OUGD603: Extended Practice Overview

So you're able to see what's what, I've made this post to quick link you to the work, easily.

All briefs attempted with links to post:

• SAC Ampleforth (Identity)
• OAC Photography (Web)
• SAC Ampleforth (Web)*
• The Last Drop (Logo)
• No. 7 Antiques (Logo & Application)
• Green Spot (Packaging)
• Coffee Culture (Identity)
• Japan Rugby World Cup w/Ewan North (Identity)
• Coffee Culture (Web)
• Malton & Norton RUFC (Web)
• Dr Me (Visiting Professionals Day Brief)
• Small Brands (Logofolio)
• Intern Magiazine (Visiting Professionals Day Brief – Publication)
• Something More (Visiting Professionals Brief – Identity)
• YCN: Yorkshire Tea w/ Adam Garbutt (Packaging & Competition)
• DBA: Northern Powerhouse – Capital North (Visiting Professionals – Identity)

*(Projects stricken out have been cancelled for various reasons)

Design Publication

OUGD603: Briefs & Evaluations (Project File)

OUGD603: Extended Practice Submission Boards

OUGD603: Brief 04 - The Last Drop // Animated Map

Using the newly created map and route path, I'm animating it in exactly the same way as I did in my test, seen in this post.

Using nested compositions, I've been able to have complete control over each animation element. Other months of experimenting with animation, I've realised that this is the most efficient way to work.

Adding royalty free sound effects to the animation for each individual drop in also adds a sense of realism to the animation. 

The animation itself adds a new element to the project, rather than having a flat static map. It's something new and exciting, not often done. it allows the audience to engage with the project and see the route unfold. It's pretty fancy. 

OUGD603: Brief 04 - The Last Drop // Further Logo Development

Using some of the alternative concepts, and having a critique with Adam Garbutt and a the co-curator of the pub crawl, Naoise O'shea, I was informed to try and introduce the 'twelve element' into the logo, as they are twelve pubs. 

I went with a decagon design to begin with, which just looked like an over the top road sign, especially studded with the dots around the edge. The Odd shape made it difficult to apply any additional elements to. 

A stylised banner was created featuring the slogan from the pub crawl, using decagons as dots – which you slightly loose, however if you were to gave in closely it would be a cool spot. 

Following which, I experimented further with the twelve sided shape, rounding the edges and such. I ended up drawing inspiration from the beer craft logo, and mimicking a wax seal – with twelve sides. I then added the dotted line within this to mimic the route dotted line on the map. 

I then illustrated one of the York gates, which you can see in the background of the logo, which are synonymous with York. Which was then overplayed with the design elements, experimenting with positioning. 

I decided that using two banners on one logo was a bit too much, so reducing the banner to a block stripe which cut across the logo worked better – using a drop shadow to differentiate it from the background. 

Experimenting the colour – a deep wine red and a bold blue, which are two stand out colours. Both of which are bold, but not too vibrant or brash. I ended up going with the red – for York. 

OUGD603: Brief 04 - The Last Drop // Logo Development

Based on the shield design which I sketched previously, I've begun to develop the logo further to see if anything can come from this direction. For the sake of diversity, I will develop one of the other routes to see how that fares. 

Using the Fibonacci system, a range of golden ratio circles have been used to construct the shape of the shield. Designing in black and white – as a logo/symbol must work in black and white! 

Slowing working in additional elements to the logo, adding all the required elements such as the tag line and the establishment date. Using a darker shade on one half of the shield to create a 3D sense of depth within the logo. 

However, I wasn't happy with the shape, it didn't look too sheild-y. 

So using the same fibonacci system, I attempted to make another shield, which looked much more like a shield. 

Using the Draplin design method, slowing adding elements to the logo, duplicating it, then applying more elements. I began to add additional elements, such as the banner – when has been distorted to make it seem like it's been draped across the shield. 

My research led me to explore patterns on the shield, to fill in the empty space in the background, to avoid looking plain. Experimenting with patterns such as a pump clip – which looked very over the top and more generic patterns, such as the tiled cubes, which looked the best, so I used it as a placeholder for the further design. 

