Advertise a Bland Product

Hehehehehe... Rock.

It would a genuine shame if there was no pun included in this lovely little project!

So why the hell not!? I might as well, I wanna have a bit of fun with this project, If I am to advertise a bland product might as well make it pretty interesting! So, for my initial, I was assigned the rock... what do I do with said item?

PUN THE HELL OUT OF IT

Bold? Why not get BOULDER?

Don't get high, Get STONED?

ROCK... Don't roll?

OMG I HAVE IT......

I DO NOT HAVE TO EXPLAIN MYSELF.

Type face

Not exactly flying off to a good start at the minute, I got the wrong end of the stick when it came to typographic portraits and I got told that I was scared of the brief?

No, I just misunderstood...?

Either way, here is my initial attempt of the brief...

So, clarifying the brief and lead by example from my peers, I understand what I must do and what was asked of me, I do a little bit of research before hand of course, just to get a feel of what I am to do, so I create an emoticon chart, thinking about the emotions that can be portrayed via keyboard type, then from there, I start to get a little more imaginative, using letterforms, in different fonts, sizes and colours to create faces displaying emotion, I realise how versatile art is and how easily adaptable it is to any medium if you put your mind to to... I understand why Andy said I was afraid of the brief, Its all about letting go and even abstracting the letters and facial values to create something that is so simple but when looked upon closer you're able to see the details and codes used within it.

Fair play, Andy.

Introduction to Typography

I do not like typography.

I was not entirely thrilled when it came to this module.

I went out to get a J letter that was 'me' I found nothing, but bland letterforms from wine bottles or from road signs. oh.

Fanzine Part 2

Our sections of our fanzine is done! Here is my submisison(s)...

(Above: This was my double page spread, the horoscope page! I really put my all into it, I know I dont use too much colour in my work, but I thought, might as well see what I can do and just do all that I can, afterall I will never get anywhere if I dont take the risk, so I did, and it worked! I based the horoscope predictions based on the fortunes of the characters in Candide. The centre image is a meant to be Cunegonde.

Below: I drew up and created the front cover, our team was a little all over the place and seeing as my work was done and everyone else was finalising there own submissions, I volunteered to do the back and front cover, I didnt want to make it too generic and cliche, therefore, revisisitng the notes from previous lectures, I was able to come up with this girly! Its a more gypsy version of Cunegonde, the diamonds in her eyes represent the riches she wants the flowers in her hair symbolize the the wilting flower candide sees her as at the end and the dagger/knife/sword through her head is the deaths candide has comitted/been subjected to through his journey and lastly the tribal like pattern at the bottom reps the cannibal tribe they come across...)

I was not entirely too happy with my team, I just felt that we didn't gel and that the communication wasn't the best when it came to work. Either way, What I learnt from that is, if someone is drowning in your team, save them! because if they go down, you go down with them and everyone needs a little help every now and again and it'd be a dick move if they were just left to flounder.

The Grand Inquisitor -Aquarius

Pangloss -Aries

Cacambo -Cancer

The Old Woman -Capricorn

Cunegode -Gemini

 Brother Giroflee -Leo

Count Pococurante -Libra

 Candide -Pisces

Vanderdendur -Sagittarius 

Paquette -Scorpio

 Jacques (The Anabaptist) -Taurus

 Martin -Virgo

Poster for change

'WHATS A SPOT COLOUR!?'

-Quote of the Day

This project, I had to create a poster for change, regarding something I feel passionate about... and heres the kicker, I could only use 3 Spot colours...

It felt like the manifesto project all over again... oh God, the manifesto project...

So, I have no idea what I feel passionate about, until I saw through current events how loggers and beef farms are literally cutting down trees purely for profit, now I wouldn't mind if they planted a seed in place for every tree they cut down, but what really pissed me off was the fact that the animals that live in the canopy of the tree or those who use the trees for food, shelter etc are having to go without because we, as humans don't think of them as important or we just don't care becuase of the value of money? like how messed up is that?

So, I wanted to create a poster in which embodied the sorrow of the trees and its inhabitants and create an eye catching poster....

I collected some primary research in order to work from it and get first hand experience of nature at its best, from there I drew out a few designs, incorporating puns, in order to make the message stand out a little more, the end result came out well, however, If I were to change this, I think I WOOD use colours more adapted to the cause as well as that, make my main message stand out a little more.

