Good Is... Design Development Ideas

Ideas

In my feedback, it was suggested that I should consider printing on to different formats instead of just a book, so I have begun to draw up some designs for these formats. Everything I print will have the same colour schemes and style so it will all work as a set.

After researching different stocks, I have thought about which stock I will use. For the cover, I will need to use really thick card, and then back this with my design, as I won't be able to print on to such a thick stock. Inside, the pages will be thick, coated pages to make sure they are durable. However, different sections could use different stocks to make them stand out.

My pack obviously needs to contain a lot of information, so I have started to write out all the content that will appear on the pages.

I will be using my own photographs for the pack, as well as official photographs from the jamboree website. This is because my photographs were not taken with as good a quality camera, and also as the official photographs cover a lot more of the activities that were available.

I need to consider costing as part of this brief. Although I don't have a budget to stick to, obviously I want to work this design out so that if it was being printed I could get it as cheap as possible. I've been looking at a few printing websites to get an idea of how much it could cost. 

http://www.theprintingroom.co.uk

Crit Feedback

2/11/11 - I had a crit with Lorenzo, explaining my concept and showing him my idea mock-ups. I was happy with how the crit went, and here is my feedback: 

- Overall good concept, this idea can work, there is potential

- Work on problems people have during the Jamboree's, such as homesickness

- Reflect on own experience, how I felt, how my parents felt about me going away

- Pad printing could be used on products such as pen, toothbrush and more. Think about the product.

- Relate to scout and guiding traditions, such as including camp fire songs, first aid tips etc...

- Provide a form a security for the guides with this pack as it may be the first time they have been away from home

- Include a few home comforts and essential items, such as toothbrush, plaster, tissues, tea bag etc...

- Need to get content, work on the 'story', need images and text to be able to start designing

- Leaders could get a pack with different content to show them what they need to do

- Reassure the parents that their children will be safe

- Include british things, such as campfire songs and recipes, then the guides could use these for when they are showing their own culture (on festival days)

- Make it fun and humorous so its not just lots of information on leaflets

- Focus on which country it is held at next and their traditions, and this will effect the design

- Distribution: could also be given out at guide events

- Experiment: try different folds rather than just hot dog

Typography Workshop II

Kerning

- Only kern one word, don't bother kerning a whole paragraph.

- Kerning is making the space between characters consistent

- The way it works is visual

- It is the area between the letters that is the white space, it is not to do with the space at the bottom or top of the letters

- Don't negative kern, add equal space to make the space consistent instead

- It is mathematical to make it equal, but you need to train the eye to be able to see it

Exercise 1

Kern your own name, making it perfect, and compare

First Name

Font: Calibri

Kerning changes: Between l and a +20, between a and u -10 (initially -16), between d and i +20, between i and a +10

Second Name

Font: Baskerville

Kerning changes: Between i and f +10, between f and f +20, between f and i +20, between i and n +10

Hierarchy

- What causes us to look at which element first? *The space around the word *The size of text, weight

- Learn to look at what is there, blink, and think about which element you saw first

- We don't read the whole word, we recognise the shape
- Experiments with hierarchy - reading it one, two three

Exercise 2

Play with a 6-7 word proverb, keep it all the same font, rearrange it so it is not in the right order, but so that due to the hierarchy it reads in the same way.

Breaking sentences

Where/ how/ why do you break a sentence into two lines?

- Read it as if you are saying it

- Split it where the natural pause it

How do you break a sentence

into two lines?

- Split this way, the first bit still makes sense

- Where you break a line can completely change the meaning of a heading

Exercise 3

Whatever your proverb is, break it into two lines, at the natural pause.

Print Shop

Team Print

Here are some photographs from our tour of Team Impression printers, Leeds. This was an incredibly useful, detailed tour of the facilities, where every step of the printing process was talked through with us. From the plates, to the proofing, printing, cutting, folding, foiling, and more, everything is done with the one company. This tour helped to bring together everything that I have learnt so far about print production, so now I feel more confident for when I do eventually need to print commercially. It was so interesting to see the process in real life.

We were kindly given a book from team, 'Process is Form' designed by Design Project. This is a beautifully designed book, showing examples of different print finishes.

Software Workshop IV - Bringing it all together

Task:

We had to find 8 mistakes in a group in the provided In design document. We found more than 8 mistakes, apart from some of these wouldn't matter too much. 

