product and packaging

Here is some of the images that I pulled together when researching the area that I wanted to go into. In conclusion of this, I felt that ‘Product & Packaging’ would be the route to explore. I chose this as it was quite different to what I would normally do and it would be nice to see a tangible object.

Evaluation

This module has been one that has produced some really exciting and different work for me; particularly the animation side as this was a production method that I wouldn't even of considered before this brief due to my lack of knowledge for the software.

The printed pictures brief was my most enjoyable brief of the 3. It led me into a new way of thinking,  where the process drove the outcome. My drawing about craft became my craft in the process. It became like a jigsaw puzzle and I was there to put the pieces together and create the end picture. The workload of producing 3 different panoramas was a bit of a struggle and to print it proved even more of a struggle! However, my drawings were all completed before christmas and it was all screen printed a few days before the deadline. 

Time management was something that I had to concentrate on in this module. If i did not plan my time, I noticed that I would almost immediately fall behind on the workload. This module became my sole focus most of the time which did effect my other modules. My other modules were put to the side and it did have a slight negative effect on them. However, this did have a good effect on this module!

I did face a number of problems whilst doing this module. Many of these problems were due to the nature of the module (screen printing and after effects processes). Learning a new software proved quite a task in this module. It was the first time that I had ever used Adobe After Effects. I feel that I picked up the software quite easily due to my prior knowledge in adobe photoshop and the apple iMovie software as they both had similar characteristics. That said, there was countless times where I had to Google how to do something. From learning all these little bits and bobs I would say that my knowledge of the software is now very good. The best way for me to learn something like this is for me understand how it works, for example setting a 'parent' layer means when i increase the 'parent' layer in size, the 'child' layer will increase as a result so that I don't need to set keyframes on both layers as they are almost latched together. These learnt skills have given me the confidence that I can actually make an animation again if I wanted to and i'm really glad that I now have these skills.

If I were to do this brief again, I would of liked to of focussed more on shape and colour rather than line work as I feel I would enjoy it more, I would also make the animation more like a infographic tone of voice to suit my own tone of voice. Another thing I would of changed is I would of probably gone for the short set of animations instead as these seem to be of a lot higher visual quality when looking at other people's work.

The visual journal brief was one what was an ongoing investigation into the other briefs. It was where I translated written research into drawings and ideas. Once I had got my idea, I didn't use it as much due to most of this thinking and drawing then being done on the computer. However, it was a really good reference point and a place where my ideas were birthed and figured out. 

With the screen printing process, I already knew what I was doing from previous experience so the process itself wasn't a problem but there was quite a few other problems that I faced. For example, my panorama was meant to be 6xA5paper wide and as tall as a piece of A5, however this would not fit on a screen. The smallest it could be was the width of A1- 841mm, I changed my designs resultantly which was fine. When i came to screen print this, there wasn't a squeegee wide enough and because the screen would only fit on the bed landscape orientation, I had to attach a squeegee to a metal arm and run it horizontally across my screen; this was something that was unfamiliar and a bit strange at first but the prints turned out fine. I encountered a number of other problems for example my black ink was not coming through the screen because it dried into the screen and when i washed it it didn't come out so i had to blast the screen, coat it, expose it and re print it. Another problem was my screen didn't expose properly which made me have to blast, coat it and expose it again. All these problems couldn't of been foreseen or planned for but thankfully I did set aside leeway time and exaggerated the time each thing was going to take. Some of these problems could however of been avoided if I had, had more prior understanding and knowledge of different areas e.g exposing time but I do feel that this kind of knowledge can only happen over time and with experience. 

This module has definitely capitalised on my existing skills as a screen printer and birthed new skills with animation. I have learnt so much over the time spent in this module. Overall the module has been fairly difficult for me regarding the amount of work needed to be generated in the time frame available with the other modules in progress at the same time but I am proud of the work produced and feel that it reflects who I am as an illustrator. 

Printed Pictures & Moving Image Proposal

Final Printed Pictures

Final Animation

animation1 4 comp from Olivia Newsome on Vimeo.

Visual Journal Scans

 

Here are some key scans from my visual journal. These scans were important in the progression and direction of my project. They formed the basis of both my animation and my printed pictures brief. As you can see, the way that I think and solve problems in general is usually by drawing in layout format and not focusing on taking time over the aesthetic. This helps me to get my ideas down quickly where I can focus on composition.

All 3 prints put together

Which sleeve should i choose?

