Presentation Boards

I actually relatively happy with these presentation boards. I usually hate making them and I'm more than disappointed and embarrassed by them.

As usual, I went for less is more, and kept my boards to a minimum. I was originally going to include development work, but I didn't like how it was looking. I used the minimalistic approach.

End of Module Evaluation

Well, it's that time again, the end.
I can't say I didn't enjoy this brief, because I wrote it. I did however find it challenging, and a definite experience.
I liked being in charge of a brief. Knowing I can change or alter it is like a safety net. I did find myself getting a little lost at times. Being in charge of something, knowing I can do whatever I like intimidates me a little I have to admit. I'm a very indecisive person, so I'll never fully decide on something until the last minute which is something I need to address.

Writing the brief wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Having an idea as to what kind of work I want to produce made it easier, so I simply chose a brief I liked the sound of and adapted it to what I wanted to do. Although I've got my interests, it was still difficult choosing exactly what to do as the options were endless. I found my outcomes changed as the brief progressed.

I feel as though I made it harder for myself, which isn't a surprise. I try to pick something relatively simple and straight forward (in the most un-lazy way possible) but somehow I always tend to confuse myself. I'm still working on this, by laying things out. I found action plans really helped, so I knew what needed to be do for when.

I think my time management has really improved during this brief. As I mentioned before, I made action plans which helped me get things done on time, which left me plenty of time to do other things. I usually find myself rushing my outcomes, but it's kind of been a breeze this time round. I'm hoping to keep this up in the future.

Overall I believe my brief was successful. I've always said I've never been able to produce high quality finishes, and I know my outcomes could have been a lot better, but I'm really happy with how they've turned out. I still feel as though the concept and entire meaning of my work is so much more stronger, but I can safely say I'm pleased with what I've produced.

I've thoroughly enjoyed writing a brief for myself to put in to practise, and I look forward to writing more.

Almost there

So here we are, my coloured shoes in the iPhone app.
I think it looks really well presented and professional.
I particulaarly like the middle image. The list of the shoes using different colours makes it look so much more interesting.

I used the cut outs from the photographs I used for my posters, and put them on the homepage of the app. Now they're on there, they look really interesting and links the advertisements well. I do think it looks a little strange, being an app for shoes, but I think it kind of works as the homepage looks as though it's for something else, exactly like the posters. It doesn't shout 'shoe'. You have to explore and see what it's about.

80's

I based this selection of colours on the results I got from the tally. This would be aimed towards the elderly who are in their 80's.

Coloured shoes

Here are a small range of colours which can be chosen from, on the slips app. There's pink, white, orange, misty blue, mint green, yellow, dark blue, light green, black and grey.
The app will also offer a range of patterns to choose from, if you wanted to be a little more adventurous.

Oops.. and the black one below the pdf!

I've used photoshop to edit the slip I made. Compared to what it looks like in real life, these are looking pretty good I reckon!

I will use the first image as the default enlarged image on the app. The others will be alternative angles which can be clicked on to view.

I will produce a range of colours which can be chosen from the menu to view.

I used the shoe I made as a first attempt at putting it in the image boxs on the iPhone app. (excuse the poor quality... it's not that bad normally!)

I think it looks really nice, ignoring the fact that it's all ragedy! I'll be touching it up to make it look nice and pretty for the final one.

I could change the colour of my shoe to be a range for different aged people.
I created a tally, which I then asked random people what colours they think match the different ages.


I will be using the results from the tally, and change the colour of the slipper pieces on the shoe.

Cut outs

Some other good feedback I got the other day was what imagery I could use on the homepage of my app. I don't know why I didn't think about it myself, but I was given the idea of using the photographs I've taken for my posters.

I originally wanted to keep whatever I use for them simple and clean. I was headed more towards creating pictograms, although I didn't know what of.

Here, I've used the pen tool to cut out the objects from my photographs. They're very precise and clean cut, just like I wanted.

Using these, they link more to my posters which is positive. I did think about how the two would both link, and this is the perfect way!

So here we are, my cut out versions of my photographs.

In context

I took some photographs in town of ad shells and appropriately placed posters which relate to what I'm doing so I could superimpose my posters.

I feel as though ad shells in bus stops would be a good place for my posters to be placed. A variety of ages use buses, so my advertisement would reach out to a number of people at once.

There were a few existing posters hung on the wall beside escalators which belonged to a sports shop which would be a handy place.

Here are a few I've already had a go at with a few of my mock up posters.

Posters

So I've managed to get all my props, finally.

I've taken my first bunch of photographs of each of them, just quick ones, so I can have a play on photoshop with layouts and whatnot. I'm quite happy with how they're looking, although I know they can be a lot better. I've been using my little digital camera, so I haven't been able to get as close as I wanted to. I'll be using an SLR to take better photos for my final posters.

