with this in the designs... Adding in the elements I created too.

I've looked more at playing with the colour in the designs... I want to use basic shapes as well, as I think this is always a good strong identity element, and I think a circle would be ideal- representative of a lens, or an aperture...

I'd make it slightly rougher shaped, not a perfect circle, so as to add a bit more of an organic and playful element to it. Going to try and incorporate clipping masks and shapes in Illustator now...

Jessica Hische Typography

2012-02-16T11:15:00.000Z

Jessica Hische, the granddaughter of typography perhaps? Well, she's naturally supremely talented at it whatever the case... I've been looking at her work as inspiration while I do the identity for Jenna.

Final Vectorised Water/Swimming Font

2012-02-15T22:56:00.000Z

Here's the final vectorised font for the swimming brief...

Now I need to focus on creating pattern based imagery, as well as the brand name and packaging.

I'd like to use die cut elements in the packaging, especially if they could be these flowing circular grid formed shapes.

Sinead Fashion Branding

2012-02-15T12:52:00.000Z

I've taken on another Fashion brief- this time it's branding and packaging, instead of a lookbook... I've had a meeting with Sinead this morning to talk over the work:

Brand name- Herlihy (Which is part of Sinead's surname) her last collection was called 'House of Herlihy'.
Collection- It's six dresses, each a different bright colour and pattern base. Each is a long bodice with a thin long skirt part attached.

Sinead really likes the idea of foiling the logo, to make it more rich looking and give it a polished finish. I'm keen to help her with this, but need to help her realise the costs, as well as how to translate this into the packaging and the website.

I've started with the identity, as it's something I can begin now, rather than waiting for more details on.

Jenna Identity Development

2012-02-15T11:49:00.000Z

I've taken some of the ideas that I have on paper and tried to translate them to screen so I can work with vectors... I've experimented with the handrawn/calligraphic flourishes- some decorative elements to accompany the type:

Business Card Designs

2012-02-15T11:29:00.000Z

Some interesting business card inspiration... To go alongside creating the identity for Jenna. I know it's possibly a bit restricting to design with a business card in mind, but in my opinion that's the most restricted application it would be applied to, therefore the limitations I work to....

I like the simple division line between name and information on the above.

Lovely portrait format, simple embossing to use the negative space without overcrowding.

I like the script font alongside the light condensed one.

Really lovely colours, along with Jessica Hische's typography. The simple format on the back is perfect. I think this would be ideal for Jenna, but obviously it's been done, sigh, ha!

I want to be able to create an original script identity but I don't think my skills will stretch that far!

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz- Recovered Books

2012-02-15T09:56:00.000Z

There's a contest that Bobby Solomon runs on The Fox Is Black called Re-covered books- whereby you can enter your own design for a given book each month. This month was The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum. The BOOK not the FILM.

The winner has just been announced as Paul Bartlett:

It's a magical and very clever design, a collage of four images which perfectly tie together to represent the books characters. One of those designs that make you think, "damn I wish I'd done that!"

Initial Development- Jenna Identity

2012-02-14T11:47:00.000Z

I've started the initial ideas for some of the identity work for Jenna. Just some initial sketches of formats and type ideas:

Pagan & Sharp

2012-02-13T11:13:00.000Z

Gorgeous scrip font image from Pagan & Sharp- the first one with a good message that I think I need to pay more attention to, ha!

I love all the really thin lines on this one- combined with the gradient applied to the letters, lovely.

The inspiration that Jenna gave me for her identity was quite feminine, and included samples of a few script type fonts, so I want to find a representation of this to present to her.

Jenna Inspiration

2012-02-12T11:46:00.000Z

I've asked to see some inspiration from Jenna to see what sort of designs she likes, and the style of her photos, as well as info about her business and audiences etc:

This is what she got back to me with, it's basically EXACTLY what I wanted to see- if only everyone could come back with inspiration this thorough!

