DESIGN CONTEXT: September 2010

Bluszcz Magazine

" The magazine's content focuses on short stories and short articles by Poland's popular writers. A magazine intended strictly for reading should not disconcentrate the reader with unnessasary graphical content.
The magazine is ment to be mostly typographically "illustrated", making the wriiten word a key player. "

While I appreciate the bespoke design and the creative use of layout and type. I do not think their rationale is met by the project. They mention that it is intended STRICTLY for reading and that the graphical content should not dis..dis..conce... distract the reader.

However just from looking at these spreads I would say that it does indeed distract. However in a few of these spreads such as the 'S' spread, I think the type content has remained fully legible and in fact the 'S' is gentle and flows with the composition of the page. So perhaps the designer should have taken a look at the most successful layout ideas and worked further on them. Instead of creating what looks like several bizarre attempts to make the page funky.

Designer
Joanna Tyborowska

Re-released

This great thing about re-released films, books...etc is that the second time around, (when done properly) they are usually awesome. Here is a good example of that. t had previously given me the idea of creating a set of re-released albums all under one record label. This then turned into book design with the same idea in mind. However There are a few other briefs I have written which have taken priority and this idea has fallen to the side.

But this idea doesn't have to be neglected all together. This could become a side project of mine. An ongoing brief which involves a strict set of constraints and requires a quick turn around. Perhaps designing one of the set one day out of the week, for say, 8 weeks. It would be good practice, good fun and look great in a portfolio.

Jazz Editorial

I dont think much need be said about this...it is simply stunning.
Winner of the TDC56 Certificate of Typographic Excellence by the Type Directors Club, for their newspaper sized publication for the 2009 Guimaraes Jazz event.

Their goal was to create a classic revival, with 'rigourous' typography and interesting details that would contrast with the energetic handmade poster graphics. This idea of contrast is clearly the magic touch. I have always wanted to create something ornamental, but fundamentally typography driven. However, finding the right moment and also an appropriate subject has been the problem.

Now however, through the negotiated briefs there is a chance to develop something special. This will be my most passionate brief, it will have to be perfect. My other briefs fulfil the needs of the course, this brief is for me. I just really want to do thus. But I need to come to a conclusion as to what the content will be. Where will the research begin and how will this lead to a full publications worth of content.

All to think about now. In fact, having just thought about it, what I need to do is find a cause which potentially needs a publication like this produced. Now I need to find them.

Designers
Atelier Martino & Jana

The Sanahunt Times

I really admire the experimental typography within this editorial, it is not that is ground breaking or revolutionary. BUt there are certainly some anti-conformist design decisions. Such as the obvious neglect of the grid by some elements, contrasted by the super ordered type, which sits within the grid and never strays.

Working with photography and type can be very hard, especially when the photographs are not bespoke to the format you are working in. One of my briefs will directly involve working with photography within an editorial. The subject currently is Adventures and Hobbies, but this is flexible and needs to be fully established.

Bike Design / Promotion

These designs are from the 'I Love Dust' team. They also love bikes, and a lot of their work revolves around them. Here they are promoting a series of promotional and awareness events for bike riders of all sorts. Their tone is all about passion, creativity and the love of the bike.

This is exactly what I want to achieve for my possible negotiated brief for 'Raleigh.' However the idea of promoting a hosted event had not occurred to me. A chance for cyclists to all turn up in one place for a cycle and an opportunity to have a look at the aesthetics of bicycles and become actively enthusiastic about them.

This has given me the idea of creating the promotional material for the annual Leeds Bike Week. It includes a range of cycle routes around Leeds and the surrounding areas for all types of bikes, cross country and road. There are also workshops for cyclists who want to learn more about maintenance and customisation.

A range of promotional material for this could be a starting point for a larger potential brief. Other considerations could be for Raleigh to the the sponsors of the event, or perhaps a more immediately local bike factory. This could then draw the range across the promotion of the event to my initial idea of a refreshed identity of a bike company as well as their own promotion and possibly packaging solutions for their products.

Shooting an Identity

This style of adding a lifestyle or adding physical character to an identity is a great way of self promoting yourself and pitching an identity to a client. They can instantly make the connection between their company and the work you have produced for them.

I think it instantly solidifies the brand and gives it a real presence. It would also be a good way to incorporate photography into a project. Of course, the objects themselves have nothing to do with the work you have produced, but it is all about the image and making it as clear and as justified as possible.

This may turn out to be very relevant when it comes to shooting the final identity packages for my foreign foods in Leeds brief.