Studio_Log
14.10.2016
This was my first meeting with my Personal Tutor about my Sense of Place Brief. Rob, my personal tutor had a look through the beginning of my research; I have started the project by reading into each of the 5 topics and gathering information on artists and designers to be inspired by. I showed him work from numerous artists such as The Boyle Family, Rupert Van Wyk, Richard Vergez and Ed Fairburn. I also explained about my interests, in Fashion Marketing and development and mentioned how Magazines such as Dazed, Harpers Bazaar and ID can influence a Sense of Place through its graphic design and advertising; more specifically Kate Moss for Harpers Bazaar and how the sense of place (New York) is heavily impactful in the work. I also demonstrated that I had started my primary research, taking images in and about Leeds, Newcastle, York and Manchester. Rob seemed to like the direction of the project; he advised me that I could possibly look at Kate Moss further and how this art direction can be contrasted to different location photography. He also mentioned very brief final ideas such as a 'Men of Huddersfield' book that would compare all the different stereotypical men of Huddersfield in a uniquely designed advertisement for example. I also mentioned about my love for collage graphics and he recommended further designers to research that similarly to Richard Vergez, look at place as a feature within their designs.
Reflecting upon the first meeting I decided that I have to focus now on my primary research; completing experimental processes and tasks that will help me work in the style of my chosen artists as well as create my own narrative process that should inspire my work to refine itself. I am also going to go to the University Library to gather inspiration from other sources relevant to my work on sense of place. Another objective of mine is to actually stick the work into my concertina sketchbook using an effective and artistic layout that will make my book stand alone as a piece of artwork.
Action Plan;
1. Stick in my completed secondary research so far before the next meeting using an effective layout
2. Research further into the list of artists and ideas given to me
3. Browse the Library and rent out two books or magazines that will help towards the narrative process of my work
4. Complete 4 Collage Photoshop pieces in the style of Richard Vergez that will then allow me to research into further collage artists given to me
5. Research further into Kate Moss and how place plays a vital role in art direction; link to graphic design and advertising rather than photography.
21.10.2016
Today was my second meeting with Rob about my Sense of Place Project. I had gone away and worked on the ideas we had discussed previously. It was mentioned to me that this first initial layout of my work was good and effective and I was advised to keep a consistency with the layout as it runs through my book. Even though the annotation isn't stuck in yet, the quality is good and all links to sense of place. I had experimented with photoshop and collage and even created hand made collage pieces looking heavily into texture, composition but most importantly place. I have also gone away and focused more on graphic design marketing of fashion products compared to the photography side, and found some very interesting Comme Des Garcon advertising campaigns that use place effectively as well as Absolut Vodka and 'Pepper Spray Cop'. As a hobby, I love to collect fashion and design magazines and after an explore through many old ones I came across one that I bought in Gestalten in Berlin called Vorn Magazine; in here had beautiful imagery of California that we discussed could inspire a trip to a large UK City to take imagery. This will then bump up the Primary Research side of the project and give me content to work from in the future (for example using architecture photography to be included in collages). I was also advised to look at branding agency Two Times Elliott who create amazing pieces of design for fashion houses that elevates the brand and gives corporate identity, similar to the idea of the advertising campaign for Comme Des Garcons.
Action Plan;
1. Visit a City and take pictures to use for inspiration in your design work
2. Experiment further with graphic design skills to produce more experimental work in the style of the artists chosen so far
3. Research into the work of Two Times Elliott and how the brand art and fashion direction
4. Look further into how Fashion Advertising plays a vital role in a sense of place
5. Use work taken as primary research to enhance further primary research in experimentations
28.10.2016
During this week I have developed more ideas and work within my Studio Project on a Sense of Place. This week at university is Creative Exchange week and has gave me more free time in which to visit places and gather important primary research. I combined research that I already gathered in Newcastle and York with new fresh research that I have gathered in Leeds and Manchester. Visiting many different cities has enabled me to get a broad view of different senses of place whilst still working in the style of my chosen artists and designers. In turn I have taken photos in the style of the Boyle Family (looking at texture and form), composed life drawings in York to really emphasise a sense of place (more specifically the traditional architecture), used imagery taken in Manchester to work in the style of Yoni Alter and created more collage work in the theme of Richard Vergez. This primary research has then influenced me to produce further work about a sense of place; I feel my project gathering a narrative towards a 'people in place' theme. A personal action plan for the upcoming week before formative is;
1. Finish annotation and presentation aspects
2. Complete work in the style of place fashion marketing (working of the research I discovered off Comme Des Garcos and Harpers Baazar).