Finalised Swimming Typeface

2012-02-11T11:42:00.000Z

I've completed the rest of the letters for the swimming typeface- now I just have to vectorise them:

MIT Media Lab Identity

2012-02-11T10:56:00.000Z

This identity for MIT Media Lab incorporates a unique identifier for any way in which people work:

"The new visual identity of the MIT Media Lab is inspired by the community it comprises: Highly creative people from all kinds of backgrounds come together, inspire each other and collaboratively develop a vision of the future.
This unique oﬀering of the MIT Media Lab is reﬂected in the logo design. Each of the three shapes stands for one individual’s contribution, the resulting shape represents the outcome of this process: A constant redeﬁnition of what media and technology means today.
The logo is based on a visual system, an algorithm that produces a unique logo for each person, for faculty, staﬀ and students. Each person can claim and own an individual shape and can use it on their business card a personal website. The design encompasses all collateral, business cards, letterhead, website, animations, signage etc. A custom web interface was developed to allow each person at the Media Lab to choose and claim an own individual logo for his/her business card, as well as a custom animation soﬅware which allows to create custom animations for any video content the lab produces."

The way in which three different parts are represented in a variety of ways could be reflected in the DFGA identity perhaps... Combining the extent to which each students practice works for them to create a unique infographic...

Universal Packaging System

2012-02-11T10:45:00.000Z

Really interesting- reminds me of the shapes from the Novum magazine as well as the Faceture video.

Square Peg typeface

2012-02-11T10:43:00.000Z

This Square Peg typeface by James Ramsay is great- for large formats...!
Possibly something like this would be good for the DFGA type on the front of the yearbook... Something that's blocky with curves...

Yearbook Meeting #3

2012-02-10T19:31:00.000Z

I wasn't able to attend the third yearbook meeting, but Maya sent the summary email around to all of us, so I know what's happening.

We still need a lot of the contact information from Mike's students, and will need to organise a photo shoot for the profile photos.

Andy Gilmore

2012-02-10T10:38:00.000Z

Andy Gilmore creates beautiful abstract geometric patterns... Using really interesting colour patterns and shapes.

Putting these up here for reference alongside the DFGA yearbook work... We want an abstract pattern for the basis of the cover, and this would be a good approach...

ITI Identity- Heydays

2012-02-10T10:34:00.000Z

This identity for ITI works in a variable way too... I have absolutely no idea what the company is/does but the way the identity works is interesting...!

Logo animation — ITI from Heydays on Vimeo.

Kokomo- Andy Russell

2012-02-10T10:30:00.000Z

This identity for Kokomo by Andy Russell is interesting:

A shape that is versatile and used like an aperture for content... A simple way of keeping an identity but not one that interferes with the content of the design.

Casa da Musica- Sagmeister Identity

2012-02-10T10:21:00.000Z

Sagmeister has created an identity for the Casa da Musica in Portugal. It's based upon the shapes of the building itself, which creates variations on the same shapes using different angles views of the architecture...

Jenna Wilkinson Identity

2012-02-09T11:43:00.000Z

I've been asked by photographer Jenna Wilkinson to take on the job of designing her identity for her new business. I'm so pleased that she's asked me!

EMAILS

Neue- Visit Nordkyn

2012-02-09T10:10:00.000Z

This project by Neue is for the promotion of the Visit Nordkyn campaign- to encourage tourism in the Nordkyn Peninsula.

The identity is based upon a representation of the snowflake, systematically applied to represent geographic coordinates.

There is a logo for every day of the year- each representing a different location, and using a different colour.

I really like this logical identity, it's functional and variable with a rule as to why. This is a similar thing we wanted to go for with the yearbook... Just HOW!?

POC MAG 2

2012-02-09T09:57:00.000Z

The POC MAG publication by The Church Of London has been out for a while, but I thought I'd pop it up here anyway as it's relevant to one of the chapters of my design context publication.

