After Effects Workshop 1...

Workshop

• File -> new project -> is everything you see on screen
• Composition -> new composition (to change something you have already set up go Composition -> composition settings)
• Preset: PAL used for UK, NTSC for America, difference to do with frames per second
• PAL runs at 25 frames per second, 24 is the rate of traditional film
• Preset used: PAL D1/DV Widescreen Square Pixel
• Black background uses no R,G or B.

• File -> Import files = files will appear in project area
• Layer -> New -> Solid = create a shape (there are other ways - shape tool). Adds first layer to workshop.

• Move yellow bits of grey bar to zoom in on seconds, then eventually frames, can then drag this bar to move along.

• The thicker bar allows you to focus in on one area of interest, e.g. just watch 10 seconds of a 30 second clip to save your computer on buffering the whole video. This will be useful large files.

• To change how long something appears on screen, can drag the red bar to make it take less time as automatically it lasts the full duration. Can slide left or right to control when on the timeline it is shown.
• Click and drag square to move/change shape.
• We then added another square (be careful not to click on layer, needs to be on the composition workshop)

• Spacebar - playback (can't hear sound by doing this)
• Play button in preview window, useful for more complex videos
• Home keys are above the up-down-left-right keys, the arrow pointing up will go back to the beginning, the arrow pointing down will go to the end
• Next to RGB circles the options control quality of preview, choice depends on how powerful your computer is and how complex the file is

• Playing about I made a short clip of different coloured squares appearing and disappearing at different times.

•  Click on arrows in the workshop window under the shape layer to allow for transformations. When you apply an effect it will appear as a transformation.

Key frames 

• Click on the stop watch next to position. Then drag the current time indicator (Red line) to a new point. Then drag the selected square to somewhere else to change the position. The grey diamond shows where the square starts and the yellow one shows where it ends up. This allows for the square to move from one place to another. Distance between key frames changes the amount of time the movement takes - the closer the key frames the faster the movement. 
• Three key frames turns the movement into a bezier curve like in illustrator. Can copy and paste key frames into a new layer. Editing the motion path of the shape. You can control the route and the different speeds along the route.

• Hold mouse and drag over key frames to turn them yellow. If you drag them while holding alt, you can move them while retaining their relationship.
• Button next to z on keyboard: makes the section of the workspace you are on full screen, useful for when you are editing lots of layers, or when you want a fullscreen view of your composition. 
• Click on a layer and type p and position comes up, useful for when you want to quickly edit position. R does rotation, A anchor point, S scale, T does opacity. Can select all layers before using shortcuts to make it easier to edit many layers at once.
• I and O on keyboard - in and out points of the shapes time on screen.
• If you press the U key it exposes all the animated layers, then if you press it again it shows you the edited layers, for example the ones with changed opacity.
• cmd + d to duplicate layer
• The convert vertex tool is under the pen tool. You can click on this and then click on the anchor point of the shape that is moving position, and the movement will change from a curve to an angled movement. Allows you to be accurate about where the shapes move.

• Can drag and drop an effect onto the object. The effect appears with the transform options. Edit the effect.

• Click on starting layer, type i. Click on ending layer, type o. This just selects the time where something is happening rather than the whole duration.
• To export: composition -> add to render queue. Click losless next to output module. Then click format options. In video Codec we are going to change from animation to H.264 as animation is the best quality file and we don't need this. 

• Click on yellow next to output to: and choose a name and where you will save your file to.

• It only starts exporting when you click the render button. You can see the progress in the yellow bar, and then you can find your video in finder.

OUGD202 Briefing

Screen and Motion by Design


- Keep backing up work, need to set up a filing system so all files for video are in one file, and name all files
- Software workshops in: adobe after effects, iDVD and Toast
- Practical workshops: storyboards, timelines, schematics, animatics, sequential thinking


What is design for digital media?

- Digital media: web, games, mobile, dvd interface

- Passive: motion graphics, film titles, flash animation, screen based promo

- Considerations: file size and format, end user capabilities, end user technologies, fixed/specified aspect ratios, colour modes

- Still doing initial research, idea generation both hand drawn and on screen
- All test pieces to be documented on blog using issue
- Work incredibly simply
- Screen captures can be printed for portfolio

STUDIO BRIEF 1 – SILENT MOVIE – A series of study tasks and workshops will encourage you to explore approaches to communication through sequential thinking, storyboarding and the use of Adobe After Effects. This body of work should demonstrate your ability to develop, produce and present technically competent design solutions through the considered application of existing and newly acquired practical skills.

