Self Reflection & Evaluation
I believe that my way-finding system has improved upon the original, greatly aiding the user experience. My way-finding was primarily designed with new students in mind but can be used by anyone needing to find a place within IQ. People are immediately able to engage with the large new signage as it improves both readability and legibility. Because I have kept the colours of the design the same as the companies branding, it allows the way-finding system to be bought in smoothly and works in cohesion with any other materials such as posters. The illumination of the signs will help make the signs visible outside at night and in poor weather conditions. The signs are easy to clean and are low-cost to run which is a huge benefit. However I do think I could have done a lot more for the system such as applied the pictograms to a map, although I wasn't able to acquire a map of the building. I also should have created a sign labelling what floors different flats were on, I had intended to do this but I ran out of time for this project. I found this brief challenging as it was something I had never done before, I think I have been reasonably successful but maybe could have been more adventurous with my designs. I also struggled to manipulate the images effectively within photoshop so this is something I definitely want to improve.
In reference to the brief I believe that I had clarity, consistency, and coherence in order to guide the user through an environment in a consistent, convenient and safe manner. I also made sure to try and make my designs as legible as possible. I again struggled with the idea generation but I did try to consider lot's of different things as to have more informed design decisions.
Thursday, January 21, 2016
Monday, January 18, 2016
OUGD405 Studio Brief 01 - Design Process - Way Finding - Introduction to way finding, article by design workplan
Today I read a short article on an introduction to way-finding, and the considerations that need to be made when designing.
(Source: http://designworkplan.com/wayfinding/introduction.htm)
The Basics
Function - To inform people of unfamiliar surroundings, guiding people in the right directions.
Effective way-finding takes into account
(Source: http://designworkplan.com/wayfinding/introduction.htm)
The Basics
Function - To inform people of unfamiliar surroundings, guiding people in the right directions.
Effective way-finding takes into account
- Comprehensive, clear and consistent visual communication system with concise messaging.
- Use only relevant information.
- Remove any irrelevant excess information so that there is a clear, concise message.
How does it work?
Landmarks
Specific marking / locations help reinforce the recognition of places and helps marking on a larger scale. It makes areas become more visible and will be bettered stored in your memory. Landmarks can be art-objects, buildings, street art, way finding signs or striking elements in a landscape.
Orientation
You need to know where you are in the build environment and where other destinations are located. When using maps within way-finding orientation is important so that you can relate yourself to the build environment.
Navigation
With the usage of directional (static) signs people will be guided along their path towards destination(s).
Strategic way-finding design
Research is an important step to understand the build environment and where information is needed to maximise legibility of the way-finding system.
Signage design basics
Information signs
Directional signs
Identification signs
Warning signs
It is better to design a grid to order information and to scale the signs to different sizes.
Signage typeface
Usually a sans-serif type and available in various weights with a simple easy-to-read straightforward design. They have a good legibility with a large X-Height and wide letter proportions with prominent ascenders / descenders to ensure a good readability.
Characteristics:
- A clear and straightforward type design, sans-serif.
- Easy recognisable letterforms.
- Positive letter spacing to enhance the visual appearance.
- The Font Family includes a package of many different weights.
- The typeface has a large X-height for good readability.
Signage design
Be consistent in typography, type height, icons, grid design, colour and material choice. The signs needs to be straight forward designed and in a consistent order to wayfinding scheme, always use the same order of displaying the information.
Sunday, January 17, 2016
OUGD405 Studio Brief 01 - Design Process - Way Finding - Further Research
QV Melbourne Carpark
Latitude gave some life to the QV Melbourne carpark by implementing a series of large scale environmental graphics. The design took inspiration from early modernist graphic design, and acts as both environmental graphics as well as way finding. Each typographic piece was individually hand painted on site, overlaying the painted forms producing a multiplied effect onto the existing brickwork. The location of each word was carefully considered to ensure high visibility, with the design also providing a welcomed use of colour and brightness to the underground levels.