3. Research further into the field of how place can play a vital role in marketing fashion brands
4. Be inspired by books; scan and copy "maps of the world: Gestalten" book for better primary research
5. Tidy up my sketchbook to make the presentation flow more effectively
4.11.2016
Today I had my formative feedback with Rob. We discussed the good and bad points of my project so far and where the project is going to head in the future. The good aspects of my project was that I had a broad understanding of the 5 main topics given to us on a sense of place and that even though I had researched thoroughly into these, I was finding my own direction towards the end. Improvements was that I had a lot of photography and a lot of research, it was now to focus more on the traditional graphic design aspects, such as drawing, illustrating and branding; the way of me being inspired more in this way was to research in on a particular side of graphic design and work in that theme. Ideas we discussed was looking into a more fashion-forward idea; developing work from fashion photography in Leeds and creating really bespoke and innovative designs inspired by Two Times Elliott and Yes Studio for example. The only way I would create work is to look at work. Little presentation details were mentioned too; a consistent layout design is always effective and the use of columns within text breaks up the annotation to help the person viewing the portfolio read with ease.
Action Plan;
1. Look into graphic design companies who are bespoke for creating fashion-forward campaigns
2. Develop ideas and research in the style of graphic design and communication through famous brands that also relate to a sense of place
3. reprint annotation; using columns
4. from now on work with a consistent layout scheme
5. due to filling my sketchbook, complete work in a separate a5 book
18.11.2016
This week we got assigned our second part of the Sense of Place brief. We were to come up with a proposal by which we would create design work for it. We would have to create three proposals and then chose one which would give us the opportunity to create further design work concluding all our primary and secondary research so far that would be almost like a 'final outcome' for the sense of place brief. The proposal would hopefully push boundaries; either questioning something that is already in force or promoting something that is missing. I discussed my proposals with Rob and showed him the updates on my sketchbook. We both agreed that I pick one particular place or city and research into that. I mentioned how I want to focus on People, Place, Fashion, and Culture. We discussed many ways in which we could experiment with place and culture in Leeds.
Action Plan
1. Decode the Area of Leeds and break down the main cultural areas
2.Complete Interviews with friends on what makes Leeds such a cultural area to live in
3. go to these areas in Leeds and experience the "true place" - what makes these places unique and different (take sound notes or time lapses).
4. Look at iconic Leeds Fashion Brands as these could influence future design work.
5. Look into Two Times Elliott as the aesthetic and skill they provide Fashion Companies is very unique and innovative
25.11.2016
In this session with Rob we came up with many more ideas and we discussed the flow and narrative of my project compared with the proposal I have chosen to go ahed with. I have chosen to base my proposal around the fashion brand MKI in Leeds; the idea is to create a new brand identity that would promote Leeds as an iconic City in the UK for Fashion - the brand should demonstrate its location and Leeds presence as well as have a modern and contemporary look. The proposal also sets out to create new branding and marketing opportunities for MKI that will ultimately show-off the immense range of culture this city has to offer. We decided that as I have looked at specific places in Leeds such as Headingley and The Calls that I would use these as a marketing tool. I also mentioned that I wanted to look further into Anthropology; the study of how people interact with a place. I want this to be a focal point within my work.
Action Plan
1. Research into fashion branding
2.Research into how clothes stores are selling their products effectively; such as visual merchandising and logo design
3. Create quick mock-ups to get ideas and themes together
4. incorporate previous research, maybe Boyle Family textures or Collages in the style of Richard Vergez
5. Compare lots of contemporary and sophisticated logos that work in todays industry
6. Look at the effectiveness of look-books - mainly include photography but are normally branded with a modern and slick design (Rob mentioned the photographer 'The Satoralist' who's work is all about place and fashion).
