List of items to be done for folder work…….
Week 12
This week has been a collaboration for both folder work and the blog to come together. The idea behind this is that the blog works in conjunction with the folder work and that each section of the folder corresponds to a sections/periods of time within the blog, represented by labels, detailing the related week, topic area and link to blog.
Blog
The blog has been used as a basis for a deeper amount of self-reflection and analysis, where the folder has been the main framework in the expansion of ideas, progressing towards the final outcome.
The plan for the blog is that it will form the second part of the final proposed book, where the first half consists of the proposal of the concept, where on the back half of the book, it explains more about the process that was taking in achieving this solution.
This Week
This focus of this week has been mainly about establishing those connections of the folder work to that of the blog, keeping it up to date in connection to my current status.
For me this is very important because from past experience with projects the development of ideas and final outcomes etc. Move on so quickly that it takes longer to document this process and in doing so takes longer as you go along. So regardless of the amount of time I have left I have been sticking to my main structure of how I document each part of the project in order to keep the folder work at its ultimate point, working with the blog as well as deriving a solid final outcome linked to both.
I have found from previous experience that if I had not employed this sense of structure the final stages of the folder work would have been rushed and the unclear, and not consistent in its structure as well as in connection to the blog. The blog would have subsequently become saturated towards the end due to advances made within the project and lack of time.
Goal
So my main goal overall, was to provide a solid coherent and consistent project with a clear proposal, relevant to that of my learning agreement. The only way I have been able to keep on target for this is, to use every available time I have allocated to me within the time scale.
Initially when you first look at it 3 weeks is a longs time, however in relation to what needs to be done within that time, it is going to be tight, which is why I have pushed so hard for so long to make sure I am on target to achieve all those areas set out for the project, as the problems I have highlighted are areas I have fallen victim to in the past.
Aim
My aims by Sunday leading into week 13 is to have updated both blog and folder at the current levels of investigation, so not to have it fall to far behind, also to have continued on the design of the book especially some ideas on the cover as this is quite a big part due to its communicational values in terms of me as a designer as well as the proposal itself.
I am also hoping to have been able to visit St Josephs school again, to look into the idea of space, as this is the point within the project and the book which is an area slightly touched upon where I have previously established that this can be such a fundamental feature within the idea of the concept. Giving examples of how the space would operate I feel it is the best way of understanding and portraying the idea I have as the whole overall purpose of the brief is to provide a proposal, how it would work and that the features could become reality based on its application.
Going into interior design would be irrelevant and impractical at this stage due to time and that I have no solid place to design for, merely features and requirements of the space.
Location
In relation to the space and the reality, I have identified a space situated within the local community with access from local schools both primary and secondary. I was going to investigate and propose that this could be a possible place where the concept could be realised, and in obtaining more information about the site I shall contact the council to find out the proposed plan for that site as it has not long ago been recently taken off the market.
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About the Authors
Gavin Ambrose is a practicing graphic designer whose client base includes the arts sector, galleries, publishers and advertising agencies. He has written and designed several books on graphic design, branding and packaging.
Paul Harris studied at the London College of Communication and has gone on to become a freelance writer and editor. His work has appeared extensively in magazines and journals on both sides of the Atlantic, including style bible Dazed & Confused.
Titles in the Basics Design series: Format, Layout, Typography, Image, Colour and print & Finish.
1. Format Description
BASICS is a new series for AVA Publishing. There will be five books in the series: Format, Layout, Typography, Image and Colour. The five titles together form the fundamental elements of graphic design and will provide the reader with a comprehensive reference tool. Aimed at design students and anyone with an interest in creativity, this series will prove indispensable for anyone wanting to acquire a thorough knowledge of the building blocks of creative design. Format concerns the physical dimensions of the product and the space one has to present the graphic elements of a design. This book will explore how the shapes, sizes and fold patterns can be used in the creative design process to achieve differentiation. Format is predominantly concerned with print media though certain aspects can be applied to the design of website panels, pop-up boxes and other onscreen components.