Open publication - Free publishing - More bike

I love the sequence of the colours throughout the magazine, the way it progresses through a spectrum,

Nod Young

2012-02-09T09:48:00.000Z

Nod Young is a graphic designer who uses abstract typographical forms in his work. I like the colours and shapes he uses, I wish I could have an eye for the same...!

He has designed these beautiful posters- called Puti Trees, which typographically represent two poems about Zen. They're in Chinese so aren't readable to me, but they make beautiful patterns.

Another project I'm very fond of is for Converse:

I like that it's an active installation, and 3D rather than just existing on screen.

Bureau Bruneau

2012-02-08T09:37:00.000Z

Bureau Bruneau is the studio of Ludvig Bruneau Rossow from Norway, and he's got a pretty good thing going on. He's been mentioned recently in several places, including Computer Arts Collection typography issue.

I'm particularly fond of this project- the AW2012 collection for Treches:

A lovely typeface with alternates available, I like that there's a thin and a rounded Q. The colour palette being only black and white works really well as well- doesn't take any attention away from the clothes, but only works around them.

Sofi Bath Bombs

2012-02-08T09:29:00.000Z

Found these on Lovely Package yesterday- so sweet.

A whole brand for the packaging is made up of individual designs for each bath bomb in the range. Sofi is a handmade organic cosmetics company, and the studio Popular Bruketa & Žinić OM have taken into account the call for something that reflects the handmade nature of the products, as well as incorporating the names of the products typographically into the design. The colours reflect the contents as well as the foil blocking logo for the branding of the product.

I like all the unique type treatments that represent each product. The little poster tube type packaging is in itself adorable, I'd certainly buy one. Or two.

Always With Honor

2012-02-08T09:18:00.000Z

Always With Honor is a studio in Portland who make AWESOME vector based designs.... Mainly infographic or logo work, but always cool.

They designed the logo for The Fox Is Black. I love the smooth lines and curves they use- they're so perfectly executed. Every degree is thought about and just works!

I love the little trees in the Vermont image above!

The colours they use are also brilliant. I'm head over heels...

Tree Prints- Raw Colour

2012-02-07T23:00:00.000Z

Paper Wood is a project by Raw Colour in the Netherlands, who decided to make prints using the patterns of tree rings.

They sourced the wood for the paper, and it was created for the purpose, and then selected a branch to cut into slices to reveal the tree rings. 44 slices for 44 individual ring patterns.

They were printed mechanically using a plotting machine and pen, like James can do with the vinyl cutter downstairs:

I love the organic prints that were created, and unaltered for any reason.

Swiss Miss / Creative Mornings / The Fox Is Black

2012-02-07T14:13:00.000Z

In this video Bobby Solomon explains a bit more about his blog. It is a bit out of date though- from when The Fox Is Black was just about take over from Kitsune Noir. The questions at the end are really interesting- I can't tell what they're asking, but the responses are interesting to hear!

Week Time Management

2012-02-06T17:18:00.001Z

This week's plan:

Deep Festival

2012-02-06T17:11:00.001Z

This promo for Deep Festival by Puchudg is great- I want this sort of vibe for the Museum of Trees work I'm going to be doing.

I like the consistent colour, and the use of simple shape imagery along with photography. I think this is something I want to explore.

Est Magazine #4

2012-02-06T17:06:00.000Z

I came across Est Magazine from... Something on Google Reader!? Ahem. Organised!

I really like some of the page layouts- the colours are really considered:

Open publication - Free publishing - More architecture

I also LOE this typeface. I'm not sure what it is yet though...! Probably really obvious!

Design Context Interview Confirmed

2012-02-06T17:03:00.000Z

I've confirmed the first interview for my context book- with Bobby Solomon who runs The Fox Is Black.

It was a bit of chance really- I left a comment on one of his blog posts, and he emailed me back.

I've sent the above questions back to him for answers. I'm so grateful to him for agreeing! Hurrah! It's the ideal sort of interview I want in my 'uncategorisable' chapter... Which I really need a new name for!

