BRIEF - To Re-design the backing paper of a photo frame. I will need to produce three designs which work across a set of three frame sizes of either:
6x4 inches, 7x5 inches, 8x6 inches
A5, A4, A3
For my development I started off brainstorming initial ideas I thought of after looking at my research:
My first idea was to represent the flash and the movement you think of when a photo is taken. I thought of representing this by vector shape images but am not sure this would communicate clearly enough. I may try this out digitally to see whether this comes across more effectively.
Another idea I thought of was making the backing paper interactive so it personalise the frame. I thought of experimenting with a camera face but having the screen a mirror type paper, so people could view themselves while looking at the frame. I wasn't sure whether this would come across childish and so will ask about this in the critique:
Again thinking about the idea of making the paper more personal. I thought of an idea of a app where the buyer could upload their images to the frame they were looking at. This would then become the backing paper. Although I think this is a different idea, I'm not sure it would answer the brief as it would be developing the app to create the backing paper, rather than the paper itself. Perhaps if I were to develop this brief I could explore this idea further but not something I can develop at this stage:
I liked the idea of using wallpaper in a concept as when I buy frames myself, I put the wallpaper in the frame to match the room. I liked the idea of developing this idea but not sure on how, maybe this is something I could ask in the critique. After looking at the channel 4 adverts, some initial ideas were to have the size of the frame within the pattern of the wallpaper, representing it in part of the design. The numbers would not only be information but would something visual to look at:
This idea was based on the paper been something fun to read and look at. After liking the idea of certain frames having symbols, I developed on this. The concept would be 'How to take a photo' - I realise everyone knows how to do this, but thought it would be something different. I could include instructions, that could be witty that invites the buyer to pick up the frame and read. I would use symbols to represent each stage and have the information going along side this. The final instruction would be 'put the image in a frame', the symbol of this, would be a replica of the frame it is in. I think this would not only be visually interesting but intriguing to read. It would also link the paper to the frame:
I thought back to the frames I personally like which are quite intricate patterns that look quite delicate. From this I looked into the work of Rob Ryan and thought about paper cutting imagery that represents the frame dimensions or something that shows a photo. This idea would link back to the frame itself, as I would laser cut the paper and it would almost be like a delicate pattern - like the sort of frame it would be in:
After the suggestions in my feedback and that the majority of peers think I should use the wallpaper or laser cut concept, I have decided to aim my backing paper at middle aged women. I have decided this, due to both concepts been quite decorative and feminine and think would suite this audience the most successfully. The types of frames I would be particularly drawing attention to are interact, detailed frames or subtle plain frames that would contrast well with decorative backing paper.
Work After Interim Critique:
The feedback I received after the interim critique was to use my wallpaper or laser cut concepts. I have decided from this to combine the two. I have been developing these two ideas and below are some thumbnails and on how to use the two together. I firstly thought of cutting out wallpaper as well as the number dimensions or perhaps layering the two together. Either way I will develop these ideas further:
I have created some templates to cut out. I am not sure whether these are going to be slightly boring designs, I will need to see how they come out on the laser cutter. I have chosen to represent a camera to show the idea of the viewer taking there own photography:
I then decided to base a laser cut on the dimensions of the frame. I decided to do this due to it being a requirement on the brief and so thought it would be an interesting way to construct an idea from it. I am going to develop more layouts based on this idea to have a variety of laser cuts to experiment with:
I thought back to Rob Ryans work and what I find most fascinating is how he constructs his work by hand. I wanted to try out my cut outs by hand and see whether these would be effective enough to use. However I do not have enough skill with a scalpel and so with any curved line, found it difficult to achieve a successful cut. From this I know now to definitely use the laser cut for my designs and scan them into photoshop once cut:
Below is the difference between hand cut and laser cut. I have got a much clearer, precise line with the laser cut and could never achieve this by hand. This is why I have opted for using the laser cutter, so my work looks more neater and has professional finish:
I have experimented with different layouts and compositions when using the dimensions. I have decided to go down the route of using the number dimensions as a image, rather than a actual image as I feel it is a different way to show backing paper:
With my laser cuts I scanned the finished products. I like how they already have a shadow and has a look that is raised off the page to give a 3D effect. I am going to accentuate this further by adding further shadow within photoshop and cleaning the scan up:
With my scanned in laser cuts, I neatened the overall look by using the magic wand tool. I started experimenting with things like colour and texture to develop the image. I added effects such as a drop shadow. I was trying these out to try and achieve the idea of the laser cut being a physical thing and showing the idea of the scan being 3D like. At the moment these are very basic and boring design and not something I will use as a final design:
