Hand drawn lettering

These designs both use fairly free hand drawn lettering the lose and free style keeps this theme of an artistic style of graphics. Both these piece's of art can be seen as graphics and communication. I love the variety of stroke shown in both the lettering and the choice of colour along side the drawings makes the design feel together and as one. I want to look at using this ink/paint hand draw lettering style for my publication about colour in art and how it can influence design.

A mouse's tale - Typesetting

We have been given the task of typesetting the poem 'The Mouse's Tale' from 'Alice in Wonderland' by Lewis Carrol twice once is a modernist style and the other a more contemporary and expressive post modernist style. 

For the modernist design I have used Akidenz Grotesk type face and mainly looked at the layout of type in a formal and geometric style. Putting all the emphasis of the design on the content rather than being expressive. I have used black and red as the only two colours as they are very muted and show the authors name as a important part of the design. I have allowed space all around the poem especially at the top and sides allowing it to be clear and legible.

This second design uses the same principles of the original typesetting of concrete poetry but with the mouse's head, ears and whiskers instead I am really pleased with the overall outcome! I wanted to create an expressive and inventive design that is the completely different from the modernist design. I think that the design could be difficult to read in parts and follow the line of text. 

Paper folding

Paper folding
When designing a leaflet or book how the paper is folded and put together is a vital part of the design process different qualities and styles of binding can really effect the overall feel of the designs. I have been given the task to look paper folding and create an informative folded paper design and instructions on how to make it within the actual design.

This publication showcases a folding technique that creates many various combinations of pages together. The way the designs come together on all of the pages folded out yet can stand alone shows the thought and care put in to this publication. The paper stock and how it is has been foiled and embossed shows the levels of care and effort put in to this small publication. This is important to consider when designing any kind of printed publication. Attention to detail in paper stock can really change the personality of a publication.


I have designed my own folding publication on a technique I am very familiar with and have used before. This is important in creating a guide to as it the designer  really needs to know the ins and outs of what he is informing the reader on.

 

As shown above I have used a minimal and simplistic style using 0.25 strokes for all the boxes and a simple and readable typeface. This is because I wanted all the emphasis to be on the process and make it as clear and easy to read as possible. Overall I am very pleased with how the leaflet came out and I feel I created a design that can be understood and read with ease. This task has helped me understand the importance of paper folding and stock and what it communicates about your work and what kind of impression a high quality of both creates.

Final Designs in Context.

I have once again placed my design in the context to see how they communicate and how effective they are in the context. Firstly it is clear that the text and illustrations seem to work better together and the illustrations seem a part of the text. This is because of the combination of colours being the same and the use of a speech bubble seems to give the animals more life. 

I found much like the designs before keeping the heights and sizes consistent and the same size of text. I wanted to keep the heights as consistent as possible as would become more and more familiar as the viewer moves through the Tropical World. 

The typeface VAG rounded works within the context of Tropical World much more effectively this is due to the more human and natural curves on each letter and the concise readability. This typeface will rescind with both adults and children and not feel at all out of context. This along with the fact each type background is coloured with the illustration and remains readable makes for a much more personal and together designs.

Looking at the designs it is clear they could be made out of a large plastic material possibly vinyl or even laser cut and engraved. I found when scaling the size of each animal that they needed to be at large enough to see from a far yet not so big to be overbearing and distracting. 

Overall looking at the two designs in context I feel this second speech bubble design is much more appropriate this is because it is much mire interactive for kids yet remains clear and concise for adults. The use of coloured speech bubbles brings the text together with the designs and is less disconnected. When choosing colours each had to be distinct from each other and be recognisable from further away and I feel this has been done effectively. These designs add much more life to the illustrations and shows the Tropical World in a much more positive light.

Signage in context.

As shown above I have taken my designs and placed them into the Tropical World. Applying the same darkness, contrast and tone and shadows as each photo and all the photoshop skills I have learnt tried to effectively show how the image would work in context. 

When Alphabet designs showed their work to our class they spoke very highly of testing your designs in the context and the fact you cant test and experiment enough and to go back to your designs and alternate and edit to find the best size shape and scale. I have tired to implement similar techniques in my workings to try and understand what works best. 

Looking at my designs within the Tropical World in these photos I feel tho the illustrations are clear and graphic as they are consistently on white background the text feel somewhat disconnected from the illustrations. As there is not a consistent place for the signage to be placed I have had to look at placing it in many different heights this I feel doesn't help with clarity and how the information is communicated. This is something to consider within the next steps of my workings. 

I have use the typeface DIN for these images but looking at the work in context I feel it is not very appropriate it is not engaging enough for kids and the simplistic and modern style looks out of place along side the lighthearted illustrations. Looking at the designs out of context I thought DIN would be a good choice of type yet in these images it doesn't give the effect I wanted this shows the importance of looking at designs in context especially for way finding. 

Another positive for these design is there not too overbearing and allow the exhibits of the Tropical World to be the main focus in the designs. Which is something I have highlighted as important for this project.

Picking appropriate typefaces

 1. VAG Rounded - This typeface's rounded edges and geometric style was originally designed for Volkswagen because of this there is the combination of both a modern and direct typeface that communicates the information quickly yet feel human and personal. Thus making it very appropriate for the family orientated ethos of Tropical World.