2. Layout Description
Layout is the arrangement of the elements of design in relation to the space that it occupies according to an overall design scheme. It could also be called the management of form and space. The objective of layout is to present the visual and textural elements that are to be communicated in a manner that enables the reader to receive it with the minimum of effort. With good layout, a reader can be navigated through quite complex information in both print and electronic media. The second title in the Basics Design series Layout addresses the practical and aesthetic considerations of the job in hand such as where and how the content will be viewed, regardless of whether the final format is a magazine, website, television graphic or bottle of bubble bath. How the content will be used is also discussed. The use of a grid, for example, allows quick and accurate placement of items and ensures a consistent visual identity from page to page, or item to item across a range of products. This book will prove indispensable for anyone wanting to acquire a thorough knowledge of the building blocks of creative design
3. Print & Finish Description
An introduction to a variety of printing techniques, such as letterpress and litho as well as a range of finishing techniques, including varnishing and embossing. Printed on a series of seven different paper stocks allowing the reader to see the results that can be achieved from creative stock selection. Demonstrates advanced printing techniques via the use of three special colours to show how metallic, fluorescent and pastel inks can be used to great effect.
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Week 11 – Book Design
This week was the start of the book design having got the main design pieces for the proposal formulated I really need to start.
Having never designed anything for print on a personal basis, before I could start I needed to find out if there were any areas which I needed to be aware of so not to fall into those traps, as time wouldn’t allow me to crawl out of those holes.
Having discovered this small booklet called: Stock, Format, Stock, it highlighted many features to take into consideration in the final piece allowing me to see features I had to keep in mind when designing.
At this point in time I had an idea of what I would like the idea to be produced as. A book I had on my shelf provided the inspiration for the binding process, style and finish, however I had some specifics both within the design as well as certain finishes which I needed to challenge the printer with.
Print finish questions
1. Embossing
2. Spot Varnishing
Design Ideas
1. The second half of the book is proposed to be reverse so each cover (front/back) would become the start of each section for ease of use. The reason for this is that both halves of the book would form documentation and the proposal.
Printer
After having talked to the printer I was able to establish that the binding method I had chosen was able to be done and my enquiry into how the second half of the book could be reversed, and this was indeed possible but within the design process I need to design it with everything the right way up and that he would reverse it within the binding process, However my goal is to hopefully go in with the finalised design as well as a hand made mock to show him exactly what is required.
However due to time fast closing in and my task in bringing the folder work up to date, linking it to blog and organising it correctly. I might not have time available taking on board my proposed printing time of a Week.
Looking through the Ambrose / Harris serious, the books: Layout, format and print finishes have been so valuable in this process and have both inspired and guided me within this unknown area. These books have enabled me to make the advances I needed at this time as fast as I have seeing who and what is able to be produced, features you can combine, page details – signatures for example etc. in understanding the whole process.
Things to keep in mind for printer.
1. 3mm bleed all the way round.
2. Measure covers exactly and produce it on a solo spread accompanied with the reverse side.
3. Add 2mm onto the thickness of the pages for the spine to allow for binding, glue etc.
4. Have the main document from the starting to final page in a separate document than the cover.
I have done a rough contents page of what elements I will be including within the book, apart from the blog section:
Introduction
Design Process
Problem
Identifying a Need
Discoveries
Target Audience
Target Areas
Realisation
Proposed concept – Overview
Things that have informed the concept in its direction
Proposed logo and its features
Proposed Activities
Proposed integration – Photos of space
Features
Interactive pen
Safety
Online Account
Location
Centres Philosophy and Goals.
Present
I am currently at the realisation stage of the book. And now am going to catch up on the folder work within week 12 and hopefully depending on how well I get on carrying on with the book towards the end of week 12.
I have only been able to get to this stage as I have been really focusing on discovering a consistency throughout the whole book, and executing each page to the best of my ability at this stage, as well as it being my first book based design and discovering areas, which as taking longer then expected.
My proposed outcome will hopefully be of print based realisation however I am also going to be designing for a digital purpose as well so an online book which will be available to view and download as a PDF if required.
Matt Steel
During my book and layout research I came across a company called metagrame, more specifically Art director Matt Steel.
