Creative Networks - Daft Punk/Andrew Graham Dixon - Evaluation

This brief was a good way to start the year again. Working in a group is always challenging but we worked well together. Aimee, Katie and I ahve worked together before and undestand how each other work. When things got a bit tense we knew how to get over the problem rather than making a huge thing out of it. I think we were right to work with our friends because of this. 
We were a bit gutted we didn't win because we were proud of the designs. I think the Daft Punk one was visually pleasing and would stood out agasint other posters in uni. It was a shame no one else got to see that poster as it wasn't even shown in the feedback presentation. 
Andrew Graham Dixon poster was shown however and it was really helpful to get the feedback of why we didn't win. We possibly could of pushed the brief further, other groups had designed further materail and put the posters in sitchu. We didn't do that for the submission but learned that that would of been a good thing to do. It allows your client to fully understand your intent with the design and makes it come alive.

Creative Networks - Daft Punk/Andrew Graham Dixon - Finals

These are the two final poster designs we submitted for a chance to be part of the Creative Networks team. These posters a successful to us, because we feel they work really well within the college and convey the message of what the event is. 

The Andrew Graham Dixon poster works well because it uses that identifying shape similar to the school logo. On the inside of College, a student or employee can understand that is a Creative Networks event, happening in College. Outside of College, it is a modern and eye catching design that tells the viewer of an exciting and interesting event happening at LCA.

The Daft Punk poster works well because it uses the image of the famous helmets the duo wear. These are instantly recognisable and will connect to the viewer. The colours work well because its a bright poster with a background that excites the eye. Making the viewer wanting to know more about the event and get involved.

Creative Networks - Daft Punk/Andrew Graham Dixon - Experiments

Andrew Graham Dixon - 

These experiments of the poster were developed from the idea of using the images from the books and the kaleidoscope maker app. The patterns that are created are quite hard to work with, because they are quite strong on their own and when mixed with others clashy. It is a good clash with them and makes the viewer look at the image in more detail.

The triangular shape was developed from working with a few shapes. The pattern was alternated so that there was clearly different patterns on each level. 

We used the shape from the LCA logo for the poster information as a simple way to connect the speaker to the College.

The hexagon shape was a follow on from the LCA logo. Creating a pattern is more interesting and exciting way to use the shape.

One of these posters needs to be further developed in order to get to the final design.

Daft Punk - 

The poster development was slightly difficult because we wanted to convey an idea of light, colours and textures. The foil idea didn’t work because the pattern drawn up just didn’t suit having text around it. 

After trying the foil idea we moved on to the idea of using the colour from their lights and using a half tone. This idea worked a lot better straight away, so we stuck with it and developed it.

The half tone dual colour is to represent both people in Daft Punk and give them a more colourful look. Rather than using black like other posters or CD covers, we felt colours were more eye catching. We darkened the colours so that the white type was more visible. Using white type gives the poster a brighter appearance and is easier to read.

Creative Networks - Daft Punk/Andrew Graham Dixon - Ideas

Andrew Graham Dixon -


When researching Dixon, it was obvious he has written many books on many different types of art through the ages. We want to use imagery to convey what Dixon’s focus is on.

The idea of using shapes and patterns came about because in history, it often repeats like a pattern and it would be good way to show this.

There is a lot of imagery on Dixon’s books which would be good to incorporate. 

The use of the Creative Networks logo is important. The logo needs to be easily seen in order for the audience to recognise what kind of event it is. 

The LCA logo won’t be used, however it is a good shape to look for inspiration for the poster. This is a college event and keeping the identity of the college in the poster is good idea. We want to use imagery from art history books but have a contemporary twist to them. If we used a picture from the Sistine Chapel, it would not create much excitement and interest.  

The six images of patterns are a few experiments using art history books from the library with a kaleidoscope app. It repeats the pattern and creates a very interesting image.

Using these images would be a good starting point to creating the poster. 

