Print Experiments and Final Crit

These are some experiments with the different hand designs, I decided to experiment with colour because it would give me more of an idea what the full print would look like instead of just black and white as it will look completely different with the two colours. The composition of the text and the image is very important because it will still need to remain legible as it will be exhibited and I don't want the image to loose any focus because it is important in terms of the message and meaning behind the print. Within the crit feedback it was suggested to me that I should put some dates on the print, when each event happened and where, I thought this was a good idea because now I can create something that looks like a gig poster which is an interesting approach because it relates back to the theme of celebrating something that has taken place in Leeds. Although this poster does have names of various other places I think it is important they are included on it because it is an event celebrated all over the country, especially with it being such an important issue.

Third year final exhibition presentation

This morning we were given a presentation by two 3rd year students, it was their presentation they gave to the board of governors for the uni. It was their bid to curate the posters and branding for the end of year show/exhibition. I thought this short presentation from them was really useful in terms of getting ideas and tips for our own group exhibition branding brief. The process that they went through was really thorough in terms of looking at the past exhibitions and how they really wanted to celebrate the 10 subjects within the final exhibition. They linked the college values within the project and gave everything a reason so it all linked together. Their actual presentation was good to look at and listen to because they didn't have it filled with font, it was more about the imagery and because they knew the concept so well they were able to talk about it with no problem.

First crit on exhibition branding

These are the notes we got from presenting our initial ideas for the exhibition branding. The main points our group got from the feedback was that our colour choice would probably be considered as very boy/girl therefore very subjective- despite the colours being taken from the LCA logos. It was also brought to point that there isn't really much of a need to adjust the typeface and that keeping it black and white may work best. The most positive point we got from the feedback was the receipt idea was really interesting and could be developed further to adapt into other aspects of the exhibition such as the posters and the booklet.

Next steps: join together as a group and decide on a different colour scheme that would be considered less biased. Think further on how the receipt and newspaper layout idea could be developed further.

Initial Ideas For Exhibition

Studio Brief 3: Existing exhibition research

OK-RM "Under The Same Sun"

Design studio OK-RM has devised a striking graphic identity for Under the Same Sun, an exhibition of contemporary art from Latin America at the South London Gallery.

Our group have found this exhibition useful to look at because the graphics produced for it come across as very simple but intact they have such a good impact on the eye due to their solid bold colours used repetitively throughout. They have not over-complicated their design, sticking to just squares, rectangles and triangles, they have used just 2 different fonts throughout all of their designs again to remain consistent.

Studio Brief 03 - Collaborative Practice - Exhibition Branding

Collaborative Practice
Grade each other for contribution

Working as part of a creative team and put together a pitch for a concept/ branding/ identity/ promotional material- exhibition will be held at Leeds Central Library

CREATE AN ENGAGING IDENTITY + PROMOTIONAL CAMPAIGN:
-what's unique
-target audience
-how will you engage
-exhibition title
-theme and concept
-location and times
-social media, links and hashtags
-content, exhibitions
-contact details
-format
-signage, wayfinding
-open night invites

RESTRICTIONS:
-costings of any materials needed
-production, if our group was to be chosen

DELIVERABLES:
-15 min presentation
-mock/ups, digital print
-evidence and documentation (blogs)
-peer and self evaluation
-group contract
-design boards

NEEDS TO HAVE:
-relevant, consistent and cohesive identity
-underpinning theme and concept
-consideration of context
-adaptable for all collaterals
-consideration of production and materials

ROLES:
-identity
-invites
-exhibition/exhibition signage
-social media
-curation/exhibition design

Initial print ideas

HANDS

My initial thought for my A3 print was to have some kind of symbol/motif on it, the idea that appealed to me most was hands. I thought hands would be a good symbol of coming together, to me it brings about connotations of unity and peace- the joining together of people against racism. The image on the left represents the various hands of the crowd that would of been at the gig, the fact that all of the hands and arms are up in the air represents the idea of celebration and the fact they are trying to beat racism. The 'rock' hand symbol is pretty much self explanatory, the event is called rock against racism therefore it would only be appropriate to use this hand symbol on the print. The bottom right hand plays more on the idea of peace, the dashed finger outline shows what should be, the middle finger hand is acting as a stand up to the racism but not quite reached the idea of peace yet.

