Step one:
Research
I looked into what the what "Prologue" means.
How it is applied to music, the Jazz program, students?
How can I convey that message through the CD design?
This also involved reading the brief and figuring out what the client is looking for.
Figuring out how many colours can be used, as well as what images we are to use.
What is the client asking for? How I can achieve what they are looking for?
Step Two:
Thumbnail sketches
I jotted down ideas as well as sketches onto pieces of paper to give myself a direction to follow.
This involved creating several different layouts as well as figuring out placement of the elements to include
Once I had a solid concept in my sketches I moved onto revising them.
I picked two directions I was experimenting with and tried to push them further with revisions.
I took elements from each and tried to apply them to one "better" layout.
Once I had a layout & concept I was happy with I moved onto my computer.
Step Three:
Searching for Typefaces
Since this mostly a typographic layout I felt it was important to find typefaces that were appropriate for this piece.
I wanted to choose a typeface that could express the feeling of Jazz, but that was not too flashy.
Once I had figured out a general idea of which faces I was going to use I opened up the template in illustrator.
Step Four:
Digital Comps
After opening the template I began to create guides for my layout.
I then applied my concepts and designs.
Although it is still very rough, I feel I have a good direction and will be able to get some good feedback on Monday.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
How do I create?
I am a person who lives for design.
I live to experience, to embrace and, most importantly, to design.
I am an experimentalist in the context of creativity and design.
I am still trying to find my creative voice and style; therefore, on this never ending journey, I find myself experimenting with new (well at least to me) techniques, typefaces, colours, and styles.
I want to create a style that is distinctly my own.
I find myself learning towards more of a grunge influence with saturated colours - this is because of my influences and interests.
I want my concepts and styles to be unique to myself, however I do not want to limit myself to working in that one style.
I guess I could say that my creative process is influenced by what I see around me: environment, mood or circumstance all contribute to the work I produce.
I want to remember and keep in mind that design is communication, not art - not personal expression. I have to be able to distinguish that design is all about communication: if I lose the message I have failed as a designer.
When watching the Ken Robinson TED talk, I was in complete agreement with what he was saying. I understood completely when he said that students are often told to give up their dreams because they will not end up getting a job in that field, or more importantly make any money in that. If I had a nickle for everytime I heard my mother say that to me growing up.
But more importantly there was a quote he said that struck me the most: "If you are not prepared to be wrong, you will never come up with anything creative."
I find that line to be remarkably true because I feel it myself.
When working on a project for school I am, more often than not, afraid to push the bar and the boundaries of the brief because I am afraid of not doing well on the project, mark wise.
This is something I am starting to pick up on and starting to attempt to correct because when I look back, the pieces I am most unhappy with are the ones which I followed the rules and stayed within the boundaries.
While discussing the Ken Robinson talk I think we all came to a pretty unanimous decision that public schools try and limit creativity and courses focused on the arts in hope of producing more scientific and mathematically clever students.
Being a visual person, I hated taking maths and sciences in high school, not that I didn't like learning, but rather because I would have liked to have spent that time in an art or music class.
When listening to the excerpted 100 Habit's list, I found that I although I agree with all of them, I find myself not following the, as much as I would.
I should get out more. Make the time to go and appreciate the design around me. I live in the city now, there is no excuse.
Of the suggestions discussed from the 100 Habit's list, I related most to #4 - "Change your Environment". (Although I found it hard to simply pick one. I can relate to all of them.)
I spend so much time in my small residence dorm that by the end of the semester I have completely run out of creativity. Over the last few weeks I have found myself being more productive by leaving my room and working in lounges or with friends.
By leaving my environment I find myself being able to take a fresh look at what I'm working on.
It also ties in with #2 –"Look at the everyday world for inspiration", because by changing my environment I can grab for different inspiration around me.
Additionally, I really liked the suggestion of watching videos of comedians.
I often find myself listening to comedians while I work, or take a little bit to watch a comedian I like like Dylan Moran, if I am feeling stuck on something.
I thought it was because I was a bit mad, but I am glad to find that there is someone who has found this to be a beneficial.
In conclusion, creativity needs to be encouraged and nurtured to grow. Constant application and practice helps us as designers learn and in the end helps us better our work.