These images are quite clashy, strong colours and interesting to look at and understand. Working with these may be difficult because there is so much pattern and colour.

Daft Punk -

The research undertaken highlighted that Daft Punk use a lot of colour and light in their performances. However in their branding and merchandise they use a lot of darker colours. The posters need to attract attention, using black is costly and may not catch people’s eyes. 

 The idea of using foil as imagery, is a way of trying to use texture, colour and light all together. Daft Punk are very futuristic looking and sounding, tin foil is a good way to show this. The way the light catches and shadows are created when scanned in, gave ideas to use in a pattern similar to the stage lights.

This idea may or may not work due to the strong colours and positioning of the light and dark.

Creative Networks - Daft Punk/Andrew Graham Dixon - Research

Creative Networks team briefed us on the opportunity to produce all the event promo work for them. This is a very exciting brief because it's a way to get really involved in the College and also see some well respected people talk about their works. Firstly we had to do this small brief in order to get a chance to work with them throughout the year.
It was recommended to work in teams for the brief because if it successful there is a lot of work involved.

Katie, Aimee and I work in close proximity already so thought it would be good to group together to try and win this brief.
We all set about research alone and then gathered ideas and worked together when trying to visualise those.

Andrew Graham Dixon - 

He is a popular art historian with a lot of books and tv programs written by himself.  His knowledge range to do with art is massive which makes designing a poster interesting. 

There is scope to use the imagery from his books and interpret them into a poster of some kind.

Daft Punk - 

I looked at Daft Punk's website and the posters on there are not very expected. It is surprising to see such retro designs, seeing as Daft Punk have a futuristic sound and look. 

This is something to think about while designing, do we bring it out of the retro style and use the style of the band already. 

The stage is something to take inspiration from. The colours, shapes and light used are very interesting to look at. This design could be carried through to the poster. 

Brief Writing Work Shop

The workshop was useful in order to see how other people have written their briefs. My briefs were quite simple and vague, this was because I wanted people to add bits or ideas to them. Through the workshop I have 6 briefs lined up with solid ideas. 

There is a possibility of collaboration with a student from Illustration who is interested in Russia and Soviet Design like me. Working with them will hopefully help towards my practical for CoP as well as produce something good together.

The briefs will be written up properly when they get started. 

DR ME

Dr Me are an interesting design duo from Manchester. They're quite free thinking as they approach briefs and projects. It was good to hear how they came from finishing their degree and getting into work and creating their business. 

BRIEF

To create something which demonstrates you as a designer. The piece can be worked on and sent to DR ME. So should be small and posted.

This brief was really free, I think I struggled a little bit because I was thinking too much. Sometimes it is possible to just draw something up and it work. The brief's title is Norman Mailer, which apparently had nothing to do with the brief. However, I thought it was what you call a piece of work you get through the post.

So with that in mind, I drew up a design where it says, 'This is your Norman Mailer, by me GOG'. This could work for a cover for any work a designer sends to another person. 

This brief can be worked on more as the deadline for submissions is the 23rd. I think I will work on this, I think sending work or pieces as thank you's etc are a really good idea. I have been wanting to send something to possible placements in order to get a yes or get their attention. This brief will be good practise.

Who Am I? Day Brief

The aim of the day brief was to tell people about who you are as a person and how that affects your design. 

Rather than doing a presentation the idea of creating something to sum me up worked well. I decided to use one word to describe me and draw it in the style I like. 
I got some people who know me well to describe me in one word.

CANNY 

This word came up a lot. It does describe because I'm an over-proud Geordie and I am canny. (canny means, nice, quite or like)

I wanted to draw the word in a painty sign writing style, but obviously with not much time on my hands, it could only be quick. 
I'm not happy with the outcome because it is messy and rushed looking. However, this only enforces what i'm like, because a lot of time when I'm designing something, the final piece of it, is always a little poor in places.