CANCELLEDBRIEF_BONNIEROWNTREE

The brief was to brand a photographer on the 3rd year photographer course. 

I cancelled this brief due to it being a collaboration between Joel and I. I decided that there was no need to collaborate, so I allowed Joel to finish the brief on his own. I did start to make some type for the brief, however I felt that this was not particularly in line with the direction Joel was taking, and that I became a bit surplus to requirements. 

CRIT4

WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?????

That was the theme of todays crit. We presented our work an then we had to discuss why we were doing each brief. This really made some people think, and it had me thinking about my practice and the context of each brief that I do. This made me feel that some of my briefs have been wasted, and that I need to take action to cancel some of them.

As a designer, one of the most important things is to remain true to the context of your work, whether this be in the subject matter, the sector, or medium in which you work. Having this crit has enabled me to not only reflect on what I have done, but actively think about each thing that I am going to do. When I take a brief on I need to ask myself if the context and the content is right for me.

CANCELLEDBRIEF_BEACONS

The brief to make an installation at Beacons was a brief I did not plan on cancelling. As I started the brief, I questioned its value to my practice, and I could not see a place for it. While I am interested in installation, this was not strictly making an installation. I did not feel that a proposal for something like this would ever see reality, and I could not see the value in the brief.

CANCELLEDBRIEF_EASTPAK

I was rather irritated that I cancelled the Eastpak brief. The brief started as a collaboration, however I found that as the brief went on. Joel and I had very different views about where the brief should go. After realising that I was only doing the brief to win a competition, I decided that this was not a good motivation for my practice. 

LCM_DEVELOPMENT

What direction did I take?

The direction taken would be a juxtaposition of old and new as per Leeds College of Music’s guidelines of ‘classical innovation’. The direction taken would be drawn from our concept of combining the ages of the institutions and giving each a visual representation on the poster. Modern typography taken from the era where Leeds College of Music was conceived, and the Art Deco flamboyance from the period that Steinway was established. The direction became a mash of two completely different worlds, the organic and the machine led.


What influenced me?

I was influenced by swiss typography found in the Knoll posters by NB studio and more prominently in the modernist period... This means Muller Brockman. I looked at the work of Studio Mirko Borsche who have worked frequently with classical music, and I was particular drawn in by the work of Studio Dumbar that created a variety of posers created for a classical event, consequently. It was exceptionally coincidental that our own poster concept could be seen in a very similar visual execution as a professional studio. Great minds think...


Why did I take this direction?

I took this direction because this was the direction where the concept led. This was a very concept driven process where we determined a concept and then produced a visual that fit perfectly within the concept. I am sure there could have been more visuals as possibilities but the subtle suggestion of these two era’s seemed a fitting visual metaphor.


How did I develop the brief?

Developing the brief from outset was a long line of potential possibilies for concepts. Once the copy was determined and the overall standpoint on the problem was developed, it was very quick to determine a visual direction, and produce the art work. The development of the visuals took a an extensive but quick process of thumbnailing and layout. the typography took a while to finalise as it was a mixture of type and illustrative manipulation. After this the poster was screenprinted, on som bespoke Curious Skin Absynthe stock.


What problems did I have?

The layout took a few attempts to perfect (all attempts can be seen on my blog). The issue was maintaining and ensuring legibility over the illustration. We really wanted a flow to the illustration that spanned the whole format, however compromises had to be made due to the registration needed for the print.

We ordered some bespoke stock that was very bright green for our spring time aesthetic, and the stock, although made for screen print, was untested. The prints took a while to dry, and so the print process took some unaccounted for time.


Was it successful?

Overall the client, being the Leeds College of Music marketing department, were exceptionally happy with the result, going as far as calling it a ‘sterling effort’. The prior research of expectations and the thorough grounding of the concept led to a more convincing and strong visual than anything put forward to them by previous students. A lot of time and effort was put into this brief and it was certainly successful. There were some slight registration issues, but the overall product was perfect for the context. I very much enjoyed working on the brief, and for this particular client.

SECRET7_PROJECT

What did I do?

With all honesty, the research for this brief was not massively indepth. Infact, it was not particularly necessary research I conducted. I was very aware of the band, the song, the intention, context, and movement that the music was involved in, so I did not particularly need to looking this too much. I did however look into the artwork for the band, as I could not recollect this. I also looked into the way that fan art, alternative artwork, and parodies can completely alter the perception of the subject matter.


Why did I do it?

I looked into the original band artwork as I wanted to steer away from the look that the band had originally created. I looked into the way people create alternative artwork, as I feel it really says something about the individual, and their own reading into a particular subject matter. The South Park parody has been a favourite of mine for a while, and I recalled this when thinking about the brief, and creating an alternate feel for a piece of popular culture. Similarly the posters above it play with and completely avert the content they represent.


What more could I have done?

I guess if this was a serious vinyl sleeve brief I could have done a lot of primary research into the fan base, which is what I image Love did when they branded One Direction. However, this is a far more personal brief, with my own personal intentions and rationale. I really felt this brief was for me to take as my own, and for me to make into whatever I wanted. In reality I am aware that the context of this brief is a no-goer, unless I can turn myself into the next Kate Moross over the next couple of months. 

What direction did I take?

I took the direction of a sulltry and sexy mood with plenty of innuendo juxtaposed with a touch of confident class through reduction. I think that decsribes it perfectly so I will leave it there.


Why did I take this direction?

I took this direction because I felt it was the direction that I needed to take this brief in order for it to satisfy my intention for doing it. I felt the song suggests so much, and it is done in such a raucous manner to the extent where the only answer for an ironic aesthetic is to take it in the direction I did.


What influenced me?

I was influenced by stereotypically feminine colour palettes, smutty visuals, parody, and sexy photography. I liked the way that a combination of these things can be very suggestive and I wanted to play on all of these within the vinyl cover.

How did I develop the brief?

During my research and design direction stages it became very clear what I needed to do. I had the idea in my head and I merely drew one variation, as that is all it needed. I sometimes think it would have been better to submit my development drawing, as the representation is suitable misleading in itself.


What problems did I have?

The only problems I had were taking a good photo. A suitable amount of photoshop was needed, but other than that the problems were minimal.

It goes without saying, that briefs done for the self, have an immediate level of blind satisfaction. No particular problem is answered and it means that the number of problems that arise are minimal. This is a habit that needs to be regulated, as in industry briefs are never really done for the self, unless one has the privelage of working for oneself.


Was it successful?

Once again, it was successful for me. However, as I submitted it to the SECRET 7” exhibition the only real way it would be successful is if I it got chosen to be exhibited and subsequently sold. Both of which the design achieved.