Today I have been making the final alterations to my submission. I have read through my report (again), to make sure there are no minor faults I have missed. I have also been on Illustrator creating a CD roundel as this is a digital submission; I want my final outcome to be presented in the best way possible. I experimented with two versions of this before I decided that the one with the groups of characters dotted around was more effective. I documented this development and placed this in my sketchbook. I now have two folders for submission – one consists of my research, and the other is a development folder – within this is the development of the characters, and the formatting the report, as well as an introduction to the characters and the roles they hold.
What Next?
I think I can say I have ‘completed’ the project; however that is a very final statement. There is still six days until the submission date – this is plenty of time to enhance both the report and the submission as a whole. I will update the blog if I decide that further enhancement of the project is required.
Thursday, 15 April 2010
Monday, 12 April 2010
Organising my work for submission
Today I have been working on how to present my research file. I have so far taken all of the work out of the sketchbook for presentation in a research folder. I have also inserted one of the created badges into a pouch within this – effectively giving my work an overall feel of the characters.
I must now consider how I will format the rest of the work, as there are a few pages left over which do not fit into this folder. One solution is to get this bound, however there is a possibility that I will further develop and enhance my report layout, therefore I should leave this until the very last minute.
I am also considering including an extra page within my report – with each of the characters introducing themselves and their roles. I must consider the most effectively place to position this, which will more than likely be after the report front cover.
What next?
I will return to the report tomorrow, I am at presenting considering the use of Indesign, which will enable me to link pages together effectively… I will experiment with this, even if I decide against using this for my final outcome – at least I will have familiarised myself with a valuable design programme.
I must now consider how I will format the rest of the work, as there are a few pages left over which do not fit into this folder. One solution is to get this bound, however there is a possibility that I will further develop and enhance my report layout, therefore I should leave this until the very last minute.
I am also considering including an extra page within my report – with each of the characters introducing themselves and their roles. I must consider the most effectively place to position this, which will more than likely be after the report front cover.
What next?
I will return to the report tomorrow, I am at presenting considering the use of Indesign, which will enable me to link pages together effectively… I will experiment with this, even if I decide against using this for my final outcome – at least I will have familiarised myself with a valuable design programme.
Friday, 9 April 2010
Reconsidering the page template
Today I must go back to my original source of inspiration for my characters – this was leaves, rocks and trees. If possible I will try to enhance my characters, for example adding minor details such as different surface areas etc.
I will also experiment with the use of speech bubbles. This may mean that I have to move my report over further pages. I feel that it would be good if I could use speech bubbles to sign post the reader to areas of my primary research. For example ‘see appendix’, and then have areas including pie characters, graphs, screen grabs of polls etc.
In way of my report I am almost finished now, which is very exciting. At present I feel the text is slightly too close to each of the sides, so my report my benefit from being spread over more pages. After checking the template of my design, I am also aware that I have chosen ‘letter’ as opposed to A4 document. This means that the height of the page is slightly more condensed, but this may be beneficial because more of the text will be readable on first glance of the screen.
What next?
I may wish to see whether an A4 template would be better for my design, if this is the case I should copy and paste these over to a fresh A4 document. I must also complete my contents page and give the report a once over to ensure that all of the section numbers are correct, and that any figure numbers are in place. I may also want to add more visuals, in which case I will need to add these references to my list.
I will also experiment with the use of speech bubbles. This may mean that I have to move my report over further pages. I feel that it would be good if I could use speech bubbles to sign post the reader to areas of my primary research. For example ‘see appendix’, and then have areas including pie characters, graphs, screen grabs of polls etc.
In way of my report I am almost finished now, which is very exciting. At present I feel the text is slightly too close to each of the sides, so my report my benefit from being spread over more pages. After checking the template of my design, I am also aware that I have chosen ‘letter’ as opposed to A4 document. This means that the height of the page is slightly more condensed, but this may be beneficial because more of the text will be readable on first glance of the screen.
