Message and Delivery: Research

Brief

Create a body of visual research in responses to a story, issue or theme found in the national press tomorrow, Tuesday 23rd October.

Background/ Considerations

The willingness and ability to formulate informed opinions about your subject matter is an essential skill for a graphic designer.

In addition to being aware of events, concerns and the (un)popularly held opinions of the world around you, you also need to consider the tone of voice with which they are reported. It is important that you read the stories thoroughly and research issues that are raised fully committing yourself to a visual opinion.

You can be serious, humorous, questioning, bold or subtle.

Mandatory Requirements

The story, issue or theme must come from a newspaper published on Tuesday 23rd October.

Deliverables

A body of research into the story, issue or theme of your choice.
A physical copy of the newspaper.

Studio Deadline: Friday 26th October

Module Deadline: 23rd November 2012

I chose this story as it really interested me. I was also shocked by the story. Because of this i thought it was a good story to run with as i had a genuine interest in the story. My personal opinions of the story will also help me make a strong final piece.

Here i found infographics giving information of earthquakes around the world. I found it shocking that there had been 200 earthquakes so far that week.

There is some indication that earthquakes can be brought on by man made activity. However whether you can blame humans in my eyes is another matter.

Some of these facts and figures could be used to create interesting infographics.

Earthquakes in popular culture:

 Earthquake infographics:

Haiti earthquake poster appeal:

Japan earthquake:

OUGD401 Design Context: Study Task 1

In this study task we explored the meaning of critiquing and what to consider to do it successfully.

Critique

• Automatically respond to things you don't like and it's difficult ti identify critically how to improve
• Simple process that isn't easy to execute

Things to consider when critiquing

• Layout
• Colour
• Composition
• Communication
• Concept
• Legibility
• Function
• Audience
• Quality of execution
• Media & method
• Visual content
• Non visual content

Studio task part 2

Describe (What can you see?)
Interpret (What's it about?)
Evalaute (How good is it?)
Theorise (How could it be improved?)

Describe

The format old the poster is clear and concise, I like the vintage effect it has and replicates a screen print process. The colour scheme is simple and cohesively works. The use of bright yellow is bold and attractive. The choice of font and variation in weight flows consistently making it look clear and professional. The alignment is in a structured and neat way.

Interpret

The poster interprets an event for a mechanicals or builders convention which is explicitly shown through the use of tool icons, such as nails and hammers. The poster also states 'working hard for us' which specifies its for manual labour or a tools convention

Describe

The poster uses a lot of clean geometric shapes to create a diagonal design across the page to making it look abstract. The images within the frame are distorted, yet still noticeable due to the scale of them and the text which gives it clarity. There is a use of subtle and cohesive tones which make the work look professional and clean cut. The design is very modern due to the use of text, shapes and layout.

Interpret

The image is about arts, film, music and culture which is explicitly shown through the text and images. 

Evaluation

Similarities                                                                                   

• Good use of colour 
• Simplistic and creative design
• Consistency
• Legibility

Differences

• Context

Similarities

• Geometric/diagonal shapes
• Photo's interpret shapes
• Context - lifestyle, arts, culture
• Abstract
• Minimal colour
• Legibility

D: layout, colour, type, image/manipulation, line/stroke, texture, composition, theme, content, concept.
I: message, clarity, function, context, audience, tone of voice, open to interpretation.
E: aesthetic, communication, design elements, quality of execution, does it fulfil its purpose, clarity.
T: concept, clarity, execution.

Other thoughts

• Art of knowing what to leave out in design
• Never let your cleverness get in the way of communication
• Stripped down and simple = best designs

4 examples of graphic design I like and dislike.

Like:

http://designspiration.net/image/121738593420/

Here is one example of graphic design that I really like. I love the juxtaposition between the soft wave like lines within the circle, and the clean geometric typography. I also like the use of the circle, as it is my favourite shape. The muted and  limited colour  choices is something I also find very aesthetically pleasing. The bold red colour directs your eye to the main title. 

http://designspiration.net/image/165253126573/

Here is another example of graphic design I really like. Again the colour scheme is well thought out, yet simple. The use of the colour red in this book cover is to connote death and danger. I also like the stylized, stencil like design of the type writer.

Dislike:

http://www.good.is/posts/project-006-illls-graphic-design

Here is an example of design I strongly dislike. I don’t like the reckless use of colour, it is kitsch and not well though out. I also dislike the child like illustration. This type of illustrative design is something that doesn’t interest me at all.

http://www.pokedstudio.com/vectorbears.html

Here is another example of design I don’t like, for very similar reasons to the last piece I chose. I think the composition is far too busy and cluttered and personally prefer more thought provoking and simple, clean aesthetics.