NSS Poster - Art Deco

I have designed a poster for the National Student Survey 2013 poster competition. I have gone with an Art Deco style for my poster, which features an trumpeting angel with the title "Be Heard".

I like the bright colours that I've used and the simplistic nature of the Art Deco style. This is only the first draft and I may tweak some aspects such as the colour and the image/text placement.

Website Updated!

Please have a look at my recently updated website, which now contains some of my portfolio work. Many thanks.

patrickcrosbydesign.com

Book Cover Final Design - The Guardian

After much tweaking and feedback from my client I have created the final design for The Guardian book cover. The design now features a young girl's face within the silhouette of the angel image. The text is the same as previous drafts, with the added subtitle of "the brotherhood series".

I decided to add some falling feathers into the background and a blue hue overall which I think adds more depth the the design.

The book will be first released as an e-book on Amazon's Kindle store and hopefully will become published into print at a later date.

I have thoroughly enjoyed working on this design and with my client, Lindsay. She has been very helpful with her feedback and constructive with her criticism, it was a great insight into client/designer relations in the design industry.

Please follow Lindsay's blog and twitter for all the latest news on the The Guardian.

Book Cover Design - The Guardian

My work friend has asked me to design a cover for her first ever book. The book is called "The Guardian" and is a teenage fiction novel featuring angels and demons.

With this knowledge in hand I created a mood board to show my client what ideas I had in mind.

The mood board featured various imagery of angels, artistic styles and various types of font that I believe would work well. My client was happy with what I had shown her and picked out her favourite font from the selection I had provided.


For the next step,  I created a mock up design using standard dimensions of paper-back book covers. I decided to to use my "crouching angel" drawing that I had created earlier, however I went over it with a brush tipped pen and water to create calligraphy effect.

I went for a grungy/dirty feel as I think it works well with the drawing style and the genre of the book.

I added the title and authors name using separate fonts, if the book is published I will have to make sure  that I've bought the licence to use these fonts.

After some feedback from my client I have created a second mock up design for the cover. 

My client wanted the cover to include a young woman's face as to reflect the main female character in the book. I drew a sketch of a face, scanned it in and manipulated it on photoshop so that I would be in the back ground of the image, but slightly faded so not to conflict with the rest of the images in the design. I also amended the author's name to her chosen Pen name.

I am now awaiting feedback of the second cover mock up.

Follow Lindsay's blog to find out more about the book and to keep up to date with developments.

Reflection

Personal Achievements 

One of my main achievements for this year is that I have persevered with Adobe Illustrator even though I find it harder to use compared to Photoshop. However, it is better for some graphic design work. I forced myself to use it for a number of design pieces and I feel much more confident with it and I'm proud of what I have produced. Another achievement is time management, I have not left everything to the last minute and have spread tasks out to make them more manageable. I feel that it has made me less stressed and my quality of work has improved.

Skills Development

As I have already mentioned my skills with Adobe Illustrator has improved and I feel confident with using it to create fairly complicated design projects. I have improved with Google Sketchup, even though I haven't used it much in my recent projects, some minor tuition and experimentation has allowed my skills to develop well. My understanding of brand identity and logo design has also improved, I have designed a logo for myself and during that process I learnt what makes a good logo design.

Summer/Final year Action plan

During the summer I aim to undertake my own design projects and enter various competitions with the aim to increase my design skills and add to my portfolio of work. I also plan to try and obtain some short-term work experience placements with the aim to gain more experience and gain important contacts in the design world.  For my final year of the Foundation Degree I plan to get more acquainted with the various design packages that are imperative to a graphic design career. I also aim to increase my knowledge of design processes and regulations so I'm more au fait with how the whole design industry works, which will ultimately make me more employable


Overall, my second year has been an interesting one, I have learnt a great deal about myself and how I work as well as new design processes and techniques, I am proud of what I have achieved and look forward to learning and achieving much more. 