1. This bird image isn't transparent, the background is blue, so it can't be moved from the blue background

2. The image of the tree goes over the end of the page, and the background colour doesn't reach the bleed lines. [Fix it - just extend the background to the bleed lines]

3. The tree sillhoute link is missing, so it wouldn't print it good quality. [Fix it - find the missing file or rescan]

4. There are more colours in the swatches palette than what are being used. [Fix it - delete the unnecessary colours to avoid printing unnecessary plates]

5. The black used at the bottom of the page is registration black. [Fix it - change it to cmyk black]

6. Bird 5 is ppi 72 where others are 300 [The resolution can't be changed, this image will always be pixelated. It needs to be re scanned and placed at 300 ppi]

7. Bird 3 is RGB. [Fix it - This can be changed into cmyk]

8. The effective ppi is higher than the actual ppi, as the image has been rescaled (shrunk) in indesign rather than photoshop. [Fix it - Shrink the image in photoshop and replace the image to avoid making the file size unnecessary large]

9. The document is just over 0.5mm A5.

10. There is a stroke around the background colour wasting ink.

11. The blue used is RGB not CMYK. [Fix it - This can be converted to cmyk]

Sending Indesign to print

- File -> package. Gathers all images, fonts, everything in to one file. It shows mistakes like missing images, and the use of RGB colour. It saves documents and creates a text file where you can put contact details and specific instructions. (These need to be already discussed with the printer)

- Window -> output -> preflight shows basic errors

- Make a pdf file - this contains the fonts but they can't be used elsewhere, so this gets around the legal issue of giving the printer the font. Go file -> export -> Adobe PDF (print) and make sure the [press quality] option is chosen in the preset list. 

- Ask the printer how they want the file sent to you

- Go window -> utilities -> backgrounds tasks to see the progress of the PDF file saving

What is Design for Print? (Print Manual Plan)

BRIEF

Produce a ‘Top Ten’ manual of things to know, consider or remember in order to produce successful Design for Print. You should use the seminars and tasks from the module as a starting point for your own individual/independent investigation of the methods, processes and formats that can be used to create innovative but practical solutions to print based design briefs and all aspects of print- based delivery.

Your considered opinion is important. You should use appropriate examples of professional creative practice in order to demonstrate your breadth and depth of understanding. 'Chapters’ might include, colour conventions, inks, stock, format and others.

You will need to evidence research into:

• Production Methods
• Stock considerations
• Colour systems
• Commercial costings

Starting Out

From the print seminars with Lorenzo and the computer software workshops with Mike, I have learnt a great deal about design for print. I have also been reading print production books to help me. [Print Production Notes] All I have learnt is documented on my design practice blog, which will make it easier to pull together my 'top ten'.


Here are some images from the books I have read that will help to inspire designs as well as the fact that I will need to include similar images in my manual to help explain what I'm trying to say.

I will create the .pdf, which is to be uploaded to issuu on indesign. I think the design will reflect the work I have been looking at, as well as having a typical print theme, with the use of cmyk colours, tints  etc, as well as containing relevant work to support my top ten.

Here is an idea of what my top ten will be, including the things that need to be included. I think I will also include a cover, contents page and a glossary to keep the book as easy to use as possible. I'm sure it will end up being something that I can continually look back over. I have tried to arrange them in a logical order.

Cover - What is Design for Print - A Top Ten Manual

Introduction - This is a basic handbook to give you an idea of how design production for print works, as the printing process is a very important part of a graphic designer's work.

Contents

Dealing with clients - (check colour is exact, get them to check before printing, keep them informed with costing early on)

Production Methods - Types of printing and what they are for (offset litho etc)

Colour Systems - CMYK + RGB - (differences between two, how to convert, what they are for, plus information on monochrome and tints)

Colour Systems - Pantone - (explaining spot colours, colours that are outside of the printing gamut)

Formats - Paper sizes - (what is economical, list of different standard paper sizes)

Using Software - (how to make sure your design is printable in photoshop, illustrator and indesign)

Stock Considerations - (photograph examples of different stocks, explaining gsm, uncoated/coated etc)

Commercial Costings - (advice on costing)

Finishing Processes - (foil blocking, embossing, debossing, binding, duplexing etc)

Proofing - (how to check that the design is ready to print, spellchecked, all files correctly places, all fonts included)

Glossary

Back Cover

As most of the information will be copied from what I have already found out, I'll go straight into designing. I really like the design for the production manual by Gavin Ambrose and Paul Harris, but I don't want to just copy an existing design. This publication is for screen and not for print, but if it was a real project, I would want to actual include examples of different stocks and finishes. I know this would be expensive to make but I think would make a really exciting, good looking book.

In my indesign software workshop, I enjoyed finding the tints of colours, so I think this is something I will bring in to the design. As the brief says, the content should be ordered and informative, so I will want to keep everything fairly simple, as this is the most effective way to design.

