❣ { Girl meets Design. } ❣ @hannahmaerr-blog1 - Tumblr Blog

13.01 | Course Reflection

First of all, I didn’t really expect anything out of the course. I just went with the flow. ‘Communication Design Studies’ - I was looking forward to learning about design history and theory. It was about how ‘communication’ had progressed from the beginning of time into the design we know of today.

Early-print with the clay tablets and printing methods was the new area that interested me the most. To me, this is how design began - how it was recorded into presentation for the purposes of communication. Zine-making and artist books is very important to Andy and Karen, and I think it’s wonderful that they shared this with us! I still have knowledge gaps in design theory and would like to further explore on famous, influential, iconic designs from the 20th century.

I prefer to work digitally, so it’s good that we had an opportunity to be hands-on and resourceful by using materials and not be so fixed on computers and software! I discovered that there’s more to my craft skills, and to incorporate this in my design process. I have been made aware about design ethics and definitely need to ensure I have self-respect and a beneficial purpose as a designer. I am very interested in what’s next in design for our generation, especially User Experience Design. I am looking forward to how design will evolve and influence the world!

Thank you Andy and Karen for such an enjoyable course with great content and activities!

12.02 | Ask Me Anything!

The creative I chose to interview is Alessandra Lanot. She is a surface pattern designer - Alessa paints, illustrates and designs patterns and illustrations that are applied onto products of the brands she collaborates with. She also teaches watercolour painting workshops, along with making her own watercolour paints. I chose an artist that I had discovered through Instagram because many creatives I follow work with watercolour and lettering. I admire her work very highly because of the detail and passion she puts into her work! I especially love the stationery sets and calendar designs! I thought just designing patterns that could be applied onto different surfaces is simple. But she says she puts a lot of thought on how her patterns will look on the end product!

I had originally wanted to make a magazine spread, but changed my mind to a booklet or zine (?). A whole one-page folded spread. I wanted to portray the whole idea of ‘surface’ design - This was how I wanted to depict her creative world. I also wanted to feature as many patterns of her work as much as I could, and show the variety of her work! There were so many patterns to choose from, that I had to pick a few that matched or went well together overall in the zine. I didn’t want to add other elements like a line, shapes or background because it would compete with the exquisite detail in the images of her work. I went for a clean, elegant and floral style. I added loose pages/images that are double sided, to show the pattern work that correlates with the product. I would have printed her patterns onto paper, but I wanted to use fabric instead to continue or demonstrate her surface pattern work, as she also applies her patterns to clothing collections.

Improvements and changes that I would make if I could make it again? Maybe have a more interesting layout. Print her pattern onto fabric. Have an evenly folded zine where both sides are perfectly aligned. Change the paper and print quality. Probably cut the zine with a more straighter edge with minimal error. Re-print the sleeve because of the creases in it. Probably attach the loose pages on the last page onto a ring to avoid falling out. Maybe I’m just picking at all the flaws in my own work!

Overall, I am quite happy in the outcome of this project! The only stressful part for me was probably just trying to figure out how to depict her creative world, other than wondering if they will respond back to me in time!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifeafterbreakfastph/?hl=en

Website: https://lifeafterbreakfast.ph/

12.01 | Project construction

Tools that I used? A paper cutter/slicer, cutting knife, rulers, scissors and a hot glue gun.

I printed the pieces at Dinkums as I had various loose pages inside the small zine. I printed it onto two different paper/cards as the A2 paper didn’t have many options than the smaller sizes. The A2 paper and printing quality was also lower. The main long card piece has a matte surface and the loose photos and cards had a silky surface.

I first cut the long piece of card - I used my old ruler because the card was tough to cut into. And then I folded it accordingly into 6. However the folds were uneven! The double sided pages didn’t align well!

I was doing this at night, while also watching the livestream of the Royal wedding on my phone. Which I probably shouldn’t have done, as I made many errors while cutting the pieces of cards, especially in the insert page! I folded the extra page with the photo of Alessa that would fold out of the first page and pasted it with the long piece of card.

For the front and back covers, I used a scrap piece of cardboard that was lying around my room and wrapped it in fabric and stuck it together with hot glue. I was planning on printing one of Alessa’s patterns onto fabric. However while researching on how or where to do it, they required a minimum of metres, and it was also very expensive! I only needed 1 metre or less for this one project. So I just went to Spotlight and Lincraft to look for a printed floral pattern that was similar to Alessa’s work and matched the aesthetic of the zine.

