After presenting my initial concept of using images to the group, I asked individual people outside of my friendship group to give me feed back. I asked for their opinion on how they would personally conduct the brief, after viewing the following images.
I asked the specific people as they knew very little about my intentions with the brief, nor how I have a personal connection to the brief. The idea of emotion and 'a story' was a common theme throughout all feedback. Everybody took the overall view that the images are the focal point, especially with the Ilford FP4 allowing me to blow the image up large.
Courtney Flanagan: L5, Rustic Graphic Design style
-Discuss American Culture in Chester (the UK).
-Perpetuate the idea of family and the juxtaposition of intimate images in grainy black and white.
-Tell stories from people about experiences within Harley, or show how their is two sides to everyone. The 'biker' persona and the every day 9-5 husband or wife. "Wipe away the facade of bikers".
-Explore a 'behind the scene' life, both positive and negative connotations.
When talking to Courtney she told me to look into Sally Mann, American photographer best known for her intimate black and white photographs, and Robert Frank- famous for his gritty documentary of early 20th century America. The similarities between photographic structure, tone and composition are similar to my own image content, differing in the intimacy
Luke Owen: L5, Swiss Graphic Design influence
-"The images are very nostalgic, biker culture has been around forever", create a fresh book with gritty images/content. The exterior doesn't need to follow the biker theme, creating a nostalgia with modernism.
-Photo paper will give a tacky finish, silk photo paper would be more appropriate.
Erin Blamire: L5, Artistic Graphic Design style
-The story behind the images is whats most intriguing so they need to be largely prominent on the page.
-Avoid too much text but keep a simple layout with informative annotations.
-Perhaps too kitch for a leather cover.
When discussing how I wanted to incorporate a subtle motoring stucture to the binding method, possibly using bolts or spark plugs she suggested the use of Chicago Skrews. A long thin interconnecting stem, allowing the paper to glide through with precise hole punching. Is this a long term, feasible option for a large hardbound book?
Nicky Hope: L5, Modernist Graphic Design style
-"The images are all emotion, so much feeling" (should I contrast this with impartial accompanying copy, or an impersonal cover?)
-Use a glossy stock to show off the images, type isn't really needed. The gloss of the highlights in the images would resemble chrome in the lights.
Anna Farmer: L5 Screen based design influence
-Focus on the sense of the immersive culture by having double spread images. The images look to contain stories, so by having the image large the story is more prominent.
Claire McClean: L5, Photography
"Bikers are representing type every day on their jackets with their badges and stuff."
-Hardback structure, possibly include metal to reflect the cold metal surfaces, bright lights and bikers.
-Explore that bikers aren't scary bad people. They are regular every day people like you and I, just having a particular interest. The point was raised that football fans also have negative connotations yet they are less brought up than within bikers.
-Concept to explore the biker stereotype of masculine and dark.
-Avoid repetitive images.
The overall outcome of the feedback was positive, with the general consensus thinking a handbook/ coffee table book being most appropriate. With this in mind, I will look into binding methods to best work with a larger book sizing. I will need to also work out what size is best to showcase the images with accompanying type. I intend to use a robust binding structure, showcasing possible features of the bike- possibly via a Chicago Skrew. I will also consider stock choices and look into G.F Smith samples. I would prefer the idea of a flat lying book, allowing the viewer to fully appreciate the content not just the sleek exterior.
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