Sam Brown by Sam Brown

Unit

2 Graphic Design Year 1 Unit 2 Sam Brown - 1303649

Contents

Distinctive Characters - Typography as a semiotic resource - The letter - Idea Generation - research - Initial Ideas - The making of the Shape

Vernacular Letter forms - Mapping the Landscape - Photographs - InDesign setup - Selection of photos - Making process - Final book

Workshops

- Transmedia - Propaganda - OHH AHH MM

Lectures

- Transmedia - Propaganda - OHH AHH MM

5 Berlin

- Photos - History

Distinctive Characters - Typography as a semiotic resource - The letter - Idea Generation - Research - Initial Ideas - The making of the Shape

Graphic Design Distinctive Characters

r Given Letter

150mm

Research

felt it necessary to conduct some research into other forms of 3D letter forms to help gain a better insight into the type of product I could create. Below is some research: London-based designer, publisher and artist Tim Fishlock is the man behind beautiful 3D typography project Shapeset. “I’ve been experimenting with designing alphabets and letterforms for the last six or seven years,” he says. “The fact that most of the letters in the Roman alphabet began as pictures - icons from another era - has always interested me. “I’m fascinated by symbology and the idea of a pictorial shorthand. I also like the idea of abstracting letterforms to the point where, taken out of the context of the letters that surround them in an alphabet, they become lovely objects in themselves.

‘Word Play’ 2008 – 2011 Typographic Sculptures/3D poems, Exploratory and often delightfully serendipitous – a collaboration with Paul Morris Programme Leader of the BA(Hons) Graphic Design course at the University of Wales Newport. Paul and I work together to design 3D typographical structures for contemplation; utilising computer technologies and realised through digital print, projection and rapid manufactured physical pieces. I have long been excited by the potential for Rapid Prototyping technologies to be used for creative expression and the opportunities to explore new aesthetic languages within this still, very young and emergent field.

Words beginning with R

Random Randomize Range Rape Rape oil Raped Rapeseed oil Rapid

Repeat Rocket Rosemary Retro Regular Ribena Razor Reached

Relay Reality Room Rooster Royal Ruler Reflect Repeat

Font Experimentation

R AmarilloUSAF

R R

Blackout Sunrise

Menlo

R R R

Abadi MT Condensed Extra Bold

Impact

Swiss 721 Bold Condensed Outline BT

Recycle Rice Reeces Redo Rolo Reproduce Reality Regular

Respray Recognises Rodeo Rotary Radiosensitive Renounce Rabbit Rat

R R R Amerigo Md BT

Krungthep

Telugu MN

Sketches

t this point in time we needed to decide on what word we were going to follow through with. This involved us drawing out some quick sketch ideas for a few words we liked and did a quick analysis of which we felt looked better. The total of 6 drawings were made all were a rough sketchy version but for this stage appearances were not important.

The rocket sketch generated the best opinion from the 20 people asked. This has been a valid bit of primary research because now I am aware of which design provoked the best reaction

I asked 20 people to look at the drawings and tell me which one they thought they were more inclined to be visually aware about from first appearances. This would tell me whether the letter we create will automatically be made apparent without the need for help or lengthy study.

Reflect - 4 Railway - 2 Ruler - 2 Rocket -11 Robin - 1 Royal - 0

Initial Ideas

ere are some sketches we drew to give ourselves a variation in design style. As a group we both liked the far right handside sketch. It was a simple plain design that could allow a simplistic approach which can look professional when taking photos and making a postcard.

The Chosen Font

Impact regular

mpact is a realist sans-serif typeface designed by Geoffrey Lee in 1965 and released by the Stephenson Blake foundry. Its ultra-thick strokes compressed letter spacing and minimal interior counter form are specifically aimed as its name suggests to impact. Impact has a high x-height reaching nearly to three-quarters the capital line. Ascenders are short and descenders even shorter. The face is intended for headlines and has only limited use in text applications. The face bears comparison with the similarly designed but narrower typeface Haettenschweiler the Letraset face Compacta and the Linotype face Helvetica Inserat.