What next?
I may wish to see whether an A4 template would be better for my design, if this is the case I should copy and paste these over to a fresh A4 document. I must also complete my contents page and give the report a once over to ensure that all of the section numbers are correct, and that any figure numbers are in place. I may also want to add more visuals, in which case I will need to add these references to my list.
Wednesday, 7 April 2010
Reflection on the current creative format
I have sent my work so far over to Paz to have a look at, in general terms of layout and creative design.
I have gone back to look at my work today and although I am pleased with it overall, there are a few things which I would like to change. For example, the text will not seem to align properly; I am not sure whether this is because I have inserted it in a strange and peculiar way!! Or simply because I am not using the correct function. I also feel that there should be a heavier use of colour through my report. The issue is that, when changing the colour of a piece of text, it sometimes can become very difficult to read.
I have left my font at size twelve – the same size as a printed document. However, I must take into consideration that this is an electronic submission, therefore it should bear in mind the fact that this may not be easily readable once this is turned into a PDF document. I have decided that I should be more experimental with font types – I may wish to try and download some from the Internet. However, I must outline or embed these so that they become a graphic as opposed to a font, therefore when I return to uni I will be able to use these with no issues.
What next?
I will begin to tweak the abovementioned areas. I also have been having considerations with regards to my sketchbook, and how best to format this. At present it is in a binded sketchbook format. However, with previous submissions I have presented in an A3 file of mine, and work has always looked very neat and professional in this.
Also, because I have created these characters, I shall now get in contacts with my ‘frequent supplier’ at carnie badges, and send over my characters so that badges can be made up for these.
What is more – watch this space, as I will be uploading an image of these characters onto my blog, to keep the continuity flowing throughout my project. I also desire to print and cut out these characters, and place them into the enveloped pocket at the front of my sketchbook, as a nice touch
I have gone back to look at my work today and although I am pleased with it overall, there are a few things which I would like to change. For example, the text will not seem to align properly; I am not sure whether this is because I have inserted it in a strange and peculiar way!! Or simply because I am not using the correct function. I also feel that there should be a heavier use of colour through my report. The issue is that, when changing the colour of a piece of text, it sometimes can become very difficult to read.
I have left my font at size twelve – the same size as a printed document. However, I must take into consideration that this is an electronic submission, therefore it should bear in mind the fact that this may not be easily readable once this is turned into a PDF document. I have decided that I should be more experimental with font types – I may wish to try and download some from the Internet. However, I must outline or embed these so that they become a graphic as opposed to a font, therefore when I return to uni I will be able to use these with no issues.
What next?
I will begin to tweak the abovementioned areas. I also have been having considerations with regards to my sketchbook, and how best to format this. At present it is in a binded sketchbook format. However, with previous submissions I have presented in an A3 file of mine, and work has always looked very neat and professional in this.
Also, because I have created these characters, I shall now get in contacts with my ‘frequent supplier’ at carnie badges, and send over my characters so that badges can be made up for these.
What is more – watch this space, as I will be uploading an image of these characters onto my blog, to keep the continuity flowing throughout my project. I also desire to print and cut out these characters, and place them into the enveloped pocket at the front of my sketchbook, as a nice touch
The Illustrator Success
Hurrah for last night! I managed to install Illustrator on a 30 day trial, and after much experimentation of colour ways, shape, form, expressions …. I have produced a group of characters. Although these characters have not (yet) been individually named, they can collectively be known as ‘the sustainable crew’ or ‘the sustainability crew’. I haven’t quite decided which one yet. The characters were inspired by the ones which I have analysed within my sketchbook, yet also inspired by more natural forms such as leaves, stones, and trees – making sure that they connote a sense of the environment, in order to coincide with the theme of sustainability. Each character is a different colour / shade. The main palette is earthy; browns and greens.
