http://www.frontdesign.se/
It seems underlining is back in and is fully acceptable. I say this because last year we were taught never to underline things when dealing with type by Graham, however recently I see a lot of typography re-using the option to underline. I think its useful and I agree it is a trend. The underline creates a border/ a frame edge illusion and allows you to work with it or against it.
Sunday 30 November 2008
Research: Patrick Fry
http://www.patrickfry.co.uk/
Amazing website, very similar to the layout I have come up with. The way it displays work and navigation is good, I used a 5 column grid and utilised the first column for navigation where he has used the first 2 for navigation.
Friday 28 November 2008
Assembled: Pixel Perfect
Its 3:10am on Saturday morning. Yes, thats right. 3:10am Saturday morning.
I've been sorting out Assembled comps since getting home from uni about 5 ish this/ yesterday afternoon.
Why?
Because I had a chin-wag with Joe Gilmore yesterday/ the day before, who was kind enough to give me advice and information about how he designs his websites. He was also kind enough to inform me of a term called "Pixel Perfect" which basically entails calculating the purpose of every pixel within your webspace. So effectively, if you were to slice up an 800x600 pixel website, you would know how much space each element/ asset takes up and thus disallowing any dodgy browsers out there in the world to make your website look 'orrible.
So from the images you can see a sample page and how I have had to use a strict grid (which took me ages to design and calculate) which helped put together each page in a pixel perfect manner.
You see, before I spoke to Joe, I thought I had wrapped up this brief, had all my comps ready in illustrator, had my board pretty much set up for print then assessment.
Little did I know about Pixel perfect.
O, and I have some advice for anyone reading this thats considering designing a website.
1. PLAN.
2. PLAN AGAIN.
3. Once you've planned it again, go over your revised plan and plan it again.
Seriously, I messed up the layout 3 times purely by not calculating my grid guides properly. Remember margins and gutters still exist on websites. And unlike inDesign which makes the job of setting those up quickly and rather automated, doing it in Photoshop takes a lifetime. SO PLAN! THEN PLAN AGAIN! THEN PLAN YOUR PLAN AGAIN!
Nuff ranting, its bedtime.
Interest: Nike run by Wieden and Kennedy
Simple composition, pretty much the same assets repeatedly used yet minimized to give effect of distance and high population.
Wednesday 26 November 2008
Update
So at the moment I have been working meticulously on my website brief for Assembled. It should be completed by the end of the week to which I should have my presentation board up explaining how the website works etc with it completely designed with measurements. Then its a case of redoing some of my development sheets and printing out some of the options for the assets on the webste.
FES: I have since completed the FES logo, just need to design and finish the board.
Stop Telling: I still need to screen print onto some of the posters, I have 4 days set aside to do this and so am not too concerned about it atm.
Promoting the Website: This will be a one week brief, just to find a means of promoting and finding ways of getting the website out to the desired audience/s.
As you can see from earlier posts, I have pretty much finished the website, just need to do the sitemap and its pretty much ready to be printed off.
FES: I have since completed the FES logo, just need to design and finish the board.
Stop Telling: I still need to screen print onto some of the posters, I have 4 days set aside to do this and so am not too concerned about it atm.
Promoting the Website: This will be a one week brief, just to find a means of promoting and finding ways of getting the website out to the desired audience/s.
As you can see from earlier posts, I have pretty much finished the website, just need to do the sitemap and its pretty much ready to be printed off.
Tuesday 25 November 2008
Research & Personal Reference: here i am
Stumbled on this website for a graphic design agency in manchester called Here I am.
http://www.here-i-am.co.uk
Its got an interested website layout, 1 single frame, just really long scroll down. Works if you are looking as a client and want something quick and professional. Plenty of bright colours, large typefaces, okay-ish layout but then again thats me, a designer talking about design, not a person talking about design. The information is delivered with very little loading time wasted.
http://www.here-i-am.co.uk
Its got an interested website layout, 1 single frame, just really long scroll down. Works if you are looking as a client and want something quick and professional. Plenty of bright colours, large typefaces, okay-ish layout but then again thats me, a designer talking about design, not a person talking about design. The information is delivered with very little loading time wasted.