Some layout experiments in terms of the image and text on the print. 

It was suggested within group crit that I experiment with the actual text, try cutting it up and changing it around. However, I think this type is very distinctive to the event and it has obviously been used for a reason. It is quite a complicated typeface and I like it's unique-ness against other existing typefaces, ultimately making it stand out (for a positive reason). 

Carnival Against the Nazis in Potternewton Park, Leeds in 1981

Finding imagery from the event has proven quite difficult, I could not find any posters about the event besides the one that took place in Manchester and London, so I assume the one for Leeds would of been pretty similar- despite the musicians playing. From this I can get a slight idea about which colours would be suitable to use for when it comes to screen printing my final print. The very few photographs I have found from the event don't tell me much besides the fact the event was clearly very busy and popular among the public. Compared to firstly looking at Leeds festival, I think this event is much better in terms of celebrating the spaces within the city,

Rock Against Racism

After my group crit, I realised choosing Leeds festival was difficult because it was an event not really created for a significant reason e.g to promote change or anything like that. It was suggested to look into Rock Against Racism, as music is something I am interested in and I like to create work that does try and help promote a change.

Rock Against Racism grew out of the xenophobia of the UK in the late 1970s, when right-wing politician Enoch Powell stirred up racial hatred, fascist political party The National Front was gaining support, and racism was rife in institutions such as the police. The spark for Rock Against Racism came in response to Eric Clapton’s rant at a concert in Birmingham in 1976, when he urged his audience to ‘get the foreigners out’ and ‘keep Britain white’.

Under the slogan ‘Love Music, Hate Racism’, Rock Against Racism staged marches, festivals, and over 500 concerts throughout the UK. They brought together artists and audiences of different race, mixing musical styles and youth tribes – rudeboy and skinhead, punk and reggae, two-tone and ska.

Historic events featured in the exhibition include the 1978 march from Trafalgar Square to Hackney, where 100,000 crowded into Victoria Park for the first Rock Against Racism Carnival, and the Carnival Against the Nazis in Potternewton Park, Leeds in 1981. Shelton captured the wider picture of protest, photographing demonstrations against racism in Lewisham, London's Brick Lane, and Northern Ireland, and documenting the social and cultural conditions that informed the politics of the movement across England and Ireland. In the five years that Rock Against Racism operated, the National Front went from a serious electoral threat to political oblivion.

November 1976, Rock Against Racism held its first ever gig, featuring Carol Grimes, in the Princess Alice pub in east London. 'We had friends who were dockers who had become anti-racist after the Powell speech,' Roger Huddle recalls, 'and they provided the security for the gig because the NF were really active in the area.'

When Paul Furness read the letter in the NME he was working as a medical records clerk at Leeds General Infirmary. 'Leeds was a dark, depressed city,' Furness told me, 'there was lots of youth unemployment, the Yorkshire Ripper was still loose - so when I read the letter in the NME it was like a breath of fresh air, it was what I had been waiting for.' Buoyed by the enthusiastic response, RAR (Rock Against Racism) began organising concerts which would feature multiracial line-ups sharing the bill. The concerts would end with reggae bands like Aswad and Steel Pulse playing with punk bands such as the Ruts, the Slits and Generation X. Misty in Roots, a Southall-based reggae group played more concerts than any other band for RAR. 'Music can help bring people together,' lead singer Poko tells me. 'When you saw a band like ours jamming with Tom Robinson or Elvis Costello it showed that if you love music we can all live together.'

In Leeds Paul Furness established a RAR club where, every Friday night for 18 months, bands would perform in the common room of Leeds Polytechnic. He tells me of the night he went to see a Tom Robinson concert with three female friends. 'After the gig I went up to him to try and persuade him to play at the RAR club,' he says 'and as I was talking Tom saw a bunch of guys wearing badges indicating they were gay. He told me he had to talk to them. "Some of us don't wear badges," I told him. He looked at me and said, "Are you gay?" and I said "Yes."' It was the first time that Furness had publicly acknowledged his sexuality. 'What did your three female friends think about you coming out to Tom Robinson?' I ask. 'I just remember them laughing,' he says 'Mind you, all three of them are now lesbians.'