Portfolio

I have created a portfolio to showcase my best work up to now. I have tried to keep the design similar to my CV and blog to create a continuing brand identity. I like the simple, clean design and the bold but easy to read font.

I have decided to keep it in only electronic format and plan to save it on a branded USB stick which can be given out (see image below). The electronic format means that I can also email it to companies and easily add new pages.

I have saved it as a PDF as this is a industry standard for publications such as my portfolio and it allows computers and applications of various types to open it without any change to the layout of the document.

See my portfolio here.

Paul Smith Envelope Competition

Our group was tasked in creating a envelope design that could be featured in a new Paul Smith store in London. This is my entry for the competition:

Tigerprint Competition Entry

I have entered two design for the Female surface patterns competition at Tigerprint. The brief was to create a female friendly surface pattern that could be used on wrapping and gift bags.

I decided to choose pop art style pattern featuring women's eyes with make up, I think this is a different approach to the brief and will hopefully stand out from the crowd.

Eye-catching Graphic Design

The main aim of graphic design is to appeal to the target audience while also reflecting the subject matter appropriately. This can be done by using various design techniques and strategies.

Typeface 

Typefaces are an extremely important component of graphic design and can completely change the way a person reacts to a piece of design. A typeface can change the way a person feels about a company or organisation and can attract a certain type of person or, in turn, repel a certain demographic of people.

Basic font structure like Serif and Sans Serif can completely change the whole feel of a piece of graphic design. Serif fonts give more of a personal and flowing feel and for that reason are commonly used in books. Sans serif fonts have more of a cleaner, modern feel and are often used for signage and advertising due to being easy read quickly.

There are many more font structures to be considered when designing such as; italics, boldness and kern. With over 200,000 typefaces to choose from it is very important that a graphic designer chooses one that will best suit the overall design.

Typefaces were an important device used in propaganda posters,

they communicate the message just as much as the imagery.

The bold, capitalised writing complements the whole poster design.

Logos

Logos are an extremely important aspect of graphic design, they can make a brand instantly recognisable to a person and reinforce a company's identity. The most effective logos are the simplest, a simpler logo is easier to recognise and sticks in a person's mind more so.

The ultimate aim for a organisation is to have a logo that sticks in the public's consciousness to the extent that a person would recognise anywhere at anytime and know what it represents. Some brands to achieve this feat include Nike, McDonalds, Apple and Disney.

Images 

The use of images in graphic design is very important. Whether it's an illustration or a photograph an image can catch a person's eye and make them notice the design. Imagery can be used to make a piece of design almost look like a piece of art, which in turn makes it more personal and memorable for people. It can help communicate a product or an idea in a way that words could never do. Imagery allows an organisation to evoke emotions and feelings in people to it's benefit. It cannot be denied that images play a powerful role in graphic design.

Photography has been used in graphic design since the invention of the camera. It allows realistic and detailed images to be used and has become an art form in it's own right, with the advent of digital manipulation it is possible to create amazing images that turn heads but still have a sense of realism.

Illustration has been used in graphic design in some form for hundreds of years, such as the first illustrated bibles of the middle ages. Illustration can take any form, it can be realistic or completely fantastical, it is truly up to what the designer is trying to achieve. In recent years, illustration has been used more in many large companies' marketing  campaigns as the medium tends to feel more personal and friendlier, which is qualities often sought by massive, faceless corporations.

Photography can used to communicate a powerful message.

Illustration can add a unique style to a design.

Graphic design, like all design, is used to engage with people and to communicate ideas and concepts. The use of typefaces, logos and images allow the designer to connect with people effectively and hope fully catch their eye. It is very important that designer thinks about these components when creating.

Book Cover Photo Manipulation

As part of my design project for the The Big Sleep book cover competition I created an image that show cases the design on a real book. I used Adobe Photoshop to over lay the design onto a photograph of a book with the same dimensions. 

