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.

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.

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.