Probably the most important brief of the year, this is to design and develop the branding for mine and Luke's collaborative practice, Formula. We will need to devise a logo / brand mark and create all of the accompanying promotional materials. As this is a live collaborative brief, we need to manage our time effectively to ensure we create a brand we are proud of and one that best defines us as a joint practice. We will also be able to explore web design and also look at potentially creating mail outs / invites / prints etc.
Friday, 21 September 2012
Brief 2 - National Rail rethink
This brief is another collaborative project with Luke, looking at proposing a rethink for the National Rail. After sourcing potential ideas for this collaborative brief, we came across a proposal for an overhaul of American road signs (DC) which has been making its rounds across design blogs. As this was getting a lot of attention, we thought it might prove beneficial to try and get ourselves noticed through a similar approach.
Luke came to me with the idea of a brand rethink of the National Rail due to incoherence throughout their brand application. There was an article recently, that one passenger had to buy 12 train tickets for one journey and more recently, National Rail have now proposed new smart cards that will soon replace paper train tickets. The London underground, for example, has a well thought out brand mark and with the addition of an oyster card which commuters can use whenever, they have created a simple and efficient method of communication. This brief will allow us to explore brand design, signage & way finding and potentially type design.
Luke came to me with the idea of a brand rethink of the National Rail due to incoherence throughout their brand application. There was an article recently, that one passenger had to buy 12 train tickets for one journey and more recently, National Rail have now proposed new smart cards that will soon replace paper train tickets. The London underground, for example, has a well thought out brand mark and with the addition of an oyster card which commuters can use whenever, they have created a simple and efficient method of communication. This brief will allow us to explore brand design, signage & way finding and potentially type design.
Tuesday, 18 September 2012
Monday, 17 September 2012
Chosen briefs
Through my studio placement and contextual research I have devised the following 10 ideas for potential briefs - looking to encompass live briefs, collaborations and ones that will allow me to explore my interests in more depth and create a body of work that best represents me as a designer. It's been difficult to select 10 though I know the list will eventually be refined and not all will be chosen.
Formula (live branding for own collaborative studio)
Me and Luke O'Brien intend to open our practice after university and in order to prepare in advance, we have decided to use the branding of our studio as a chosen brief for the 3rd year. The identity needs to reflect our ambitions and encompass us as a studio practice. This is an important project as the branding will ultimately define who we are and what we do which will in turn differentiate ourselves from the multitude of studios currently in existence. We want to integrate our own unique selling points and deliver what we can offer through a concise and simple means.
After initial exploration prior to leaving for summer, we came up with the name 'Formula' due to our similar way of thinking. I believe we like to think methodically, and Formula encompasses this. We have set up our domain and put up a splash page until our site is ready to be live.
Why?
Forms the basis of mine and Lukes studio practice
Opportunity to expand the brief to look at invitations, mail outs etc
I can explore brand identity and brand application
Deliverables —
Brand identity
Logo design
Web design
Stationery / print collateral
Invites / mailers
Prints
National Rail rethink proposal (collaboration)
Luke came to me with an idea of his to propose an overhaul of the National Rail identity and overall visual language. Unlike the London Underground which is uniform in its entirety, the National Rail lacks consistency and requires some form of unified language.
Why?
Conceptual & challenging
Intention that it will hopefully get me and Luke noticed as Formula
Deliverables —
Complete brand identity
Brand application across a range of media (signage etc)
Film magazine (research driven & links to dissertation)
As my dissertation centres on poster designs within the film industry, I thought it'd be useful to devise a film-orientated brief. It will primarily be research led, looking at potential content and themes which will run through the magazine. I can potentially look at cover illustrations, type & layout and the overall branding for the magazine (and how it translates from print to web and vice versa).
Why?
Has links to dissertation therefore the research I do will ultimately aid the dissertation (and vice versa)
Opportunity to explore type & layout skills
Research driven - something in which I enjoy
Deliverables —
Logo design & brand identity
Cover design (possible series?) which could form prints
Page spread examples (reviews, interviews etc)
Web presence
Type design / resource / publication (collaboration)
An investigation into type within our surroundings, looking at the documentation (online blog) and the creation of bespoke typefaces, each based on a predetermined theme. We will use these typefaces within our own work by experimenting with different print processes and materials. Our research will ultimately influence the typefaces we create. Each monthly font will be accompanied by a specimen booklet and a range of printed materials. The online blog resource will document our own investigation into type and the theme we have chosen for each month.
