Experimenting with logo text

Design ideas and design processes:

Design 1

For my first logo design, I wanted to experiment with using shapes and practise using the path finder tool. As i wanted to create a simplistic first design, i started by choosing a thin typeface. This worked really well in the end because it meant that the logo didn’t look too cluttered. I then used the path finder tool which gave the logo its circular shape, i created this by first drawing the circle using the ‘shape’ tool then i used the ‘type on the path tool’ type tool. This was good for adding further information it didn’t take the attention away from the letter initials. The use of a more decorative serif font for the text within the path tool worked for the same reason and by mixing it with a simpler font help convey the different elements of design.

Design 2

In contrast to my first design, i wanted to create a more flamboyant logo that reflects the creativity of the brand. Even though the ‘L’ comes after the ‘N’ i decided to place the ‘N’ almost inside the other letter as it made the logo come together and it worked well with the shape that each letter provides. I then experimented with colour and filling in the initials. To go along side with the positioning of the initials, i filled the ‘N’ because it is the first initial of my name so it stands out more. I then tried to figure out where to out the word ‘design’, i started by placing it above the ‘N’ and below the ‘L’ but i thought that it it fit the logo well by going into the ‘L’.

Design 3

For my final design, in some ways i’ve combined elements from both of the previous designs. I mixed two different typefaces for the main initials, the ‘N’ matching my first design and the ‘L’ from my second design to again visually present the creativity of the brand. As well as to make the logo more visually interesting for viewers. I gave the ‘L’ the letter the font with the most curves because it create a mirror between the ‘N’ and ‘DESIGNS’.

Experimenting with layers in Illustrator

Final Outcome Design Idea

For my sticker design, I wanted to an image that was eye catching. In order to do this, I decided to experiment with combining shapes and images using the resources Illustrator has .

2. Creating a Clipping Mask

I found a tutorial on YouTube that demonstrates how to combine an image and shape using the ‘Clipping Mask’ effect. How to do Clipping Mask in Illustrator – 2 MINUTE Tutorial – YouTube The process is when you select both images making sure that the ‘shape’ is on top, then go to ‘Object’, ‘Clipping Mask’ then ‘Mask’. I used a print that combined different typefaces to visually demonstrate the use the content of the Podcast.

3. Combining the two chosen shapes

I wanted to experiment with two shapes rather than the traditional one, as it would provide more space for experimentation. I placed the blank star slightly on top as the star with the print provided a nice background design.

Cinema Listings

Cinema listings for Elderly People who are passionate for old Hollywood films:

I chose to design my first listing for older audiences who have a passion for certain film production because I wanted to experiment with the hierarchy of information they would look for first. My main focus was to make sure that the typography and layout is clear so that older audiences don’t have difficulty reading through it and finding what their looking for. I wanted to draw more attention on the production and origins of the individual film, so I placed where and when the film was made, the director and cast at the top of the list. In order to present a sense of clarity I used a san serif font to help the text be ‘more easier’ to read but I chose to do the title of the cinema in a traditional serif font to present a classic feel to the cinema.

Cinema Listings for families:

For my second listing, I focused on the information that a parent with children would look for including age ratings and times of the screening. I decided to create a separate type of cinema list and put six out of the ten films on the list as families including younger children would commonly be looking for films ages U, PG or 12. As the age rating was an important part for parents to look for, I placed it next to the film title and at the same type size. The date and time of the film screening is also an important factor so families can schedule watching it around work and school. I placed the location and contact details of the cinema itself at the bottom of the list so as it created a nice parallel with the title.

Comparing the designs on Menus

The Menus shown above were made in 1938 for The Ritz Hotel. I was initially drawn to the choice of design on the cover as it doesn’t reflect the brand identity of the upper- classed hotel, but the choice of a clown suggests the entertainment and classical element if the Ritz. The typography presented inside the menu demonstrates the traditional and glamorised element of the hotel, as they’ve used rather flamboyant serif fonts that almost like its been hand written. The layout for the menu is unusual for the time as it focuses on appearance rather presenting the information clear for customers.

The menu above was created in 1967 for a slightly lower classed hotel. Again the menu uses a painting as their feature cover image as well as a decorative piece of string. But the main difference between the two menus is the layout of the menu and the use of a more simpler serif font. The menu has a more clearer list for customers and include the price of the food whereas the Ritz menu doesn’t. The ST. Ermin’s Hotel also includes the use of coloured ink reflecting the the evolvement of type design.

Cinderella Penguin Cover

I decided to take a different approach to designing my second penguin book cover, instead I was inspired by the ‘Pocket Penguin’ collection. I chose this collection because the simplicity of the design was a good base to work from and adapt. I firstly used the classic penguin orange, inspired by the original classic covers. I moved away from the ‘pocket book’ and placed the title at the top half of the book because we read from the top to the bottom of a page and I wanted readers to see the name of the novel first. For the title itself, I made the C larger to create that magical affect usually seen on fairy tale novels, almost looking like a moon. I tested out different typefaces to also convey this so I chose the Serif font ‘Minion Pro’ as it looks both elegant and simple. I wanted to add a feature image to appeal more to the children reading it, I then changed the size of the silver slipper but it became too distracting and stood out more than the title and author. I then wanted to replicate the use of vibrant colours used by the classic covers, as the vibrant colours represented their genre.

Obsession

My chosen theme – Obsession

The brief stated that the protagonist was paranoid by the noise she suspected to be a mouse and the novel unveils her gradually going mad and destroying parts of her house to track down the noise. For my very simple design, I used a crafting knife to curve out random circles on each of the pages to represent the characters irritation with the noise and the damage that would have been caused by the rodent. It would also impact the readers into understanding the characters obsession as when they would turn each page, they would automatically try to look for the next circle as they are placed randomly but mirror the characters tension. The book opens to just one hole in the very centre of the page, to present the initial disturbance of the mouse then the last page of the novel is blank to represent there wasn’t a mouse after all.

70’s Retro

I decided to chose the theme of ’70’s Retro Style’ for creating my logo, as I wanted to experiment with in aesthetic of the 70’s as its still considered iconic for its fashion, patterns, colours and how even music influenced the style of typography. For my mood board I was looking into the different uses of colour and pattern, both vibrant and neutrals. Even though my mood board displays more vibrant colours and shades of pink I focused on the popularity of browns, reds and yellows. When creating my logo, I wanted to copy the 70’s use of shapes and swirls, so I chose an oval shape and tried to represent the classic 70’s shade of brown. For the text, I chose a font that was not on Adobe’s Illustrator and layered two pieces of different coloured text to create a 3D 70’s effect.

Everyday signs

I didn’t solidify a theme for my investigation into the presentation of letters in our environment, instead I focused on signs that we see on everyday and don’t realise how the use of typography effects us.

I initially focused on the letters presented on signs that raise awareness for charities or a protest. I noticed that they mainly used sans serif fonts to be eye-catching, clear and to present their urgency for change. I then used the resources already in the typography building, looking at the old signs for businesses and compared their traditional branding identity with Serif fonts, with modern day branding. The first theme that came to my head when reading the brief was road signs, as they are some of the most important pieces of information and orders citizens are presented with, so the lettering has to be clear and simple. I found that the road signs only used sans-serif fonts to portray this and uses simplistic colours such as black, white, red and sometimes yellow to get peoples attention.