Again thinking back to my critique, an idea some of my peers thought was interesting was wallpaper. I thought back to my initial ideas about combing the wallpaper and laser cuts. I chose this specific wallpaper below as it is my own personal wallpaper I have in my room and my photo frames. I thought I would use this as it is a quite a feminine design and the pattern would appeal to my target audience of women (mainly middle aged). I also thought to use this as it will go with both types of frames I am think of using, either patterned delicate frames or simple clean frames:
I have been experimenting with laser masks and other way to interpret the wallpaper. None of these ideas below are visually interesting or appealing due them being too simple. I do not think how they are now, match well as a concept. They do not stand out or are effective pieces of graphic design. I am going to now develop further on the wallpaper and perhaps make the paper into a vector which may match the laser cut more. I could then experiment with the shadow, like I previously used on the dimension numbers:
Again experimenting with the wallpaper, I developed onto a different layout but still wasn't pleased with the overall look. However I have decided this will be the final laser cut composition I will be developing. I have decided on this, as I think the angle of the dimensions is the strongest as it leads your eye down the frame and would be effective to use when I experiment with layers:
I have further developed the shadow and added effects such as texture, bevel and emboss. This was to again further the concept of a laser cut digitally:
I have also experimented with ideas such as including type and other imagery. I chose this type below as I wanted to get across the laser cut theme. I do not think this type works well at all but if I were to use a more effect typeface, do not think the overall laser cut concept would come across effectively as it would be quite structured, because of this I will not be using type.
I also went back to a previous laser cut and included a image of a camera. Although I like the simplicity of the shape, I think the idea of including both number and camera does not give an appealing layout. I could experiment with this but do not think it is a strong enough idea to carry on with:
Looking back at my ideas I feel I have no strong design for a final. I feel I have experimented and quite like my overall concept but the designs are not as effective as I would have liked. I am now going to develop the wallpaper into a vector to see whether it gives a more appealing look.
I re-drew the wallpaper using vector shapes and was pleased with the overall look. I wanted to combine the two (laser cut and print) and thought this is another way I could try this. I can experimenting with layering the two or use things like a layer mask once I put both into Photoshop:
I changed the opacity and colouring of the pattern. I also used tools like cropping to see whether this would look more visually effective. I prefer the design not cropped as you can see how the wallpaper flows, were as a close up does not give justice to the pattern. Due to this, I will keep the pattern how it originally looked and develop more into the colour:
Here I have developed the colour in keeping with the original colour of the wallpaper to test whether this would be successful or not. I experimented with inverting the colour both ways but I don't think either are successful in what I am trying to achieve. I feel the colours needs to be much more toned down and contrast more effectively with one another.
This is going to be my final design as I think the layering of the two is the most successful idea but will still be developing the colour:
For my finals my colour scheme was a selection of greys. I thought on screen the colours work well and a neutral colour was what I was aiming for, as it suites my target audience and would also appeal to a wider range of people than a specific colour would. However, when I came to print, the greys on screen did not look the same. They were more light and it was very difficult to see the numbers. I had to experiment again with colour on screen but was not happy with the results due to them looking very bland and boring:
First print out:
- What the first greys came out like
Finals for the Critique: - The colour I had to enhance
The colours I feel blended to much together and could be slightly boring as a colour scheme. Although I was trying to go for something neutral that would suite a wider audience this did not work, I will have to change the colour scheme and have a more specific target audience. I am going to experiment further with colour and stock to see what will be the most successful.
Finals and Evaluation
As a design I am not happy with the results. I feel it is very limited and although I liked my concept of laser cutting and scanning, think the outcomes have not been visually effective. I do think they would appeal to a certain person i.e. women, middle aged, and so in that respect has worked but feel these designs could have been much more interesting. If I could develop these further I would definitely try and think of another way to develop the concept, I am however going to change the colour (as suggested to me in the final critique) for the module hand in.
Work After The Final Critique
I have begun further developing this brief as I am not happy with the results of my finals. I have experimented with a range of pastel colours as I feel this was the best suggestion in my feedback in the final critique which I agree with. I think in using pastel colours this will further appeal to my target audience of women, as pastels are much more feminine. If I could carry on with this brief this is the route I would go down and introduce more colour.
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