I haven't posted a blog for....countless really...weeks. I've got a unversity interview this Wednesday (16th December) - I'm extremely nervous and worried, but I'm sure everyone once was. The interview is at Ravensbourne, London and its to tudy for my B.A in Graphic Design, yes...I've changd my mind from Architecture...I deffinantly want to do Graphic Design ESPECIALLY after completing the Typography poster project (which I am still loving my final design...)
I'll keep you posted by telling you how it goes on Wednesday and IF I get offered a place, if get the right grade! Wish me luck =]
Friday 11 December 2009
Monday 2 November 2009
End of the Typography Project.
The type project has been finished, handed in and marked. The end of the project was a relief - not that it had finished, but that I had completed the project, to the best of my ability. Overall I really enjoyed this project and found it very interesting - learning new things about different artists and new techniques to be used on the Mac's. The end result of my project (shown above) I am very pleased with and believe that it works well for this book. The type was created all by hand - which was what was asked of us, and then manipulated slightly on the Mac's. I do think that if I had slightly more time, or managed my time a little better, I would have been able to focus a little more on the research side of things, due to time running out towards the end this part was rushed so I could create a decent final piece. The only slight issue I had with this project was because half of it was to be produced on the computers it became a distraction, meaning I didn't focus well when in the Mac room because I had them there to play the radio etc.
Monday 19 October 2009
Final Ideas?
Here, and below, are two designs that I have come up with for possible final design ideas.
I didn't know which would look better, black or white background.
I also had to experiment with various colours, in my case pastel colours (also shown in this post).
Here are the ideas in colour aswell:
Monday 12 October 2009
Sex&Typography Poster
This here is a first idea for the project.
Here I have used my handmade type, created based on the idea of Sex - showing stick men having sex in the type. I tried to alter it by adding paint drips to the type on Photoshop.
This is just a first idea remember - meaning it needs a lot of adjusting to improve it, i.e. the typeface for the rest of the poster and the information on the poster.
"Keep watchin' this space!"
Friday 9 October 2009
Handmade type...That I Like.
When browsing the internet I came across a little site that people had published their own type creations, which had been made by hand.
The reason why I put this one up, along with the others, is because I think their really nice and different.
Here is another typeface I created during one lesson when we had to create a typeface with one word from the book we are creating a poster on, mine is 'Robert Brownjohn...Sex & Typography'
This typeface, like the other Sex one, wouldn't be used for the final poster design due to the type being to literal and obvious as the word is filled with Penis's.
Ambigrams...
Carrying on with the project for Type we looked into Ambigram's...(words that are the same both ways i.e. upside down and the right way.) As part of the project we were asked to try and create our own ambigrams, of a word relating to the book of choice or our name etc. In this case I did my name, Amy - as Amee was too differcult. As you can see if you were to print tis piece of type and turn it upside down it would read exactly the same, again.
I also managed to create the word 'Typography' in an ambigram style, which I will add once I have refined it on the Mac's...
More Type...
For another aspect of this project we were asked to use the words in the Book title, that we are creating the posters for, to create various types from the word, either filling them with objects pattern or colour etc.
The image above shows one of my creations of 'Sex' for this one I used images that I found on the internet of various sex positions demonstrated by little stick men, I used tracing paper to copy the word, in Helvetica Bold, and then traced the stick men images to fill the letter spaces.
I personally think this works very well with this particular word but I don't think it would be something I would use for my handmade poster as the idea of the word Sex filled with Sexual Positions is too Literal and obvious.
Monday 28 September 2009
Photography - Depth of Perception
On Friday 25th September we were sent into Canterbury town to take photo's of objects that looked similar to letters or use a 3D letter to take photo's of 'depth of perception'.
Here you can see that the letter 'A' looks alot larger than it actually is, this is due to the way that the image has been taken by Ryan.
Milton Glaser
For my project I've also researched into the work of Glaser. Although his work is very simple it is very interesting and straight to the point and that is why I like his work so much. The thing with his most famous design, the 'I heart New York', is that it can be imitated so easily, containing various ideas.
After September 11th, 2001, Glaser created a tribute to the people, below is the image;
I really like this image with the way he has adjusted it as a tribute, for example the heart now has a smudge on its bottom left side, to show the lives that were lost in the tragic terrorist attack.