Monday 24 November 2008
Research: Helvetica Vs Arial
I found this which may help with my dissertation.
http://www.mimeartist.com/helvetica/
http://www.mimeartist.com/helvetica/
Research & Inspiration: Roman Jaster
From California and teaching at University, this Roman Jaster guy knows how to manipulate white space, grids and challenge traditional/ fundamental beliefs to do with typography. I like the way he utilises the media and print quality. His layouts are unconventional and challenge the eye yet are aesthetically pleasing to look at. Huge canvases with small, strong and constructed bodies of text. Great stuff!
Research & Inspiration: Round.com.au
Round.com.au
The difficulties caused by flash websites for blog posts is a nightmare. So, yeh, there is a piece under their "work" section for the Kids Culture Trust, a map of melbourne. Aside form it being a beautiful piece of printed info graphics, it displays the road where I use to go to school when I lived in Australia. Infact it is the exact road, "Toorak" school, on "Toorak Road".... aaah, good times.
The difficulties caused by flash websites for blog posts is a nightmare. So, yeh, there is a piece under their "work" section for the Kids Culture Trust, a map of melbourne. Aside form it being a beautiful piece of printed info graphics, it displays the road where I use to go to school when I lived in Australia. Infact it is the exact road, "Toorak" school, on "Toorak Road".... aaah, good times.
Sunday 23 November 2008
Research & Inspiration: Karl Gerstner
One of the pioneers of Swiss graphics. Bloody marvellous.
I know I'm digging back into the past and should be looking at whats going on know, but you can't ignore a piece of timeless graphic design like this book named "Schiff nach Europa" (Boat to Europe), which Gerstner designed. Living within the grid. So powerful.
I know I'm digging back into the past and should be looking at whats going on know, but you can't ignore a piece of timeless graphic design like this book named "Schiff nach Europa" (Boat to Europe), which Gerstner designed. Living within the grid. So powerful.
Thursday 20 November 2008
Assembled: Black Dots
Today I gave out my forms to be filled in to dow ith people's profiles for the website. Seeing as I am only proposing the idea on boards for submission, I essentially only have to display a handful of multi disciplined people on the course.
From that, there will be photographs for the profiles will be as such!...
These are of our fellow course mates interacting with some black spots which relate to the course logo of Assembled, which just assembled written on a black dot.
I have about 10 people so far, hopefully netting the rest of them tomorrow, those who do not get a photograph will be given just the blank ones of just the dots arranged randomly.
I'll keep you posted on how it goes.
From that, there will be photographs for the profiles will be as such!...
These are of our fellow course mates interacting with some black spots which relate to the course logo of Assembled, which just assembled written on a black dot.
I have about 10 people so far, hopefully netting the rest of them tomorrow, those who do not get a photograph will be given just the blank ones of just the dots arranged randomly.
I'll keep you posted on how it goes.
Wednesday 19 November 2008
Assembled: Name
Thats the name of the website for the hub, the reason for this is because connotes collectiveness, readiness and ability to do something spectacular... i think.
Another idea was Leeds College of Art and Design Graphic Design Collective, or LCADGDC... bit long winded.
or LCAD Hub.
or the Hive (resident evil... and we're not poisonous anaphylactic shock causing bees)
i think, assembled is pretty cool, it looks good, memorable and nice to work with.
Another idea was Leeds College of Art and Design Graphic Design Collective, or LCADGDC... bit long winded.
or LCAD Hub.
or the Hive (resident evil... and we're not poisonous anaphylactic shock causing bees)
i think, assembled is pretty cool, it looks good, memorable and nice to work with.