The bright colour scheme chosen produces a high impact effect that is offset well by the white of the bricks. It immediately grabs your attention and brings life to a usually dreary surroundings. The scale of the type also improves readability and it is recognisable from far distances. This relates well to the painted type I am experimenting with directing towards the gym. I may need to consider scale although it is not as important within my building.
Stockwell park estate by hat-trick design
‘the brief we were given was to help the estate feel more accessible and welcoming. the signs needed to be clear and simple, with the aim of helping both the first time visitor and residents of the estate. the estate has a wide variety of buildings and surfaces within it, so the signage needed to be adaptable.’
The modular system of tiles combined with a bespoke palette of patterns really helps to make these signs unique and interesting. It has the right balance between functionally and personality. The tiles can adapt to a range of surroundings to suit the different variety. The patterned tiles were integrated into the surroundings by being placed on things like bird houses and bollards, this helped bring the design cohesively into the surroundings.
Latitude gave some life to the QV Melbourne carpark by implementing a series of large scale environmental graphics. The design took inspiration from early modernist graphic design, and acts as both environmental graphics as well as way finding. Each typographic piece was individually hand painted on site, overlaying the painted forms producing a multiplied effect onto the existing brickwork. The location of each word was carefully considered to ensure high visibility, with the design also providing a welcomed use of colour and brightness to the underground levels.
The bright colour scheme chosen produces a high impact effect that is offset well by the white of the bricks. It immediately grabs your attention and brings life to a usually dreary surroundings. The scale of the type also improves readability and it is recognisable from far distances. This relates well to the painted type I am experimenting with directing towards the gym. I may need to consider scale although it is not as important within my building.
Stockwell park estate by hat-trick design
‘the brief we were given was to help the estate feel more accessible and welcoming. the signs needed to be clear and simple, with the aim of helping both the first time visitor and residents of the estate. the estate has a wide variety of buildings and surfaces within it, so the signage needed to be adaptable.’
The modular system of tiles combined with a bespoke palette of patterns really helps to make these signs unique and interesting. It has the right balance between functionally and personality. The tiles can adapt to a range of surroundings to suit the different variety. The patterned tiles were integrated into the surroundings by being placed on things like bird houses and bollards, this helped bring the design cohesively into the surroundings.
OUGD405 Studio Brief 01 - Design Process - Way Finding - Pictogram Editing
During my feedback from my peers I noticed that people did not understand what the games room pictogram represents, they suggested changing it into something more general like a pool table or a more obvious tv. Currently they thought the design looks too much like a computer screen. This is something I reflected upon and decided to recreate.
Old games room pictogram:
New games room pictogram:
I think the new design is a lot clearer and better represents a games room. The symbols consist of a pool cue and balls in one half and a foosball symbol in the other.
It was also suggested in my feedback to change the outlines to white and the background to green to improve legibility at different scales and distances.
Old pictograms:
Old games room pictogram:
New games room pictogram:
It was also suggested in my feedback to change the outlines to white and the background to green to improve legibility at different scales and distances.
Old pictograms:
New pictograms:
The new pictograms from left to right: Cycle Storage, Laundry, Gym, Games Room, Reception, Study Area and Bins.
With green as the background colour and white as the outline it has created higher impact visuals. These can be viewed from varying distances without the message becoming unclear. They also work better at different scales.
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
OUGD405 Studio Brief 02 - Design Process - Information Design - Colour Research
Colour Research:
Because my leaflet is aimed at children I wanted to see what colours are associated with different things to see what they engage and interact with. The infographic below shows 5 different colours and the possible effect they can have on a child. This is something I can definitely consider within my design decisions.
