Process and Production - Physical Studio - Layouts - Part 2

I picked my three favourite layouts from the nine thumbnails; I enlarged them to see if the design would still work on a larger scale and with actual text. I printed the article text out multiple times in different fonts, sizes and styles. By doing this I could determine what typeface would work well with the article and the images; a typeface can set a theme/mood to the text depending on the style of text. From doing this it will help me as a designer in the future as it has taught me to plan layouts/typefaces and experiment with text and layout before producing the final outcome. 

Layout Option 1

Layout Option 2

Layout Option 3

Process and Production - Physical Studio - Layouts

For the two page spread article I had to produce thumbnail layouts which then could be transferred in to Adobe Indesign. I experimented with different layouts and arrangements. I drew out nine different layouts which would then be developed further in to the final outcome. By producing thumbnails it allowed me to visualise the outcome; this process was valuable as I was able to plan the final outcome, I can use this skill in other projects in order to develop my work further.

Process and Production - Adobe Creative Suite - Expanding on Adobe Illustrator

After completing the Adobe Illustrator workshop I decided to have another try with an image of my own; this image was more complex in comparison. However, the skills I was taught came in hand when producing this piece. 

The drawing hasn't been fully completed but you can see how I have used the pen tool in this just like I have used it to produce the Marilyn Monroe.

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Process and Production - Adobe Creative Suite - Illustrator (Marilyn Monroe)

Adobe Illustrator Workshop

For this Adobe Creative Suite session I was taught how to create a caricature of Marilyn Monroe. The image of Marilyn Monroe was given to me and I have to reduce the opacity of the image so that the lines/curves I was about to draw would be seen visible. I used the the pen tool to trace around the outline of face, nose, mouth, eyes and hair. Using the same tool I added detail to the hair, eyes and mouth to form teeth. 

Then I added colour to fill the shapes that had been created; this allowed the drawing to look more realistic as it can be. Although I already knew how to use the pen tool it was useful to put my skills into practice and expand on them. Below is my result:

Contextual Portfolio - Workshop Week - ManvsMachine

Man Vs Machine Lecture

This lecture was presented by someone from  Man Vs Machine who was Matt Whitewood; he is a graduate from the University who has a degree in Digital Media. He went through work that led to working with Man Vs Machine, work he has done with Man Vs Machine and how we can improve our approach to the industry.

One of the projects he worked on was the Nike KD7 project for the new trainers; this was one of my favourite pieces that he showed during his lecture.  The advert showed of some of his amazing effects and animation; the animation includes close ups, clever transitions and changes the shoe in to animalistic characters.

Here is the advert below;

Another project from the ManvsMachine studio was the work done for Film4; although Matt didn't work on this project himself, he knew what went in to the project and went through it with us in the lecture. The aim of the project was to create a film channel rather than a tv channel; this covered all on-air aspects of the brand from indents to OSP and more. 

The outcome was a contemporary take on a classic film strip using a custom motion technique; the idea was to expand beyond the logo and give the brand an overall visual signature. I liked looking at this project as it showed how you can completely rebrand a company to give the audience a different perspective on the brand. 

Here is what they have to say about the project;

'Needing to cater to ultimate film buffs and occasional action movie fans alike, this filtered down into details such as a film poster inspired typographic system that intelligently resizes titles to occupy a designated screen space, giving all films an equal billing whether it be 'ET' or 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone'.'

'The idents see the technique applied to cinematic live action compositions, presenting the Film4 logo in various locations. Each location/scene carefully crafted to elicit a variety of different moods. Idents begin ambiguously before seamlessly branching off into one of three possible endings, making minimal adjustments to shift the mood dramatically. Each of the idents is constructed from a vast array of film references and homages; from the iconic to the obscure.'

'The technique itself became a celebration of film craft, allowing us to mix live action with stop motion (the logo), and a healthy dose of post production, applied by the talented team at Analog. Not forgetting the beautifully cinematic score by Resonate.'

Here are the outcomes; 

Contextual Portfolio - Workshop Week - Screen printing

This week is workshop week, as part of this week today I took part in a screen printing workshop which was situated in a studio in Halifax. This was a great opportunity to use the studio's facilities which aren't always available to me. Below is the information I was given in order to produce my own screen print. 

What is screen printing? 

