Preparing for the YCN submission we as a collaborative group looked at what James had started on on the submission boards. The language used was exactly what we were looking for and it was a really quick process with all four members contributing. We kept the descriptions really concise and tried to evidence as much a possible the effort and quality of the final imagery.
A part of this process included documenting the work we had created in a photography studio. This gave the work an extra level of quality and finish to the final outcomes. Overall the photography was challenging but as a group we got enough good photos to formulate the submission boards. These submission boards hopefully do the work justice and show a collective of work that is cohesive, relevant and appropriate to the given brief.
Another piece of work I was responsible for was the cards which reluctantly did go slightly wrong, we wanted them to be printed at a post card size but they ended up being smaller than this, this is not a real problem but I feel as if I let the side down a little and the larger size might have been more appropriate. They all lined up really well and the finish is great so its not all bad. Again the photography of this work will be key in them looking as professional as they should be.
We have printed out our posters on matt stock in A3 format, another part of the project that I wanted to help out with and I think it was important to crop them with real care and make sure they have all been printed to a high standard. Re linking the images and logos ensured this level of quality. Once again when they are photographed in the studio the quality will be on show.
These images show the final printed designs, I was in charge of printing them out and putting them together. This was a really difficult thing but was super rewarding.
I made sure that I kept everything as clean as possible. Scoring the sides limited the amount of cracking in the ink another really important part of the process.
The back was designed by James to be really simple and really informative. Overall it was a really great job.
This image shows the cards in the packaging. Showing the quality of the cards and again framing the artwork.
This image shows the use of the white type on the packaging, something that was really needed. Once again simplistic style allowed the artwork to be the focus of the designs.
These images don't do the designs justice as such but this will all be better when they are photographed in the studio.
This shows the size of the packaging, it is hand held and not too large this was key as it couldn't be too over bearing.
Overall the packaging has been really enjoyable to work on and has allowed me to show off some skills that I haven't been able to so far this year. The rest of the group was really happy with the results which is also super rewarding.
As previously highlighted there was a need for more experimentation with the colours of the back, using the four colours that were selected in our colour pallet showed more of a range. The blue stood out as the most effective as it worked alongside all of the proposed covers. As well as being most readable with the back text, barcode and logo.
A more simple version of the cover was proposed and we as a group decided that this was more engaging and create a sense of intrigue for the viewer to see what was inside the box.
More mock ups were created, this was really useful in working out the limitations when putting it together, as well as trying to find a level of quality that was really important.
The more simple packaging without the type on the sides was highlighted as the best choice through feedback with peers. The way the designs translated across the sides was also highlighted as a nice touch that makes the designs feel really cohesive.
Overall experimentation has been key in this process and the final designs look really good because of this.
As we wanted to create a box of cards to be shown alongside the animation and the posters I took it on myself to get the ball rolling with this. I felt my skills in visualising things in 3D would come in handy. As well as creating some packaging before I knew what was difficult and what worked best.
Drawing out the initial nets and printing them allowed me to test out what was needed for the future and gain an understanding of what worked best.
Annie explained that it was important to have really large tabs, when putting them together this made sure that it would stay together and leave less margin for error. This proved to be a really useful piece of advice.
These initial nets were key in gaining an understanding of what worked.
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We decided that this format having the lid with some space on the bottom would be the most appropriate as it most like what we had seen in other art boxes and felt most natural.
Making sure the sizes of the two components were correct was important. The lid needed to be snug when on but easily taken off.
This image shows the colour printed version. its important to note the miss use of colour on the type that is very clear.
We wanted to designs to continue over the sides to best show off the artwork in a three dimensional format.
The back had been kept simple for now and was more of a test of colour. The blue was effective but more experimentation was needed.
The final animated video, credit to Tom as he put it all together really well and has be an invaluable member of the team. I assisted James in helping with the sound effects that really bring the animation together. We made the best of the resources we had for example we recorded the canteen at lunch time to get the crowd sound effects. The hand drawn playful and fun style of the video is perfect for the target audience of culturally engaged people. The type I feel only adds to the quality of the content and all the elements of the video have come together cohesively. We have not been too serious about making sure the 'style' is perfect and sort of just let it happen, this has been great and only through this creative freedom would the results be so effective. All in all the animation has been a great experience and I loved creating something a little different. Hopefully the hard work put into this is evident.
As the painting were being created so were the posters, using the newly edited scans I was able to put together these posters.
My aim was to let the image to the talking, the colours, style and quality of the image was all there I just needed to frame it in a poster and make sure it added to the poster rather than taking anything away.
The use of Gotham type outlined in the Royal Opera House Guidelines allowed the posters to be even more graphic.
Subtle elegance was what I wanted to show in the designs, this 'less is more' approach hopefully framed the artwork really well.
One of the harder posters to compose. But the placement of the logos and type adds another dimension to the designs.
Another very subtle use of typography using the red outline in the colour pallet the group decided on. Once again the artwork being so graphic it was an easy task combining it with type.
Another extremely playful image, the framing and editing of this image was key in the poster being effective.
With this poster I suggested colouring all the white space and explained it might look more professional. However Annie disagreed and now I am satisfied with the final results. The white space gives it a more ruff and ready style and ensures its not to polished.
Again this kind of thing is testing for the group but I have learnt to be really open minded about it, I think this is the way forward.
My favourite of the posters due to the dynamic use of colour and brilliantly expressive image. Another really enjoyable poster to put together and I feel I have done the artwork justice.
When looking through the various posters you can see that the type is almost always in a different place, this was a conscious of the poster designs to be more playful. When deciding where it all should go it was a trial and error process but it was important to respond off the artwork and consider what works best with it.
Another of the more tricky posters to compose, again the artwork is great and is an amazing basis to work from but it was a deceptively challenging poster to create. The area where the large type is highlights the content, the foot position is main part of the poster and has been highlighted through this.
A more dynamic image that needed framing more than anything. The composition lets the image be the focus yet remains engaging and informative.
The final poster again the half and half styling was a challenge but The positioning reflects the interesting content on show.
Overall I have really really enjoyed working on these posters and it is credit to the illustrations as they are what made it. All the group members were really pleased with the results and I was too, I hope that these posters will really work alongside the animation as intended.