Stefan Sagmeister
For our typography poster, that we are doing at the moment, we have had to look into people who are very big in the Graphic Design/Typography world. One of the designers I looked into further was Stefan Sagmeister. His work is very strange yet interesting. For example; one of his pieces is a picture of him where he has cut himself all over his chest but it reads about an exhibition of his. His work is all hand created, even though some of it looks like it has been computer generated.
A good website to find out about Sagmeister is:
Also, earlier on in the project, we were shown a website with video clips on it. A few of the video clips that I watched where about the work of Sagmeister and watching is exhibition with other designers talking about him, for example Milton Glaser.
University...Kent
My first choice of University would be Kent and to study Architecture.
The course teaches Part 1 - which is the BA Hons (3 years full time) and Part 2 of the course which is MArch (Masters of Architecture) which is a further 2 years full time.
To get an offer at this University for this Course I will need (copied from the website):
Entry requirements
Passing the Foundation Programme for International Students guarantees you entry onto the first year of these degree programmes.
Offer levels
A/AS level 320 points (3.5 A level equivalents) including BB at A level, IB 33 points (15 at Higher)
Pass Foundation Programme for International Students
Required subjects
GCSE Mathematics grade C
MArch: Good degree in Architecture with Part 1 exemption (ideally 2.2 or higher)
University...UCA - Maidstone
A third option of mine is to study Illustration at the UCA in Maidstone. The reason for this is that I enjoy the idea of drawing and illustrating, but it isn't a first choice of mine obviously.
The course a Maidstone is again a 3 year course and a full BA Hons degree.
For this course, again copied from the UCA website, I will need:
ONE of the following:-
- GCE A level/AS level - 160 tariff points of which 80 points must come from an arts related subject and be from 6 or 12 unit awards;
- BTEC National Diploma - 18 units in a relevant subject;
- BTEC Foundation Diploma in Art & Design;
- Accredited Access Diploma - in appropriate subject, obtaining a PASS grade;
- International Baccalaureate - minimum of 24 points;
- European Baccalaureate.
Other relevant and equivalent international qualifications will be considered on an individual basis.
Please note: IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 550 (CBT 213) is the minimum level for students whose first language is not English.
Portfolio Advice
You should try to include the following within your portfolio:-
- A sample of projects undertaken including course work and personal work that demonstrates your particular interest in animation.
- Sketchbooks (workbook, notebooks, logs or visual diaries) and any other supplementary work such as contact sheets, as well as the finished work.
- Examples of your written work.
- If you are submitting video or film work, this should be no more than 10 minutes in length concentrating on your best example(s).
- We are looking for a varied sample of the work you do, so we need to see a range but there will only be a limited amount of time for the interview, so don't try to bring everything.
- Large pieces can be shown using photographs, provided these are of good quality.
- It is important that we can see examples of how you develop ideas and progress your work, which is why we ask for sketchbooks. These are just as important as the finished piece.
- Know your work, so that you can speak clearly about the ideas of the projects.
- Present your work in a logical, ordered fashion. Over-elaborate presentation is not necessary.
University...UCA - Maidstone
Another option of mine is to study Graphic Design: Visual Communications at UCA in Maidstone. Again this course is a BA (Hons) and lasts 3 years. This course is basically studying 'graphic design in its broadest sense'.
To get a place on this course I will need (copied from the UCA Website)
ONE of the following:-
- GCE A level/AS level - 160 tariff points of which 80 points must come from an arts related subject and be from 6 or 12 unit awards;
- BTEC National Diploma - 18 units in a relevant subject;
- BTEC Foundation Diploma in Art & Design;
- Accredited Access Diploma - in appropriate subject area, obtaining a PASS grade;
- International Baccalaureate - minimum of 24 points;
- European Baccalaureate.
In addition to ONE of the above qualifications 4 GCSE passes at Grade C or above, including English or Key Skills Communication Level 2 or equivalent are required.
Other relevant and equivalent international qualifications will be considered on an individual basis.
Please note: IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 550 (CBT 213) is the minimum level for students whose first language is not English.
To apply for this course follow the link:
University...UCA - Canterbury
As one of my options I've been looking into courses that study Interior Design or Architecture in some form. One of the courses I have looked at is at UCA (University of Creative Arts) in Canterbury. There I would be wanting to study Interior Architecture/Design. The course is a BA (Hons) and is 3 or 4 years long, studying full time.