Screen printing is a process of pushing ink through a fabric mesh that has an image attached to it. It is a way of printing multiples of one image. You can screen print on to materials such as paper/card/fabric or wood. It is a straight forward process that creates some brilliant affects, each image being unique as it is printed by hand. 

Materials required;

• pencil/pen
• cutting mat/ durable surface
• craft knife
• quality paper
• paint (system 3 acrylic paint & medium solution)
• screen
• squeegee
• palette knife

Screen printing step by step;

Step 1

Design your print. (keep the design simple at first, geometrical shapes are ideal).

Step 2

Using a craft knife, carefully and precisely cut out your design. Keeping the surrounding outer area intact.

Step 3

Use masking tape to tack-down the stencil on to your material. (tip - make sure the mesh of the screen and the stencil are in contact. If there are any gaps use masking tape around the edges of the stencil to stop the ink leaking through underneath).

Step 4

Position the screen carefully on to your material.

Step 5

Using a palette-knife throughly mix the colour & medium solution together (ratio 50/50) (tip - left over ink can be kept and stored for about a month or even longer when placed in a sealed air-tight container).

Step 6

Pour out, or spoon out sufficient ink on to the top of the screen in a line (make sure there is enough ink to cover the stencil evenly). Try avoid getting any ink onto any part of the stencil at this stage. 

Step 7 

Choose a squeegee that fits the width of the screen & stencil. Find the middle of the squeegee and hold it with both hands (placing hands either side). Hold the squeegee at an angle of 45 degrees and draw the ink down the screen in a continuous movement and with firm pressure. Do not remove the screen just yet. Instead evaluate and repeat the process again if necessary (i.e if any areas of the stencil have been missed). (tip - it is important to use the squeegee skilfully when drawing the ink down in one continuous movement whilst keeping the pressure constant. Stopping the squeegee will cause imperfection in the final print.

Step 8 

Carefully remove the screen by lifting it off the material (if you drag the screen the print will smear).

Step 9

Very carefully remove the stencil by lifting it from the screen & remove any waste masking tape. The print should be left for the ink to dry throughly. It is advisable to clean the screen and squeegee immediately using water to gently clean off the residue ink. It is good practice to wash the screens and squeegees often to prolong future use. Dry ink will ruin the mesh surface possibly causing visible imperfection in any future prints.

Here is the result;

Contextual Portfolio - Workshop Week 10/11/14

This week my normal timetable has been paused in order for workshop week to take place; I'm excited for this week as it gives me a chance to develop my skills in a range of areas.

 During this week I will take part in an after effects workshop, book workshop , screen printing workshop and a typography workshop. As well as these workshop I will also be attending some lectures presented by successful talent in the field and past students that have gone on to have a successful career; I feel it's important for me to attend these lectures as it will give me an idea of what I could achieve when I graduate in a few years time

Foundation Studio - City In Flux - Research

I have done research in to different areas in relation to the city in flux brief, however I do feel drawn towards the typography aspect of design from looking at Pinterest ( view my board on typography on my Pinterest account). 

The idea of typography also relates well with the concept of being overloaded with information within a city and how you lose a sense of control. In terms of inspiration I looked work from various places; such as the work of designer David Carson.

I'm interested in the way he overlaps his typography and in some cases he distorts the text and obscures the text by using texture and overlays. His work has been a major influence in my practice before I started this project as I've had a genuine interest in his work.

Foundation Studio - City In Flux - Se7en Production

I came across the opening titles for the film Se7en; they are quite interesting due to all the detail that has been put in to the scenes and then if you rewind to the making stage you can see that a lot of time and effort has gone in to the titles to make to it fit so perfectly with the brief. 

Below is a section of the finished opening titles:


Se7en title sequence from emanuele lumini on Vimeo.

This opening title sequence reminds me of work associated with the postmodernist movement due to the style of typeface that has been used. The scribble hand written type has a strong resemblance to the work of David Carson; I'm familiar with his work already through a strong interest in his work. 

These opening titles will influence my work greatly as I love the typography that has been used within this piece and how they a changing and moving. Also in sections there is lots of typography which could relate to information overload. As well as looking at the typography in this piece, I'm also intrigued by the textures that have been created and how they have been used to influence the audience to a way of thinking about the film and what it will be like and about.