Really like this hand drawn quite feminine poster.  I love that every little bit is different and the order seems unthoughtful but yet you do read it with a hierarchy because of the different type faces.  The simple images work perfectly well together. I think this is a lovely example of type as image at its best.

What doesn't work

Gosh, I think it is obviously what these are about simply from the cheesy cliche images and frustratingly old fashioned attempt at making something modern.  I think there are just so many cliche's surrounded christianity and the way art is produced is just that, it is safe and super friendly - so much so that it becomes annoying.  It doesn't really make you think, except for the obvious and usually the colours are not particularly considered.  I think there must be a much better way of exploring a positive message in a way which is suitable for now. 

FOOD

These are brilliant.  I think the simple background colour plus just the bright colours really set these pieces off with imagination.  They must of taken time to think up to get them spot on but yet they are so simple and were probably actually made in a couple of minutes.  It just shows the importance of the concept sometimes above the crafting.  Love it.

I really need inspiring for this silly publication which I am just completely unmotivated for.  I decided to scout around a little more for inspiration and found these beautiful things.  I think I need to just keep the design clean and simple.  Here the image plays a huge part but the layout is left clean and untouched. I really need to consider how I can implement this onto my own work.

GEOMETRIC PATTERN

So it seems that COLOUR is really important to me.  And this can be moved around and work with either Type OR... PATTERN!

I love geometric pattern and this is the sort of work I would love to create across a range of wedding stationary, greetings cards etc.

Even the posters I am creating could be inspired by this sort of colour based pattern which is contemporary and makes a statement.

I NEED to explore more into this and how I can exhaust ideas around this.

TYPE!! I AM NOT AN ILLUSTRATOR...

I have been looking at Ollie Seward's work who graduated from here last year. I have always loved what he was creating but I don't think I had really put my finger on why.  I have realised that his work revolves around TYPE and COLOUR.

His type is quite playful and relaxed and is used mainly for the culture sector.  I have tried to find a few other examples of original type both 2D and 3D.  I love the 3 dimensional 'think'. Really simple and beautiful.

INSPIRE ME

I have just been trying to find things which I know will inspire my work.  Although, I don't want to copy ideas I do love this first page of pattern and illustration.  Am I an illustrator??
I seem to love simple colour based illustrations but I don't think I am an illustrator.  I still need type in there.  These may inspire my greetings cards designs and more of my hello love work.

The second page is type and image, more my sort of work.  More like something I could produce.  Though I think I could in fact do it better!

I really really adore this design and how beautifully made it is.  I really struggle to think outside the box like this and I am always a little scared when it comes to embossing and other treatments.  But this really does show how fantastic the results are when take that little extra time in production.  I really love the pattern which is beautifully consistant with the colour palette plus the was it is multi-sex because of the colours and pattern. Really nicely done.

Ideas for Posters

I have been chatting with someone regarding creating some posters which are portraying a Christian message but in a contemporary way.  It seems that all that is around today is cheesy 90's christian posters which have truely lost their charm and which have no longer any appeal to either christians or non christians. The task is to create a talking point for any one rather than just those who are religious.
I personally would like to create something which doesn't preach but tells something about the faith which is inspiring and encouraging.

Here I have specifically found work which is typographic with pattern or photography.
This seems to be the direction they also want to take. 

pattern

Rationale and statement of Intent.

Rationale.

Ethically driven investigation of branding and identity with a focus on print and format. 

Hand rendered investigation of paper and print with a focus on colour.

An investigation into pattern and colour to be used across a range of stationary.

Statement of Intent. 

To develop a quality professional portfolio full of work specific to my interests so that clients and potential employers know that I have a wide range of skills but want to work within specific areas. 

I want to develop my software skills on photoshop. Illustrator and InDesign- again to highlight professionalism and to feel confident enough with any digital job.

I also want to be able to know the ins and outs of the printing process – as I am hoping to create/develop the wedding stationary range this will be very important in knowing colour etc and again in working with clients. 

As I want to be an Ethically driven designer I feel it is important for me to take on a number of brief which have been created by charities.

I want to have a good sense of organisation and be able to balance my time well with each project.

I want to reach every deadline and not have to rush right at the end, it would be nice to have a good balance of work across each day.

I hope to be able to be confident in screen printing – as again this would be important within stationary.