Impact was the final font chosen. After assessing the other variations of fonts we found that the letter r could be moulded into a rocket shape easier and more comprehendible than the other variations. It worked well as a letter, the font contained curves and that rigid structure which we felt related well to a rockets form. Even the name of the font aided our imagination because of the word -Impact- This is a good strong word which can be linked nicely with the theme. There will be problems with this font, like any font we choose there will always be slight changes we will have to make in order to make the letter form work well for us. Although this is a good font chosen I feel given more time we could have searched harder and found a more suitable font however for the time being it is good enough.

Anotomy of Type

he image to the right displays the anotomy of type. Defining each letter with techincal terms to help understand the type. This is such a useful image, it has helped me understand more into depth about type and how each little letter has certain definations. This will form a great use when looking at our rocket design.

Image found on google. Website for this image is: http://www.sitepoint.com/typography-101/.

Understanding typography will help you make your message strong, compelling, and persuasive. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to choose the right typeface for the right occasion, and to make sure that it reinforces your design and your message. In order to choose the right typeface, you have to understand the fundamentals of type, the differences between typefaces, and why you should and shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t use different typefaces in certain situations.

Rocket Research

Research

he rocket was decided as the best letter form to create. It would work both visually as an easily recognisable shape but also it had provided a great range of ideas. The plan is to create a physical rocket in the shape of an â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Râ&#x20AC;&#x2122; whilst constituting the font -impact-. Then photograph it and apply a background that will accomplice the rockets environment and turn it into a postcard. First we researched into what a rocket is what it does and how each variation of rocket looks in order to obtain a good idea of designs. A rocket is a missile spacecraft aircraft or other vehicle that obtains thrust from a rocket engine. Rocket engine exhaust is formed entirely from propellants carried within the rocket before use. Rocket engines work by action and reaction. Rocket engines push rockets forward simply by throwing their exhaust backwards extremely fast.

When you launch in a rocket you are not really flying that rocket. You are just sort of hanging on.

Found Backgrounds

Impact regular

o aid the process of our designs I decided to have a look into some background images related to space. These images will both help visualise the look and appeal of the rocket and also give us some insight into what background we can give the rocket.

These images are ones notoriously associated with rockets and outer space travels. The first image is of the earth as a view from outer space. An extremely powerful image and an emotional site to gaze upon. The image on the bottom is one taken from the moon landings. This is an image I find to be more useful in terms of our project

Development

Development to the chosen word and designs. Still in the initial stages of designs but the images below show the chosen aesthetics and general shape of the 3D shape. Feedback on shape... The feedback received for the rockets overall shape has been good, everyone who has been questioned on the design of the rocket have said that it works well. “Managing to maintain the typeface ‘R’ and also merging and incorporating the shape and design of a rocket has been well thought of and works well” Feedback for the colour choice so far has come back positive, all of my peers have managed to recognise the design as a rocket therefore the colour choice has proven to work well.

Inspiration

hese images are the elements to the rockets design. We will adapt and use the colour schemes to create our model. Hopefully our 3D design will be more realistic than these images however they do provide a basic structure we will follow. I imagine from here we will make a cardboard model and continue our development from there.

The Making of the 3D Letter Form

nitially we drew the outline of the rocket in our sketchbooks. We based this on the font style called ‘Impact’. In one of our crits we learnt that we had to link the letter form to a typographic style. These initial sketches provided the template for our build. In hindsight I would have preferred to use a wider ‘R’ as bending the HIPS plastic would have been more applicable.

Both drawings were accurate however not perfect. If I was to redo this section I would look into more machine based tools to cut out the templates.

The image on the top right is showing the ‘R’ shape with measurements for the HIPS plastic. Once we cut out the cardboard template we had to transfer the measurements to the mount board. By creating an initial template it made the whole process quicker and more adaptable.

The Making of the 3D Letter Form

hese images depict the making of our letter. We chose to mock up the letter first using cardboard, then transferring the templates onto thick mount board. The model making was a joint effort. We had to make 2 of everything to construct a 3D model. To extrude the sides and create the 3D shape we created centre pieces and stuck the mount board around that using a hot glue gun. The exterior of the rocket was replicating our found images from our research. In our initial crit we went in with the cartoon style model. After asking people to verify what our letter was it was agreed it looked like a rocket but we were advised to make it more realistic.

