OUGD603: Evaluation

Throughout this module I have developed a number of skills primarily improving my handwriting and calligraphy abilities, but also developing my logo and poster designs by completing several logo and branding briefs and a few collaborative poster designs. Working collaboratively has improved my confidence in designing and often the best outcomes have been determined by working in close proximity with a design partner to change and correct mistakes or flaws in work efficiently and quickly. This also means we can have a fast turn around on designs which is essential in the industry.

I enjoyed creating Anne Wyman's branding as I produced it digitally and it was a nice break from my usual entirely hand drawn designs. Applying her branding across different collateral made the project feel complete and showed how the identity can be used across every aspect of the photographer's professional business.

One thing I've learnt about my design preferences is that I don't enjoy creating script logotypes as much as minimal, clean cut logos. This has developed from last year as I created a lot of script lettering styles, whereas my interests have developed more to calligraphy and handmade brush strokes, creating lettering that doesn't have to be refined over and over. The first and only strokes are the ones used, which is a skill that has to be developed and practiced over time to be able to do so.

Another skill I have developed hugely over the course of this year is sign painting, and I have completed a few briefs that required me to produce hand painted letters in the outcome, e.g. Amplify sign painting, Slowhandclap, HPBC signs and other pieces.

One of my favourite briefs from this module was our Disposable Society exhibition which involved us curating and promoting the event. I learnt a lot from this in terms of organisation for myself and for a group of people, as we each took on tasks to ensure that everything was completed on schedule. As it was our first exhibition we were new to this and all sat together to sort through the submissions before selecting, which meant we had to discuss and vote on the majority favourites. Designing the posters and online material was a fun process and it definitely helped that we included a guerrilla advertising campaign. This is something we should push in future projects as it had very positive feedback. The poster designs worked and I thnk this was partially due to the process behind the image we used - spraying found objects white and photographing them added physical qualities to the poster that enhanced the overall design. For the curation of the event it was a learning curve for us all when organising, going to meetings and visiting spaces, before making decisions having thought of everything.

I used to enjoy working individually much more than on collaborative briefs, but when two people are suited for different roles within a brief, collaborative design makes the project easier and more interesting results can be created with two separate minds working together. Other collaborative briefs I enjoyed working on include Slowhandclap EP covers which was good to experiment with printing processes especially mixing inks, as well as the Irish Boxing cover.

It has been good to see my work shown and displayed at a couple of exhibitions including my design on GFSmith stock at Leeds Print Festival along with my Disposable Society piece. I also put my typism designs out into the public and had my sign paintings viewed by a lot of people. The mural I collaborated on with Aidan and Mo has been selected as the winner of the competition so that will be another design that will be seen by many people as it's in the centre of Leeds, which is good exposure again.

Some weaknesses within this module include the lack of brief extension and application to all relevant mediums in certain briefs. Although the briefs only required a logo design which the client could then use as they wish, I could have extended these myself to produce appropriate designs using the logo. This would strengthen my branding abilities and portfolio. I'd also like to improve my research methods by looking more in depth at the subject matter to gather a deeper understanding.

Overall I have really enjoyed this module as it has given me the chance to explore my design interests and produce work for live and paid briefs which I feel has helped me take a step in to the industry while still studying at university. I intend to develop my practice as a calligrapher and lettering artist while taking on briefs such as logo design and branding as well as sign painting to become a commercial designer.

OUGD603: Slow Hand Clap

OUGD603: 130 Vicar Lane mural

Brief:

Venue: 130 Vicar Lane
Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7NL

Budget: £1250
Including the artist’s fee, materials and installation.

As part of a new development on Vicar Lane, East Street Arts, in association with and funded by Hammerson, are launching a new Artist Commission. We are looking for proposals from artists for a new work that celebrates this new space and the collaboration making it happen.

East Street Arts are working in collaboration with Hammerson, Leeds College of Building and Leeds City Council Skills & Employment to offer a range of free workshops and a project space targeted at 18 – 30 year olds in the city to make, create and show work. This is a joint enterprise project to support, develop and platform the skills and talent in the city by providing a programme of workshops, sessions and exhibitions to support young people who are looking to gain experience in working in the creative industries.

This space will be created at 130 Vicar Lane; a property that Hammerson have agreed to lease to East Street Arts for 2 years on a peppercorn rent agreement, meeting their ambition to leave a legacy in the city.

As part of this new development on Vicar Lane, East Street Arts in association with and funded by Hammerson, are launching a new Artist Commission. We are looking for proposals from artists for a new work that celebrates this new space and the collaboration making it happen.

We are looking for something that makes the space distinctive, that recognises the collaboration and practically responds to the space and area: The history of Vicar Lane, the position of the space and its history, the look of the street and building or the kind of activity that will be taking place may all influence the work. You could choose to utilise the extensive window space or building frontage. The piece may be temporary or something more permanent.

Selection will be made by representatives from both East Street Arts and Hammerson.

Date for selection: Thursday 5th May 2016
Announcement: Monday 9th May 2016
Installation of work: June 2016

Deadline: 25th April

I've recently been working on mural for Vicar Lane with Maurice and Aidan, a graphic designer and surface pattern designer. We decided to take inspiration from the historic architecture in the surrounding area of chosen building on Vicar Lane, identifying the structures and designs before deconstructing into  more abstract geometric shapes.

Location:

Significance to Leeds & Vicar Lane

Initial ideas, sketches, and influence of architecture on Vicar Lane

Research

Looking at Steve Powers small illustrations within his murals inspired us to create separate hand drawn illustrations to keep a playful tone in the collaborative artist space.

Initial sketches and design ideas for whole mural

Organic marks for background ; experiments

Sticking with a purely geometric theme we strayed away from contrasting hand made strokes and created larger, more transparent shapes in colour as a base layer before adding the smaller geometric illustrations over the top. We stuck with blue, orange and green as a neutral colour scheme that is inviting and balanced. The larger forms worked better behind the smaller illustrations, and the overlap helps unite the background creating a mural design that is connected and whole.

Final Design

Artist Statement / Commission Proposal

130 Vicar Lane is the next step towards Leeds being the capital of culture in 2023. We at Goat Collective are proposing a mural on the outside of the building in question. The mural will be a collection of graphic motifs and symbols, taken from a physchogeographical perspective of Vicar Lane. The architecture, road markings, type and symbols found throughout the lane will be deconstructed and re worked into more contemporary imagery, attempting to display the history of the area within one small space. The concept runs from the idea that Vicar Lane’s history lies in what was there from the beginning, the architecture. The architecture is the one consistent element of the lane itself. Even when new things are built, they are the only things there that will stay the same for a long period of time. The shops and trade inside, the people who live and work there change, but the buildings remain. The aesthetic celebrates the development of this area of Leeds as a whole and it’s history, while the use of the space looks towards the future of artistic creation and collaboration, and the evolution of culture within Leeds. Another aspect of the design utilises the windows. The windows will be a reflection of the constant evolution within Vicar Lane. For this we are proposing to have the windows change on a regular basis, for example once a month. We propose to have various different artists come in to bring in a new display for each window change. This will help to show further how the space is meant to be a hub for creation and collaboration in the area, by providing constant new visuals for the passers by. We at Goat Collective propose to provide the initial windows display, in three separate styles of work which reinforces the idea of connecting artist’s by displaying their work in one place. We propose a submission system for window displays thereafter. This provides a knowledge and a buzz about your space, encouraging people to engage with 130 Vicar Lane further. This idea allows for the space not only to respond and reflect the city and it’s cultural worth, but it also allows for the space to grow and insists upon an alliance of creatives within West Yorkshire.