Friday, 17 June 2011

Speaking from Experience: Experimenting with Layouts in InDesign.


Starting to experiement with various layouts and experiments with type and composition for my designs. At this early stage, it is hard to invisage the layout without the necessary photographed final outcome (to be produced on Wednesday, as I have booked out the entire day in the photography studio!)- looking at combinations of type and layouts which may suit. As I'm looking to print onto tea towels for my major final piece, I have started to design onto A4 formats- relative to the tea towel dimensions.


With no grid structure at the moment (will be developed along with the photography and the natural eye of composition and arranging my paper items) I am designing for a very basic and simple layout- not to overpower the main image in the centre (which will be my "exploded diagram" images of the recipes and ingredients).


Using Bebas Neue typeface- a little too harsh and bold for the papercraft, handmade style...


Franklin Gothic appears to work well, particularly with the Jutus italic I have experimented here for the sub-header, and recipe details. The perfect balance between light and heavy weight, the typeface packs a punch and is aesthetically powerful without being over baring. 


Mixing the content on the item- here changing around the recipe with the series header 'a designer diet'- I think this layout is a little confusing and doesn't read as well- dividing up the recipe header and the method. The 'Designer Diet' is definately more suited to being above the main image.


This layout was a little too bottom heavy...too much text at the bottom...needs more balance in the design.


Again, a little confused with the mixed-up content. The title and sub-heading balances out the other items of content when situated at the top of the page.


After playing around with the justification and alignment of type, I actually think the central-alignment works best. Simple, balanced and focusing all of the attention to the centre of the page- where the photographed images will be.

Speaking from Experience: Price Checking My Recipes.


Checking all of the pricing of my recipes and meals to ensure that they are under the £2.50 mark, as I aimed to achieve in all of my recipes to make them well-suited to a student lifestyle. Ideally, I would have liked to price-mark all of my ingredients in accordance to the Morrisons prices, (the major student supermarket retailer in the city centre) however, with no online shopping facility, this makes it somewhat difficult a task. The second largest supermarket in the centre is Sainsbury's, though I have decided to price mark against the Asda prices (slightly further out from the city centre, near Clarence Dock) as I feel the price margins are far more realistic and true to a student budget than Sainsbury's are.

I have calculated the prices from the Asda online shopping website, www.asda.com, with the exact quantities- whereas, for example, a punnet of blueberries may come in a 350g pot, I may only want 300g- and, therefore, will calculate accordingly (according to the most economical products)

BREAKFAST

*YOGHURT, BLUEBERRY AND OAT PUDDING*
Serves 2

Ingredients:

-300g blueberries= £1.50
-170g Greek Yoghurt= £0.88
-100g oats= 7.5p

= £2.45p

****

*BANANA PANCAKES*

Makes 6 Pancakes

Ingredients:

-128g plain flour= 0.4p
-1/2 tbsp caster sugar= 19p
-1 tsp baking powder= 0.6p
-1 egg, beaten= 13.3p
-120ml milk= 6.6p
-1 tbsp vegetable oil= 1.4p
-1 ripe banana, sliced= 17.1p
-1 tbsp golden syrup= 0.02p

=£0.58p

****

*RAISIN AND OATMEAL COOKIES*

Makes 6 cookies

Ingredients:

-25g low-fat margarine or butter= 0.03p
-25g caster sugar= 0.04p
-1 egg= 13.3p
-1/2 tsp cinnamon powder= 0.03p
-25g wholemeal plain flour= 0.02p
-1/2 tsp baking powder= 0.6p
-40g porridge oats= 3p
-25g raisins= 0.03p

=£0.18p

****

*FRUIT PORRIDGE*

Serves 2

Ingredients:

-250g oats= 18.7p
-700ml water= FREE! (thanks water bill-payer!)
-1/2 tsp of cinnamon powder 0.03p
-2 bananas, chopped= 34.2p
-a handful of raisins= 0.03p

=£0.53p

****

*STRAWBERRY BANANA SMOOTHIE*

Serves 2

Ingredients:

-12 large strawberries= £1.67
-2 bananas= 34.2p
-480ml whole milk= 26p

=£2.27p

****

*BANANA AND WALNUT MUFFINS*

Makes 4 muffins

Ingredients:

-100g plain flour= 0.31p
-65g dark brown sugar= 0.12p
-1 tsp bicarbonate of soda= 0.01p
-1 egg= 13.3p
-25g butter or soft spread= 0.03p
-1 banana, mashed= 17.1p
-1 handful of walnuts, chopped= 50p

=£0.81p

****

*BIRCHER MUESLI*

Serves 2

Ingredients:

-100g oats= 7.48p
-175ml milk= 9.62p
-1 red apple= 33p
-75g natural/Greek yoghurt= 0.14p
-dried apricots= 32p
-handful of chopped pecan nuts= 48p

=£1.30

****

LUNCH

*CASHEW, AVACADO AND CHICKEN SALAD*
Serves2

Ingredients:
- 1 chicken breast, sliced= 97p
- 40g cashew nuts= 24p
- bowl full mixed salad leaves= 32p
- 1/2 avacado, peeled, pitted and diced into cubes= 64p
- pinch black pepper= 1.5p
-1 tbsp vegetable oil= 1.4p

=£2.19

****
*CHICKEN PESTO PASTA*

Serves 2

Ingredients:

-175g pasta twists= 27p
-1 chicken breast fillet, chopped= 97p
-2 tbsp pesto sauce= 13p
-1 tbsp olive oil= 4p

=£1.41

****

*SPANISH OMELETTE*

Serves 2

Ingredients:

-250g new potatoes= 15p
-1/2 onion= 14p
-75ml olive oil= 26.1p
-2 tbsp chopped parsley= £1.25
-3 eggs= 39.9p

=£2.20

****

*HEALTHY HAMBURGERS*

Serves 2

Ingredients:

-125g lean minced beef= 70p
-1/2 carrot, grated= 5p
-1/2 green apple, cored and grated= 38p
-1 slice wholemeal bread, made into crumbs= 7.3p
-1 tsp mixed dried herbs= 13.3p
-1 egg, beaten= 13.3p
-1 tbsp olive oil= 4p
-1/2 onion, sliced= 14p
-2 hamburger buns= 21.4p
-1 tomato, sliced= 57p
-2 small lettuce leaves= 7p

=£2.50

****

*SMOKED SALMON OMELETTE*

Serves 2

Ingredients:

-6 eggs= 79.8p
-pinch of salt and black pepper= 0.01p and 1.5p
-1 tbsp olive oil= 4p
-60g smoked salmon, roughly chopped= 89p

=£1.74

****

*VEGETARIAN BURRITO*

Makes 4

Ingredients:

- 1/2 tbsp olive oil= 2p
-1/2 onion, chopped= 14p
-1/4 tsp ground cumin= 0.98p
-1/4 tsp paprika= 1p
-1/4 tsp ground coriander= 0.94p
-100g baked beans= 6p
-200g red kidney beans, drained= 9p
-2 tortilla wraps= 33.4p
-100g grated cheddar cheese= 16p
-2 tomatoes, sliced= £1.14
-1/4 iceberg lettuce, finely sliced= 50p

=£2.47

****

*FALAFEL, HUMMUS AND JALEPENO PITA BREAD*

Serves 2

Ingredients:

-6 falafels= £1.62
-4 tbsp hummus= 18.92p
-4 tbsp sliced jalepenos= 50p
-2 pita breads= 18.4p

£2.49

****
 
TEA

*VEGETARIAN FAJITAS*
Serves 2

Ingredients:

-1 tbsp sunflower oil= 1.4p
-1 red pepper, deseeded and sliced= 80p
-3 spring onions, thinly sliced= 40p
-1 tbsp cajun seasoning= 5.3p
-2 tbsp tomato salsa= 17.86p
-4 tortillas, warmed= 66.8p
-1 sliced red onion= 28p

=£2.39

****

*SHEPERDESS PIE*

Serves 2

Ingredients:

-1/2 tbsp olive oil= 2p
-1/2 large onion, halved and sliced= 14p
-1 large carrot, cut into small cubes= 10p
-1 tbsp chopped thyme= 4.4p
-200g chopped tomatoes= 17p
-1 vegetable stock cube= 11p
-200g canned green lentils= 24p
-450g sweet potato, peeled and cut into chunks= 47.7p
-10g butter= 0.02p

=£1.30

****

*LAMB KOFTAS WITH TZATZIKI*

Serves 2

Ingredients:

-250g minced lamb= £1.40
-2 tsbp mixed herbs= 26.6p
-1/2 tsp cayenne pepper= 3p
-1/2 tsp ground cumin= 2p
-1/2 tsp ground paprika= 2.2p

(FOR THE TZATZIKI)
-1/4 cucumber= 12.5p
-pinch of black pepper= 1.5p
-100g low-fat natural/Greek yoghurt= 18p
-1 tbsp dried mint= 27.6p
-1 tsp lemon juice= 6p
=£2.40

****

*PASTA BAKE*

Serves 2

Ingredients:

-1 tbsp olive oil= 4p
-1 onion, chopped= 28p
-400g cherry tomatoes= £1.00
-100g tube-shaped pasta= 15.4p
-50g grated cheese= 8p

=£1.55

****

*CHICKPEA AND SPINACH PASTA*

Serves 2

Ingredients:

-400g chickpeas, drained and rinsed= 38p
-175g tomato sauce= 99p
-250g pasta twists= 40p
-100g spinach leaves= 39.1p

=£2.16

****

*CHICKEN AND SPICY VEGETABLES*

Serves 2

Ingredients:

-2 chicken thighs, skins removed, diced= £1.50
-1 small onion, chopped= 28p
-1 tbsp sunflower oil= 1.4p
-2 tbsp lemon juice= 12p
-1 tomato, diced=15.8
-1/2 red pepper, sliced= 40p
-pinch curry powder= 1p

=£2.48

****

*VEGETARIAN SPINACH ENCHILADAS*

Serves 2

Ingredients:

-1 tbsp olive oil= 4p
-1/2 onion, chopped= 14p
-150g quorn mince= £1.00
-1 tbsp tomato puree= 3.6p
-50g frozen spinach, thawed= 19p
-4 enchilada tortillas= 66.6p
-200g canned tomatoes= 17p
-50g cheddar cheese, grated= 8p

=£2.33

Speaking From Experience: Paper Crafting.



Progress report on the busy week that has been- very busy with blistered hands paper crafting my food stuff items for the progress crit with Jo and Amber tomorrow morning. I'm pleased with the progress so far, but it's certainly a slow burner but very rewarding- I feel as though I'm learning a great deal about net-template construction as well as the process of simplification.

Hope it goes down as well with the tutors tomorrow!

Wednesday, 8 June 2011

Revised PPD Powerpoint Presentation.


The revised version of my PPD presentation for Friday's session. Not too much changed, just trying to add more elements about my development through the year, and a slight tweak on some of the design areas. Trying not too fuss about it too much (I don't want to make myself nervous), but coming back to it after a couple of days has definately been beneficial...seeing my work with "a fresh pair of eyes". Now, all I need to do is run through the speaking and ensure I don't waffle on- the brief states that the presentation HAS to be be between five and seven minutes.


Obviously, the "insert cakes here" will have a picture of the individual cakes...once I've got round to making them...naturally...

Sunday, 5 June 2011

PPD Presentation.


The PPD final project, which I am to present to half of the Graphic Design group on Friday 10th June, with an insight into my working and personal life, and what I have gained so far from the LCA BAGD experience...


A quick over-view of the twenty-two slides of my presentation, which cover a brief insight into my personal life, interests, working practice, and aspirations for my future career.


A brief geeking-out interlude here...

 (At which point I shall produce a selection of individually-named cakes for the group...inspired by doing what you love ;])


I'm quite looking forward to presenting to the group on Friday, as well as seeing other people's ideas and interests within their own presentations.
Fortunately, I have been blessed with the waffling gene, so I hope that the speaking presentation shaln't be too difficult, but before Friday I shall make a point of making several rehersals to ensure that the presentation is between 5 and 7 minutes in length, as the brief criteria states.