I attached the covers to the long card with hot glue and lastly printed the title/label onto craft paper that would hold the fold out/accordian zine together.

11.01 | What’s Next in Design?

[GRAP2199 lecture week 11]

What I got out of the lecture is that design has the power to create an influence on the world with innovative design that can help others. Opposed to using design for the purpose of advertising, it can be a tool to move the world forward, to collaborate and empower - which was demonstrated in the open-sourced project, ‘Eyewriter’, that assisted in giving the ability of a paralysed man to continue their creative ambition.

The Industrial Revolution created the modern world we live in today. Upcoming emerging technologies like robotics, rapid 3D prototyping, laser cutters are new systems that can change the way we make and design products, thus transform the future. The future of design is creating a way on how we connect with creatives and professional to design - implementing open source design with engineers and scientists to improve the way we live and are influenced.

I hope the future of design will heavily focus more on environmental impact and sustainability. It is currently transitioning into that, however it is implemented through mostly high-end products and designs. With a population rising, we will need to educate and create sustainable design that will cater for all people and control environmental impact that is easier for everyone.

10.02 | Work in Progress

(Ask me Anything project update)

Currently developing the interview on InDesign, but here are some of my initial sketches and ideas.

^ Made another prototype by printing a smaller version in black and white. To test how the loose pages would fit in, and to see how close the text and photos would fit together on the page. I am adjusting the positions and sizes on InDesign before finalising for print. I have written notes for the printing service.

10.01 | Prototyping

I used the paper from Andy’s blue filing cabinet that had blu-tack left on it. I used the blu-tack to stick 2 pieces of A3 pages together since there was no A2 paper available in the scrap bin.

For my prototypes, I made different variations of the sizes I could make for my accordion zine. Different sizes and different number of pages, landscape/portrait. I tested these to see which layout I should make for my zine, to ensure that everything can fit. I highlighted the folds so the pages were clearer to see.

I’m going to make the one with 6/12 pages from A2 page length.

(Ask me anything project)

09.01 | Zine making thoughts...

Img source: http://galadarling.com/article/februarys-megababemission-make-a-mini-zine/

After the week 9 workshop of identifying letterforms by appropriating artworks and photographs in the models of magazines, and turning those cut outs into a zine - I came to realise that zines don’t take as much time than I thought (To myself I had first exaggerated the time consumption after the week 8 workshop of making/folding zines). They are probably easier to make as I make scrapbooks as a side hobby for my own memories and I decorate them. This class is encouraging me to be more crafty and to be hands on. So I have changed my mind to make a zine for the Ask me anything project.

However, I first thought that a zine isn’t appropriate for the creative I am interviewing because she is quite clean and elegant. So I have been thinking of a different way to adapt a zine to her style.

Progress from my interview: Meagan (Whimsy Design Studio) has responded back to me with her images and I have her responses for my questions :)

Img source: http://blog.parabo.press/2015/06/25/diy-how-to-bind-a-zine/

After researching for some pretty zines, I came across the first image above for some small inspiration for a feminine style for the pages of my zine. I will produce the zine from 1/2 of an A3 page that will be folded into a 4 page accordian, it will be double sided and I will tie it together with twine. I’m not sure if this is considered a zine as it fully folds out. I think this is more appropriate for my interviewee because it has a postcard, sentimental aspect it which is slim and simple than a zine booklet. Just not sure whether to produce this digitally or print all images and text and paste it into the accordian!

08.01 | Zines

I never knew this zine culture and movement existed. But it feels like they fit with the modern society who are socially active, empowered and driven by the issues we face.

Zines - handmade booklets curated by the unique minds of our generation. They are quite an intriguing specimen.

My interpretation of it is I think it’s a creative outlet for people to freely express their ideas with no bounds of design. They publish what’s outside of pop culture, a vision of something they feel strongly about and a desire to connect with their creation.

Being shown by how to make them just seemed like a lot of real hard work and a lot of time. You fold, number, cut, trim, organise pages and photocopy, and you do it all over again. Aligning and matching all your pages up got very confusing.

