OUGD504 - Type in context - Front Cover Consideration

The colour scheme of the booklet is specifically black an white, so showing this design with an of white texture to allow a visual of how the booklet would look after being embossed. 

Embossing the front cover will communicate a more modern aesthetic outcome that'll capture a more up to date audience. 

A2Z was the first design consideration communicating the Alphabets start to finish within a few simple letters. The idea behind the design was to keep it as simple as possible for inside the booklet there will be only 1 letter to a double page spread with 1 photograph. 

Then playing around with layout an shape to create an effective finish that also has a relation towards what is in the booklet, For example the A2Z with the 'Z' being within a box signifying typography within the publication. 

Taking the same idea but developing its visuality & layout, the 'AZ.26' was to inform the amount of letters that are in the alphabet. 

The 5th design had a strong concept behind it which was to involve ancient symbols, For when the alphabet was first becoming established and developed. The 'A' with what seems to be an underline underneath is a symbol of communication of the letter Z. This design became unusual but also a hidden meaning. 

After making alterations with the publication I then moved onto another design that didn't communicate the amount of letters in the publication for I stripped back 26 letters to 16 due to insufficient resources.

'Issue 16' becoming the front cover for it commuicates the amount of letters within the publication an also give it that magazine approach on high end street stores within Leeds & Manchester as well as the underline that is seen to be shape within the publication.

OUGD504 - Type in context - Layout

For each front cover designed has a consistent relation to the rest of the pages throughout the booklet. For example placing a line between the A2 | Z, that then follows onto the separation of the A to the text. Adding a more modern structure I think suits the type of photo's I've gathered and edited. Having brought down the saturation of each photo to make the picture stand out more then it would if it was purely black and white.

OUGD504 - Type in context - Layout research

The overall structure of this booklet has given me insight towards its sleek picture placement & white space. The fact a small amount of text can be so calming and giving a more relaxing read makes me interested in applying that sense within my own design.

What initially interested me was its clean minimal look and its colour choice of black & white, considering there is a dull colour to draw my attention it still stud out more than the rest of the research I scrolled past. The amount of text within this publication relates back to the amount I'll have in my booklet, even though there isn't much it can still be applied to the publication effectively by positioning or over laying onto imagery. 

The target audience for this publication would be photographers as its main focus is the imagery having little text which could be a caption of the photo, where it was taken, why it was taken and how it makes you feel. 

Because this publication is black an white it comes across as a modern sophisticated piece, that is very clean an simple. The use of a grid system doesn't really have to apply within this piece as each page is slightly inconsistent but has been perfected without. The margins would most likely be applied for it has a clean white space as a boarder. 

The colour choice of black & white is valid to the fact that the photography within the publication has an out dated feel to it, taking pictures as if wanting to communicate a certain time period. Seeing as there is a classic car and the lighthouse that has a grainy/dirty look to the picture signifies otherwise.

Elements such as imagery/text placement, type size, white space and colour choice is what I want to take from this publication an apply it my own, this kind of style is what i want to work towards as its sleek professional look interests/inspires me.

OUGD504 - Type in context - Grid research

A grid system is a structure comprising a series of horizontal and vertical lines, used to arrange content. A grid system is a way of providing a system that designers can work with to structure and present content and imagery in a much more readable, manageable way.

Tabloid Grid systems

Grids systems are used within publications an spreads to create consistency, its an invisible framework that helps the page layout or composition of image or text. There are specific set ups that have to be considered when applying grids to your work. These are the amount of columns, rows and space between the grid 'gutter'. Some grids can be complex but that depends of the publication its based on. 

So for example this newspaper article holds a more complex grid system, as tabloids hold a lot more text then other publications. Although the newspaper is overwhelmed by text the grid system allows a more legible/consistent read. 






Applying a grid to this newspaper has allowed me to have an understanding of the structure an layout. Its importance for consistency and legibility to the reader. There are loads of newspaper companies with various different grid layouts, this is unique for all different newspaper agencies as the layout can be the face of the company. Although people prefer certain articles based on what they're telling, it is very important for the newspaper to visually satisfy their reader.









In comparison to the tabloid this magazine layout is more stripped back in the sense of colour usage and structure. The magazine page layout accommodates more white space and a wider margin, overall its a less complex publication. In the tabloids defence they're limited to the amount of space they can use especially with the amount of stories/news that is shared within them

OUGD504 - Studio task - The Van de Graaf Canon & Golden Ratio

This technique had been used long before the computer, the printing press and even a defined measuring unit. No picas or points, no inches or millimeters. It can be used with nothing more than a straight edge, a piece of paper and a pencil. Using this type of grid system which is still as valid, can create a beautiful and elegant ultra-modern design.

For the studio session we looked into the golden ratio and the van de graaf canon. Seeing all kinds of designs and layouts that follow this method of the perfect positioning, compared to the golden ratio I think this system is a more refined process, The fact the grid has come together from using only the corners of the pages, rather than a mathematical devision through a certain ratio 1.618.