Assembled Research: Central St Martins
My original inspiration for the website came from this website, I stumbled upon it some point last year and thought it would be a good idea if our course had something similar which operated differently. The purpose for their site is showcasing the work from students final exhibitions, or portfolio's. It's laid out in a very simple manner, although not as clean as I would have it but there are no technical gadgets or operating scripts on the site meaning everything loads mega fast, thanks to the almighty broadband!
I like how they allow the students to design their own pages, however some of them are witty and interesting in layout/content, some are just boring and careless.
I like how they allow the students to design their own pages, however some of them are witty and interesting in layout/content, some are just boring and careless.
Assembled website Research: Leeds Met
http://www.lmu.ac.uk/as/cagd/
They have some work showcasing on their website like a blog... not sure on the relevance but the work didn't stick in my mind for the right reasons. Think we're marginally better... but how big is a margin? : )
They have some work showcasing on their website like a blog... not sure on the relevance but the work didn't stick in my mind for the right reasons. Think we're marginally better... but how big is a margin? : )
Monday 17 November 2008
Assembled: Website Research
Been doing some research into websites, mainly those which show design work whether it be their own agencies or other peoples, like a showcase/ hub. I thought I'd elaborate on some of the research I stumbled across and to note down some key points I noticed which bugged me about some of them, or perhaps some things which make these sort of websites unattractive.
Where is the menu bar?: I want to know where the menu bar is immediately, literally within half a second of looking on the screen. I don't want to have to run my cursor over a blob to reveal a menu in 6 pt script type. Make the task of the audience easy!
Pixelled images: This regards to a lot of the flash sites that I saw, and some of the CSS/ HTML built ones. It really puts the viewer off when images are all scruffy and painful to look at. If you're going to make them pixelated, make them REALLY pixellated so it looks like its done on purpose... if you've done it on purpose.
Poor Navigation: As I said before, its realy annoying not being able to locate the navigation bar enough as it is, so when I get there is it really any better than its difficult to use? Mouse over areas which are about 2 pixels squared over a large word so you have to literally find that tiny hot spot. Why???
Colours: Why use such horrible colours? And even more so, why use so many of them in one space? It's as if colours have just been invented and you've gone trigger happy with them. Don't. Be clever and considerate with them, my eyes are sensitive. The best sites stuck to either black on white or white on black, its traditional and boring yes, but you don't buy books with red on green pages do you?
Too much on one page: The beauty of a website is that it is on-screen based, you can essentially spread information out on a screen. So please, don't put everything on one page, graphic design websites that do this look really unprofessional and undisciplined. Unless the information you're displaying is really relevant such as the BBC, or YCN for example, there is no need to do so.
Negative Space: Is powerful, every Graphic Designer should know the power of negative space. Its relevant in print, so why not use it in such beautiful ways on-screen?
Flashing image: Are you trying to make me noxious? Get my attention if its relevant, don't just have flashing nu-rave jargon on your site because its "cool" or "contemporary".
What are you?: State, what your company or what this website is about on the first page so people know vaguely if not exactly what you're about. "Graphic Design Agency", "Creative network" or "Top Class Angling Tips".
Body text larger than Headings/ Menu titles: Sounds stupid doesn't it?
Animated text: Why would you use text like this, its like making me read at a pace you've decided on. Unless its for a purpose, don't do it. Its a poor and annoying aesthetic quality. Everybody hates a slow driver.
Gradient backgrounds: This is just a personal dislike of mine, I think it can be very nice, but when used on some of the websites that I found, it really bugged me. Gradients show weight, light to dark, separating sections on gradients is difficult, especially when dealing with text and can easily be done badly.
Look like what you're suppose to be Some of the agencies/ websites looked like they could've been mistaken for medical, dentistry or even estate agents. It makes no sense. Apparently Adrian Shaughnessy explained that the reason for some Graphic Designers looking so horrible is because they're designing for their clients, who rather not see the aesthetic nonsense of Graphic Design websites. Perhaps that is true to some extent but surely there is a healthy medium between the two worlds? Its not like designers read a different language to clients.
So here are some of the culprits I found (There are a lot more, I could go on forever)...
