Type and grid layouts..research...

For the type and grid sessions with Lorenzo, i researched DPS layouts to help me and inspire me.

This dps looks really visually interesting, the imagery that has been used allows the text to wrap into the spaces that they create. The title aligns with the three opposite images, which creates a nice balance over the two pages. The larger image that has been used to fill the whole dps creates curvacious shapes where the text fits into to. The smaller image of the car on the left hand side forces the text to curve over it which again adds another interestng visual aspect. There are 3 larger columns of text, two of which are cut shorter because of the image, there is then 2 smaller ones that caption the images they are set central to the space between the image on the right hand side.

This layout is really eye catching, the birds overtake a lot of the space, they then use elements of the larger image in with the text. A bird is placed in the space of the gutter between the two columns on the right hand side, this opens up the space with the text, it creates a beautiful shape to the text, through something that is really quite simple. The title has different weights used within it which makes you look at it first, the arrow besides the title also leads your eye in. I like this layout because its so creative, the layout reflects on what the arcticle is about, which just makes the whole thing work.

The main thing that caught my eye with this dps was the enlarged type, it is really eye catching, the information fits together like a jigsaw. The body copy is only on the left hand side which leaves the right hand side with rectangular shapes filled with a dotted pattern. The lightly stroked X in the bottom left corner balances out the dps, if it were not there i think the space would make the right hand side too heavy.

I really liked the simplicity of this dps, the two pages only fill half of their space which gives a nice balance. The left hand page has more negative space on it than the right, but i think because the title is larger and bold you dont really notice. From looking at the amount of columns i would say that the grid is 4 columns each side. I really like how the top image bleeds onto the left hand page as this links both pages together.

This layout stood out becasue of the different opacities and heirarchys they have created. The image used has two different oppacities, bringing out the focus from the rest of the image. The two arrows at the top of the text make you read from there onwards and half way down the text block there is a reversed out section which also catches your eyes attention. There is a smaller caption of text on the left hand side under the main title, so this would be read after the title and reversed out text.

This is one of my favourite layouts, the left hand page content that has been given a slight angle makes such a huge difference to if it were just straight. The line that comes down from the top of the page down to the bulk of information makes it look like its swinging. On the right hand page i like how its split evenly between images and text, and how the 2 interlink where the text fits into the shape that the image has made.

I like how they have kept a colour theme throughout this dps, the colours in the image on the right hand side flow onto the left hand side, which links both pages together, another blue in then captured in the title on the left hand side. There isnt a  lot of text, so the title takes up a lot of the space and there is also a lot of negative space. I also think that where they have not aligned the title, it is more flowing when you are reading.

This works well because the larger image on the right hand side takes up 2 thirds of the whole dps which makes it look like one page, again it works well how they have taken the colour from the image and used it for the main title. They have used the background wall to place the text upon, meaning they can use white text which makes a change from black. The text on the other side is reversed out from the text on the right hand page. The text on the left hand page has been centre aligned which i think makes it stand out more.

The main thing that caught my eye with this dps was the angle of the image and how it filled the space, it is very bold and fits with what the article is about. The information is all on the bottom right hand page, it is laid out veyr neatly, using 3 columns with the caption spreading across all 3.

This layout is very simple, which is why i really liked it, both pages are set central and use the same amount of space, i like how they have used a large point size for the title and how the word moscow has spread onto another row. The images with the small captions on the right hand page are spaced equally apart and they look very organised.

This article about Lily Allen really reflects on her personality, its very bold and the type they have used is playful. The title spreads on over to the right hand side and slightly over the image of Lily who takes up the whole page. The body copy is set to 4 columns on the bottom left hand page. The quote from Lily which is enlarged and reversed out stands out the most, they want you to look at this first before you read the main body of text.

This dps has used reversed out text which really makes the text stand out, the space that the text has been placed looks like it is placed over the image, which has more detail spreading across the top of both pages. They have used vertical text too which adds another interesting element.

What is Graphic design for?...

http://www.behance.net/andreasscheiger

I think that this collection of type is very impressive, the aim of the type was to show how type was made up but using elements from the human body. It's like the anatomy of type. I would say that the target audience for this piece of typography would be a lover of pure genius type.

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Images found on Behance.net

 The task with this graphic design was:  Communicate the joy with Durex

Idea: Dont tell it demonstrate it

Solution: Type shows like x-ray, the inner feelings during the act with Durex.

