Vintage science kits

Vintage science experiment kits

I wanted to carry out some visual research into vintage science kits, as I thought it could be a potentially strong book cover to create a spoof of their packaging and design; it would create a link to Bill Brysons playful curiosity, and would avoid the book looking like it took itself seriously, which seems to be common in its previous designs. 

I really like the primary colours and type design in this, as it looks super vibrant and playful - I think I will test out this colour scheme as it links to the tone I want to portray in my design. I also like the little cartoon design in the centre of this design, which could be an interesting way of introducing illustration into my cover design. 

I thought the graphics in this vintage advertisement were pretty interesting, as I liked their juxtaposition by the solid black background. I could try mimicking these images myself, yet the only challenge would be to make them look intentionally ironic, which audiences might not understand. 

Vintage science kits design development

Initial sketches

I decided to take inspiration from vintage science kits for kids to create some sketches for a cover design; the idea played with the playfulness of the book, and creating a sense of humour - this related to how Bill Bryson doesn't take himself seriously in his writing.  

Here is the initial sketch; I wanted to type Bill Bryson in the format of a vintage logo/ sticker; I feel like this would look really nice with a worn effect, to give that vintage aesthetic. As well as this, I thought adding a cartoon banana could add a humorous atmosphere as it relates to the fact of humans sharing the same DNA as bananas, as well as creating a childish undertone to the cover. The only issue with the initial sketch was that the type looked slightly too childish and lacked a sense of formality, which the book still needed - I think that Helvetica would probably work the best. Also, in my digital versions, I needed to consider colour too. 

Digital development

I created some sticker concepts to be dotted around on the cover, to create a reference to vintage packaging; especially referenced in the stickers shapes and primary colour schemes. This primary colour scheme worked quite nicely in communicating a fun atmosphere. I felt like yellow should be dominant, as it related to the idea of a banana, yet in a subtle way. 

This was the initial digital design that featured the stickers above; I wanted the stickers/ illustrations to kind of frame and block out parts of the text in order to convey the idea of the book cramming information in one small space. I feel like this design could have done with more texture as it looked slightly too flat; I could decided to experiment with ways of adding rips and crumpling up the paper. 

Physical manipulation

I decided to produce some texture to the design by printing it out and crumpling it up; I really like the effect that this provided, as it gave the design a worn effect which links to the inspiration from vintage packaging. I thought that I could develop this further by photocopying this and then having the image used for the actual design. However, I felt like the plain Helvetica text made it look a bit flat still, so chose to further manipulate the type. 

Trying different type styles

I created this type by printing out text and ripping it up to created a stacked/ harsh edged effect; this helped add more texture to a simple Helvetica font, without being over complicated.

 I then added the sticker/ illustrations to the manipulated type in order to create a more textured designs; I really like the direction that this concept is heading in, as I feel like with further feedback and design development, the vintage packaging design could work for the final thing. The only issue is - what will I do for the back page? How can I make it cleverly wrap around? 

Design development

Periodic table concept

Today I decided to develop some new ideas; focusing on the concept of a periodic table. I wanted to select parts of the title and manipulate them to form elements of the periodic table, in order to communicate links to the content of them book/ themes of science non fiction in general.

I decided to use Helvetica for this book cover, as I researched that the periodic table is written in this font. The only problem with this is that it looked slightly too formal, and lacked the playfulness that I wanted to convey. Additionally, I felt like these designs looked too flat and lacked any focal point for the audience; the concept of using elements is arguably too obvious as well as this, which lacks the allusiveness I want to create. 

Playing with handwritten text

These designs played with the banana concept further, as I felt like I could play with composition and colour more. For these designs in particular, I decided to hand draw my text for a playful atmosphere to fit with Bill Brysons' sense of voice. I feel like in some sense, the type looks too chaotic and slightly too childish, as the books audience still will consist of adults.

Crit feedback

• the designs look too flat and dull (periodic table)
• the ripped/ hand drawn type is effective - continue experimenting with this
• try playing with different compositions 
• the messy type looks a bit too childish 

Braulio Amado; playing with image

Braulio Amado

I was suggested to look at Braulio Amado as he often uses unorthodox methods to creating images; finding inspiration in everyday objects, and visualises these interestingly.

For example, this poster concept uses visuals taken from an empty coffee cup; this is then manipulated digitally to a colourful and striking concept which is composed with the juxtaposition of the dull, block colour background. It would be interesting to play with these juxtapositions of textures, and even using objects for such textures - I could try introducing a crumpled paper effect, or even add in the texture of a banana? 