Fanzine Part 1

I am in a team, where we are creating a fanzine for 'Candide' by Voltaire, we all (as far as I know) read the book... How messed up is it though, like, come on, what even is going on in that place, Voltaire mate, stop.

I do not know how to feel and I do not know where I stand with it to be frank. It is a very strange huddle of words and not the good kind of strange either. ANYHOO.

Together, via meet ups and conversations through social media, we have decided who is doing what regarding the fanzine and I am happy to say I AM DOING THE HOROSCOPE PAGE EEKS.

For this however, I will need to think about the style and the personas of the chracters to the zodiac.. so this should be 'fun'. 

Final Book Covers!

I have spent so long on the covers that I am literally trying to make it flawless, but in doing that I feel like I am overworking it, and it DOES NOT HELP THAT MY BEDROOM LIGHT DECIDES IT WANTS ME TO HAVE A RAVE AND WONT STOP FLICKERING OH MY LORD, MAKE IT STOP.

I AM IN THE KITCHEN WITH MY LAPTOP, DOING UP THESE COVERS AND MY FLATMATES ARE GETTING DRUNK. WHAT DO I DO.

Here, is what I have to present...

The first two, I wanted to modernize the concept of The War of the Worlds, by making it a little more stylized and contemporary, applying hidden meaning to one section of the cover and using colours and shapes to make it visually appealing, The last 3 are more bold and to me, I think quite dated...

The 3rd reminded me a little of Saul Bass, and I didn't like that too much, because although I amy have taken inspiration from an artist, I like to put my own spin on it, so its obvious to tell that I have done it and that I'm not ripping off another artists, which is why I wasnt too fond of it.

The Last two were good however, I had feedback that the legs were too skinny and that hypothetically, the tripod would fall? -Okay, critisism where crit is due, fair play... however, its Sci Fi? Like you're going to get an object from space that makes sense? In the adapation, in the film the legs are bandy and skinny little things.. I didn't really understand why that was said, considering the genre and all.. but, everyone is entitled to their own opinion and I can take it on board and at the very least do a mock up of fatter legs or something, so at least it gives me options.

In the end I chose to go with this one.

I applied a spine and back cover, and to me, I like it. But if I were to do anything differently the next time I do it, I will experiment with more colour/work in more hand drawn design elements.

Steampunk Skunk

Oh hello! This sounds like it could be a lot of fun....

However, do I want to do something past generic, or do I want to experiement and put what I have learnt from previous lectures to use?

OPTION B OF COURSE!

I have started to really push myself and not worry about how bad or good my work looks while i'm in my first year of Uni, because so long as I put my all into it, challenge myself and use the knowledge I have absorbed through lectures and transfer those skills through my drawings, then I am a happy bee! Because the feedback I get back, will only help me improve my work and can only better my understanding of what I already know or am yet to!

So, lets do this thing! Here is the end result...

My 'steampunk skunk' I wanted to use the elements that make up steampunk in my design without slaving to the generic concept of it, as well as that I wanted to embody the feel of steampunk in my design, when I hear steampunk, I hear dynamic, I hear power and rebellion, so with that in my head, I wanted to portray it within a character, and so she was drawn!

If I was to do anything different however, I would perhaps, draw up a male version/refine the lines a little more, so that they are sharper and create more of a statement.

Book Cover Illustration Ideas -The War of the Worlds

For this project, we were given a selection of books to choose from, in which we had to design a cover for.

I chose The War of the World by H.G Wells.

Lets get this straight. I do not like Sci Fi... It's just not my thing, but i wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone and work on something I don't like in order to work myself and challenge what my abilities. I checked out the book from the library and watched the film, the adaptation, was actually pretty good, I thoroughly enjoyed and got an idea of what was entailed in the book, AFTER the film, I read the book, and I enjoyed the book, better than the film... It just had a lot more going on for it, from the description to how its written, it really wraps you in its story line and its like you're part of the book itself.

I went out to oxford and the sea life centre, in order to take images that i thought would help me with this project... nature is any artists biggest inspiration, so lets roll back and use what was given to us!

(Above: Quick rough ups/sketches of how Id like my book to look like)

The Flying Machine!

We had a pretty sweet time today! Got to lurk in the transport museum and create some designs for a 'flying machine'

Here is what I came up with...

