Design Practice III//Negotiated Briefs//Brief Planning.

Throughout the summer I've been making notes about potential ideas for the development of the Level 06 negotiated briefs to write before returning to Uni and presenting my ideas to both tutors and the year group. Written below are my written notes and developments to deciding the direction of the briefs that I hope to develop, and will go on to research in depth, as well as write up the finalised briefs for, blogging on both my Design Practice and Design Context blogs.

NEGOTIATED BRIEFS

Choose, write and develop a series of ten diverse Level 06 briefs

*RESEARCH BRIEFS- Generating my own research/theory/content

*COMPETITION BRIEFS- Challenge unfamiliar processes

* SKILLS DRIVEN BRIEFS- Content is secondary to skills
* LIVE BRIEFS- Negotiate content

* COLLABORATIVE BRIEFS- Develop work environment skills

INTERESTS/PRIORITIES

* BRANDING

* CREATIVE ARTS/DESIGN

* PERFORMING ARTS

* LITERATURE

* PRINT

* MUSIC

* WILDLIFE/NAUTURE

* END OF YEAR SHOW/LEEDS COLLEGE OF ART

* COLLABORATION/CLIENT WORK

* PUBLISHING/EDITORIAL

* RESEARCH

POTENTIAL PROJECTS

*JACQUES COSTEAU MUSUEM/RESEARCH RETROSPECTIVE

Not too keen on wayfinding aspect- perhaps a little too substantial for a single brief?

* URBAN BEEKEEPING

Personal interest, can incorporate knowledge and research from sustainability dissertation

* CORAL REEF RE-BUILDING PUBLICATION (MALDIVES)

Good potential for a lot of research, potentially FMP material?

* CHRIS LUK DFGA LCA BRANDING

Already planned and discussed

* NOTHERN BALLET PROMOTIONAL PUBLICATION

Existing branding very strong, perhaps an unnecessary brief?

* JAMES MAXWELL ARCHITECTURE BRANDING

Discussed and planned since 2011

* JESSIE LEONG PHOTOGRAPHY BRANDING

Working with Jessie in the past, good working relationship and lots of inspiration for ideas

* END OF YEAR SHOW PROMOTION/BRANDING

Challenging, but great rewards... collaborate!

* END OF YEAR DEGREE BOOK (SURFACE PATTERN/FASHION/PHOTOGRAPHY)

Surface pattern.. would be ideal, living with x4 Level 06 students- lots of insight and input, collaborate with Claudia Griffin (housemate, Graphic Design)

* LULU AND THE LENS PHOTOGRAPHY BRANDING

Discussed and worked for in the past, her portfolio suits my style and taste

* COMPETITION BRIEF (NATIONAL)

* TYPOGRAPHIC PUBLICATION

Perhaps combine this, and brief above, in one brief?

* LEEDS UNIVERSITY BALLET SOCIETY BRANDING AND PROMOTION

Suited for personal interests, good development, research and skills driven brief- Branding, Typography, Publishing, Photography: moving away from years of illustration to a more sophisticated and mature style of design and way of working

* ORANGE JUICE 'RIP IT UP' TOUR PROMOTION

Smaller, fun, personal, research- driven brief, 1980's music, Indie Rock influence- lots of potential for fun colour scheme, typography and photography

* BIRMINGHAM UNIVERSITY SMOOTHIE/FROZEN YOGHURT CAMPUS BRANDING/PROMOTION

Discussed potential live/client brief- possibly very large scale, not many details known at this point

//

SELECTED BRIEFS

For negotiation 

URBAN BEEKEEPING

An urban beekeeping starter pack for nature- loving city dwellers. The pack includes essentials for your rooftop/garden bee farm as well as instruction pack and publication guide about the art and practice of urban beekeeping.

RESEARCH BRIEF// Branding, Packaging, Iconography, Typography, Photography, Publishing/Editorial

***

CHRIS LUK

Branding for the Leeds College of Art BA (Hons) DFGA (Animation) student which demonstrates and reflects his ambitions and influence upon the Animation industry upon graduation.

LIVE BRIEF// Branding, Publishing/Editorial, Typography, Photography

***

JAMES MAXWELL

Branding for a BA (Hons) Interior Architecture student at University (Cardiff), creating a range of materials to promote his practice in a variation of exhibition shows and to potential clients/Architecture practice as he seeks industry experience upon graduating.

LIVE BRIEF// Branding, Publishing/Editorial, Typography, Photography(?, Potentially)

***

JESSIE LEONG

Branding for a Leeds College of Art Level 05 BA (Hons) Photography student with a wonderfully creative eye and immense ambition for her future in the industry. Developing branding to promote her portfolio and develop contacts for potential industry experience.

LIVE BRIEF// Branding, Iconography, Typography, Publishing/Editorial

***

END OF YEAR SHOW 2013

Developing the promotional branding for Leeds College of Art's end of year show in a bold, memorable, high impact and considered design approach.