Jonathan Calugi

2012-02-06T16:47:00.002Z

New work posted by Jonathan Calugi surfaced this week. I love the simple patterns he's done with his signature shapes:

FACETURE

2012-02-06T16:45:00.002Z

This is amazing. I love the way the moulds for the vases are created from the scored plastic, I want to try this myself for the swimming packaging- the materials are ideal, but the shapes would need to be manipulated.

So beautiful.

Progress Packaging

2012-02-06T16:36:00.001Z

This website Progress Packaging is a great source for some lovely print jobs:

Rex Ray

2012-02-06T16:29:00.000Z

Rex Ray is an artist who makes beautiful images based on colours and shapes:

Because of the way his website works it's difficult to get pictures of his work to post. But the above show what he does.

I'm going to try and use some of the shapes within my water/swimming brief.

Into The Rabbit Hole

2012-02-06T16:23:00.003Z

I found this project on The Hungry Workshop's blog, it's a really cute little promotional print item, for a cafe. Here's what they've said about the project:

The Rabbit Hole Ideation Cafe is, itself, an excellent idea. A place to meet, work, share and create, The Rabbit Hole offers up workstations to rent for creative people for short term stays. Plus a whole bunch of other tools are included to help create and execute great ideas: good books, solid internet, a boardroom for meetings and, most importantly, a steady stream of caffeine from the in-house coffee shop.

We designed and letterpress printed a promotional giveaway along with a few business cards. Printed in fluorescent green and a double hit of silver on Beer Matt Board 390gsm, the postcard gives a call out to create. Several shapes are die-cut out and can be put together to create a stylised rabbit.

Along with creating the custom die cut for the rabbit, we were a bit crafty with the sheet and managed to fit two business cards alongside the postcard. We printed them in the same run on the same sheet, which saves on set-up costs.

The business cards feature a few fluro green carrots for good measure, printed with a nice, deep impression.

Susann Stefanizen

2012-02-06T16:21:00.000Z

These works by Susann Stefanizen are really lovely...

This set look like folded papers:

While this set look more abstract and natural, like sand or rock layers:

Droplets Typeface

2012-02-06T16:16:00.000Z

This Droplets Typeface by Daniel Emeka is representative more literally of what I'm going for with the swimming/water typeface. The curves and droplet shapes to make up the letters is just what I want.

More DC Images found

2012-02-06T16:10:00.000Z

Design Context Presentation Images

2012-02-06T16:08:00.001Z

Here are the images that I used on my Design Context presentation:

Design Context Feedback

2012-02-03T19:41:00.000Z

DFGA Meeting #2

2012-02-03T15:16:00.000Z

Here's the round up of our latest DFGA Meeting:

We've got a start to work on now, as Mike has provided us with some basic student and course information in the drop box:

He was happy with some of the layout elements I'd worked on, so I'm going to continue with them.

Robyn is working on the colour palettes, and the abstract cover. I think we should present him with the options of 3 or 4 different palettes, with different brightnesses/shades of colours- he did seem happy to work with RGBY.

Toko- Dutch Summer

2012-02-03T14:41:00.000Z

Maya found this work from australian studio Toko:

The patterns and angles in this work would hold a QR code well, the lines and shapes could blend suitably. The colours are also what I think Mike has in mind.

Looking at the rest of their website, their project for Platform exhibition also has to same sort of abstract patterns used, but this time for type:

Type Development- Digital

2012-02-02T16:37:00.000Z

I've finished all the letters I've created so far. I just need to draw out the rest of the alphabet to vectorise it:

QR Code Play

2012-02-02T14:47:00.000Z

Maya and I have spent the afternoon playing with how we can manipulate QR codes:

This is the code we used. If functional it should direct to my blog.

Simply adding in type to the code

The above didn't function- the code needs to be dark and the background lighter.

This one above worked, the 4 key points are identifiable.

Below did not, the yellow isn't dark enough.

Below did not work either, the bottom left target point isn't clear enough with the yellow.

Below is functional.