I think as a set, they work really well. I just need to work on the background. I'm not sure whether or not to have the same background (before any comments are made, I know the backgrounds aren't all the same in these I've uploaded) or change it to where you'd normally find these objects.

At the bottom of the posters, I've been using a Gaussian Blur effect to make it a little more clear so the text I put on it is more legible. I think it works really well. As well as the text being more readable, it also keeps the focus on the main part of the object. I've been using the blur tool a lot too.

I think in the way of the layouts, I do like them, however, I think I need to experiment more with them. At the moment they all look too ''samey''. Perhaps I could try photographing a few of the objects whilst leaving room at the top for text? It's worth a try at least.

From the feedback yesterday, I was told to include an image, whether it be a section or a whole, of a sports shoe. I agree with the feedback. If Clarks asked me to produce advertisements for their shoes, I don't think they'd be too happy to see cake instead of one of their shoes. (lol)

I made a 'slip' a while back, so I could play around with photographs I've taken of that on my posters.

Cake/Dentures

I finally got my hands on some dentures! I'm so chuffed!

So yeah, these are the first few photographs taken of these objects.

I'll be taking more in next the day or so, using a SLR. I want to get even more close up to the objects. Using my compact digital camera's making it a little different.

For screen

Enough of print, let's take this to screen!

So I decided to create an iPhone app for my brand, slips. I thought this was appropriate because of my main target audience being people whom are associated with the elderly. These people are liable to own an iPhone.

I began designing the app. I started off simply using the name of the brand, then moved on to using colour and shapes. I played on the idea of two things becoming one, which is what my brand more or less is.

I furthered my favourite designs and created them on illustrator.

I also put them into context, to see what they'd look like if they were the final designs.

I think they all work really well, although whatever the final design is, will be the logo. I've already designed a logo; a simple 'slips', carefully created. As much as I feel the coloured variations work well, I think I will probably go with my already designed logo.

I used an existing photograph from the internet as a template to design what my app would look like once opened.

I have a few examples as to what my ''homepage'' would look like. Many apps have options to choose from which are placed around the name of the app (if that makes any sense at all?) I tried this idea, but it didn't look right. As there's only going to be four options to choose from, which isn't many, the options above the app name didn't look as though they belonged.

I've chosen to take the 4 options beside eachother further (last image)

Final brief

Pipe photographs

I felt the need to photograph this, even though it's not something I wanted to take further into my final designs.

Photographing this has been a little more tricky than I thought, so I'm even more glad I haven't taken it further. I've been trying to take close up snaps of my objects, although they still need to be self explanatory as to what they actually are. If I were to use this in my finals, I'd be concentrating on the bowl, but photographing this area close up makes it hard to realise what the whole thing is. I guess it's something I could work on, but I've got other objects which I'm more focused on using.

Logos digitised

Walking stick

Here's another object I've been playing around with; a walking stick.

I've chosen to focus on the 'sole' part of the shoe for this poster. The emphasis is on the grip and how it won't slow you down... as older people are known for being dawdlers.

As demonstrated below, I've been playing around with the depth of field. These have been done using photoshop, just so I could see what they'd look like. I've yet to play with the depth of field using a digital SLR. The images will be of a lot better quality and the depth of field will be a lot more accurate and natural.

I want the black grip to be the only in-focus object in the image. The actual stick will be a little blurred, and the rest possibly completely blurred apart from the major parts around the stick. The second image, I think, works better, because of the blurred look. Originally I wanted a completely clear background, but a little texture gives it a better feel. It makes it look more real.

As well as the effects, the photography needs to be spot on. I want a close up shot of what the poster's about, however, it needs to be clear enough for people to know it's a photo of a walking stick. It's obvious to me, obviously, but to others it may not be. Perhaps I could just ask some people, see what they think. It'd be good to get some outside feedback.

Drafts

I wanted to have a quick go at what I've been designing.

This is a basic layout I've used from a number of various ones.

The images I used will be close ups of the objects, so it focuses on parts rather than a whole.

Whilst designing in my book, I've been imagining my photo's to be clean, with no background. I've still yet to try this, but since taking the pictures on a surface, it's starting to appeal to me more. I did think about putting the objects into a ''scene'', but I thought by doing that it would distract the attention away from the actual message.

Seeing this now, I feel as though I can play around more with the background. Perhaps instead of a computerised typeface, I could create my own? This is something I'm definitely going to play with.

Photographs

So far I've only taken photographs of glasses and a walking stick... as you can see. Instead of battling with a number of objects at once, I'm concentrating on a few at a time. I'll only confuse myself otherwise.

These are my first lot of photographs anyhow. As you can see by flicking through them, they get closer up as they go. I wanted to have a quick play around with the different angles, to see which works the best. From a very early stage I've had a good idea as to how I want them to look anyways. I guess this was just to reassure myself.

