Questionnaire 2

Typography Module 6th Session

Today we've been looking at leading and size.

We had to create a 32 page on-screen document, each page completely full with the same block of text.

We were given criteria for the columns, size of the text and the font, from which we had to choose an appropriate leading size to accompany which would make the text more readable.

2 columns

3 columns

We also had to design a business card for a random profession. I was given Judge. PAH!

I chose the typeface 'Britannic Bold' as I feel it gives the impression of importance. It's bold, but looks fair.

Contract/action plan

Collaboration!

Well, new brief time... and it's a collaboration!

I'm with the one and only, Adam Townend, since we worked so well together last time! :)

I have to say, I'm feeling very positive about this one.

The past couple of days, we've been advertising ourselves, filling out forms, trying to decide upon a brief, then re-writing them!

Questions and answers

Online brief

This is the brief Adam and myself have decided to work with; Feel Good Drinks.

End of Module Self Evaluation

1. What skills have you developed through this module and how effectively do you think you have applied them?

Before this module, I had never used After Effects or DVD Studio Pro before. I loved using these programs although they were really hard to grasp at the beginning. I feel as though I have used my these skills effectively although I know they could definitely be improved.

2. What approaches to/methods of research have you developed and how have they informed your design development process?

I found it quite hard researching my chosen subject during the top 10 brief. I decided upon typefaces. I tried to gather a wide range of research but it didn't feel very open. I did however create a questionnaire at the beginning, I used various websites and other medias to inspire me. I looked at films and their approaches to using type.

3. What strengths can you identify in your work and how have/will you capitalise on these?

I really enjoyed using After Effects and DVD Studio Pro. I like being able to 'sort things out' and here I got the chance to move things around and make sure they're in their right place. I will definitely use these programs in the future as I feel my strengths lay within computer generated work.

I also feel as though I have taken advantage of my blog. I have used it effectively to record my work during this module.

4. What weaknesses can you identify in your work and how will you address these more fully?

Even though I have been using my blog well to record my work, I could still do more. I occasionally upload images and fail to write an explanation as to why I like them.

I was again, very slow at starting my final outcome. I still need to push myself to get as much work done as possible and stop dawdling.

My DVD looks awful, and the writing is barely readable due to the thin lines and the typeface I used. I created my DVD the day before hand-in, and finished very late. Again, I need to give myself more time to change things in case things don't go according to plan.

5. Identify five things that you will do differently next time and what do you expect to gain from doing these?

1. I wasn't happy with my work at all when it came to the end. I somehow managed to save over my animation just before finishing it which my whole animation. From this I have learnt to check before I save, or save under a different name.

2. I will ensure I annotate all images which have been uploaded to my blog.

3. I will get my head down and ensure I start my final outcome(s) well in advance to make sure I have plenty of time in case something goes wrong.

4. I will create strict action plans to help myself organize when I need parts of work finished by.

How would you grade yourself on the following areas:

(5=excellent, 4=very good, 3=good, 2=average, 1=poor)

Attendance 4

Punctuality 5

Motivation 4

Commitment 4

Quantity of work produced 3

Quality of work produced 2

Moan time

Well my DVD's finally done, and it's awful. :'( There's me, all confident with my work throughout most of this module, and everything decides to go tits up. I think I did better when I disliked everything I done. :/ I just can't seem to win. ARRGH!

The quality of the DVD's terrible. I used parts of the vine in my top 10 animation for decoration on the menus, and used the typeface I had also included in the animation. It's all turned out pixelly and it's just generally the worst quality possible. Something I really didn't want to happen. If you're reading this... SORRY FRED! :(

...and sorry to anyone else reading this. I needed a moan.

The end

So this is what it's been building up to. Hmm..

On some levels I'm kind of happy with it, however, on others, I want to throw it off a cliff.

Typography Module 5th session

Here's my finish leaflet I started during the last session!

Pretty huh. :)

We've been doing more 'how to make a boring piece of text look readable'.

I was slaughtered. :'( ... for centering everything. :(

We had to use two columns. (Below)

We had to do the same thing, but with one column.

