Waterstones

I took a trip to Waterstones, for inspiration.

I found some really interesting and aesthetically pleasing book cover sets.

A lot of book sets work using specific colour schemes. They normally use minimal colours, to keep them simple and cheap to produce.

I particularly like the black and white paper covers. They all look 3D when you're holding them! They're really clever! I like how type has been used within the images too. The spines are equally as nice as the covers. Again, very simple. They consist of a simple shape which works best with the cover, the title, author, and the logo.

Chelsea Flower Show

Again, something else I was directed to look at.

The colours are outstanding; so bright and powerful. You can get some really interesting results when colours are involved, and even if they don't have a purpose, they are aesthetically pleasing.

I particularly like the image below. It's the one which has the most relevance to my work.

I like how different flowers have been used amongst the background flowers, yet it still works and looks lovely.

Georgia O'Keefe

Georgia O'Keefe was an artist that was mentioned in the crit, amongst others of course. It was recommended I look at her work, so I did.

I chose a few that appealed to me the most. which I've decided to post on here.

Ever since being forced to back in college in Eastbourne, I love drawing and painting flowers, so most of this artist's work really caught my eye.

I love the tones, gradients and colours used in all of these. I also really like how close to the centre of the flower she's focused on. It's nice to see a part of something being used rather than the whole of an object. Details are amazing, and at the end of the day they can tell a whole story.

These colours are beautiful. They really compliment eachother.

Great feedback!

I'm trying to get some poster designs together which will advertise the Museum of Garden History.

I found it really hard getting ideas down, so I asked for people's input at the crit on Thursday. I was given some really good advice, and was also given people to look at which could help inspiration flow (cheers Leigh!!)

The Eden Project..

I love making things out of things! I'm not keen on the woman below, though I like the idea. I really like the bee too!

Foil blocking?

I think I've put these on here before, but ah well.

I've been giving the business cards for my museum a thought, and I've been thinking about foil blocking the logo I've designed. I've decided either silver or green will be the appropriate colour choice. It made me think about what Teabag Studios have previously designed. They look really professional as they are, but with a bit of foil blocking it gives it that extra bit of professionalism.

I'm not sure exactly as to how to go about making foil blocking or how the colours work, but I'd want the colours I use to have a bit of a sparkle. I'm still thinking along the lines of futurism hence my possible want for silver.

Of course I've still a lot of designing to do, but at the moment I'm thinking of using foil blocking for the logo alone. We'll see how it develops!

P.s. I'm really excited! :D

New direction

Since creating a virtual alternative for the museum of garden history, it's had an affect on the design direction of the logo. The virtual museum will be modern and sleek, and this is how I want the logo to look also. I will endeavour to keep the natural look alongside this.

How lovely

Well this isn't probably something you'd give to young kids to play with, but it's certainly something I can look at and become inspired by.

I like the concertina style. I'm not too sure it'd work, but it's definitely something I can experiment with.

These are so nice. So delicate and detailed.

Similar stuff going on

This is similar to what I want to do for my alphabetical reference brief, only I'm not going to be doing any drawing!

I've been giving it some thought as to what my letters would look like; will they consist of materials beginning with that letter? It'll be tricky to do this because I don't think I'll be able to get my hands on that many materials to make type out of.

Sound of the wind through the trees

Unfortunately ruined by the guys voice, but it's still a good video letting you hear the sound of the trees.

Buzzzzzz

I haven't put this on for the purpose of watching it, I want to focus on the sounds.

Hearing just a sound makes us feel completely different compared to if we were able to see what is happening. I think this is a good idea to play around with to see what else I can come up with.

Projection on Buildings

Well isn't this just bloody brilliant. My idea-box is over flowing after seeing that!!

Festo Interactive Wall

An interactive wall is one thing, but a 3D interactive wall is another. Seeing something physically in front of you is a different experience to when something's two-dimensional. Being able to touch something is what we like to do, and we're more likely to spread the word of having seen something strange. I think I might ask around to confirm what I think is right. I'll keep it in mind when designing.

Nextfest interactive video wall

John showed me this during my tutorial. It's something that relates to the subject matter of one of my projects; Brand that museum.

I wish I came up with this idea! Alas, I will think of something ten times better fo' sho.

TouchMagix

Technology is ever growing, and so I'm going to have to get to grips with advanced designing to meet the viewers wants.