If I had the chance to change the rocket I would have from the start designed a realistic digital 3D file to help visualise and gain opinions. If I was to recreate this rocket as a 3D object gain I would from the inspiration mood board gather more realistic images.

The Making of the 3D Letter Form

ocket creation process prior to rocket detailing.

Improvements to the Rocket

uring one of our crits our tutor told us to change the design of the rocket completely. Because the rocket didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t look realistic enough or marginally related to any form of real rocket we had to go back to the drawing board. Keeping our 3D layout of the rocket already we looked at images of real rockets to help and inspire us to change the design. Below are images of some rockets we used as inspiration to help transform the rocket.

I have mixed opinion on the design of the rocket. Whilst enjoying the appearance of a cartoon styled rocket I did feel that creating a rocket that looked real may improve the professional appeal of it.

Postcard Process

o make the postcard we needed to apply bleed marks, slugs margins and a size to the image. This involved using InDesign to create a template for the postcard. Size: 105x148mm Bleed: 3mm Slug: 18mm Margins Included

We felt like we should have a variation in postcard design. This would allow us to choose and clarify which one would be more appropriate. Here is a small selection of quotes that we had a look at using in our postcard. All quotes were found online website source is: http://www.brainyquote.com/ quotes/keywords/rocket.html What is pride? A rocket that emulates the stars. William Wordsworth Rocket science is tough, and rockets have a way of failing. Sally Ride You need to be in the position where it is the cost of the fuel that actually matters and not the cost of building the rocket in the first place. Elon Musk When you launch in a rocket, you’re not really flying that rocket. You’re just sort of hanging on. Michael P. Anderson

Chosen Quote (The moon) was a sobering sight, but it didn’t have the impact on me at least, as the view of the Earth did. Frank Horman, Applo 18

Postcard

lthough I am pleased with the aesthetics of the rocket, I thought the photography for both postcards looked unprofessionally and slightly amateur. As apposed to creating the shadow on Photoshop I think we should have used the photography studio and got a more realistic shadow ourselves. We were confused what to write about in the blurb at first, but I think the typeface of it in the above image works well and is well positioned.

Postcard

he two variations of the postcards juxtapose. The first one adorns a Google image as background with extra photo manipulation. With the rocket as our piece it was frustrating not being able to do our own photography for the background. Below we utilised our Illustrator skills and had a moon colour in keeping with the rockets aesthetics. Overall I prefer the bottom one because of the colour scheme throughout and positioning of the rocket. Even though it is out of perspective I think it is visually appealing and in terms of semiotics people will understand immediately.

2 Vernacular Letter forms - Mapping the Landscape - Photographs - InDesign setup - Selection of photos - Making process - Final book

Letters in the Landscape

Introduction

or this task we were initially asked to go to Poole for a day and photograph lettering. This meant both taking photos of shop signs and signs in general, as well as looking at ‘Letters in the Landscape’. At first this was difficult but we found finding vernacular lettering somewhat addictive. We put this work together on InDesign as a group, a program which I have had previous experience with and was comfortable taking the lead in terms of layout. I am pleased with the final outcome of the book and will be talking in depth about project and alphabet we formed.

he book I used above , I took a photo from to show the French Folding process. Our InDesign document was created in this format to print correctly. To the left I have provided a meaning of the term vernacular, “the vernacular is something that all designers can draw inspiration from. Many fonts are based on text found in the urban environment”. On the next pages I will provide my contact sheets from my photos of Poole. Not all of which were used and many of which have been edited digitally.

Contact Sheet

IMG_1620

IMG_1676

IMG_1711

IMG_1724

IMG_1765

IMG_1770

IMG_1837

DSCN0060

DSCN0065

DSCN0086

DSCN0095

DSCN0097

Contact Sheet

DSCN0105

IMG_1906

IMG_1922

IMG_1942

IMG_1966

IMG_1967

IMG_1969

IMG_1972

IMG_1995

IMG_2006

IMG_2014

IMG_2017

rid lines had to be added to the book in order to align our images up perfectly and place them in the template accordingly so nothing will get cropped out or accidentally get over printed. Once the images had been manipulated to a high quality we had to consider contrast, composition, exposure and focus. This stage was essential to allow us to have high quality images that werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t pixelated. To ensure they were good enough we created a first draft InDesign booklet to prove whether our images would work.