You might think what a mess or it looks unfinished, but when I saw all the mech and all the little bits and bobs and nobbly wobbly bits, it reminded me of books illustrated by Quinton Blake. I love his work, how it retains that childlike quality, yet packs in so much detail and magic and I tried to integrate his style with my own flair and personality.. and this is my end result! I am so happy with it! I like to try out different styles, instead always having that pristine, stereotypical quality of a subject... I just like the versatility and skill set that comes with it, the ability to be free and loose and just let your mind wander and tail off into the steam punk world, to create art that is not confined by the stereotype, but free with the elements of it.

When the Oil runs out -Photomontage

We were informed to collect a selection of magazines in order to partake in this lectures task. Which was to create photo montages, under the heading of 'When the Oil runs out'.

Random? But its a challenge and I ACCEPT..

It was hilarious, watching everyone scuffle about with their magazines, doing whatever they can to epitomize meaning and symbolism's with the imagery they have.

Below, is my take on the task.

Eyeless women and the word GOOD being highlighted several times, ITS TIME FOR REBELLION!

Visual Language

For this task, we had to adopt a a visual language from history and use it to create a piece of packaging design.

I wanted to opt out of my comfort zone for this one and see what I could do, seeing as at first I wanted to incorporate Sailor Jerry and Pin Up as my my visual language, but the I had an epiphany...

I was on the train visiting the family later that evening, reading the sun newspaper that was cast down on the seat next to me, I came across the social pages, where its got crude little comic panels (better narratives that I could bloody come up with) that it srpung into my head.

1960'S VINTAGE MEN'S HUMOR

Now, where do I start...

Okay! So i sorted out my research looking at artists of that period. Lloyd Rognan, Bill Wenzel. Studying their style, I saw how it wasn't too rude, it was literally tongue in cheek, cheesecake kind of humor. So THIS was something I had to hold onto when it came to coming up with my design.

I also researched products that used women in their adverts in this perioud of time, and up came Arrow Beer, and damn... They really sexualised women in a 'humorous' way.. don't tell the feminists.

So, I found designs that I wanted to steer away from, to avoid controversy... or did I? In this day and age, controversy and sex sells.. 

I took elements that were embodied in both the controversial designs and the cheesecake ones. To create this.

I wanted to create a packaging for bread...

 (Above: This was the first mock up I came up with, it had the humour, the sex, the controversy and respect/modesty of women, I made sure no face was shown, no outstanding assets were promoted and that it remained respectable, however sexualising it via the bikini and shape. I really liked it... but it just looked unfinished, and looking back at my work... I needed to do something about it, I needed to push myself and my skills.

Below: I polished this baby up, working to my strengths and really putting in the effort to complete this look for my packaging, NOW I am happy with it, from adopting the periodically statement vignette around the text in order to highlight it, to the font and position of the text, the colour scheme and sharp silhouette of the body, from my previous attempt, to this, I have never been proud!!)

 

If I were to do this again, I think I would have to really up my photoshop/adobe skills, to perhaps make it look a little more realistic!

HANDS!

I don't really have much to say about this one, in all honesty it was pretty straight up and direct! It was more honing the skills that you have and practicing..

So, in class today, it was quite nice! Got to draw the beautiful Quynh, work on my figure proportioning, acquire a technique used by Disney and study hands! I didn't think I'd enjoy it as much as I did, but hey ho. I surprise quite easy!

Narrative

Nope. Nope. Nope.

This was by far the weakest thing I have ever produced, once again spending too much time on research and wracking my brain for an idea for the actual narrative gave me little time to finalize my actual narrative. It had to be 6 panels and I really wanted to make it flow, thinking about it now it sounds stupid, but you learn by where you went wrong and for me, in this case it wasn't the fact that I was in need of help, I wasn't... It was the fact that, I need to seriously work on timing and get my organizational skills up to par. But, at least I take away from experience, that if it was a real life job and i was commissioned to do this, I would HAVE to schedule and plan out my hours for research, planning, development, mock up, finalize etc

Lets not, okay. At least one panel is ok.

Right?

No, be brutal, it is not good enough. Too right it isn't. Jesus, what am I thinking. Desperately need to up my game. It doesn't even have colour. I feel embarrassed that I actually handed this in as a piece of finished work? At least I take away the experience of knowing how it feels to hand in something so dire you want to shrivel up and under a rock and just pretend its not yours.

SEMIOTICS, B****!

Yeah, given the question what semiotics are, I couldn't tell you, even if i wanted to.

After however... well, you're talking to a new woman! 

Semiotics, so far has been the best lecture! Mind BLOWN.