Adding additional elements to the logo, such as the full title, and establishment dates. Also experimenting the how the banner sits of the logo. 

I think that it would be best to explore another option, these looks feel quite weak, and generic, without any personality. 

OUGD603: Brief 04 - The Last Drop // Further Logo Research

OUGD603: Brief 04 - The Last Drop // Pattern Research

Mid way through the logo design, I've come across a lot of empty space which I need to fill. Based on the research from the Treboom brand, a pattern may be beneficial to, a welcome addition to the design which helps flesh it out.

Hopefully making the design much more intricate and sought after. Often my logos are very simple and minimal, designed using rules and ratios to get that 'smart' look. Whereas I would like this logo to be something which is looked at, stared at, up close. Taking in all it's detail.

Using two different sets of patterns triangulated together to create a detailed and tricked pattern which spreads across the background of the image. The detail of the pattern really draws you in to appreciate the design around the main content on the page. However, it doesn't distract from the main content, and that's important to bear in mind. 

The pattern on the aces of spaces, pictured above. Has an extremely detailed pattern printed within the shape. So detailed in fact, that I'm positive that if you stand back from the design, it all just blends into one colour, of sorts. Which is what I'd like to achieve with design and the pattern of The Last Drop logo. 

Pictured above is a GIF looping a series of ribbon based patterns, a very retro style. As nice as they look, I'm not sure the ribbon pattern would work with this project. They come across as a very fun and light hearted pattern, which is almost the opposite of what I would like to achieve. 

OUGD603: Brief 04 - The Last Drop // Route Map Animation Completion

I have been finally able to complete the route map for the pub crawl, using adobe after effects. Which has been created using a layer mask, which hides the content which it masks. By animating the anchor points of the layer mask, I've been able to reveal the route in stages, point by point.

Doing it this way, using a mask, allows for no destructive animation. Being able to show and hide elements of the animation at any point.

The image above shows the paths used to reveal the map, on the very last frame of the animation. Each anchor point was revealed individually, so the mask follows the route around the map, revealing it point by point – difficult to explain, but I'm sure the video below will show you what I mean. 

OUGD603: Brief 04 - The Last Drop // Primary Research

Accidental primary research, whilst out for lunch with United by Design. We went to Brigantes in York, which is often on the pub crawl. When handed a menu, I noticed this icon on the top right of the sheet. 

Using a bold red stamp style, and rounded typography which fits within it, the icon beautifully conveys the associations name, and all the relevant information. Using different sizes and weights to display a hierarchy of information. 

The association represent 'good pubs', put briefly. the stamp reflects a physical 'seal of approval'. A stamp added to approve something.

OUGD603: Brief 04 - The Last Drop // Logo Development 02

Based on the progress in the last logo development phase, which was a struggle and the additional primary research which has been conducted since. I've jumped back into sketch and generated some more logo sketches – which are yet to be developed. 

The first series of sketches plays with the idea of incorporating a banner into the design of the icon. The banner is synonymous with traditional signage, which works well with the history of York. 

The second set of sketches are more free form, taking the shield from the York logo. Incorporating design elements into the shield, similar to the Treeboom labels, which you can see in the recent research posts. 

The second sketch takes reference from 'The Bridge 1859' logo, which uses an iconic landmark in the region, one of the gates from York's walls. Attempting to blend the illustration with the typography.

Selected ideas from these sketches will the taken into illustrator to be developed further. 

OUGD603: Brief 4 - The Last Drop // Logo Development 01

I'm developing some initial ideas for the logotype/symbol for The Last Drop. Based on the research previously conducted and the 'old' logo, which wasn't really designed – it's just a warped typeface. Which worked as a place holder, however the crawl really needs something substantial and developed to represent it. 

Using the method I've adopted from Aaron Draplin, I began by writing logo down continuously in different formats. To see if anything jumps out, or if any ideas come at me from the type. 

Additional sketches, exploring how adding imager such as a banner might work to add to the look and feel of the logo. 

