This assignment has probably been one of the most difficult. I really enjoyed learning the program and figuring out how to add music and edit. What I found most challenging was the video part. All the footage is very bad quality as it is from my camera. I loved playing with text formats and sound effects. It is really fun once you get the hang of it. 

This documentary is basically all about a design project I did for my HSC. Even though it is not a recent project it was important to me because I discovered my passion for design during this time. It was a journey that was only the start of something new and wonderful in my life. 

comic strip

I learnt a lot during this exercise. Uniting different aspects of the video such as music, stills and audio was fun yet frustrating. As with most people I don't really like filming myself and If I did it again I would probably just record my voice with different images and film in the background. 

Home Page Design

Workshop PART B topic 6

I personally prefer the first one for its minimalist and sleek design. For an art gallery you want to attract people to the gallery - to do this the site has to be appealing and not over-crowded. At the same time you still want to provide useful information and an easy to navigate site. For me I like the first one. Probably what they both need as well is a home button so you can easily get back to the start. 

Main Page

Opening Page

Z I N E S I T E

map

zine site

INTRO

The zine site I have created is called ‘map’ and is a website dedicated to the artistry and history of maps from all over the world. I have a deep fascination with maps, particularly world maps and could find nothing on the internet that featured this subject. It would be popular with collectors, lovers of vintage items and even students for their projects.

page 1

The Opening page for the website starts with a plain white background. And quickly the word map appears gradually in script form as if it is being formed right then and there. The image of the world drops down from the string at the end of the ‘p’ and starts spinning, Surrounding the world is the slogan “the number one site for map lovers”. Meanwhile in the background Frank Sinatra singing “I’ve got the world on a string” becomes the soundtrack for the site. Viewers can then click on the word ‘map’ or the image of the world to enter the site. 

page 2

The main site page is also a plain white background, featuring type headings and simple map imagery. Your have the bar up the top to take you to various pages such as ‘modern’ or ‘vintage’ maps’. Located on the left is a search engine, enabling site viewers to search for something specific. In the main body section of the site shows the weekly/monthly features (that would be updated). This includes recent articles, the gallery and the dictionary. On the left is a bar that enables you to go home, research and download. 

workshop part 1 - Perpective

What I found most interesting about this article is the creative lengths Kalman took to gain the attention of the viewer. This was applied in this exercise through manipulation image and text. After reading the article I endeavoured to manipulate the image in a way that highlighted its features – not to overbear and eventually destroy the original – but to bring further attention to it. I did this by focussing on its raw black and white nature. Just as Kalmar enticed readers with his close-cropped and fragmented words – the colours and angles endeavour to create that structural feel for the architecture poster.

Workshop part 1 - Portrait Image

This exercise was quite fun. When I looked at the photos I knew straight away I wanted to use the image of the writer. I loved its rawness and the character in his face – AND THE GLASSES! Love it! I made the glasses a feature and increased its black and white contrast by adding a poster effect in photoshop. And I also applied an SVG filter A1_bevelshadow_1 – this gave it a shadow to make it appear coming off the page.

If I were to get this printed I would want it on rough stock (almost recycled paper – like dumbo feathers pass it on) and I would want the heading embossed. This would be printed most likely with offset lithography. This is because it is for the production of a magazine and this would be the most efficient way.

workshop part 1 - Grid, style sheet & Glyphs

This exercise took a while – not only because it was a really long document to edit but because I really had to think about each paragraph, the words that were written and the theme of the content in order to do it justice and for it all to tie in. In saying that, I found it fun actually focussing on the type opposed to a photo or image and I was very inspired by the readings, especially Venezky as he describes the work of Martin from Speak magazine. I LOVE how it was all hand done and thought through so thoroughly and precisely. It wasn’t just a thrown together article layout – every image and font was hand-picked to suit the needs of the article. I think half the time graphic design is so rushed and breezed over that it can never get to its full potential.

workshop part 1 - logo man editorial

I found this exercise interesting in light of reading the article of post-modernism. In particular, the idea, spoken by Jean Baudrillard, that in post-modern society there are no originals, only copies. In this exercise we endeavoured to create something out of something that already existed. I guess in a way we are creating it in a new and different way but our thoughts have most definitely come from something we have previously seen or heard. Fore example, the layout I chose to do for the logoman was probably the result of previous knowledge regarding format and spacing. Everything is connected – fonts chosen- affected by content of article – which also affects the images – which affects colours etc. The other point of interest was the idea of recognisable knowledge – and anything not recognisable is just ‘noise’. Who gets to decide what knowledge and noise is, such as the article we used for logo man editorial? Are some things knowledge to some and not to others- such as the article. Where does the media come into play? This layout for a magazine as such would play some part in the post-modernism mode of knowledge production. I find it something that would entertain through ones quite strong opinion rather than the truth or something that would increase or knowledge – I guess in this way it is travelling up-stream against the tide of post-modernism.