7. Have a go at experimenting with Typology and Taxonomy - Look Books tend to have a very routine and grid enforcement in them
2.12.2016
Today I showed Rob all the work I have pulled together to try and come up with a solution for my proposal. Using websites such as http://bpando.org and looking at minimalist and modern design I found a Swedish Design House called 'Elvine' - they created a fashion logo for a brand that promotes its place entirely. I have used this as my main inspiration and used photography and illustration to work in the style of this. Using iconic imagery of Leeds and the brand I am looking at as well as other brands such as Sheared Fairey, I have produced a final logo. I also exhibited my work on type and typefaces. Rob recommended to me that I go the library and rent out layout books so I can then start looking at further advertising and design. The book was called Grid Systems by Gestalten. I was also advised to start looking at mock-ups which would really be able to bring the brand to life.
Action Plan:
1. Borrow Grid Systems and other books from the library that will enable me to learn more about how designers use a grid to create artwork
2. experiment using grids
3. create 10 mockups that demonstrate the brands ethos (Place should be shown through this)
4. Look into colour and what colours represent in design
5. Be inspired by Two Times Elliott as they are a great example of how to brand
9.12.2016
This was my final studio session before the next formative review next week. I demonstrated my work on grids; looking at magazine layout and actually pulling out the type of grids used. Me and Rob discussed this method of working - I explained how Ive learnt a lot through this book. I also finalised any extra bits of research that have helped influence this project. I have decided to present my work in an A5 booklet that I will print out and bind together that will mix primary and secondary research. That, along with my concertina sketchbook should demonstrate the gradual flow of the project; how it has started off as a broad spectrum and slowly focused in on people, pyscho-geography, anthropology, and fashion branding that all slowly represents and promotes a sense of place for my proposal. I am now going to focus on producing some final mock-ups of my work; they really do bring your work to life and put a realistic spin on how the brand will work in the corporate world.
Action Plan;
1. Produce a minimum of 15 mockups using all the photography, branding, illustration and graphic design work produced thus far
2. print out mockups, bind them in a separate document to your part 2 secondary and primary research
3. finish off any last bits of information that will make the narrative of your project flow more effectively
4. prepare for next weeks presentation; create a presentation that is aesthetically pleasing and demonstrates the essence behind the project- fashion, modern, minimalism, contemporary
5. rehearse your project
16.12.2016
Today was the day of our group presentations. One by one we all took it in turns to present our work on the full studio project. I was really impressed with my peers' work and thought they did an excellent job on exhibiting a sense of place within their work. I also loved the diversity of the group; one person in my group created their whole project around how Beers and Alcohol can be influenced by place as well as it's design, and another created a multimedia screen exhibit that showcased the good and bad traits of an urban environment through the use of iconography and semiotics. I then presented my own work; I created a very minimal aesthetic with my design, using whites and pale greys to illuminate imagery of work from start to finish of my projects. I also used very contemporary images and layouts; using plant aesthetics and simple line layout tactics. The whole idea was that I document the story of my project and that the presentation would emphasise the overall themes. I created my presentation on InDesign which worked very effectively in my opinion. The groups attitude was very positive towards my work and overall I believe it was a success; "we couldn't find anything bad about it". I spoke to one of the tutors walking round assessing the work and we mentioned that I created a lot of research, both primary and secondary, and at a glance looked overbearing, but he could see, when he read through, that this was due to the book being A5 and me trying to create a harmonious and minimal layout scheme. I think a personal critique would to spend time on the more creative aspects as I feel I have been too far indulged with research. Another improvement on the next project, will be to improve layout even more. Overall, I am very pleased and very happy with the turn out of my first studio project. I believe it worked successfully demonstrating place in a new and effective way.
An action plan for over the holidays is to work on my blog and keep updating it with not only university work but own personal experiences and designs.
