OUGD406 End of Module Evaluation

I enjoyed this module it really helped me gain insight into different approaches to production within design. It also enabled me to learn and develop new techniques such as screen printing. I do believe this module has enabled me to develop and progress through my own work there is some improvement in the layout of my design boards and some more careful consideration to detail I feel helped to improve on my practical work. 

The briefs set out were relevant and appropriate to develop my skills and improve my design work. I did reasonably well to balance my workload and manage my time, regularly updating my blog with research and reflection on my work which I aim to maintain next year. 

I also think I have fulfilled a good learning potential although, I still think my work can progress. But my overall learning throughout this module has helped my progression on the course. This includes the new skills I have learnt and greater focus on production. Feedback I was given was helpful and really helped my work to progress throughout the module. 

The tutors gave me great support during this module. The assessment criteria were clearly explained and explained again closer to submission which was helpful. The Library and Print resources were very helpful due to the resources equipment and workshops. I spent quite a bit more on printing and production for this module but found this essential to develop and progress my ideas further. 

Final Crit : Feedback

Feedback received was mixed but highlighted some opportunities and ideas for further development which I was able to consider. Feedback included agreed the choice of colour scheme gave the designs an aesthetic appropriate to the genre. Although comments suggested I perhaps should have stuck to purely the three or two tone colour instead of having two variations. 

This may have been more appropriate after taking these comments into to consideration this decision perhaps would have made the designs more appropriate as a set. The feedback identified how well the stickers worked in good contrast with the rest of the design. Although feedback suggested perhaps using vinyl for the cassette stickers would have been more effective by making the colour more predominant. Feedback received how well the typeface visualised the censored explicit theme and nature of the genre. 

Overall I got some useful feedback to consider further developments with some positive feedback highlight the successes within design and production. 

What are the intentions? 

Gain insight into improvements and development approaches as well as highlighting positive factors  based upon the design and production. 

How can this be achieved?

Through peer feedback and considering both positive and negative feedback as a way of improving. 

How does this answer the brief?

This shows consideration to alternative approaches, development, self reflection or critique as a way of improving. 

Production GIF's

To showcase the production and final outcomes with a more interactive approach I created three GIF's one showcasing the print process, one showing the final cassette outcome and another set showcasing the typeface design, cassette name visualised through the genre's colour scheme of red, yellow and green. 

What are the intentions? 

Produce an interactive approach showcasing the production process and final outcome designs 

How can this be achieved?

Through creating a series of interactive GIF's which can be used in context through social media platforms such as Instagram.  

How does this answer the brief?

This shows consideration to alternative media and methods of production. 

Print Process GIF

Final Outcome GIF

Typography GIF Series 

Further Development : Production

The images below the initial production stages from the Jcard to the final production of the cassette. With some consideration taken from Boomkat photography showcasing their work.  The images below show the final printed Jcard and the folded version. Also shown below are the circular designed packaging sticker and the cassette name label 'explicit' which can be used where appropriate on the cassette and down the cassette spine, making it identifiable on a shelf. Finally the GIF showcases different angles of the cassette. 

JCard

Packaging Sticker

Cassette sticker/Name Label

The Cassette

Crit & Further Development of Cassette Packaging

Cassette Packaging Ideas 

- Circle sticker 

- Stickers alphabet of typeface

- x and symbol stickers to censor lyrics 

- Sans serif type used to pair with own typeface design for a sticker 

- Concertina layout side a and b track title - lyrics or possible jCard layout  

Sticker set containing the alphabet of the typeface which could be used as shapes to censor lyrics alternatively shapes are also contained within the sticker set. 

Vinyl Sticker JCard inside or insert 

Production Mock up 

Possible development alternative colours not just red, but also yellow and green. Typeface paired with a sans serif typeface. 

What are the intentions? 

To offer alternative approaches to packaging and inserts that relate to the censor theme, whilst making the packaging more interesting and interactive.

How can this be achieved?

By containing inserts that cause intrigue like the Spanish and english explicit lyric layout or the more interactive and engaging sticker insert. 

How does this answer the brief?

Packaging that relates to the concept and theme in an interesting way. 

Crit & Further Development of Flag

Typographic Flag

Inspiration and further development came from diagonal typographic Flag as identified by feedback as the strongest outcome and composition. Experimenting with layout gave the aesthetic of how lyrics can often be displayed solidly left aligned. 

Below are a few mock up layouts I experimented with, containing lyrics. 

Other Development 

 Explicit words a focal point highlighted in my typeface design. Justified by flipping the censored approach to draw clear attention to the explicit lyrics which could be censored. 

Dem Brow - 4/4 BPM

Refined Idea

The slanted typography visualises the generic slanted aesthetic of type on most album cover's for the genre. The textured line acts as a rough stroke to censor the lyrics. The colour scheme references the generic colours associated with 'reggaeton'. This colour scheme proved most effective in visualising both the genre and explicit or censored theme. Whilst the 4x4 Reggaeton generic beat or (Dem Brow) was visualised through the formal language of scale. The first 4 lines of the lyrics have a larger scale and the last four lines have a slightly smaller scale, this aims to represent reggaetons generic 4x4 beat.   

Grid used:

Further development included stretching the type closer to the edges making it larger which improved and adding the finishing touches to the design. The less textured approach to the censored squiggle or line was more appropriate to the form of production being vinyl stickers, as the textured line would not be as effective in sticker form due to the fine detail it contains. 

What are the intentions? 

Produce a flag visualising the genres heritage to Latin America and Spanish lyrics whilst still visualising the censored theme. 

How can this be achieved?

Using line as a formal element to translate the idea of censored lyrics. The generic colour scheme also relates well to the genre and the genre's general associations.

How does this answer the brief?

