statement of intent by Ceara Elliot

BA (Hons.) GRAPHIC DESIGN

LEVEL

Module Code

OUGD303

Outcomes

Module Title

FINAL MAJOR PROJECT

FINAL MAJOR PROJECT STATEMENT OF INTENT Name: Ceara Elliot Blog Address: http://c-elliot0912-fmp.blogspot.com/ Rationale A Print based investigation of type and image with a focus on promotion and publicity material. I want to explore areas of design disciplines that focus in promotion of events/products. I also want to design for a variety of different print formats (preferably 2D outcomes), exploring the combination of layout, type and image in a unique, simple but also creative way. I like producing designs that are different, I feel Graphic Design is a chance to explore how type and image can sit together in ways that are creative, I feel that what’s I like to communicate within my work. Including interesting type and layout with considered imagery, I feel is a way of designing that I want to be an expert at. I like to have a reason for the way in which I have designed, therefore, I consider my design directions are backed up with a strong concept. I like to combine the effect of randomness with a systematic approach. I have a large interest in the culture sector; I enjoy working alongside film, music and literature. I feel with the culture sector there is plenty of room to break the rules slightly, and I like working from a story/plot and developing a concept that then works with design, from the specific topic. I feel my work is fairly versatile, in terms of design ‘styles’, I feel I am quite flexible. My interests in design vary from purely type driven, to only image. However, what restricts me is how I approach the briefs. I like to produce work that derives from a variety of different medias (photography, type and layout, type and image, illustration), however, all driven from a creative, interesting message. I rarely consider limitations when designing, I am fond of perfection and finishing within my designs and would like to extend these skills further throughout FMP. I feel publications are a good way to explore and then demonstrate these ways of feeling a product. As for posters/large scale prints, they should be highly successful from their concept. Simple designs that are supported mainly by the reason behind the design. Subjects / Themes

Subjects Culture sector – Film promotional material (poster formats, supporting publications) Music – art to express the music itself (through various forms e.g album covers, identity etc) Art – producing branding & identity for low key exhibitions, the introducing of artists Literature – exploring poetry using interactive, appropriate type, image and layout Culture – different countries/languages Themes -The relationship and appropriateness of the combination of type, image and layout -Less is more (the idea of a strong concept backed up with simple design work) - Contemporary type and layout, introducing new ways of reading/writing for design - Using imagery to demonstrate message, combined with appropriate language

Design Disciplines / Creative Development -Publishing - Promoting - Imagery with type and layout - stock/finishing - design for promoting and event/product I want to design primarily for print, and also preferably 2D (excluding complex packaging, web design, information graphics, design for motion). I like exploring new ways of type and layout, whilst exploring how imagery can sit alongside this, effectively. When distributing work, I will mainly produce for print based products, however proposals will be made when considering my designs being stretched across web, screen and other forms of promotion (art direction- large projection, design for outdoors, crafting) Practical Skills / Workshops – what, why and when? Skills I want to develop Print preparation – I have realised over the last couple of years, I have printed expensive prints and then realised mistakes once printed. I want to prep more before I print out final products, to test their effectiveness and also to ensure perfection of the final outcome. Software- I feel I need to strengthen my skills within Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign. I know the basics, and don’t feel I need to know the software to an expert level. However, I do want to develop my knowledge of the software, knowing the cheats, skills and shortcuts to enable me to design quickly and also the best I can. They offer so much, I don’t want to miss out. Time management/decision making – The issue of decision making crops up in my evaluation after every module hand in. For FMP I want to really avoid it, I want to make design decisions quicker to make room for adjustments that will most definitely occur throughout. This way I can develop the brief as far as I can. Time management relates to a lot of issues, including product photography. I want to leave myself enough time to photograph my final products effectively, I feel this is a very important aspect of summarising my projects, and will also go on my website etc…

