JAMES IREDALE Student No: 17027155
WORK READY PLACEMENT
Company Information Stack Magazines Stack Magazines are a well known independent publisher for a range of magazines. Stack prides itself of publishing the works that push the boundaries of contemporary magazines. Their content includes topics that cover global issues such as climate, modern artistry, feminism, tackling ethical and racial issues and even unexpected (sometimes humorous topics) like Skateboarding, an entire book of what the author doesn’t like and even a magazines that gives the reader useful tips to take over the world.
Stack works off a subscription basis with customers that are located all over the world. My primary focus during my placement at Stack was focussed around creating an identity for their podcast as well as developing a promotional video for their up and coming commercial service Stack Bundle. Word Ready Reflective Writing: Issuu All blog posts can be viewed here:
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PROJECT 1 Responding to: Utilizing the existing stack logo, develop a separate visual identity for the Stack podcast.
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Final Outcomes Realised: Create a logo for the Stack Podcast channel Develop a moving image for the new logo Create variations of the moving image and logo for use on Stacks different social media pages.
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The Logo Based off the existing logo with a microphone integrated. 5 different variations were created: Animated (Top 1 & 2); Full Logo (3); Favicon Black and White (4) and Favicon Colour (5).. The animation style can be continued to create a recognisable visual for future Stack videos. 1920x1080 Full HD video.
The Animation Based off the existing logo with a microphone integrated. The animation is supposed to be playful Visuals based off old radio channels (lightning bolts) 1080x1080 Instagram ready video. You can view full animations using the links below. View the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_1clN6hm2U
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PROJECT 2 Responding to: Using the existing illustrations create – recreate the time cards in After Effects and create simple animations.
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Final Outcomes Realised: Animations created from existing illustrations for their event with guest speaker Ian Hislop
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Research: Animations Taking the existing illustrations into account, I began researching the various facial expressions that are related with both Donalds Trump and Boris Johnson. I then reworked the existing visuals in illustrator to match a selection of faces and gestures. I then recreated the background image in After Effects for a 4k Video size.
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Realisation: Animations Based off the existing logo with a microphone integrated. The animation is supposed to be playful Visuals based off old radio channels (lightning bolts) 1920x1080 Full HD video. View the animations here: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=epQ0IwP4t7s
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FAKE NEWS AND SATIRE IN THE AGE O TRUMP AND JOHNSON
with IAN HISL SLOW JOURNALISM NIGHTS
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PROJECT 3 Responding to: Create a moving image that best represents Stack’s bulk purchase product/ service ‘Bundle’.
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Final Outcomes Realised: Moving Image for Stack’s new service ‘Bundle’ Create new iconography style picture for Stacks Instagram Stories
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Stack Bundle The moving image created for Stacks Bundle needs to represent the physicality that’s associated with the word Bundle. Final outcome should be a square (1080x1080) video for primary use on social media platforms.
Fresh Ideas Insight and inspiration from outside the mainstream. Target buyer is Agencies.
Art & Design Offering magazines that focus on cutting edge art, photography and graphic design.
Full Stack The best and most exciting content that independent publishing has to offer.
Safe Stack Stacks pick of the publications with notent thats family friends (no NSFW here).
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Concept 1: This concept still incorporates the imagery of a magazine but on a flatter scale.
The animation starts with just the stack logo on its own. It’s then squeezed and distorted before exploding out the many magazines that stack has to offer.
The word bundle will then playfully drop down with magazines still raining down in the background.
1080x1080 square video.
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Concept 2: Expanding on the original logo but with more magazines falling from above.
The animation will be fitting with the podcast moving image as to create a recognisable visual response.
Type animation will be kinetic with the ‘Bundle’ option ‘popping’ up.
1080x1080 square video.
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Concept 3: This concept uses imagery similar to concept 1.
The animation can go one of two ways - either magazines can splash onto the screen one at a time OR the magazines can float around and reveal the Stack Bundle logo.
Type animation could be done as a slow reveal or kinetic similar to the concept 2.
1080x1080 square video.
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Feedback: Concept 1: Steve wanted to use predominently the assets that stack already had and used within their branding (talking about the new magazine illustrations). He also didn’t want to have any manipulation of the Stack logo
Concept 2: This was the chosen concept in the end. Steve liked the idea of the magazines stacking up ontop of each other but wanted to include the Stack colour palette. An opacity fade to white layer with the stack logo / stack bundles on top to finish the video.
Concept 3: Again Steve wanted to use only the assets that stack already had within their branding. However he did like the idea of how this concept filled up the screen. This feedback was then addded to concept 2.
View the animation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32NIOXF3PIs
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PROJECT 4 Responding to: Create roundal images for customers to use to advertise their magazines being produced by Stack Magazines.
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Final Outcomes Realised: Stickers created for customers of Stack Magazines as a way of showcasing the company.
This were created from an existing design that they use for both the Favicon logo as well as the Stack Awards badge.
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Statement from Steve - CEO & Founder at Stack “James Iredale worked with Stack from Monday 13 January to Wednesday 22 January 2020. He worked diligently at all times, and was able to pick up briefs quickly and produce a high standard of creative work. One of his pieces of animation was used at a live event featuring Ian Hislop, and a separate piece of logo design and animation are currently being used to promote the Stack podcast. His time with Stack was unfortunately cut short because of ill health, but we’d love to have the opportunity to work with him again in the future.”
Reflective Personal Statement I may have been chosen for the placement with Stack due to my background and interest in identity design and branding material. However during the placement I was able to further explore the process of 2D branded animation as well introduce myself to 2D character animation. Progressing forward I do intend to try to implement After Effects animations within my university work, and conducting further research in Brand Identity animators such as Nikita Melnikov and Phong Luong. This experience has been great practice for my FMP around creating a brand and product (app prototype). One thing I would have liked to improve on was unfortunately unavoidable given my health issues. I did try to remain professional and was communicative with both Delayed Gratification and Stack, updating them on how I was feeling and what I was working on whilst at home.
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