Live Brief / Collaboration / Competitive
- Publishing and Editorial
About
For this brief, I was originally thinking about doing some live branding work, but then after discussions with other graphic designers on the course, we decided that we plan to submit a pitch for the Surface Pattern yearbook. I will be working with Kirsty Alderson; Kirsty Hardingham and Sophie Wilson. We all have an interest in image based design, as well as type and layout skills, so thought we would be a good team to pitch for this yearbook.
Personally I have an interest in illustration, and have lived with surface pattern course members for two years, so feel as if I have an understanding of the course. I have also visited the New Designers exhibition for the past two years running so have a genuine interest in the course.
After talking to students from last years thirds years on the course, they were unhappy with the quality of the yearbook created last year, so I think it is important we regain the trust of the course tutors and create the kind of yearbook that they will be impressed with. To do this we will need to ensure good communication with the tutors to ensure we are creating what they want us to. (If we get this pitch!)
After talking to students from last years thirds years on the course, they were unhappy with the quality of the yearbook created last year, so I think it is important we regain the trust of the course tutors and create the kind of yearbook that they will be impressed with. To do this we will need to ensure good communication with the tutors to ensure we are creating what they want us to. (If we get this pitch!)
First Meeting: 18/09/12
Here are the notes from our first group meeting.
- We need to decide how we will photograph the final work, and maybe need to enlist the help of a photography student, or practise with the equipment in the photography studio
- We need to contact the course tutor to ask their permission
- As last year the focus seemed to be on creating a stylish book more than anything else, this year we need to ensure that everything that should be covered is. For example, we could include a profile page with each member of the course, featuring a photograph of them, a short interview and some information about what they want to do next, alongside contact details. This is something we noticed was missing last year, so we want to make our yearbook personal.
- We would need to decide on a colour scheme, typeface, stock, general theme for the book, which would all come after a discussion with the tutor to see if they had a general theme they wanted to run throughout the course
- How could we make the design of the book relevant to the content of the course? For example, we could screenprint / use finishing touches such as flock or foil on the cover to show our understanding of the traditional printing processes used on this course
- We could include patterns inside - possibly a pattern including designs from the students?
- The placements and awards the students have gained need to be recognised and the achievements celebrated in this book to try and get them the best job opportunities
- We would need to ask tutors for rough dates when these tasks need to be completed
- We need to ensure the course tutors sign the proof copy of the yearbook we would make, to ensure their satisfaction before the document goes to print
- Do we need to consider ethical issues such as sustainable design when considering printing and stock choices?
- And of course we need to have a back up plan in case we don't get chosen to create this yearbook. There are a few other courses we all agreed we are interested in and would suit our combined skills to design for.
- We need to decide how we will photograph the final work, and maybe need to enlist the help of a photography student, or practise with the equipment in the photography studio
- We need to contact the course tutor to ask their permission
- As last year the focus seemed to be on creating a stylish book more than anything else, this year we need to ensure that everything that should be covered is. For example, we could include a profile page with each member of the course, featuring a photograph of them, a short interview and some information about what they want to do next, alongside contact details. This is something we noticed was missing last year, so we want to make our yearbook personal.
- We would need to decide on a colour scheme, typeface, stock, general theme for the book, which would all come after a discussion with the tutor to see if they had a general theme they wanted to run throughout the course
- How could we make the design of the book relevant to the content of the course? For example, we could screenprint / use finishing touches such as flock or foil on the cover to show our understanding of the traditional printing processes used on this course
- We could include patterns inside - possibly a pattern including designs from the students?
- The placements and awards the students have gained need to be recognised and the achievements celebrated in this book to try and get them the best job opportunities
- We would need to ask tutors for rough dates when these tasks need to be completed
- We need to ensure the course tutors sign the proof copy of the yearbook we would make, to ensure their satisfaction before the document goes to print
- Do we need to consider ethical issues such as sustainable design when considering printing and stock choices?
- And of course we need to have a back up plan in case we don't get chosen to create this yearbook. There are a few other courses we all agreed we are interested in and would suit our combined skills to design for.
Initial Research
One of the things we all agreed on was that we needed a really good understanding of the course to start with. We have looked at the information provided on the college website to give us a good idea, and will discuss the course with actual 3rd year students. A possible idea is to collect quotes/keywords from the students/tutors and from this information to include in the yearbook.
The course is also featured on arts thread View Course Portfolio. On Artsthread there is a bit more detail about each graduate, such as a list of their skills and a bit about their work. This helps them appeal to potential employers.
Next Steps
The next step is to discuss with our course tutor the possibility of us being able to design this yearbook. If this is agreed that we may be able to do this, we would need to meet with the Surface pattern tutor to discuss his opinions on this. Then we will have more meetings to delegate actions of what we would need to do to create this book.
