Week 11: Work In Progress Check

Refinement Process
With what I had last week, I proceeded on with the feedback given to me that I should include a captivating slogan (could be from the poster design) as it could better represent the overall theme rather than simply the generic lines of Arts & Health @NTF Hospital.

Also, the use of the pop up space at the back should signify a better meaning and no panels should be left black. As clients pay for every page and leaving it black might be questionable. It could act as a form of advertisement when the user opens the brochure, and someone views the image from the other side.

I explored the possibilities of the folds and harmonise it with an origami heart-pencil illustration. So that at one glance, people might feel that it is a pencil, but it doubles up as another meaning of a heart (in line with the slogan of arts from the hearts).

 

In addition to that, I made improvements on breaking the diamond shaped form. Allowing shapes to suggest the lines rather than directly showing the audience the intended shapes (Left paint tube signifies the diamond shape).

I added the header Art & Health @NTF  General Hospital in the middle section, making use of the pop up attention and brought the viewer’s eyes to the text on top. To add more flow to the design, I was advised to create a flow line that could visually guide the viewers to look at other points on the brochure design.

Colour Palette #01

I tried to work with Analogous Colours with reference to the red logo. At this point, the design seem to be rather empty as there are too little visual elements involved in the print out. Also, the colour does not seem to work out as well as I had expected. Colour Palette #02

This time, I tried using the split complementary colour palette with reference to the vest colour as it was appearing in many photos of the brochure design. The translucent white elements add a subtle effect to the entire print out instead of a bold series of elements. I really appreciate how it come together along with the choice of colours as it brings down the hierarchy of what was not important. 

After consulting, I realise that there were too little photos in the brochure design. I was told to remove the orphans from the body text as well as to block out the headers with another colour as they were not clearly separated from the body text at one glance.

Week 12: Final Presentation

Final Phase of Design
In my final phase of changes I contemplated on adding the line of flow on both sides of the brochure design. However, I felt that it spoilt the overall look and decided to make do without the suggestive line. I moved the alignment and text to allow the header to have a better balance (previously sinking downwards, heavy).

Final Print Out

I adjusted the orange contrast higher on the pencil to allow the images and text to be easily seen on both sides. Also, I had the images radiate outwards form the pencil tip such that it was an exploding series of photos from the middle and that complemented with the design of folds. Lastly, I increased the crop tension so that the images had lesser space and look less apart.

Final Reflections

The final project was an exciting journey that I never expected to hop onto. From the folding techniques I could explore, to the thoughtfulness in layout. Now, I see how a brochure should be designed and a good one must not be taken lightly. It was definitely an interesting and fruitful semester of to join VC1!

 

Week 10: Preliminary Design Review

Digital Translation
With what I had last week, I proceeded on the feedback was given to me that I should include a captivating slogan (could be from the poster design) as it could better represent the overall theme rather than simply the generic lines of Arts & Health @NTF Hospital. I made use of the fold reference and redesigned a fold that could link with my concept.

I used the pop up as an area for the two paragraph of texts and with a signifier of a pencil (inspired by the logo design of the Arts and Health @NTF). I included pictures and worked on the lines/solid colours to try achieve a better result.

 

Week 9 : Design Exploration

Existing Brochure Design

I am always fascinated with origami folds. How it could unravel the message from within. I wish I could show more but here are three of my favourite designs.

# Numerical Order From Left to Right

Design Reference #01 

Unravelling the fuller picture when unfolded. This technique of fold only require a slit in the middle while retaining the mystery of an unusual fold technique. I really love the simplicity in layout of information and shapes played throughout the brochure design.

 

 

 

Design Reference #02 

The die cut technique used in this context was extremely appropriate. I really love how the mountains are cut out to show you what you would expect when visiting the holiday resort. The bold colour at the bottom (blue waters) block out the text and let its audience read without any distraction in the area. This method of cutting really captivates the eyes and I felt that it was really well played.

 

 

Design Reference #03
This method of cutting the paper is interesting because the maker blocks out an area in the middle (where the eye first goes) to draw the attention of its audience. With this method, one can place important text or highlights within this sunken area of folds.

Playing With Folds

As I was exploring with folding methodologies, I tried to minimise the complexity of the fold or cut techniques mainly with considerations for mass production. As I refer to my internship experience, brochures that are designed with more cuts (die cuts) becomes more expensive. Also, the risk or error or bad production plays a part in these designs. Hence, I chose a more functional approach towards creating the folds, trying to seek a simpler form with a meaningful concept behind the simple folds.