Briefs

1. Branding and Identity of Youth sect of christian Aid.

2. 'Hello Love' Continuation

3. LCAD Short courses promotion

4. YCN/D&AD Competition Brief.

Additional Briefs - Dewsbury Eim pentecostal church Website

Community art - Live brief

Christian Aid Fund raiser booklet.

First few days...

In and amongst getting used to the new studio we have been sat in a number of talks and sessions with Fred and Lorenzo which have been setting the theme for the third year.
It is really exciting to be writing down things I want to do and my expectations of the year knowing that it will probably all happen if I take responsibility and get on with it.

THEMES/ SUBJECTS-CONTEXT/DISCIPLINES-PRODUCTS.


WANTS- NEEDS


WANT TO ACHIEVE - WANT TO DO


Rationale/Umbrella

This was an attempt to summarise our practice within a simple sentence.  Considering my intent to go into a couple of areas which in fact contrast I struggled to come up with just ONE sentence.


 An Investigation into promoting charities using stop motion animation with a focus on hand rendered type.


An investigation into pattern considering its use across a range of products with a focus on colour but always considering layout.


Whilst focussing on charities, an investigation into Branding and identity.


An investigation into the branding and identity of charities with a focus on type and layout.


An individual and creative response to greetings cards and wedding stationary with a focus on type and colour. 


Although I tried to come up with THE sentence... I don't think any of these are it.
We were then told about a couple of students from last year who used quite open words like concept driven, branding & identity, Print focussed, Editorial, Layout, format and distribution. 


This then made me question specific words which described the sort of designed I want to be. 


Concept driven, Ethical/charitable, format, print-digital balance, Hand rendered, Branding and identity.  


I'm not entirely sure how to put all this in a sentence but possibly. 


Concept driven, Ethical design based around branding and identity with a focus on format whilst balancing print/web, with a tailored hand rendered style?


Although this image doesn't sum up this sentence... obviously something has gone wrong there... I do love this and wish I had done it.  I think this is just one area of my hopes for this year - Print based, hand rendered, type based and just generally friendly design. But friendly design doesn't seem very professional? So how do I word that? To be worked out today!!

Visual food

Creative space.

I am always inspired by beautiful individual interior design layout.  

The way people decorate their walls and cupboards seems to say a lot about a person but as well as that composition and layout plays a huge part within this.  I want things like this, that are visually engaging, to inspire my work rather than simply being inspired by others work.  

There is something of an informality about these three images which I love and the colours are quite earthy and relaxed. 

Info graphics with a twist.

I have not yet tried info graphics and there is a large chance that I won't be able to do it successfully but still I really appreciate this design and the twist which has been given in conveying a message which informs but also promotes a way of life.
Again the colour drew me in and the complicated illustration complements the simple background and type.

They may have gone a little wrong in that I only realised who the advert was for after really stopping and looking over it which may be a good thing as they could easily be using it to re-brand themselves as a more playful and colourful/up to date company.

3D type and paper.

Hum Creative

I love hum creatives personality and originality which they bring to their clients stationary.  I wish I had found them sooner. So much so I am addding them to my top 30.  I would love to have the initiative to create such simple and beautiful designs.  I realise my own faults in design when looking and such things but at the same time I look forward to one day being able to create something as beautiful which is my own. Fingers crossed anyway. 

Another style I would like to achieve.

Although this isn't my ideal style I really love the colour, bright feeling, hand made effect and type based image which makes this poster work.

I don't feel I have really pushed myself into creating such hand rendered work although Arthur and I did have a go at some type created by objects in the collaborative project for fairtrade but it did not really work as well as we had hoped. This is another area I would like to delve into more as I really appreciate well thought out shape and colour within a set space.

The other type of stationary

This selection surprised me but I think it is the range that comes with the design that drew me in.  

I love that something can be transferred around all sorts of products and look just as professional on a pencil sharpener as it does on a note book.  The consistency shows professionalism and of course links directly to the client  - designers. 

Simple design that works is the best type of design. Of course.

the infantree

Really simple design, classic black text on white. Large image on homepage.

Small amount of info on first page. Don't need to overwhelm client with information. Image is what you see first and this gives an immediate impression of what the website is about.
I like the way the work page is laid out. Image based info. Just click to view.

I think the contact and about dissapointed me. Would have been better to of had another visual aid to engage with. a simple image to indicate the subject.