The measurements for our page layout are a consistent width of 380x190mm dimensions. The combination of the two pages with an outward fold to create the french fold.

Making Process

e had a day trip to Poole to photograph vernacular and typographic lettering. I used my Canon 600D and a 18-55 lens so I could take wide angle shots and select my letters in Photoshop later. I used automatic focus and a stabiliser because I knew we would be walking around. These photos we later made into a book, in groups.

double page spread, in that image I adjusted the colour and contrast.

We uploaded the photos as a group as started edited our own. I had to crop quite a lot of my images to remove the background because I had a majority of wide angle shots. In Photoshop I learnt how to convert images into a TIFF format which is high resolution which will help me in the future. The lighting wasn’t great on our day trip to Poole so I changed the exposure on some of my images.

We used the guillotine to cut the pages to the same measurements and stacked them together.

I changed the files from RGB to CMYK as a batch form to save time which I had not previously done. This let me print in better colour and in a subtractive colour scheme. As a group we needed to make decisions as to how the book would be constructed in InDesign so we had to agree on every layout and decide which images were best. A lot of the time we found a few great images so agreed to fit them all. I was pleased to get my ‘o’ letter as a

Roger printed all our work out and the format we had them on InDesign mean they came out as double page spreads. So we had to fold these and align the crop marks against the light. We used the bone folder to get a sharp crease between pages.

Making Process

e used a Lumbeck Machine to bind the book together. We fixed the Lumbeck press to a table, clamped it to it and put carefully put the pages in between the jaws. I used a block to clamp the sheets in place. A member of my group and I bent the sheets against either side of the press and glued the edges being hesitant not to glue inside any of them. I used scrap sheets of paper to keep everything neat. The book was then pressed together and left to dry. Once the book was left to dry for a night they went back into the guillotine for the final time. Roger put the mull mesh on to allow the pages to be glued to the cover, to keep the form of the book rigid. We measured the cover so that it fit the book and cut it with a scalpel to scale. The cover was then stuck the spine of the book with PVA glue. One the book had its cover and was dry again we compressed the whole thing in a wooden vice to keep it compact.

Personal Favourite

his was a personal favourite for our vernacular letter forms book. I think this because even prior to editing the colours, contrast and focal point worked. I was pleased to get this as a double page spread on our book because I saw no one else with the same photograph. There were hundreds of examples of ‘O’s’ in Poole but none were as eye catching in my opinion. This letter reminded me of Kasia’s letter form for our first project which was created in rope. I remember the tail of the ‘K’ in tat being thick rope and this resonated with my image. As a volume I could see an entire alphabet made of rope in this way.

This is a man made object and is found however not intentionally created to produce an ‘O’ shape. In Photoshop I initially heightened the lighting and lowered the contrast to get defined edges on the rope and create shadows. I then used the tool I hadn’t previously used, the colour balance to accentuate the blues. In my editing process of all my photos I had to crop a lot of the background nice out but for this one I needed no further cropping. The focal point is the centre and I took a few variations of this image to ensure the photograph was in focus.

Discussion of Styling

he M’s above were chosen to be next to each other because of the bold colour contrast, there is also a contrast between the focal lengths. I chose to talk about this double page spread because of texture. Whilst one looks industrial (left) the blue ‘M’ looks hand painted. The blue ‘M’ was created and designed fo people to view whereas the ‘M’ on the left would have been bulk produced. Because it was hard to layout the book in InDesign I was pleased that these two large images met perfectly in the seam. Once again i was pleased that it was mutually agreed by my group that my photography was used for this.

The contrast between the two letters below were visually appealing. The difference in light and dark created a differing narrative for each letter,. while the left one told a positive aesthetic story the left looks dark and almost ominous. I found it useful to represent the letter in such opposing ways. This proves that lighting can manipulate the viewers perspective. It almost looks like a negative mirror image.