Image obtainment – I want to source images that are original and appropriate. Perhaps include my own photography, or collaborate with photographers. If I want to explore illustration, I want to be less impatient and spend more time. I feel I have the skills to produce interesting illustration but because of my time management I feel I need to rush…which I shouldn’t. Contemporary and old fashioned design – I want to research into old and new trends, and use them both when creating my designs. I want to be more free when designing, and not feel I should stick to current ‘trends’ with all my designs. Knowledge of production – I want to learn more about production methods, mainly to do with the manual feed/finshing aspects. I use digital print a lot, but would like to maybe consider using screen print more, and looking more into the use of foil blocking/spot varnish. Skills I want to obtain Time management – Although this was mentioned in the section above, I feel I am good at keeping up to date with my work. I don’t like leaving everything until the last minute, but I tend to hestitate with my design decisions. Contextual research – I enjoy looking at blogs researching into designs that already exist. I feel it helps me develop brief, sustain a solid interest within design and grow my knowledge and own, original style. I also feel it broadens my design library, maintaining the knowledge of a variety of designs that originate from not just graphic design. Other interests – I very much enjoy relating my designs to aspects like, film, language, music, nature. These are my own interests I have and I feel it’s refreshing to include this into my designs. Colour – I really like including colour in my work, I feel I am quite open to trying new colours and don’t like to stick to using the same colours. I feel my knowledge for applying colour greatens as I progress through this course.

Brief 1:

Poem Book

Deadline

Rationale: “Produce a publication containing my poetry, with complimentary imagery alongside carefully considered type and layout”. This brief aims to help me explore the use of interesting type and layout, with a variety of imagery that supports it. I want to work on producing a publication that will be printed to a high standard, that may also include finishes.

Brief 2:

Japan Art

Deadline

Rationale: “Produce the promotional material and branding for a Japanese Art Exhibition” This brief enables me to explore the use of type and image alongside a unique layout that all derive from a simple, yet effective concept. I want to focus more on the design and concept, as appose to the products and production methods.

Brief 3:

Film Poster

Deadline

Rationale: “Produce a series of film posters for either existing films or made up films”. I want this brief to be a chance for me to really develop my Photoshop skills. I also want to produce some really bold and professional looking film posters that will be useful in my portfolio and also help my aspects of a possible career. I want to use the skills of combining imagery and layering on effective type. Also combining taglines that work well.

Brief 4:

Language & Branding?

Deadline

Rationale: I want to explore different languages through the use of type and layout. I will do this either through a small publication or perhaps an exhibiton and it’s supporting material? Perhaps I could produce the branding and identity for a French/german independent shop?

Brief 5:

Collection of short briefs

Deadline

Rationale: I want to produce a series of Little White Lies briefs that take a different approach to the magazine, I want to explore them stemming away from the use of their classic, illustrative approach. Branding and identity for a photographer?

\\\\\\\\ Contextual references / Designers / Studios / Companies (specific)

RESEARCH ACTIVITY: Visit to Empire Design

Deadline

Details Over the summer I had a weeks work experience at a film marketing company, I am hopefully going again over my Easter holidays so I can learn more about how the company works and also perhaps try to have some of my questions answered.

RESEARCH ACTIVITY:

Deadline

Details

RESEARCH ACTIVITY Details

Deadline

RESEARCH ACTIVITY Details

Deadline

RESEARCH ACTIVITY Details

Deadline

BIBLIOGRAPHY BOOKS / TEXTS - (Harvard Refernced)

MAGAZINES / JOURNALS / ARTICLES – (include publication date and details)

ON LINE REFERENCES / WEBSITES / ARTICLES (include specific urls) http://ah-studio.com, http://www.25ah.se, http://studioworldwide.net/ http://www.reckerhouse.com/ http://www.youngjerks.com/ http://grassdoe.blogspot.com/ (photography) http://sticks-stones.co/ http://www.jacksondickie.com/?section=graphic-design&tag=afi http://alwayswithhonor.com/ http://nodeberlin.com/about/links http://www.toko.nu/ http://www.ericandmarie.com/ (handwritten effect)

OTHER REFERENCE MATERIAL (Films, events, exhibitions, conferences)

ACTION PLAN – use this section to identify specific tasks that you need to complete in order to resolve the brief. Brief What do you need to do? 1

Deadline