This was my first meeting with my Personal Tutor about my Sense of Place Brief. Rob, my personal tutor had a look through the beginning of my research; I have started the project by reading into each of the 5 topics and gathering information on artists and designers to be inspired by. I showed him work from numerous artists such as The Boyle Family, Rupert Van Wyk, Richard Vergez and Ed Fairburn. I also explained about my interests, in Fashion Marketing and development and mentioned how Magazines such as Dazed, Harpers Bazaar and ID can influence a Sense of Place through its graphic design and advertising; more specifically Kate Moss for Harpers Bazaar and how the sense of place (New York) is heavily impactful in the work. I also demonstrated that I had started my primary research, taking images in and about Leeds, Newcastle, York and Manchester. Rob seemed to like the direction of the project; he advised me that I could possibly look at Kate Moss further and how this art direction can be contrasted to different location photography. He also mentioned very brief final ideas such as a 'Men of Huddersfield' book that would compare all the different stereotypical men of Huddersfield in a uniquely designed advertisement for example. I also mentioned about my love for collage graphics and he recommended further designers to research that similarly to Richard Vergez, look at place as a feature within their designs.
Reflecting upon the first meeting I decided that I have to focus now on my primary research; completing experimental processes and tasks that will help me work in the style of my chosen artists as well as create my own narrative process that should inspire my work to refine itself. I am also going to go to the University Library to gather inspiration from other sources relevant to my work on sense of place. Another objective of mine is to actually stick the work into my concertina sketchbook using an effective and artistic layout that will make my book stand alone as a piece of artwork.
Action Plan;
1. Stick in my completed secondary research so far before the next meeting using an effective layout
2. Research further into the list of artists and ideas given to me
3. Browse the Library and rent out two books or magazines that will help towards the narrative process of my work
4. Complete 4 Collage Photoshop pieces in the style of Richard Vergez that will then allow me to research into further collage artists given to me
5. Research further into Kate Moss and how place plays a vital role in art direction; link to graphic design and advertising rather than photography.
21.10.2016
Today was my second meeting with Rob about my Sense of Place Project. I had gone away and worked on the ideas we had discussed previously. It was mentioned to me that this first initial layout of my work was good and effective and I was advised to keep a consistency with the layout as it runs through my book. Even though the annotation isn't stuck in yet, the quality is good and all links to sense of place. I had experimented with photoshop and collage and even created hand made collage pieces looking heavily into texture, composition but most importantly place. I have also gone away and focused more on graphic design marketing of fashion products compared to the photography side, and found some very interesting Comme Des Garcon advertising campaigns that use place effectively as well as Absolut Vodka and 'Pepper Spray Cop'. As a hobby, I love to collect fashion and design magazines and after an explore through many old ones I came across one that I bought in Gestalten in Berlin called Vorn Magazine; in here had beautiful imagery of California that we discussed could inspire a trip to a large UK City to take imagery. This will then bump up the Primary Research side of the project and give me content to work from in the future (for example using architecture photography to be included in collages). I was also advised to look at branding agency Two Times Elliott who create amazing pieces of design for fashion houses that elevates the brand and gives corporate identity, similar to the idea of the advertising campaign for Comme Des Garcons.
Action Plan;
1. Visit a City and take pictures to use for inspiration in your design work
2. Experiment further with graphic design skills to produce more experimental work in the style of the artists chosen so far
3. Research into the work of Two Times Elliott and how the brand art and fashion direction
4. Look further into how Fashion Advertising plays a vital role in a sense of place
5. Use work taken as primary research to enhance further primary research in experimentations
28.10.2016
During this week I have developed more ideas and work within my Studio Project on a Sense of Place. This week at university is Creative Exchange week and has gave me more free time in which to visit places and gather important primary research. I combined research that I already gathered in Newcastle and York with new fresh research that I have gathered in Leeds and Manchester. Visiting many different cities has enabled me to get a broad view of different senses of place whilst still working in the style of my chosen artists and designers. In turn I have taken photos in the style of the Boyle Family (looking at texture and form), composed life drawings in York to really emphasise a sense of place (more specifically the traditional architecture), used imagery taken in Manchester to work in the style of Yoni Alter and created more collage work in the theme of Richard Vergez. This primary research has then influenced me to produce further work about a sense of place; I feel my project gathering a narrative towards a 'people in place' theme. A personal action plan for the upcoming week before formative is;
1. Finish annotation and presentation aspects
2. Complete work in the style of place fashion marketing (working of the research I discovered off Comme Des Garcos and Harpers Baazar).