The first concept is based upon that of The Bridge 1859 – depicting what it name represents quite literally. In this case, The Last Drop Pub, in the heart of York. The final calling point of the crawl. 

It looks decent, it's a nice illustration, however, because of it's detail it wouldn't work on a smaller scale – something simpler would work better due it's diversity on a range of scales.  

OUGD603: Brief 4 - The Last Drop // Logo Initial Research

The logo needs to be developed – as it stands, the logotype is just a typeface. Not even kerned or anything. Thrown together as a placeholder, more than anything. The research within this post will inform the logotype design process. 

I've decided to look at designs for pub logotypes and symbols, trying to channel the aesthetics of the rustic pubs into the logo for the pub crawl. So when you look at the logotype, you'll be able to make that connection. Rather than it looking like a logo from an insurance company, which wouldn't be relevant.

The logotype and symbol for English Pub, uses a very gothic, traditional typeface – reflecting old England, accompanied by the lions, a symbol of British pride – and of course the beer, which has been topped with a crown to suggest the beer is almost royalty. Created in a one colour deep blue illustration, which highlights the orange of the pint. 

Examples of line illustrations, depicting contains typically used to drink out out. Using an orange to create the froth which can be found on pints. Really simple, really clean. 

A centrally alights logo, using two colours. The orange as the secondary, and the white to contrast and make it pop. Giving priority to those elements. 

The logo for The Bridge 1859, in Dublin. The logotype itself is very standard, some beautifully kerned typography, set out using heretical system – with an illustration of the landmark with gives the bar it's name sake. 

OUGD603: Brief 4 - The Last Drop // Existing Pub Crawl Maps

Initial research – looking at what's already out there in terms of pub crawl maps, and seeing what works, what doesn't work. Drawing upon them to develop the map for The Last Drop. 

The map pictured above is for numerous pub crawls around Leeds – all rolled into one. Reflecting the London Underground map design, by Harry Beck. This design works well for multiple pub crawls, as it allows for clear concise information to be communicated effectively. Unfortunately, this style of map doesn't really work for this brief – it calls for a modern-contempoary design, only featuring one pub crawl. It would look rather bare. 

The map above is for The Alfreso Amble – a crawl in York similar to The Last Drop. The map uses a flat design, using illustrations of York's streets, from a bird's eye view. Similar to the previous maps, although those are based on a satellite view. 

An example of another pub crawl, the route overlaid directly over a screenshot from Google Maps. The advantage of this is that the map will actually function as a map for the location, as well as displaying the route for the crawl. However – it looks very amateur, rather than professional. 

Above is a more illustrative map, create for the film 'The World's End'. Using a a 3D illustration works well for this instance, as the fictional town of Newton Haven is very small – and York is not. However, the type, using washed out and faded colours helps add some character to the illustrations and the map, giving it a used charm. 

OUGD603: Brief 4 - The Last Drop // Map Research

As part of the research process for The Last Drop, I'm looking at examples of other maps – paying close attention how they are composed, how they are laid out and what they include. 

The map above is a map for (somewhere in Japan). Showing points of interest. Using road lines of various weights to displaying the road's density – so footpaths will be very thin and motorways would be a heavier weight. Also using circles to show where the map's content is featured on a larger scale – the country. 

Also having a key at the bottom, so the audience can identity what the different icons on the map mean, saving space on the map itself, moving all the type to one place. 

Another example is this very illustrative map, the streets created using negative space by the abstract illustrations of the houses. 

A much more simple route map, using no waypoints to show where the route lies, and using a very simple stroke to show the route passing through the three points of interest. Not knowing the context, but the E would be a point of reference for the map. Also showing the compass in the top right. 

The way finding on the map above, uses flags to mark the points of interest. The cloth of the flag, can be used to number the way finding elements.

A map of London, created using the negative space to create the roads and the rivers. 

Some drop pins, using the space to label them – shadows are also used to add some depth to the map, almost like the drop pins are marking the location, and they're part of the landscape.

The trees are nice too