We also learn from other designers and the world around us.
But most importantly, we have to be able to learn from our mistakes. Be prepared to be wrong. As John Adam's says: "Fail often, succeed sooner".
Words to live by.
I live to experience, to embrace and, most importantly, to design.
I am an experimentalist in the context of creativity and design.
I am still trying to find my creative voice and style; therefore, on this never ending journey, I find myself experimenting with new (well at least to me) techniques, typefaces, colours, and styles.
I want to create a style that is distinctly my own.
I find myself learning towards more of a grunge influence with saturated colours - this is because of my influences and interests.
I want my concepts and styles to be unique to myself, however I do not want to limit myself to working in that one style.
I guess I could say that my creative process is influenced by what I see around me: environment, mood or circumstance all contribute to the work I produce.
I want to remember and keep in mind that design is communication, not art - not personal expression. I have to be able to distinguish that design is all about communication: if I lose the message I have failed as a designer.
When watching the Ken Robinson TED talk, I was in complete agreement with what he was saying. I understood completely when he said that students are often told to give up their dreams because they will not end up getting a job in that field, or more importantly make any money in that. If I had a nickle for everytime I heard my mother say that to me growing up.
But more importantly there was a quote he said that struck me the most: "If you are not prepared to be wrong, you will never come up with anything creative."
I find that line to be remarkably true because I feel it myself.
When working on a project for school I am, more often than not, afraid to push the bar and the boundaries of the brief because I am afraid of not doing well on the project, mark wise.
This is something I am starting to pick up on and starting to attempt to correct because when I look back, the pieces I am most unhappy with are the ones which I followed the rules and stayed within the boundaries.
While discussing the Ken Robinson talk I think we all came to a pretty unanimous decision that public schools try and limit creativity and courses focused on the arts in hope of producing more scientific and mathematically clever students.
Being a visual person, I hated taking maths and sciences in high school, not that I didn't like learning, but rather because I would have liked to have spent that time in an art or music class.
When listening to the excerpted 100 Habit's list, I found that I although I agree with all of them, I find myself not following the, as much as I would.
I should get out more. Make the time to go and appreciate the design around me. I live in the city now, there is no excuse.
Of the suggestions discussed from the 100 Habit's list, I related most to #4 - "Change your Environment". (Although I found it hard to simply pick one. I can relate to all of them.)
I spend so much time in my small residence dorm that by the end of the semester I have completely run out of creativity. Over the last few weeks I have found myself being more productive by leaving my room and working in lounges or with friends.
By leaving my environment I find myself being able to take a fresh look at what I'm working on.
It also ties in with #2 –"Look at the everyday world for inspiration", because by changing my environment I can grab for different inspiration around me.
Additionally, I really liked the suggestion of watching videos of comedians.
I often find myself listening to comedians while I work, or take a little bit to watch a comedian I like like Dylan Moran, if I am feeling stuck on something.
I thought it was because I was a bit mad, but I am glad to find that there is someone who has found this to be a beneficial.
In conclusion, creativity needs to be encouraged and nurtured to grow. Constant application and practice helps us as designers learn and in the end helps us better our work.
We also learn from other designers and the world around us.
But most importantly, we have to be able to learn from our mistakes. Be prepared to be wrong. As John Adam's says: "Fail often, succeed sooner".
Words to live by.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Design is...
Design is all around us.
From the posters on our walls, the shoes that we wear, and even the cars we drive: Everything is designed.
I think as a society we have become so accustomed to design that a lot of the time we don't even notice that it is around us. I also think we take design for granted; A lot of people purchase products and without a second thought. They tear through the carefully designed packaging- only throw it in the bin. Rarely, if not ever, do they experience or examine the absolutely brilliant piece of work that had been so carefully and painstakingly put together for their enjoyment.
The unique and interesting design of the Apple's iPods have contributed to their success. Almost everyone knows how and iPod looks, and that's exactly why they have become an accessory in today's society.
And that's why it separates them from the other brands of Mp3 players.
It's the design.
I chose to become a designer because I have always had a passion for creating and designing. The reward for me is the sense of satisfaction I get after creating a piece I am truly proud of.