So much fun could be had with things in which people can interact with.

Thanks John

Not long had my PPD tutorial with John. What a helpful and inspiring man he is.

I'm happy to report he seems to like my briefs, although I need to change the alphabetical reference one again, but that's fine.

I went through each brief, telling him my ideas and what I want to create, and he showed me loads of unique existing ideas which I can pull apart and use within my work.

The Adobe Museum of Digital Media was brought to my attention. I'm literally stunned by it. It's absolutely amazing!

John got me thinking bigger, and I've now got so many more ideas as to what I can do with my project, rather than just producing standard posters.

A virtual museum is a brilliant idea, and it's something Adobe has created.

They have designed and created the building for an online presence which have extraordinary dimensions. This is a genius idea! Almost anything can be designed to be viewed online and anything as big as you like can be too. Limitations are so broad.

The museum has a very strange looking tour guide which is pretty cool. She (or 'it') swims around, describing the museums appearance, diameters and makes exhibitions know to the viewers.

Inspiration

I want to design and create a minimum of four posters advertising the Museum of Garden History.

I'm beginning to think about what my posters will consist of; type or both type and image.

As it stands, I've been playing around with material to create typefaces that will be used on the posters which represents what the museum is about. I'm now thinking, do I want to add imagery? I want my posters to be clever and I want to use subtle approach. (I don't just want to photograph a flower and stick it in the middle of the page, for example!) I'm trying to think out of the box, but still find a way to relate it back to the main subject.

I've been collecting quotes that relate to gardening and nature. I want these to be the basis on which I decide what imagery is appropriate.

Type cards

The compositions used in some of these cards are really interesting. I specifically like the way in which the information is confined within either half or a corner of the space.

I particularly like the fifth card along the top; 'Slutvetica'. It's very clear and ledgible.

Type cards for dyslexics

I found these interesting. I like how they have been kept attached as a set by the metal beading. It would be very handy to have this; it would help keep them safe and can easily be unfastened to add more if necessary.

These are really well presented. They would be handy to have if a quick reference was needed.

Alphabetical reference

Here's another brief I had to re-write; Alphabet Kids > Alphabetical Reference.

This was one that stood out to me and was actually my first idea at the beginning of summer! Because of this, I'm pleased I decided to stick with it as one of the briefs I have to complete, even though I had to change it slightly!

Narnia book sets

Looking at the variety of book covers designed for this particular set of stories shows that there's potentially room for more. Although the story stays the same amongst each design, the covers change, and it's almost so it targets a different audience. There are childish looking designs which appeal more to the younger generation, and there are sophisticated designs which appeal to a somewhat older audience.

I want to bring a more modern and contemporary style to these tales. I want to show simplicity amongst them instead of full blown imagery. I understand this is a magical fairytale and so full and pretty pictures portray this easier, but I want to come in from a different angle.

Collections

A few other book sets I've come across are these.

I find these interesting. I like how each book is individually packaged. They seem more important this way than if they were packaged together. They also have an extra with the book (what looks to be some sort of doll) which is something to consider when packaging my books.

As usual, there's a colour scheme going on. Each book/box has a specific colour; red and black, white and black, black and white.

I absolutely love the twilight book covers. Photography is a technique I'm willing to experiment with when it comes to designing my covers. There are so many different effects that can be achieved with a camera.

Something I wanted to throw in is the Mr Men books. Though I don't call myself a strong illustrator, I do love this kind of imagery. It's rough but fun as it targets children.

The books themselves are brilliant; such a massive collection. They're small and portable; perfect for children!

Interesting

I came across these which I particularly like. They give the impression that they're special because of the gold foil blocking.

The colours used for each are really nice. They're old-looking and gives you an initial feel for what the book's about.

Back to Narnia..

I've been looking at book sets of The Chronicles of Narnia, and this popped up. I thought it was interesting, and has given me a few more ideas than just creating packaging purely for books.

The Chronicles of Narnia

I've been looking at existing covers for The Chronicles of Narnia. I didn't realise how many there were! These are the ones that stand out the most to me. I like how a single colour has been used for the background. Although there's a fair amount of illustration on each cover, it's confined within the centre. It's not confusing or over bearing.

I'm unsure as to a few of the colours picked. The red's look very similar and I feel as though they don't work as independently as the rest.