Communications Design Unit Folio-2020 PT1

Nicole Farnell

102 102 092

DCO10007: Visual Communication Studio

Tue 8.30-11.30 Semester 1 2020

Paul Morris

ABOUT ME

I am a third year Architecture student at Swinburne University of Technology.

I was interested in Architecture from a young age growing up in a family of builders and engineers. I am forever told to make things practical and build able which is what I would like to pursue in my future of designing. I also have an interest in communication design, designing logos and product packaging for companies. I have worked with Wellwood Walnuts, Pentland Calisthenics College and The Tasty Lyks to create their branding and identity.

I hope that this subject will inspired my creative thinking and designing outside the box whilst expanding the level of detail I put into my work. This subject will help me build my portfolio and hopefully expand my business opportunities in the future of NFA to Nicole Farnell Design and Architecture.

CONTENTS

PROJECT 1: COMPOSE THIS

• TASK 1: HDT Composition

• TASK 1: HDT Feedback

• TASK 1: HDT Compositions Amended

• TASK 2: Music T-Shirt

• TASK 2: T-Shirt Concepts

• TASK 2: T-Shirt Design

• TASK 2: Feedback

• TASK 2: Final T-Shirt Design

• TASK 2: Reflection

PROJECT 2: SENSE OF PLACE

• Background Summary

• Communication Statement

• Aspect Research

• Chosen 6 Aspects

• Symbol Development- Sketch

• Symbol Development- Digital

• Symbol Refinement

• Reflection

• Type Exploration

• Type Development

• Type Refinement & Combination Mark Development

• Reflection

• Colour Application

• Combination Mark Refinement

• Reflection

• Annotated Graphic Development- Sketch

• Annotated Graphic Development- Digital

• Final Mark- 3 Colours

• Final Mark- Full Colour

• Logo Applications

• Reflection

• Reflection

PROJECT 3: FORM-AT

• Background Summary

• Communication Statement

• Visual Research

• Photography

• Image Making Techniques

• Analogous Colour Palette

• Type Exploration

• Compositions

• Final Outcomes

• Bibliography

Project 1: Compose This

TASK 1: HDT Composition

These compositions depict harmony, tension and dynamism through basic vector shapes. They follow the C.R.A.P (Contrast, Repetition, Alignment, Proximity) method of design.

Harmony between shapes is represented by balance, repetition, colour/ tones and alignment and are pleasing, orderly and follow a rhythm.

Dynamism is very energetic with a vast variation and contrast between each shape and placement. It may seem messy to the eye.

Tension evokes concern, conflict or worry by the use of unaligned or mismatches shapes. Theses shapes can be repetitive with a contrast between one another.

For this task many ideas were explored as an aim to get as many possible compositions to work with in the following tasks. These iterations were collated and four from each cluster were chosen to further pursue using digital modeling techniques.

Harmony

Tension Dynamism

TASK 1: HDT Composition Feedback

Harmony

Try adding a bounding box or reversing the colours

Dynamism

Like this idea possibly try reversing colours for a different effect

Tension

Love

Like the way the circles overlap

include a border so the triangles can go both ways

Not sure of this. Try removing overlap lines

See how the design works without the outside box

Have the triangles point towards the circle

TASK 1: HDT Composition Ammended

Harmony

Dynamism

Tension

TASK 2: Music T-Shirt

This task consists of graphically communicating an instrumental piece of music on a t-shirt for a music festival. This task will use the previous compositions for inspiration to express the harmony, dynamism and tension throughout the musical piece.

This task will use the same vector shapes to create an abstract piece to be displayed on a t-shirt.

The chosen piece of music is ‘Often a Bird’ by Wim Murtens.

TASK 2: T-Shirt Concepts

TASK 2: T-Shirt Design

Front Back

I think your design fits quite well with ‘Often a Bird.’ Your overall design is harmonious and shows some dynamism as well, especially the back of the t-shirt. It draws the eye into the design and creates a lot of interest! I feel like you could move your design up on the back of the t-shirt though so it sits a bit higher. Looks great!

I don’t remember the song but the one on the back looks soooo good!!

Yep, definately works with the song. It has a swirly rhythm to it. I’d wear it.

I like the back design, the longer you look at it the deeper it gets. Often a bird was quite a relaxing song and i get the swirl can keep going, which is quite peaceful to look at. The back swirl could come up a bit and the pocket slightly over to the left a bit more.

It’s really interesting and creative.

What would it look like if you inverted the colours? So the shirt would be white. Does this make a different impact that you didnt think of?

I really enjoy how soft the design is, which correlates with the peaceful "like a bird".

TASK 2: Feedback Change

This shows the possibility of inverting colours to change the design and the feeling in relation to some of the feedback recieved.