Why?
I have always wanted to construct and create my own font
Will be useful in the long run to create an online resource of our investigation
To collaborate with other like minded designers
Explore typography in more depth
Deliverables —
Monthly typeface based on a chosen theme
Monthly type specimen and a range of applications
Type annual combining the 12 typefaces and research
Online blog
Proposed event / type launch / exhibition
Nicole Holcroft-Emmess Photography branding (live)
Nicole is a 3rd year photography student who requires a complete brand identity (logo design, stationery, website etc) along with a publication that showcases her portfolio. The publication will allow me to explore various print processes, print methods and binding techniques and the brief itself will provide an opportunity to look at branding for another profession.
Why?
Live branding project
Publication will be interesting to explore (in terms of print processes and binding)
Aim to collaborate in the future
Deliverables —
Full brand identity
Web design
Portfolio publication
Proposed museum rethink (research driven)
After looking at a couple of case studies — mainly the branding created for Pinneburg museum due to its use of iconography and bold but minimal colour palette — I decided to propose a rethink for an existing museum. Warrington museum, for example, in my home town is rarely visited due to its outdated brand image and lack of interest. I think if I were to attempt to update and modernise a museum like this (or this museum itself), it would increase brand awareness. The brief would also allow me to explore signage and way finding.
Why?
Something I am passionate about
Brand identity can cover a multitude of promotional materials
Deliverables (could include) —
Full brand identity (logo design, business card, mailer and so on)
Publications (based on a specific exhibition, for example)
Signage and wayfinding - including maps
Website
D&AD Publication (competition)
One of last years briefs provided by D&AD was to create a report for D&AD themselves that essentially documents their past year. It asks to investigate both print and web and the advantages of both - to look at how they can work in sync with one another. As the content is largely fact and statistic based, there is also a need for representing data through clear and informative infographics.
Why?
I chose this brief as it was suggested during my visit to Future to look at a type-heavy project to investigate type and layout. They also suggested downloading an annual report for an existing business and devising a way of presenting this information (essentially, this brief will be to design an annual report with type-heavy content). Plus as it is a printed publication, I can explore various print methods and processes.
Deliverables —
Printed publication
Infographics
Web presence that accompanies the printed report
Bookfair publication & prints
Since January 1st, I have been doing a 'Design a Day' project where my challenge is to create a design of some form, every day, for the entire year. Designs so far have included icons, film posters and logos. To make sure they don't go to waste, I intend to create a publication that documents a selection of the designs to hopefully sell at the Leeds art book fair in 2013. In order to expand the brief, I can look at various ways of applying the designs I've created onto other media to potentially sell online. I could also look at a way of presenting all (or most) of the 365 designs in an online collection — I currently have an online blog but the images are not presented as effectively as they could.
Why?
Will be great to try and sell some of my own products
Can explore print processes and publication
Opportunity to create prints and other materials
Deliverables —
Printed publication
Other printed material
Online resource
Branding for fashion student
Currently in talks.
Formula (live branding for own collaborative studio)
Me and Luke O'Brien intend to open our practice after university and in order to prepare in advance, we have decided to use the branding of our studio as a chosen brief for the 3rd year. The identity needs to reflect our ambitions and encompass us as a studio practice. This is an important project as the branding will ultimately define who we are and what we do which will in turn differentiate ourselves from the multitude of studios currently in existence. We want to integrate our own unique selling points and deliver what we can offer through a concise and simple means.
After initial exploration prior to leaving for summer, we came up with the name 'Formula' due to our similar way of thinking. I believe we like to think methodically, and Formula encompasses this. We have set up our domain and put up a splash page until our site is ready to be live.
Why?
Forms the basis of mine and Lukes studio practice
Opportunity to expand the brief to look at invitations, mail outs etc
I can explore brand identity and brand application
Deliverables —
Brand identity
Logo design
Web design
Stationery / print collateral
Invites / mailers
Prints
National Rail rethink proposal (collaboration)
Luke came to me with an idea of his to propose an overhaul of the National Rail identity and overall visual language. Unlike the London Underground which is uniform in its entirety, the National Rail lacks consistency and requires some form of unified language.
Why?