I had to decide between the left or the right sleeve for my concertina book. The left was from one of my previous prints that I cut up, the right was some card. I think I like the brown card sleeve best as it is more simplistic against the pattern, it compliments the blue on the inside too really nicely. 

Photographs of my final designs

    

The screen went wrong!

Something went wrong either with my screen or exposing it. 

It was either because when someone accidentally took my coated screen and they gave me theirs instead and it was a dodgy screen and thats the reason my image didn't come through.

OR 

It was because when the image was printed out in digital print, it wasn't fully black, it came out slightly grey so when it was exposed for the standard amount of time, the full image didn't come through as it wasn't exposed for the appropriate amount of time for the printout. 

I had my suspicions when i washed out my screen, it was just a test to see if it did print at all. As a result I had to wash the screen, coat it, print out my image again and then expose it before I could print again. Obviously some set backs you cannot plan for but this does mean that I have added on a large amount of time for something that wasn't directly caused by myself.

animation1 1 comp from Olivia Newsome on Vimeo.

Logo for 'iSpeakLife'

I was approached by a Sheffield based organisation called 'iSpeakLife' and asked to create a logo for them. The organisation is event based where they have spoken word and open mic nights.

The organisation approached me and said this:

"The logo is for a Christian live music, poetry and discussion evening, so we're looking for something that represents that yet is quite playful. If we go ahead, I'd definitely send you the 'what is iSpeakLife?' document so you can have a clearer picture of who we are and our vision. Leaflet wise- we would probably be looking at online ones (saving the trees!) and if physical ones, probably A5. "

We conversed until the final logo below was reached. In the end they didn't need the leaflet designing which meant it was easier for me. This logo will be used for their events for at least the next year all across the University of Sheffield. 

Initial response- boards for first crit

Time plan- responsive

Days with orange box around are days that I will devote fully to the responsive project. (at minimum)

It will probably be much more than this. I have done this so that I can manage my time effectively so that I am not rushing at the last minute to get everything done. I have also arranged it around the D&AD and YCN deadline. 

Now You Know Magazine

I was approached by Now You Know magazine to redesign their logo for them. 

Now You Know is an online blog run by photographer Ben Hodges who interviews (and photographs) a range of creatives on his blog including Duke Studios Co Founder James Abbott Donnely, Martin East- AHC and Iain Campbell; Respun Digital. 

Ben wrote that he wanted' "NOW YOU KNOW" in a variety of handwritten typographic styles. The feel needs to be somewhere a journalistic letter (handwritten) and something editorial/magazine-y that looks like an interesting article on 'meeting a creative'. Follow your gut! Also feel free to mix up the upper and lower case vibe if you want to - I only put the original all in caps because it worked better with that font."

This was the existing logo..

This is what i came up with..

Here is the final design in context. I am really pleased with how the logo went and

"Hey Olivia! I just needed to let you know a creative development.

The blog typeface has changed (again) and it's gone from a hand-written to a hand "painted" look. Really liked the designs you were commissioned to do so please don't think there was anything wrong with them — it's just a last minute stylistic shift. I'll definitely use you again and recommend you for other projects. They re-done blog goes live in a few weeks so wanted to let you know in advance - the reason for the change. Also I'm meeting with 'Lord Whitney' an art direction duo in Leeds in 2 weeks - they're quite successful so if you can mail some business cards to me (address below) I'll pass them on."

Win.

Some of my favourite stills from my animation.

Here are some of the stills from my animation that I found particularly interesting. I wanted to keep the colour scheme very simple with dash of red in a few places in the animation. This look, i feel, works really well and fits in with the BBC aesthetic. 

Colour or no colour?

I've been toying with the idea of adding colour to the cover or not. I have decided to go with just black and white so that the inside is much more striking when you open it. It also saves me printing a whole new colour just for a small rectangle.

Colour Testing

. 

I have tested out a few other colours for my designs. There are some colours here that do not work at all like the bright green, orange, or bright purple as they are too bold and contrast in a not nice way with the black Some colours that are much softer on the eyes/compliment the black and white well are the blue, turquoise and the yellow.

animation1 comp from Olivia Newsome on Vimeo.

Now You Know Brief analysis

BRIEF TITLE: Amy & Adam wedding invite map

Brief: 

 "NOW YOU KNOW" in a variety of handwritten typographic styles. The feel needs to be somewhere a journalistic letter (handwritten) and something editorial/magazine-y that looks like an interesting article on 'meeting a creative'. Follow your gut! Also feel free to mix up the upper and lower case vibe if you want to - I only put the original all in caps because it worked better with that font."

