OUGD503: Monotype Developments 1

When creating the imagery, we all decided to produce a range of posters or animations (about 3) each, so we had a large body of work to pix and mix from. We reflected back on our strengths so delegated roles accordingly.

- Sam's strengths and interest were towards the digital component, so took charge of the animation sequence (with input from everyone along the way).

- Rob explored the Monotype font collection, creating poster layouts and typesetting appropriate fonts. 

- Anna took charge of the presentation boards and additional research we needed for the D&AD submission. 

- I also looked at poster design, as well as illustrating possible tattoo's and creating a small animation. I had the pleasure of exploring multiple areas and sharing my ideas with others in the group and seeing them come to life.

Despite all having our own little areas of interest within this brief, we all communicated frequently to discuss preposed design decisions, especially around copywriting. The colour scheme and design aesthetic was discussed quite early on when doing our group research into Monotype. As the brief progressed, we all felt quite a clean style was needed so not to overcomplicate the message and it was interesting to see how people made the brief unique in ways others didn't even think of, which was a really rewarding experience!.

Poster inspiration 

Clean and simplistic, clear use of grid with clear directions for positioning images.

Creating tattoo's to put onto the body

As my area of research was gothic, I took a lot of inspiration from flash sheets and tattoo artists such as Mr X, tattoo artist based in London. His style is predominantly black and white line drawings, often with etched components or other symbolic coding. I was inspired by this aesthetic and decided to create a range of really simple illustrations, intended for multiple uses in anyones work; or to be recreated and warped by its intended meaning when positioned on the body. 

As the brief is for Monotype, I thought it was essential to include some typographic arrangements as well using the Monotype type bank. As this is not my main role in the group (Rob is looking at typography), I focused my focus on gothic typography.

Experimenting with Monotype typeface Fraktur, customised to resemble a clock face. It may be interesting to see how a ticking clock would work as an animation. Biggie smalls lyrics below to relate a humorous tone of voice, offsetting the gothic typeface. This also links to the hip hop scene and related sub cultures, opening the possible appeal of the design. I opted for a gothic 'Sons of Anarchy' aesthetic of design, often seen in modern culture so not as menacing anymore. The positioning of this on Alec's back 

 Hand rendered and scanned in. I used tracing paper over the alphabet of Fraktur, yet moved the top sheet to adjust kerning and letter structures. The process of working hand rendered was a pleasant change from working digitally.

I plan to incorporate these into the posters I create, as well as attempting to position them on the body. This is a big responsibility and my photoshop skills are not as strong as other members in the team, yet people in the group showed me some new photoshop skills which came in useful on the successful designs.