It is the empty space that works for this layout choice. the imagine playing an important role in catching attention along side the title. I personally think its an old layout that has strict rules on positioning. In todays book designs white space is still considered greatly but the consistency is fairly different.

Some graphic designers are fascinated with the golden section and use it to create various grids and page formats, entire books have been written on the subject. Other designers believe that the golden section is no more valid as a basis for deriving sizes and proportions than other methods, such as beginning from standard industrial paper sizes, or dividing surfaces into halves or squares, or simply picking whole-number page formats and making logical divisions within them.

OUGD504 - Type in context - Brief

From the summer brief we were asked to take photos of typography, giving a short passage based on the type. We were then asked to construct a publication with the imagery captured but to have a concept/theme behind it. Having to contemplate how we are going to produce & print, taking into consideration that there may be production issues 

OUGD504 - Logostarter - Final logo

The final logo design each displayed in a monochrome perspective & colour this is to show you can use all 3 effectively to create good signage from the logo. The overall design has proven effective in its elegant flow. The elements within the design all complement one another in the sense of space shape and simplicity, It communicating 3 features of the product and visually links to the product. I think involving the 'Sanctuary' type took away that utility look an made it more personal toward the 'mossarium' although signifying 3 features within the logo it seem too obvious to focus the design on a plant of some sort, but using the water drip allowed to show the importance of its workings for the product isn't a plant it is a containment for greenery that allows nature/plants to maintain growth with its own water system. 

OUGD504 - Logostarter - Further Development

The idea behind this logo is that I've communicated 2 elements of the product itself, such as the 'tear drop' shape, which relates to the condensation that keeps the moss nourished. The unclosed top also represents the 'breeze' that enables adjustment of the environment throughout the seasons. The first step was mainly getting the idea down digitally putting the elements together to form the logo, Playing around with the positioning an to see if colour was acceptable but Monochrome was a lot more simpler an isn't cost effective, Text became apart of the logo as it gives that clearer communication of the product and brand. 

Once getting feedback from my first initial development slight improvements were made such as curving the logo to the shape of the actual product playing around with different outline weights, but still finding a more comfortable place for the typography, at this point 3rd design was most effective, but still wasn't to standard for the remaining space between the drip and text seemed unfinished.

The third development proved aesthetic for the overall design became consistent, the outline size was an important part of the logo which eventually became elegant. The empty space which seemed unfinished was solved, this was by adding an important feature from the product that was a pointed dip that helped the condensation drips gather to one point of the product, that particular feature is the key to its workings so by involving this extra curve created a more detailed version which helped interlink the logo to the product. The typography became much more acceptable within its placement taking out the unnecessary lines and dots but to just centre align it with slight kerning.

OUGD504 - Logostarter - Displayed

Ive placed my logo onto a store display to give myself a clearer visual of what colours work best for the logo, depending on the background shape of the store sign. The store sign I've used as a mock up suits my logo perfectly as it withholds a similar shape. I personally think this allows my logo to stand quite elegantly with a simplistic look that enables the display to be eye catching.

OUGD504 - Logostarter - Development

To start off with, the idea was to have kept it basic by having an outlined version of the actual product itself. From there knowing that the design wasn't to standards it allowed  further development with the same visual but simplified to a minimum. 

For this particular design I wanted to involve the first letter of the product 'Sanctuary'. My idea generation lead me to some form of plant being attached to the 'S', I figured having a drip dropping from the terminal would represent the whole recycled water system as well as the growth of the plant being placed at the baseline of the 'S'

From the first design I wanted to further simplify the product, To take it towards a 2D outline logo as its most likely to suit a wider collateral display. Not to mention a more professional visual approach.  

I mostly prefer this design as its simple, it represents the Sanctuary key elements such as the Drip and a straight line to be the moss. I would most definitely take this design to further development as i think it has the most potential. 

OUGD504 - Logostarter - Thumbnails

Once choosing my choice of product I went ahead an sketched what initially came to my head. At first I thought it would be communicational to explore a plant involved design as my product is something that maintains perfect mossarium environment. With this approach it seemed like it would go in the direction of a clip art look. I went ahead and took it into development and I couldn't execute a decent standard. So i went back to sketching more idea's, This time I wanted to work with a more simpler outlined logo as I feel these basic logo's are more visually understood and interpreted in different ways. The Raindrop became my focal point as the water is something that is important to plant life/growth so to communicate that within my logo would represent a maintained mossarium.

OUGD504 - Logostarter - Product

The Sanctuary

A little mossarium that maintains a perfect moss environment.

My first impressions of this product was peacefully simplistic. The size brings a delicate feeling but most of all a relaxing sensation. So my initial thought was to go as simple/minimal as possible. 

Because the product has an interesting way of use I thought going with a more modern approach with a logo, but then on the the video it features a very calming emotion with serif typeface throughout which made me think of a more classy approach, So I may explore both.