Red and yellow are two colours that stand out to me as being possible design decisions within my leaflet. Red because the increased energy would be utilised well for danger. Yellow because it promotes concentration and stimulates the memory something I want to happen, I want children who read my leaflet to remember the do's and dont's of stranger safety. I have already noticed within my design the use of blue for the boy character and pink for the girl are calming colours that evoke empathy which is the right feeling I want to connote, I want the children to feel at ease with the characters so that they understand the dangers and want to follow their rules. At the moment I am unsure with how I can incorporate yellow into my design, but this can be something that I test out.
Because my leaflet is aimed at children I wanted to see what colours are associated with different things to see what they engage and interact with. The infographic below shows 5 different colours and the possible effect they can have on a child. This is something I can definitely consider within my design decisions.
Red and yellow are two colours that stand out to me as being possible design decisions within my leaflet. Red because the increased energy would be utilised well for danger. Yellow because it promotes concentration and stimulates the memory something I want to happen, I want children who read my leaflet to remember the do's and dont's of stranger safety. I have already noticed within my design the use of blue for the boy character and pink for the girl are calming colours that evoke empathy which is the right feeling I want to connote, I want the children to feel at ease with the characters so that they understand the dangers and want to follow their rules. At the moment I am unsure with how I can incorporate yellow into my design, but this can be something that I test out.
OUGD405 Studio Brief 01 - Design Process - Way Finding - Illuminated signage
Illuminated Signage:
From the feedback I received it was clear that my signs need to be illuminated. Illuminated signs increase visibility and stimulate the visual senses of viewers. Especially effective at night or in conditions of low visibility. I wanted to explore the materials needed to carry out this process.
Illuminated signs are really effective at catching attention and having a message stand out. There are various styles of illumination a sign can utilise, such as: back-lit, face-lit, edge-lit and halo-lit. Illuminated signs can be made to any size or shape, from a standard square light box sign through to a fully customised shaped sign tray stencil cut and inlaid with acrylic or with built up letters face illuminated with LEDs.
Back-lit:
A sign consisting of a cabinet containing a light source and a translucent face. It has uses in businesses, shopping centres, airports and train stations, they are also heavily used for advertising. Ensures they will be visible no matter what the lighting situation is. Indoors and outdoors use. Very easy to take care of as only the front of the sign needs to be kept clean. Usually made with vinyl or acrylic to withstand the heat and intensity of the light behind it. If its not a high quality material the sign will begin to fade over time, if looked after, lower quality signs can last 3 years without fading.
Face-lit:
A sign which illuminates only from the front (or face) mainly focuses on individual lettering. Extremely popular choice of sign in the retail sector as it gives a dramatic, fun look to logos. The sign is lit internally by LED lighting which has a low power consumption of 12 volts. Have been proven to be long lasting and maintenance free. LEDs can be programmed for colour change, fading colours, and unique sequences that will attract the eye.
Edge-lit:
With edge lit illuminated signs, the engraved part of the sign lights up, while the rest of the sign lights up creating the effect of floating letters or images. Generally used for advertising inside. They are an incredibly efficient form of illuminated signage and can be created from acrylic panels or by utilising LED's.
Halo-lit:
The face of the letter is covered in either an opaque vinyl, acrylic or flat cut metal that prevents any face illumination through the letter or logo. This forces all of the illumination, generated by either fluorescent or LED illumination, through the edges of the push through acrylic which is either in clear or opal. It produces an effective, attractive halo effect which gives an overall 'glow' effect to the fascia sign and the lettering or logo then appears 'black' or 'dark' against the bright light.
Most appropriate method for my signage:
I think the most appropriate form of illuminated signage would be back-lit as it works well in all lighting situations. The signs on the outside of the building will be visible at night time and in foggy conditions. The signs are also easy to take care of the face of the sign only needs to be wiped down. A cheaper lower quality material can also be used but still last a reasonably long time. LED lights could be used on the inside which has low power consumption and they last a long time. LED can also be programmed to colour change so this would work cohesively with the different coloured arrows.