COLLABORATIVE/LIVE/COMPETITION BRIEF// Branding, Typography, Publishing/Editorial, Infographics/Wayfinding, Photography, Promotion

***

BA (HONS) SURFACE PATTERN AND TEXTILES PROSPECTUS 2013

Designing the prospectus publication for the Leeds College of Art BA (Hons) Surface Pattern and Textile degree course in an innovative, memorable publishing/editorial and branded style, whilst still remaining faithful to the aesthetic and tone of the degree and the work produced by the degree students of 2012/13.

COLLABORATIVE/LIVE/COMPETITION BRIEF// Branding, Typography, Publishing/Editorial, Photography

***

LULU & THE LENS PHOTOGRAPHY

Developing branding for the lifestyle and wedding photographer, Lulu Peddar (known by her professional name as 'Lulu and the Lens') to appeal to her existing client base and promote herself to new audiences.

LIVE BRIEF// Branding, Typography, Iconography, Publishing/Editorial

***

FABER & FABER TYPOGRAPHIC COVERS

Working to, and expanding upon the existing Faber & Faber competition brief, creating a series of typographic book covers, also looking at the retail environment in which they would be stocked and sold (as well as e-Book/Kindle editorial editions).

RESEARCH/COMPETITION BREIF// Branding, Retail, Typography, Publishing/Editorial

***

LEEDS UNIVERSITY BALLET SOCIETY

Promoting and branding the existing Leeds University Ballet Society. Promoting to students and existing society members as well as members of the public to encourage audiences to attend the society performances throughout the year.

LIVE BRIEF// Branding, Typography, Iconography (?), Photography, Promotion, Publishing/Editorial

***

ORANGE JUICE 'RIP IT UP' TOUR

Developing branding and promotional materials for a hypothetical tour of 1980's Glaswegian-based band, 'Orange Juice', as fronted by singer Edwyn Collins, who are perhaps best known for their track 'Rip it Up'. Creating a range of promotional branding and merchandise to aesthetically represent the sound and mood of the band.

RESEARCH/SKILLS- DRIVEN BRIEF// Branding, Typography, Photography, Promotion, Publishing/Editorial

***

Design Practice III//Chris Luk//Initial Meetings.

MEETING WITH CHRIS LUK
DFGA LCA Student, Branding Brief 2012/13

Over the past couple of weeks, I've been lucky enough to have two meetings with Digital Film, Games and Animation Leeds College of Art student, and friend, Chris Luk, to discuss working together, as one of my briefs for third year, to develop his personal branding as he goes into the final third year of his degree, hoping to benefit portfolios for the both of us. Written below are a selection of notes, and links to resources discussed with Chris.

ABOUT CHRIS

- 2nd/3rd year DFGA student

- Specialises in Animation

- EXTREME NEED for branding (Portfolio and Work Placements)

INTERESTS

- Studio Ghibli (My Neighbour Totoro)

- FOOD (Everything)

- Biros

- Blue

- Anime

- Disney

- California

- Film

- Pixar

- Canada

- Pandas

- Eggs

EXISTING BRANDING

- Origami crane business card

- CLUK animation

- Past Portfolio design

PRODUCTS TO DESIGN

- Website/Cargo/Domain/Name (One.com, 1-2-3 Reg)

GOT

- Twitter

- Linked In

TO DO

- Behance

- Twitter 

(Make logos/icons)

PRODUCTS/DESIGN (Chris' style of design)

- Character design animation

- Hand rendered/drawn

- Playful

- Traditional

- Principled

- Handmade

- Abilities in both hand rendered, detailed images and simple, minimalistic, fun designs

PRODUCTS TO MAKE

- Custom typeface (Bold, Medium, Light, Italic)

- Business cards

- Letterheads

- Notes

- Invoices

- Stickers

- Envelopes

- Portfolio (printed/online)

- Web presence (Website, Social Media, Portfolio Sites)

- CV

NOTES

- CLUK animations (can brainstorm, freelance, JUST CHRIS)

INFLUENCES/PREFERENCES

- Shark Pig (Film, Wedding)

- Bird Box Studio (CHECK OUT)

- Vimeo and Twitter links (Chris')

- Typefaces (No weight preference, rounded, modern, contemporary)

- RGB (RED, GREEN, BLUE, DFGA colour scheme)

- Thought of You (Ryan Woodward)

PEOPLE CHRIS LIKES

- Joanna Quinn (Charmin Bear)

- Chris Chau... Look on Twitter

- ADVENTURE TIME

- Simple, playful, clean

LINKS

I LOVE EGG (Korean Version)

Egg animation, too cute for words

LINKS FOR ME

Moo

Moo printing, business cards and postcards

Blurb

Blurb, printing for portfolio, various sizes, shapes, bindings, page numbers, etc

Bueno the bear

Bueno the bear, animation

Animation Boards

Animation board, distinctive animation reference/symbol, etc

Bird Box Studio

Bird Box Studio, animation

Chris Luk Twitter

Chris Luk Twitter account

Chris Luk Vimeo Showreel

Chris Luk vimeo showreel

BRIEF IDEAS

- Japanese stab binding (reflecting of Eastern heritage)

- Screw binding (reflective of drawing board), experiment with stocks- trace paper, light gsm, etc.