I want this logo to work in variety of earth colours such as green, blue, brown Seeing as the product wants to release them in various colours.

Teardrop - 

The form of Sanctuary's design isn't just for good looks. The 'tear drop' shape gathers condensation and funnels the droplets to form a raindrop at the very tip of its stalactite. Sanctuary has it's very own water cycle. The 'rain' then drops on the moss foliage, just like it would in nature. Moss assimilates water though its foliage, not roots like most other flora.

The highlighted words are something I'll try to incorporate within my design. Giving that obvious representation of the product through a simple logo.

Product Owner Contact

OUGD504 - Logostarter - Logo Research

OUGD504 - Logostarter - Brief

For this brief I have been asked to design a logo for a product using the kickstarter website.

OUGD504 - My Design Process - Evaluation

This module has allowed me to come to a comfort zone with using the adobe indesign although having slight previous knowledge on the software it was interesting to find out more about how to set up a book document and how to use it effectively for the studio brief given.

The software did make the job allot easier then expected, only because I have problems organising pages and numbers with the time i had left.

Because I made the mistake of not doing as much work as i should of over the christmas period I came back to the brief unaware and confused which became quite difficult to deal with all at once. My attendance was far worser than my previous module taking in to consideration we only had 2 weeks to complete it.

Being on a tight schedule has caused me to rush my work not working to my full potential which is quite upsetting as i want to enjoy the work i create, so from this I have decided to make a change with my attendance/punctuality giving myself a target of 85-100% attendance.

The positive side to the module was that i still learnt allot weather thats page layout, using the software effectively and creating a fairly standard booklet & end product that being a Menu. I’m quite confident theres room for improvement strictly because of time I had.

What will i do differently next time will be that i experiment more, find more research, study the properties of page layout throughly and most of all have 100% attendance.

This module has allowed me to engage with 

OUGD504 - My Design Process - Final Outcome

The overall outcome of the leaflet turned out great, the foiling eventually came through effective after numerous attempts. As for foiling the front with champagne foil was a stratergy to grab attention through its shin as well as introducing the inside colour. The 2 main colours used was the white an beige, these 2 colours were used to separate each step of the process giving it a clearer direction. 

Using line to emphasize importance within the leaflet such as the lettering, which explains the size of the numbers & symbols. I think the leaflet has communicated well towards the brief, Its simplicity prevents complications for guidance is in the leaflet for example the arrows create a sense of direction when coming to folding the leaflet. 

The secret concept to this design was how you fold it, Noticing my peers flipping the accordinonfold over made me realize I needed to involve some direction but once done the trick was to fold the 4th step up in order to get to 5th step and so on. I am happy with the outcome but if to do again I would try a more complicated fold.

OUGD504 - My Design Process - Further Development

For further development I applied some of the feedback I received from my peers. The areas in which were either improved or slightly adjusted was colour, layout and a grid system. The colour I previously applied was rather clinical as it looked like it belonged to a medical centre, So by bringing a neutral colour to the design wouldn't take too much focus and would give a balance between the numbers as they're the main focal point, giving the eye direction. For the type placement it just wasn't effective enough for the eye, in the sense of it not being an easy read. As for applying a grid system it has made it more symmetrical for each side of the page, giving it that professional look.

OUGD504 - My Design Process - Feedback

• Brighter colours or colour stock would look good.
• Nice illustrations, maybe add colour to them or colour to the numbers, the blue looks quite clinical.
• I like the use of colour to divide the sections, but i would like to see more contrast
• I think its a clear well ordered design. just lacks a bit of impact which could come from stronger colours.
• Maybe something to signify it continues onto the back.
• I think you need to strengthen your illustrations, maybe develop the shapes and thicken the lines just experiment. Also consider a strong grid system for your layout.
• The order is good, makes it easy to follow step by step.
• Constant flow between each step would look good, arrows etc.

The bold text is what changes I made that helped improve my design, as for the others I tried but didn't work as it took away the simplicity and for colour it distracted a consistent reading flow.

Overall the feedback received allowed me to bring a consistent flow of direction to my final outcome. 

OUGD504 - My Design Process - Development

From the research gathered I then began to assemble my ideas together and apply layout & structure, I simply wanted to base my idea on the 7 different icons, keeping it to the bare minimum. Bringing the numbers to a 130pt size to emphasise the stages an to create a consistent flow. The colour scheme also works well but I feel it could improve. The type arrangement doesn't really work as well which I realised once completed, this was because I hadn't used a grid system properly within the construction of the leaflet, as the type alignment wasn't easy to read. The icons, typeface and the colour separation of each stage is the most strongest area of my leaflet. Personally liking the design because this fold has an interesting way of seeing the stages on the other side of the page. That being pushing up the 4th step bringing you to 5, 6 and 7. At first my peers couldn't quite figure it out so from the feedback gathered I was advised to place arrows to create a sense of direction.