This poster is another example of using everyday objects to form abstract imagery; this design in particular is a high contrast image of some ripped wallpaper. I really like the intense contrast in this design, and the simple shapes that compliment the text. Are there any shapes that I could also abstract from the book/ content in the book?

I looked at this digital illustration as I really liked the nostalgia of it and its playfulness, which relate to the atmosphere I want to create. The colour scheme is dominantly primary colour, which adds a childish nature to the visuals; I could try focusing on using primary colours to also evoke this sense of voice? I also like how the illustrations aren't perfect and don't take themselves seriously, which I could introduce into my cover design. 

I liked the visual simplicity and abstract nature of this design, and the composition is really interesting through a strong use of negative space. The overlapping of illustrations and text celebrate a sense of mistakes, alongside the ripped effect on the right hand side of the design. 

Study task 3 - typesetting

Initial Ideas

This concept played with the fact of how genetically similar we are to bananas, and added a playful element with a colourful colour scheme and a dominant illustration. The only issue is that the cover doesn't use an actual image of a banana, which makes it look quite flat. Also, the illustration covers up a large portion of the text which affects legibility. 

This design focused on type entirely, and explored the idea of the book containing lots of information in one small space; hence the cramped atmosphere and text running off the page. Visually, however, it lacks the fun nature I want to portray, so would need developing further. 

I really don't like this design as it looks super flat and simply navigates the idea of a black hole; the concept is way too literal and the text looks boring. I think I will probably scrap the idea of black holes as I don't want to treat the audience like idiots. 

This experiment tested different ways of manipulating text, so I played a bit with a 3D rendered style on photoshop. I don't think that this design is really strong enough to continue/ develop as it doesn't have a connection to the book itself nor does it have a playful atmosphere. 

These designs explored the idea of the universe expanding - like a balloon. I think the concept itself is very fitting as it has that playful atmosphere I want to create; however, these designs so far don't really work as a double page spread, nor do they have a contemporary style, in my opinion. 

This illustrative concept portrays the fact that Einstein poked himself in the eye with a needle just to simply see what it did; the concept behind this captures the idea of Bill Brysons curiosity and general curiosity within science history. However, the general visuals of this design are very flat and the colour palette is arguably too feminine for the books audience. 

Crit feedback

• try photographing an actual banana to make the design look less flat 
• actually print the type on the balloon to create a more immersive design 
• photograph the needle/eye design instead of illustrating it 
• some of the designs look too childish? 

Initial typesetting notes

Study task 3; type only cover 

• Type can set a mood or an atmosphere 
• What weight typeface will you use? How does it convey what you’re trying to communicate 
• Think about font styles; condensed and extended 
• Information squashed into a tiny space; relates to the title 
• Think about the size and scale; white space - type isn’t about the black spaces 
• Align to a grid? 

Typography do’s:

• Helvetica
• Baskerville 
• DIN 
• Franklin Gothic
• Futura 
• Times New Roman 
• Gill Sans 

• Don’t use skeuomorphism 

• Making items resemble their real world counterparts
• Too easy 
• Anthony Burrill; purist typography using wood type or metal type
• Eike Konig/ Hort Studio 
• Experimental Jetset 
• Combine your text with a symbol/ character
• Repeating things 
• Mix type in with something else

Consider in your designs:

• What are you saying?
• How does it communicate your idea?
• What does it look like?
• What does the layout look like? 

• Line length, between 40 and 75 characters and 7-12 words
• An overly short line length looks ugly 
• Oversized line length decreases legibility 
• It's better to split it into 2 columns if long 
• Consider hierarchy 
• If you can justify doing something wrong, then that's okay 
• Widows and orphans; lines left hanging and separated from a block of text 
• Rivers; gaps in typesetting between two paragraphs 
• Hanging and stacking; could give consistency 
• Hijack an object 
• Make connections between letters 
• Cut up and rearrange 
• Use repetition 
• Extend it to a grid 
• Change direction of the type

Versos covers

Versos Covers

I decided to carry out some further research into contemporary book design, as I felt like I needed more inspiration for my initial ideas. I looked at Versos Covers as it showcased a lot on type focused and clever 'smile in the mind' design. 

I really like this design as it uses simple shapes to communicate the title of the book; It uses a stencil style type design, and the way the text runs off the book definitely gives it a contemporary style. I also like the contrast between the formal colour scheme with the somewhat playful font. As well as this, the shapes in the type design reflect the different forms within the books narrative. 

Raf Rennie

Raf Rennie explores book cover design in a way that is poetic and very symbolic; I felt inspired by the way he uses simple shapes, as it could link to the concept of a black hole? I also like how the image is 3D as it brings in depth to the design, yet subtly with the black on black aesthetic. 