The examples exhibited on Metagramme as well as on the website of Kuhlmann Leavitt, Inc. Shows some exceptional examples of both book design and mainly design for the printed form. In not being able to fully appreciate the quality and the aspect of the design combined with the printing process, so was interested in getting hold of some of the examples for both design reference as well as printed examples that I could show to the printer.
Contacting Matt Steel
In contacting Matt steel in regards to these issues, I established contact and received some really helpful tips and areas to consider in relation to the printed form.
E-mail Attached
Tips I was told to keep in mind due to the requirements of the amount and quality of the design.
Focus on the:
Design and execution
Function in relation to the topic its representing
Paper quality
Binding:
Due to cost look at perfect binding
Reason for this choice of binding I was told that the quality is not effected where the quality is kept at a viable cost.
Overall
The help that Matt Steel has provided has been invaluable, where he has given me the understanding of what areas to consider in relation to my proposed outcome solution, focusing on moth number and cost and which elements work inside one another.
I not being able to get hold of the printed articles, so that I could examine the construction techniques this information and guidance has made of for this experience, where Matt highlight that each job is different in its entirety where relevant features and requirements are depending on two main areas, number and cost.
Where the focus is in the design, function and execution of the book and how is works in connection the overall message of the contents.
Plans for week 12
The focus for week 12 is being able to establish those connections of the folder work to that of the blog, keeping it up to date in connection to my current status.
For me this is very important because from past experience with projects the development of ideas and final outcomes etc. Move on so quickly that it takes longer to document this process and in doing so takes longer as you go along. So regardless of the amount of time I have left I need to be sticking to my main structure of how I document each part of the project in order to keep the folder work at its ultimate point, working with the blog as well as deriving a solid final outcome linked to both.
I have found from previous experience that if I had not employed this sense of structure the final stages of the folder work would have been rushed and the unclear, and not consistent in its structure as well as in connection to the blog. The blog would have subsequently become saturated towards the end due to advances made within the project and lack of time.
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Formative Assessment Feedback
Pre-Feedback
Initially I was a bit worried as I hadn’t been able to put all my primary research in, and hadn’t been completely up to date with the folder work so it didn’t reflect the stage I was at completely. However I tried to portray the stages I was at with the idea in relation to the proposal.
Really this assessment was only a test run, which was going to help me by highlighting areas that needed more attention where the level needed to be raised.
Feedback Reflection
In receiving my feedback I was pleased to find that I have received no referrals in any of the areas, however the Knowledge of contextual and theoretical issues area was down within satisfactory, which I had expected due to me not being able to include everything at the stage for the assessment.
Overall I am very pleased with the marks I had received, even at this stage within the project I had established all areas well and to the level in order for the project to pass. This has given me confidence within my level of work in connection to the learning agreement as well as still having loads to develop, making me optimistic in improving the certain areas required.
However there is no resting on these comments and marks, I shall continue to employ the same method I have been following so far, with my goal being to provide a solid conherant and consistent project with a clear proposal, relevant to that of my learning agreement, where everything is completed to the best it can be, so I shall optimise all available time to achieve this goal.
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My final Outcome for this investigation into this new tutoring centre concept and its integration into the UK market, with be constructed in a way of a proposal, which will be more likely realised through a printed medium ultimately book format.
However in connection to the centres notion of digitalisation I will be looking at publishing it online as well, where there will be choice of being able to download it as a PDF.
The way I feel the book outcome will work at its best in the form of the proposal theme is by having the book split into two. The first half of the book can have the required elements that helped in realisation process within the final outcome, where the second half with have further in depth investigation and evaluation through out the development process, highlighting the level of enquiry; which will subsequently reinforce the proposed outcome.
The deeper level of documentation will also work in connection to that of the online blog and the folder work, reflecting all areas for the requirements for the EMP brief; giving the concept maximum accessibility and maximum exposure.
Next
Having established the format and features of how all these elements are going to work together to achieve maximum effect for the nature of the outcome, being a proposal, the next step is to start investigating and researching into book design, and the separation of information / sections within the book.
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During the time where I had handed in my required pieces of work / folder work, after my evaluation on my current logo design within my logo spreads for the formative assessment, I have identified areas of the logo which need further development to further define what message and focus I am trying to convey more effectively.
