OUGD102 - Photoshop Workshop

By going to Image > Image size after opening an image, I made sure the resolution was set to 300 dpi (industry standard for print), and the measurements were set to A5 (postcard size). I also made sure the document was using a CMYK colour mode by going to Image > Image mode.

I then decreased the saturation to -100 by creating a Hue & Saturation Adjustment layer.

I added a colour tint by adding a Solid Colour adjustment layer and setting the blending mode of this layer to 'Overlay'.

CREATING A PATTERN:

I then duplicated this image, rotated it vertically and positioned it directly underneath the original.

Using the pen tool, I created a path around the building and extracted this by going to Paths > Load path as selection and then simply deleting this.

I then duplicated this once more but instead flipped the image horizontally.

I then cropped the image to its exact proportions, removed any unwanted background and went to 'Edit > Define Pattern' in order to transform the image into a pattern.

For the reverse side of the postcard, I opened another A5 document at 300 dpi, created a new layer and filled it with the colour white. By going to the Layer Style option menu, I am able to add a pattern overlay and decide on a scale I wish to use:

Visual Language - Photography Induction

As part of the photography induction, we were required to photograph our objects under different lighting conditions using coloured acetate and various placements of the light source. We were taught the basic functions of a digital SLR for us to then put into practice and to experiment with. 

The following images were taken using 2 different light sources covered with a red and green acetate. This achieved an unusual double coloured shadow which could work really well depending on the subject.

OUGD102 What If... Organising Research

We were asked to collect our research into qualitative and quantitative under primary and secondary.

Primary - Information or data that is collected for a specific use and does not already exist.

Secondary - Published or recorded data that was previously gathered for some purpose other than the current study (for reasons unrelated to the project).

Quantitative - This consists of facts, figures and measurements which can then be analysed. Measurable data can be gathered from a variety of sources but it is the interpretation, manipulation and relationships of this data which is important. It is objective and relies on surveys, questionnaires, statistics etc.

Qualitative - Focuses on peoples beliefs, opinions, interactions and experiences to gather information. This can be derived from interviews, focus groups, documentary analysis etc. Qualitative research is not statistical but gives a real-life account on a particular study or event.

Things to do:

1) Work our primary quantitative research from the questionnaire/survey
2) Have more focus in secondary research (currently too broad)
3) Define 'bad' and 'good' graffiti
4) Ask a broader demographic rather than targeting a specific age group
5) Finalise our presentation - powerpoint, website etc

OUGD102 What If... Progress Crit

We presented our initial problem and ideas to a few other groups in the friday progress crit. As this was a live brief, it was stated that it would not be feasible to set up an art gallery exhibiting pieces of graffiti yet there could be other ways of going about this. Someone mentioned an online gallery such as a blog or an interactive website where we post our own photographs of graffi in Leeds and then link people to its whereabouts. This can be done using an interactive Google map showing its exact location.

Also, if the site became live and fully interactive, visitors could be able to submit their own photographs that they've found when wandering around Leeds and therefore getting everyone involved to make graffiti a more socially acceptable art form. This can be done through posts on a blog or submissions via e-mail - as long as we can get the public to showcase their own photographs.

However, we need to get it into the public domain through advertisements. These can be placed either near graffiti to get the artists themselves enticed or through media which would attract a more diverse target market - for example, those who are against graffiti and see it as a negative art form.

OUGD102 - What If... Research

Once we devised our problem, we then began looking into the topic in more depth (all of which is posted on my design context blog). I looked at various definitions of 'graffiti' itself, the negative aspects - in order to prove the problem is a real problem and a range of articles in relation to graffiti.

These links can be found here:

General facts
General facts 2
Articles both for and against
Positive article

For the progress crit on friday, we created 3 presentation boards explaining firstly, our problem - that graffiti is not deemed socially acceptable; the evidence - consisting of pictures taken by the group, articles, statistics and a questionnaire and finally, what we intend to do:

From the questionnaire Yafet and Chris devised, it was noted that some people liked the idea of a legal graffiti wall where graffiti artists could freely express themselves without legal risk. This could then form an event which could be advertised by us through various promotional materials. However, there were various reasons against this - one being an article found by Kirsty where a legal wall was put in place in Britain and a tax payer defaced stating 'I paid my tax and all I got was this stupid wall'. Also, some graffiti artists said a legal graffiti wall defeated the object of graffiti itself - this came from both primary (questionnaire) and secondary research.

We then noticed a quote in one particular article where an artist said that 'Some people are never going to get their art shown in a gallery, so the only way of showing it is on a wall.' This is one motive why graffiti artists do what they do so we thought it was a great starting point for our project. We decided on advertising a public exhibition which showcased some of the 'best' graffiti from around Leeds. This puts a positive twist on graffiti and presents it as a socially acceptable art form. 

OUGD102 - What If...

Brief Title: What If...

The collection 100 brief required us to gather as much research as possible in relation to Leeds. This formed the basis of this brief, "What If...'. What if a group of graphic design students get together, and decide to solve a problem?

From our initial 'collection 100' research, we had to think of one word which epitomised the majority, if not all, of our primary source photographs. We then chose a statistic, fact and opinion which were in some way related to this one particular word. Mine was 'contrast', as I believe Leeds combines both new and old, especially through architecture and the general visual landscape of Leeds.

We were then asked to devise a statement in relation to Leeds based on this; mine being 'The visual landscape in Leeds is diverse". From these, we were put together with others who had a similar theme or concept to their statement - forming the group for the rest of this project. From this, we thought of a problem which was associated with the visual landscape of Leeds and as a few of us had photographs of graffiti and we already knew the negative connotations of graffiti, we thought it would be a good starting point to develop.

Problem: 'How to make graffiti more socially acceptable.'