STUDIO BRIEF 2 – ’10 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT….’ - Develop a body of visual and contextual research that helps you to establish your own opinions in response to set design problems. This body of work should demonstrate your ability to creatively explore a range of design solutions through the considered application of existing and newly acquired conceptual, research and development skills

End of Module Evaluation

1. What skills have you developed through this module and how effectively do you think you have applied them?

Through this module I have learnt so much about designing for print, that I now feel confident as a designer for when I need to work with printers. I have learnt these skills from the seminars with Lorenzo, the software skills workshops, the books that I have read, as well as learning as I go along with my designs. I have applied these through my work, meaning that for the first time on this course, my work could be sent to a printer, and I have also demonstrated all that I know in my design for print manual.

I've also improved my software skills, in particular with Indesign and Illustrator. I previously felt like my lack of software skills were making me work slower than others, but now, through doing tutorials,  learning at software workshops and through the creation of my work for this module, I have challenged myself, and applied my new skills to my design.

The important of concept building is something I have developed through this module, and consequently, I think this is the best idea I've had so far on the course. I think I have applied these skills well, as I believe I have perfected my concept; I just would have liked more time to perfect my design work.

Ive learnt about the importance of hand drawn design developments, through the logo task. Producing so many different logo designs was a good way to eventually reach a logo that I was happy with. I have applied this skill to lots of my initial design work in the module, but nearer to the end, I began to panic about time, and rushed my design development, which in turn meant that I wasn’t as happy with the design as I know I could be. 

2. What approaches to/methods of research have you developed and how have they informed your design development process?

The research I have done has mainly been through the set tasks, looking at many examples of printed graphic design. It has made me a lot more aware of the print that is out there, and how the choice of finishes and stock and other factors really can enhance a piece of work. This has really made me think about what I would choose if printing the designs for this module at a printers.

Actually going on a print visit and seeing examples of the type of work I am aiming to produce has been a great inspiration and help, making me think about the choices I make.

I've also looked at designs relevant to my theme of guiding. For example, looking for the exact pantone colours used by Girlguiding UK has helped me to create designs which could fit in with what is out there.

3. What strengths can you identify in your work and how have/will you capitalize on these?

As mentioned previously, I think my concept is strong because of all the development I did on this, so I will continue in future modules to make sure my concept is perfect, and that I understand it fully, before starting design work. This is something that has let me down in many previously modules so I’m happy that I’ve overcome this.

Continually asking for feedback on my work from other students, and tutors, as well as the amount of crits we have had has made sure that my work has been continually improving, so this is something that I will continue to do, as it has been a previous target I have set for myself.

Week by week evaluation of my work has been a strength to how I have work, ensuring that I keep thinking and reflecting, so that I don’t get stuck at a dead end, as I have with previous modules, so this is definitely something I will continue to do.

4. What weaknesses can you identify in your work and how will you address these more fully?

Although I have learnt a lot, and produced a lot of content, I'm not happy with my final design for this module. This is because I felt rushed for time with all that I had to do, so they weren’t as developed as I would have liked. To address these fully next time, I will spend more time developing my design ideas, rather than rushing to create work for many different formats, as, quality is more important that quantity. 

Again, a similar problem to one I have recognized in previous modules, is that I haven't put everything that I have learnt to good use. I risk losing these new found skills, such as letterpress printing, if I don't put them to good use, so in future, I will link the new skills in to my design work. 

I think with this module I have done more work than with any of the modules last year, but with everything else going on at the same time like enterprise, PPD, and CTS, I have found time management really hard. This is something I am always working on, but I think I need to prioritize what is done when.

5. Identify five things that you will do differently next time and what do you expect to gain from doing these?

-1- There is still more about print production that I want to learn. I went to Vernon Street to learn about letterpress printing, but would have also have liked to have learn how to laser cut. I would like to learn more about the possibilities of digital print, such as how to print stickers, and printing on to unusual stock. I think this could really help to enhance my work and make it more exciting. I would like to re-cap on workshops I had last year such as book binding to improve on my final presentation skills.

-2- Next time, I would focus on getting one format perfect before trying to cover lots of formats, to ensure that I had a design I was happy with.

-3-  I would like to improve my photography skills, and book out the photo room in future, to take better photographs of my final pieces, to improve the look of my presentation boards.

-4- I would like to make more time to research, maybe be continually looking at design blogs everyday for inspiration, rather than rushing with research. Making better links from my design context blog to my design practice blog is a target that I set for myself earlier that I haven’t manage to achieve yet.

-5- I would like to set more time aside for developing my designs, as this ‘playing’ about is the most  fun part, and so crucial, yet for some reason I have lacked with development on this module. I will greatly improve the look of my final pieces from doing this.

