Final Boards

Open publication - Free publishing

Open publication - Free publishing

Open publication - Free publishing

Open publication - Free publishing

Open publication - Free publishing

Open publication - Free publishing

EYOS - I'm glad I didn't get it. (let me explain)

So, results are back.. and I didn't get it. In a way, I'm quite happy about that.. let me explain myself.

With my final designs I was personally happy with what I produced, but wether or not it nailed exactly what the college was about in terms of tone and design.. in that respect, thats not really my design practice, is it? I find my design work enjoyable, and other people do too.. but not in this case, I could of attempted something that is very high-end glossy visuals with delicate type and dare I say it pretentious layout, which looks largely really nice but not what I'm about. I gained so much from this particular piece of work in terms of sticking with ideas, having faith in designs and developing work on a technical level meant I progressed in skills.

If I did some how get the end of year show pitch, I probably would be really confused about why, with the level of work being produced, on reflection I feel hosts the college much better than I would. With the scale of work required, if I was struggling in stages with my own designs, producing more would of divided my time much more, and I feel I might not of given it the justice it deserves.

Also - this is just a sample of the work Ollie Saward/Liam Hine have produced for the EOYS, which was the chosen design. Incredible.

EYOS - Handed in. Post-thoughts.

Post thoughts of the End of year show.

Well, that was a bit of an experience.. with work that is potentially live, I need to/have get over the fact that ideas, might not be appreciated, but I still get everything out of it as I can. I'm glad I finished the brief, I thought at a few stages that I would stop and continue with other work, but that would meant time would of been 'wasted' producing work that lead nowhere. The final designs Iam personally happy with, the demonstration of type and colour in this particular style is something I enjoyed when producing the beer information guide and I feel it shows through this brief. Restraining myself with the use of puns, (is cream of the crop okay?) and being a little more selective with colour gives a very clean but fun approach to an identity for a show that could be very serious.

I know of quite alot of work that is going on through-out the course with real potential, so it will be interesting to see who gets the gig.

EYOS - Pulling boards together, get it handed in!

The final boards for hand-in, Demonstrating the concept and deliverables. I feel the designs worked well as a pitch, and although maybe not exactly what the College was looking forward, a good source of development of ideas. View large for a better explanation of design choices.

EYOS - Navigation.

As signage is produced, not all information is released all at once, not to over confuse the user, this is demonstrated through my proposal for signage. Initial signs would display colour samples as the user travels through the college, and when arriving at key junctions or entrances, more specific information is given. 

An example of how the signage should work, so the user would continue forwards for 4 potential courses, or turn right for a closer specific course. allowing for awareness of location, but not demanding a specific route.

EYOS - Go away.

Arghh.

Doubting ideas, feels like a lack of progression, is this the right direction? what am I gaining from the brief? Am I thinking about the prize fund more than enjoying the work? should I stop now with what I have produced? Do I have time to achieve what I set out to do? does the design look like a pie?! is the navigation essential at this stage? Do I want to carry on? Why am I not enjoying the work? Am I happy what I've produced?

Questions questions. Pull yourself together.

EYOS - Additional materials, want I think is important.

To define different courses between others and the key for successful navigation, different colours allows for a clear definition of direction and an obvious placement for the user. As learnt from my dissertation research, colours and words are read in a variety literal sense through shape and definition of colour. To allow for ease, colours have to be obviously different to define their location, something I feel in previous years has lacked. 

Applying colours to specific courses, applying them alone on signage so that users follow colour and not words. Usually when guests attend the end of year show, they come specifically for a few courses, and/or see the entire show. Defining colours allows for direction and remembering a colour for your course means less cluttered signage and a more streamlined approach to the design.

With colour placement, it allows for development of secondary logos for courses and additional visuals.

EYOS - Developing the 'logo' and concept.

Key steps in development of the logo and concept, twinning the logo idea with the underlying concept of 'pick of the crop' which lead to 'cream of the crop', and hopefully moving away from something that looked like a pie in too many stages. manipulating line weight and type placement to develop the merit/stamp idea.

Mixing up type a little bit and combining a stronger slab serif with the design instead of the previously preferred tall san serif typeface. 

