OUGD404 - Studio Brief 2 - Grids and Layouts

OUGD404

Studio Brief 02

Grids and Layouts

         Grid                                    Sub-heads                   DPS                    Rules & Boxes

        Columns                             Paragraphs                  Drop caps            Folio Numbers

        Gutters                               Images                       Headlines             Pagination

       Margins                              Captions                      Measures             Imposition

Rulers and Boxes
Used to help layout grid systems and format page design before the information is inserted. 

The geometry of ideal proportions - The Perfect Rectangle
most paper sizes world wide use a 1:4 ratio, the golden ratio is 1:6
To make a rectangular layout seen more slender, the height of the main copy block should be the same as the width of the page. 
The perfect rectangle includes an invisible square. 

The Grid

In graphic design, a grid is a structure made up of a series of intersecting straight or curved guide lines used to structure content.

Grid systems are said to date back to the ancient Egyptians, where hieroglyphics told a visual story. They became very popular within the Swiss international Style.

The Bauhaus was the birthplace of the Modern grid.

'The grid System is an aid, not a guarantee.' - it is not absolute, it should be used with flexibility. 

Functionality is the hallmark of grid system design. 


The Golden Section
'cut a finite line so that the shorter part is to the longer part, as the longer part is to the whole'
Transcribing the Golden Section into a logarithmic curve found in shells and flowers. 

The Golden Mean - Start with a square and draw an arc from each of the 4 corners. Where the arc cross draw a vertical line cutting the square in half.

The Golden Section

Place the compass at the point where the vertical line meets the base and draw an arc. Join up the points to construct the 'Golden Rectangle'

The Golden Rectangle 

The rectangle can be further divided to repeat the same configuration ad infinitum.

The Golden Spiral

Draw arcs from the corners of the squares to create an ever growing spiral

Composition

Henri Matisse - composition is the art of arranging in a decorative manner the various elements of a painters disposal for the expression of his feelings. 

In the visual arts, composition is the placement or arrangement of visual elements or ingredients in a work of art, as distinct from the subject. It can also be thought of as the organization of the elements of art according to the principles of art.

Really good case study exploring the composition of 'The Death of Socrates'. (Jacques-louis David) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKhfFBbVtFg 



Gutters
The inside margins closest to the spine of a book or the blank space between two facing pages of a newsletter or magazine is known as the gutter. The gutter space includes any extra space allowance needed to accommodate the binding of books, booklets and magazines.

Column Grid

Margins 
Margins have several functions. First one is the visual, since they provide a buffer zone keeping the text and graphics from “falling off the page”.white space they give an eye break for the reader, even if the text is densely laid out.

They leave the space for the reader to hold the publication without obscuring the text with their fingers. If you are working on some manuals, textbooks or workbooks you can leave extra space in the foot margin so that the user can make notes if necessary. If your publication is going to be bound with staples or with ring binders you will have to leave more space for the inner margin.

Sub-Headings

Subheadings create a hierarchy and allow you to communicate messages to those who scan

Typographic Hierarchy 

Primary level — This is your headline. The goal here is to draw the reader in and lead him or her toward secondary type. 

Secondary level — This is your subheads and also includes pull quotes, captions, and anything else that stands apart and supports the main text. The goal here is to aid scanability and lead the reader toward more detailed information.

Tertiary level — This is your main content. The goal here is to stay out of the readers way. The reader should be able to decide if they want this level based on primary and secondary type levels.

Paragraphs

paragraphs are a literary convention designed to divide masses of content into appetising portions

Captions 

Designers use a variety of different approaches to style image captions. In most cases designers experiment with colors, using lighter colors on darker backgrounds. Italics are used very often, while the font size of image captions is usually smaller than the body copy.

DPS

Digital Publishing Suite

Drop Caps

Since before Roman times, calligraphers have used ornate lettering to help draw attention to passages of text, highlighting and illuminating important sections with the use of illustrative, often dazzling letterforms and creative fonts.

Headlines
The obvious purpose if your main headline is to get people interested enough to read further. It takes effort to read large blocks of text and you need to convince people to make that effort.Your headline can quickly let people know they’re in the right place and that they can complete their goal on the page. A well written headline draws people in, orients them, lets them know what the main body of text is about, and leads them into that text. It’s often the first impression of the page and it has a lot of work to do.

Pagination
Pagination is the process of dividing a document into discrete pages, either electronic pages or printed pages.

Imposition

Imposition simply refers to the way a sheet of paper is laid out for printing. When a file is processed in pre-production an operator will work with the pressman to determine the best orientation, position and order for a work to be printed.  This becomes especially important when printing complex products like booklets, because it allows the pressman to run multiple pages at once – saving time and money.

OUGD406 - Studio Brief 2 - Process

OUGD406

Studio Brief 2

Process

Before I began the practical side of this project I created a digital scale mock-up to use as a guide

I began the process by measuring a block of wood to A3 and sanded the wood. However, the laser cutting aspect proved to be much more challenging than I expected so it took me 4 attempts to get the outcome I needed.

Template:

I then created the inverted text in the background. The background is a combination of a description of the film and a list of items in the shots.

I printed this and scanned it in, moving it slightly when scanning, to suggest movement. The result is lo-fi which suits the feel of the film. I then inverted the colours to create a positive for screen printing. The wood will show through the letters as they will be blacked out. The typeface chosen is Open Sans Condensed Bold. The type needs to be bold to make it legible even when distorted. A sans serif type was chosen as a serif font would be too decorative and could have interfered with the distortion. The design is busy so it was important for me to keep the constituent parts as simple and clean as possible, I think this font does this. The type is bold and condensed to leave as little empty space as possible and make the writing easier to read once the colours had been inverted. 