I feel it’s not a format that I should represent any of the people who I want to interview, because I don’t think it’s their “vibe” or style. Even though they are all unique, I don’t think it’s relevant to their design practice and their ideas, because I feel like they are clean and delicate. However I have a creative friend I know of that can be adapted to a zine, that’s if the creatives I have contacted haven’t replied back.

07.04 | Htoo Paw

This is the work of my dear friend from high school, Htoo Paw. She was in my studio arts class, and these sneakpeak snapshots from her Instagram are the works she put in the folio for our class. She has taught me a lot about painting. Htoo Paw studies Bachelor of Fine Arts at RMIT University - she aspires to be an Art teacher and help the disadvantaged.

Htoo Paw draws inspiration from nature, her culture, her refugee past, and her loved ones. Many of her paintings feature motifs of flowers and the colour red. She and/or her friends are the subject of many of her paintings. To describe Htoo Paw’s paintings, they are beautiful and expresses a delicacy with a natural vibe and laid back aesthetic.

(Ask me anything project)

Img source: https://www.instagram.com/lavvarr/?hl=en

07.03 | Whimsy Design Studio

Whimsy /wim-zee/ n. 1. a fanciful or fantastic device, object, or creation especially in writing or art; 2. a playful or unexpected idea led more by imagination than by reason; 3. an extravagant or excessively playful expression

Meagan owns Whimsy Design Studio, that designs wedding stationery and signage for clients. She also sells her pre-made designs through Etsy.

She heavily impacts on the wedding scene as she sets the theme of the wedding with her calligraphy, hand lettering, watercolour and illustrations, which goes beyond graphic design. Meagan creates and personalises designs that represent the love between the couples she designs for by getting to know them and their needs and interests for their weddings.

Meagen has had corporate experience with graphic design and has a Bachelor of Fine Arts. She was first introduced to designing for weddings when her friends and family request invitation designs from her. She fell in love with it and continued to design for weddings. With a similar story, friends of mine have also asked me to design invitations for them. And I also designed the stationery, invitations and signage for my 18th birthday and for my high school valedictory/graduation dinner. So I am interested in this pathway.

(Ask me anything project)

Img source: https://www.instagram.com/p/BiC4bwlhCg6/?taken-by=whimsydesignstudio

07.02 | LifeAfterBreakfast

Alessandra calls herself a ‘surface pattern designer’. She is based in the Philippines, and she holds workshops teaching people how to paint with watercolour. She also makes her own watercolours.

She works with clients for their stationery or event design (invitations) and collaborates with brands to create print designs for their products, brand identity or collections.

I especially love her floral patterns and illustrations of flora. She has an elegant, pretty and swift style in her work. She gains inspiration from the Philippine culture and flowers.

I have always wanted to improve my skill in watercolour and attend a class. But I can never find one with her passion, so I am self-taught.

(Ask my anything project)

Img source: https://www.instagram.com/p/BZIgYQAnWaC/?taken-by=lifeafterbreakfastph

Wasn't here for the week 6 grap2199 workshop! But I came across this Instagram profile of a designer that was being advertised on my feed. I tapped to check out their profile, and saw this that reminds me of the workshop that I've been seeing on my tumblr feed from other students! This designer is participating in the 36 Days of Type project.

https://www.instagram.com/attitudecreative/

The various straight, curved and cropped shapes formed the letters to create this geometric typeface. Each letter formed is given a unique structure and has its own characteristics whilst maintaining the style.

06.02 | Interviewees

I put all the names I thought of under a relevant category, because I know people under each one and gives me a range to choose one/two from each. I’ll be surprised if people from 1-3 even respond back to me!

1. Industry individuals - In year 12, for my research on my theoretical upcoming fashion organisation I was designing for in my folio project, I wanted to do some first-hand research. So I emailed infamous fashion gurus, fashion bloggers, and fashion social media influencers through their business emails asking to answer some questions if they had time to respond. I get nervous talking through the phone, so I emailed. None of them emailed me back, not even til this day. I don’t have high hopes that I’ll be able to reach these designers, but here is a few that If I could - Gemma O’Brien, Aaron Draplin

2. Studios - Same as the industry individuals, it may be difficult to reach freelancers and studios to respond back to me or to have the time to interview them - Hey Studio, Swear Words Studio, Dow Design Studio

3. Instagram - I figured that I am exposed to designs through who I see on my Instagram feed. I looked through the people I follow, and discovered that I mostly follow calligraphers, lettering artists and illustrators. Such as of course the well-known Seb Lester and to name a few @katepullendraws @junedigann @lifeafterbreakfastph. Some do their work as a hobby, some personalise invitations and cards, and some sell their work online through Etsy or other websites.

