Brief 1 - Frame (Photoshop): Interim Crit

At todays interim crit I asked the following questions:

• Would the photography idea overcrowd the frame?
• Does the purely typographic piece work? Is it too illustrator-y?
• What type faces would be appropriate?
• Any other feedback?

Some pieces of feedback were really useful, when considered altogether then it solves certain problems. For example the first question people said:

"I think some of the photographs could become overcrowded if it is a general landscape. Stick to processing on a specific object"  

"use minimal photography and black and white"

"if it does feel too much then you can always change the opacity or desaturate the image until its not overpowering"

"photography could be fun, the ones focusing on perception would be interesting then you could experiment with different filters/scanning techniques"

These were the 4 pieces of feed back which I feel I can develop on. If imagery is chosen then it will be focusing on objects or close up framing, perhaps so you have to question what it is. The photos should be in black and white and the opacity and saturation can be played around with.

When I first thought of this idea I wasn't to sure how it would pan out but after the crit there seems to be a good response to it. One piece of feed back stated it was generic and obvious but I disagree as in my research I didn't come across any pieces of design that were already existing frames.

For the second question I received equally good feedback:

"I think it is the strongest idea - clear and simple. The sans serif typeface would work well in contrast with Clas Ohlson or Ikea frame"

"Need to use image but I think you will be able to combine some of the type with image"

"Strongest concept, however need to include image - cut type out of photograph - this may work effectively - interesting way of including image"

"The type only examples are my favourite of these designs. I like the idea of layering numbers. This could give the opportunity for lots of photoshop manipulation"

If I was to continue with this idea I will definitely look into branding and the shops in which the design would be appropriate. My main problem with this idea is that it doesn't really fit with the brief, it would be better suited to illustrator rather than photoshop, unless like some of the feedback stated, I combine image into the text. This is something I will look into, perhaps by taking photos of the first idea I could then merge the ideas together.


The third question was perhaps not specific enough as I feel I got an answer for the frame and text idea but not for the leaves. The main thing that came from this question was that anything gothic/ sans serif would work well. However one person did write that if I was to run with the leaves idea it would need to be a natural and simple font.

Finding an appropriate typeface is the thing I find hardest. It is a very fine like between looking right and looking awful. There are certain typefaces that suit certain things but it is just about finding the correct one. For whatever idea I choose to progress I will look into appropriate typefaces.


When asked "any other feedback?" I received some interesting responses:

"I think the type and natural framing ideas would work effectively combined. Having the type in the mid ground of the image with the natural framing obscuring some of it maybe" 

- this would definitely be a good way to combine image and text and be able to use photoshop to all its capabilities.

"Great variety go outcomes, keep experimenting with processes and combining elements from each to create a strong overall design" 

one person just wrote "leaves?"  not too sure what is meant by this. This is a good example of how this method of critique doesn't always work because you can question what someone means.

"love the leaves and watercolour images. Could you experiment with type within this? e.g. inside the stems or just in the running colour?"

Although the crit has been useful in getting feedback on the ideas, the question "which idea would work best?" should have been asked because at the moment it is hard to choose a route to go down. Im currently torn because the image idea may be viewed as over done, the text idea doesn't call for a great use of photoshop skills and the leaf idea could be used in photoshop but isn't a photo so doesn't fit well within the brief.If I were to just take photos of leaves the natural rustic feel that has been created by watercolour would be lost.

The next logical steps would be to take photos of natural frames on the camera induction but bearing in mind the feedback I got about the cameras. Then to play around with this in photoshop with text or even merging two of the ideas together.

Brief 1 - Frame (Photoshop): Artist Research

For the 3rd idea I've began looking into using numbers to form an image or piece of design that could intrigue the audience. It could be something different from the bog standard photo of a random family. Roger Fawcett-Tang is a designer who is interested in numbers when it comes to graphics. It is very hard to find a large selection of his work but the work that inspires him and he uses in his books has been interesting and definitely sparked ideas.

This is an interesting idea where not all the numbers are visible or even legible but the negative space shows what number or the start of the number is. This really shows how we use the negative space to determine what  glyph something is, this could easily be viewed as a black pattern (and when you tilt your head to the left that is all it looks like) but our brain automatically makes out the numbers.