From the feedback I received it was clear that my signs need to be illuminated. Illuminated signs increase visibility and stimulate the visual senses of viewers. Especially effective at night or in conditions of low visibility. I wanted to explore the materials needed to carry out this process.
Illuminated signs are really effective at catching attention and having a message stand out. There are various styles of illumination a sign can utilise, such as: back-lit, face-lit, edge-lit and halo-lit. Illuminated signs can be made to any size or shape, from a standard square light box sign through to a fully customised shaped sign tray stencil cut and inlaid with acrylic or with built up letters face illuminated with LEDs.
Back-lit:
A sign consisting of a cabinet containing a light source and a translucent face. It has uses in businesses, shopping centres, airports and train stations, they are also heavily used for advertising. Ensures they will be visible no matter what the lighting situation is. Indoors and outdoors use. Very easy to take care of as only the front of the sign needs to be kept clean. Usually made with vinyl or acrylic to withstand the heat and intensity of the light behind it. If its not a high quality material the sign will begin to fade over time, if looked after, lower quality signs can last 3 years without fading.
Face-lit:
A sign which illuminates only from the front (or face) mainly focuses on individual lettering. Extremely popular choice of sign in the retail sector as it gives a dramatic, fun look to logos. The sign is lit internally by LED lighting which has a low power consumption of 12 volts. Have been proven to be long lasting and maintenance free. LEDs can be programmed for colour change, fading colours, and unique sequences that will attract the eye.
Edge-lit:
With edge lit illuminated signs, the engraved part of the sign lights up, while the rest of the sign lights up creating the effect of floating letters or images. Generally used for advertising inside. They are an incredibly efficient form of illuminated signage and can be created from acrylic panels or by utilising LED's.
Halo-lit:
The face of the letter is covered in either an opaque vinyl, acrylic or flat cut metal that prevents any face illumination through the letter or logo. This forces all of the illumination, generated by either fluorescent or LED illumination, through the edges of the push through acrylic which is either in clear or opal. It produces an effective, attractive halo effect which gives an overall 'glow' effect to the fascia sign and the lettering or logo then appears 'black' or 'dark' against the bright light.
Most appropriate method for my signage:
I think the most appropriate form of illuminated signage would be back-lit as it works well in all lighting situations. The signs on the outside of the building will be visible at night time and in foggy conditions. The signs are also easy to take care of the face of the sign only needs to be wiped down. A cheaper lower quality material can also be used but still last a reasonably long time. LED lights could be used on the inside which has low power consumption and they last a long time. LED can also be programmed to colour change so this would work cohesively with the different coloured arrows.
OUGD404 Studio Brief 02 - What is a book? - Research
The Brief:
Produce a book made up of 10 double page layouts.
The content of the book needs to be informed by a personal interest but demonstrate a growing understanding of the fundamental principles of grid, layout, type and format plus the form, function and construction of books.
The 10 layouts should include a contents page and an introduction to the content.
Considerations:
I need to help the reader read the words by positioning text and images in such a way as to be appropriate for the content but also navigable by the human eye.
To be creative but effective with type it is essential that I have a clear grasp of the fundamental principles of type composition. It’s great to break the rules but learn them first, understand what I'm looking at and make informed design decisions.
Topic of content:
Meals for one person (cookbook). Being a student i've noticed it is really hard to find recipes that will be for just one person as I don't really enjoy eating the same meal for days after. I think I want to play on the idea of being 'lonely' eating on your own. Because I'm going to aim it more towards a student it needs to be bright and vibrant something that excites them to pick it up and want to cook those meals.
Research:
Current cookbooks cooking for one person:
Cooking for One: 150 Recipes to Treat Yourself by Amy Willcock.
Focus on what the single person really wants to eat - quick and easy last-minute suppers and mid-week treats to lazy weekend meals - not cut-down recipes for four.
This cookbook seems to be aimed at individuals that won't meals that are a treat to make - the luxury/high end side but are quick and easy. I really like the illustration on the front cover as this is something I have thought about utilising. It is bright and cheery to reflect the ease and joy of just cooking for yourself.
