Sunday, 31 January 2010
Hubble, Bubble, Boil and Trouble...
This was great fun! It still needs some tidying up but I loved making it, and the sound was also good fun - its not me, but a womanising Duke... the original extract is comedy gold!
The concept behind this work, was to not have a typical narrative, but have something that bound the images together, so they were not just random. Also no official dialogue was meant to be used, that might portray narrative...
Its like the narrative police...
Orgasm... sort of
This was an experiment with photoshop, just playing with how the tools develop, an playing with a non descript narrative, that still has a recognisable goal, through sound effects as well as visuals...
Cover To Cover...
The top image was my original BACK but after the passport became the way forward, I had to drop it.
Some of the completed pages...
As promised these are a couple of examples...
If I had reworked the Almanac, I would have found a more uniform way of presenting the pages, and made the content more interesting!
My Concepts...
For this project I ended up with too many concepts unfortunately...
My initial idea as previously stated, was to associate memory to an icon, which would let the viewer remember what they had seen or read.
Then, while designing the icons, I realised they were more like stamps with ink.
This led me to think about what I truely enjoy, which is travelling (and my passport proves it!)
So... I decided to replicate my passport (using the same paper ideally) which would instantly give the viewer an idea about my interests, as well as using the icons I had created to show how I have left or made my mark in the various aspects of my life that I disclose in the almanac.
The end result could have been slightly more organised, but I will show just a few of the pages (as in the actual piece there are my REAL passport details! Censored but still there!)
My initial idea as previously stated, was to associate memory to an icon, which would let the viewer remember what they had seen or read.
Then, while designing the icons, I realised they were more like stamps with ink.
This led me to think about what I truely enjoy, which is travelling (and my passport proves it!)
So... I decided to replicate my passport (using the same paper ideally) which would instantly give the viewer an idea about my interests, as well as using the icons I had created to show how I have left or made my mark in the various aspects of my life that I disclose in the almanac.
The end result could have been slightly more organised, but I will show just a few of the pages (as in the actual piece there are my REAL passport details! Censored but still there!)
Thursday, 21 January 2010
Experimentation
These were the objects (bottom picture) that made up my random objects from my room as inspiration....
The photos above that were my attempts at subliminal messaging! See if they work or at least if you can see what I'm trying to do!
Early design ideas...
These were the first ideas I had for the intro page - it was to give the viewer a sense of collecting items to unlock things...
Memory Keys...
My first thoughts for going through this almanac were based upon some memory training I had been doing.
This involved object association with the mind - allowing for the memory to assimilate a 'mental cloakroom' that when one object is thought of instantly brings forth what is associated with it!
This led me to create my own objects that would be the memory keys (to the viewer) of ME and my work.
This involved object association with the mind - allowing for the memory to assimilate a 'mental cloakroom' that when one object is thought of instantly brings forth what is associated with it!
This led me to create my own objects that would be the memory keys (to the viewer) of ME and my work.
Content
I wanted to create a manual of things that were present in my life and inspired me to work...
Also I wanted to show how I had overcome obstacles that now made up the elements of my life and personality, such as giving up smoking.
This example, for instance, let me show how much fun I had smoking, as well as how beneficial to me and how happy it makes me, now that I've quit. Rather than sitting on my high horse 'looking down at you weak mortals', I thought I'd use the example of my face, where people cannot believe I'm the age that I am - which I put down to giving up smoking!
My link to Graphic design was being able to portray this.
I also go on about how I love to smell (with my nose! Not body odor!) and how my love of tr5avelling has opened up many new cultures to me. Especially ones that are closer to home, i.e. they are very similar to my culture UK but have dramatic differences, almost like stepping into parallel universes. (Mainly around Europe).
Also I wanted to show how I had overcome obstacles that now made up the elements of my life and personality, such as giving up smoking.
This example, for instance, let me show how much fun I had smoking, as well as how beneficial to me and how happy it makes me, now that I've quit. Rather than sitting on my high horse 'looking down at you weak mortals', I thought I'd use the example of my face, where people cannot believe I'm the age that I am - which I put down to giving up smoking!