Referencing

he page of reference was from ‘The visual dictionary of Graphic Design, Giving Ambrose and Paul Harris’. The reason I put this image in was to show how I was influenced by the layout. Having the 4 images as a grid keeps the letters together forming a typology for them. Whereas above because the letters was similar in colour I didn’t think a grid system would show our variety of work. The variation in thickness and typography of the G’s is evident. The bottom left looks like calligraphy the top right looks like a comical letter. The one on the far right is my favourite because it describes the typography and quaintness of Poole.

Favourites

his image was admired greatly by our group, we felt that it was very cleverly composed and well captured. It is clever because of the way the drain pipes structure form the shape of a capital E. The focus for the image makes it perfect because it is all focused in one shot without any recurring blurred sections. Working well visually. Even though the background is somewhat busy with distractions happening around it, i.e windows and objects on the wall, somehow due to the natural lighting and shadows on the windows it brings out the E letter form.

Workshops

- Transmedia - Propaganda - OHH AHH MM

Word and Image

harles sanders pierces

Index - the signifier, for instance the image if smoke would be translated and signified as a fire. A rash for instance .. The GP would assume there is a problem Icon - signifies a resemblance, for instance feeling, looking, tasting or smelling. An onomatopoeia for example would resemble this. Symbol - signifies by intellectual operation, it is reliant on the knowledge of the viewer to interpret the image itself.

n this seminar+workshop we looked into how artists and designers have explored the interaction between words and images. Also how others have developed theories about how this relationship operates. Whenever we put words and images together the effects of one upon the other can often be both complex and subtle, we will explore this.

Explosive Drawing

hilst listening to the audio book Withering Heights I used my imaginative flow and creativity to create my visual representation of what I was listening to. It was a workshop which entitled us to get in touch with our emotions and really feel what was going on in the audio. I extremely enjoyed this workshop, it was concentration at a different level, I had to listen to an audio book whilst at the same time as connect with what was being said and painting a visual representation of it at the same time. Thoroughly enjoyable

Letter M Press

his session will be relevant to Graphics, Vis. Com., Illustration and Fine Art students alike, who are all likely to encounter this concern at some point in their studies. The topic will be introduced through three themes - the rhetorical power of word/image relations, the equation of words with rationality and images with irrationality, and metaphysical questions about the connection between words and images.

his was such an interesting and motivating workshop. I love letter press designs, and I have always wanted to print work out onto a piece of paper. However the opportunity has never come my way. Since Roger showed us how to use this online programme called LetterMpress I have fallen in love with it. The ability to create life like prints but done on a computer is amazing. This was such a useful programme to learn and I am grateful that I had the opportunity. I will be incorporating day to day designs onto it.

4 Lectures

- Transmedia - Propaganda - OHH AHH MM

Transmedia

ransmedia

Monomedia - the book spoken word the image. I.e traditional media forms. However no medium really exists in isolation. Kriteva Barthes and others recognised the extent to which all texts are inter-textual and draw upon cultural experiences. Also a la Barthes most images exist in relation to the written word- the title to am image for example that anchors it is meaning. Interpretation adaptation - remaking one media product into another I.e. Book to film. Consider the continuing success if adapters - LOTR the hobbit DC marvel. Whilst seemingly popular many are critical of such an approach. Alan Moore- YouTube video Transmedia Coexisting Open ended Adaptable

Transmedia relies on a culture of convergence ad consumers are encouraged to seek out. New information and make connections among dispersed media content Jenkins 2006. However the convergence is not limited to the social sphere and we see media convergence occurring rapidly - iphone Xbox play station. However fagerjord 2010 argues that the case for media convergence is not so simple suggesting that in Jenkins model divergence is subsumed within convergence. Fagerjord comments that technological divergence is como. as are platforms for content suggesting that instead what we are really witnessing is simply digitalization.

This lecture opened my eyes to the multimedia potential of my designs. I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t previously understand the potential of having multimedia platforms to promote my work. A poster design could influence a website layout which, through interactively could subsequently lead to gaming platforms and TV programs. I learnt how easy it was to work across multiple platforms and in terms of my vernacular letter forms book, I thought an online flip book would be a positive addition.

