dvd packaging: the baron of arizona
DESCRIPTION
Packaging design, like all communication, has everything to do with context and experience. It is similar to a museum displaying an object. Every object is a sign that exists in a network of meaning. A display or package protects the object while interpreting the object by uncovering connections. In this assignment I was asked to redesign the DVD Packaging for the Criterion Collection's film "The Baron of Arizona". The final deliverables include the box designed front and back, a booklet insert with additional information about the movie, and the disc design.TRANSCRIPT
process book
Representing a Story:Pictures & Meaning
Sally Carmichael
Tad Carpenter | Fall 2011
Package design, like all communication, has everything to do with context and
experience. It is similar to a museum displaying an object. A good exhibition
provides context or a “meaningful box” in which artifacts are viewed. That box
often tells a story that speaks to the artifacts maker, use, message, appearence,
visual form, or cultural associations and meanings. Every object is a sign that
exists in a network of meaning. A display or package protects the object while
interpreting the object by uncovering connections.
In this assignment, I was asked to create a new DVD package for the Criterion
Collection’s New Eclipse line that focuses on producing budget-priced, high
quality-editions of hard-to-find films for young audiences. My final deliverables
included the 3-fold DVD package itself, the disc art, and an eight page insert
booklet.
3
I chose “The Baron of Arizona”, a film by Samuel Fuller created in 1950. The
film focuses on the true events and life of James Addison Reavis, a con artist
and conspirator who forges documents in his plan to become the baron of
Arizona. Although the film was in black and white, a distinct color palette is felt
throughout the film and I tried to focus on the southwest and desert imagery of
the film in my work.
4
5film notes
6 sketches
7sketches
8 sketches
9sketches
10 sketches
11sketches
12 cover designs
13cover designs
14 cover designs
15cover designs
16 cover designs
spread designs 17
THE BARON
OF ARIZONA
peralta
land
grant
18 spread design
Collected Works.
The Baron of Arizona
19spread designs
chapter one: the essays
the
baron
of
arizona
20 spread designs
THE BARON
OF ARIZONA
THE BARON
OF ARIZONA
21spread designs
22 spread designs v.2
23spread designs v.2
24 spread designs v.2
25spread designs v.2
ARIZONA
a supplement to the film
26 spread designs v.3
27booklet design
ARIZONA
a supplement to the film
5
“Five percent of films are made because a man has an idea, an idea which he must express.”
- Samuel Fuller, director
chapter selection
01. Opening-Credits [7:13]
02. In-the-Night [7:35]
03. A-Mighty-Hot-Sun [8:27]
04. Aim-to-Collect [8:20]
05. A-Long-Journey [9:02]
06. House-Rules [9:56]
07. Heading-Out [7:30]
08. This-One’s-Mine [11:05]
09. A-Large-Bounty [10:26]
10. End-Titles [7:41]
2
The real baron
One of Arizona’s most infamous characters was a man named James Addison Reavis, a man of
dubious character and background and one of the great land fraud schemers of the 19th Century. His claim on 18,500 square miles of Arizona and New Mexico territory as part of an ancient Spanish land grant led to him being dubbed the “Baron of Arizona.”
Reavis was born on May 10 1843. He served as a soldier in the Confederate Army where he perfected his skills as a forger.He arrived in Arizona Territory in 1880, making claims he owned a large of part of Arizona. He collected rent and tribute from railroads, ranches, farms, and mines for about 11 years.
Finally, the United States District Court challenged Reavis’ claims. Reavis lost the case in the U.S. District Land Claims Court and was soon indicted in a criminal court.
3
reception
ARIZONA
a supplement to the film
4
“a bizarre but
intriguing little
Western”
- Craig Butler, NY Times
“even the most
cold blooded plan
can be warmed
by affection”
- Michael Sellers, Boston Globe
28 spread designs v.3
29booklet design
30 final spread design
31final spread design
THE BARON
OF ARIZONA
a film by samuel fuller
32 final spread design
33final booklet design
ARIZONA
a supplement to the film
5
“Five percent of films are made because a man has an idea, an idea
which he must express.”
- Samuel Fuller, director
chapter selection
01. Opening-Credits [7:13]
02. In-the-Night [7:35]
03. A-Mighty-Hot-Sun [8:27]
04. Aim-to-Collect [8:20]
05. A-Long-Journey [9:02]
06. House-Rules [9:56]
07. Heading-Out [7:30]
08. This-One’s-Mine [11:05]
09. A-Large-Bounty [10:26]
10. End-Titles [7:41]
2
The real baron
One of Arizona’s most infamous characters was a man named James Addison Reavis, a man of dubious
character and background and one of the great land fraud schemers of the 19th Century. His claim on 18,500 square miles of Arizona and New Mexico territory as part of an ancient Spanish land grant led to him being dubbed the “Baron of Arizona.”
Reavis was born on May 10 1843. He served as a soldier in the Confederate Army where he perfected his skills as a forger.He arrived in Arizona Territory in 1880, making claims he owned a large of part of Arizona. He collected rent and tribute from railroads, ranches, farms, and mines for about 11 years.
Finally, the United States District Court challenged Reavis’ claims. Reavis lost the case in the U.S. District Land Claims Court and was soon indicted in a criminal court.
3
reception
ARIZONA
a supplement to the film
4
“a bizarre but
intriguing little
Western”
- Craig Butler, NY Times
“even the most
cold blooded plan
can be warmed
by affection”
- Michael Sellers, Boston Globe
35
Over the course of this project I have gained a great deal of knowledge. The
process that goes into the preparation and planning of what seemed like a simple
design for a dvd package proved to be much move difficult than expected. I feel
that the research that was required of me made a huge difference in the content
and ideas presented in my work.
I now have a better ability to generate new ideas quickly, while still considering
a solid final outcome. This project has also let me explore both Illustrator and
InDesign more, which had aided me immensely. I feel very proud of the work
I have done on this project and believe that it successfully conveys the feelings,
imagery, and symbolism of Samuel Fuller’s The Baron of Arizona.