Experiments with screen printing and laser cutting:

The negative space in the screen print is blue to represent Leeds Bridge which is painted blue. The blue is dark so it will complement the gold foiling that will be added to represent the metal hardware on the original 16 lens camera.

Gold Foil practice:

I learnt to use this technique by trial and error and found the most successful outcome came from leaving the foil till it was completely cool before pealing excess away.

Final Outcome:

Overall I think the design is messy and the execution could be much improve. Saying this, I think the justification behind the design is solid and the messy, unsteady feel of the print reflects the movement in the film. 

OUGD404 - Review and Evaluation

OUGD404 

Review and Evaluation

4A5
- Demonstrate an understanding of visual literacy and visual language in relation to the visual investigation of ideas and concepts.  (25%) 

Visual literacy is the ability to interpret, negotiate, and make meaning from information presented in the form of an image, extending the meaning of literacy, which commonly signifies interpretation of a written or printed text. 

The visual language is a system of communication using visual elements.

The relationship between the photo of Leeds and the colour swatches in the pantone book. Colours from the photo were taken and carried forward throughout the design. My understanding of visual literacy and language is shown in my design decision. To show this I will document the variations of the designs and there progression. 


4B5
- Identify and Evaluate individual creative concerns in relation to set problems and graphic design contexts. (25%)

Add more research to blogs - especially poster blogs.
Josef Alber / Marber Grid / IKB / Colour Grid


4C5
- Develop and present a body of work that demonstrates the ability to practically investigate and apply identified design principles to specific problems. (25%)

Pantone and IKB booklets need to be re-designed but the information for the context is fine. The Marber covers and time line need to be recorded. 


4D4
- Effectively communicate informed opinions and critical awareness through appropriate methods of documentation, reflection and self-evaluation. (25%)

Documentation through blogs, physical pieces and design boards.

OUGD406 - Studio Brief 2 - Final Idea

OUGG406

Studio Brief 2

After much frustration and a short existential crisis I decided to approach Ben for guidance with this project.


This main idea centres around the 16 lens camera.

I will laser cut the lens of the camera out of ply wood. This should give a feel for the camera itself as it is a large wooden box.

I will then screen print a description of the film of Leeds Bridge onto the wood, the description will include what is seen in the film as well as the date the film was made. I will invert this in dark blue to represent the colours of Leeds Bridge.

Finally I will use gold foil for the hardware on the front of the camera.

OUGD406 - Studio Brief 2 - Ideas Crit

OUGD406

Studio Brief 2 - Ideas Crit

Idea 1
Leeds Bridge Details.

An illustration that focuses on the details of the Leeds bridge. However this does not convey the story of Louis Le Prince and his first film. 


Idea 2
Movement

A selection of screen shots from the film to highlight the movement within the film. The images are poor quality therefore it is difficult to see the movements and specific details. The colour choice are not justified.


Idea 3
Typographic solution

This shows Louis Le Prince's achievements. The type fades to suggest his disappearance. This outcome is too obvious. 


Idea 4
The 16 Lens Camera

This print uses simple shapes to show the 16 lens camera used by Louis Le Prince in his very early moving images. The bottom image uses colours from Leeds Bridge. 

I am not happy with any of the designs I have produced. so far none show the story of Le Prince's achievements or his disappearance in a sophisticated way. Currently I think theses resolutions are naive and I am struggling to build on what i have done so far. 

OUGD406 - Studio Brief 3 - Interim Crit

OUGD406

Studio Brief 3

Interim Crit


Second year's feedback.

We presented our work and idea and received feedback from tutors and second years.

We found that the blackletter didn't convey the fact that the event was an exhibition. A more contemporary typeface might be more appropriate, possibly even using letterpress might work to reinforce the handmade nature of the show. 

The hand idea went down well but it was suggested that they also need to be handmade, drawn or made out of tape like the blackletter. It would be good to see the hands framing or holding the prints.

It was suggested that the hand becomes part of the title logo, for example the H in handmade can be made out of the first and last finger. 

We need to make sure our identity is concise, we need to be more consistent with our outputs.

The bright neon colours work well and the patterns work well for the background

The hands are friendly and fun and easily understood by the public, but they need to be less perfect and more hand crafted.

For way finding we will use the hands with long arms to lead to the gallery space and direct visitors. 

The hands will take inspiration from the Byron Burger add campaign 

The catalogue will contain a description of the event, a mini map of the venue, the location and Dates and times. 

The flyers could double up as wrist bands, with the arm as the cuff. We will have to consider what the digital version will look like. 

The gallery space is very small so we will have to consider how we arrange the posters. We could use a grid system that could also be applied to the leaflet and booklet.

The booklet can also contain quotes and essays about the handmade.

The booklet needs to be in a certain order. Alphabetical? colour coded?

OUGD406 - Studio Brief 3 - Experiments

OUGD406

Experiments

We began to experiment with imagery, colour scheme and typography. 

For the colour scheme we considered taking colours from the gallery space, from the tiles and flooring, however, these seemed dull. We decided to take a pale pink and International Klein Blue. We thought IKB would be appropriate as it is a unique colour which represents the work that will be shown in the exhibition as each piece will be unique.

We began to experiment with black letter as it makes an interesting contrast against the stylised hands designed by Sophia. We did this sing black electrical tape.

We also created parts of the social media campaign with hands that will count down the closer we get to the event.