I've disliked this session. Especially with the deadline tomorrow. :O Let's get back to worrrrrrk!

Packaging

I'm once again, sticking to the simplicity side of things. I ALWAYS say I want my work to be simple, however, it never happens. This time though, this time it'll happen.

I had a think as to what kind of packaging I could use which would contain my DVD. I researched a little into typography packaging. Doing this made me think of the CD's that come with certain magazines. Design magazines usually come with a CD which is stuck at the back. Seeing as my top ten is design based, I thought this was appropriate. It also assists me in keeping it simple. Woo!

A quick and simple maquette made from paper.

Another maquette, but made from cartridge paper.

It's a good thickness for the packaging I wish to make.

After making the few maquettes (above), I realized it needed some sort of lid or flap to stop the DVD from falling out.

I then got thinking about how I could keep the lid or flap closed.

Below are just a few quick ideas as to what I could do.

Stickers could be an interesting idea, and would make the packaging that little more visually appealing.

Perhaps the sticker or label could be in a letter form? Would relate back to the top 10 animation.

DVD Menus

Ok, so the main menu consists of : Silent Movies, Top 10 typefaces and DVD Development.

Clicking on the 'Silent Movies' would lead you to: Final 4, Extras and a button to take you back to the main menu.

Below is an example as to what the screen would look like when going through the 'Silent Movie' option.

Below is an example of when the 'Top 10 Typefaces' is selected.

Shit

Well scrap the last video. I stupidly saved over it with crap, so it's now no more and I have to re-do the entire thing.

FUCK.

Luckily I've still got the Illustrator files, and after a chat with Mike, I've now attached them altogether to form the whole vine for my animation. The only problem with this is it's taking absolutely forever to render. :(

Below is the complete vine which I'm using for the animation. Each piece is is still a separate layer which I'll have to individually animate, so I'll be doing that using the pen tool to create masks before I use any sort of camera.

Almost there!

Still in progress.....

Menuing...

A few quick sketched ideas for my dvd menu...

I like how each vine stems off to a different option to click on.

I particularly like the idea of having each subject a little different. So the silent movies and the top 10 typeface menu designs would have a different part of the vine on. Just to make it a little different instead of having them all the same. It'd probably get a little boring. Mind you, it's already a little boring as it is. The menus will be still, however I DID plan on animating them. I'm pretty gutted about that. I'm so STOOPID! WHY did I save over my work!? :(

typography Module 4th session

We've been experimenting with layout.

We were given a word document containing information about image, size and resolution which we then had to arrange on an a4 page along with an image.

The first few are a bit poo but the last one I'm kinda happy with. :)

We've now been given another word document containing information about allotments which we have to layout for a leaflet....

fun times!

(Leaflet in progress)

Vine animation

Animation

These are the vines I've created using Illustrator. Each part of them are a different layer which I then had to animate individually in After Effects.

I used some of the screen grabs I got from the film 'Enchanted' (in a previous post, in the Design Context blog) to create the vine below.

I feel this works and looks better than the one above as it fits better.

I will use typography in my animation, although I don't want to use too much. I know it is based on the top 10 typefaces, but I want to make it subtle, just so that, when the animation starts, you won't know exactly what it's about until the end.

The whole idea behind the vines, is that they grow from each other, and somewhat represents paths and idea generation.

I will use 'Explore typography', which will appear grow from the on-going vine at the end of the animation.

Labels

I really like how the words work with each other. It's almost as if they've been locked together.

These two pieces were attached together on a piece of clothing.

The simplicity

Storyboard

Here's a quick idea as to what I want my final animation to look like...

Upside down, I know. :(

5 key questions

Questions I will ask people about my work:

1.Does my top 10 fit within the feel of my animation?

2. Does it matter that I haven't included a lot of typography even though this is what my top 10 is?

3. Does my research show development towards my final pieces? (in progress)

4. Is black and white enough? Do I need colour for it to work better?

5. What would make a good background for my DVD menu?