Brief 12 _ DR. ME FLAGS
Context
DR ME is a Manchester based multidisciplinary studio. We had a workshop with Dr & Me recently, and were set a brief to create a flag towards a special exhibition.
Abbas Mushtaq:
Extended Practice Submission 22/05/14
Brief
Design and produce a unique and bespoke flag for the Dr. Me FLAGS exhibition to be held at Islington Mill, Manchester. The flag must be 150x150cm in scale.
Following on from a DR. ME workshop in the Graphic Design studio, a brief was set to produce a handmade flag towards a special exhibition called “FLAGZ” at Islington Mill, Manchester
Target Audience
The target audience for the flags is quite open, it’s difficult to assume just who will come to the FLAGZ exhibition, but it is highly likely to be someone involved in the creative industry, and in the age groups from 2030 approximately.
Deliverables
Handmade flag made to be displayed at FLAGZ exhibition at Islington Mill Photographic documentation of process and flag display at exhibition.
The work needs to be clear, and communicative in order to appeal to the wide audience range. #01
Reference Imagery
Cult Flags
Brief 12 _ DR. ME FLAGS
The brief was very open, so the immediate idea was to instead consider a flag for, not a country, but a cult, or group of some kind. Some kind of utopian society. From the off, I wanted to find some kind of justification and appeal with the project, as the brief was so open it was important to focus down as soon as I could.
Colour Symbolism
Symbolism of colour is really interesting, for example a simple white flag means to surrender, this was something looked into, towards aiming to find an innovative and memorable solution. Red on the other hand, references revolution.
Abbas Mushtaq:
Extended Practice Submission 22/05/14
Subversion
Subverting a flag was another idea I wanted to explore, I felt it had stronger focus and more of a meaning to exist, flags are national symbols, so subvering national flags could have been seen as political statement, so I didn’t folow it up in the end.
#02
Focus Application
Brief 12 _ DR. ME FLAGS
Censorship Concept
After researching into existing flags I wasn’t really too excited by simply making a flag look pretty for the sake of making something look pretty with sunsets and waves. The brief was very, very open and I felt there needed to be some kind of justification, or message within the final resolution. More so than just pretty decoration.
Abbas Mushtaq:
Extended Practice Submission 22/05/14
Digital Errors / Glitches
To further look into my concept I researched into errors we all encounter on a day to day life, I wanted to figure out which was the most obvious one. One that we all have come across many times, A risky concept like this needs a foolproof visual.
The concept for the flag came purely by accident. A growing frustration with videos being banned because “the owner hasn’t made it available in my country”. I also feel, the concept of nationalities and censorship was an interesting take on a flag - which in itself is a symbol of a nationality.
#03
Final Solution - FLAG
Concept
Brief 12 _ DR. ME FLAGS
After researching into existing flags I wasn’t really too excited by simply making a flag look pretty for the sake of making something look pretty with sunsets and waves.
Youtube
Abbas Mushtaq:
Extended Practice Submission 22/05/14
The reference i chose to work with was Youtube, I felt it suited the landscape format of the flag the best, and it was an error message, I feel we have all come across at some point.
The brief was very, very open and I felt there needed to be some kind of justification, or message within the final resolution. More so than just pretty decoration. The concept for the flag came purely by accident. A growing frustration with videos being banned because “the owner hasn’t made it available in my country”. I also feel, the concept of nationalities and censorship was an interesting take on a flag - which in itself is a symbol of a nationality.
#04
Development & Process
Brief 12 _ DR. ME FLAGS
Abbas Mushtaq:
Extended Practice Submission 22/05/14
Vinyl Application
Once the design for the flag was decided, it was time to make the flag by hand. Black material was bought with a slight silk quality to it, giving it a slight shine which I felt suited the digital / error concept well. The type was cut by a plotter machine and then applied by hand, which proved to time consuming and difficult as silk isn’t the easiest material to work with. A flat surface is ideal when applying type, and that was very difficult in this case.
#05
Exhibition Documentation
Concept
Brief 12 _ DR. ME FLAGS
The basic concept of the sleeve is to create an image open to interpretation. From my research I realised the covers I felt were the strongest, by designers such as Storm Thorgensen, and Peter Saville’s work - particular for New Order - possesed imagery notdirectly related to the content. We make the connection in our head. Grounds For Divorce is a multi-layered songs, which has a message again open to interpretation, so I wanted the cover to depict this too.
Abbas Mushtaq:
Extended Practice Submission 22/05/14
The material of the figure is worn, and metal, I worked with this to represent heavy baggage, through heavy iron material. The damage, and wear to the body depicts emotional scars, the naked figure represents freedom, independence and being completely open emotionally, as the song depicts.
I chose to work with an iron sculpture and cut it in such a manner, it looks optimistic for the future, while being unable to drop the baggage from the past, in this case a wall holding it back. The subtle gradient in the top right, is a represtation of optimism, and light, the figure is forming his body towards it.
#06