We then looked at how the code would fit inside a pattern. If we leave a border around the edge, it functions fine.

However, if we join any of it up, it no longer works:

We wanted to try and change the background colour:

The blue still functions fine. So we're now going to look more at changing the code itself:

These two work (I think?!) even though some of the date has been corrupted with the twirl tool.

It can also be extended using a manipulated version of the code:

I tried to live trace it in different ways, I wanted the corners to be able to be rounded, but I got some other interesting effects instead!

I love the look of the above. However, it's not functional, great shame!

The rest are interesting too:

I remembered what the Mashable article said about gradients: Trying this for part produces an odd effect, but it's something to bear in mind.

This was a bit odd. Amusing though!

Finally figured out how to round the corners- You need to expand the code using the tracing options palette, and adjust the settings so the Path Fitting is at 0px.

Then expand and simplify the paths to the angle threshold of about 1

You can then ungroup and separate the background from the code data:

If there are still white blocks left, then releasing the compound path and subtracting the front layer with the pathfinder should solve this. The white blocks can then be removed just like the background.

Then using the Effects menu, and the stylise > rounded corners filter, adjust the corners:

Below is done using a 1mm radius, this is plenty.

Ta DA! Rounded corners, with all the data still in place and a transparent background.

DFGA Typography

2012-02-02T14:37:00.000Z

I've been looking into type to use for the DFGA Yearbook. After finding out that we're restricted to Helvetica Neue for the copy, I think maybe using something a bit more suited to the theme would be a good idea for the titles/display size type.

These shape based bright coloured alphabets would fit in with the style of abstract pattern cover that we're going for:

Yet this sort of type would be more suited to the character of the DFGA course:

This sort of shape based, digital pixel font called Merkur would be good to use, but it would be more fitting with the Microsoft Tag shapes than the QR codes. Another idea would be to make our own, using something like Fontstruct, so it was a modular shape based font.

Siggi Eggertsson

2012-02-02T14:28:00.000Z

Illustrator and designer Siggi Eggertsson works with really bold and bright patterns, working with repeated shapes and lines:

The patterns are such that we could probably work a QR code INTO the shapes... Obviously creating our own new pattern in the process, but one that would envelope the code and make it functional but invisible. Robyn has agreed she'd be happy to take this on, and the patterns fit well with the abstract visuals that Mike wants for his yearbook.

Glenrothes Mobile Site

2012-02-02T14:19:00.000Z

Also by SET Japan- this Glenrothes Whiskey site has been designed with a custom QR code.

We need to look into the longevity of these codes, and figure out how they'll last when in print.

Design Context Presentation

2012-02-01T15:57:00.000Z

I've been preparing my DC presentation for Weds, and trying to work out how I'd categorise my context work.

Open publication - Free publishing - More context

Basically, I consider Design Context as inspiration. And for me there tends to be three categories that are definitive:

Type, Print and Colour.

Then there's the rest. This is where the problems start. I seem to find I'm inspired by the strangest of things, form architecture to glass sculpture, from puddles to abstract shapes. So how do I categorise this?!

Solution- I don't. I'm going to have a whole chapter of my context publication on the misfitting pieces of inspiration that I gather. I want to try and evaluate why they all fit together as a set as well... I just won't know this until I have it all together.

As for research of my own, I want to have showcases and interviews where possible from the following:

Type
- Marian Bantjes
- Use my interview with Yves Peters form my dissertation
- Alias
- Sueh Li
- TypoFlat
- Fontstruct
- Keith Morris Interview (From Raw)
- Craig Warde

Colour
- Hmm. Stuck here.

Print
- For Print Only (As a resource for information on project showcases)
- FontSmith

Uncategorisable
- Inspiration curators,
- Designspiration,
- Tumblr blogs,
- prominent design bloggers such as Swiss Miss (she'll never get round to answering though!)
- Or The Fox Is Black
- It's Nice That

Yearbook Spread Ideas

2012-02-01T15:35:00.000Z

Still working on the 12x12 grid. It gives a lot of flexability and margins, without being too complicated.