In doing this I produced an A3 spread which explores all the features I feel is involved within the areas of both the Focus of the concept and the features in relation to this, as well as the Function exploring what could denote the concepts proposed purpose and ultimately the use.
Logo Change
Looking further into the mark, message and the name and how it can collaborate and come together, communicating the centres concept, purpose and proposed activity in relation to the target audience. Exploring how the logo can capture these areas; developing and collaborating the notion of creativity and play, employing the values discovered in determining the way in which the mark communicates.
These spreads explore the areas I am in pursuit of……
Logo Overall
In reflection to the new proposed identity I feel compared to the previous design and in relation to the values above and in connection to the concept I feel it captures the essence, especially with the idea of the expression mark visually being an area of expression for the students in their way of communicated outside of the centre.
I think that this logo has now become this non-stigma based identity which reinforces the values the meaning of what the centre means and stands for in its goals as well as activities, where this resolution has come about by understanding the target audience and their current situation within their studies; ‘purpose driven design’…….
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Online Preview Coming Soon……….
This book has been extremely helping and was discovered whilst looking for in the latest issue of Grafik Magazine March 09.
The booklet is split into 3 areas, Size, Format and Stock with each section denoting great amount of explaination which i found invaluable in my understanding of book design, binding etc and all the features involved, a fantastic free edition in association to grafik magazine, and a fantastic resource for designers new to the printed meduim.
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Due to the formative assessment being on Friday 13th march I will be using this week to summarise areas of my investigation to try and portray the stage I am currently at within my development process.
I won’t be able to put all my primary research in, as many of the levels of investigation is either still on-going or it hasn’t been finalised completely ready for the folder work. Due to the folder work not being completely up to date, I am trying to portray the stages I am at within the idea / development process in relation to the proposal.
What I have been finalising in relation to my current situation in my development process is using my primary investigation results, trying to come to a realisation in the form of an identity and ways in which the centre will work.
My I set myself to achieve by for Friday 13th March is to address the points raised within the tutorial on Monday, looking at how the mark, message and the name can come together in communicating the centres concept and purpose, seeing how the logo can capture these areas; developing and collaborating the notion of creativity and play, employing the values discovered in determining the way in which the mark communicates.
Below are spreads I have created along with the folder work that I have already created, and explaining that the stage I am at in relation to the folder work, showing what I have yet to include. Highlighting that I have made these developments but have yet to lay it out within the folder work due to time and having to progress on so quickly.
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Tutorial 9th March
Tutorial Reflection
This tutorial was scheduled 2 Days after my presentation where I spent the weekend developing my identity from the medieval font style that it was into something which still incorporated the feature of a connection with the UK but not so strongly within the sense that I had discovered and displayed previously. The focus this time was based more on the idea of an expression mark: in relation to the philosophy of the centre, trying to capture the essence creativity and play.
The tutorial was more positive showing the progress that I had made and also that the features and areas I had discovered were relevant but the situation was that some were showing through more then others, and visa versa other features where not showing through enough, thus miss communicating the message of what it was trying to communicate.
Name
The overall image was of a subtler nature where even though the name ‘Order’ was still a quite empowering word, it had been represented in a much softer way. However the isolation of the word ‘Order’ was still questioned on its overall power. And extending it to ‘the order’ could bring it down a tone where the emphasis is not the sole word but the overall impression of the statement.
Message
The overall message I want to employ is rather then someone following a kind of statement put across by the word ‘Order’ that you have to comply with, its more a place where you can organise your priorities, whatever they may be, where help is available if needed.
Mark
The mark itself I feel could do with exploring further into the idea and notion of the expression mark and what it means and stands for within this idea. I could explore the visual representation of the icon in relation to the idea of creativity and play, overall being a form of expression. I am not sure if the logo shown within the tutorial is either to tight to communicate the aspect of creativity, it’s not expressive enough? Or whether that there needs to be a standard solid structure in relation to the mark where exploration can expand out of the structure, embracing the meaning.
Overall - What To do Next
Anyway the next stage is to explore those areas highlighted, looking more into its connection to the centre concept and purpose, seeing how the logo can capture these areas.
Develop and collaborate the notion of creativity and play, employing the values discovered in determining the way in which the mark communicates.
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