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BA (Hons.) GRAPHIC DESIGN LEVEL 06Module Code OUGD303 Outcomes 1

Module Title FINAL MAJOR PROJECT

FINAL MAJOR PROJECT

STATEMENT OF INTENTName: Ben McKean

Blog Address: b-mckeanfmp0912.blogspot.com

Rationale

An editorial investigation of type and layout with a focus on the culture sector.

- I will explore the use of print and digital, utilising high-end print when it is appropriate. Whilst investigating

the cost and accessibility benefits of web based media.

- I aim to create functional design, which renders an appropriate aesthetics in order to effectively

communicate the subject matter. As oppose to primarily aesthetically driven work with less consideration to

the content and what needs to be communicated.

-An investigation of editorial workflow and how publications are constructed professionally in a collaborativeenvironment.

-Print based resolutions underpinned by a strong investigation into format, print finish in relation to

ergonomics and functionality.

-Designing appropriate creative promotional solutions and campaigns for non-corperate businesses.

- Work collaboratively in creative environments.

Subjects / ThemesDesign for:

- Magazine, newspapers (current affairs publications)- Events and exhibitions of a culture sector nature- Promotion and informative media for brands. (Such as end of year reports)- Branding for as non-corporate companies as my finances allow

Themes:

Theory (Authorship)

An area of discussion within my dissertation, authorship and critical theory will be considered

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across my work. Visual communication and its effectiveness could be underpinned by ideas such

as authorship, communication theory, semiotics and consumerism.

Functionality

Explore the constraints and limitations of functionality, and how far the method of communication

can be pushed whilst still operating effectively.

Visual Speech

Typography is fundamentally visual speech. Even the glyphs and marks represent speech whetherits a pause or the accent of the statement. I aim to investigate how type related to speech further.

Integrity

Within graphic design and even modern society, I feel as a designer is it a necessity to have a

standpoint on current issues. Whether it is environmental or ethical there are debates being had

everywhere. And with the growth of the internet and worldwide communications, what happens

one day is subject for debate across the world the next.

Print and Digital

The future of print has become uncertain due to the growth of new medias, particurly looking at

books and periodicals and the innovation of digital formats. How businesses and magazine

industries use digital technology has still not been mastered. However strong web based contentis becoming, the golden age for print is still on the horizon as society is becoming more selective

about what they print, so it has to be good.

Photography

Working with photography in an editorial fashion with a focus on type and layout and how they

relate/ juxtapose the photos.

Design Disciplines / Creative Development

Primary Focus:

- EditorialLayout design for editorial design, with a focus on periodicals such as magazines and newspapers

as well as bespoke books. Supporting editorial work for events and exhibitions such as catalogues

and programmes with also be a main focus point and the area in which my editorial design should

cross over with any branding/ event design/ promotion I do for that relevant project.

- Typographic designTypographic development for new fonts only when they are needed, I am generally against the

mindless production of more typefaces. The knowledge of typeface mechanics and contextual

references will also inform my treatment of type within my layout design.

- PublicationInvestigating formats working on primarily print production with strong consideration (increasing

strong as web content develops) into the web application of publications.

- Branding/ IdentityFor events or brands from a non corporate perspective, using the idea of brand to communicate

effectively the function or product using language and semiotics in some cases testing the reader.

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Secondary Considerations:

- Event/ Exhibition Design- Promotion- Signage/ Wayfinding- Web design (Typographic and content based)-

Practical Skills / Workshops what, why and when?

Current skills I need to continue practicing and responding to current trends/ technology:

Layout design

Typography

Print formats

Typeface contextual knowledge

Working with professional printers

Skills do I need to develop:

Fontographer

Print techniques and production processes

Working with professional printers

Web Design: HTML and CSS

Skills that I dont need:

Illustration

Will work collaboratively with specialist illustrators if I need to include illustrations in a brief.

Brief 1: Yearbook Proposal

Deadline

12/01/12 12pm

Rationale:

Layout and content driven publication which will further my professional development being a livebrief. Preparation for print and specifications will be an area of focus whilst communicating with

the printers throughout this brief.

Brief 2: Leeds Book Fair Deadline

Rationale:

Self initiated collective project which will focus on management and organisation of projects. The

aesthetic of the outcomes will be investigated based on a theme and will be suitable for the

audience of the event. The audience is directly relevant to the arts/ culture industry as outlined in

rationale.

