Alphabet Soup - Flatpack

These are a couple of examples of my 'flatpack' idea. However, the crafting needs to be improved as I need to eliminate unnecessary pencil and score lines.

Letter A - Closed

Letter A - Open/folded

 Close up image of fold

Letter H - Closed

Letter H - Open/folded

Alphabet Soup - Flatpack

I found an image online (posted in my design context blog) where the designer has cut out certain parts of a letter (the serif, for example) which is then folded over revealing a colour paper underneath. This can be found here. As I didn't want to replicate this idea exactly, I decided to use a similar process relating to my own concept. 

The majority of letters in the alphabet have lines of symmetry so I took advantage of this by using this line to fold a letterform in half - this in result is 'flat-packing' the letter and presenting it in a compact form. This was inspired by this image.

Vertical: A, H, I, M, O, T, U, V, W, X, Y

Horizontal: B, C, D, E, H, I, K, O, X

Both: (Highlighted in bold)

I then began experimenting using a standard serif typeface on black card - drawing just half of the letter (for example, the top half of the letter 'E'). I cut this out using a craft knife and folded it over to form the rest of the letter. This can then be put back into place as a reference to the 'flat-pack' concept. I will now expand on this concept creating larger and more "clean-cut" examples in A6 format. I will also use different coloured card due to the simple nature of the design.

'E' and 'X' - Horizontal

'H', 'V' and 'M' - Vertical

Alphabet Soup - Initial stages

After the initial mind map exploring all aspects of the word 'flatten', I first started to experiment with existing type I collected and then chose two prominent ideas which I could develop further. One of these was using 3D letterform which I could 'flatten' back into its original nets over a sequence of 10 images and the other was based around the concept of 'flat-packing'.

Original 'flatten' mind map

Experimenting with type

Using letters I collected, I folded them over vertically and horizontally to give the impression the letterform was compressed. However, this idea was too literal and the outcomes looked similar to various 'tall' typefaces (one of which I collected in my research).

Idea 1 - 3D letterforms

Although this sheet does not explain much, I will upload images in future posts showing the process I took. Creating a net for a 3D letter was more complicated than I expected therefore I used a minimalist sans-serif typeface with no obscure characteristics - simply block lettering. The 10 images I could produce could show the process of opening a 3D letter and becoming a net.

Idea 2 - Flatpacks

Flatpack furniture is a form of furniture that is purchased in multiple pieces and requires assembly. As it is designed to pack flat, it reduces shipping cost and fuel in transportation. It is taking something which may seem complicated and presenting it in a much simpler and compact form. I first explored the word 'flatpack' and began designing ways of simplifying existing letterform using lines of symmetry.

Alphabet Soup - Brief

The Alphabet Soup brief required us to create 10 A6 letterforms as a set, sequence or series based on a word we selected from the randomiser - the word I chose was 'Flatten' therefore I will begin to devise several design ideas.

Alphabet Soup brief (although a little offset).

Initial mind map exploring every aspect of the word. Definitions included 'To make flat or flatter' (self explanatory), 'Lower the pitch of' (referring to musical notes) or 'To compress out of natural shape'.

Alphabet Soup - Initial tasks

Alongside the summer brief, we were asked to collect 20 examples of each letterform to form the basis of our research for the brief we got given this Monday. Before our briefing however, we chose one letter, as a blog group, to then categorise into 10 sections. We devised categories such as 'urban' - relating to graffiti or 'illustration' referring to the hand-drawn and illustrated type. However, the fundemental categories were...

Bold, italic, regular, light, UPPERCASE, lowercase, serif, sans serif, font and point size.

 All of the letters I collected (group work will be posted soon)

We were then given an introduction into the anatomy of type and how there is more to meet the eye. Although I had some knowledge on certain aspects, there was much more to learn.

 The Anatomy of type 

Ascenders, counters, bowls etc. There is a name for everything.

More information regarding typeface anatomy

"How to..." outcome

Digital version of final poster with an updated pie chart based on Liam's research.

Tube with simple instructions in how to make use of the contents

Main contents - Poster, leaflet & stickers

The tube would also contain flyer/leaflets for random events etc.

"How to..." development

We eventually decided to create a freshers pack containing information and interactive media in response to our problem.. "How to get ready in the morning under an hour". This freshers pack would contain a poster which students could interact with in order to create their own timetable from a pie chart and stickers (pictures to follow); a leaflet/flyer providing tips on how to reduce the amount of time spent getting ready and the aforementioned stickers. Flyers from participating clubs/bars/shops would also be added to fund the pack.

 A2/A3 Poster with a 'do-it-yourself' hourly pie chart and weekly timetable.

The pie chart is split into 5 minute segments and using the stickers contained in the pack, the user can place, for example, 10 minutes for breakfast using 2 of the colour coded segments, 20 (4 segments) for getting ready etc.

Idea for a leaflet/flyer with some 'top tips' for effective time management.

The design has changed since this and now features a corkboard as the background (images put up soon).

 Research collected by Liam

He asked 10 random males and females how long, on average, they take to do their hair, get ready, get dressed etc in the morning. We will use this research as the basis of the pie chart on our poster in the final design to give an insight into the 'ideal' schedule.

"How to..." problem

After deciding 3 outcomes, it was up to another group to decide which one was the most effective. They chose 'How to great ready in the morning under an hour" as the ideal choice.

"How to..." initial ideas

As a group, we devised several ideas in response to the How to... brief (a problem which we faced during our first week). We then narrowed these ideas to 5 - leaving friends and family, work standard, money worries, navigation (in and around Leeds) and time management. Time management seemed to the most worthwhile choice as there were endless possibilities with the outcomes we could produce.

 

Exploring various ideas.

 

Time management mind map.

Summer Brief

Each letter consists of various images relating to a particular word - for example, B for Barcelona. I manipulated these images around the type to keep it concise and in order for it to not distract too much from the letterform. I then presented these in a concertina style booklet.