OUGD501 CRIT FEEDBACK

During a crit with my peers, I explained my ideas with the single publication that was cross platform between print and digital. They were all very positive towards my idea and said I should start creating some physical work for it instead of just ideas.

There was only one thing that needed to be changed and that was the content within. Unfortunately I did not consider the target audience well enough for this project. It was made clear to me that whoever would read the classic Rapunzel probably wouldn't be interested in the digital format side of the publication. This is more of a children's book and would be best suited for children obviously. My target audience is obviously someone interested in independent publishing and attracted to this abstract style of book making. For this reason I was advised to change the content to an article of some manner. This article could relate to my essay question to give the book more context when reading and interacting with it. It could also be a piece of text taken from one of the sources I used in my essay.

OUGD501 IDEA DEVELOPMENT

To develop my idea I discussed with my peers which one of my initial ideas was the best one. It was decided that I should make a publication based combining both elements of print and design for screen into one publication. This would be done by creating a well made publication documenting some information with a solid concept, that would travel throughout the entire design of both the digital aspect and physical.

One of the things that I was yet to consider and that I was unsure of was what the content of my publication should be. After some discussion with my peers I initially suggested that I use my essay which inspired this practical work as the content for it however, I was advised against this as it lacked in narrative to direct the design decisions, whatever they may be. Instead, I have decided to take a classic short story of some kind and recreate it into a more well designed format combing both print and digital influences.

After some further contemplation I decided I would use one of the classic Grimm's brothers tales to translate my ideas through design. I would use the content within the story to typeset with a more abstract approach in reflection to what was being said in the tale at the time. I'd carefully select the right binding and paper stock to also match the stories mood to make sure the publication was designed as beautifully as possible. I chose the classic tale Rapunzel as my chosen story to recreate the design for for this project. When researching and reading the tale, I stumbled across an old Rapunzel film from the early 90's which could tie in quite nicely with the digital aspect of the book. I could use screen shots from the film for further content for the publication but also include QR codes within that take you to a link to that specific scene in the film. This film has a close representation to the Grimm's brothers tale in comparison to the more modern renditions of the tale.

OUGD501 RESEARCH

To begin my research for the practical side of this module, I began looking up lots of interesting formats that information has been presented in the modern world. First I began looking at interesting ways that print can translate information on a more abstract level, engaging with the audience more and giving the publication itself a lot more value. I went to village books and studied all of the contemporary magazines, zines and books they had to offer.

There were so many books and magazines to look at but I narrowed my search down to these few. This first book it titled Grey Cobalt and has taken it's concept throughout the book to reflect the design of physical publication. Some of the imagery within has been printed in full colour and some in black and white reflecting both present and past. The whole production has been taken into very serious consideration, with multiple different techniques used to give the book a very contemporary and unique finish. It has been bound with a thread sewn technique and has a slightly embossed soft cover. It also features information within tip ins in the publication, separating image and type on a very clear level. 

This is a contemporary tattoo magazine titled TTTISM. It documents contemporary tattooing worldwide and also practices contemporary editorial to reflect the content on a physical scale also. This piece of editorial uses interesting typesetting throughout, translating images and type together in an more abstract yet legible manner. It uses a selection of modern typefaces with sharp serifs, most likely inspired by tattooing itself and the needles used in the process. It also uses a rough paper stock perhaps in keeping with the harsh content within and finally a very physical skeleton bind visible on the outside of the publication. 

Finally, this book has recreated the classic tale of Alice In Wonderland in a much more abstract way. It has a very modern illustration style throughout to express what is happening in each part of the story and also very interesting typesetting in comparison to a classic read. The book itself has been made to a custom size, completing its modern aesthetic and colourful allure. This is obviously much more eye catching design in comparison to its predecessor. 

On the digital side of the project, I have researched a number of interesting ways information has been translated on digital formats. This first example is titled BookLand. This is a website which allows independent writers to have their short stories published online. It does this in a very abstract way with lots of interactive features like gifs and exploding diagrams as the user is forced to scroll through the site. Small illustrations follow your journey through the stories also which emphasise on what is happening at that given moment. 

Finally I studied formats that link digital and print formats together and I came to the conclusion that QR codes was the answer. Using a very simple label, you can transfer information from print to a digital screen in seconds, granting access to both sides of my discussion. This could possibly be my way of linking the two together and creating one perfect publication to link both digital and print. 

OUGD501 INITIAL IDEAS

My first initial idea in response to my written work involved creating two documents of information, the first one a physical publication and the second part a screen based digital one. The content would feature my essay in two parts. The first part would express the physicality of having a printed publication. It would feature all sorts of things that you would not be able to access via a digital platform, such as nice paper stock, interesting binding and perhaps a unique printing process. The audience would have a sense of ownership over this in comparison to digital. The second part would only be accessible digitally and feature things only available via screen such as animations, gifs and brighter colours unavailable to print.

The second idea would involve some sort of campaign or event to find out peoples preferences on printed publication and screen based documentation. This would be done by some sort of pole to decide which one of the two was the more popular one. People would gather at this event and be given the option of the two which will be presenting the same information, its up to them to which they prefer.

The third idea involves one single publication that combines digital and printed matter within one. Whatever type content may be, it will be typeset in a very abstract manner using interesting typography and follow careful design principles. There will be no images but in fact QR codes where the images belong and the audience will be taken to an image/animation on their digital device, combining the two formats into one.

Another idea would be to recreate a classic short story in a modern designed book with an interesting layout and consideration into the typesetting and how it reflected upon the story. I would then recreate the same story on a digital format featuring animations and gifs where the audience is almost watching it rather then reading the whole thing alone.

My final idea is to either create a completely pro print publication using all hand made techniques like letterpress, stitch binding and screen printing to make the ultimate physical publication. The content would be lots of information and facts about why it is important to keep printed documents alive like books, magazines and so on. On the other hand, I would create a fully immersive digital website demonstrating all the good things about the digital documentation of information. It could feature links to others sites, animations and interactive elements that could alter the user experience.

OUGD501 BRIEF

How are digital platforms for communication impacting our relationship with physical publications?

The problem here is that some believe digital formats for communicating information are taking over printed publication. On the other hand, some believe that possessing physical items such as books and magazines is greater than owning anything digital such as ebooks.

The aim of this brief is to celebrate the aims of both printed matter and digital design within one document. You must translate some information, article, event of your choice on this self initiated format. This could be a book, poster, website, campaign etc. However you make this it has to celebrate both of these design platforms within one.

You must consider that the work produced must meet equal standards upon both the printed aspects and digital, demonstrating an understanding of both practices. This can be achieved by taking careful consideration into the paper stock, grid choice, digital format etc. As long as you can combine both medias on one format then the project will be a success.