Conceptual & challenging
Intention that it will hopefully get me and Luke noticed as Formula
Deliverables —
Complete brand identity
Brand application across a range of media (signage etc)
Film magazine (research driven & links to dissertation)
As my dissertation centres on poster designs within the film industry, I thought it'd be useful to devise a film-orientated brief. It will primarily be research led, looking at potential content and themes which will run through the magazine. I can potentially look at cover illustrations, type & layout and the overall branding for the magazine (and how it translates from print to web and vice versa).
Why?
Has links to dissertation therefore the research I do will ultimately aid the dissertation (and vice versa)
Opportunity to explore type & layout skills
Research driven - something in which I enjoy
Deliverables —
Logo design & brand identity
Cover design (possible series?) which could form prints
Page spread examples (reviews, interviews etc)
Web presence
Type design / resource / publication (collaboration)
An investigation into type within our surroundings, looking at the documentation (online blog) and the creation of bespoke typefaces, each based on a predetermined theme. We will use these typefaces within our own work by experimenting with different print processes and materials. Our research will ultimately influence the typefaces we create. Each monthly font will be accompanied by a specimen booklet and a range of printed materials. The online blog resource will document our own investigation into type and the theme we have chosen for each month.
Why?
I have always wanted to construct and create my own font
Will be useful in the long run to create an online resource of our investigation
To collaborate with other like minded designers
Explore typography in more depth
Deliverables —
Monthly typeface based on a chosen theme
Monthly type specimen and a range of applications
Type annual combining the 12 typefaces and research
Online blog
Proposed event / type launch / exhibition
Insurance Centre rebrand (live)
A family (my family) run business, The Insurance Centre is a local, independent insurance broker who pride themselves on providing an unbiased and personal service. Their current identity, however, is outdated and is in need of a rebrand to ensure they are seen as the 'go to' company for local residents who are in need of any insurance.
Why?
It would allow me to explore branding within restrictions provided by the client and in turn provides a real essence of what design in the industry will be like.
Why?
It would allow me to explore branding within restrictions provided by the client and in turn provides a real essence of what design in the industry will be like.
Outcomes could potentially include —
Logo design
Print collateral
Web design
Signage
Nicole Holcroft-Emmess Photography branding (live)
Nicole is a 3rd year photography student who requires a complete brand identity (logo design, stationery, website etc) along with a publication that showcases her portfolio. The publication will allow me to explore various print processes, print methods and binding techniques and the brief itself will provide an opportunity to look at branding for another profession.
Why?
Live branding project
Publication will be interesting to explore (in terms of print processes and binding)
Aim to collaborate in the future
Deliverables —
Full brand identity
Web design
Portfolio publication
Proposed museum rethink (research driven)
After looking at a couple of case studies — mainly the branding created for Pinneburg museum due to its use of iconography and bold but minimal colour palette — I decided to propose a rethink for an existing museum. Warrington museum, for example, in my home town is rarely visited due to its outdated brand image and lack of interest. I think if I were to attempt to update and modernise a museum like this (or this museum itself), it would increase brand awareness. The brief would also allow me to explore signage and way finding.
Why?
Something I am passionate about
Brand identity can cover a multitude of promotional materials
Deliverables (could include) —
Full brand identity (logo design, business card, mailer and so on)
Publications (based on a specific exhibition, for example)
Signage and wayfinding - including maps
Website
D&AD Publication (competition)
One of last years briefs provided by D&AD was to create a report for D&AD themselves that essentially documents their past year. It asks to investigate both print and web and the advantages of both - to look at how they can work in sync with one another. As the content is largely fact and statistic based, there is also a need for representing data through clear and informative infographics.
Why?
I chose this brief as it was suggested during my visit to Future to look at a type-heavy project to investigate type and layout. They also suggested downloading an annual report for an existing business and devising a way of presenting this information (essentially, this brief will be to design an annual report with type-heavy content). Plus as it is a printed publication, I can explore various print methods and processes.
Deliverables —
Printed publication
Infographics
Web presence that accompanies the printed report
Bookfair publication & prints
Since January 1st, I have been doing a 'Design a Day' project where my challenge is to create a design of some form, every day, for the entire year. Designs so far have included icons, film posters and logos. To make sure they don't go to waste, I intend to create a publication that documents a selection of the designs to hopefully sell at the Leeds art book fair in 2013. In order to expand the brief, I can look at various ways of applying the designs I've created onto other media to potentially sell online. I could also look at a way of presenting all (or most) of the 365 designs in an online collection — I currently have an online blog but the images are not presented as effectively as they could.