The black shirt with white still makes a strong statement with the harmony of the song whereas having black on white adds more tension and darkness to the song. This is not the look I was trying to achieve so will stick to white on black for this task.

TASK 2: Final T-Shirt Design

Front Back

TASK 3: Reflection

The process of using basic vector shapes to communicate the rhythm of a musical composition was challenging, and this was further pushed by the limitations of black and white only.

The piece of music chosen was ‘Often a Bird’ by Wim Murtens. This piece showed many harmonic qualities with sudden elements of tension and dynamism throughout the song when new instruments were introduced at fast pace and hierarchy.

The design used a high level of contrast between the black t-shirt and the white design depicting the harmony of the song ‘Often a Bird’.

The repetition of circles in a circular patten also carries harmonic and dynamic qualities of the piece. When listening to the music the swirl of circles almost moves to the rhythm. The circles making up the swirl did not go to the center to keep people guessing what is about to come next in the musical composition as there is ever changing beats and instruments being introduced. This feature also draws the eye into the design evoking interest and passion.

The triangles on the front of the shirt represent the repetitive nature of the music whilst also describing the softness through the gradient tones. Each point represents a key in the background beat of the music and the extent to which that note is held.

Overall with the feedback I received I feel like this design matches the musical composition.

Project 2: Sense of Place

Background Summary

‘Tahune’ is aboriginal and means “peaceful place by running water”. Tahune Adventures is located 1hr South of Hobart in Southern Tasmania, and sits along the banks of the Huon and Picton rivers. With 3 walking tracks varying in difficulty and elevation Tahune Adventures caters to everyones needs including dogs on leads and limited vehicular access.

Completed in July 2001 by Jaws Architect, the Tahune Airwalk opened it doors to visitors from across the globe. Built to withstand 180km/h winds the airwalk stands 20-40m above the forest floor, and 48m above the river. The 120 tonne of steelwork structure is held together with 9000 nuts and bolts and made to withstand 10 tonne on the cantilever above the river. Stringy bark, sassafras, dogwood, blackwood, celery-top pine and native laurel, tower over the top of the walkways with ferns, shrubs and grasses thriving below making up the lush environment and views within Tahune Adventures.

Not only is Tahune adventures known for its cantilever airwalk but also it water rafting and hang gliding experiences, and the cafe, gallery and shop. Tahune Airwalk changed its name to Tahune Adventures after incorporating river rafting and hang gliding to its attractions.

With the 2019 fires burning down most the forest and some aspects of the walk, it had to be rebuilt in some places and stabilized before letting visitors back in its doors in early 2020. This has allowed for greater regrowth of the forest floor but has taken away some of the largest trees around the airwalk paths.

Communication Statement

“The intention of this symbol is to communicate the spectacular cantilever with expanding views of the lush environment following the 2019 fires at Tahune Adventures.”

Aspect Research

Chosen 6 Aspects

- Wishing Tree

- Fire (2019)

- Rivers (Huon & Picton)

- Environment (Ferns, Trees, Mountains)

- Paths/ Bridges

- Airwalk Cantilever

There will be a main focus on the cantilever within the environment for further designs with aspects of the fires.

WISHING TREE

2 RIVERS JOIN

FIRE OF 2019

Symbol Development - Sketch

Symbol Development - Digital

FIRE OF 2019- FLAMES

ENVIRONMENT- MOUNTAINS

WISHING TREE- WISHES

CANTILEVER- AIRWALK ENVIRONMENT- TREES

ENVIRONMENT- FERN

Symbol Refinement

Reflection

This Symbol was chosen as it represents all the elements harmoniously, as they are seen at Tahune Adventures. Tahune is a very tranquil place where you can hear wildlife,wind and water. This harmonious feel is bought into the design with the free flowing curves and floating cantilever looking into the distance. The wishing tree located about halfway up the walk to the cantilever has been incorporated using ‘fairies’ which are known as the wishing plant. The trees and cantilever fall off the black mountains giving a sense of interaction where the reader has to define the end in their own way. This creates a good use of positive and negative space. The imagery represents each aspect; the cantilever with expanding views of the lush environment as mentioned in the communication statement. The contrasting background will allow for small colour changes within the mountains.

Type Exploration

Type Development

Type Refinement & Combination Mark Development

Reflection

This text was chosen as it is simple and does not distract away from the symbol. The type has similar appearances to trees and branches with the rounded edges with tall ascenders, as well as the mountains in the background.

The sans serif text is simple and doesn’t put the properness that serif fonts have, making it seem like the fun and adventurous place that it is. The type weight is heavy enough to be meaningful and recognisable without being over bulky and overpowering.

The type works at different scales including both large and small still being legible to the eye for many applications from emails, clothing items and banners.

Colour Application

Combination Mark Refinement