An initial idea:

Hand drawn initial ideas:

[Shaded tint box - from 100% to 1%]

[Shades of magenta going down the side of the page in 10% blocks, with a cyan flood background]

[Registration marks and other cmyk printing things on page]

['What is design for print' on a piece of paper coming out of a printer]

[Pantone swatch book]

[4 images showing what four colour separations look like]

[1 image cut in to four, showing what the separations look like added together]

[Box made out of pantone swatch book from illustrator]

[Cmyk overprinting of type]

[Cmyk circles decoration]

[Tinted colour wheel]

[Tints of colour around square of colour]

[Rgb and Cmyk cirlces]

[Halftone image through a linen tester]

[Cmyk coloured strips]

Initial Layout

Page Layout

Concept Definition Sheets

Rationale

'The underlying principles or beliefs that shape and define an individuals creative practice and how it relates to the world'

Good is... 

Girl guides attending World Scout Jamborees.

Why?

1. 40,000 people attend these World Scout Jamborees every four years and have an amazing time, many going on to attend another jamboree afterwards, so these scouts and guides from all over the world can't be wrong. More guides should get involved with the jamborees as many of this 40,000 are scouts.

2. The girls who attend will have the opportunity to try different activities, experience and learn things that they can't do on normal guide camps, due to restrictions such as cost. On the jamborees, there are so many different people, that there is so much fascinating stuff to learn.

3. The World Scout Jamborees are life changing events, where the guides can meet both guides and scouts from all around the world, making new international friendships. They can keep in touch after the jamboree and creating lasting friendships.

4. World Scout Jamboree's are unique, as they are the largest camps there are in scouting, with the best activities, festivals and shows. There are thousands of guides in the UK, so more should take advantage of this wonderful opportunity.

5. The camps are educational, inspirational, fun and unforgettable. They promote peace, as they build solidarity and understanding. It normally wouldn't be possible for this many different people to get along in peace, but this camp is an example of multiculturalism in action.

I intend to (inform/instruct/persuade/direct/educate/promote)

To encourage members of Girl Guiding UK who are of the right age to attend a World Scout Jamboree. 

Also, to educate the girls on what a jamboree is

To share the positive effects on the world jamboree's have

To show how Guides who have been on international trips go on to do great things

To change stereotypes about guiding, by showcasing the fun activities, and showing that it is not geeky or boring; therefore encouraging guides to stay in girl guiding

... a group of... (identify your specific audience of context)

My specific audience is members of Girl Guiding UK, who are ages between 13-18, as these are the right age to attend a World Scout Jamboree. Also, my product will be seen by the Guides parents, and guides leaders, so will need to appeal to them as well.

...that... (state your message, idea or concept)

I will encourage girl guides to attend the World Scout Jamborees by providing them with information about what a jamboree is, and telling them details of how to get involved.

In order to achieve this I will produce... (specify at this point in time what you aim to produce, the method of delivery/distribution/the context in which it will be viewed)

Product - what is your product?

Range - what range of deliverables will you produce/propose?

Context - define the context in which your products will exist/be viewed.

I will do this by creating an information pack, which is attractive and also multi-functional with different uses. My graphic response will explore an investigation into publishing and editorial, as well as information and way finding. 

Four A2 Boards

We have to prepare four clear, visual a2 boards to help us pitch our idea to the group. We need information to justify that our good is 'good'. This is so we can get feedback on 'what is good'.

Concept - research that backs up your good - facts and figures

Contextual References - elements of designs and publications that relate to the direction you want your work to go in

 

Initial Ideas - two sheets of initial ideas and drawings, possibly computer mock-ups

 

Original Concept Idea

Feedback

We presented our concept to a group of 5 others, receiving feedback off the group as a whole then written feedback in pairs. After receiving all of these pointers, we were told to re think and re write our final concept for the next day.

Group Feedback

Strengths

- Good idea to promote

- Good interactivity in book, communicates the fun of the jamboree

Areas for improvement

- Think of outside of guides too, perhaps encourage more to join guides because of the jamboree

- Other methods of promotional media could draw attention too

Additional Comments

- Think bigger, could create posters for the guide hall

Pair 1 Feedback

Initial research:

- Extensive, focused, relevant, clear, informative

[excellent]

Practical and conceptual investigation:

- Good investigation of print process all relevant, well applied and relevant to target audience

[very good]

Range of products:

- Larger range needed, bigger proposals.

- How could you advertise for the event?

- How to persuade?

[satisfactory]

Additional Comments:

- Larger range needed other than book, how can you get people to go?

Action Plan:

1. Extensive research needed of how to get book out there - To inform your design

2. Develop proposals for bigger print productions - To think big, don't be constrained, broaden ideas

3. Look at existing guide publications - Are you going to make it similar, or stand out in relation to existing publications?