This design fits the concept and theme through an interesting typographic approach.

Crit & Further Development of Object

Object

Feedback revealed the digital presentation of the idea was effective but would be improved by making it more simplistic visually giving each foot a clearer sequence or labelled 1,2,3,4 etc. This included removing any unnecessary shapes contained within the floor plan such as the solid square contained within the image. After further development feedback received confirmed the simplistic approach to the final design worked better over the more complex original design. 

- Refine to make steps more simplistic l1 l2 l3 l4 

- Get rid of squares solid square this distracts the object visually  

- Make into the format of a vinyl sticker A1 size so the vinyl printed feet can be actual size 

What are the intentions? 

To produce an engaging interactive object inspired by reggaeton dance. 

How can this be achieved?

Designing a dance floor plan with a step by step guide to the audience 

How does this answer the brief?

This produces an engaging object inspired and relative to the genre, pop reggaeton. 

Before 

After

Selected Explicit Lyrics

Surra De Bunda 

As Tequileiras do Funk

Que safado, tá gostando!
Tá achando muito bom...
Vendo bunda rebolando e descendo até o chão!
Tá achando muito facil
Com a tequila, tá chapado
Deixa ele experimentar...
A nossa surra de bunda!!!
Bate com bunda, bate com a bunda!
Bate , bate, bate ! Com a bunda!!!
Bate com bunda, bate com a bunda!
Bate , bate ! Com a bunda!!!
Essa é As Tequileiras, dando uma surra de bunda!
Bate com bunda, bate com a bunda!
Bate , bate ! Com a bunda!!!
Bate com bunda, bate com a bunda!
Bate , bate ! Com a bunda!!!
Essa é As Tequileiras, dando uma surra de bunda!
( Dan- dan- dan - dando uma surra de bunda! )

English Translation

How naughty, you're enjoying it! It's looking very good ... Watching ass flapping and falling to the floor! It's very easy. With the tequila, it's flat Let him try ... Our asshole !!! Hit with your ass, hit your butt! Hit, hit, hit! With the butt !!! Hit with your ass, hit your butt! Hit hit ! With the butt !!! This is The Tequileiras, giving a spanking ass! Hit with your ass, hit your butt! Hit hit ! With the butt !!! Hit with your ass, hit your butt! Hit hit ! With the butt !!! This is The Tequileiras, giving a spanking ass! (Dan dan dan giving a spanking ass!)

Selected Verse 

Que safado, tá gostando!
Tá achando muito bom...
Vendo bunda rebolando e descendo até o chão!
Tá achando muito facil
Com a tequila, tá chapado
Deixa ele experimentar...
A nossa surra de bunda!!!

English Translation

How naughty, you're enjoying it! It's looking very good ... Watching ass flapping and falling to the floor! It's very easy. With the tequila, it's flat Let him try ... Our asshole !!!

Preparing Designs For Screen Print

Design Ideas 

Imagery references genres contextual link or background. Pop Reggaeton's link and origin to Latin America, The imagery references an explicit theme through crime associated in this area or Puerto Rico.

Using Bitmap square format to relate to pixelated censored aesthetic

Using Bitmap and knock out method 

My own typeface design overlaying image 1 using the type to act as the censored shapes. 

Digital Colour Projection 

Exposed Screen Prepared for Print 

After Screen Print 

During the screen print process I wanted to simplify the designs to draw more focus to the type so I printed the type in two overlaying colours red and black. Surrounding the type with negative space gave it more of an impact. Although the second design containing type was too complex and the type was to small for screen print but it did create a nice contrast collage of textures in two tone colour. 

Typographic Flags with Imagery

For further development I experimented with the inclusion of imagery within my typographic designs. This allowed me to further experiment with layout and imagery relating to my chosen genre, pop-reggaeton. 

What are the intentions? 

To produce a typographic design that represents the background and culture of the genre through imagery. Whilst also visualising the audio and sound of the music through the structured typeface. The typeface also visualises the explicit nature of the genre by the pixelated aesthetic of the type. 

How can this be achieved?

The typeface and relevant imagery. The colour scheme also relates more to the explicit censored theme than the generic red green and yellow associated with 'reggae.' This creates a more subtle link to the genre. 

How does this answer the brief?

This establishes a clear aesthetic and visual language for the the design. 

Digital Preparation of Positives for Screen Printing Session 2

Using Illustrator :

Select File and then New 
Select document size

Applying colour to fill or stroke 

- Left option bar 
- Top Left option symbol
- Top Right colour palette option 

Setting a colour palette 

A swatch allows the consistent application of colour throughout design.

The Registration Swatch is used when creating printers marks e.g. trim / crop marks. Part of production instead of the content. 

Using the Swatch palette make a new swatch 

- Helps create a relevant consistent colour palette 

- Colour mode : CMYK Process Colour 

- Using the sliders can mix colours to create a new ink 

- After a swatch is made it is possible to alter the percentages 

- Swatches can be made using New Swatch and by using the colour palette 

- Information about a swatch is available by double clicking 

- Swatches created from the image contain are global swatches 

- The colour palette reflects CMYK percentages whereas global gives tints of a colour offering greater variation of tone. 

- Illustrator swatches are global by default 

- Spot colours and tints can be applied to swatches

Using Illustrator to prepare an image for Screen Print 

- Separation preview confirms how each ink will look before printing. 

- To overprint go to windows and the attribute palette 

- Overprinting adds the aesthetic of a transparency 

Packaging 

Using the rectangle tool create rectangles using these measurements 

Use the transform palette instead of clicking and dragging 

Choose a reference point and change the height 

Extend the reference point 

Use this template 

This creates a template for the inlay card 

Remove the rectangle and focus on the crop/fold marks 

Add an image