Initial textures/ collages

Initial textures/ collages

One of the first experiments I want to explore with my initial ideas is to consider how I could communicate and integrate themes of censorship within my design. The first approach I decided to try out was image manipulation; with a focus on maximalist design, I wanted to distort existing images to censor them, in order to relate to the protection of Berlin's techno scene and to transgress agains the over exposure of the community online. At this stage in the project, I am unsure whether to focus on censorship either in a super maximalist way or keep it more minimal so the tone of voice is more respectful of the images, keeping them as cultural artefacts. 

I started manipulating the images by creating digital collages; with quite a chaotic and disruptive tone, I separated loads of the layers to censor and distort the existing footage. 

Inspired by the visual language of Frontpage zine, I wanted to use really chaotic colours and textures to develop a playful sense of voice. Visually, I really liked how these initial collages turned out, but my only worry was that because the images were so manipulated, it would take away from the educational element of the publication, as the techno tourist audience won't be able to work out what the actual images are. In light of this, maybe it would be better if I used this maximalist design approach to the poster series, as maybe the audience will be able to work out what the images are after viewing them in the publication; this could make the concept of a scavenger hunt more interesting, as the images would be censored to the audience. 

Despite this approach maybe not being massively appropriate for the informative publication, I feel like the abrasive colour combinations work well in embodying the atmosphere of the Berlin techno scene, as it kind of embraces the element of anger that the locals have towards techno tourists. In a way, this would help communicate this to the techno tourist audience, and help understand how to avoid hostility within the community. 

Creating symbols/ posters

Because I've kind of worked out that the crazy image manipulation isn't really suitable in the context of an educational publication, I feel like it would be more suitable for the poster series as the audience will have the pre context of what the images are of. Also, this would give me more opportunity to explore a playful sense of voice and refer the visual influences within the techno scene (like Frontpage zine) that would look better in a public space. This is kind of in response to the peer feedback I got in my crit, as I discussed how I was torn between using a maximalist or minimalist approach; it was suggested that I could integrate the two together. 

Similarly to my initial poster designs, I wanted to keep the posters quite abstract and visually engaging, which works in the context of the audience being educated prior to finding the posters. To do so, I thought it would be appropriate to develop a series of symbols that could communicate/ relate to where each poster is located. These initial symbol concepts aren't specifically based off anything, but where more for me to experiment with visual styles and how I could generate a tone of voice through symbols and abstract shapes. 

I feel like these posters are pretty successful in creating a playful and mysterious sense of voice; the crazy colour palettes kind of relate to the idea of the Berlin techno scene being an 'other worldly' experience. As well as this, the idea of symbols would be very fitting to the religious undertones of Berlin's club culture, kind of the rules within religion such as the 9 circles of hell, 7 deadly sins or the 10 commandments.  

These are just some more examples of textures and shapes explored with my initial symbol designs; I think that visually, they work really well in the context of creating something censored yet intriguing within a public space. My main aim now is to conceptually reinforce these initial poster ideas by creating a set of rules and symbols. However, before I even do that, I need to split up my research into categories and locations that the publication can consist of.