2. Chevin - Similar to VAG Rounded in shape and the rounded edges Chevin is a thinner and slightly less decorative typeface. Chevin is more elongated than VAG that is much more round. I think VAG Rounded is more appropriate due to the larger rounded edges and how it is more immediate and direct.

3. Helvetica Neue - Being one of the clearest and recognisable typefaces in the world Helvetica is alway a important consideration within way finding and signage. The fact it is uses so much means it shows no expression and is just seen for the words shown. I think considering the Tropical World is a fun and interactive place for kids to visit Helvetica is too muted.

4. DIN alternate - A readable and direct San serif typeface that is current yet informative. The slight details in stroke weight and upright rectangular form make for a great typeface for getting information across in a direct manor.

5. Poplar Std - The very broad typeface makes for a extremely direct and informative typeface that is different to all the others. the huge decorative strokes adds a lot of character to the design. I love the small serif on the Capital R it really gives the type personality.

6.StymieEF- Black - This slap serif typeface is very quirky due to the slight irregularity in each letter. Once again it is very different type and is important to consider. This is the first serif typeface I have looked at I feel the type is a too overbearing at takes away from the illustration.

7. Rockwell - A classic easy to read Slab Serif typeface is very iconic and communicates information in a concise manor due to the thick strokes. I feel the fact the typeface is so wide means some words will become overpowering and will not remain consistent.

8. - Rhode - An extremely versatile graphic typeface with a lot of variation in strokes and widths. This medium condensed style is maybe too simple considering the target audience being kids and families.

9. Trajan Pro 3 - This typeface is great alternative it is used frequently for film posters and doesn't look too out of place for the Tropical World signage. The looping strokes and small partial serif's make a readable and direct typeface.

10.  Futura - The circular art deco typeface Futura is used in many different contexts and is always useful to see how it looks. The type is too sophisticated and has too much of a period feel due to the 1900's styling and how it has been used in many classical films.

11. National - Similar to Helvetica and Arial, National is a simplistic and clear type that has many different strokes and weights. The variety in stroke is effective and each have a distinct style to them. This would be useful in highlighting important safety information within the Tropical World.

12. Archer - Designed for Martha Stewart by Hofler and Frer-Jones this slab serif typeface feels quite curved and animalistic. The S's and C's in particular are very detailed and have a drop terminals much like a tail of an animal.

13. Compacta - Compact and in a consistent block. Its bold yet doesn't take up too much space. The type feels disconnected with the illustrations and doesn't make a good fit.

14. Lithos Pro - The greek influenced typeface is engaging for kids and much more light hearted compared to the other typefaces. 

15. Phosphate - A very decretive and expressive typeface. The outline and thick stroke weight make for an extremely appropriate and effective typeface.

16. Adobe Garamond Pro -  This type is once again very different in style and shape to the rest and is important to see how it works within the context. The simple serif style isnt engaging enough for kids and may be seen as boring. 

17. FoundrySterling - A simple and versatile typeface that can be used to many different contexts and styles. I feel for the context this type is slightly too plain and could be more engaging.

18. Orator Std - A much thinner slab serif typeface. It seems to fit well in a speak bubble and is very legible yet not overpowering due to the slim letter shapes.

Four developed ideas.

This idea above uses the leafs of the Tropical World that really dominates every room and are one of the unique selling points of the park. These designs would blend in to the environment and would not seem very over powering and out of place. The leafs seem to work as an arrow yet may need some more arrows to add to the levels of clarity. Considering how the signage can be interacted with and how informative for both kids and adults I think this idea is the weakest of the four this is because the text becomes a little lost and unclear. The directions are not consistent and need more information.

This idea puts much more of the emphasis on the illustrations and the clarity of the information. The use of DIN typography adds to this theme of clarity and direct communication yet this might be a little to direct and not playful enough considering the context of Tropical World. The black text on white background is very striking and might not reflect child friendly and easy theme of Tropical World. Another consideration to take into count is the use of space and how the signage will be many different shapes and sizes. This will add to the costs and how consistent the signage is to read. The text feels detached from the illustrations due to the because they're not framed in anyway and each image and text is different.

This footprint idea has been used many times in parks and zoo's this is due to the how it can be interacted with and creates a pathway route. The key to this idea was creating four different and district designs that can be distinguished between each other. I think this design would work within the context of the the Tropical world as it is one continuous route. The colours I have chosen for each of the four footprints needed to be clear from one another and a clear representation of the different species for example green fro reptiles. This design I feel would be effective for the four designs shown above but for the aquarium area of the Tropical World there was not clear footprint. On top of this I think the insect footprints are too small intricate and would be lost in the park.

This idea uses each of the illustrations as characters that have their own speech bubbles informing the visitors on each of the sections of the park. I have used some of the darkest colours taken from the illustration for the background of each text box this adds another level of consistency and recognition to each part of the park. I think these designs could be made into large vinyl cut outs easily and would work without a white background. I have looked at using a VAG rounded typeface for this design and I feel it is a more human and personal type compared to both DIN and Helvetica. This design makes the illustrations more in touch with the text and looks part of the same designs. This is due to the same use of colour and the idea of each illustration is informing the viewer of the given information. This design is interactive as kids will enjoy seeing what the animals are saying yet informative for adults as the information is clear and concise. Next steps I feel will be to test the successful designs within the context and look at how colour swatches and typography can change the overall context of the designs.