InDesign, existing layout examples.

 

The majority of these layouts are focused on a person/people.  This is the most relevant because my article will be based on someone else.  I am looking for common similarities that can be adapted into my work.  I am also looking for interesting and innovative ways of presenting this information that I can take inspiration from.

For example, the second image down focuses on the person entirely.  The image spreads across a double page with a small amount of text over it.  This straight away captures your attention, and holds a lot of impact- depending on the tone of the article this could work well- reflecting the bold nature of my partners personality.

 

For me the article above is littered with images, it is crowded and confusing.  The general feel is dull yet busy.  One aspect I can take from this article is the colour scheme- it works well in capturing the viewers attention, and holds an exciting feel- I need to remember that colour scheme can also affect the tone of an article before someone has even read it.

All of the articles above are from the same magazine 'Pop'.  This is more the feel I think i'll be going for.  It's something in which I can imagine my partner (Luis) in.  The feel is more structured with interesting imagery- the structured aspect is one that reflects Luis' personality, everything has to be organised and structured.  I specifically like the overlay of a small, light pointsize type on the image, with different weights creating an interesting texture from a distance.

The articles above all come from the illustration magazine 'Varoom'.  They all possess high quality layouts using different typefaces, colours, shapes of text and weighting- giving some really interesting finishes.  The different typefaces coupled with their size means that focus is on different areas- I can use this to my advantage when designing Luis' article- focusing on a small amount of text that sums up its tone.

The two articles above are from the French culture magazine 'Numero'.  They have money to spend on layout here, making use of space, these articles looks as if they come form an expensive magazine.  I particularly like the second article- the mass of space draws you in.

The article above is from 'The Times' supplement: 'Eureka'.  Here, there is a lot of information crammed on one page.  It is regimented yet also busy.

I need to think about different weighting within the article- how it, in a subheading or sentence can create different levels of focus and thus change its tone.  It also looks more visually interesting and diverse- rather than solid weighting within the whole thing.  

Speaking from experience, initial ideas

Perspective drawing, 'what is a line?'

Architectural drawing, Perspective and rendering

Farey and Edwards

Because one of the main points to my project is that I want to go back to basics- increase my drawing skills, the direction my project has taken leads me here.  I need to be able to effectively produce an image that draws you in, has depth and jumps out at you.  I think that if I get the perspectives right within my final resolution it has the potential to look impressive.
I have referenced this book more as a visual aid rather than facts- the book reads more like one long opinion rather than facts.  However, these images are the most helpful to grasp a sense of perspective that I have seen.

I've read up on perspective drawing and practiced it on my 'dp' blog, and feel that it has helped immensely. 

Where is Graphic Design found?

Where is it meant to be seen?  In what situation or at what scale?  How is the audience supposed to receive it and are they meant to interact with it?

Print:

Unfortunately I found all of these prints on foreign sites.  However, I think that these three designs are all successful in their use of colour.  They have been printed in a relatively small format so therefore I would presume are designed to be picked up and interacted with.

This first design below is successful in my opinion because of its simplicity, layout and interesting contrast in texture.  The use of foil blocking draws you in and makes you want to pick it up.

All three have a strong use of shapes, directing the eye, highlighting areas.

Brilliant touch.  Anything with a hand-crafted aspect to it.  Even if it is a small aspect.  Instantly adds a certain quality to a piece if design (if it looks good).  This is because nowadays it is so so easy to go on Illustrator or Photoshop and create something.  -by incorporating some kind of physical technique your putting more (physical) effort into it.  People like this.  It appears to have been taken care of, and you want to take care of it.

Graphic sculptures:

Jen Stark:

-Paper crafting at its best.

 

It works because it breeds happiness.  First of all you see the colours and the complex shapes- it looks very nice indeed.  But then you find out that it is all done by hand, and your mind is blown.  These pieces are designed to be exhibited- so therefore not to be touched just looked at.  The audience are supposed to be entertained, excited, impressed.  And they are.  Everyone i've spoken to has all of Starks' work- and why wouldn't you? Your bombarded with bright colours and shapes.  I think it's the innocent feel of all her work that the viewer connects to.  It makes you feel like a kid again- cutting out coloured card and sticking it together- yet it holds much more skill and imagination.

"Believer" by Jen Stark / Music by Dan Deacon from Jen Stark on Vimeo.

- trippy.

Type:

Title sequences to films often have really interesting ways of depicting names.
Here's one of my favourite:

 

 

 

 

Throughout this whole film type is a general theme.  Below is an interview with the designer of the title sequence Ben Conrad:

ATS: Did the ‘rules’ stem from the title graphics or vice versa? Or were both always planned that way?

BC: The rules and title sequence evolved separately, but in the end came to a more understated simple approach. The goal was to integrate the type into the film and propel the narrative without becoming heavy-handed. The film is essentially a comedy, and we felt that punctuating the humor with a simple typographic approach was the way to go.

ATS: And what about the placement and interaction of the typographic elements? What were the various stages that went into producing those shots?
BC: The interactive animation of the type first started with the rules and eventually made their way into the main title sequence. We wanted to seamlessly integrate the type into the scene, making the type become another character. We were inspired by the tension between beauty and horror that the slow motion footage created. The goal for the type was to respond to that horrific grace, to react to the movement.
Soucred from: http://www.artofthetitle.com/2010/04/05/zombieland/ 

This type has been designed for a title sequence.  The main aim is for the type to interact with its surroundings- to move when something crashes into it.  The reason this title sequence is so successful is because of many things.  I think that the addition of the track can add a lot of emotion to something, and in this case it is.  However, the things moving the type is what makes is humorous- the context in which it is placed- the gritty horror juxtaposed with light contrasts such as a three legged father son race just increases the humor behind it. 

Another one:
The Hangover by Todd Phillips

  
 Unfortunately I couldn't get anything other than German video footage of this one so it's stills.  Though, the reason I think this works so well is because of its cinematography.  Even as stills the composition and colours of these images look as if they could be a static poster.  Even taken out of context this design works well.  My favourite still would be the top- i love bold, block, harsh typography against a natural setting.  

Typography:

sourced from designspiration.net: 

I found this interesting again because of its' natural look against block type.  Its something i've seen plenty before but it's nice nontheless.  
The type works well and has a sort of rustic feel.  It reminds me of an album cover.  The layout of the text against the square format means it would work well in a C.D context.

Branding:
"       "

  I think I like branding.  Unfortunately the background for this is unknown, however I think it is a solid image that is memorable and that's how it should be.