Design Practice III//James Maxwell//Initial Meeting.

A couple of weeks ago, I managed to meet up with friend, and now collaborative design partner, BA (Hons) Interior Architecture (Cardiff University) student, James Maxwell, to discuss developing brand work for his design practice and professional portfolio as he progresses into third year, develops industry contacts through placements, as well as going on to promote his work through both mid and end of year shows to industry professionals in the hopes of employment post-degree.

Meeting up with James, it was a great time to discuss in real depth some of the ideas that we had both initially shared, having originally talked about working together in terms of developing the branding over a year ago, it was a great time to flood all ideas and inspiration together. Written below are a quick few notes about James' taste, work, influences and source links to existing blogs/design James has created. I have also been sent files of James' work which I will ensure to blog, along with a great deal of extensive research work, at a later date.

INFLUENCES
Architectural

- Thomas Heatherwick (Olympic Torch, etc)
- David Chipperfield (Hepworth Museum, etc)

INFLUENCES 
Branding

- Uniform Wares (Designed by Six)
- Dezeen
- Existing branding for Architectural Assistant, Alex Warren (Designed by myself, 2011)


BRANDING DEVELOPMENT NEEDS

- Logo
- Custom typeface (?)
- Business cards
- Mailshot portfolio overview
- Online portfolio
- Printed portfolio
- Web presence- twitter page/icons, pinterest modification, Cargo website, Behance page
- Potential web development
- Letterheads
- Notebooks
- Envelopes

SITES TO USE

- Moo (Business card/postcard printing)
- Overnight Prints (Business card/postcard printing)
- Blurb (Book binding/portfolio printing)

EXISTING DESIGN IDEAS/PREFERENCES

- Slate grey
- Monochrome
- Sans serif (Futura/Helvetica/Gotham/Century Gothic.. clean, minimal, universal)

LINKS TO JAMES' EXISTING ONLINE PRESENCE

PINTEREST
TWITTER
LINKED IN

OUGD301//Negotiated Briefs//Brief.

The brief and written structure plan for the Negotiated Briefs to compile over the summer for the first ten briefs that we will be working on in the first half of the year before Final Major Project.


Over the summer I will be compiling my ten briefs that I intend to work on which adhere to specific interests and my own personal ambitions within the design industry in terms of products that I hope to work on, areas of graphic design I may wish to specialise in, as well as other audiences, contexts, subjects, themes, and so on.


Already with a brief list started, I am hoping to work on developing the briefs over the next week to then go on over the rest of the summer to start researching areas for each of the briefs, to then return to the briefs at the end of the summer to re-write them for negotiation with tutors in September- hopefully creating some well-rounded, considered and professional-standard briefs.

Design Practice III//Design Strategies//Presentation Brief.

The Design Practice III Level 06 brief, Design Strategies, in which I will explore my current Design Practice, activities and industry experience over the summer, as well as a professional skills plan for Level 06 and the future, to put together a professional 7-10 minute presentation to be delivered at the start of the new term. 


Although, of course, I will be constantly reflecting upon this year through the entirety of the summer through constant self-reflection, both personally and blogged, as well as embarking on industry experience through studio visits and placements, the majority of the work towards the presentation will be performed at the end of the summer for a significant reflection and summary of my current design practice.

Design Practice III//Project Proposals & Collaborative Work//Jessie Leong.

After sending an initial email out a couple of days ago, and receiving around seven individual responses  from BA Photography students at the Uni over several year groups, today I met up with first year Jessie, (and was also supposed to meet up with a third year who unfortunately didn't show up) who I've been talking to for the last couple of days, and who seemed really enthusiastic and friendly.


We talked about some of the photography I was looking for for both my portfolio work and online sales through Big Cartel, Etsy and Not On The High Street, and what might be suited to each individual task, and potential location shoots.


Really excited about some of the ideas we've been talking about, and hopefully we'll get started within the next couple of weeks!


Also, as a returned thank you to Jessie, I have also offered to design her own personal branding, which I will go on to write up and hopefully incorporate into a live brief in September, which would give me the great opportunity to apply to illustrative and typographic skills more creatively than I am currently showing in my portfolio, and also to experiment with branding, which, recently, is something that I've found particular interest in, and definitely want to explore further.

Design Practice III//Project Proposals//James Maxwell.

At the beginning of last summer, my friend and Architecture student, James Maxwell, (currently studying in his second year in Cardiff) asked me about potentially designing some business cards and branding for his practice. Although unfortunately, due to time constraints,  I haven't been able to see this through for him, we have been constantly talking throughout the year about potential design ideas, and I feel that my third year would be the perfect opportunity to see this through for him, and something that I'm really excited to embark on as I get more experience with branding and editorial design. 

In the next couple of weeks we're hoping to draw up a contract and discuss all the elements that I will be designing such as business cards, letterheads, proposed web design, a printed portfolio, mailouts to studios for industry experience, and so on. Really excited to get started soon!