I turn into a child on Christmas morning when I am given a project.
I love planning a layout.
I love scribbling down as many ideas as I can.
I love choosing typefaces and then making them to work the way I want them to.
I love designing grids.
This is so exciting to me; I love it all.
Design is also important because it makes the world interesting.
Innovative and interesting/unique design makes things stand out. It keeps the world interesting by breaking away from the mundane and everyday.
Design also can be used to solve a problem or to make a task easier.
Recently I came across these "Beetle tip" pens. These pens are designed so that they circle words in one motion and also to work as a traditional highlighter.
Simple design, simple concept. Not life changing, but it's nonetheless unique and interesting.
Design is generated by creating a balance by using elements such as grids, colours, graphics, and typography in a way that the piece is visually appealing as well as being informative to the audience. If the message is clear and the visuals are appropriate and interesting- If the piece makes the viewer think- Then, and only then, is the piece successful.
When I design, I tend to become obsessive.
I feel motivated to create a good piece of design and try not to over complicate things. However, sometimes I find myself stepping away for a bit so I can regroup and remember the basic principals of KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid!).
When I experience good design, I generally make some attempt to capture it.
Good design motivates me to work harder myself. I learn from it. I see from it things that I may not have thought of myself. Not something to copy, but something new and altogether my own.
When I experience good design online, I screencap or save it.
If I find it in a book or magazine, I buy it.
If I see it on the street, I take a picture of it.
But this often makes me question what "good" design is. Can I classify something as "good" design simply because it appeals to me? Of course not! "Good" design is such a broad term.
Remember, gentle reader, design is universal.
//revised again at 10:35pm / JANUARY 15, 2008
From the posters on our walls, the shoes that we wear, and even the cars we drive: Everything is designed.
I think as a society we have become so accustomed to design that a lot of the time we don't even notice that it is around us. I also think we take design for granted; A lot of people purchase products and without a second thought. They tear through the carefully designed packaging- only throw it in the bin. Rarely, if not ever, do they experience or examine the absolutely brilliant piece of work that had been so carefully and painstakingly put together for their enjoyment.
The unique and interesting design of the Apple's iPods have contributed to their success. Almost everyone knows how and iPod looks, and that's exactly why they have become an accessory in today's society.And that's why it separates them from the other brands of Mp3 players.
It's the design.
I chose to become a designer because I have always had a passion for creating and designing. The reward for me is the sense of satisfaction I get after creating a piece I am truly proud of.
I turn into a child on Christmas morning when I am given a project.
I love planning a layout.
I love scribbling down as many ideas as I can.
I love choosing typefaces and then making them to work the way I want them to.
I love designing grids.
This is so exciting to me; I love it all.
Design is also important because it makes the world interesting.
Innovative and interesting/unique design makes things stand out. It keeps the world interesting by breaking away from the mundane and everyday.
Design also can be used to solve a problem or to make a task easier.
Recently I came across these "Beetle tip" pens. These pens are designed so that they circle words in one motion and also to work as a traditional highlighter.Simple design, simple concept. Not life changing, but it's nonetheless unique and interesting.
Design is generated by creating a balance by using elements such as grids, colours, graphics, and typography in a way that the piece is visually appealing as well as being informative to the audience. If the message is clear and the visuals are appropriate and interesting- If the piece makes the viewer think- Then, and only then, is the piece successful.
When I design, I tend to become obsessive.
I feel motivated to create a good piece of design and try not to over complicate things. However, sometimes I find myself stepping away for a bit so I can regroup and remember the basic principals of KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid!).
When I experience good design, I generally make some attempt to capture it.
Good design motivates me to work harder myself. I learn from it. I see from it things that I may not have thought of myself. Not something to copy, but something new and altogether my own.
When I experience good design online, I screencap or save it.
If I find it in a book or magazine, I buy it.
If I see it on the street, I take a picture of it.
But this often makes me question what "good" design is. Can I classify something as "good" design simply because it appeals to me? Of course not! "Good" design is such a broad term.
Remember, gentle reader, design is universal.
//revised again at 10:35pm / JANUARY 15, 2008
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
