Kidney Book

These are the 3 double pages that I have completed so far. I will be bringing these to my next meeting with the hospital so that they are able to see the progress that I am making with the book. 

ayasoBoutique: New Business Cards

I've kept in constant contact with the client to show them the progress of everything I've done, and they seem to really really like everything so far! I'm so pleased! Can't wait to see it all (business card and shell scheme) in its physical form!

Total of 4, the open files and pdf versions that they've asked me for all ready to be sent off!

ALL DONE! Happy days!

ayasoBoutique: Shell Scheme

As part of the launch of the new branding, they have also asked me to create the graphics for their Shell Scheme for MEFCC, where they will be exhibiting and selling their stuff. They wanted their collection name (#AsSheSmiled) in a funky handwritten type, and they wanted it to be repetitive going all the way across and all the way down. Picture for reference:

They've provided me with the dimentions (3m width x 2.5m height and 2m x 2.5) and also the colours they wanted me to use (grey with neon pink, neon orange, neon blue, neon yellow).

Leeds Children's Hospital Book

Brief: 
Illustrate a child friendly book to illustrate the hospital journey of having a kidney and liver transplant. The book would be passed onto the children going through this journey so that they are able to show their friends and help with their understanding.

I've had a meeting with the hospital play worker based at the Leeds General Infirmary to discuss the book some more and she provided me with the words and images of the rooms in the Hospital and equipment.

This is a brief that will take a couple of months to complete, but for the purpose of this module, I am going to submit 3 fully illustrated double pages and a front cover. Today I started sketching out some potential pages for the book:

Crit

Development

I started studying the dances and poses from the photos I collected, in my visual journal and decided to take them onto photoshop and refine them a bit more and experiment with putting it onto different things:

I really like the composition and I think that the use of bold shapes, textures and colours would really attract my target audience. I think I will carry on using this method throughout the project as I think that its quite strong and successful visually.

D&AD WWF Submission

Yesterday, Sam and I used the time to tweak our animation and to add sound to it to make it more engaging. We also created additional boards to go with our animation to explain why we did what we did, our idea generation and our final storyboards:-

 It was at around 20:45 when we were done with everything and we decided to submit our response. We filled out everything we needed to but it failed when it came to uploading our animation because the file was just too big! So we decided to leave it and try again today!

I asked Mike if he knows how to lower the file size and he showed me how to do just that on Media Encoder but this took way too long so Sam got animation Mat to have a look at it. Whilst doing that, we got some advice from him and annabeth that would make the animation look better, which I am grateful for because it did improve it quite a bit!

After a couple more hours tweaking, we finally managed to finish our animation! Unfortunately as the rules state on the brief we are not allowed to upload our finished animation online until the winners have been announced. But here is proof that we have officially submitted! thank goodness!

It has been enjoyable and a great experience to work with Sam and I'm quite glad I actually asked someone new to work with because now I have made new friends from animation! I definitely wouldn't mind collaborating with Sam again in the future! 

WWF: Final Peer Review

Feedback: Over all the feedback we got were all very positive! We realised that we made a typo in the 7th frame with 'carbon', which we have corrected! People have also said that we should present our image bigger, or have more boards to show this off as 'they are too good to be that small'. We've also realised that it would probably be useful to add a context page showing where you would see the animation. Other than that people seem to really like what we have so far! below are a couple of comments from the peer review today:

• Very professional vibes
• definitely 'winner' potential - such a well adapted and appropriate tone of voice.
• Nice designs, lovely textures, clean and simple - effective.
• We like the combination of typography and book style illustrations.
• Spelt carbon wrong on the seventh image. Otherwise amazing. Perfect tone of voice for the brief - Beautiful as always.
• More design boards to show off this idea because its absolutely lovely.
• Illustrations are so good - can they be presented bigger? Need to give your work and amount of detail justice!
• Nice style, clear to understand
• Really nice style. Simple and gets the point across.
• Beautiful textures. Do you need a statement 1st board?
• Playful. Nice designs - very fitting for brief.
• This made me feel a feeling
• Amazing style and flows really well
• Nice consistent style!
• I've seen you making this and it looks great so far!
• Very professional. Would make a lovely book.
• I love it - looks so professional and consistent

You Shall Go To The Ball!

I saw this competition being promoted on Tumblr and it really caught my eye! I am a MASSIVE Disney fan and it has always been a dream of mine to work with them at their animation studio! I know its a really long shot, but as the promoter of the competition is The Walt Disney Company Limited themselves down in London, maybe by entering this competition I'll be able to get some sort of recognition from some Disney people (or anyone really is good enough for me!). I mean it doesn't hurt to try, right?! Always dream big, I say!

Although I have so much already on my plate, I think I can spare some time for this because one, its Disney related, two, dress making has always been an interest of mine (since my mum used to design and make clothes herself) and three, its also somewhat like character design which I am also very much interested in. The top 10 designs are voted by Tumblr notes and then it goes through to the judging panel, and although the closing date is really soon, I'm going to try my best anyway!