4. RMIT Students - I have friends in their third year or have probably already graduated. Monica (Game design), Marianne (Architecture), Tupa (Fine Arts)

5. Family and Friends - My uncle Zac (Retired architect), not sure whether to interview him because I feel his designs are more old school as he worked for a housing company in the Philippines. My former high school textiles teacher, Miss Moselen - she is now a Creative director at an established craft company, her work basically involves just trying to change the face of the company so they are more updated. But I think all her work is restricted to the public.

06.01 | Jeepney Art

In the Philippines, one of the forms of public transport is jeepneys. They were originally jeeps left behind from the U.S. in ww2. Jeepneys are personalised by their owners with unique accessories, colourful art and interesting decorations to further enlighten the bold streets of the Philippines. They may collect or find accessories on the streets, salvage yards and build/manufacture them locally. The imagery painted on the jeepneys are often like tattoos that are meaningful to the driver/owner. The visual designs distract from the hard life in the Philippines. Jeepneys are a symbol of the Filipino culture. To represent our hospitality, strength and pride in both ourselves and culture.

05.01 | Project Final Outcome

I didn’t find the 5x5 table/grid of generating ideas helpful for me. Instead I looked and tried to see what objects I could use to create the letterform out of first and then form the question - Which may not be the point of the assignment, as it may have been the other way around.

My question is How can you record timeless design?

I find it difficult to elaborate this question, but designs go out of style quickly or get improved, or go obsolete. I was thinking of “timeless” as the ICONIC designs such as specific furniture like Starck’s transparent chair, the telephone booths in London. And “record” as in how to keep designs around and maintain its ‘classic’ and ‘iconic’ status, keeping its value.

The referral to using CDs, obviously it records data, and because its industry is falling as more people prefer to stream music on their smart devices. So CDs are basically dead by this time.

Any changes to make to the final? YES! If I had that one week more before submission to work on the project, I would have changed the wording of the question, because I realised my question seems a bit bland. (My negative thinking on my own work may be tapping in).

Before I submitted, I asked 5+ people to read my project once I had finished. Most found it confusing to read and figure out the letters, some got the idea of it, while others I gave them a hint first. I probably should have made it to something like “Why is iconic design so difficult to record?” Rather than having to restart the whole project again (which is not a good idea when running low on time and I rushed it). I should have edited the spacing of the CD letters, so people wouldn’t find it so confusing, and also edit some parts of the CDs to make it lighter.

I think my project letterform - the aesthetic looks cool, however it doesn’t function well. But other than discussing the changes, I learn to accept my designs once its out there (submitted in this case). As an RMIT first year, I doubt myself a lot. Musician artists may hear their songs on the radio, and always say “Argh! I should have changed this part!”

Once people had figured out the question, they could see the question clearly once they understood it. But they enjoyed breaking the question down like a puzzle.

04.03 | Pangram part 2

For the second part of the pangram session, our group used the tape rewinded/pulled from the cassettes to create the pangram. I was the one who chose the weird pangram that I didn’t even know what ‘vexingly’ and ’daft’ meant, but they were cool words (lol).

We had to think smart on how we created our letterform. So we used tiny pieces of tape to hold the letters together. We probably made the letters too big as I realised a quarter into making it. We used about 2 cassettes, but I think all the tape would’ve made up 1 cassette.

Whenever the tape ended when we needed it, we would just add more and conect it, then continue from where we left off. It took a lot of time, but our group cooperated well and were productive in creating our pangram :) Awesome teamwork

Pangram: How vexingly quick daft zebras jump

04.02 | Pangram part 1

My group chose the sentence that we had googled;

THE FIVE BOXING WIZARDS JUMP QUICKLY

We intensely thought that this was a group challenge, but we were the first group back!

We tried assigning each person to scribe a couple of words with water, however the sun was strong, that it evaporated the words really quickly. So we got Jacob to write the whole sentence, and then Alex, Eamon and I would paint over the letters with water to keep it visible as Jacob would continue writing the sentence until we captured the photo. My shadow delayed the drying up time as it blocked the sun.

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