really like this elegant use of type, it connotes class, quality yet contemporary



This just made me think about whether there was some way of representing the contents of the book in a different way rather than listing names



really like the idea of using some sort of boxed container, just the matter of cost that might rule that out



considering how binding/the spine could become more of a feature



again really interesting type, quite sophisticated but not elitest


considering whether the design should be black and white with the colour coming from the work from each designer







considering using an accent colour to lift the design/add something. these blue/greens are quite interesting and gender neutral although I'm worried about whether it's a bit dated now, whether we need something more fresh







really nice example of using an accent colour with a smokey black. really beautiful use of colour.

considering unifying themes that tie our year together

Progress Surgery

Notes and thoughts from this mornings session:

Need to specify in position statement what 3D means -spatial environment rather than product

Themes are all ok and relate to each other well and they should underly the briefs that I take on, subject and audience will be what makes each brief different.

Regarding BSL it's finding out about systems of how people learn foreign languages, what's the problem, who's the audience, entire systems, entire culture of not hearing

Hard to teach people who occasionally deal with deaf people, more the people who are constantly in the company of people with hearing disabilities; carers, parents etc

Teaching sign language or making people aware about it? The problems deaf people have in society?

To get started on something start designing pictograms, find a problem, take anything and reduce it down and translate it through signs and symbols; human body? parts?

What data do I want to generate? Maybe do a brief that's more conceptually driven, something individual

Time management is going to be a big issue, do some shorter briefs. Set deadlines for research to end

Questions in my head at the moment

I'm worried about having a portfolio full of pictograms and image, what do potential studios I want to work for actually want to see?

How do I keep variety in my portfolio?

What kind of subjects do I want to deal with?

statements and chapters

Continuing the workshop here are 3 potential titles/statements with 10 chapters each:

A print production investigation of type and layout with a focus on accessibility:

Formats
Stocks
Print methods
Audience
Language
Cultures
Typefaces
Grids
Readability
Usability

A diagram based investigation of sign language with a focus on information:

Image
Colour
Signs/Pictograms/Symbols
Sign language - Words, Numbers, Syntax
Context
Words/language
Audience
Other disabilities/considerations
Testing

A type and layout investigation of scale with a focus on exhibition:

Visitors
Information
Context
Deliverables
Typeface
Production
Readability
Language and clarity
Accessibility
Distance

Michael Deal

Thinking about the Diesel brief for D&AD I came across Michael Deal's work. Here he has infographics all about the band and music of the Beatles. The circle segments in particular seem as though they would lend themselves well to 3D since they seem quite dynamic. The simple shapes and bright colours coming out of the black would also work well in motion or with lights.

This is also part of a collaborative project in which people are able to submit work so this might be a good short brief for me to get involved with and potentially make quite a good contact.

Rationale/Position Statement

To begin FMP we've been looking back at our position statements from the beginning of the year and re-working them slightly. At the moment mine stands as:

Research driven information design across 2D & 3D targeting towards an adult audience.

My design practice breaks down into themes/subjects and design disciplines.

Themes/Subjects

Information
Accessibility
Legibility/Readability
Scale
Language
Materials for production
Museums/Exhibitions
Usability/Interactivity
Ergonomics?
Perspective
Film
Sign Language
Animals/Biology
Data

Design Disciplines

Type & Layout (Clarity, readability)
Print & Production
Research
Displays
Publication
Web (Design for)
InDesign
Illustrator
Diagrams



After this we were asked to put the different elements into sentences that follow the structure:

A(n).........investigation of.................with a focus on................

A print and production investigation of perspective with a focus on scale

A type and layout investigation of accessibility with a focus on museums and exhibitions

A language investigation of film with a focus on type and layout

A usability investigation of displays with a focus on (materials/ergonomics)

A diagram based investigation of sign language with a focus on (publication/web)

A research based investigation of sign language with a focus on information


We were then asked to take one of these sentences and use it as a proposed title, and to consider what the chapter might be. I used: A type and layout investigation of accessibility with a focus on museums and exhibitions.

Chapters might include:

Scale/Size
Colour
Language
Museum/Exhibition Visitors
Readability/Legibility
Culture Divides
Ergonomics
Print/Materials
Wayfinding/Signs
Age Divides
Design for screen
Information Points

This was actually quite a tricky task, having to put down on paper who I am as a designer. My rationale changed slightly from the beginning of the year. At that point I was targeting a whole range of audiences, but I am unsure whether I want to design for children or not. A lot of the data and information I like working with becomes very complex and I enjoy working in that detailed way. To make information understandable for children most of that information would need to be stripped out. So that's something I need to be thinking about and make a decision on.