So the brief is to design your own Cinderella inspired dress. I had a read through of the rules and it says that The winning design will not be able to feature; embroidery, hand stitching, detailed patterning, overly complex design, printing on the dress - this is good and means I have something/a direction to work with already.

When you think of Cinderella, you instantly think of blue, and long, puffy dresses and glass slippers. When you look at the Disney dress designs, the animated and the new 2015 version, they are actually quite simple and do not feature any sort of intricate detailing in their design, so I think I will also go with the simple yet elegant look, whilst keeping in theme with their already established colour palette.

I decided to collect a few images of dresses that have caught my eye, and it seems that most of the ones that I really like are ones that aren't too flashy, quite modest and sweet looking - This is also some of Cinderella's characteristics and I want the design to reflect her personality. In terms of the detailing, the ones I liked are also mostly two toned ones where its a specific type of material for the top half and a different material for the bottom half. I also liked the ones that fade into a different colour towards the bottom:

Follow Aghnia Mardiyah's board Dress Inspiration on Pinterest.

EDIT on 26/03/15: I have decided not to do this competition anymore as I simply, and sadly do not have the time.

OUIL 505 - Brief

BRIEF TITLE: I've Got Rhythm!

Brief: 

Produce an informational book that captures and brings alive the personalities of 12 popular dance styles from around the world - through bright, quirky but well-observed illustrations accompanied by short and sweet written descriptions - celebrating cultural diversity.

Product:

1 informational book (main product)

-Illustrations will also be applied to related products and packaging:

• Package/gift wrap
• Postcards
• Bookmarks
• Calendar
• Notebooks
• Individual art prints

Audience:

Primary audience will be 8-16 year olds, but I would also like it to appeal to dancers/dance enthusiasts, children and adults and art and illustration fans alike.

Tone of Voice:

• Fun
• Friendly
• Playful
• Bright
• Quirky
• Informative
• Sweet
• Charming

Context:

Point of sale:

• Bookstores - Waterstones, WHSmith
• Paperchase
• Colours May Vary

Additional Information/Considerations:

Illustrations should aim to effectively communicate the individual identity and personalities of each dance style and its country of origin/culture but at the same time work as a set/series/sequence. - Consistent Voice. Products will most likely be digitally printed, but maybe will make screen print editions of individual art prints.

Mandatory Requirements:

Book - A5

Prints - A4

Deliverables:

• 1 informational book
• Package/gift wrap
• Postcards
• Bookmarks
• Calendar
• Notebooks
• Individual art prints

Peer feedback:

• A lot of potential outcomes from brief which is good!
• Well thought out so far.
• Looks like a real brief, I would know where to start!
• I love the idea! Seems like you are really clear about what to do and portray
• Initial idea looking good but maybe brighter colours if aimed at kids as colour at the moment is quite mature looking - or change the target audience.

Art Deco

My trip to Waterstones (and finding beautifully illustrated V&A stationary) has inspired me to look at more vintage postcards/posters. I especially like those created during the Art Deco period as most of them focus on shape and colour, which I thought would be perfect for my current project. Whilst doing some more research I found that they did a lot of music/dance posters during this time, which found absolutely beautiful and eye catching - I like the simplicity and the boldness of them - the figures against plain, bold, coloured backgrounds works and emphasises the movement and mood of the dances really well:

Follow Aghnia Mardiyah's board Art Deco on Pinterest.

ayasoBoutique: Logo

I was contacted by the client again and they decided that they actually like the 3rd logo design. Below is the final version, which I neatened up in Illustrator with the pen tool.

Business card 1:

WWF: Artwork

I've been thinking of other ways we could still incorporate the continuous line whilst using a ready made font at the same time.. I found this video below and thought maybe we could use line to sort of 'outline' bits of the illustrations, and to help control the eye's flow through the animation. But, need to discuss with Sam first:

GE Healthcare - M.I.N.D Campaign Animation from Jim Pratt on Vimeo.

Origins

As one of the products I plan to produce is a calendar, I've decided to look at 12 dance styles, this way there would be an illustration for each of the month. I am also fascinated by regional, cultural and ethnic distinctions that give rise to incredible costumes, so the dance styles I've picked are also very distinct and different from one another and some that aren't so well known so that it would be more interesting and people would be able to learn more about one another's culture and custom.

Ballet - Ballet as a dance form is believed to have been around since the 14th century, when it was used as a form of entertainment at court balls in Italy. Although the term balletto was used in Italy, ballet as we know it originates mainly in France, and formal ballet instruction started with Louis XIV. Over time, ballet has evolved and been influenced by Russian and American dancers. The style and outfits worn for ballet have also evolved from cumbersome heavy headdresses, masks and costumes, to lighter more moveable attire.

Irish step dance -  a style of dance with its roots in traditional Irish dance. It can be performed solo or by groups. Two types of shoes are worn; hard shoes, which make sounds similar to tap shoes, and soft shoes, which are similar to ballet slippers. Dancers stiffen their upper bodies while performing quick, intricate footwork. Costumes are considered important for stage presence in competitive Irish stepdance.