Brief 3: Typographic Circle (D&AD) Deadline

Rationale:

The main area of focus in this brief will be hard nosed typography. Due to the professional and

legendary subject matter within the type community, the outcomes will have to be faultless

typographically. This brief also gives me the chance to be experimental with the type in order to

create content informed creative outcomes.

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Brief 4: Rankin (D&AD) Deadline

Rationale:

Self generated content based on an investigation of Postmodernism as a design movement. The

content will relate to my dissertation whilst also fulfilling the requests set out by the brief. The brief

could potentially be re-written to include more emphasis on the editorial and publication aspect.

Brief 5: Collaborations Deadline

Rationale:

Publication focused collaborations. Creating content led work based on the themes discussed

within the collaborations.

Contextual references / Designers / Studios / Companies (specific)

Studios:

Salut Public http://www.salutpublic.be/

Studio 8 http://www.studio8design.co.uk/

Julia http://www.julia.uk.com/en/

Onlab http://onlab.ch/

TwoPoints http://twopoints.net/

Colophon http://www.colophon-foundry.org/

APFEL http://apracticeforeverydaylife.com/

Bibliotheque http://bibliothequedesign.com/

Designers:

Pol Perez www.p-o-l.org/

Marie Lusa http://www.derrierelacolline.net/

Paul Pensom http://paulpensom.com/

Ruth Ansel http://www.ruthansel.com/Hight & Irons http://iamjoshhight.com/

RESEARCH ACTIVITY: Printers Studio Visit Deadline

Details:

Researching print processing and the communication with the printers stage. Would like to visit a

high end traditional printers such as Generation Press, and would potentially be an opportunity to

get some business cards printed for the end of year show.

RESEARCH ACTIVITY: Typographic Circle Lecture Deadline

Details:

Informing Typographic Circle brief and my contextual and theoretic knowledge in relation to

typographic design.

RESEARCH ACTIVITY: Studio Visit Deadline

Details:

Informing Design context brief and PPD.

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RESEARCH ACTIVITY: Studio Visit Deadline

Details:

Informing Design context brief and PPD.

RESEARCH ACTIVITY: Studio visit Deadline

Details

Informing Design context brief and PPD.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

BOOKS / TEXTS - (Harvard Refernced)

Munari, B (1966) Design as Art, London, Penguin

Lupton, E (2004) Thinking with Type [Second Edition], New York, Princeton Architectural Press

Lupton, E & Miller, A (1996) Design Writing Research, London, Phaidon Press Limited

Messeguer, L (2010) Typo Mag: Typography In Magazines, Barcelona, Index Book

Klanten, R. Ehmann, S. Bolhofer, K & Schulze, F (2010) Turning Pages: Editorial Design for Print Media,Berlin, Gestalten

Murphy, C & Persson, N (2009) HTML and CSS Web Standards Solutions: A Web Standardistas

Approach, New York, Murphy Persson

Evamy, M (2007) Logo, London, Laurence King Publishing

Adamson, G & Pavitt, J (2011) Modernism: Style and Subversion, 1970-1990, London, V&A Publishing

Ambrose/ Harris (2005) Basics Design: Typography, Lausanne, AVA Publishing

Ambrose/ Harris (2008) Basics Design: Grids, Lausanne, AVA Publishing

Ambrose/ Harris (2009) Basics Design: Virtual Typography, Lausanne, AVA Publishing

Ambrose/ Harris (2005) Basics Design: Colour, Lausanne, AVA Publishing

Ambrose/ Harris (2008) The Production Manual, Lausanne, AVA Publishing

Cheng, K (2005) Designing Type, London, Laurence King

Garfield, S (2010) Just My Type, London, Profile Books

MAGAZINES / JOURNALS / ARTICLES (include publication date and details)

Creative Review: The Type Annual, February 2011

ON LINE REFERENCES / WEBSITES / ARTICLES (include specific urls)

AisleOne http://www.aisleone.net/

Bitique http://blog.bitique.co.uk/

Crap = Good http://crapisgood.com/

Eight:48 http://eight48.com/

Its Nice That http://www.itsnicethat.com/

Spiekerblog http://spiekermann.com/

The Culture Vulture http://theculturevulture.co.uk/

The Import http://www.theimport.co.uk/

VVORK http://www.vvork.com/

We Love Typography http://welovetypography.com/

APFEL http://apracticeforeverydaylife.com/

OTHER REFERENCE MATERIAL (Films, events, exhibitions, conferences)

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ACTION PLAN use this section to identify specific tasks that you need to complete inorder to resolve the brief.

Week What do you need to do? Deadline

1 Complete statement of intent and assessment of design direction.

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