Design Principles // 3D constructed type lesson

The goal of this lesson was to as a group construct a letter by using 3-5 different plains starting from close and each plain getting further away.

Our group used quite a quick rough technique to create our letters, using rough cuts and 2d shapes where as some other groups tried to create 3D cardboard shapes on each plain.

Our initial plan was to create a capital S, we suspended the furthest and middle layer from the ceiling using string to create the correct height, with the front plain being much closer to the view spot.

It isn't the neatest result ever but when looked at through the view spot it definitely does the job.

We wanted to then a more plains to the piece to  add to the intricacy and complexity of the letter.
As we had already created the S with 3 plains we thought if we were to add another 2 layers then we should manipulate the letter that we chose.

Therefore we attempted to create a lower case G, adding to the existing plains and trying to add a coloured background t visible gaps.

Our final result.

Design Principles // What is a line? - Inner Spread

For each inner spread, I want to keep a continuous theme to keep each individual guide as part of the set, however i also still have each one to be individual.

From the colours I had used for the sticks on the cover, i chose one for the background and the others to accompany and create a funky theme

The sticks running along both spreads are both there to link the design the the covers but also to create a simple stave that could be used to hold the notated drum groove, as long as i always keep the center stick a lighter colour than the notes then it should work well, to allow the music to still be readable even though no visible stave is there.

 For the notations, I thought I would experiment with using sticks again to base the notes around, it actually turned out really well, the sticks are able to create quite a good looking bar of drum notation

Clyde Stubblefield - Funky Drummer

David Gavibaldi - Soul With a Capital 'S'

Joseph "Zigaboo" Modileste - Cissy Strut

Greg Errico - Dance to the Music

 finished Inner Spreads for each guide

Each is unique but still funky, the colours are what I think make the guides what they are, a funky guide for a funky drummer. There could become a monthly edition of these spreads, featuring a groove and information about a different drummer with a new design for each release to represent the genre

Design Principles // What is a line? - Idea Changes and development

As I have been developing my ideas I have realised that maybe if I make an individual folded leaflet for each drummer then they could be sold as part of a set of individually, this could also develop to having new releases every month, then in this case it would not only have to be limited to the funk genre.

I have been trying to develop a logo for the guides

i also have come up with an idea for the visuals of the covers for the guides.

The colours I chose for the sticks were loosely based on the colours of George Clinton's hai, because this man is the epitome of funk.

 The only Problem with this design at the minute is it will be quite hard to find a suitable place to put the title of each guide, but I may jabe to incorporate a belly band for the set which would hold the heading.

Ot really doesn't look natural when I try to place the type over the design, and it also ruins the simplicity if you try to put it under the Funk logo.

As each guide is only small, I thought I would make the most of the space on the back of the guide and place the bio of each drummer.

The font I chose was Chalet - New York Nineteen Seventy i thought it had the right shape and weight i needed for a funky design, it also suited bold and bright colours an fit well around the other visuals.

 I am not 100% sure about the placement of the bio, because the book is small, the font size has to be 9 to fit all the information on and still be readable, unfortunately it still takes up quite alot of space, which is why I chose to put it on the back page, so as not to fill the inside spread, and confuse the design.

Design Practice 1 // Stamp it - Crit and Feedback

The Crit was a different one today, small groups, presenting their designs to Amber and Jo, It was actually one of my favorite formats for a crit to take, as in this circumstance, I really felt like I got concentrated personal feedback, which was directed at me and only me.

This helped me really get some proper critical feedback, which i coud personally go away and amend.

As I presented my design, i got quite positive initial reactions, i explained that my design revolved around standby power, and even though I know it is not the biggest issue when it comes down to global warming, it is still an issue that needs tackling and will help global warming in the long run.

At this point i asked everyone if they understood the message I am trying to convey, without having to explain it to them and generally they did understand the concept, the only thing that they seemed to question was the lined patterned background. It was suggested by Jo that she thought they there to represent power lines. Even though that would fit into into my concept, I am not going to lie and say that was my original intention.

They also made a comment about the quality of the print, and the un-eco friendly amount of black in it took to print the stamps and boards. 

I do agree with this comment, it is a little silly that I decided to print a lot of solid black, especially seeming though it is a brief that is specific to global warming and climate change. Next time I would experiment more with colours / stocks and printing techniques to make the stamps themselves more economically friendly.