Hip-Hop - This more recent but increasingly popular dance style was developed in the US and derives from hip hop music and hip hop culture. Hip hop dance started around 30 years ago. Hip hop dancing incorporates a number of different moves and can include breakdancing.

Swing - The history of swing dates back to the 1920's, where the black community, while dancing to contemporary Jazz music, discovered the Charleston and the Lindy Hop.

Flamenco - is a form of Spanish folk music and dance from the region of Andalusia in southern Spain

Bharata Natyam - Bharata Natyam was developed over centuries in the temples in Southern India. It was handed down as a living tradition from one generation to the next under the Devadasi system, wherein women were dedicated in serving the deity as dancers and musicians.

Kabuki/Odori - Kabuki is a classical Japanese dance-drama that is known for the stylization of its performance and for the elaborate make-up worn by some of its performers.

Barynya - Barynya, which literally means "landlady", is a traditional Russian folk dance that combines chastushka (a traditional folk poem that is often in the form of satire) with spirited dancing. The dancing usually has no set choreography and consists mostly of fancy stomping and squatting. The refrain "Barynya, barynya, sudarynya-barynya" (landlady, landlady, madam-landlady), is also typically repeated throughout the course of the dance.

Kujawiak - The Kujawiak is a Polish folk dance from the region of Kujawy in central Poland. It is one of the five national dances of Poland, the others being the krakowiak, mazurka, oberek, and polonaise. It is a simple slow dance with much dignity that appeared in the 19th century. The dance usually involves couples walking gracefully in a quarter-note rhythm, on slightly bended knees, with relaxed turns and gently swaying. Colourful striped costumes are used which makes wonderful spectacle.

Marinera - The most internationally known dance in Peru is the Marinera Norteña. It is a graceful and couple's dance that uses handkerchiefs as props. The dance is energetic, with elegant movements and shows a blend of the different cultures of Peru.

Jarabe Tapatío - Better known internationally as the "The Mexican Hat Dance", the "Jarabe Tapatío" is a popular Mexican dance that has come to symbolize Mexico both domestically and internationally. The dance represents the courtship of a man and a woman, with the woman first rejecting the man’s advances, then eventually accepting them.

Cendrawasih Balinese dance -

Photo references: 

WWF: Artwork

Woweeee! Got quite a bit done today, proud of myself! really pleased with these so far! I feel like we should just use a ready made type instead of a hand written one now though as I feel it would make it more legible, neater and more professional looking. but then it won't be a continuous line like we planned, to show interconnectivity. does this matter though? as long as we still get the necessary message across, I think it should be okay. but we'll see..

ayasoBoutique: Logo Ideas

As I was not given any specific directions to go with the logo, I decided to make some really quick roughs to get my initial ideas down to show the client. The feedback should give me a better idea of what they are after.

I was told that the style is something that they really like, especially the handwritten type that I have gone for. However, they said that they would like to try something without a figure in it.

Extended Research

After the tutorial I decided to do some extended field research into existing products, appropriate to my proposed project. I went to a couple of gift/stationary/book shops but the ones that had a lot of the products I intend to produce are Waterstones and Paperchase. Below are some examples of products I saw and would like to produce as well:

Matt Sewell: (more info in issuu presentation above)

Also went to Colours May Vary and found more products that caught my interest:-

'Swan Lake' by Ping Zhu - investigated a similar theme (dance/performing arts) - interesting to see how she has come out with this as the end product of her research into the subject that she looked at.

2015 calendar by Studio on Fire - I like how these are presented individually as single month cards instead of the usual calendar format.

J2O: Presentation Boards

SUBMITTED!

J2O: 4 Pack

I decided to add a touch of green to the 4 pack packaging design as the J2O brand is synonymous with the colour green that is on all of their packaging.

J2O: Orange and Passion fruit

I felt a little stuck with the Apple and Mango design so I decided leave it for a bit and move on to the Orange and Mango one. I think having the J2O green in the designs work the best so far, so I decided to go back to that and played around with adding more decorative patterns to it, though I still feel its a little too colourful and 'childish' for 25-35 year olds.

I decided to look at my references again and I feel that to make it more appealing for the target audience, the colour needs to be a dark colour. I decided with black and reduce the amount decorative elements within the design to make it more sophisticated looking. I also decided to change the font to one that is more mature looking:

I think this looks much much better! For the specified target audience, now with the changes made, I think there is just enough amount of colour to bring through J2O’s expressive, unpretentious and playful personality. Sometimes I forget that simplicity is, most of the time, the ultimate form of sophistication.. NOTE TO SELF: keep things simple!

J2O: Apple and Mango

I want to show the fusion between the two fruits so I decided to focus on the colours and using gradients to illustrate the blending of the two fruits.

I'm not sure if the colours and the hand written type work for the target audience. It might appear too colourful and the type a little too playful for the more mature audience. Maybe should keep the type one colour?

I decided to try another design, change the type colour and use the J2O green in it as well. I think this works better, but still not sure if it's there just yet..

The brief mentioned that in the past, the depiction of fruit on J2O's packaging has increased taste credentials so although it’s not compulsory to do so, I decided to see how it would look if I included it in my design.