I believe that this image allows you to see what the design would look like in the real world and works well to communicate the design message.

Monochrome

Source: jonathancritchley.net

Jonathan Critchley  is a British photographer who specialises in seascapes and monochromatic images.

I really like his photographs, they're very atmospheric and some even look like paintings. I like how he uses long exposures, as this really adds to the ethereal effect. 

All his photographs are monochromatic which gives them a timeless and haunting feel. I have featured some my favourite photographs of his, I think these particular images have great drama and depth. 

Logo Design

I have created a logo for myself using Adobe Illustrator, it's a very simple design that incorporates my initials. I intend to display it on all my future design work and any promotional material I make for myself.

The Big Sleep Book Cover - Final Design

I have created the final design of the The Big Sleep cover for the Penguin Design Award and I have just submitted it to Penguin. I am happy with the overall design, even though I had difficulty creating it on Adobe Illustrator.

I now have to just wait for the competition to close on the 9th April and for the entries to be judged. Fingers crossed I get through to the next round!

You can view the full Final Design here.

Gravity-Defying Lamps

A dutch design company called Crealev, which specialise in high-concept levitation technology, have created these amazing levitating lampshades that seem to defy gravity.

Source: designtaxi.com

The lamps use electromagnetic technology to suspend the shades in mid air, if the shade is ever so slightly knocked off balance it will attach itself to the base thanks to magnetic attraction.

Source: designtaxi.com

Source: designtaxi.com

Source: designtaxi.com

I think these are absolutely amazing and I love levitation technology such as this,  I just wish I could afford one!

View the video below to see how they work:

More information can be found here.

The Big Sleep Cover - Silhouettes

I have created 4 possible silhouettes to be used on The Big Sleep book cover that I'm designing, I have photographed myself in appropriate clothing to avoid any copyright infringement.

Each silhouette is in a slightly different pose, I now have to decide which will look best on the cover...

Silhouette 1

Silhouette 2

Silhouette 3

Silhouette 4

Texture in Graphic Design

The use of texture in graphics is very important, as textures can change the whole feel and identity of a product. One of the most common ways to add texture to graphic design is by using various types of paper; a heavy gauge paper can give a luxurious, high quality feel. A coarse, rustic paper can give a homemade or vintage feel to a design.

Source:seanwes.com

Another way to add texture is by using various manufacturing a printing techniques. Debossing and embossing is a prime example. Debossing and embossing is adding a sunken or raised surface to the paper or card, this effect is usually used to make letters and logos stand out and gives the design a high-quality feel. The use of high gloss and metallic inks is also quite common and again, gives the design a high-quality, luxurious feel.


When a graphic design is purely digital, textures are usually added by use of layers and give the illusion that the image is on a physical material e.g. a canvas screen.

The Hull Blitz

I made a short video about the Hull Blitz as a promotion tool for the exhibition I will be designing for the National Picture Theatre in Hull. 

Skills Development

Over the past few months I have learnt a number of skills that have aided me in my recent design projects:

• I have become more adept at Google Sketchup and now feel confident in creating complex models and presenting them using animation techniques.

• I have been experimenting with creating small films as a way to convey design ideas. I have used Windows Movie Maker and iMovie. I find these programs simple and easy to use and I enjoy experimenting with new ideas and processes for making films. 

•  I have recently been using Adobe Illustrator in my latest project. I am currently finding it quite confusing, however I have already picked up a few new skills whilst creating various designs. I feel that I learn best just getting stuck in and trying different techniques when using applications of this type. 

Overall, I am glad with what I have learnt so far and look forward to developing my skills and also learning new ones. 

Retail Display Design

source: retail design blog

source:retail design blog

The appearance of a store and how it's products are displayed are very important in the Retail sector. The right feel and atmosphere must be created that reflects the style of clothing and the company's image.

All Saints is a prime example of a store that uses strong design in it's retail displays. All Saints takes their inspiration from the industrial revolution and the designs of Isambard Kingdom Brunel e.g. Victoria and Paddington railway stations. 