Pair 2 Feedback

Initial research:

- Researched well into Guides and that leads onto the Jamboree

- Seems like you know everything about it

- Got a focused target audience

[excellent]

Practical and conceptual investigation:

- Researched into different print

[excellent]

Range of products:

- Seems like there is one idea

- One pack of information and promotion, think of a range of different print applications

[good]

Additional Comments:

- Decide whether your project is based on the Jamboree promotion and persuasion or whether you want to focus on the Jamboree and international friendships. For this you would have a guide on staying in touch, making friends and different cultures

Action Plan:

1. Research more into printing processes - Know what you want to print on and the effect

2. Research more into binders, methods and aesthetics - Find the one you want to use

3. Look into different print applications - To inform your choices

Thinking further

After this feedback, I then began to consider the points made when thinking about print formats, methods and considerations. Here is a list of five of each:

Print Formats

1. Ringbinder diary/book (A5 pages)

2. Mailshot (net printed A3)

3. Posters for guide hall (A1)

4. Sticker sheet for book (2:1 ratio A5)

5. Mini leaflet for parents (A4 hot dog fold)

Print Methods

1. Litho printing

2. Digital printing

3. Folding methods

4. Finishes - spot varnish or foil

5. Binding

Print Considerations

1. There are 21,600 guides of the right age to attend the jamboree in the UK, so this many books, mail shots, sticker sheets and leaflets would need to be created. For printing this many, litho printing would be best.

2. Not as many posters would needed to be printed, as there would only be one per guide group, so these could be printed on a digital printer to save costs.

3. The layout would be designed on indesign using a grid, with 2 or 3 columns

4. 2 spot colours would be used (the official girl guiding uk pantone colours) + stock. The pages with photographs on would be printed in cmyk

5. Consider which paper to use, this is an urgent decision, as the stock a design is printed on alters the piece. Look at Fedrigoni, GF Smith... Decide which gsm and exact colour.

- To extend the idea to the outside world: adverts in magazines for girls that age such as shout or bliss; posters in schools

Identity and Branding

Design for crit

These designs aren't final, but they are where I was up to for the crit.

Envelope

Opening Folder

 

Envelope Folder

 

Bottle Packaging

Feedback

Strengths

- Really liked the logo, well considered

- Liked the design inside

- Logo placement on the envelope works well

Areas for improvement

- Maybe don't need to write 'celebrate together' as its in the logo

- Needs information/explanation of what your good is

- The 'e' in celebrate looks like a c from a distance

- Needs a visual reference to guides/scouts - it is not obvious who is 'celebrating together'

- Print double sided

Additional Comments

- Doesn't initially communicate what its about

- Looks like chocolate wrapping

- Take the dotted lines/ net guides off

- Perhaps use a different colour scheme as blue looks a lot like Facebook

My Comments

Things I have noticed about my work when it is printed, and things I have thought about after looking at everyone else's designs:

- Everything needs to be printed A3

- Take care with presentation

- Use acetate in the window for the envelope

- Use tints, vary opacity for different colour options

- Neaten up the logo, try to vector all of it

- Try using a different colour stock in the bottle triangle

- Think differently, try opening the folder sideways etc

- Add new panels, change the positioning of things

- Challenge the rules, change things

- Look for mistakes, (pink fingers and dot on c)

- Positioning of fingers on hand not quite right

- Consider which font to use for design (maybe the one used on summer powerpoint?)

- Consider what would go inside each product

- Experiment with different stocks

Ideas after feedback

After I received feedback, I decided to continue to develop my designs as I knew I could do much better, I had just been rushed for time with the initial product designs. When I get my logo perfect, I hope that I can use this logo on my actual final product.

- Here I have altered the e to make it look less like a c

 - Final logo, with smoother lines, corrected e, corrected colours, removed mistakes

Guidelines to using the Girl Guiding Logo

On my feedback sheet it was written that it wasn't obvious that the packaging was to do with girlguiding. I had wanted to use the girl guide logo on my packaging, as I had done on my hand drawn designs, but after briefly learning about copyright, I decided not to use it. Eventually I have found these guidelines for using the logo, so I can get the exact colour match and use the logo as it should be used. This logo is easily recognisable and will help people to understand my idea better.

Also, as Trebuchet is the official font used by girlguiding, this is what I will use on my publications, although I may use a different font, maybe the font used in my logo, for headings and titles.

I found the official colours on illustrator using the techniques I have learnt in the software workshops. I then compared the correct colours (the ones on the left) to the ones I had found on the web (the colours on the right) and realised there was a subtle difference. As this is a corporate, official colour, it is important it is always the exact same colour. As these are both pantone spot colours, I would be printing onto stock with two spot colours rather than printing in the CMYK process. However, if I wanted to include photographs, then it would need to be printed in CMYK + two spot colours which would be an expensive option. This is something I would never have thought about before our colour sessions, but now I realise how important colour is.

As well as neatening up my packaging, I also need to create concept boards. As the two corporate colours are specific colours, it would be difficult to find the right stock, so I would either need to continue to use a flood fill background, or, it could be a better option to print on to white stock. 

Here is an example of what the colours would look like if they were reversed out.