This set of advertisements for Durex caught my eye because of the way they have used type as image. The words that make up the two figures are feelings you go through when using their product, i also like how they have used their logo to replace a certain body part, which is central in the page. The target audience would obviously be people who are sexually active, i think that this type of advertisement was probably intended for a younger audience, to show the importance of using a condom. The designs have been kept simple, in terms of how they have laid it on the page and presented the illustrations.

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Nuzzles wooden typographic puzzles.

I really like how original this idea is, using type in a 3D format, it makes it more interesting to look at and it becomes very interactive for the target audience. I think that this design products purpose is to be what it says on the pack, it is just a puzzle, but so different to what we usually know as being a puzzle, which makes it so unique. They have shown the ways in which you can interact and communicate with their product, which again makes it more appealing to their audience.

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http://www.behance.net/gallery/Conan-OBrien-Kinetic-Typography/1064443

This piece of kinetic type was designed for a farewell show on the NBC, the camera moves over the type at different angles. The type is segmented and it looks as though everything is on the same block, but as it moves around the segments change. It's a really clever way to present a lot of information in a more creative way, it's engaging and keeps your attention because it is constantly moving around.

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Pablo Alfieri

I picked out these 3 particular pieces of Pablo's work because they are an approach to graphic design that i find inspiring. The hand made effect is something that i enjoy, and i feel that it has a more personal touch to it than purely digital. I picked out a piece of advertisement that he designed for MTV because i wanted to show the range of work that he creates, i also feel that although it is digital it seems to have a hand made feel to it, his work looks fun and bubbly.

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Pop up wedding card

I found this pop up wedding card on behance.com, again i chose to add it to my collection because it has been hand rendered, the design of it is very clever and engaging. They have made it different from normal wedding cards by adding the 3D element to it. I just hope i receive a card like this one day.

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YLLV/ self promotion of Karol Gadzala

This self promotion work really caught my eye because of the typography, it almost looks like rolled gold, she has used this as part of her identity and it is a constant theme throughout her self promotion project. It's good that she has kept visual consistency because when people have started to look at her portfolio and come across this type they will remember it and when they see it again some time they will know its her work.

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http://www.behance.net/gallery/Make-it-better/909253

Make it better project, by Sebastian Baptista 

I love this! It's so clever, i couldnt take my eyes off of it, it is so engaging and surprising, you dont know what is going to happen, which is why i think it works so well. The amount of transitions that take place throughout the animation keeps you wanting more, its very creative and fun. It is very inspiring because of the amount of experimenting they do to 'make it better'.

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Accept and proceed project by Roan for Nike

I particularly like the illustrations on these Nike advertisements, the type becomes part of the illustrations rather than a separate thing, its bold and lively, which is what Nike try to put across to their target audiences of sports fanatics and active people. Even their tag line 'Just do it' makes you want to just do it, they put across that their brand gives you the power to do whatever you want to do.

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Written portraits; project by Van Wanten Etcetera for the Dutch book week campaign

These series of designs reminded me of a visual language session, where we manipulated books to communicate a message (which unfortunately i was rubbish at). The designer has cut into books to create faces, now im not entirely sure if the images have been photoshopped or if the designer actually sat there and cut into these books/ laser cut them out, if they did then thats pretty amazing. Seeing as the designs are for a book fair, im guessing that the faces could be authors that will be at the fair? 

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Letterform for the Ephemeral; project by Amandine Alessandra

There is so much inspiring graphic design! This type is made of people and their body parts (mainly arms), they have a florescent garment on their arms which stands out against the black background. I like the first image, what it says relates to how they have communicated it.

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Nike

Here are some Nike t-shirt designs that i found on behance.com, the style is very futuristic and this reflects on the trainer itself, the man used in the design has a large afro and he's meditating or dreaming, he could be dreaming about the shoes. The trainer is surrounded by space objects, such as rockets and spacemen, so im guessing they are trying to present their shoes as 'out of this world' by the imagery that they have used, or at least this is what it is being communicated to me. The t-shirt designs are very colourful and bold, which again reflects o the personality of Nike.

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This Bacardi advert is very dramatic, in the way they have used imagery, i think this is because of the liquid that is whirling around with the bottle standing central. I think the whirling liquid could be representing the taste of the Bacardi and how it makes you feel. The ad is obviously aimed at over 18s who drink.