Product/Deliverables:

A logo

Context:

logo on blog

Mandatory Requirements:

the words 'now you know' handwritten

Audience:

creatives who visit the Now You Know blog

Tone of Voice:

• Fun
• Quirky
• Informative
• Charming

Progress of beach Panorama

This is the progression of the beach panorama. This one was fairly difficult for me to do as coming up with lots of different things that you find on a beach (that aren't too small to draw) wasn't easy. To help me with this, I did some research into different beaches and what you would find there at the beach. I also looked into my city panorama and looked to see if there was any components that I could copy across e.g. the ice cream van or a boat or two. I feel that this outcome was quite successful overall. There are a few things that retrospectively I wish I had of changed like the out of scale merry-go-round and the angles of the shelter-skelter. 

Progress of city panorama

Here you can see the progress of my city panorama. It was a really enjoyable experience creating this as there was so many directions that I could go in with it, and also so much potential imagery. I subconsciously included a lot of food imagery in the panorama as many built up cities have a big food/restaurant/takeaway industry. I feel that this piece is so effective because instead of leaving it at a satisfactory level where is is a little bare (like in the 3rd or 4th image) but actually progressing on until the last image where is has the attention to detail. 

Progress of countryside

Here is the progress of my countryside scene. This was the third and final scene that I designed so it proved to be one of the most difficult with ideas generation. Something that was also quite difficult regarding this piece was thinking of things that you would see in the countryside that weren't just grass and sheep! I had to become quite creative by adding in things like windmills, telescope's and pig farms. 

animation1 8 comp from Olivia Newsome on Vimeo.

This is my progress so far of my animation. There is a lot of things that i would like to change before i label it as finished.

The animation needs to be more smooth in some places. It needs to be 'crafted' to reflect the topic of the documentary. I also think that in some places it needs to be sped up, in other places it needs to be slowed down to create the best effect for the audience.

All 3 panoramas put together

My panoramas together as a set.

I did this because I thought it would bring the piece together more. I kept the colours consistent in the designs for the same reason. I also designed it this way so that in a gallery space, they would look inviting, striking and interesting to the viewer.

Problems with missing links

I accidentally moved around a few files on my computer which meant that when I came to opening up my animation again, I was greeted with this screen. After researching on google and the adobe website I figured out what I needed to do to resolve this problem. Thankfully it is fixed and I have learnt from this mistake!

iSpeakLife Brief Analysis

BRIEF TITLE: iSpeakLife

Brief: 

I was approached by a Sheffield based organisation called 'iSpeakLife' and asked to create a logo for them. The organisation is event based where they have spoken word and open mic nights.

"The logo is for a Christian live music, poetry and discussion evening, so we're looking for something that represents that yet is quite playful. If we go ahead, I'd definitely send you the 'what is iSpeakLife?' document so you can have a clearer picture of who we are and our vision. Leaflet wise- we would probably be looking at online ones (saving the trees!) and if physical ones, probably A5. " In the end, after further questioning they didn't need a leaflet, just a logo.

Product/Deliverables:

A logo.

Context:

A logo advertising an event put on by iSpeakLife

Mandatory Requirements:

Black and white

Audience:

Students of Sheffield University

Tone of Voice:

• Fun
• Professional
• Playful

Trouble when screen printing- the black is struggling to come through the screen because of the tiny lines, I will add some more binder and try again then hopefully it will work. 

All 3 completed panoramas

Here are all 3 completed panoramas. I am overall really pleased with how they have turned out. I feel that they encompass the theme that I was trying to portray through my work. 

The theme of the everyday craftsman was meant to be shown through the imagery of the work. I feel that I have shown this fairly well by including imagery of people and their occupations enjoying their job. Something else that added to the theme of the craftsman is that my work became something where I was the craftsman creating the work. Richard Sennet, in his book The Craftsman, talks about pouring out over your craft whatever it is and imbuing a part of yourself onto the work. 'When you take real pleasure in your work; thats when you become a craftsman' and I feel that I have become a 'craftsman' in the process of this project. 

There was other colour combinations that I could of used instead here. I tried a few out but I felt that this was the colour that suited it the best (its fun and stands out as well as being my signature colour). I thought about having different colours for each panorama however I wanted them to all fit really well as a set and to also be able to be displayed as 1 massive 2523mm long print.