Specials fans, Potternewton Park, Leeds, 1981: "The Rock Against Racism/Anti-Nazi League Carnival Against the Nazis was the last ever Specials gig before they split up and the shot is from the mosh pit. I never printed this at the time and it only came to light years later when I was looking for something else. I like its style narrative, which charts a journey from the rude boys via the skinheads back to the rude boys."

Design ideas and crit

Things you need to bring to a festival

Banned items from the festival

Overlayed image of Bramham Park and an image from Leeds festival 2015

From this group crit, I got the feel that none of my ideas were very clear and liked by anyone. At this point I don't really have a clear idea of what direction to go in, in terms of my print being a celebration. Unhappy with the direction of the project, I began to worry that I wouldn't be able to think of a solid idea to turn into a print that incorporates my style and it would just be another piece of work I was unhappy with. It was suggested by Ben that I still look at events related to music as it is one of my interests but to maybe try and find another event that took place in Leeds- Rock Against Racism, although changing my idea now may loose me some time, I think I need a new event to come up with better design ideas.

Leeds Festival Research

Bramham Park

The festival now takes place on the grounds of Bramham Park. Bramham Park was built in 1698 and its famous landscape laid out over the following 30 years by Robert Benson, 1^st Lord Bingley. After 300 years, which include the South Sea Bubble, the untimely death of the heir, dissipation by illegitimate children, crippling gambling debts, a devastating fire, the ravages of two World Wars and death duties, the same family still lives at Bramham and cares for its heritage. Below is an image of their family tree.

Robert Benson (1st Lord Bingley) 1675-1731

Born at Wrenthorpe, near Wakefield, in 1675.  His father was a lawyer, who managed to prosper under Charles I, the Commonwealth and the restored Charles II.  He was twice Lord Mayor of York and five times MP for the City. When he died in 1676, he left the infant Robert "£3,000 per annum in land and £120,000 in money".  From his mother, Dorothy, a daughter of Tobias Jenkins, he also inherited St.William's College in York (which remained in the family until the turn of the C20th).

Benson completed his education in 1697 with a Grand Tour of Europe.  In Rome he met the future Earl of Aylesford, whose sister he was later to marry.  More important he started to formulate his grand design for Bramham, based upon what he had seen of Italian architecture and French garden design.  He probably masterminded the choice of site, the layout of the house, gardens, park, water and woodlands himself.

Away from Bramham, Robert Benson's career prospered both in politics and business.  He was elected MP for York in 1705 and joined the Government in 1710, first as Commissioner of the Treasury and then Lord Treasurer to Queen Anne.  In 1713 he became Ambassador to Spain and was created Lord Bingley.  His last appointment was as Treasurer to the Household of George II.

In business, he was a director of the South Seas Company.  An angry mob is reported to have stoned his carriage in Cavendish Square after the South Sea Bubble burst.

Horace Walpole (4^th Earl of Oxford and builder of Strawberry Hill) dismissed Benson as "a person of no extraction" and on his elevation to the peerage, his lack of a coat of arms was remarked upon, but he found favour with Queen Anne; she was his guest at least once at Bramham.  He also seems to have been accepted into society as he married Lady Elizabeth Finch, daughter of the 1^st Earl of Aylesford.  By her he had a daughter, Harriet, who succeeded him in 1731.  He is buried in St Paul's Chapel in Westminster Abbey.

Leeds Festival Reseach

My experience with the festival

In 2015 and 2016, I went to Leeds festival. I took a lot of photographs while I was there and think these may could come in use when experimenting with my prints. 

Studio Brief 02 - Leeds - Public Spaces RESEARCH

FESTIVAL HISTORY

Taken from a BBC article 

The first festival, at a site in the grounds of Temple Newsam, including Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Blur was in 1999. 

The event is 'twinned' with the Reading Festival so that the same line-up appearing at both venues over three days. 

The Reading festival dates back to 1971 as a National Jazz and Blues Festival. 

For 2011 Muse, My Chemical Romance and The Strokes have been confirmed as the headliners.

A weekend ticket would have cost you £80 for that initial 1999 Leeds event. 

Unfortunately, the early years of the festival in Leeds were often as notable for controversy as for the musical fireworks. 

