Typograghic Structure

This is the final design from a typographic project to create a newspaper advert for the 'Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater'. Throughout the development of the design I learned the value of managing information using fonts, weights, alignment and structure to lead the eye through the hierarchy in the copy. The use of circular shapes represents movement in dance, suggesting spinning, and the idea of sequence shown by the connected circles. I am pleased with the final design; the contrasting shades, and textured background complement each other well, while allowing the type to be legible.

Editorial Design

This is a design from an editorial project, creating magazine layouts using an interview with a graphic designer of my own choice. Using the title of Stefan Sagmeister's book 'Made You Look', the concept I had was to cover his eyes, creating the irony of him not being able to see, and using the wordplay to communicate with the audience. To break the layout up, I highlighted the pull-quote, the word 'Look' and his name, and inserted an orange square as page furniture. The coloured elements subtly suggest a diagonal vector to cut through the vertical text.

This was an alternative design, which I felt was too abstract for a magazine layout. It has the same theme of highlighted sections, to prevent the piece becoming bland. The conventional column design has been interrupted with an image, creating a large diagonal section which overpowers the text. The image, half of Sagmeister's face, is again an ironic touch as the title quotes him saying he is not 'scared of anything'; the design suggests that he is literally hiding behind his words.

Workwear Design

This design from a project to designing a graphic to be printed on t-shirts, aprons etc to be sold in-store by Ikea. I wanted to come from an abstract angle and move away from the norm in this area. I looked at the De Stijl movement and this influenced my design, using definite directions and placement. The concept revolved around painting and I used the face of Pablo Picasso, along with a quote from him, as I liked the contrast of having an 'artistic' painter promoting domestic interior decoration. I combined hand-rendered work - a paintbrush made from screen printing and rubbing - with the computer, to make a mixed media piece.

This page is from my sketchbook, showing the process of taking rubbings of the metal faces of different paintbrushes. This was to determine which brush to use for the screen printing and later design work. After selecting the brush, the rubbing was photocopied onto acetate to be exposed for screen printing.

Tameside Virtual School Logo

This was a live project for a client who approached us to design for a logo for a 'Virtual School' for the Local Education Authority. After several stages of design and meetings with the client, this design was selected. The client wanted to appeal to a younger audience with a message of 'in partnership' being important for the stakeholders in the business. The concept symbolises a group of people working together, in the shape of a tick, to suggest togetherness and success. Through trial and error it was clear the colour worked best ranging from a darker blue to light as the figures move further away, which allows the text to become the main section.

As the project developed I explored a wide range of concepts and styles in search of a logo that delivered the message the client wanted. Responding to a client who was quite visually literate was an interesting challenge and I had to take quite critical comments on board as I moved towards a solution.

Classic Typefaces

This final design is from a project looking at classic typefaces. Choosing from three serifs and three sans serifs to study, I chose the typeface 'Garamond' because of its sophistication and historical importance within typography. I started by researching the creator of the typeface 'Claude Garamond', and also looked closely at the letterforms he designed and made a composition using only type. I used a large glyph, which I duplicated and rotated to pivot around the 'O' of Garamond to create the centre point of the design. A quotation splits and circles around the vertical glyph, which I think finished the design off nicely.

Carbon Paper

This design is from my printmaking sketchbook, made using carbon paper between the image and the base. I particularly like this image because of the way the lines have been accentuated by the carbon paper, emphasising the lines in the mans face. I was also pleased with how the effect of tone was easily produced and enjoyed using a new technique and an alternative medium.

Intaglio Designs

A further page from the sketchbook exploring the technique of 'intaglio'. I found it useful to learn about different ways to create effects, such as using sandpaper over the image to add texture. I also experimented with 'Chine colle', where the addition of a scrap of material is used to give another dimension and colour. To create atmosphere, I used PVA glue to make a shape and let it dry, which gives the illusion of light and shadow. These ways of mark-making are things I want to incorporate into my design work in future projects.

Film Posters

This is from a 'Film Poster' design project, using pictograms in a new context to change their meaning. This image is a design based on the film 'Rainman', I have merged the symbol of the 'gents toilets' and a rain cloud, changing the head of the figure to a rain drop. There is no use of colour because I feel the character is very simple in his nature.

This design is for the film 'Man on Fire' and is a contrast to the previous design. The main character in the film is very emotional and determined. I have used a dark grey colour for the figure of the man, and a dark brown background because this creates a vague silhouette to suggest intimidation. The fire around the figure symbolises emotion. His tie is highlighted in white to suggest that he is trustworthy in his role as a bodyguard, and it contrasts well with the title.

Cupcake Logo Design

This is for a second live project I worked on for 'Jane O'Briens Cupcakes', a start-up' business making specialist cupcakes. This was a very different project to the 'Virtual School' logo above as the approach could be more informal and fun. The cupcake created topping is created from the letters of the client's name and sits above a hand-rendered cupcake case. After finding a suitable font (Bickley Script) I developed it into a shape that could be perceived as a cake decoration. The two tones of pink lets the design flow from top to bottom, with the design 'standing' on the pink rectangle, containing the word 'Cupcakes'. Making the client's chosen colours of black and pink work together well was a central part of getting the design approved.