Discript.com
9thplanetdesign.co.uk
Edition.co.uk
Firedog-design.co.uk
Nha.co.uk
Liquid.co.uk
Typetechnique.co.uk
Sherrydesign.co.uk
(Sorry....)
Oh, and these are some pretty good websites I found.
theChurchOfLondon.com
nbstudio.co.uk
studiojuice.com
400.co.uk
Deletelondon
bostockandpollitt.com
iamhuman.co.uk/
Where is the menu bar?: I want to know where the menu bar is immediately, literally within half a second of looking on the screen. I don't want to have to run my cursor over a blob to reveal a menu in 6 pt script type. Make the task of the audience easy!
Pixelled images: This regards to a lot of the flash sites that I saw, and some of the CSS/ HTML built ones. It really puts the viewer off when images are all scruffy and painful to look at. If you're going to make them pixelated, make them REALLY pixellated so it looks like its done on purpose... if you've done it on purpose.
Poor Navigation: As I said before, its realy annoying not being able to locate the navigation bar enough as it is, so when I get there is it really any better than its difficult to use? Mouse over areas which are about 2 pixels squared over a large word so you have to literally find that tiny hot spot. Why???
Colours: Why use such horrible colours? And even more so, why use so many of them in one space? It's as if colours have just been invented and you've gone trigger happy with them. Don't. Be clever and considerate with them, my eyes are sensitive. The best sites stuck to either black on white or white on black, its traditional and boring yes, but you don't buy books with red on green pages do you?
Too much on one page: The beauty of a website is that it is on-screen based, you can essentially spread information out on a screen. So please, don't put everything on one page, graphic design websites that do this look really unprofessional and undisciplined. Unless the information you're displaying is really relevant such as the BBC, or YCN for example, there is no need to do so.
Negative Space: Is powerful, every Graphic Designer should know the power of negative space. Its relevant in print, so why not use it in such beautiful ways on-screen?
Flashing image: Are you trying to make me noxious? Get my attention if its relevant, don't just have flashing nu-rave jargon on your site because its "cool" or "contemporary".
What are you?: State, what your company or what this website is about on the first page so people know vaguely if not exactly what you're about. "Graphic Design Agency", "Creative network" or "Top Class Angling Tips".
Body text larger than Headings/ Menu titles: Sounds stupid doesn't it?
Animated text: Why would you use text like this, its like making me read at a pace you've decided on. Unless its for a purpose, don't do it. Its a poor and annoying aesthetic quality. Everybody hates a slow driver.
Gradient backgrounds: This is just a personal dislike of mine, I think it can be very nice, but when used on some of the websites that I found, it really bugged me. Gradients show weight, light to dark, separating sections on gradients is difficult, especially when dealing with text and can easily be done badly.
Look like what you're suppose to be Some of the agencies/ websites looked like they could've been mistaken for medical, dentistry or even estate agents. It makes no sense. Apparently Adrian Shaughnessy explained that the reason for some Graphic Designers looking so horrible is because they're designing for their clients, who rather not see the aesthetic nonsense of Graphic Design websites. Perhaps that is true to some extent but surely there is a healthy medium between the two worlds? Its not like designers read a different language to clients.
So here are some of the culprits I found (There are a lot more, I could go on forever)...
Discript.com
9thplanetdesign.co.uk
Edition.co.uk
Firedog-design.co.uk
Nha.co.uk
Liquid.co.uk
Typetechnique.co.uk
Sherrydesign.co.uk
(Sorry....)
Oh, and these are some pretty good websites I found.
theChurchOfLondon.com
nbstudio.co.uk
studiojuice.com
400.co.uk
Deletelondon
bostockandpollitt.com
iamhuman.co.uk/
Friday 14 November 2008
FES Logo: Evaluation
For this brief I was approached by my girlfriend’s father asking me whether I was interested in coming up with a logo, for his newly established company. The company is a specialist Engineering Consultancy, an industry in which he has been working within for around 20 years and has a lot of experience. His job is to organize and seek out resources, methods and solutions for mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, control and automation engineering.