For instance in 2001, with Eminem's appearance taking most of the musical headlines, police were pelted with stones and other missiles when violence erupted at the end of the festival.

A group went on a rampage of what the police called "mindless violence and damage" in the campsite.

More trouble followed next year, Kate Skelton (then a student in Leeds) said "a nasty combination of alcohol-fuelled mob mentality and a few cigarette lighters led to the burning of toilet blocks and vandalism on a massive scale." 

So it was under a bit of a cloud that Leeds Festival moved to its current home, in Bramham Park, for the 2003 event. Acts appearing that year included Metallica, Linkin Park, and White Stripes. 

Melvin Benn, managing director of promoter Mean Fiddler, tried to reassure local residents over the switch.

Fresh start

He said: "Moving to Bramham has given us an opportunity to have a fresh start and has given us an opportunity to try new things. 

"It was the right time to move." 

The new site of the festival was originally opposed by the Parish Council of nearby Thorner. 

However, despite a few teething problems and heavy traffic volumes on the nearby A1 and A64, the festival has seemed to find a calmer home and the extra income generated by the event has been a boon for the Bramham estate.

Speaking in 2009 Nick Lane Fox, the estate's owner (who admitted that he had never actually been to a festival before one moved to his home) told Look North. 

"The estate was just about breaking even when the festival came along and gave us an extra income. We could actually then plan in a formal way." 

The first improvement was to turn arable land around the estate back into grassland, buildings have been restored, culverts dug and an urn replacement project is planned! 

BBC Leeds website has been at every Leeds Festival and Layla Painter has been the website's reporter for six of those years. What have been her festival highlights? 

Layla says: "In 2006, the first time Kaiser Chiefs headlined the main stage to roars of 'Leeds, Leeds, Leeds', it was the local lads made really good and the crowd loved it. 

"And also I remember watching the action on the first ever unsigned stage when the Raw Talent show was able to highlight the great unsigned bands in Yorkshire. 

DR. ME Workshop

Today we had a workshop carried out by DR.ME a Manchester based design studio made up of 2 guys, we have previously had them in to talk to us about their work and how they got about setting up a studio, they definitely inspired me the first time they spoke to us because they both met at university and set up a design studio- now they work all over the world and even often apart from each other so all their work is done online. They came in today to do a collage/gif workshop, we were set the task of working in pairs and create 10 small collaged images to then be turned into a gif file. In our pairs we were given a random word, ours was 'bacon' ironically being vegetarian we took the approach of looking at how a pig was murdered. At first we created a storyboard that was actually too complicated to execute within collage making, so we opted for a simpler idea- create pretty landscape backgrounds and each time include a silhouette of a pig. As the story boards went along, we intended for the pig to flip and eventually turn upside down, dead. 

This is our final gif, we were both pleased with the final outcome, even DR.ME said they liked it. I really enjoyed today's workshop and it has definitely inspired me to create more gifs within my work as it something I have never explored before. 

Final Book Cover Design

These are just simple modifications I have done to the final cover layout in terms of layout just to see which small change works best with how the final cover looks. If my design was shortlisted, I would get a list of modifications back to adjust to the cover design anyway.

Final Resolution

My approach to this live brief was to create a book cover design that would reach the widest audience possible; as the book is not necessarily just for children I was not limited to appealing the cover to a younger audience. Sue Townsend intended the Adrian Mole series to be loved by all ages as she carries on writing about him when he’s in his 50’s therefore designing a cover in the style I have allows it to be received by a wide audience. The crumbled effect on the book cover has been used to represent how the book is a daily journal/diary completed by Adrian, it highlights the fact his family are working class and are struggling for money.  The typography that I have used on both the front and back are varied, I have not used the same font for the whole cover because that would make the design very dull and unappealing to the teenage audience, the hand drawn style font has been used solely for the purpose to emphasise the book is a personal diary. The colour red has been a repetitive colour throughout all of my design ideas therefore it was only appropriate to carry it through to my final design outcome, red represents the symbolism of the socks that represent Adrian’s behavioral change and the change in his family life at home. That is also why I have included the red socks  as a motif on the book cover, along with others that have a significant purpose to the storyline.