One last example I would like to show was this technique of one step folding. Whereby the users open in one step, views the information, closes in one step. I feel that this direct approach really attracted me as a user and I wanted to explore with its possibilities. Changing some shapes to develop what I ultimately want.

Mock Up Folds

There are three mock up folds you can see below varying from the usual panel folds to 3D cut outs and pop up folding styles.

As I did the mock up folds, my focus was on the fact that there were not too many information. So I should not have too many panels that might end up empty. I looked at how a brochure could be easily handled and decided to go for an A4 choice rather than the allowed A3 size which most of my classmates were using.

Visual Studies 

I studied how the placement of text affects the hierarchy of information. Also, I wanted to implement a flow line which was recommended during consultation that it could be a subtle line of information rather than a solid line work.

Week 8 : Poster Exhibition

Final Improvements

As I continued to work on the layout and colours, I had to print out various test prints to look at how the poster is in real size. It was difficult to judge small details based on what we see on the screen as I could only see a small portion if I were to set to the A2 actual size. 

Some visual elements were improved to make more sense out of the poster. For example, the droplet that is falling from the cloud is a paint droplet squeezed from a tube of paint. 

Final Print Out

In the final print out, it was important to note the margins as well as reducing weight of certain text (top left) to reduce the complexity of the poster at one glance. 

I do acknowledge that there are still some small details which could be refined at this point of time. Nevertheless, the journey of poster design was an enriching one. I never expected myself to create a poster with so much thought and concept behind it. Looking back, I am proud of what had been achieved at the poster exhibition session. 

Week 7: Design Refinement & Mock Up

Colour Palette

As I added more elements to the poster design, I wanted to restrict myself to three main colours. Of which I chose the primary colours to work with.

Readability & Legibility

Script typefaces were selected as I wanted to bring out the crafty sense. However, when I looked at the typeface again, it was difficult to read from a distance and at close up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The cursive words were not ideal and I tried with another typeface that shows a scribble effect while retaining a san serif block typeface. Also, I worked with a white font colour so that it could pop out of the darker surface colour. Upon testing out this, it worked and I decided to use it for my final print out. 

Test Print 

A test print was done to see the layout of the final design. I felt that the visual elements were too many and I decided to reduce the scattered white pieces.

Week 6: Design Exploration

Compositional Study #01

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In my first digital translation, I tried to play around with placement of the images and text. I struggled to incorporate the text harmoniously with the poster design. I tried to go for an asymmetrical balance as I did not want the poster to seem too static. I also added musical elements with a flow line to enhance the visual appeal. After the discussion in class, I gathered through the feedback that the colours were distracting and the use of certain lines were redundant. The visual hierarchy was not clear with the layout as the smaller and larger icons were not distinctive.

Compositional Study #02


 

 

 

 

 

 

In my second composition studies, I started to develop along the texture of paper cut material to better visualise how the outcome should be. I retain some of the idea such as the pencil mountains as well as the sun while adding more visual elements. The use paper cut concept holds the entire poster together and seemed more together as compared to the previous concept.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retaining the idea of the sun, I tried to incorporate the idea of a palette in the water or land shapes. Giving a subtle suggestion of the craft aspect. By rotating the river slightly, I could see that the entire poster came together with a line of motion being very organic. I was told during the discussions that there was too much shadow and it made the poster too distracting. Also, I removed the arrow under the letter A as it was distracting and was not required to read the slogan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After getting feedback from the class, I was told that the visual elements seem to be too little and I had to find a balance of number to place into the poster design. I learnt that while placing the objects around, I had to take note of the visual hierarchy, not over powering the main focus of the poster design. As such, I went with the idea of exploding the art elements from the bottom right to direct the viewer’s eyes to read the text at the bottom.

Week 5: Visual Research

Existing Event Promotional Posters 

A study of existing promotional posters designs, rationale and design applications.

Reference Poster Design #01: 

Communicate: In this poster design, it aims to communicate an energetic and fun marathon event. Stating informational details that relates to the event. The picture driven poster also depicts the outcome of the event after participation.

Emotions: Exited | Joy | Anticipation

Reflections: The overall approach on this project looks fun which deviates from the usual marathon events. Enticing its audience to sign up for the event.