I've taken some of the drawings I've done and tried to put them together, recreated, in InDesign:

A shocking first spread... This can only get better. I wanted to try out more dynamic and angular crops of images, as well as block colours to break up the page... Not really having the desired effect!

This one went better- using a photo from the DFGA flickr page, I have used it as a full DPS and overlaid a bright coloured text quote over it.

Working on how to display the student names... We haven't been given them yet, so we're having to make them up, ha!

This shape isn't good- too boring. It needs to be more abstract and angular, as well as bright.

The below example is better:

The pink shape aside, I'm liking how the student profile sits at the side with room for their work images.

I've done a couple of versions of this side profile DPS, using a large scale image with smaller overlaid ones, and also a tiled effect page with multiple images.

I'm pretty happy with the below spreads now.

As well as the page that has the tutor quote on- this could be a good feature, keeping the pictures as simple background images, with technology showcased in them and showing off the course, accompanied by the bright text.

Yearbook Spread Ideas

2012-02-01T15:21:00.000Z

I've been drawing out some ideas for the use of layout space on the student spreads:

Microsoft Tag

2012-02-01T14:16:00.000Z

I found online an alternative to the QR code- Microsoft Tag. In some ways they look nicer than the QR codes, but I don't like the colours at all. Also, they're much less widely used.

They seem to vary between being made up of dots or triangles. I can't work out the differences- why they're like that.

Mashable: How To Make Your QR Codes More Beautiful

2012-02-01T14:03:00.000Z

I found this article from Mashable, on making QR codes more aesthetically pleasing:

__________________________________________________________________

The QR code: A thing of beauty or an eyesore? The magical barcodes that can be scanned by a smartphone to launch an offline-to-online experience are often criticized for their black and white checkerbox appearance. Those who doubt that QR codes will go mainstream are quick to point out that the look of QR codes will deter marketers and advertisers from using them.

Fortunately, QR codes are malleable and can be redesigned in truly extraordinary ways, while still maintaining their scanability. The truth is, QR codes no longer have to be checkerbox in appearance. We’ve entered a new phase of “designer codes” that can be integrated into marketing campaigns in an attractive way that isn’t an eyesore.

QR codes have so much potential from a design perspective, so let’s take a look at a few tricks and techniques you should keep in mind when designing a code to enhance your brand and appeal to your audience.

1. Add a Color Palette

The easiest way to add branding power to your code is to add color to it. Your QR code does not have to be standard black and white in order to be scanned. You can embed multiple colors and apply a color gradient without affecting scanability. The only rule of thumb is that the code color should generally be dark and placed against a light-colored background. Make sure the contrast is sufficient, or the code will be difficult to scan.

A “reversed out” code, where the background is dark and the boxes are light colored, is generally not recommended. Only a small handful of QR code readers can treat such codes as a film negative and properly interpret the data.

2. Soften Hard Edges with Round Corners

One of the QR code’s greatest aesthetic flaws is its numerous hard edges. You can dramatically lessen the severity of this look by strategically rounding some corners. It is not necessary to round all of the corners, but softening up the edges will definitely make the code appear more friendly and approachable.

3. Incorporate Dimensionality for 3D Impact

One high impact way to brand your QR code is to obstruct some of the boxes with imagery, such as a logo. By placing an image in front of the code, you imbue the code with a sense of depth. An ordinary barcode suddenly becomes a form of artwork, and you can really make a statement with the way you melt boxes together or choose to obstruct aspects of the code.

Fun ideas include adding a logo to the center of the code, but you could also add interesting elements to the corners or the sides for an even less standard look. Adding images or characters between the boxes is another playful way to dress the code with personality and style.