Propaganda

ropaganda

Definition organised information to assist or damage the cause if the government or movement The spreading of ideas, information, or rumour for the purpose of helping or injuring an institution, a cause or a person. Ideas facts or allegations spread deliberately to further ones cause or to damage an opposing cause; also: a public action having such am effect. Black white grey Black is a source that is unreliable. Artificial lies White is a reliable source, am be evidenced Grey might have some facts, half truths or a source which may be unreliable Censorship

4 basic varieties 1 big lie- adapted by Hitler and Stalin. The state controlled Egyptian press has been spreading a big lie, saying The world trade centre was attacked by Israel to embarrass Arabs. 2. It doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to be the truth, so long as itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plausible. 3. Tell the truth but withhold the other sides post of view. 4. Moat productive - is to tell the truth, the good and the bad, the losses.

I had no idea of the importance of power of propaganda. The examples of Shepard Faireyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s guerrilla advertising work gave me inspiration and made me want to write my essay on propaganda. Hitler and Stalin showed that they could control society through their media manipulation which reminded me of my Berlin trip and the propaganda posters I saw in the Bauhaus exhibition. This lecture helped me make my essay more concise, and provided me with a thesaurus of propaganda related words.

OHH AHH MMM Notions of taste, aesthetic judgement and consumer culture. Our relationships with object and how we respond to and give value to things. How our aesthetic judgements and purchase decisions relate to consumer culture.

trends Visual language Lifestyle - possessions Bespoke, unique Prestige - status - luxury

Cool hunting A Daily update ok ideas and products in the intersection of art, design, culture and technology. Alluring advertising to seduce, Neomania Tast - derives from old French term -to touch or to feel Cultural consumption Different tastes in different countries-cultural preferences, social taboo In 19th century - development Planned obsolescence Comsume-dispose-waste. Redundancy is designed into industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; We invest profane things Mass consumer market -styles, fads,

I would say this lecture tweaked my aesthetic judgment. By this I mean that a seemingly useless object meant more than it did prior to the talk, I found myself questioning elements of it I wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have. I visited the ModiP exhibition after its mention in the lecture as was very impressed by the variety of work there. I learnt the word neomania, a need for the new, the latest. The 5 minute talk surrounding the subject was very interesting and made me question who I am designing for and what is next in terms of design for the future generations. This was aided by the debate on 3D printing that sparked after the lecture.

Berlin

- Photos - History

Berlin Trip

went on the Berlin trip from the 3rd to the 7th of February. I’d never previously been and was mesmerised by the architecture, Bauhaus Museum and general scale of the city. I hadn’t known a lot of the German history before visiting a couple of places like Checkpoint Charlie, The Reichstag Building and The Brandenburg Gate but quickly learnt the background story. In terms of design I think the trip broadened my perspective of kinds of design, the contrast between free-flowing street art and militant poster design were truly unique.

Berlin as a city rendered me somewhat powerless. I felt kind of vulnerable in a city with such prestigious and large architecture. I’m pleased that I photo-documented the trip so I have them to look back on now. The Contemporary Art Museum was incredibly stimulating, I saw works by Anselm Kiefer, Warhol, and was particularly fascinated by a 3D installation about ‘3D sound’ in which the sound seemed to come from all corners of the room. If I had more time I would have stayed longer at the Jewish History Museum as I learnt a lot and it was quite moving.

History

he Memorial for the Murdered Jews of the Holocaust in Berlin These dull grey blocks served as an overpowering reminder of the atrocities of the Holocaust in WW2. At first I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t understand the significance of the piece but after I visited the information centre and saw the diary entries and figures to do with the war I felt overwhelmed by the piece. It was eerie walking through the memorial as the blocks towered about you. Making you feel insignificant perhaps this mimics how the Jewish people felt under the Communist rule. The Memorial for the Murdered Jews of the Holocaust in Berlin These dull grey blocks served as an overpowering reminder of the atrocities of the Holocaust in WW2. At first I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t understand the significance of the piece but after I visited the information centre and saw the diary entries and figures to do with the war I felt overwhelmed by the piece. It was eerie walking through the memorial as the blocks towered about you. Making you feel insignificant perhaps this mimics how the Jewish people felt under the Communist rule.

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