3. Research further into the field of how place can play a vital role in marketing fashion brands
4. Be inspired by books; scan and copy "maps of the world: Gestalten" book for better primary research
5. Tidy up my sketchbook to make the presentation flow more effectively
4.11.2016
Today I had my formative feedback with Rob. We discussed the good and bad points of my project so far and where the project is going to head in the future. The good aspects of my project was that I had a broad understanding of the 5 main topics given to us on a sense of place and that even though I had researched thoroughly into these, I was finding my own direction towards the end. Improvements was that I had a lot of photography and a lot of research, it was now to focus more on the traditional graphic design aspects, such as drawing, illustrating and branding; the way of me being inspired more in this way was to research in on a particular side of graphic design and work in that theme. Ideas we discussed was looking into a more fashion-forward idea; developing work from fashion photography in Leeds and creating really bespoke and innovative designs inspired by Two Times Elliott and Yes Studio for example. The only way I would create work is to look at work. Little presentation details were mentioned too; a consistent layout design is always effective and the use of columns within text breaks up the annotation to help the person viewing the portfolio read with ease.
Action Plan;
1. Look into graphic design companies who are bespoke for creating fashion-forward campaigns
2. Develop ideas and research in the style of graphic design and communication through famous brands that also relate to a sense of place
3. reprint annotation; using columns
4. from now on work with a consistent layout scheme
5. due to filling my sketchbook, complete work in a separate a5 book
18.11.2016
This week we got assigned our second part of the Sense of Place brief. We were to come up with a proposal by which we would create design work for it. We would have to create three proposals and then chose one which would give us the opportunity to create further design work concluding all our primary and secondary research so far that would be almost like a 'final outcome' for the sense of place brief. The proposal would hopefully push boundaries; either questioning something that is already in force or promoting something that is missing. I discussed my proposals with Rob and showed him the updates on my sketchbook. We both agreed that I pick one particular place or city and research into that. I mentioned how I want to focus on People, Place, Fashion, and Culture. We discussed many ways in which we could experiment with place and culture in Leeds.
Action Plan
1. Decode the Area of Leeds and break down the main cultural areas
2.Complete Interviews with friends on what makes Leeds such a cultural area to live in
3. go to these areas in Leeds and experience the "true place" - what makes these places unique and different (take sound notes or time lapses).
4. Look at iconic Leeds Fashion Brands as these could influence future design work.
5. Look into Two Times Elliott as the aesthetic and skill they provide Fashion Companies is very unique and innovative
25.11.2016
In this session with Rob we came up with many more ideas and we discussed the flow and narrative of my project compared with the proposal I have chosen to go ahed with. I have chosen to base my proposal around the fashion brand MKI in Leeds; the idea is to create a new brand identity that would promote Leeds as an iconic City in the UK for Fashion - the brand should demonstrate its location and Leeds presence as well as have a modern and contemporary look. The proposal also sets out to create new branding and marketing opportunities for MKI that will ultimately show-off the immense range of culture this city has to offer. We decided that as I have looked at specific places in Leeds such as Headingley and The Calls that I would use these as a marketing tool. I also mentioned that I wanted to look further into Anthropology; the study of how people interact with a place. I want this to be a focal point within my work.
Action Plan
1. Research into fashion branding
2.Research into how clothes stores are selling their products effectively; such as visual merchandising and logo design
3. Create quick mock-ups to get ideas and themes together
4. incorporate previous research, maybe Boyle Family textures or Collages in the style of Richard Vergez
5. Compare lots of contemporary and sophisticated logos that work in todays industry
6. Look at the effectiveness of look-books - mainly include photography but are normally branded with a modern and slick design (Rob mentioned the photographer 'The Satoralist' who's work is all about place and fashion).