After creating the characters, I experimented with a suitable backdrop for these. I knew from the outset that I wanted some sort of paper, because I wanted to show the assimilation between the fact that, yes - this was a digital submission, but at the same time I am discussing issues to do with paper, and the reuse of resources – therefore to have a paper backdrop seemed very apt. I initially experimented with a square paper, much like that seen in maths books. However I decided that this detracted from my theme, as it did remind me more of mathematics than anything else. I then tried for of a chequered backdrop – this worked to an extent, particularly behind one of the characters as the colour scheme was spot on. However, I had to consider this with text on top of it, and I inevitably decided that this was not going to be suitable, as it would be too challenging for the eyes.
I then tried a lined paper which I acquired from FLCKR. This worked really well, yet the image became quite pixilated when I increased the size of it, therefore I decided that this simply wouldn’t be effective enough or to a suitable standard. I was also concerned that, because there were specific lines on the page, this would mean that my text should be in line with these, which would be very difficult to achieve. In order to overcome this, I used the live trace system on Illustrator. This produced a solid white piece of paper. I then had to fill the hole punched sections in with the same colour as my backdrop – which I decided should be brown. I then began to insert my text into this, which was a very lengthy process. I ensured that there was at least one character on each page, to break up the text.
What next?
I will experiment with the finer details, for example page numbers, borders and margins. I will also see whether it is more visually intriguing to change either the colour of the plain paper, or the colour of the backdrop throughout the report, in order to add a bit of variation and diversity.
After creating the characters, I experimented with a suitable backdrop for these. I knew from the outset that I wanted some sort of paper, because I wanted to show the assimilation between the fact that, yes - this was a digital submission, but at the same time I am discussing issues to do with paper, and the reuse of resources – therefore to have a paper backdrop seemed very apt. I initially experimented with a square paper, much like that seen in maths books. However I decided that this detracted from my theme, as it did remind me more of mathematics than anything else. I then tried for of a chequered backdrop – this worked to an extent, particularly behind one of the characters as the colour scheme was spot on. However, I had to consider this with text on top of it, and I inevitably decided that this was not going to be suitable, as it would be too challenging for the eyes.
I then tried a lined paper which I acquired from FLCKR. This worked really well, yet the image became quite pixilated when I increased the size of it, therefore I decided that this simply wouldn’t be effective enough or to a suitable standard. I was also concerned that, because there were specific lines on the page, this would mean that my text should be in line with these, which would be very difficult to achieve. In order to overcome this, I used the live trace system on Illustrator. This produced a solid white piece of paper. I then had to fill the hole punched sections in with the same colour as my backdrop – which I decided should be brown. I then began to insert my text into this, which was a very lengthy process. I ensured that there was at least one character on each page, to break up the text.
What next?
I will experiment with the finer details, for example page numbers, borders and margins. I will also see whether it is more visually intriguing to change either the colour of the plain paper, or the colour of the backdrop throughout the report, in order to add a bit of variation and diversity.
The Illustrator Success
Hurrah for last night! I managed to install Illustrator on a 30 day trial, and after much experimentation of colour ways, shape, form, expressions …. I have produced a group of characters. Although these characters have not (yet) been individually named, they can collectively be known as ‘the sustainable crew’ or ‘the sustainability crew’. I haven’t quite decided which one yet. The characters were inspired by the ones which I have analysed within my sketchbook, yet also inspired by more natural forms such as leaves, stones, and trees – making sure that they connote a sense of the environment, in order to coincide with the theme of sustainability. Each character is a different colour / shade. The main palette is earthy; browns and greens.
After creating the characters, I experimented with a suitable backdrop for these. I knew from the outset that I wanted some sort of paper, because I wanted to show the assimilation between the fact that, yes - this was a digital submission, but at the same time I am discussing issues to do with paper, and the reuse of resources – therefore to have a paper backdrop seemed very apt. I initially experimented with a square paper, much like that seen in maths books. However I decided that this detracted from my theme, as it did remind me more of mathematics than anything else. I then tried for of a chequered backdrop – this worked to an extent, particularly behind one of the characters as the colour scheme was spot on. However, I had to consider this with text on top of it, and I inevitably decided that this was not going to be suitable, as it would be too challenging for the eyes.