Book continued

Logos digitised

I've been scanning and tracing my drawn logos from my ultimate sketch pad, to see what they look like in a professional light. I have to say, I'm really keen on these more so than I was when they were quick little sketches.

They all still need a lot of work as I need to relate them more to my target audience, but so far I think they're looking pretty good. To me, they also look as though they're a branding for a shoe company. Especially the second and third one down.

I have to say, my favourite designs are the bottom two, however, I don't think they'd work well for a product targeted towards the elderly. I don't think it's legible enough for them to read as it's very modern and 'designy'.

Book work

This is my book to date.

It begins with my initial ideas, so I started with some simple quick drawings of footwear. I also had a strong initial idea, so it kind of starts with that too. My drawings show my thought process behind the deconstruction of a shoe, and how I can apply parts of another piece of footwear to an existing one.

I wanted to make my work humorous, so I began thinking about animating my product. I took into account existing animations such as 'Creature Comforts', however I soon went off this idea.

I want to create a logo for my new brand. I went through a fair few name choices, but after designing for a few initial names I came up with, I soon chose another and stuck to it.

My book is to be continued..

Action plan

I've found it necessary to write out an action plan. I've got a fair bit to do and I'm starting to get mixed up with what needs to doing and, well, yeah. So here we are.

It's not completely in order. I've arranged it into categories and have assigned a decent time limit for me to complete the task.

Updated brief

I've found myself gradually going off my original concept, so I thought it was time to alter my brief.

The original concept still stands, and it's definitely something I want to stick with, however, since I've been designing my product, I've had to re-think why I'll be selling this. I need to give people a good enough reason to want to buy this product.

I've also added more to the deliverables section on the brief. As well as a variety of printed outcomes, I want to produce a 10-15 second video which will be aired between relevant programmes. I already have a clear(ish) idea as to what I want to do, but I'm definitely going to be furthering the design process.

Tripper?

I took an old pair of trainers and ''transformed'' them into a ''slipper''.
After looking through the 'Custom Kicks' book and finding an image of something someone had created which is along the sames as I want to do, I gave in and had a go myself.
This is my first attempt at desembling a trainer. Personally, I think I've done a bloody good (without sounding too big headed!) I'm really impressed with how it's come out.
It's a pretty old shoe, and I wanted to keep it looking a little worn, to see what it looked like once I had finished. Using old shoes would be ideal as I don't fancy buying new ones for god knows how much, purely for me to stab it half to death with a scalpel and some scissors. I think this would affect my concept; 'wear sports shoes for the comfort'. I guess I'd have to alter it to be along the lines of recyling perhaps? Like I said, this is only my first attempt, so I'll have to wait and see what else I can get my hands on. Other shoes may not be as old looking at these.

I've tried to add a little humour by accompanying the sports shoe/slipper with a bow at the front, just like you'd usually get on you average chill-out footwear. I want to stay with this idea, but literally use the materials from a slipper. Here, I've used some plastic bow type stuff.

Interesting?

Older people's interests

• Bowls
• Dancing
• Tea
• Cakes
• Anniversaries
• Charities
• Gardening
• TV
• Retirement
• Darts

Tutorial with Lorenzo

-How do I engage my main target audience and still keep my other audience interested at the same time?

-Seasonal? Limited addition?

-Range?

-Get these shoes and and take a comfy walk?

-Remind them of their youth? -''Rescue'' them from the old old age-''Help!'' ''We want YOU!''

-Shoes make you do anything

• Go out and meet new people
• Magic shoes?
• Feel 18 inside
• They want to do things but can't physically

-Research what my main target audience is interested in

-Research what my other target audience is interested in

-Look at the logos used for these things

-Aspirational - fun - products for the elderly

-Target audience (60 years)

Branding

I have decided I will be amalagamting the two different shoes to create a brand new one. As a result of this, I will be creating a new brand for the shoe.
Since attending the seminar today, it's made me think about where else the logo would be seen other than on the shoe itself.

• packaging
• labels
• old peoples clothing (tops, belts, hats, scarfs, purses/wallets)
• posters/billboards (varied sizes)

I've been thinking what this brand of shoe would be called.
I've come up with a few names simply by mixing the different names used for each shoe (sports shoe, trainer, slippers etc)
So far I've got: Slainer, Slain, Splainer, Slipper Sport, Sport Slipper, Sleaks, Tripper, Trips.

YCN Presentation Boards

Illustration

I've been looking at existing imagery of older people and have been drawing from them.
Baring in mind my illustrative skills are awful, the pictures I've drawn aren't too great. I really wanted to give drawing a go though, and I want to try and keep it up during this project. I'm not a huge fan of drawing, but it's something I want to try and improve. I'm always using photography too, which I love, but I wanted to try a different approach. I'm not completely ruling out photography, as I'll most definitely use it within my research. We'll see what happens. :)