We don't want to encourage it, but we want to remove the stigma associated with graffiti or provide alternatives to those who do graffiti. We will use this as a starting point for research and development therefore this could change.

Collection 100 - Research

Visual Language - Photography

I was given the colour red to experiment with through photography. We were required to photograph our given subject around the college looking at a particular frame or composition throughout. I looked primarily at warning signs as red is most commonly associated with hazards, danger or warnings. I photographed these at unusual perspectives, avoiding the stereotypical 'front on and centered'.

Collection 100 - Opinions

Good city, quite young and vibrant. Big arts culture probably due to students and such. It seems to becoming more and more popular, used to think of manchester as main city in the north but think leeds is up there now. Big music scene.. good city. Awful rugby team though.

- Reb

Hilly, greggs-loving and expensive.

- Peter

I love Leeds. It's really diverse and there's plenty of things to do. It's very student friendly and the night life is pretty good.. and the shopping too. I don't like the hills but I guess it's good exercise. When I go back to cambridge the skyline looks so empty as there isn't any big buildings like Leeds. The uni's great too!

- Kirsty H

Some of the towns are a disgrace, rubbish everywhere and people don't seem to care.  Last week a group of youths decided to set a car on fire right outside our house too.  Everyones experiences will be different, some will be lucky and some won't... But If you're going to move here try and stick to places like Roundhay.. the city is decent for a visit, but not to live.

- "J"

I think that leeds is a great place for students, especially art students as it has a lot of galleries and cultural events. I also think that it is safe and quiet for a city but there's loads of hills which is rather annoying as it's quicker to walk everywhere than drive or get the bus.. plus there'd be nowhere to park anyway. I love Leeds plus northerners are well 'ard like so I'm lovin it yeh.

- Nicole

Leeds is an amazing place to live, the nightlife and the shopping are really good and everyone is really friendly. Even though i've not lived here very long it's definitely a second home already ! I also love all the culture and amazing buildings that you can find in Leeds, such a good city.

- Nicola

Leeds is a great Northern city thats full of life and excitement. From day to night, Leeds has it all. It's especially good for students as it has an array of Higher and further education options available.  

- Christina

I always thought leeds was gonna be like any other major city but as i've settled in i've really started to feel at home here. Theres always loads of stuff going on and it feels great to be part of a city where there is a student population of 200,000! I have to say im not a fan of the wind or rain, but I love the rest of the city and more so the people who i've met here - besides the "pesky" tramps and pervy men!

- Baljeet

Great for all demographics of people, because it has everything from Primark to Louis Vuitton. Student friendly but big enough to not make it feel overcrowded with just students unlike other unis like Durham etc.

- Gina

I love leeds as a place because its so student friendly and theres lots to do. The only downside is it's so easy to get lost in the car if you're not familiar with it! 

- Kirsty A

Leeds is a great city. The city centre has excellent bars restaurants and shopping however it also has some very good suburbs too. I lived in Chapel Allerton which although a bit expensive has excellent bars shops etc and a vibrant feel about it. There are decent bus services into the city centre and is only a short taxi ride home on a night out! 

- David

I live in leeds but some parts of it are a bit rough. There is shopping, leeds festival and loads more!

- Olivia

I like how friendly and approachable leeds people are and how intimate it still feels in a big city because people are so friendly. However, I don't like the weather; probably because I'm a southerner and I don't have thick skin like you guys, I feel the cold!

- Rosie

Collection 100 - Words

Historic

Lively

Dynamic
Multicultural
Hectic
Creative
Cultured

Industrial

Nightlife

Metropolitan

Diverse

Architecture

Traffic

Urban
Friendly
Modern

Collection 100 - Facts & Statistics

In the 2001 census, Leeds had a population of 1.5 million.

Leeds United was formed in 1919 and plays at the 40,000 capacity Elland Road in Beeston

It is the second largest metropolitan district in the UK; extending 15 miles from east to west, and 13 miles from north to south.

- BBC

Kirkgate Market in Leeds is where Michael Marks first opened his Penny Bazaar (1884) which was to lead, ultimately, to the foundation of Marks & Spencer, in 1890.

- BBC

Natives of Leeds are known as Loiners.

- BBC

There are over 200,000 students in Leeds, 64,000 of whom are degree students at Leeds' two internationally acclaimed universities

- yorkshire-forward.com

The Independent called Leeds the 'Best UK University Destination'

- yorkshire-forward.com

Out of a total workforce in West Yorkshire of 936,000, nearly half (that's 442,000 people) work in Leeds.

- yorkshire-forward.com

Inventor and cinema pioneer Louis Le Prince shot the first motion pictures, "Crossing Leeds Bridge" in the city centre in 1888. 

- gouk.about.com

In its feature, "Know Your Leeds", BBC Hereford & Worcester reports that the first permanent set of fully automatic traffic lights was installed in Leeds in 1928.

- gouk.about.com

Leeds is a UFO spotting hotspot, with more sightings since 1961 than anywhere else in Britain.

- gouk.about.com

There are more females (369,570) than males (345,834) living in Leeds.

- BBC

Leeds is one of the greenest cities in Europe, with greenbelt land covering over two thirds of its total area.

- yorkshire-forward.com

The population density in the 2001 census was recorded as 1,967 inhabitants per square kilometre

- neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk

The voting figures for Leeds in the European Parliament election in June 209 were: Conservative 22.6%, Labour 21.4%, UKIP 15.9%, Lib Dem 13.8%, BNP 10%, Green 9.4%

- guardian.co.uk/news

In Roman times Leeds was called 'Loidis' which means 'People of the flowing river'.

Collection 100 - Primary source photos

These are some photographs I took in and around Leeds, focusing primarily on the culture, nightlife and architecture as I believe these are the most prominent features when people refer to Leeds.