The very industrial, utilitarian design of the stores complements the vintage feel of the clothing. Items such as cogs, gears and bare metalwork are used to decorate the space. Dozens of vintage Singer sewing machines are displayed in the store window, this design has become somewhat of a signature technique for All Saints.

The design as a whole gives the store a very stylised, vintage feel which is able to attract the kind of person that would want to buy All Saints clothing. 

More information and images can be found here.

source: retail design blog

source: retail design blog

source: retail design blog

The Big Sleep Cover Mock Ups

source: Penguin

I have made another step in designing my entry for the Penguin Design Award competition.

I have created 3 book cover mock ups using Adobe Illustrator, I am trying to determine which font combinations works best with the overall design.

The dimensions are to Penguin's specifications and I have included the Penguin Logo.

Click on the links below:

Mock Up 1

Mock Up 2

Mock Up 3

Home Front Mood Board

I have created a mood board for the project on the National Picture Theatre in Hull, which was bombed during the Second World War. It is the last bombed civilian building still standing in Europe.

This mood board looks at the Home Front themes of WW2.

Sustainability in Construction

source: designboom

In the West when we want to construct a building we use steel scaffolding. It is a strong, rigid material that works well for our building needs. However, it isn't the most sustainable or ethical product to be using, as steel takes a lot of energy to produce and to recycle.

In the Far East, such as Hong Kong, they use a different material for their scaffolding needs. Bamboo.

Bamboo is a very eco-friendly material. It grows very fast which makes it extremely sustainable. It's cheap and much easier to transport than steel. It can be cut and bent to any desired length or shape and is still strong enough to hold builders and materials. It takes no time at all to construct a scaffolding structure made from bamboo, without the aid of machinery and the dismantling process is just as easy.

Overall, bamboo is no brainer when it comes to a scaffolding solution. The environmental and ethical factors are just as relevant as the practical factors.

In the rapidly increasing technological world of the Far East, it is nice to see that traditional bamboo still has a place in construction.

More information can be found here.

source: designboom

Newspaper Wood

Dutch designer Mieke Meijer and design company Vij5 have created innovate type of material made simply from recycled newspaper.





The old newspapers are glued together, once they are dry they can be cut and sanded just like normal wood and be used for just as many applications as actual wood.

 When cut, a very wood-like grain is revealed, it is very pleasing to the eye and touch. As seen in my previous post, Peugeot's Onyx concept car uses this material in it's interior.

I like the concept, the simplicity and the overall quality of the finished material and would love to see it used in more designs in the future.

More information can be found here.

Colours in Photography

I have made a collage of some of my more colourful photographs I've taken. Colour is a very important factor in design and photography, it can affect the whole mood and feel of the piece.

 One of my favourite things to with photographs is to remove all colour except one, this effect can really change the whole atmosphere of the photograph and guide the eyes onto a key feature within the image.

Onyx Concept Car

Peugeot have released a new concept car in the form of the Onyx, this futuristic motor features copper bodywork and a recycled newspaper interior. An awesome glimpse into the future of motoring! More information here.

The Big Sleep cover design competition

I am aiming to enter the Penguin Design Award competition. This year, entrants are tasked with designing with the symbolic crime/detective novel by Raymond Chandler.

After reading the book, there is a few scenes and characters that could be used in a design concept.


Below are a few examples of previous cover designs, all have a common theme of guns and girls, it's my feeling that these themes have been used to death for this type of novel, so I'm looking to create something slightly different...

I have created a preliminary mock up of an idea I've had, as seen below:

I have used a very simple graphic image, with the main character  casting a shadow of a knight chess piece in a doorway. The Knight idea came from the running theme in the book of Marlowe (the lead character) being a knight in a dirty, corrupted world.

The deadline for competition submissions is the 9th of April, I have some more development work to do to be ready for that approaching deadline.