I then tried a lined paper which I acquired from FLCKR. This worked really well, yet the image became quite pixilated when I increased the size of it, therefore I decided that this simply wouldn’t be effective enough or to a suitable standard. I was also concerned that, because there were specific lines on the page, this would mean that my text should be in line with these, which would be very difficult to achieve. In order to overcome this, I used the live trace system on Illustrator. This produced a solid white piece of paper. I then had to fill the hole punched sections in with the same colour as my backdrop – which I decided should be brown. I then began to insert my text into this, which was a very lengthy process. I ensured that there was at least one character on each page, to break up the text.
What next?
I will experiment with the finer details, for example page numbers, borders and margins. I will also see whether it is more visually intriguing to change either the colour of the plain paper, or the colour of the backdrop throughout the report, in order to add a bit of variation and diversity.
After creating the characters, I experimented with a suitable backdrop for these. I knew from the outset that I wanted some sort of paper, because I wanted to show the assimilation between the fact that, yes - this was a digital submission, but at the same time I am discussing issues to do with paper, and the reuse of resources – therefore to have a paper backdrop seemed very apt. I initially experimented with a square paper, much like that seen in maths books. However I decided that this detracted from my theme, as it did remind me more of mathematics than anything else. I then tried for of a chequered backdrop – this worked to an extent, particularly behind one of the characters as the colour scheme was spot on. However, I had to consider this with text on top of it, and I inevitably decided that this was not going to be suitable, as it would be too challenging for the eyes.
I then tried a lined paper which I acquired from FLCKR. This worked really well, yet the image became quite pixilated when I increased the size of it, therefore I decided that this simply wouldn’t be effective enough or to a suitable standard. I was also concerned that, because there were specific lines on the page, this would mean that my text should be in line with these, which would be very difficult to achieve. In order to overcome this, I used the live trace system on Illustrator. This produced a solid white piece of paper. I then had to fill the hole punched sections in with the same colour as my backdrop – which I decided should be brown. I then began to insert my text into this, which was a very lengthy process. I ensured that there was at least one character on each page, to break up the text.
What next?
I will experiment with the finer details, for example page numbers, borders and margins. I will also see whether it is more visually intriguing to change either the colour of the plain paper, or the colour of the backdrop throughout the report, in order to add a bit of variation and diversity.
Tuesday, 6 April 2010
Attempts at creative formatting
No Such luck on the Illustrator-front as of yet, but I am hoping that by the end of today this will change. If I do get Illustrator on my home computer, then I will be spending the entire evening attempting to shape a character which will narrate my written report – which I am very excited about. I am still in two minds as to whether a character or a photo shoot would be the best option. However, the characters which I have located via different illustration websites and also through Google images have inspired me to create something very cute, something very edgy and something which suggests ‘sustainability’ from the offset. I would like the character, and the general theme for my report layout, to be in keeping with my sketchbook – which has a sustainable feel throughout it, through the use of handmade paper. Colours which are most prominent are forest green, beiges, creams and browns. This is a very earthy colour palette and one which I aim to maintain.
This morning I have spent a good few hours looking over my research ‘file’ – better described as a sketchbook. I have annotated the few articles which remained un-annotated, and from this I have a few ideas about areas of my written report which I wish to develop or enhance.
What next?
I do hope that by the time I next update this blog, I will be writing to say that I have had a very productive and creative evening designing a ‘green’ character.
This morning I have spent a good few hours looking over my research ‘file’ – better described as a sketchbook. I have annotated the few articles which remained un-annotated, and from this I have a few ideas about areas of my written report which I wish to develop or enhance.
What next?
I do hope that by the time I next update this blog, I will be writing to say that I have had a very productive and creative evening designing a ‘green’ character.
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