He asked me to design something quite different to what his competitors had done, which through research gave me an idea of what I was up against. From what Keith proposed as an idea for me, I decided to try and produce a more designer led approach using vibrant colour, different grid layouts, using simplicity as my inspiration.
I gave myself restrictions on colours and typefaces this is something that I had to do as I know I work better with boundaries and restrictions. The body of work that was asked by me was a logo, letterhead, business card and compliments slip. I went further and designed allsorts of other bits of stationary in which the logo could work alongside with. I think I got out as much as I could with the body of work, realistically within the timeframe that I set myself.
It did take a bit longer to complete the brief than I had previously set myself, this was due to the client response/ feedback time and wanting to alter and add things to the design, such as the back print of the stationary which were originally suppose to be 5 little icons underneath the logo to which I expressed my concern on effectiveness when the size of the logo was reduced. All in all it took approximately 1 and a half if not 2 weeks in total (I set myself 1 week to complete this project).
To document the work I took photographs, maintained this blogspace and recorded my development on design sheets, will be useful if I wish to show my working process in my portfolio. I enjoyed working on this brief and am proud of the work I produced.
He asked me to design something quite different to what his competitors had done, which through research gave me an idea of what I was up against. From what Keith proposed as an idea for me, I decided to try and produce a more designer led approach using vibrant colour, different grid layouts, using simplicity as my inspiration.
I gave myself restrictions on colours and typefaces this is something that I had to do as I know I work better with boundaries and restrictions. The body of work that was asked by me was a logo, letterhead, business card and compliments slip. I went further and designed allsorts of other bits of stationary in which the logo could work alongside with. I think I got out as much as I could with the body of work, realistically within the timeframe that I set myself.
It did take a bit longer to complete the brief than I had previously set myself, this was due to the client response/ feedback time and wanting to alter and add things to the design, such as the back print of the stationary which were originally suppose to be 5 little icons underneath the logo to which I expressed my concern on effectiveness when the size of the logo was reduced. All in all it took approximately 1 and a half if not 2 weeks in total (I set myself 1 week to complete this project).
To document the work I took photographs, maintained this blogspace and recorded my development on design sheets, will be useful if I wish to show my working process in my portfolio. I enjoyed working on this brief and am proud of the work I produced.
Thursday 13 November 2008
Research & Inspiration: Teeside TV Ad
Saw this on TV, thought it was quite a good advert, great execution and very simple.
Research & Personal Ref: Interesting Website Layout
www.deep.co.uk
Stumbled on Deep.co.uk, a graphic design agency in London. They've got a wonderful website navigation system for you to look at their work. It's like an auto scroll, strange yet nice layout.
Stumbled on Deep.co.uk, a graphic design agency in London. They've got a wonderful website navigation system for you to look at their work. It's like an auto scroll, strange yet nice layout.
Tuesday 11 November 2008
Research & Personal Ref: ODD Design Agency
www.thankodd.com
Really interesting Graphic executions, packaging or 3D.
Really interesting Graphic executions, packaging or 3D.
Monday 10 November 2008
FES Logo: Revisited
Right, so following a further discussion with Falconer Engineering Services I have now extended the project by client request.
I have to design an additional 5 icons representing the services of the company, Mechanical, Electrical, Instrumental, Control and Automation. It is so that the type of clients that may be interested in FES will know what type of Engineering services are available as there are many different specialisms within the industry (like most other industries!).
So anyway, I went away and came up with 5 icons which were suggested,
Mechanical - Nut and bolt
Electrical - Lightbulb
Instrumental - Pressure Gauge
Control - Keyboard
Automation - Robotic Arm
All of which were deemed "perfect", however I struggled to think of a way in which to get it across without altering my original designs/ layouts for the stationary and logo etc. Therefore, I rehashed an old idea I had for the Don't Panic poster I did earlier this term and created a repeating pattern which sits across the back of the stationary sheets. It gives the paper more value and the client really likes it so I guess its a winner.
