OUGD603: Just Chill : Sam Hiscox 'Everything, Tomorrow'

Photographer Sam Hiscox wants to slow down time, and he’s hoping to do so with his upcoming debut solo exhibition, Everything, Tomorrow. Made up of a dreamy body of work shot over ten years – “with no end goal”, until now – the show’s title explores the “paralysing juxtaposition of wanting to achieve... but never making time to do it, or even making excuses to do whatever it is ‘tomorrow’,” alongside the simple idea that “everything can wait.”

His concept is to run an exhibition as well as creating some small publications, his intention is to chill people out by viewing these photos- which have strong aesthetic similarities to my Thailand images. Muted tones, nostalgic hues, a glimpse into something we're not familiar with.

http://www.dazeddigital.com/art-photography/article/37908/1/sam-hiscox-photographer-slow-down-and-reflect-more-everything-tomorrow

OUGD603: Just Chill - Cover Experiments

The cover is the most important part of any newspaper/publication, as this is what makes the audience decide wether or not to pick it up and engage with it. To best showcase the messages and philosophies of calm.

As the output will be printed in newspaper form, I designed to the exact specifications of The Newspaper Clubs's 'Tabloid', drawing inspiration from contemporary photobook and poster design, in a 'tabloid' format. The incorporation of The Times logo wouldn't be possible if this was for mass distribution (but as there are only 250 copies I'll just pray I won't be sued).

Inspiration from contemporary magazines 'Form' and 032C layouts

Initial Test prints & Feedback

OUGD603: Just Chill - Research into Calming Design

When considering the best way to design to de-stress an audience, colour and negative space was the first thing that came to mind, however I wanted to find out what were the most successful ways of integrating calming design techniques, specifically into editorial.

Source: https://www.creativebloq.com/creativity/10-rules-better-editorial-design-71412218

Colour

Colour theory is important when considering how the audience perceives a piece of design and the emotional impact it can have. Blue remains the most calming colour, with a paler shade being preferred than a navy or royal blue.

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/de-stress/7-relaxing-colors-and-how-they-affect-your-mood/articleshow/46946305.cms

 According to many psychology websites and colour theory specific blogs, violet and pink are also very successful colours to calm, especially when in pastel shades. However, purple based colours have always been controversial, and expensive to print, due to the complexed colour markup needed and connotations from bourgeoise which could input feelings of inferiority within the audience.

According to colour psychology review, here are the most calming shades for everyday.

Blues

Voilets

Pinks

Sensory Print Design

"Tips on how to design to provoke all the senses" - Despite being published by an Interior Design design house, the principles still apply as it is an overall experience I want to create.

They break it down into 3 key factors, 'Design for all senses', so design for visual, touch, smell and even audio. 

'Create a community' - it is proven that when people feel secure and valued their work performance and general happiness is increased massively, so by creating an community environment where everybody has equal opportunities and valued is really important for some to feel content. 

Finally, 'Design a home', is to make people feel comfortable no matter where they are. This concept is transferable to graphic design through copywriting, tone of voice and inspire opportunity. Alternatively, this could be taken literally and introduce 'homely' aspects to the design to enhance familiarity and personal comfort.

OUGD603: Just Chill - Cover/Photobook Research

Time of Nothing - Jim Mangan

 

"Photographer Jim Mangan zeroes in on the American Southwest with Time of Nothing, a book of aerial shots taken near the Great Salt Lake. One turn of the page, and it becomes clear the desert is anything but desolate. Mangan captures the landscapes in their pink and purple painted hues, complemented by rich textures sculpted from bodies of water. What ensues is a series of abstract photos that serve as a necessary reminder of nature’s faculties. Silent Sound publishes the book as a cloth-hardback, and edition of 600."  https://www.printedmatter.org/catalog/45733/

In feedback discussing the brief, my peers and tutors said for me to use my Thailand images, due to their high quality execution and dreamy tones. By shooting on a mixture of 35mm and medium format, I was able to scan in the images at an extremely high resolution for the larger scale prints. I want to investigate possible similar books and see how they were designed - these were the best 2 I found. Tranquility is captured in the beach shot, never the less they both look quite unengaging; however I think that this is down to the typography rather than the use of images.

OUGD603: Just Chill - The Happy Newspaper

The Happy News is a newspaper designed to focus on the positive aspects of the world and combat the negativity perpetuated into the world every day. Every single day there are people helping others and doing incredible things in all corners of the planet and the majority of them aren't celebrated, but we think they deserve to be recognised. We aim to bring a refreshing twist on what we typically know as 'news', reporting on positive changes and truly inspiring people'. Publications of this nature are of huge interest to me as utilising positivity helps with mental health, which is what my research publication is about.

Design

The design of The Happy Newspaper follows a conventional scale, however hand rendered typography and wider playful grid system breaks away from the busy corporate design which is the generic house style of most newspapers. Yellow is the main colour used, associated in colour theory with happiness and sunshine. Blues and whites add calming tones, giving the type and light images room to breath. By adding personal touches such as the hand rendered type a personal connection is created with the audience, further enhancing the honesty of the paper. Hand rendered type and illustration is also the speciality trait of Emily Coxhead, founder, so is also an extension of her brand.

Reviews on The Happy Newspaper

It is clear that it effects people very positively all across the country. By focusing on positive topics and imagery The Happy News is an alternative to traditional newspapers, which focus on the increasingly negative world events happening daily rather than the good things in the world. Emily Coxhead, has tapped into a niche market however I wonder if selling the papers is the best way to go to spread positive messages - in an ideal world where funding isn't an issue, a free press of this nature could have widespread positive effects if brought to the masses. 

OUGD603: Just Chill - Audience Research

To maximise engagement with the newspaper, I need to design for the type of person who is currently working in a high-pressure stressful job roll, who is still interested in creativity and culture.

Often the most high pressure jobs are working in finance and business, so I interviewed a few analysts to ask their feedback:


- Keep it concise
- Keep text to a minimal, we do too much reading at work as it is
- Images allow minds to calm down so running with that idea is good
- brief has potential to expand into an guide booklet with facts, although that may become too 'info-graphics' rather than photography led