After a little discussion in the group and a look at my presentation boards, Jo found my initial type ideas  and first draft of the stamp design with the black background and no pattern. She said that personally she proffered the more simple, design that I originally made, Amber added that visually it created a more interesting and less confusing, unique set of stamps.

I needed this kind of feedback, because as i was ill the week prior to the crit, I have not really had chance to gather peoples feedback or reactions about my design.

So it was decided that It would be better if I took the stamps back a stage and re did them in the simpler format. However, considering I got these printed properly and I have tried to continue the theme throughout all the deliverable, I am going to use the one printed to show in the presentation on Monday and re print before module submission.

Design Principles // What is a line - Ideas and development

My initial intention was to create 1 single folded publication which will include 4 - 6 pages each DPS holding information on a funk drumming legend, the information would include a brief bio of the drummer and how they changed funk music, it will also incorporate a noted drum groove they used in one of their most popular songs.

The book is to be aimed at drummers from intermediate to professional standard, the books main intention is not to teach drummers how to be the best funk drummer but instead inform interested drummers on the main influential artists of the funk genre, so they will learn about the people who shaped the funk world as well as get a groove that they can develop as well as play along with the song.

I want quite a small layout so after tying different size variations I decided to create a wide and short layout which is 90mm x 360mm.

it would work so each page features a different drummer, but I would like a constant funky theme throughout, which means bold and bright colours with visuals that let the audience know it is a publication for drummers.

I transcribed the drum notation from the most famous songs with the funkiest groove that drummers performed, i also wanted to choose the songs that really showed off each drummers particular drumming style.

I actually quite liked the hand drawn notations, i think they would look quite good as they are, but I also really want to create a funky vibe and I don't think this style is funk. 

Drummer - Joseph "Zigaboo" Modeliste 

Played Most famously for - The Meters

Most Popular Song - Cissy Strut

Short Bio I wrote from research into the life of Zigaboo Modeliste

Born 1948 in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Joseph “Zigaboo” Modeliste Has one of the funkiest drumming styles ever to grace this earth, he was one of the Original members of The Meters, a pioneering funk band based in New Orleans.
He spent Much of his long career as a professional drummer as a solo artist and producer, where he released the album Zigaboo.Com in 2000.
As well as being a member of The Meters he has also performed with artists such as the Rolling Stones, Keith Richards, Dr.John, Professor Longhair, John Fogerty, Robert Palmer, Allen Toussaint and many more

Drummer - David Garibaldi

Played Most Famously for - Tower Of Power

Most Popular Song - Soul With A Capital 'S'

Born in 1943 in Oakland, California, USA
David Garibaldi who most famously played for Tower of Power became on of the most influential drummers of his generation and was an innovator in funk drumming.
Through a life of drumming from the age of 10 and a professional career in music from the age of 17 which included 4 years in the United States Air Force where he became a member of the 724th United States Air Force Band. Only then did David Garibaldi join Tower of Power to claim his place as a funk legend,
He rejoined Tower of Power in 1998 and continues touring with them to this day.
David has played with a wide range of artists and bands over his career, including wishful Thinking, The Buddy Rich Orchestra, Talking Drums, Yellow Jackets<patti Austin, Mickey Hart, Jermaine Jackson and many more.

Drummer - Clyde Stubblefield 

Played Most Famously For - James Brown

Most Popular song - Funky Drummer

Born in 1943 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA.
Clyde Stubblefield was the drummer behind many of James Browns biggest funk hits in the 60’s, there is no doubt that he is on of the originators of the typical funk groove.
He was the drummer for such tracks as ‘Cold Sweat’ , I Got a Feelin’’, ‘Say it Loud’, ‘Mother Popcorn’ and ‘Funky Drummer’. Over his careers the drum beats he has laid down have been sampled so many times by Hip Hop and R&B artists it has earned him the unofficial title as ‘the Worlds Most Sampled Drummer’
Clyde Stubblefield was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000 and over his career has played with James Brown , Ben Sidran, Otis Redding, Clayton Filyau, John Scofield, Levi Rasbury, Jabo Starks, Pee Wee Ellis, Bootsy Collins and many more including his own project the Clyde Stubblefield Band.

