Wednesday, 29 September 2010

Current business cards


So that's how my business card is looking at the moment, because of my position statement and my skillset, I thought it was relevant and useful to have an alias which i could use as a branding tool; (hence the Skwid logo) I'll put up a post about the logo  after this post.

I went for simplicity when it came to colour just for the cost and ease of printing it. I got a business card for Stone Soup which is an agency in York and looking at theirs made me realise a few things about my own which I need to change - just in terms of the physical card itsself and its function and aesthetic.

  • Point size can be notched down from 9pt, to 7pt, would create more space on the card, which is useful.
  • Information Hierarchy Needs to be re adjusted, possibly adding extra details, or maybe even taking a few away.
  • The actual stock needs more careful consideration. Its currently on mountboard, which is a bit beasty and isnt all that easy to fit in your wallet, and even harder to fit a stack in your pocket. So a lighter stock is preferable. I also want to shop around for a nice paper stock, there will be a paper stock that is the right weight that is interesting and has qualities that could help reflect/ communicate my skills and abilities as a designer.
The logo also needs refining but I will leave this subject to another post. I also didnt align the cards properly for duplex printing so there was a slight overlap which meant I had to loose a bit of length on the cards. So next time I think a bleed will be a good idea just to add extra security.

This card has been a springboard for ideas when it comes to my identity, and has also given me a clearer idea of how I'm going to brand my portfolio - which needs sending in 1 week from today. So that is my deadline for my current identity. obviously web design is out of the question right now, so Ill be waiting for the web design taught sessions to help strengthen the possibilities for my online prescence.

Chat soon,

SKWID - Illustrator, designer.

god that felt good.

Wednesday, 22 September 2010

Whats In Your Food? Poosible Brief

An interest of mine that I would like to become a more structured line of inquiry is on the topic of the origins of the food I eat. This is down to a few reasons, such as reading a few books in the holidays about health and eating, and also after watching a documentary which challenges the origins of food called food inc. So, Here's the idea.


Whats in Your food?
- Promotional campaign for the upcoming release of food inc. to DVD.

Context
Food Inc is a documentary film about where modern day american food comes from, Directed by Robert Kenner. If this Documentary was promoted well enough in the UK, but also promoted in the right context, (Which will obviously differ due to this being England) it would gain the public awareness it sorely deserves.

[Reasons for choosing to write this brief/ percieved problems]

Iwould want to make British people, or more directly, people from Leeds question the origins of the food they eat. I'm not sure how much of a problem unknown food origins are in the UK because I am aware that there are alot of regulations and treaties in place protecting animal and plant welfare of the farms of those who supply to large chain supermarkets. Obviously this project would have to take a turn away form the supermarket, but could still question some areas of it, and also question other companies like the big M that is always seemingly in perriferal vision. I could possibly look at what goes into GM foods and the welfare of food being supplied to restaurants more specifically fast food places.

Also, one big problem ive forecasted for this:
I could get sued. It depends who I look into really and how much I would find out based on what I already know. Yeah, could be a potential shitstorm.

Rough idea for the brief

Create a campaign, raising awareness about the origins of food here in the UK. Campaign would also act as a promotional campaign for food inc. This could be in the form of:

  • Online campaign
  • Posters/flyers (print)
  • A publication
  • Motion Graphic - I probably wont go here.


So that is it so far. Im not sure about the longevity of the brief so I'm looking forward to talking it over in the brief writing sessions.

Reply

Creative spark have got back to me asking for me to send a portfolio off to them. As it stands at the moment, Im not sure as to what to put in there at the moment, my strongest work hasnt been done yet so to speak.

But yeah I just wanted to post that up here because it means Ive got a line of communication open between me and a design company. It's steps in the right direction.

Thursday, 16 September 2010

Self promotion brief

Title                                                       
Get yourself out there boy!

Context
As I am now in control of my destiny, its really important for me to have all the platforms that a designer has in order to sell his wares, these being a branded identity and website, business cards, a creative CV and such.

The Brief
Design yourself a logo that is reflective of your own work and practise and apply this to a range of promotional materials such as a website and business cards.


Considerations                                                         Deliverables
The branded identity needs to                               1X Logo with a range of branded
Represent the designer                                            Products.

Also needs to convey the right image the
Designer wants to present of himself
To others.

Jade Print

I just emailed Jade Print to see if I could go for a visit too. Heres a link out to their website.

http://www.jadeprint.com/

Creative Spark

I have just emailed creative spark enquiring about a visit. Here's a link to their website:

http://www.creativespark.co.uk/

Monday, 13 September 2010

two briefs, im unsure about doing them...

Breifs that Im thinking about starting at the beginning of the term to almost ease myself back into the swing of things, they would be quick briefs like a week long each at most (1 could possibly be a live brief, im currently talking to the clients in question) but I would only actually do 1 of these briefs:

BRIEF 1

Brief title
Jehst promotional visual language

Context
Jehst is a Uk MC with a background in literature, whos lyrics often evoke strange and interesting mental imagery.

Brief
Visually communicate Jehst lyrics, design and create 5 posters which communicate interesting lyrics from 5 different Jehst songs.

Considerations                                                          Deliverables
What print methods could be used                            5 posters and a body of research and
to achieve the best result.                                          Development work.

What visual approach will you take to
Achieve the best results.

Scale/ Frame/ Format

Paper Stocks.

BRIEF 2

Brief title:
Freyed knot promotion


Context
Freyed knot are a Bradford based hip hop/ funk band who have had two album releases and perform accross europe, but they need to be promoted!


Brief
Design and produce a series of promotional posters for the band Freyed knot.

Considerations
What is your method of delivery?
What media will you use?
Who is your audience?
What is your tone of voice?

Deliverables
A series of promotional posters and a body of backup research and development work.