A simple piece but the strong contrast in colour is attractive. However this would  not work in a photo frame as it would completely distract from the frame itself. The attractive thing about this piece which could be taken on to a photo frame is how the text is laid out around the edge so that it almost frames the page. This doesn't normally work but there is something about this piece which fits.

A very different calendar design where the months and dates are simple information in columns. But the attractive centre of attention '2009' is made by simply lowering the opacity and layering the numbers. This creates a shape which seems abstract and like a blob of colour from a distance but up close it makes sense. This would draw people in, make them move closer so they can understand it.

This is perhaps the best of the number pieces. It is simple yet gets the point across perfectly. Shifting fluently with the gears in the car is represented by the numbers fluently jointing together, there are not ridges or breaks  and it is not more one number than the other they both have this equal ground. 

This is a simple concept but one that is hard to get right. The type has to be in the right place so that it is not ignored and the numbers and glyphs may look random but need to be placed carefully. With this type of work there is a fine line between it working and it going horribly wrong. The eye is automatically attracted to the 87.4  because of its large size and central position. Your eye then moves and focuses on the text which looks like it would have fitted onto the number. Almost like 2 pieces of a puzzle. 

This 5 works well in a grid format as it keeps it neat and  blocky. This method faces some dilemmas, for example where the five has negative space or cut outs. These have been represented by just a line where as most numbers are recognised by the large areas of negative space. However this piece of design does still work but maybe this is because of the white grid dots, if they were not there then this 5 would look dreadful.

Brief 1 - Frame (Photoshop): Second Idea

The second idea for this project is looking into having natural frames. Using black and white photos of things found around the city which are a natural frame either with the corner of doors or windows. This could really show how life is framed or that we use frames to see things - our eye naturally frames things to make sense of it. If I went down the idea of using windows and doors, it could have a philosophical meaning behind it, how windows and doors are a small view into something else, in the sense of the photo frame it could be a view into the past looking back on memories. This is a deep tangent for the brief in hand but the concept of using naturally found frames could work really well because it would be an intriguing image that would not distract from the frame but compliment it. A plain silver frame with a range of photos depending on frame size would complete a set and be different whilst all working together.

Brief 1 - Frame (Photoshop) : Artist Research

 After doing Primary research one thing that really stuck out to me was the idea of using water colour to create leaves. Although this may seem not relevant when it comes to buying a frame, if it fits in with the image of the frame - maybe a natural frame or one created out of sticks and twigs, then it would work well. This idea of creating a frame is something that I could look into into an extension of this project to compliment the design of the backing.

I wanted to follow this idea further and look at artists who use water colour. This way I can get an idea of what colours would work well and how the medium can be used to create certain affects.

This watercolour painting by Julia Loken is incredible in my opinion the detail that she has gone into on the leaves especially the one on the bottom right, is truly magnificent. I love the idea of using the colour palette and leaves to compliment and old bark frame, it gives the idea of real authenticity and feeds so well into the natural theme. The opacity of the leaves means that when they overlap they produce interesting layers and colours.

I will play around with the idea of a natural background and take it to crit on friday to get feedback about which method will be best to persue or whether the idea as a whole is feasible. There are a few methods I would like to explore when creating a natural background and those are:

1. Using paint such as watercolour to create different layers of leaves.
2. Using actual leaves in mono printing so that the texture is captured.
3. Creating a stamp and using it to print multiple times - this could work well for multiple pieces of work so each size has different size leaves in a different composition.
4. Overlapping and collaging real leaves over a light box so that certain areas stay darker and some are lighter, and then photographing this.

The work above is created by Elizabeth Blackladder. Although I don't think her work is worth the price it is given the innocence and simplicity to it has a charming feature. None of her work uses an outline which brings it to a more natural soft edge.

The thing I like about the pieces is how she lays out the leaf. I will experiment with this idea but strip it down so there is only 3 or 4 in a line horizontally or perhaps just one vertically to fill the centre of the frame. The simplicity of the artwork would really compliment a natural frame.

The two types of frame I have in mind for creating this piece of work would be a hand made wooden bark frame or one where it is solid wood. You can see the grooves and natural marks of the wood. This would compliment the back slip best as it would be in the same tonal range and natural theme. However perhaps a silver frame would make the artwork stick out but then this may not sell the frame but rather the piece of work.