What is Good?

Another new briefing today, the problem being to simply define what is good? So first things first... a coffee, two paracetamol to combat my epic cold and a mind mapping session.

The problem with this list above however was that I was within a group of six lads. Don't get me wrong they're all great, but the list... well. It was definitely compiled by a group of 20 to 25 year old dudes. As a result I decided to create an additional list of my own that encapsulated the obvious with the little more obscure. Here's some of the stuff I came up with:

I'm not quite certain as to what I'll pick as the options are endless, but something with a personal touch such as being left handed is definitely as aspect I might try and push further. This is due to the fact that there are often negative connotations surrounding being left handed and it would be interesting to open up the eyes of right handed people as it is certainly not a 'bad' part of my day to day life.

Other interesting options may include moustache days, things in straight lines, the Coca-cola / Pepsi debate or nosebleeds. We'll just have to see.

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What is Design for Print? - 16 Pg booklet

The new briefing today specified the production of a sixteen page book in response to the question 'What is Design for Print?'. These are just a few initial considerations that I believe to be vital in approaching the task. Thank god for those type and grid workshops last year...

It's quite intimidating that I have seven weeks to justify what I come up with for this, I might have to look at binding methods as well!

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NB: Ignore the mix up on additive and subtractive colour, I was pretty tired whilst copying these notes across from my other notebook.

Summer Postcards Pt.02

Over the past two days I have managed to complete my intended photo-shoot and progress with some illustrative ideas for the pictogram, logo and chosen word. Thankfully the weather was nice for shooting outside the restaurant so the imagery is just like a holiday brochure. They didn't let me photograph inside however, Wagamama has lost a little bit of my respect for that I have to say!

Anyway, here are the fruits of my labour thus far:

FULL COLOUR (CMYK):


ONE COLOUR PICTOGRAM:


As you can see I have altered my approach toward the one colour pictogram as I felt my original concept didn't address the 'representation of an activity' close enough. Instead I have chosen to again focus on the consumption of noodles via chopsticks. This in my opinion is significantly more successful and conveys a much more direct and universal meaning.

TWO COLOUR LOGO:Building on my previous development, I've chosen to maintain experimenting with how the logo might look with a noodle like entity flowing through the letter forms. From here I feel I need to explore as to whether it should be just outline or a solid fill. I think there is definitely more potential than the continuous line illustrations completed prior to this.

THREE COLOUR WORD:
Finally, in tackling the three colour 'word' composition I have opted for the word 'noodles' as to maintain the oriental theme. The letterforms themselves are illustrated to represent noodles and will keep the black line work. I intend for a fill colour to be a noodle-esque yellow/beige with the red of the star completing the triad. It's still early doors, but I am pleased thus far.

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Summer Postcards Pt.01

In reference to the taxonomy brief completed over summer (see summer blog), the challenge now requires the design and completion of a set of four postcards each with their own restrictions on colour usage. The idea behind this is to understand the possibilities of working with a limited colour pallet and how to make the most of what you have to work with.

The postcards are as follows:

1. A full colour (CMYK) image.
2. A one colour pictogram representing an activity.
3. A two colour logo, real of fictitious.
4. A three colour 'word' relating to the subject matter of the other postcards.

With my summer work being orientated around typography on bags, I feel I have frequently been presented with corporate identities and compositions that are heavily based upon the application of colour and I should therefore be acquainted with the concepts behind this brief.

Here's a few quick ideas that I have come up with so far today in reference to Wagamama noodle bars - a subject matter chosen due to my belief that their corporate identity is simply too corporate and/or American feeling and doesn't directly represent what the company is about.

FULL COLOUR (CMYK):

To address the CMYK postcard I intend to shoot an array of full colour photographs ranging from the outside of a Wagamama restaurant to the seating areas, table layouts and dishes themselves. If I am granted permission to photograph inside their establishment I would like to accentuate the comsumption of noodles through using chopsticks as this is a particularly strong cultural aspect that is universally recognizable.

ONE COLOUR PICTOGRAM:

In my opinion, the single colour pictogram needs to be simple and straight forward so that it is also universally recognized by all cultures. Relating to my summer project, my initial concepts surround the fact that you can get Wagamama meals to take out - an aspect that I think is under promoted due to the "eat-in restaurant" vibe that Wagamama portrays.

TWO COLOUR LOGO:

As previously mentioned it is in my opinion that the corporate identity behind the company doesn't really represent or convey what the Wagamama eating experience is about. These are a quick few mockups that explore how a noodle could be intertwined with the letter forms of the pre-existing logo design. The star will maintain it's usual red colour to address the brief.

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