Task 3: Colour Exploration

After the feedback gathered in class, I made some changes to my pencil design such as making the swoosh downwards instead of up and integrating an element of “community” in the design.

After more feedback from Michael, I decided to add more visual weight in my design and change the text font as well as orientation.

Colour Exploration

I played around with analogous colour schemes such as blue and green, orange and yellow as well as contrasting colours like yellow and blue to bring some vibrancy in the design. However, I felt like the colours felt a bit too “contained” within the black lines.

Subsequently, I tried different techniques such as gradient tones and playing with the shades of one colour. However, incorporating gradient in the lines made the “swoosh” lose its form. Hence, I decided to go with the flat colours instead and stick with the shades of one colour.

 

Task 2: Translating and Exploring Design

After conceptualising the possible themes I wished to explore, I went more in depth into the possible logo designs.

Initially, I was really interested to do my first concept which was ” A sense of familiarity” so I did a table based on a class exercise we did to explore the possible visuals I could come up with. It was really difficult and I found it hard to simplify the sketches or connect my concept with the mission and spirit of the programme.

I was really interested in the idea of lamps and I tried to combine the idea of 3 ethnic groups represented by each lamp. The concept was that light gives a sense of warmth and home as well as encapsulates the passion and spirit of the community. I also tried to incorporate some batik or traditional motifs into the designs.

I played around with the different orientations and arrangements of the lamps. However, after feedback from the class and Michael, I realised that my designs came off more “cultural” and “racial harmony day” rather than “arts on the move”.  Michael mentioned that one of the pattern motif I drew looked quite interesting so I decided to explore further and see how I could incorporate “arts” into it while simplifying and making it look more like a logo.

I looked more into tile patterns and explored the possible designs I could do. Since my inspiration was drawn from the Peranakan tile patterns, I looked more into the culture and customs of the Peranakan community and found that it actually tied quite well with the concept I was going for.

Peranakans retained their Chinese beliefs but also adopted local indigenous lifestyles such as having their own variations of the Malay language, Baba Malay. The culture also focuses a lot on family unit, an important facet of the peranakans and family members are usually found living under one roof. I felt that it was reflective of the mission and spirit of this programme, which was to bring people together through art and build a community regardless of one’s background or culture.

However, yet again, I struggled greatly with simplifying and showing the essence of “art” in the logo. So, I picked out the key idea and shape I wanted which was a circular structure, drawing on the idea of a community, family and interconnectedness. I explored many weaving and interlocking designs.

However, I still found it hard to show the “arts” element. I was afraid my designs would end up looking more “community centre” or “social service” like. As desperation drew close, I decided the best way was to not overthink and just show the obvious, which was to incorporate pencils and paint brushes. However, I felt it was the best way  for the logo to stay relevant, distinctive and focused.

I stayed with the idea of community and interconnectedness while adding a bit of fun and quirky-ness into my designs. One big lesson I’ve learned from this process would be to just not over complicate things and overthink my concept, but rather just let the visuals speak for themselves 🙂 Moving forward, I will digitalise my designs and play around with scale, lines and perspective to see what I can come up with.


Feedback that I gathered after class was that the design with the paintbrush was too “spread out” and I had to put the brush with the person together in order to show some form of interconnectedness and integration.

As for the second design, the pencil was too big and perhaps I could make the community aspect show through better. Some suggestions were to bring the circle down to the bottom rather than covering the top and maybe show some human forms in the design.

I also did some mock ups for the colour schemes based on analogous and complementary colours as seen above.

VC Project 1: Information Gathering & Idea Generating

Observations/ About the programme:

  • Arts on the move, an initiative to provide some positive distraction to patients
  • A form of therapy to soothe patients’ minds and help them on their path to recovery
  • Creative works to keep the mind active
  • Volunteers engage patients at their bedside so they do not have to get out of their rest area
  • Transform the hospital environment from a traditionally sterile environment to a warm, welcoming place of healing
  • craft-based, monthly themes
  • Considerations: Volunteers will be wearing a Teal vest with red logo and a red landyard

Design Aims:

Develop a logo design for its “Arts on the move” programme for application on button badges worn by volunteers. A symbol that represents and captures the mission and spirit of the programme and volunteers

Be distinctive, visually striking, aid easy identification

Concept 1:

A sense of familiarity

Keywords:

Warmth, family, community, homely

Rationale: 

The arts programme at the hospital emphasises strongly on using art to create a caring, relaxing and engaging environment for patients. Hence, the hospital provides a platform for local artists to showcase their works along with the works of some of the patients. A collaboration amongst local artists, staff and patients in the same space allows for the formation of a community spirit in an environment that is no longer sterile and unfamiliar.  A common reoccurring theme in their works were often local culture and arts. By introducing elements of the local arts and culture scene that is unique to the Singapore identity, it creates a sense of nostalgia and familiarity for the patients. For instance, maybe batik painting patterns, motifs and colours could be used and incorporated in a single unified logo.


Concept 2:

Humour, bright colours and a bit of playfulness

Keywords:

Fun, quirky, joyful, uplifting, positive

Rationale:

The designs will encapsulate the idea of art as a medium to evoke happiness and joy and that anyone can create art no matter how young or old they may be.  Designs will be fun and quirky with simple illustrations and bold colours for easy identification.


Concept 3:

One with nature

Keywords:

Heal, Serenity, untroubled, carefree, peaceful

Rationale:

Nature has always been known to evoke tranquility and peace, evident in the nature artworks of scenic landscapes, floral and fauna displayed around the hospital. The focal point of this concept would be art as a form of therapy to help in the recovery for patients.