I have to design an additional 5 icons representing the services of the company, Mechanical, Electrical, Instrumental, Control and Automation. It is so that the type of clients that may be interested in FES will know what type of Engineering services are available as there are many different specialisms within the industry (like most other industries!).
So anyway, I went away and came up with 5 icons which were suggested,
Mechanical - Nut and bolt
Electrical - Lightbulb
Instrumental - Pressure Gauge
Control - Keyboard
Automation - Robotic Arm
All of which were deemed "perfect", however I struggled to think of a way in which to get it across without altering my original designs/ layouts for the stationary and logo etc. Therefore, I rehashed an old idea I had for the Don't Panic poster I did earlier this term and created a repeating pattern which sits across the back of the stationary sheets. It gives the paper more value and the client really likes it so I guess its a winner.
Friday 7 November 2008
Stop Telling Me What To (Almost) Do!!!
Right so, for this brief I've been working on a solution to counter this oppression of Organic-ness. Which through my research, I feel is more like a fashionable brand, or another name for "better quality" products. Therefore I have produced a catalog, promoting so-called PREMIUM Organic living. To enhance the level of Organic-ness to the next level.
Within this catalog, one can buy bedding made of real Hay/ Straw, wash ones face with water extracted from roadside puddles or even subsidies toilet paper for a bag of fallen leaves. It's all in the name of fun which is what I wanted to do for this brief, "have fun" which I think I have achieved. I've had a chance t play with layout on a different format to what I'm use to (DL leaflet), and had to design using a style which I am not familiar with (recycled, sustainable or organic). Also, my worst enemy of coming up with content has been overcome for this one, I have generated the copy and ideas through research and imagination which I feel has been an uphill struggle and time consuming for me in the past. But not anymore!
So what I'm showing you below is not 100% completed yet as I am still not happy with the layout, there are some fine tweaks to adjust and with the help from pulling in crits with people in the day to tell me what is working and what isn't. The general concensus is that it's fine, it just needs to be printed onto recycled stock which I have accumulated.
Thats all folks!
Within this catalog, one can buy bedding made of real Hay/ Straw, wash ones face with water extracted from roadside puddles or even subsidies toilet paper for a bag of fallen leaves. It's all in the name of fun which is what I wanted to do for this brief, "have fun" which I think I have achieved. I've had a chance t play with layout on a different format to what I'm use to (DL leaflet), and had to design using a style which I am not familiar with (recycled, sustainable or organic). Also, my worst enemy of coming up with content has been overcome for this one, I have generated the copy and ideas through research and imagination which I feel has been an uphill struggle and time consuming for me in the past. But not anymore!
So what I'm showing you below is not 100% completed yet as I am still not happy with the layout, there are some fine tweaks to adjust and with the help from pulling in crits with people in the day to tell me what is working and what isn't. The general concensus is that it's fine, it just needs to be printed onto recycled stock which I have accumulated.
Thats all folks!
Wednesday 5 November 2008
Personal Ref: Delete
Just found a graphic design agency called Delete in London.
Specializing in on-screen and digital work, although they do have some print.
http://www.deletelondon.com/work
Specializing in on-screen and digital work, although they do have some print.
http://www.deletelondon.com/work
Monday 3 November 2008
Falcomplished!
My blog headings may start turning into "The Sun" style headings from now on!
Anyway, here's the F.E.S logo completed, on some examples on stationary.
Business Card.
Invoice Letter.
Stationary example collection sheet.
Anyway, here's the F.E.S logo completed, on some examples on stationary.
Business Card.
Invoice Letter.
Stationary example collection sheet.
Dissertation
Reading, writing, re-reading & writing some more.
A little trick, if you write out your Harvard Ref. bibliography first, you can use that as your quoting index which will also save you time at the end when you have to do it.
A little trick, if you write out your Harvard Ref. bibliography first, you can use that as your quoting index which will also save you time at the end when you have to do it.
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