Why?
Will be great to try and sell some of my own products
Can explore print processes and publication
Opportunity to create prints and other materials
Deliverables —
Printed publication
Other printed material
Online resource
Branding for fashion student
Currently in talks.
Sunday, 2 September 2012
Potential briefs
1 - The Insurance Centre rebrand
Live project with client restrictions
Allows me to explore brand identity
Potential to go into web design
2 - Formula branding
Definite brief selection for mine and Luke's studio practice
Full brand identity and stationery
Web design
3 - Film magazine
Type & layout
Logo design / branding
Cover illustrations?
Research led with links to dissertation
4 - Photographer branding
Nicole Holcroft Emmess (3rd year)
Live project
Branding
Publication, website
5 - Newspaper redesign
Type heavy brief
Influenced by studio visit to Future
6 - Branding for a fashion student
Currently at initial talks, need to discuss in more depth
Branding and stationery
7 - Collaboration with Luke
Brief currently undecided
National rail rebrand?
Local cinema rebrand?
8 - Type design / publication
Collaboration with Max & Yaf
Monthly typeface and specimen publication
Online blog (resource / inspiration)
Prints using our fonts
9 - Book fair
Skills driven (book binding / production)
Using my design a day project as a basis to the book
To expand the brief, I could look at doing prints
10 - D&AD Publication brief
Document, inform and entertain. Tell the story of D&AD from 2011, focusing on both digital and print publication - opportunity to work with web and print in conjunction
11 - Yearbook pitches (this may come later in the year)
12 - EOYS pitch (again, may come later in the year)
13 - Competition brief (requires more research)
Live project with client restrictions
Allows me to explore brand identity
Potential to go into web design
2 - Formula branding
Definite brief selection for mine and Luke's studio practice
Full brand identity and stationery
Web design
3 - Film magazine
Type & layout
Logo design / branding
Cover illustrations?
Research led with links to dissertation
4 - Photographer branding
Nicole Holcroft Emmess (3rd year)
Live project
Branding
Publication, website
5 - Newspaper redesign
Type heavy brief
Influenced by studio visit to Future
6 - Branding for a fashion student
Currently at initial talks, need to discuss in more depth
Branding and stationery
7 - Collaboration with Luke
Brief currently undecided
National rail rebrand?
Local cinema rebrand?
8 - Type design / publication
Collaboration with Max & Yaf
Monthly typeface and specimen publication
Online blog (resource / inspiration)
Prints using our fonts
9 - Book fair
Skills driven (book binding / production)
Using my design a day project as a basis to the book
To expand the brief, I could look at doing prints
10 - D&AD Publication brief
Document, inform and entertain. Tell the story of D&AD from 2011, focusing on both digital and print publication - opportunity to work with web and print in conjunction
11 - Yearbook pitches (this may come later in the year)
12 - EOYS pitch (again, may come later in the year)
13 - Competition brief (requires more research)
Saturday, 1 September 2012
2 --> 3
I think over the second year, it became clear what I wanted to focus on within my last year and there on. My interests currently lie within branding, iconography and typography and these are areas of design I engage with most. The briefs I have chosen (or will ultimately choose) will aim to cover these areas.
After working together on Enterprise & YCN, me and Luke have decided to set up a practice come graduation and we are currently looking at potential premises. Alongside developing our own individual practices, we intend to collaborate on a few projects, in and outside university, to develop a studio practice and ultimately devise a portfolio we can promote. Over the next year we will plan, create and brand our studio - the branding of which will form one of my 10 selected briefs.
Interests —
Branding / identity
Iconography
Typography
Font design
Publishing & editorial
Print
Film & TV (links to dissertation)
Type & layout
After working together on Enterprise & YCN, me and Luke have decided to set up a practice come graduation and we are currently looking at potential premises. Alongside developing our own individual practices, we intend to collaborate on a few projects, in and outside university, to develop a studio practice and ultimately devise a portfolio we can promote. Over the next year we will plan, create and brand our studio - the branding of which will form one of my 10 selected briefs.
Interests —
Branding / identity
Iconography
Typography
Font design
Publishing & editorial
Film & TV (links to dissertation)
Type & layout
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