Drummer - Greg Errico

Played Most Famously for - Sly and the Family Stone

Most Popular Song - Dance to the Music

Born 1948 in San Fancisco, California, USA
Greg Errico Is an Italian American musician, most famous for being the original drummer of the psychedelic funk/ soul band Sly and the family stone in 1966 where he played with an original, groovy, laid back style which made his name as a funk innovator.
He quit Sly in 1971 due to band difficulties where he then fell into the Jazz-fusion scene with the group Weather Report in 1973.
He then went on to join the David Bowie band for the ‘Diamond Dogs’ tour in 1974. As Errico was also a producer he collaborated with many artists to both produce and to play the drums, such as Santana, the Greatful dead, Larry Graham as well as members of Tower of Power.
Errico was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993 and still produces and performs to this day.

Design Practice 1 // Stamp it - Print and production

When I took my design to print I knew that printing black would not be very Environmentally friendly, so obviously if this was a real brief i would have to find a friendlier way of printing the black but for now the only way i can get it printed on the media i want and in the time I have, is to use digital print.

the only way I know of getting stickers done, is to digitally print them and cut them out using the vinyl cutter, this took along time due to the intricacy of the outer shape, but I am happy with how they have come out. The dots are clear, the type is legible, th queens head and amount is clearly visible, and the stock allowed minimal to no bleed.

Double print again was a quick decision, it was either that or, print each side separately and stick them together manually, for the sake of cost and speed I double side printed again. As expected they were no where near in line, so once again, my silly decisions have effected the outcome of the design.

3 A2 Presentation boards   

We were also required to make 3 A2 presentation boards that can be presented with the stamps, to explain, research, development and final products.

Research

general research on standby power that influenced my design decisions

Development

 Development from initial Ideas and feedback to final chosen design that I will take to the crit.

Final Design

Final finished designs in actual size and 4 times enlarged.

Book production.

 As the stamps are cut out stickers, all I need to do is cut out the set, and stick it to the right hand page of the inner book, this will then be able to be used like a working book of stamps, each one can be pealed and used.

I am reasonably happy with the finished article as it is. It has been interesting to see other peoples designs, to see how they have individually responded to the same task. i am sure i will get some comments about the design, but i have enough confidence in it to be able to put my thought and ideas across in the crit and see what response is given.

While producing the books, I have received several positive comments from peers. The subject of ink used came up at one point which I was not that surprised about to be honest, but many responses liked the visual impact of the stamps, the message was understood clearly without explanation which I am pleased about.

Design Practice 1 // Stamp it - Stamp book design

For the stamp book, I created a document 172mm W x 84mm H creating an almost square book, i want to include the pattern from the stamps to continue the theme. 

The book will also be a great opportunity to put more information about the message I am tryng to communicate, The information I will provide will be based around the facts and statistics i researched about standby power, some of the stats are surprising so this may help get results through shock factor, people will be newly educated about what standby power is doing to the environment, shocked by this they will be more likely to participate in the changes. 

 

Outer Cover

 As the book should also inform the viewer what they are buying, as I have decided to make all of my stamps first class, I used the area which on the stamps is where the queens head and amount is located, to place the information  6x1st class as well as the royal mail logo.

This is all I need on the front cover I think, not too much information but still informs, attracts attention as well as shows what people can expect from the stamps inside.

 

The back cover is where I will put one of the stats, keeping the colour scheme and Politica XT font.

I don't want to include the line pattern on the rear cover as I want the paragraph to be the only thing people concentrate on.

I also thought this would be a good opportunity to put some of the original imagery, it creates a nicer visual when you can see the graduation of the designs all on one page, instead of being on separate stamps. 

Doing this also brings my initial idea of simplicity and space back into the design.

As you can see it is a totally different outcome to the front cover, but still follows general themes.

I will have the inner cover do the same as this rear cover, I will have a factual piece of info or stats with the border, doing this will produce similar visuals on both the inside and the outside of the book, there will be a simply laid out page holding important information contrasted with a busy patterned page which revolves mainly around the imagery.

Inner Cover 

Another fact will be located in the same place as the rear cover in the same style, and with the stamps on the opposite page, i really dont think anything more is needed.

The fact on the first page is the simple layout

The page with the stamps is the patterned page similar to the front cover.