My link to Graphic design was being able to portray this.
I also go on about how I love to smell (with my nose! Not body odor!) and how my love of tr5avelling has opened up many new cultures to me. Especially ones that are closer to home, i.e. they are very similar to my culture UK but have dramatic differences, almost like stepping into parallel universes. (Mainly around Europe).
Monday, 18 January 2010
Almanac! First New Project!
Whew! Finally uploaded my work from the 2nd year so now onto the 3rd!
The first project we were given was designing an almanac that not only 'sold us' to the client, but also gave them an idea about what type of company we would be if we were a company as this is an effective business technique (an almanac).
It should show your experience as well as your style and include some of your own work.
It also was to be 16 pages, which was 8 spreads, and A5. Also it should be printed professionally, including consideration for printing technique such as 'bleed', and needed to be printed on 'recycled' paper.
The first project we were given was designing an almanac that not only 'sold us' to the client, but also gave them an idea about what type of company we would be if we were a company as this is an effective business technique (an almanac).
It should show your experience as well as your style and include some of your own work.
It also was to be 16 pages, which was 8 spreads, and A5. Also it should be printed professionally, including consideration for printing technique such as 'bleed', and needed to be printed on 'recycled' paper.
Shadow Tattoo Catalog
My final idea for the Shadow Puppets (well one of them!)
I wanted to advertise a service that you could accessorise your own shadow! I was inspired by the way that traditional shadow puppets use stencils to create their puppets. My idea was creating negative space to use in your shadow.
Third and final thoughts.
Eventually, I decided to advertise shadow puppets in a completely different way...
I would market them as attachable features onto existing human shadows.
My thoughts at this point, were along the lines that a shadow is attached to a person (there are many different interpretations of this, such as your shadow can be seen as 'Death' always by your side / your shadow is your soul / your shadow is the literal impersonation of yourself - Peter Pan.
Using this concept that the shadow was permanently attached to you, I thought of the attraction of tattoos - a permanent logo on your body that people can either choose to reveal or not.
Therefore I created a catalog of marketable 'shadow tattoos' that became part of your shadow.
If I was to do this project again, I would choose either the First or Second Ideas (or both!) as I do not think this third idea worked in the end. It was fun to do but the end result is confusing.
I would market them as attachable features onto existing human shadows.
My thoughts at this point, were along the lines that a shadow is attached to a person (there are many different interpretations of this, such as your shadow can be seen as 'Death' always by your side / your shadow is your soul / your shadow is the literal impersonation of yourself - Peter Pan.
Using this concept that the shadow was permanently attached to you, I thought of the attraction of tattoos - a permanent logo on your body that people can either choose to reveal or not.
Therefore I created a catalog of marketable 'shadow tattoos' that became part of your shadow.
If I was to do this project again, I would choose either the First or Second Ideas (or both!) as I do not think this third idea worked in the end. It was fun to do but the end result is confusing.
Sunday, 17 January 2010
Second thoughts...
Having initially come up with the 'integrating stage' idea I mentioned in the last post, I then thought about how I could transform the 2-d stage into a 3-d stage...
As I was thinking about Canary Wharf for the setting, I found a fairly deserted small hill in one of its streets.
I thought if I set up 4 different colour screens, with each one facing outwards, creating an enclosed square.
Within the square (formed by the screens) I would have 4 different sets of shadow puppets on top of a rotating platform (a bit like a large automated potter's wheel). These four puppets would each have their own light source and be separated from one another by two wider screens that quarter the square.
I know this may sound confusing. I will try and explain as best I can:
If you can imagine from a birds-eye view, the square (made up from the 4 four different coloured screens - e.g. bedsheets). Then (still from the b-eye-v) an 'X' made from some opaque rigid material, that goes from corner to corner sectioning the interior space into quarters.
Then have the light sources in the centre corner of each triangular quartered section, with the puppet facing the bedsheet screen.
I would make the 4 puppets dancers, a couple in 4 different poses, that flow with the dance they are doing (so 4 different steps that work together).
The total result of this (slightly confusing to explain) piece would be like a shadow puppet carousel... except the puppets would be life size!