4. Use QR Codes With 30% Error Correction

If you decide to add in a logo to create a 3D feel for your QR code, you need to decide which part of the coding to obstruct with your logo. The key to creating these eye-popping designer codes is to take advantage of the fact that up to 30% of a QR code’s data can be missing or obstructed, and still be scanned. QR codes can be generated with 0%, 10%, 20% or 30% error correction rates built in. Building in the 30% error correction rate adds more noise (extra boxes) within the code, but those extra boxes within the code can then be removed to make way for a logo or other interesting imagery.

If you use a QR code with 0% error correction, the code will look more streamlined, but opportunities to brand the code by adding in a logo are very limited. Removing or obstructing a single box within a 0% error QR code could render it unscannable.

Apply a Trial-and-Error Process

Technically, it is possible to mathematically compute which boxes in a QR code are the buffers that can be removed, but such computations are generally unnecessary. By applying a simple process of trial-and-error, anyone can begin applying their design techniques to a code and then test for scannability.

Be sure to test your code’s scannability with multiple QR readers, ideally three or four. Some readers may be able to overcome some stylistic elements of your designer code, whereas others will not. Deploying your code without testing for scannability is designer malpractice and can cause serious heartache with clients. It is true that even with reasonable precautions, designer codes may still be difficult to scan, so you must always weigh the costs of scanning difficulty against the benefits of designing a code that is eye-catching. If a designer code takes more than a few seconds to scan, it probably needs to be redesigned.

Conclusion

In the end, creating branded QR codes is as much art as it is science. The mathematical qualities of a QR code and the impact of a clever design can truly elevate a QR code to the point where the code becomes the central artwork of a piece of marketing collateral. Applying designer best practices will enhance scanning conversion rates and effectively augment an offline item with online capabilities.

It is only a matter of time before QR codes hit mainstream. Knowing how to innovate both in technology and design, and how to implement a QR code in the right way for your business, will keep your brand on the cutting edge of marketing and technology.

More Creative QR Codes

2012-02-01T14:01:00.000Z

These were found within an article about how to use QR codes more creatively. I really like the rabbit.

Si Scott – Hunter – Hype for Type

2012-01-31T15:43:00.000Z

Si Scott was at the Leeds Print Festival at the weekend, and spoke about his work. I was particularly captivated by this typeface he designed for Zadie Smith's book.

It's a similar but simpler more decorated (if that make sense?!) take on what I want for my water swimming typeface.

I love the shapes of the loops and counters, so beautiful and natural.

QR Code Manipulation

2012-01-31T13:56:00.000Z

I've been looking this afternoon for some creative uses of QR codes. Here's what I've found:

These are from SET Japan, they've incorporated large symbols into the above to allow functionality along with an aesthetic incorporation. In all cases the codes are still functional, which is impressive.
I really like the way that the edges to the barcode blocks have been softened into curves.

QR Code Research

2012-01-31T13:10:00.002Z

I've been looking into QR codes, how they work and what you can do with them... I tried it out, and this code below should take you to this blog... It works on my phone, which is amazing, ha!

Antrepo / Container Colour Systems Poster

2012-01-30T16:41:00.002Z

These posters by Antrepo were featured on Shelby White's blog this morning. They're really interesting, the sort of thing I find really inspiring and intriguing.

I think I just love looking at the way colour is organised.

Week Time Management

2012-01-30T16:40:00.000Z

My plan for the week:

Studio Lin

2012-01-30T16:37:00.000Z

There's a feature on September Industry on Studio Lin this week:

"Before opening Studio Lin, Alex Lin laid the foundation for his own design practice by collaborating with some of the field’s greatest minds. After receiving an MFA in graphic design from Yale University, Alex spent six years at the design firm 2×4 and three years as a partner at Default.

The studio’s approach is founded on a desire to explore new territory through challenging collaborations with creative visionaries in the fields of architecture, industrial design, art and fashion. Behind every Studio Lin design is a highly defined rationale but not a singular style. The common denominator is a fresh, modern sensibility that eschews the overtly trendy in favor of lasting impact.

studiolin.org"

Here are some of their projects:

________________________________________

Their print projects are fantastic- I like that they play with the formats and finishes fo each one.