7. Have a go at experimenting with Typology and Taxonomy - Look Books tend to have a very routine and grid enforcement in them
2.12.2016
Today I showed Rob all the work I have pulled together to try and come up with a solution for my proposal. Using websites such as http://bpando.org and looking at minimalist and modern design I found a Swedish Design House called 'Elvine' - they created a fashion logo for a brand that promotes its place entirely. I have used this as my main inspiration and used photography and illustration to work in the style of this. Using iconic imagery of Leeds and the brand I am looking at as well as other brands such as Sheared Fairey, I have produced a final logo. I also exhibited my work on type and typefaces. Rob recommended to me that I go the library and rent out layout books so I can then start looking at further advertising and design. The book was called Grid Systems by Gestalten. I was also advised to start looking at mock-ups which would really be able to bring the brand to life.
Action Plan:
1. Borrow Grid Systems and other books from the library that will enable me to learn more about how designers use a grid to create artwork
2. experiment using grids
3. create 10 mockups that demonstrate the brands ethos (Place should be shown through this)
4. Look into colour and what colours represent in design
5. Be inspired by Two Times Elliott as they are a great example of how to brand
9.12.2016
This was my final studio session before the next formative review next week. I demonstrated my work on grids; looking at magazine layout and actually pulling out the type of grids used. Me and Rob discussed this method of working - I explained how Ive learnt a lot through this book. I also finalised any extra bits of research that have helped influence this project. I have decided to present my work in an A5 booklet that I will print out and bind together that will mix primary and secondary research. That, along with my concertina sketchbook should demonstrate the gradual flow of the project; how it has started off as a broad spectrum and slowly focused in on people, pyscho-geography, anthropology, and fashion branding that all slowly represents and promotes a sense of place for my proposal. I am now going to focus on producing some final mock-ups of my work; they really do bring your work to life and put a realistic spin on how the brand will work in the corporate world.
Action Plan;
1. Produce a minimum of 15 mockups using all the photography, branding, illustration and graphic design work produced thus far
2. print out mockups, bind them in a separate document to your part 2 secondary and primary research
3. finish off any last bits of information that will make the narrative of your project flow more effectively
4. prepare for next weeks presentation; create a presentation that is aesthetically pleasing and demonstrates the essence behind the project- fashion, modern, minimalism, contemporary
5. rehearse your project
16.12.2016
Today was the day of our group presentations. One by one we all took it in turns to present our work on the full studio project. I was really impressed with my peers' work and thought they did an excellent job on exhibiting a sense of place within their work. I also loved the diversity of the group; one person in my group created their whole project around how Beers and Alcohol can be influenced by place as well as it's design, and another created a multimedia screen exhibit that showcased the good and bad traits of an urban environment through the use of iconography and semiotics. I then presented my own work; I created a very minimal aesthetic with my design, using whites and pale greys to illuminate imagery of work from start to finish of my projects. I also used very contemporary images and layouts; using plant aesthetics and simple line layout tactics. The whole idea was that I document the story of my project and that the presentation would emphasise the overall themes. I created my presentation on InDesign which worked very effectively in my opinion. The groups attitude was very positive towards my work and overall I believe it was a success; "we couldn't find anything bad about it". I spoke to one of the tutors walking round assessing the work and we mentioned that I created a lot of research, both primary and secondary, and at a glance looked overbearing, but he could see, when he read through, that this was due to the book being A5 and me trying to create a harmonious and minimal layout scheme. I think a personal critique would to spend time on the more creative aspects as I feel I have been too far indulged with research. Another improvement on the next project, will be to improve layout even more. Overall, I am very pleased and very happy with the turn out of my first studio project. I believe it worked successfully demonstrating place in a new and effective way.
An action plan for over the holidays is to work on my blog and keep updating it with not only university work but own personal experiences and designs.
