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.

Collection 100 - Secondary source images

The brief asked us to collect, in relation to Leeds, 20 facts, opinions, words, statistics and photographs. I began by looking at secondary source photographs of Leeds to gain an insight into the landmarks and features which make Leeds what it is.

These black and white photographs stood out more-so than any other photograph - I am not too sure why but they seem to create more of an impact. The majority focus on the architecture in Leeds as opposed to the culture yet I will try to explore all aspects in my own research.

Leeds Arcade

 http://viravel.deviantart.com/

Business Heights

http://tk-26.deviantart.com/

Leeds City Markets

http://winterdruidess.deviantart.com/

City Station

http://taffmeister.deviantart.com/

Leeds Castle

http://jez92.deviantart.com/

Leeds Station?

http://cathiegraphy.deviantart.com/

Leeds United

http://nobby00.deviantart.com/

Corn Exchange

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pss/

Chilly Leeds

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wella1/

Bridge

http://nightwing67.deviantart.com/

Colour Theory - Colour & Contrast

Additive colour: Light
- RGB Primaries (Form CMY secondaries)

Subtractive colour: Ink
- CMY Primaries (Form RGB secondaries)

The eye can be 'fooled' into seeing the full range of visible colours through the proportionate adjustment of just three colours - red, green and blue.

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Johannes Itten developed what he called the seven colour contrasts. 


1) Light and dark
- Removing chromatic values from colour shows tonal values
- Monochrome (Black and white)
- When adding colour paper to a sheet and photocopying this in black and white shows the tonal values of different colours. Low contrast of tone starts to blend. (I will do this task shortly)
- Red & blue for example have a high contrast

2) Hue
The greater the distance between hues on a colour wheel, the greater the contrast.

Red, yellow and blue (basic primaries) are 3 colours furthers apart from each other on the colour wheel. However, a change in background behind these colours alters how we perceive the colour.. in result, this affects how legible a word is, for example.

3) Saturation

How saturated or desaturated a colour is in comparison to other colours.

4) Exstension (contrast of proportion)

- Proportion of colours (the amount which is visible)

- Yellow and violet, for example

Dense patch of violet on yellow stands out moreso than if this shape was broken up into thin strips. Condensing these srips makes it difficult to perceive.

- Quantities in relation to each other

- Can apply contrast of exstension to type (use of negative space)

Are you seeing the text or the counters

5) Temperature

- Formed by juxtaposing hues that can be considered 'warm' or 'cool'

- Perceptions of colour; blue is cool whereas red is warm

- We assign colour values to temperatures

- The spectrum of 'cool' red to 'warm' red confuses the eye and forms what seems to be subtle gradients

- The eyes compare chromatic, tonal values etc

6) Complementary

- Black and white react strongest

- Blue and orange, red and green

Hard to differentiate and start to 'compete' against each other

7) Simultaneous 

Formed when boundaries between colours perceptually vibrate

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I found this colour theory 'quick reference' sheet for designers explaining the important terms, connotations and relationships of colour. It is clear, concise and visually engaging.

thedesignerdrug.wordpress.com

OUGD101 - End of Module Self-Evaluation

Module Code: OUGD101 

Module Title: Design Principles

Name: Joe Warburton

Blog Address: http://www.j-warburton1013.blogspot.com

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1) What skills have you developed through this module and how effectively do you think you have applied them?

Previous to starting this course, I was far more comfortable using computer based programs and software as opposed to hand-rendered media. However, I have experimented using paper crafting and a combination of hand-rendered and computer generated design to create the most effective outcomes in the briefs. For example, the first part of the Alphabet Soup brief required us to create 10 letterforms, at A6 scale, based on the word 'Flatten'. Rather than immediately using the computer to devise the outcome, I used hand-crafting to create the letterforms. This was received well in the crit and I was surprised how pleased I was with the final outcome along with how much I enjoyed using different techniques and processes.

2) What approached to/methods of research have you developed and how have they informed your design development process?

I constantly search for inspiring works which influence my own work in some way - both directly and indirectly. I have referenced some designs as part of the 'What is Graphic Design?' brief as inspiration for my other projects throughout the development process of each outcome but the majority of my research was for the 'No News is Good News' brief as we were required to collect primary research including opinions, facts, words, images and statistics as opposed to design research. This gave me a wider insight into the topic (in this case, Facebook) and rather than following my immediate response to the two briefs, I used the research as reference and a basis for the development phases.

3) What strengths can you identify in your work and how have/will you capitalise on these?

Aforementioned, although I have experimented with hand-rendered processes in these first few projects, I will begin to capitalise and expand my knowledge on computer based software. I am most comfortable with Adobe Photoshop but I believe I have adequate skills when it comes to Adobe Illustrator also, especially after using it for the later briefs. 

4) What weaknesses can you identify in your work and how will you address these more fully?

I usually seem to stick with one idea which I think would be the most effective and ignore all other possibilities. However, I need to make sure I explore as many routes as possible in order to devise a wide range of design ideas which I could then choose to develop and explore in more depth. I am not completely happy with my final resolutions as there is always something which I can improve.

5) Identify five things that you will do differently next time and what do you expect to gain from doing these?

1 - Explore many possible routes so I am able to develop some in more depth, thus creating a more thorough body of work.

2 - Plan more ideas on paper rather than developing ideas in my head. I will note down and explore ideas on design sheets so I am able to visualise my thought processes.

3 - Carry a notebook at all times to write/draw ideas, words, things that interest me etc which will all ultimately aid the design process.

4) Blog work/research as soon as possible so posts do not back-date. Although for the majority, I am organised and structured with my work, there are incidents where I realise I should have posted something a while ago. This will make sure I am not wondering whether there is something I need to update.

5) (Will update) 

Attendance = 4

Punctuality = 5

Motivation = 4

Commitment = 5

Quantity of work produced = 3

Quality of work produced = 3/4

Contribution to the group = 2

Alphabet Soup - Final Illustrator Design

I chose 26 of my initial designs to display on an A1 poster:

No News is Good News - Mail Shot

My final mail shot which I sent to Leeds College of Art returned in one piece.. though it was slightly worn down.