Visual Interest: Image driven poster shows a burst of colour pigments, with people raising their arms. Seemingly having fun. The bolded text in white contrasts to the colourful background. While its texture reminds me of the actual event with powder pigment.

Reference Poster Design #02: 

Communicate: Encourages people to walk by foot with the illustration of a shoe. the trail at the bottom shows a series of gifts which reflects the rewards which you would get upon finishing the 10,000 steps. With a good slogan “make every step count”.

Emotions: Excited | Friendly | Attractive

Reflections: The hierarchy in this poster design shows how a well placed illustration and text communicate its message well.  The illustration and text ties together well and provides sufficient information to the audience. The footwear with the street view allows me to better look at the 10,000 steps challenge accomplished though our daily activities (walking down the street).

Visual Interest: The yellow and blue bold choices of colours speaks to its audiences while retaining the ease of reading. The lifted shoe signifies the beginning of a step, driving an action taken by its viewers. Also, the line of action (footpath) guides the eyes to see the subdominant information.

Reference Poster Design #03: 

Communicate: Informative poster on preventive measures of fighting dengue. A call for action.

Emotions: Urgency | Importance | Seriousness

Reflections: The good use of colour really captivates my attention and eyes to flow along the red objects which are the main points of the poster.

Visual Interest: The short and sweet caption (4 words) sends the message across while making it memorable at a glance. Its bold text and contrast against the background allows it to be easily readable from far. Red alert on the main caption and images directs the eyes at what is important within the poster design.

Overall Reflections

All in all, it was interesting to look at how existing poster design have been successfully implemented. Learning from them, I looked at how I could embark on creating my own design. Applying the knowledge of colour, and visual hierarchy.

Week 5: Develop Slogan & Moodboard

Brainstorm Map

Keywords which I had derived were the words happy, fun, rainbow, hearts, caring volunteers, freedom. Of which, I chose to work with the idea of Arts & Hearts to derive the three slogans from below.

Proposed Slogans

#01 Arts On The Groove

Grooving is associated with a dance movement to jazz. I wanted to portray the performing arts side of arts as well as the fun factor in the programmes. Having people come together and have fun.

#02 Artsy Funsy

Derived from Artsy Fartsy, it is catchy as people mention Artsy Funsy. Also trying to bring out the fun factor within the slogan. I wanted a familiar slogan which does not seem too crude in the hospital environment. Hence the modification to the slogan.

#03 Arts From The Hearts

It is important to note that the center of this programme harness on the efforts of the caring volunteers. Also, the participants who go through the art programme gets to channel their artistic side from the hearts. Which got me thinking of this slogan Arts From The Hearts, that could represent both the care given by the volunteers as well as the expressive arts from the participants hearts. 

Of all the three,  I decided to go with #03 Arts From The Hearts as it best represented the programme spirit and what I was trying to achieve.

Concept Sketches

#01 Art & Hearts

Brush and palette motif

Asymmetrical placement

Playing with negative spaces

 

 

 

 

 

#01 Art & Hearts

Brush with a red paint dipped tip.

Red tip also shows a heart motif

Asymmetrical placement

Good line of motion with the brush directing the eyes

 

 

 

#03 Art & Warmth

Designed to show warmth from the sun

Visual hierarchy as focus is being on the slogan in front of the sun

Pencil and patch work motifs that doubled up as craft suggestions

 

 

 

 

All in all, I decided to go with the third concept as I wanted to play with the idea of paper cut texture to represent the craft side of the programme. Feedback was given that the poster had to show the music or performing arts side as well.

Moodboard

The mood I wanted to give was to show was mainly the caring side of the programme as well as the art approach that value adds the journey. Most importantly, I wanted to use the texture of paper cut because this would set the overall concept for the poster design such that at one glance, people could tell that it is an arts programme.  

The choice of typeface were to be script or something along the lines of scribbled words while retaining the legibility. This is to harmonise with the overall design concept which I was proposing for.

Week 4 : Presentation Preparation

Final Presentation Process

In my final presentation, I prepared a set of explanatory cards along with a prototype of the final badge. This way, I could see how the badge look in real context and support my explanation during the my presentation.

In addition, I placed the badge onto an image of the volunteers. Allowing others to see how my designed badge looks in context.

Chosen Design #01 B&W
Chosen Design #01 Greyscale Chosen Design #01 ColourFinal Design

With both fonts tested out, I had preference for the second design. The fonts are easier to read at a distance while it complements the overall design.

Chosen Design #02 B&W