Crit Feedback: Review

So this morning I had my first crit since easter. To give you a heads up, I have since decided that the library signage project needs to be put away as soon as possible. This is due to a number of things, one major being that the typeface needs to be changed due tot he librarians requiring it to be"Arial" and not "Helvetica", this is because they use Arial on their computers and thus in order to maintain it in the future want it to be arial. This has led me to design the system to my requirements now for submission and then later on more for their needs.

The yearbook is underway with all the photographs taken and awaiting some images from those who did not get work documented in the shoot. Jimmy rang the printers yesterday to request a dummy copy of the book so we can see how it will fit and feel.

The design context section is almost done, I have set up a template and ordered what I want to include to be sent for print as a book. Obviously we have a presentation on this, this coming Friday and I'm hoping I can get some feedback from people as I'm sure that could be useful if there are any alarming issues with the way I've ordered it.

So this finally brings me up to the crit where I now realize I need to categorize my research and information for me to be able to move on further. I am going to relook at how I want to approach the topic of 'stress" whether it will be the health issues or the systems of DEALING with stress, such as yoga, meditation etc.

Research: Tadao Ando

Massimo Vignelli mentioned this architect as one of his favourite contemporary designers. Simple.

Research: Jung Und Wenig

Jung und Wenig.com

German Creative duo. awesome website, displays the journeys of their projects, not just the final pieces. Really beautiful work, I love the colours they use and simplicity. Really strong elegent work. bravo!

Swiss Legacy.com

Xavier Encinas.

I added him on flickr yesterday, he keeps an eye on a lot of things I like.

Research: Jeremy Pettis, Alphabet Zoo

http://new.typographica.org/2008/on-typography/jeremy-pettis-alphabet-zoo/

I advise anyone fond of type to head over there and check this out, some really inspiring inventive type design. Makes me wish I did this now... the best type of design (pun?).

LOL: Encourage those to write down ideas.

Genius. Simple. Funny.

Research: Massimo Vignelli

I probably should have uploaded this link a long time ago. But for my contextual research, Massimo Vignelli is an idol of mine, the Vignelli agency in New York has developed/ created such important work over the years. Audience and problem solving oriented, aspiring to cure visual vulgarness... a real inspiration.

Vignelli.com

Research: 8VO

British graphic design company, founded in 1984.

www.eightvo.co.uk

Modernist influences, really inspiring. Read about them in a Wim Crouwel and Michael C Place interview here.

Very interesting read and Hamish Muir's work is really really inviting, really strong work from an experienced designer.

Update:: Busy...

So its Friday, spent today developing the library signage stuff further. Yesterday was spent organizing my design context pieces, I am still unsure as to whether a website may be more suitable for this cause... as opposed to a book, however it s always better to have something tactile to handle when it comes to exhibiting work I think.

Following a conversation with the library staff, there were a few things I needed to make amendments to make before going to print. I am starting to worry that this will leak into the beginning of the final phase, but I'm keeping focussed and hoping to have everything ready and if production leaks into the first week then that should be fine as I have some time to recover from a set-back... or do I? lol

Interesting: RGB Design

RGB, some really really good stuff by Rob Brearley.

Interest: Eric and Marie

Eric and Marie

Research: Type in Paris

I forgot to mention I was in Paris for a few days over easter and while I was there I took photographs of signage and what I felt were French applications of type which were different to what we get in the UK. So... other than the fact that my girlfriend went mental at me for "wasting" memory card space to take pictures of signs in the Louvre, I think I found some interesting stuff. Here's a few images, but I don't think its possible to upload them all on a post.

I particularly liked the Grey signage for the Louvre, it was kept in a glass frame but they could essentially change any of it they wanted as the details were o business card sized sheets, so if anything was moved around then they wouldn't have to print off a whole new sign. Also, the fact that it was all about 12pt type, and at eye level where someone could get up close to it meant that it suited a museum/ gallery as people would have to creep up to them quietly to get directions.

The road signs were awesome, I dont even know what it means but it looks more impactful than "GIVE WAY" in transport. It looks like Helvetica Condensed Bold which is prominent throughout the city. Everything was centre aligned, it just seems a lot more powerful to align type in that way for that typeface.

And the type for the underground "Hotel De Ville", simple. So simple.

Interest: Qube Konstrukt

Qube Konstrukt (australia), was flicking through an old IDN issue and thought these guys were pretty darn' good, awesome multidisciplinary practice.

Update: 3 Minutes

This brief is done now. I am content with the layout, and it is something that I think is important for my portfolio and contextual development. It answers the brief's requirements of "3 minutes" as a title/ subject, I have used 1 piece of A1 paper (made an A4 booklet), aiming to impress those who I am looking to get employed by, Creative Graphic Design/ Editorial agencies. It also compliments my love for typography and layout and the content has been driven by myself. The only thing I am considering to do to improve it is screen printing the "180" in a different black or spot varnish... otherwise, this is another knocked down and out.

Research: Neighbour London

Neighbour-uk.com


Anyone else like?

Research: 8 Ways to improve your typography

http://www.aisleone.net/2009/design/8-ways-to-improve-your-typography/

Found this simple 8 step guide to "improve your typography", but specifically for online/ onscreen purposes. A lot of the rules are applicable to print based but this provides you with the html/ CSS script to specify and control typography onscreen.

PPD: Website update

So, first day of easter... its Monday.

I've just spend this morning updating my website at KWfolio.com. It made more sense to have individual projects as opposed to categories such as "type", "logos"... I've just ordered it into individual projects, the newest at the top. Need to get people looking at it now.

Yearbook: Development / Organization

This is what I printed off the other day...

It was just to order the pages of the yearbook, so we can identify who is getting what page and what spread. It is important for the yearbook not to have the same layout for each page as we blieve it would get stale and boring after flicking through the first 5, so I came up with a 'rhythm' for the book. All we need to do once we have everyones work now is assign a spread, appropriate to that persons work.

Research: Dyslexia

http://www.readregular.com/english/intro.html

Part of the problem with the library signage brief is accounting for accessibility issues for those with dyslexia. So I've done some research into ways of making things easier to read for dyslexic people. Seeing as 2 million of the population are severely dyslexic within the UK, not including those with minor severities, this is a Graphic Design problem and responsibility when dealing with signage systems and I would argue, one that should be considered at all times (or when applicable!). Anyhow, the website is really good, simple, advises us to use nothing smaller than 12 point, Sans serifs, with distinguishable ascenders and descenders.

Currently the two contenders I am using is (good old reliable) Helvetica and (not so good for large copy) Avant Garde. One at bold and the other at Demi bold. I love Helvetica, but at the same time Avant Garde has that fresher, contemporary, information design feel to it... going to keep testing them out against each other.