design context final photos

context poster - development

Initial A-format design for the poster. Same style as my idea for the cover of the pack, which although it was a typical "me" - first idea and run with it - the style suits my work and i want to transfer this across to create the series.

The above design doesn't really work as a layout for photos. the red boxes take too much away from each image when used as a border. It makes more sense if certain boxes are replaced by photos. Also i though the grid needed regimenting a bit.

I designed the above with the actual layout in mind. Each of the three rows have two columns with two portrait rectangles to represent images, with titles underneath. On the other spread, there is a title space and a box for two columns of text. I want to try to stay away from the dread A-format though i think. Just doesn't seem to interesting.

Aha! Half a portrait A2 sheet using the same layout idea as above. Basically just DPS's stacked on top of each other. I really like the idea of unusual formats, besides, it means i get two posters from each print this way.

Booklet Layout

Consistent layout, i plan to be in series throughout the pack. I'm not sure about the layout of the book and magazine covers. They seem to create a big space on the right hand page that looked ok on screen. I do like the big quotes going across though. This is why i chose to keep the pictures as they were.

Music sheets

Two colour screen print on this calvinball record was designed by Joe Lawrence. The interview goes into detail about process and other design decisions. Really sweet texture of the ink but the offset monoprints in two colours kind of ruins the clarity of the text which is a shame. The layout is consistent in the series - two columns with right aligned small print.

Mega Games' new EP. Tree illustration by sasha heath. Pretty cool drawing : ) same layout for interview.

Stencil design by Joe Towns of Glaciers for their debut EP.

Interesting graphic pattern by Harriet Bridgwater for Tall Ships.

Booklet Content

• Definition
• Why DIY?
• Social Theory
• Zines
• Music
• Posters

COVER TRIALS

Two colour screen for the case. Very saul bass, me. i like it al lot. the text is developed from my dissertation posters from last term into a full alphabet. Out of the colours selected, the red and black represents my work most successfully. It is a bad habit of mine to be doing this all the time but it is a habit that seems to have stuck.

Contents of Context Pack

7 inch pulpboard case, I designed and cut this out myself. Holds everything together very nicely. Will have a lovely screen print designed to cover both the front and back of the case.

Flaps to contain contents in the case (screen printed side down in this image).

Full contents!

• A folded information poster (double sided with cover design) about poster design and designers that I am interested in.
• Double sided sheets that show CD packaging and design, then an interview with the designer on the reverse explaining their non-mainstream approach to design for music.
• Booklet that explains books based on lo-fi/DIY culture and social theory but also looks at zines and contain interviews with zinesters.

THE ART AND POLITICS OF LO-FI DESIGN

Since my work mainly covers "design for music", "design for publication" and "poster design" all with a Lo-Fi yet clinical aesthetic and a general theme of social theory and political awareness, i have chosen to produce a pack of relevant products rather than a book.

The pack will be in the format of a 7" single - more robust and substantial than my usual CD format. It will contain a selection of examples of DIY music packaging with an interview with the designer and an explanation of the product itself. A folded poster investigating some posters designers whose work is relevant to my own, either in style or content. And a booklet investigation publication designers and political theories that inspire my work.

Lemuria - Ozzy

2 colour screen print of a turtle, look sveet! When looking for this online it had the option of an Arigato Pak, which was sold out. I didnt know what it was so i had a google.

Its like a little box! i like! gonna redraw this and use it myself i think. Give s the potential for a large screen print across the flap and the "cover" as one image. hmm..

Flipped BMX Issue 10

Very much based on the photography and making the photos the focus. Irregular layout and no apparent use of grids, but seems to work.

Bald Cactus Issue 24

Pretty standard 2 column layout. Black and white. Not very inventive with the grid. Interesting content tho. The sort of thing i would really like if it looked just a little more interesting. It's annoying how zines and stuff aren't really designed, they're more thrown together. I want to change this.

The Guardian - Do It Yourself And Save

I do think that the guide's layouts are really interesting. The use of 3 columns is completely utilised and makes for interesting visuals, especially with the spreading of images acorss two pages and so on.

This is also directly relevant to my DIY booklets briefs! Lots of really interesting stuff and the promotion of a self sufficient lifestyle.