The time and planning of this piece would have taken too long, so I looked for a more appropriate solution...
As I was thinking about Canary Wharf for the setting, I found a fairly deserted small hill in one of its streets.
I thought if I set up 4 different colour screens, with each one facing outwards, creating an enclosed square.
Within the square (formed by the screens) I would have 4 different sets of shadow puppets on top of a rotating platform (a bit like a large automated potter's wheel). These four puppets would each have their own light source and be separated from one another by two wider screens that quarter the square.
I know this may sound confusing. I will try and explain as best I can:
If you can imagine from a birds-eye view, the square (made up from the 4 four different coloured screens - e.g. bedsheets). Then (still from the b-eye-v) an 'X' made from some opaque rigid material, that goes from corner to corner sectioning the interior space into quarters.
Then have the light sources in the centre corner of each triangular quartered section, with the puppet facing the bedsheet screen.
I would make the 4 puppets dancers, a couple in 4 different poses, that flow with the dance they are doing (so 4 different steps that work together).
The total result of this (slightly confusing to explain) piece would be like a shadow puppet carousel... except the puppets would be life size!
The time and planning of this piece would have taken too long, so I looked for a more appropriate solution...
First thoughts...
I wanted to create installations around London (mainly Canary Wharf) as the business end is quite deserted at night.
My plan was to use 'stages' such as railings, that have gaps, where you can project light against a sheet, thus creating a shadow puppet. Being able to see the railings as shadows themselves would inter-great the shadow puppet with it's surroundings and not making the stage seem quite such a boundary.
A good example of this, could be soldiers crawling forwards or crouching, or huge animals like a panther, tiger or crocodile! It would be amazing as people would initially be thrown by the threatening shadow that seemed to be just on the other side of the street!!
Imagine then combining threatening shadows with sound! It would scare the crap of some people! People are not usually scared of shadow 'puppets' as they know they are not real... Make them believe just for an instant, that the shadows are real... and you get interesting results!
I may still do this idea just for fun - the true reason I wasn't able to do this, was my deadlines were approaching and I took too long researching and experimenting before I arrived at this great idea!
My plan was to use 'stages' such as railings, that have gaps, where you can project light against a sheet, thus creating a shadow puppet. Being able to see the railings as shadows themselves would inter-great the shadow puppet with it's surroundings and not making the stage seem quite such a boundary.
A good example of this, could be soldiers crawling forwards or crouching, or huge animals like a panther, tiger or crocodile! It would be amazing as people would initially be thrown by the threatening shadow that seemed to be just on the other side of the street!!
Imagine then combining threatening shadows with sound! It would scare the crap of some people! People are not usually scared of shadow 'puppets' as they know they are not real... Make them believe just for an instant, that the shadows are real... and you get interesting results!
I may still do this idea just for fun - the true reason I wasn't able to do this, was my deadlines were approaching and I took too long researching and experimenting before I arrived at this great idea!
Tuesday, 5 January 2010
How to start?
So how is it possible to 're-package' shadow puppets?
The first thing to look at is how they always have been and are currently packaged:
1. With a focused light source, as without focused light there can be no 'definition of shadow'.
2. Using a screen as a stage. (This as it happens is harder to get correct than it seems!)
3. Puppets... These can be a persons hands or cutouts.
(note) The puppets are always 2-d as they are made up of a constant shade of shadow, therefore it is notoriously difficult to create a 3-d environment using shadow puppets, as they are in effect stencils.
The first thing to look at is how they always have been and are currently packaged:
1. With a focused light source, as without focused light there can be no 'definition of shadow'.
2. Using a screen as a stage. (This as it happens is harder to get correct than it seems!)
3. Puppets... These can be a persons hands or cutouts.
(note) The puppets are always 2-d as they are made up of a constant shade of shadow, therefore it is notoriously difficult to create a 3-d environment using shadow puppets, as they are in effect stencils.
Monday, 4 January 2010
Final Cheese Flavour Interpretations
These graphic Interpretations were to symbolise the flavours of these Spanish cheeses through representation of Spanish tile design.
The brief was to portray cheese that represented the success of an illustrious career in Interior Design.
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