6. How would you grade yourself on the following areas
(5= excellent 4=very good 3=good 2=average 1=poor)
Attendance = 5
Punctuality = 4
Motivation = 2
Commitment = 3
Quantity of work produced = 3
Quality of work produced = 2
Contribution to the group = 4

OUGD201

Here are links to the relevant blog posts for this module.

What is good?

Blog

What is design for print?

Manual Plan
Print Handbook Notes
Print Production Notes
Lorenzo's Seminar Notes
Colour for Print Links
Letterpress Printing
Final Print Manual

Research Tasks

Research Task 1
Research Task 2
Research Task 3
Research Task 4

Good Is...

What my good is...
Initial Concept
Initial Ideas
Concept Idea Development (Logos)
Identity and Branding (Development)
Identity and Branding (Nets)
Final Concept Sheets
Information Pack Development Designs
Information Pack Cover
Content for Information Pack Pages
Finalised Content for Information Pack
Other Formats
Print Finish Experiments

Final Pieces

Final Printed Pieces
Presentation Boards

Research

Girl Guiding UK
Existing Guide Designs Research
Logo Research
Stock Choices
Contextual References
Existing Product Research

Workshop Sessions

Software Workshop 1: Illustrator
Software Workshop 2: Photoshop
Software Workshop 3: InDesign
Software Workshop 4
Typography Workshop 1
Typography Workshop 2
Typography Workshop 3
Print Visit

PPD

Summer 'What is Good' Research Evaluation
Progress Evaluation
End of Module Evaluation
Final Pieces

Good Is... Print Finish Experiments

Without the facilities of a printers, I can't produce the print finishes that I want to for my information pack, so I decided to try out ways at home of re-creating these print finishes.

Gloss Varnish

I tried to create a spot varnish for my logo with both clear lip gloss and nail varnish. It doesn't look very neat but it shows where I wanted the varnish to be.

 

Embossing

I embossed the word 'friendships' onto this page divider by pressing really hard on the back with a pencil. I think this looks really good, as its subtle, so not tacky, but makes the page a lot more interesting. If I was really printing this work at a printers, I would have embossed all the titles on the page dividers, and maybe other aspects of the work I have created.

 

Foil

To show where I would want to use a foil on my bag, I have used a gel pen to cover the space. Ideally, I would like the Information pack case and bag to have a light pink foil where the words 'Jamboree Information Pack' are.

Flood Varnish

I have used plastic wallets to show what the pages could look like if laminated or flood varnished. This may make the pages more practical, but doesn't really add anything to enhance the look.

Die cutting

I have used a scalpel to cut out parts of the page dividers and nets that would be die cut if the designs were really being sent to a printers. Finishing processes that I have done including trimming, folding and binding would also be done at the printers, much quicker and neater, if this was really being sent.

Good Is...Presentation Boards

For the module hand in, we need to create 5 a2 direction boards, which are a condensed version of our story about the development of our 'good'. The main board should be a collective shot of your range of products designed as a set. The boards need to add strength to your argument, showing your concept and products. I think a lot of the content may be similar to what I put on my original concept boards.

As the boards will show what my project is about, it is important that they look good, and show off my work, and are visually consistent. The image should communicate the most information with text just to back it up. 

Content for boards

Board 1 - Final Products

- Good quality series of photographs of my final printed products, explaining what each product is

Board 2 - Information Pack

- Photographs and screenshots of pages of information pack. Explaining print finishes, stock choices. How it would be done differently if printed at an actual printers. Explain how the packs will be distributed, and how many would need to be printed, so which printing method it would need to be.

Board 3 - Other Formats

- Photographs and screenshots of the other formats I have created. Mock up how poster would look extreme scale. Explain how the other formats will be distributed, and how many would need to be printed, so which printing method it would need to be.

Board 4 - Development

- Show development designs. Hand drawn, digital, and photographs. Write about how ideas have changed. Show pantone colours that have been used.

Board 5 - Concept

- Explaining what my good is, and why. Explain what I am trying to achieve. Explain how well I think it has worked.

Design Plan for boards

I have continued with the colour scheme and font that I have used throughout so that everything matches in. This is the basic design plan, before adding the content.

 

Final Design Boards

Typography Workshop III

Notes

- The eye is focussed to adverts in magazine. This is hierarchy, and the manipulation a graphic designer can have. These adverts annoy but capture attention

- We have discussed altering a word, a sentence and now a paragraph. We were given a piece of text that we needed to fit into a column. I made this fit by justifying the text and by making the point size smaller. This doesn't look very good however. I could have also changed the text by altering the leading.

- In the second, third and fourth boxes I have made each text a smaller point size, and changed the leading. I think the column that looks the best is the third, but in between the second and third would probably look best.