People, Place, Props, Pose and Position. Something I will never forget, it is in every design (character based) and you seriously don't comprehend how significant it is until you really assess how much you USE it and how in paintings and imagery, past or present, how prominently and heavily it was used to emphasize important factors in which protrude hidden meaning and symbolism's of peoples riches, status, affections etc.

Uni is awesome, I feel like I'm learning so much and its so interesting. Talk to anyone else about art or whatever and.. they have no idea what you're talking about, but when you explain it and highlight key notes, they respect art so much more, its almost like there's a science/psychology behind it.. its crazy...

For the task part of this lecture, I had to draw out a scene, using the 5 P's and taking what I have learnt from my lecture.

Its CEZARA! 

People: Girl is fierce. She exudes power and confidence. I chose to draw her in this upward angle, as it really bumps up the dominance and alpha feel of the image.

Pose: The pose I made her do made her own the look and really mark up the ego and confidence and power of the image and atmosphere.

Place/Position: She is standing in front of the elevator. I chose to have her in front of it, as it comes across like its hers and its up to her who is allowed in or out.

Props: The poster/header up top is in Romanian, I have no idea what it means, Cezara says its a type of food, one of her favourites.

I think if i were to change this image I would work on the face ALOT more, as well as that I need to work on the proportioning and angles of anatomy, there are parts of her body that look a little awkward.

BOOK BRIEF!

Go to the library. 

Pick up a book you wouldn't read.

So I did, I picked up a book about 'The Psychology of Play' by Susan Millar. Unknowing what my task was to entail, I picked up a book that I didn't care about and literally walked into the library with my friends, closed my eyes, had a sneeze, anit bacterial washed my hands and walked into the bookshelf. My eyes were automatically looking at the spine of this book and so I checked it out.

Now, me being a naive simpleton and thinking you know i've passed this task, I got it in the bag, nah. I am an idiot for supplying these thoughts, like why in hell would I think that the task would ONLY be to go to the library to pick up a book i wouldn't read. Seriously, sometimes I just don't think or read my timetable.

Reflection: Expect the unexpected.

So, Part two of this task was to come up with a cover of this book, to entice the audience and spark up interest in the book without being conventional, cliche or stereotypical. Which is fair enough really. Oh, and to draw up 30 thumbnail images to go with it and pick out my favourite 5. 

Piece of cake?

Above are my representations of the book, from what I had read. It was actually quite stimulating and dark, I never realized how deep and dark psychology was? Like for real, It was just trippy and not cool in some aspects, but in others it was actually quite cute and sweet? Odd combination, but inspired me to come up with these thumbnails, from how they reflect their behavior or upbringing on toys and people/peers to how the feel they must perform to an adult in order for them to gain attention or praise. My eyes were opened and now I have new facts for pub quizzes and general trivia.

Go me.

I chose these 5 as the 5 that I would think would represent the book and appeal to its audience.

I was freaking stoked with the outcome! I don't think they were cliche or stereotpyical, I USED COLOUR! and hey, not to be biased or anything but i would so totally read a book with either of the covers. Just saying. No pressure or anything,

Nah, I wanted to experiment with the dynamics of line and shape, in order to cultivate interest and appeal to said audience. If i were to do anything better about this project, It would be to work on my steady hands.

Manifesto!

'What the hell is a manifesto!?'

-Quote of the Day

First proper project from Graphics! OH YEAH!

Well, that enthusiasm dropped dramatically, soon after I realized, I had no idea what a manifesto was and what in the world I would put in it.

Basically, our task was to create a 3 point manifesto. Seems simple enough, but what even is a manifesto? ha, the funny thing is... google had the answer. I don't know what happened, I just couldn't grasp sense and fell into a touch of dismay. Which, disappeared fairly quickly after I settled down and researched into manifestos and artists etc

AUSTIN KLEON IS A BABE.

He made so much sense and his work was so bold and simplistic, but his meaning behind the images were strong and literally on point.

So, after knocking back my research and mocking up a few potential point based designs, I came up with my final design, I spent the week researching, settling in and in all honesty, thinking about this whole project in depth far too much, that I didn't have much time to produce my final piece.

I was so happy with it, once upon a time, but now, I can now see its flaws, the text is not aligned properly and the dice look dodgy, If I was to do this again, I think I would really work on the polished look, making sure each element is in proportion and if it works or not etc. I need to work on my timing and if I need help, I should really ask for it.