Cooking for One (Quick and Easy) by Molly Perham.
This book is about pleasing yourself - short cuts to fantastic food. Easy and quick food for people who think cooking is a chore. Gives you a list of basic ingredients and equipment which is really useful for people who are cooking on their own for the first time as gives them a good guide to work from, ideal for students. The typography in this book is awful and doesn't work cohesively with the design as there are too many different types. The book also seems to be very wordy which wouldn't be very appealing for students.
Student cookbooks:
Nosh for Students - A Fun Student Cookbook by Joy May
Nosh is a really good example of the type of design that I'm aiming for. Simple and easy to follow, the design plays a big role in making the recipes understandable. The key that is used also helps to improve understanding as it is simple and makes it easier for people to decide whether they will make a certain recipe or not. The design has utilised type well as engaging points of interest experimenting in different sizings. Strong images and am image or every recipe seems important as people like to know what it will look like and it helps them decide whether they want to make it or not. I do not like the front cover however as I do not think it is clear what it is other than the title. The use of bright, vibrant colours is stimulating but the collage seems unnecessarily overpowering with no real message relating to food.
Produce a book made up of 10 double page layouts.
The content of the book needs to be informed by a personal interest but demonstrate a growing understanding of the fundamental principles of grid, layout, type and format plus the form, function and construction of books.
The 10 layouts should include a contents page and an introduction to the content.
Considerations:
I need to help the reader read the words by positioning text and images in such a way as to be appropriate for the content but also navigable by the human eye.
To be creative but effective with type it is essential that I have a clear grasp of the fundamental principles of type composition. It’s great to break the rules but learn them first, understand what I'm looking at and make informed design decisions.
- Grid
- Columns
- Gutters
- Margins
- Sub-Heads
- Paragraphs
- Images
- Captions
- DPS
- Drop Caps
- Headlines
- Measures
- Rules and Boxes
- Folio Numbers
- Pagination
- Imposition
Topic of content:
Meals for one person (cookbook). Being a student i've noticed it is really hard to find recipes that will be for just one person as I don't really enjoy eating the same meal for days after. I think I want to play on the idea of being 'lonely' eating on your own. Because I'm going to aim it more towards a student it needs to be bright and vibrant something that excites them to pick it up and want to cook those meals.
Research:
Current cookbooks cooking for one person:
Cooking for One: 150 Recipes to Treat Yourself by Amy Willcock.
Focus on what the single person really wants to eat - quick and easy last-minute suppers and mid-week treats to lazy weekend meals - not cut-down recipes for four.
This cookbook seems to be aimed at individuals that won't meals that are a treat to make - the luxury/high end side but are quick and easy. I really like the illustration on the front cover as this is something I have thought about utilising. It is bright and cheery to reflect the ease and joy of just cooking for yourself.
This book is about pleasing yourself - short cuts to fantastic food. Easy and quick food for people who think cooking is a chore. Gives you a list of basic ingredients and equipment which is really useful for people who are cooking on their own for the first time as gives them a good guide to work from, ideal for students. The typography in this book is awful and doesn't work cohesively with the design as there are too many different types. The book also seems to be very wordy which wouldn't be very appealing for students.
Student cookbooks:
Nosh for Students - A Fun Student Cookbook by Joy May
Nosh is a really good example of the type of design that I'm aiming for. Simple and easy to follow, the design plays a big role in making the recipes understandable. The key that is used also helps to improve understanding as it is simple and makes it easier for people to decide whether they will make a certain recipe or not. The design has utilised type well as engaging points of interest experimenting in different sizings. Strong images and am image or every recipe seems important as people like to know what it will look like and it helps them decide whether they want to make it or not. I do not like the front cover however as I do not think it is clear what it is other than the title. The use of bright, vibrant colours is stimulating but the collage seems unnecessarily overpowering with no real message relating to food.
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