To get a place on this course I will need (copied from the UCA Website):
Entry requirements for 3 year course:
ONE of the following:-
Other relevant and equivalent international qualifications will be considered on an individual basis.
Please note: IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 550 (CBT 213) is the minimum level for students whose first language is not English.
Entry requirements for 4 year course:
ONE of the following:-
Other relevant and equivalent international qualifications will be considered on an individual basis.
Please note: IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 550 (CBT 213) is the minimum level for students whose first language is not English.
Portfolio advice
All applicants will be invited for an interview, where they can present a portfolio of work.
Your portfolio should show evidence of your ability to imagine and record experiences and observations of the world around you. We are particularly interested in your enthusiasm to experiment and explore ideas through notions of drawing and making.
ONE of the following:-
- GCE A level/AS level - Normally in the range 230 - 260 tariff points from two or more A level subjects. A mix of science/maths and humanities/arts subjects is preferred with at least one subject in which assessment is essay-based. AS level and Key Skills qualifications may also count towards points total. General Studies may be included;
- SQA Higher - equivalent grades. A mix of science/maths and humanities/arts subjects are preferred with at least one subject in which assessment is essay-based;
- BTEC National Diploma - in a relevant subject such as Building Studies or Interior Design;
- BTEC Foundation Diploma in Art & Design - MERIT grade;
- International Baccalaureate - minimum of 24 points.
Other relevant and equivalent international qualifications will be considered on an individual basis.
Please note: IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 550 (CBT 213) is the minimum level for students whose first language is not English.
Entry requirements for 4 year course:
ONE of the following:-
- GCE A level/AS level -80 tariff points from 6 or 12 unit awards, preferably with an art or design related A level subject;
- BTEC National Diploma;
- Accredited Access Diploma - in appropriate subject area, obtaining a PASS grade;
- International Baccalaureate - minimum of 24 points.
Other relevant and equivalent international qualifications will be considered on an individual basis.
Please note: IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 550 (CBT 213) is the minimum level for students whose first language is not English.
Portfolio advice
All applicants will be invited for an interview, where they can present a portfolio of work.
Your portfolio should show evidence of your ability to imagine and record experiences and observations of the world around you. We are particularly interested in your enthusiasm to experiment and explore ideas through notions of drawing and making.
As one of our projects for the previous year we were asked to research into a variety of retro styles that are being used to promote products, both in advertisements on the television or posters to advertise. For part of this I created a retro style poster, imitating one I had found on the internet previously, advertising for Rimmel London. I personally really like the creation, I think it works well for the concept that I was trying to get at and was a very nice retro style.
Friday 25 September 2009
Typography...
Carrying on with the typography project we were asked to look at various artists, like Milton Glaser, Stefan Sagmeister and others. A very good website for looking into their work and why they do it is; www.hillmancurtis.com. Here we were presented with a variety of videos presenting their very abnormal work in some and how they like to work, it also presented a small clip on a very famous Graphic based company called; Pentagram.
Type Project...
As our first project for the final year we are studying typography. We have been looking at Handmade typography by certain artists and how they do it, an extremely good website for this is; www.handmadetype.com. We were then asked to create our own variations of handmade type. To start off with we were asked to do our simple handwriting, in both Uppercase & Lowercase. After this we then created block lettering, 3D lettering and then our own creations. Here I have presented one of my own creations of handmade type, it has been scanned into a Mac and edited, in order to make an actual typeface that you can use time and time again, with it all looking very similar. This was done on Adobe Illustrator.
UCAS Application...
For part of this unit we have to show our progression and like I previously mentioned this contains University information. To progress onto the vital information needed to look into certain University's we were all asked to apply to the UCAS (Universities & Colleges Admissions Service). For this we had to go to the UCAS website - www.ucas.ac.uk. We then had to fill in the application, which was very straight forward. Once part of the organisation we were enabled to look at various courses that interest us at Universities & Colleges nationwide.
My Blog...
As part of my Unit 10, for my BTEC National Diploma in Graphic Design, we were asked to create a Google Blogger. This will be used to present information that has helped me throughout the final year of my coarse and also show others my progression throughout the second year. For example; it will show University choices, my applications to those coarse etc. The blog may also contain old pieces of work from the first year of the coarse and also information that has inspired me for particular pieces of work or images that I like personally.
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