The monthly publications are my favourite- how they're presented together. Each one listing the paper and it's weight makes it really appealing, if only perhaps to Graphic Designers! Really good reference though. I wish these light paper weights were available to print on more readily.

ISO50 Print

2012-01-30T16:28:00.002Z

This print by ISO50 is lovely... I can't really explain why I like it... I think it's about how the colours are so vibrant, and the patterns aren't created through the changes of colours or shapes, but by the tones of the colours.

Aria Typeface

2012-01-30T16:23:00.002Z

I think I've blogged this before... But here it goes again.

Really like the making of this print. Not so font of the actual thing itself... But hey.

Fashion Meeting

2012-01-30T15:51:00.000Z

I met with Tiffany this afternoon to show her some ideas that I've been working on, and hear what else she's been doing and her thoughts on what I'd got together.

I put together a mood board type thing to show her what I've been looking at and try and highlight elements that I can bring into her work.

Things she was particularly keen on were:

- The use of the voltage symbol, the way the images were interacting with the shape on the page. She also liked the monochrome pattern type thing on the left of the image, and suggested that the shapes/patterns on the inside of her clothes can be displayed in this way, as backgrounds or filler images for cover pages etc.

- The alternative shaped business cards (which could also be applied to swing tags etc)

- The collage/tiled layout of the images in the Light Gives Heat lookbook:

- The possibility of creating an envelope type package for the lookbook, perhaps with a dye cut to show the image through... This would depend on how many were being made though, and how easy the envelopes would be to produce.

- Fold out elements to the lookbook. Although there really isn't much scope for having a fold out element bound into the book itself, it could be designed as a folded poster or extended magazine type thing, and used alongside the lookbook.

- Possibly incorporating elements like the fabric into the layout- by scanning or photographing. Then breaking this up into the layout.

- She would like a logotype, instead of a symbolic logo to work with. This will probably be her name, but isn't confirmed because of the prior associations with Tiffany's etc... Need to confirm this.

Yearbook Font Ideas

2012-01-30T15:22:00.000Z

Just some brief doodles about font ideas for the yearbook:

Im going with a blocky, shape based/pixel look.... Keeping it tied in with the screen purpose, as well as the simple image look Mike is going for.

Redley Lookbooks

2012-01-30T14:16:00.000Z

These lookbooks, by Quarto101 are really good ways of separating a male & female collection of clothes.
I love the shapes of the covers especially, and how they reflect the content. This is something that could perhaps be applied to the DFGA yearbook too- as they need it to work across two courses.

Sarah Se7en

2012-01-30T14:07:00.000Z

This lookbook for Sarah Se7en has some subtle elements I like:

The little overlay with cut out text brands the project without being intrusive to the design. It's subtle enough, yet strong enough to stand over the images.

Light Gives Heat Fall 2011 Lookbook

2012-01-30T14:04:00.000Z

This lookbook by Dale Pagenkopf has some really nice elements in the design. The shapes that go across the pages, and break up the layout of images are really effective, they fit with the tones of the images and are subtle enough to go unnoticed.

Open publication - Free publishing - More africa

I'd definitely like to think about doing something like this.

Lyshe Windy Portfolio Lookbook 2012

2012-01-30T13:56:00.003Z

This lookbook folio has two spreads that I really like- the first & second set of inside spreads. The rest you can ignore... But I really like the collection of numbers to set out the contents, as well as the way the patterns are used as a background on the next page.

Open publication - Free publishing - More branding

Our Paper Shop Lookbook

2012-01-30T13:54:00.000Z

I came across Our Paper Shop the other day, a small business selling paper ephemera. They have a lookbook showcasing what they do and their services:

Open publication - Free publishing - More greeting cards

I really like the way some of these images are set out on the pages- in a clean format, no fancy cropping, but with small borders, or set off the page in certain ways. I also like how the text is overlayed onto the images in the little circles, elaborating on the images.