Throughout the responsive module I have taken the opportunity to experiment with a range of design styles, producing a multitude of work which is relevant to each brief. I have used the module to mainly explore subjective work, undertaking briefs which stretch my own creative potential whilst also working towards set briefs. The module was also an excellent opportunity to work with a multitude of different design techniques and production methods. I wanted to explore styles of work which interest me, trying to discover a style of my own by shaping the briefs around my own interests, influences and inspiration whilst also meeting set requirements of commercial briefs.
I started off the project by looking at the Penguin Random House project, this was to produce a cover wrap for one of three books. Choosing to look at Truman Capote's true crime novel, In Cold Blood. The choice to use this book was through intrigue and interest, the book covered topics I had never used or thought of in design. Researching the back story of the book, the people involved and the evidence around the books subject I produced an in depth body of research which helped me to realise some design aspects which could represent the tone, genre and style of the book. Looking at dark topics which are featured in the book I produced a vast range of design experiments and ideas, letting myself be influenced by a range of design research which was also collected. Through designing the cover, a clear evolution from research to experiments to designs to final resolution can be seen. The design choices which have been made have been filtered through peer assessment to produce relevant, clear and visually exciting work. The final solution uses screen print and collage methods to put across the tone of the book simply, the textures got from these production methods add to the aesthetic and overall feel of the book. I got a lot out of this brief personally, I was able to experiment with a range of techniques and explore a really interesting and contextual body of research. This brief really stretched my knowledge and understanding of how much depth can go into book cover design.
Moving on from Penguin, I looked at MUBI, the D&AD brief in which a promotional project was needed to advertise the online streaming service to a new audience. This brief was by far the most restricting I did throughout the project with MUBI dictating key design choices such as typeface choice, colour use and layout. Attempting to make it as interesting and exciting as possible despite the restrictions, I produced a wide body of research which is influenced by the content of the website. Taking influence from rival streaming service companies and classic cinema, I produced a body of work which considers the needs of MUBI as well as the target audiences interests. Instead of producing digital resolutions I chose to produce physical posters and a small booklet of movie listings, the physical products are easily distributed and through research of distribution I have been able to target audiences and also realise a concept of distribution to them. Though producing work which met my original concept and meeting the requirements and more for MUBI, I felt that the project can be developed a lot further, the incorporation of billboards and other large advertising technqiues. Though initially struggling with the restrictions within the brief I feel I have produced a project which is unique, bold and engaging. This project required different skills than those I used in Penguin or other projects, for this I had to understand advertisement techniques and explore a companies branding and image to keep these designs in the companies identity.
The final large brief required a collaboration, with the choice of who to work with was left solely upon myself, trying different methods to promote myself, I still could not find others to work with, it was by chance that I found two other people who were in the same position as me. On choosing which brief the three of us wanted to do, we found that we all wanted to do the same ones, and other similarities within our work arose, this commonality between us was apparent from the beginning. Distributing the work between us we found that a system of working alone and coming together for regular group meetings to collate where we each were and how we continued with certain elements. The creative ideas that were brought up were incredibly interesting, seeing this process of combined influences was really helpful for my own practice. By using a strong concepts and preparing an ethos which we all believed in and worked on we were able to produce a creative body of work which teaches lessons through strong visuals and experimental type setting. I feel I got the most out of this project as it is something I have not done before, working in a collective to produce a professionally set brief. I was lucky to work with like minded driven individuals who share the same design ideals of myself.
As add ons to the module I worked on small briefs such as the live brief set by Goat Collective called 'Art From Non Art' a collaborative exhibition which showcases and celebrates the use of appropriation in design and art. This brief again was very subjective and open to personally expression. I chose to look at topics which were related to my Context Of Practice brief, looking at anarchy style commentary on social issues I realised a project which focusses on social and communal housing and its privatisation by the conservatives in the late 70's. This was a project where I could look at interests and methods of production which I enjoyed and want to progress using. Another small brief which was undertaken was 'Nest' submission, the seasonal zine is a compilation of submitted work which is all made to a specific theme chosen by the editor. This next issue focusses on 'Space', again the project can be subjective and the theme interpreted in any way possible. For this I looked at a topic which used to underline my practice, music, though in new ways which I had never attempted before, using a combination of skills which I have developed over the year I produced a mono print / collage which explores the David Bowie Song 'Starman'. These small briefs helped me to explore personal interests and production methods whilst also working for the purpose of exhibition and showcasing. This will give me experience of showing work and start to make an image and recognisable style for myself.
No comments:
Post a Comment