OUGD603 — Brief 09 — Yearbook - Presentation 2.0

As always I was a bundle of nerves to be presenting in front of the whole course our concept ideas for our year-book this year.

People already had a bad-expectation because of what they got from our previous presentation and what others had said without fully understanding what we were doing.

It was our job today to make sure everyone was completely clear on our idea and how it would work as a yearbook as well as outside of one too. Explaining concisely that our archiving system would not identify them as a number or code but only aid the discovery of their work via the systematic contents page in the form of specialism reference codes.

The overall reactions were as expected but not as bad as we thought they'd be. We wanted to keep the questions period conversational between the course so they were absolutely aware that we were deciding all elements as a course and everyone's thoughts and ideas would be considered towards improving the finished book.

By the end, everyone 100% understood the concept and the direction as well as what it consisted of. In reflection to the presentation I feel that with the more effort of preparation I did before - helped with my nerves and keeping on topic with what I was discussing/explaining. We all did a great job explaining the concept clearly and we sold the idea to the course well.

We have organised to discuss different elements of the yearbook on Friday at 13:00 so people can put forward their ideas, concerns and help develop the yearbook into a finished outcome we are all proud to be in.

OUGD603 — Brief 09 — Yearbook - Biography + Spreads

As part of the presentation we needed to show some examples of page spreads as well as the half-page insert between it.

Because I have photographed my work, I was chosen to be the example.

Me, Harrison and Jasper went to the library to seek some examples of layouts for images only and we really loved this example of hairline margins to use up the spread-space effectively.

I picked out some completely different pieces of work so we could see it at it's least organised or consistent and gave it a go with a few different variations of layout but after seeing it we felt like it needed more framing to tidy it up.

We looked at some more books and thought that a combination between a higher spaced gutter (example 1) and more intimate margins (example 2) would hold the page a lot better.

Using a set of 12mm outer / 18mm inner margins / 7mm gutters I created another grid system that would aid in framing the individual photographs and allow breathability between them.

This worked a lot better and the rest of the group agreed that it presented the photographs more dynamically without feeling overcrowded.

The next part was to design the insert for between the spread to hold the information on.

I worked out my bio info and then began designing possibilities using the dimensions of the insert which would be half the normal pages (8.5 x 17 cm).

Bio:

I am a graphic designer with a strong passion for the concepts and construction of independent brands, fused with an interest in the impact that can be delivered by type & image in the form of both physical products & screen based media.

Interests:

Bikes, Beers, and Burgers.

Experience:

Intern at Analogue Creative.

Selected Clients — Kinoko, Tokyo Fixed, & Restrap.

Achievements:

Dialogue Exhibition (Leeds 2014)

Contact:

hello@a-dyson.co

+44 (0) 7788 587 307

www.a-dyson.co

Me and Jasper went into the corridor and quickly took my photo to use and I quickly edited it to black and white half-tones.

Our final decision was on the option below. We felt that the space was well distributed and it had a cleaner and well constructed appearance that linked to our creative practice and professionalism as a course.

OUGD603 — Brief 08 - Tokyo Fixed Jersey Kit - Jersey Mock-Ups

"Hi Alex, 

We have some more work for you. Could you have a go at applying the Bonsai pattern to the Jersey template attached please. Trying out a few variations with different spacing and sizing. We want the design to go all over the jersey but when doing this mock up remember that the panels will not align properly because of sizing so mask the front and back panels separate from the sides and arms. 

Just use the the final colourway you sent over with the finished design. We dont want you spend to much time on this if possible just a few basic mock ups.

Thanks,

Josh"

I opened up the pdf attachment supplied and cleaned it up a bit before preparing the fill masks below the lines on which I can apply the different variations of pattern with a more natural cut and sew effect on each panel.

I started with more close together trees and created three variations leading to the most space between trees. I also added some variations of pocket finishing at the end as mentioned in the e-mail.

Personally I felt that the first option was far too busy to remotely look appealing to the eye, but the second and third had a charm from the breathability which would work really nicely with the line based half-tones the print would be finished with. 

In regards to the pockets, I wasn't keen on the pink one as it stuck out like a sore thumb and wasn't working as an attribute to the kit or style. My favourite was the blank one as it simplified the design slightly more and gave a bit of rest away from the rest of the kit.

My next e-mail from Josh read:

"Hi Alex, 

This is a good move forwards! We really need to get the design wrapped up now. Is it possible for you to do a version when the trees are much larger and randomly spaced out? Dont worry if the trees get cut off in parts 

Some of the smaller ones seem to look messy I think. 

Just 2 versions both with the pink pockets. 

Thanks,

Josh"

Fortunately, he completely agreed with me with the spacing and after thinking about it, the pink pocket could look quite good in final form (not flat illustration mockups).

I created two more variations to respond to his request, one with much bigger trees but both with more random spacing and pink pockets.

I was very happy to hear that they had resorted to an earlier colour way I completed based on traditional oriental china ornaments. I felt that this worked best in it's minimalism and it wasn't at all garish.

In the feedback e-mail, detail was brought up and it was mentioned to experiment with key-lines for a more textured outcome.

Max and Josh were really happy with the finished piece and decided it was ready to go into the final stages of development by their in-house team before getting sent off for production. 

I am no longer sure if they will be made in time for the module hand-in but I am holding onto hope that it's faster than I assume!

OUGD603 — Brief 06 — Capital North - Presentation

The presentation went really well. We aren't the most confident speakers as a group but we all felt prepared and comfortable to discuss our ideas and the process to finished outcome.

In regards to feedback, they told us that the concept was fantastic and that we took a bold approach that no one else had thought of. They liked the logo but told us that it was not dynamic enough by itself and would of needed several variations for different sizings to keep it's clarity. Their favourite part of the presentation and work was the idea behind the trains and that the rest of the visuals should of followed suit with them.

This was a very rewarding brief and has given me more confidence to speak in front of professionals as well as work in a team to develop something further than I would usually be capable of.

OUGD603 — Brief 09 — Yearbook - Referencing concept.

From previous feedback that we received from our original presentation, it was apparent that nobody but the tutors understood our referencing concept. Therefore we got to work on developing a concise and clear format in which our audience can understand it as a concept.

The referencing system is NOT our yearbook concept, but a tool within it.

This tool will be used solely to improve the experience of using the yearbook. At the beginning of the book, there will be the key of meanings for each reference, the list of references, the student's names, and their respective page numbers. This allows users to choose between using the index or just skipping through the book like previous years.