Workshop part 1 - logo man editorial

Ublo web page

Ublo 3-D booth graphics

brochure front page

This is page 1+2 of the brochure. It opens upwards, showing the rubber circle on both sides

page 3+4 of  brochure

Ublo Letterhead

ublo business card

This business card is designed

with a rubber circle attachment

which, not only enables a unique 

display option but also reinforces 

the logo symbol. the rubber attachment 

can also be folded in half to allow for 

storage in wallets/purses. 

Ublo logos and logotypes

assessment 5 continued - house product lines

TIMO GLASS

Timo glass is a whole range of glassware designed by Timo Sarpaneva. These clear, stylish glasses are specially made for any kind of beverage. While some glasses often crack when exposed to extreme hot and cold temperatures at the same time. Timo are durable, heat resistant glasses that can withstand all kinds of thermal shocks. They will also not chip in the dishwasher. Timo's work is promoted through a variety of museums such as the MoMa in NEw York and the Timo glass is also featured in the Design Stockholm House.

BONO MUGS

These are hand painted decor bone mugs. I love how each one is different yet all are unified. This is fun for entertaining guests (plus no one gets confused with who's is what). They are promoted as well by Design Stockholm House. 

EVA SCHILDT

I admire this umbrella stand because it is both a functional design piece and a sclutpure. Eva uses a sponge (closely related to the theme of water) as a base. The frame is made of blue steel. This is also promoted through the Stockholm design house.

BLOCK LAMP

This block lamp is designed by Harry Koskinen. It is promoted through the 'Design Stockholm House' as well as the MoMa museum. It is a creative design light feature from scandinavia. I think it is a very unique way of lighting up a room and creating a creative ambience in a room.

DINOSAUR DESIGN

I lOVE Dinosaur design. They carry a range of products including jewellery, vases, kitchenware, platters etc. Promotion of their product is done mostly through word of mouth and through their unique packaging and specially designed stores located throughout the city. The design process and materials used is what makes dinosaur design so unique - specially processed resin. Also, every single piece is individually hand-crafted so every item is one-of-a-kind. 

DYSON

Dyson vacuum cleaners are a unique range of household products. It's patented suction technology and design makes it the leading vacuum cleaner in its range- however very expensive!!! I like how Dyson has not just settled with one design - he is continuing to push the barriers of technology to create new and greater products every year. Dyson promotes his products with the patented radix cyclone technology, its unique style and easy to use components. Dyson states "Design is not just about how something looks, but how it works. I don't see a difference between a designer and an engineer, and I don't want to see a difference. A designer should be both." 

 

assessment 5 continued

VIABLE LONDON

Go to this website:

www.viablelondon.com

This is a great webiste. It shows a room in like a monochrome steel grey with all of their products assembled in the corner. To find out the name of each item you just click on one.I especially like the colourfully highlighted coat hooks on the door at the back. I like how the designs think about different spaces. It seems it takes into consideration available space and making the most of the space you have. This is important to think about for the exhibit floor for ublo as well as its overall design nature. 

THOMAS BERNSTRAND

Thomas Bernstrand has a variety of products ranging from chairs, tables and sofas to other random objects like the tree and the ladder above. His designs are all very simple and aesthetically pleasing. I like the range of neutral colours clean cut materials. The only thing i dislike is the boring nature of the website. It is not vibrant and fun enough to catch your attention.

ALESSI

Alessi design has more of a classic feel. It's designs are more varied and it's name is very established worldwide. The one thing I don like about it is the simplicity as well as its clean lines. It holds a more established and classic feel to ublo, whose designs seem to break outside the box in their obscurity. 

MUUTO

www.muuto.com

follow this web address to an amazing website!!!

I love everything about it- the plain white background - featuring only the bold font which is highlighted to pink, blue and green when touched - it is so simple yet so effective. The pop-up windows are very different - because of the simple layout - the products can be uniquely highlighted and featured. In the product collection i like 'the dots' and 'the four flower vase'. I think a style like this would really suit ublo - event the font that they have used for muuto would suit the name ublo as well.

CHRIS GRATTAN

Chris Grattan's philosophy is "naked simplicity and nothing to disguise the design for what it really is." I see Chris's design style similar to Ublo's in it's modernistic nature and clean, simple lines. In some designs i feel the overtly modern/retro colour designs can look cold and uninviting in some respects. In observance of this I will try to maintain a warmer feel for my own designs.

TRENT DESIGN

Trent features in his work a range of table designs called 'Lok'. The designs vary in size, and colour. The simple, easy to assemble system has an interlocking system using no screws, nails or bolts. The tables are made from acrylic polymer, which is durable and weather proof. This design is inspiring for the fact that there are no attachment materials other than the materials themselves. It is particularly important to note for the design of the booth design.

assessment 5 continued