More of a curve? I think so.. looks a little more like a crest/merit as intended, gives a little more presence? time to try colour? pastel shades and variety of colour?

EYOS - Translating ideas to screen.

Translating and toying with the original ideas for merits, rosettes and badges as a vehicle for designs and development. Here are the first couple of goes for a rosette which as you can see aren't working to the potential, look a little cheesy if anything.

Too much like a farm/supermarket brand? 

Toying with the ideas of banners, bunting and strips for type placement. 

Close up detail for potential crest/merit banner, wrapping the banner around the crest, working with the curves and getting a natural fit. Even if I don't get the final pitch, my illustrator skills development has come a long way!

Really liking the composition of this piece, line weight needs to be tidied up a little bit, and the circular element is very close to my personal identity, so this will need a little development.. but as an initial piece, not bad..

EYOS - Visual style, what works.

The visual style of what I want to produce, (or atleast what I have had in mind) reflects the development and inspirations from previous works produced. Above is work from the beer information guide I produced for ougd301, and below a few examples (which are explored in more detail throughout the blog) or the visual style I wish to create. I like when typography has a playful nature to it, and with the EOYS being the end/beginning of an important stage in the graduates time, a little bit more of a playful nature with underlying intentions is key. We've enjoyed the time we have had, and we have some of the best merits and talent that are coming out at the moment.

Visual styles suggest merits, circular type pieces, branding/seal of approval.

EYOS - Slight struggle with ideas, how do I develop ideas in familar process?

What with other briefs going on, other deadlines to hit and the development of work towards the yearbook pitches, the end of year show work has taken a little bit of a backseat in terms of work flow.

For a brief of this kind, because it isn't obviously mandatory to produce work, and with other work going on, I feel I have neglected the brief a little bit for what is involved. The brief does have alot involved with the final outcomes of the design, producing all of the outcomes would almost be a waste of time at this point, really the ground work or initial visuals will be required to pitch the ideas. I think this is another reason why i haven't had a full grip on development for the EYOS.. the anticipation of producing quite alot of work when it doesn't need to be like that.

I think getting my head around ideas for the EOYS is to treat the brief as I would for something more familiar to what i'm used to. Treating the brief as more of a branding piece of work as apposed to a full event, to get the ball rolling, come up with the concept, apply to a logo or visual aspect, then apply rules and design guidelines to additional pieces. With initial sketches in notebooks already started, best to use that as a starting point.

EYOS - Pulling together some sketches. *

Initial sketches in one of my notebooks, to get ideas rolling, working with certain themes and a visual style already discussed. Click to view larger to get a better understanding of my scribbles.

EOYS - initial thoughts, whats at stake.

With previous experience and briefs for events and branding, this would be one of the more ideal briefs I have come across to produce work for. The combination of exposure, variety of application (including signage and navigation) should be a good vehicle for what I haven't learnt throughout my dissertation and interests. Producing work to be displayed in a variety of formats and being paid is the cherry on top.

Ever since starting at Leeds college of Art, what I've always really liked about the courses and the college in general is the industry quality, the fact that awards are won, and the merit of the entire establishment. Initial thoughts would be for playing around with the idea of merit, the fact everyone has worked really hard and gained from the experience to be some of the best new talent in the country.

Initial key words and phrases -

Quality assured
Fresh
matured
Award winning
Pick of the bunch?
Finest selection
Best in show
First class
Winners
Hand picked

They all seemed to be focused around a high quality/farmers market/best in show sort of vibe at the moment, but development and investigation will be be needed to nail the visuals, so it looks like farmers market quality and not just cattle.

EOYS - Brief.

'Hello,

Could you tell your students about this brilliant opportunity for them to enter our End of Year Show Design Competition.

As in previous years we’ve asked students to enter this competition to design the promotional material for our End of Year Shows. A great prize is being offered, hopefully a good incentive! A lot of hard work needs to go into the project so students must be aware of the work load entailed and the timescale is covers.

All is detailed in the brief and supporting information attached. If any further guidance or information is needed then please contact myself on the number below or call into the marketing office.

Deadline for entries is at the end of the day on - Friday 18^th March, entries need to be dropped off at the marketing office.

Look forward to seeing the entries this year.

Thanks'