- Fundamental rule: if the type is to be printed, print out a copy to have a look. Put it in context and you will understand what size/leading type works best. We did this and it helped us to make the decision that the second column is the best. 

- We also need to know what the text is for, as text for a book will be set out differently to in a magazine. Can it be read when held at arms length? Consider factors like this. 

- Talk about type as not just the point size, but the point on leading, as this relationship between the two is important for the layout. 

- The computer puts in automatic leading as it does with the kerning. Don't stick to the automatic settings, change things so that the text is easier to read. 

- Adding leading increases readability but if you put too much in it makes it worse

- Changing the font will alter how the texts sits, even if the font is the same point size, due to the 'x' height. 

- Every font fits differently. Learn the characteristics of a font to rely on - which size and leading works best, etc.

- 10pt type automatic leading is about 12pt, 12pt is about 14pt- there is about a 2pt difference. As it gets

bigger the difference is nearer to 3, as it gets smaller the difference is nearer to 1.

- Be careful not to go into negative leading when editing text.

- Trying to make it as easy as possible to read.

- Looking at what is the ideal column size. We split the page into 12 columns, then placed the text to fill 1 column, then 2, then 3, then 4. I think filling the third column looks best. It looks less intimidating than the fourth column but more reasonable that the others.

- The average word is 5 letters plus one letterspace. The average line contains six words.

- Rule: never less than 6 words, never more than 12.

- Don't want to read the text in a wide column as you think about how long it will take you to read, so it is up to a graphic designer to place this text so that its easy to read.
- Need to consider audience, as this will impact your choices.

- Text size depends on a font, but if its bigger than 9pt for a book there needs to be a reason
- Split the page into three columns. Fill a column with the given piece of a text. Then copy the text, and change the font. Don't change any other details, and see what the difference in size is. Arial and Baskerville, both 8.4pt text 12pt leading

- If we want to make someone read something, paragraph line spaces can make it easier to read than taking them out and using the space to enlarge the text, as shown (with and without indents). Never use both indents and paragraph line spaces at the same time. A tab is 1cm. 

- Paragraph ending with just three characters on one line with a big indent underneath causes a problem as the gap is too big.

- Indesign: type->paragraph->select all text and click second button down, add indents to the start of all lines. This example shows the automatic indent next to the controlled one, which looks far better.

- However, even with indentation, we would all still rather read text with paragraph line breaks.

- We are now moving on to working with whole pages of text, making sure that we don't go in to negative leading. We then worked with adding an image.

- Example using the full, uncropped image. I've changed font and pt and leading sizes too.

- Now we are trying to get the image as big as we can, without cropping the image or losing any of the text. I've used indents, changed the font, font size and leading. You should start with editing the text first, making sure you have as much space as possible, then the image. Could turn image around or take it out of the margins. 

- Next we tried it with three columns, bearing in mind what we picked up on with the last task. There needs to be a geometrical relationship between the elements on the page.

- Tip: white space makes it easier to read as you don't think there is as much on the page. 

- Experiment with placing all the text and image how you want it, so that it is easy to read and looks better than the previous examples.

- Justifying the text alters the space between each word space to make all the words on a line even. The problem with justified text is when the columns are thin, there can be huge spaces between the words. Justified text has created shorter column length. 

Good Is... Final Pieces

Information Pack

Final pages: issuu document

I am quite surprised at how different my final pieces are in colour to how they look on screen, and compared to the different printers I have printed them out on. My final information pack book was printed in digital print and I am happy with the colours that have come out. I printed on to thin white card, this is to make the pages durable, as they may be used a lot.



- Screen vs. Mac Suite Print vs. Digital Print

The making of the book:

Final Book:

The final book isn't completely how I would want it to look, if it had been printed and finished at an actual printers. I've had a few problems with printing, such as the double sided double page spreads on indesign not lining up completely, but these are all things that I can learn from. I haven't been able to bind the book as I wanted. If this book was printed in a printers, it would have the finishes that I wanted it to have, such as spot varnish over the logo on the cover, and foil over the 'Information Pack' text.

T-shirt designs

As i've not had time to actually screen print the t-shirts as I would like to have done, I have drawn these t-shirt design in illustrator, and digitally printed them.

Proposed Final Pieces

I haven't managed to print these pieces in digital print, so I have printed them in the mac suite on the laser printers.

Bag

Mailshot

This mail shot is quite simple, as I've not had time to develop it much.

Outside

Inside

Leaflet For Parents

This leaflet has an interesting fold, which means the information is delivered to the reader in parts. It makes better sense through the printed leaflet rather than screenshots of the final illustrator document. I printed this leaflet out on a different printer to the one I printed the mail shot out on, and despite it being the same colour, it has printed differently.