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Alexis Marcou 

The set of designs were created for the Velvet Fashion club, a few designers have created their own versions representing the club. I chose the one above because i like its simplicity, it shows a broken mannequin, i think its the colours and the jagged shapes that caught my eye, the triangular shape at the top of the image leads your eyes down to the main bulk of the design. I think this would attract fashionistas as the imagery used is appropriate to its purpose.

Eduard Muresan

I like how the imagery in this one is a lot more 'free', the image is very sketchy and loose yet the form of the mannequin is still visible. It kind of plays with your eyes.

Alexandru Cristea

This design is a bit more out there, the imagery used is colourful and crazy. It catches your eye more than the others in my opinion because of the abstract image, although i dont see its relevance to fashion, unless this is promoting fashion thats 'out there'.

Bram Vanhaeren

This one uses the mannequin again with a dream like effect, the grey tones really make the coloured diamond stand out, i think that the diamond could be the clubs symbol or logo, so they highlight a lot through the  designs. I can see the relevance of this design in terms of fashion as the mannequin was incorporated. It could be that each design is representing a different area or style of fashion, whether it be sophisticated, casual or just plain crazy.

Velvet fashion club

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Global warming campaign; project by Ferdi Rizkiyanto

This design is so simple but it is such a brilliant idea, its to promote global warming and the effects it could have on fish. The imagery obviously represents the pollution in the water, i think its good how they have used humour to communicate something quite serious, i think this approach is more likely to capture peoples attention about the subject of global warming, as its light hearted but in a way still serious.

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Antismoke pack; project by Reynolds and Reyner 

These cigarette packaging designs are very cynical and blunt, they are clearly shaped like a coffin. This is to try and shock people into understanding or realising the effects of smoking. It's a good way to package them because of its bluntness. I think it would be more successful than the current cigarette packaging where they put on the grim images of deceases caused by smoking.

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http://www.behance.net/gallery/Doc2Dock-SOS/1394995

Doc2dock SOS; project by Michael Cina 

This video uses boxes with text on to show how easy it is to transport aid to poorer counties, the way in which they have showed the process is so much more creative and effective than something like a poster or leaflet, it makes you want to watch it. 

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Pepsi; project by J Kaczmarek

I really liked the floral design on this pepsi can, its very summery and refreshing, much like the drink i guess. 

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Design Museum x state of the obvious collection; project by Mash Creative

This collection from the Design Museum is probably one of my favourite pieces of design, it is so simple! They have used just black and white and labelled all these different items with what they are, they are stating the obvious! I think its often that the most simple designs are the most effective.

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Norvegia 2007

I particularly like how the text has cut out the photo in the background, you can still see what it is because the text is very subtle, its a nice simple design, contemporary and clean cut. The poster is representing an event that happened in 2007.

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Write a bike; project by Juri Zaech 

Another clever piece of design found on behance.com, these are designs where you can have your name transformed into the frame of a bike. They can be personalised to any name, which means the target audience is quite open.

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Sydney film festival 2010; project by Boccalatte

These poster designs are for the sydney film festival. I think i was drawn to these because of the dogs. I love dogs! I think because they have used such a variety of different dogs that it just makes the poster so much more interesting, they dont just use a retriever. I think the purpose of the dogs is because they have used the tagline 'unleashed' and the dogs are unleashed in the designs. The stance of the dogs also create an atmosphere, if i were to guess what film genre each dog was representing i would say: the top left dog  is a smarmy, sophisticated love story because the dog looks very handsome and the set in the background looks upper class. The top right film would be a light hearted comedy because the dog just reminds me of a bubbly, chilled out person. The bottom left looks like a gangster film, the dog looks very intimidating sitting on the box with a light on, it looks like he's about to interrogate you. The last one looks like a film about an old man, where you learn about his life.

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Cadbury's print campaign

Nike Hyper Dunk series

Momentum, Nike poster

Alex Trochut:  http://www.alextrochut.com/#/works

Alex Trochut is one of my favourite designers, his work is so original and fun, he works a lot with typography. His work can be very playful. I chose to look at his work, and in particular the top two images because of his inventive type, both have been designed for a specific brand; the top being Cadburys and the other Nike. The Cadburys typeface is instantly recognisable because of the colours used and the way he has represented the fresh milk they use in their chocolate.

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