These designs above were interesting in their use of textures and abstracted imagery; I really like the juxtaposition of these detailed textures with clean, formal sans serif type. This offers a balanced contemporary atmosphere, which could work for the book cover design as there is also this contrast between Brysons' formality and playfulness. 

6 degrees of separation final zine

Finished publication

I printed out the final publication for the 6 degrees of separation concept, which used the same comic book layout and grid used in the initial collage designs. This was crucial as it helped me build up a consistent design that shared the same theme throughout. 

I also added some doodles to add a playfulness to the design, and relating to the illustrative aspects of the designers I researched. I am pretty happy with how the final thing turned out, as for a short project it ended up looking visually striking and contained references to all 6 of the designers, yet still keeping abstract. If I were to improv it, I think it would have looked on coloured paper possibly? 

5 designers I like

I decided to begin the 5X5publication for PPP through initially looking at the artists that I visually admire, and inspire my work. I want my zine to encapsulate my individual style, and clearly communicate my inspirations. 

Seapunch

Seapunch is a visual communication student at Leeds Arts Uni; I have followed him on instagram for a while, and really like his graphic style of working. His designs take inspiration from cartoons and commercial America, as well as hijacking these characters and objects. I like how his work has a subtle sense of humour, and is often printed onto unorthodox objects, such as tissues and fabrics. I think that its really impressive that being in his third year, he has gained a reputation and has developed a very unique style; some of his zines are sold in Village Books.  I very much take inspiration from his methods of using cartoon characters in his work, as I think it is a very effective way in bringing familiarity to your work, and also creating a witty atmosphere. I think that for my own publication, I could communicate these multimedia approaches such as tissue paper to develop a more dynamic design; it could be a fun way to add textures and possibly play with formats - for example, I could have the zine in the dimensions of a tissue? 

Obvious Plant

ObviousPlant is an instagram account that I have also followed for a while, that hijacks objects and creates ironic and funny toy packaging; he often even leaves his designs in actual stores too to develop a realistic setting. I really like his sense of humour, as he creates products with a dark yet funny side; it introduces the extremities of packaging and childrens toys, and challenges the idea of commercial products. Although he is not a definitive graphic designer, his work still obtains a strong style and thought process, that uses methods of hijacking products and toys, to provide an adult targeted atmosphere. To bridge a link to my publication and Obviousplants' work, I could ironically use fonts like word art possibly? This would provide a sense of humour to the zine itself, and build ironic undertones. His work also links to Seapunchs' designs, as he often includes cartoons and 'rip offs' of these; due to this, I could also try drawing some intentionally bad cartoons.  

Elliot Ulm

Elliot Ulm is a recently graduated graphic designer that creates witty, yet visually stylistic business card formats. I like how his work all has a collective style, and is playful in how it combines simple shapes and cartoons with bold text. His work focuses on graphic design memes (kind of), and has a certain humour that I can relate to. I think its nice when designers use their social media platform to not take themselves seriously; he has a style that deserves it, but chooses to create little witty designs. I like how he sticks to mainly san serifs, as it provides a modern and very contemporary atmosphere; I want to build this confident design in my own style, as in the future it is definitely a key element in gaining a reputation in the design world. 

Sauce Design 

I really like the nostalgic atmosphere that Sauce Design creates in their work, as they play with cartoons and hijack chidrens books and famous characters; this creates a nice juxtaposition between a certain playfulness alongside a strong contemporary identity. I really visually like the grain added to the designs as it adds to the extra element of vintage/ retro aesthetic. There is definitely a trend within contemporary design at the minute with playing with popular cartoons such as the Simpsons; I like how it allows opportunity to mock elements of design and provide a subtle reference to pop culture imagery. I also really like the versatility of the work created by Sauce Design, as they use alternative visual approaches to design; in particular, I like vivid textures created in the 'Earth Coincidence' poster above, as it has a somewhat cinematic atmosphere, with aesthetics inspired by retro sci-fi.  

Appear Offline 

Appear offline uses bold, playful type styles inspired by street art and graffiti fonts; I really like the typefaces fluidity and their rebellion against strict type rules. I think I am more interested in this graphic design approach as it allows the designer to have more freedom and not take themselves seriously; as a contemporary designer, I am much more intrigued in work that is detached from the heavily serious approach of some designers, as it portrays a sense of self awareness. This playful and fun attitude is also mirrored in the designs juxtaposition of loosely drawn shapes and clean, sans serif font. I especially really like how they use contrasts between clean white colour blocks and grain textures, as it introduces an interesting use of negative space to frame the text; I like this approach and feel like it can be referenced in my own work, through how I interact images with negative spaces of the visuals.