OUGD505 // Evaluation

This module has taught me so much about research, and I have learnt how to effectively explore a subject in order to create fully informed graphic design to make a change. My time management was note quite as organised as my previous modules, as it was the last one of the year, meaning that I left a lot of the practical side until it was very late.

Studio Brief 01

By exploring films and theories about female characters, I realised that it is a much more complicated subject than I thought. I also realised more than I ever have previously how much pop culture can affect young generations. It made me feel more passionate about the change that is needed. I think this definitely affected my motivation and made me more enthusiastic about my outcome... I really enjoyed every part of this brief.

However I definitely feel like I rushed the zine, which I felt super disappointed about as this subject was really interesting to me. I wasn't organised with my time and let my essay and the COP module get in the way a little bit. This was unfortunate but I have definitely learnt from this for third year. Saying that, I am happy with most of the zine, especially the stock and the simple, easy layout. I feel that the target audience was a well thought through process and the outcome is suiting to a young audience. A few people saw it before it was handed in and enjoyed flicking through it and looking at the pictures: success!

The illustrations came out mostly good, but I'm a perfectionist with any imagery I create and I definitely want to develop this work further over summer for my own benefit and portfolio, as I think it has more potential. For example, I would like to print off a high quality version that can be binded with coloured thread, and using more coloured inks in the prints. This would be a hypothetical 'publication' rather than just a low cost 'zine'.

Studio Brief 02

This brief was enjoyable as it was small, and I could attend to it with more of a laidback approach. Also, the exhibition element drove me to work harder on it than I may have.

I didn't spend that long on it compared to past projects so I felt uneasy putting it out there - but this taught me to get to the point with my designs and not think about decision making for too long... I can be indecisive about certain features.

As the other brief was much larger, I found that I focused less on this one, which is something that is natural. Some projects will be more important than others and balancing them in an appropriate manner is needed.

I think I could have done a little more research into the book contents than I have, as I took on the book name more than the content - however, I believe that successful design can work this way well too.

Women in Film // Stock and binding

After my first illustrations before I changed them and worked on them further, I printed out some rough examples on coloured paper as I was thinking of using it to brighten up the zine, rather than printing colour which is more expensive.

I also wanted to test out the composition, and this was partly what made me want to change the illustrations and abolish the hand rendered letters as it was looking too messy. Multi-coloured paper does look bright and inviting, but I found that it detracted a little too much from the info and images.

I have moved on to wanting to use light grey paper, as it adds an interesting element but isn't distracting.

After making definite decisions on content and illustrations, I printed out some pages on normal printer paper to figure out the composition and test it out. I found that the text needed to be moved to the right a little and the illustration to the left.

I printed the front cover on silver GF Smith stock, using the normal studio printer (to fit in with the zine low budget). It surprisingly came out perfectly on the second try.

I would have loved to have done binding with thread but I ran out of time, so I stapled the booklet.
When folding it I made a crease in the paper, and the staple missed the fold, which affected the presentation of the zine. However, as these are supposed to be sold at a low price, things like this aren't too big of a deal.

Women in Film // Research: Book binding techniques

Coptic stitch

https://www.flickr.com/photos/zoopress_studio/2227306448/

http://www.open-output.org/stefanieleuze/project/12085

https://www.behance.net/gallery/8382789/Museum-A-House-for-Learning-by-Pter-Gyoergy

https://www.behance.net/gallery/24161481/Rola-bistrot-delle-marche

https://www.behance.net/gallery/13820155/Print-Guide

https://www.behance.net/gallery/24518813/SELECTED-WORKS-Portfolio-book

Saddle Stitch

https://www.behance.net/gallery/23278849/Forms-of-Solitude

http://www.atipus.com/

https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/410883165978088782/

https://www.behance.net/gallery/16202997/Catalogue-de-diplomes

Women in Film // Painting development

I have decided to create a simple zine with female tropes in, which will be illustrated by imagery. I have developed the illustrations before taking any other steps.

Type

Medium: Indian ink, as I haven't used it before to paint with and I think it could create some interesting and simple illustrations.

Zine cover

For the cover of the zine, I wanted to create type that is gritty and a little aggressive to address the seriousness of the situation, rather than give off the impression it is a celebration of women.

Using the ink I experimented with different styles of type, I wasn't keen on any of the more elegant styles because it didn't seem suiting to the subject. I warmed to the letters in all capitals that are more confrontational.

For the inside of the cover, I sketched film roll, which proved quite difficult with the ink - attention to detail is needed. After scanning, I multiplied the illustration to form a pattern - it is a simple (but obvious) way of reflecting the subject matter. However, the pattern messes with the viewers eyes a bit as parts of the pattern are repeated in a line - something I'm not completely happy with.

Zine content

For the tropes names, I wanted to use the ink to create scruffy hand painted letters to name each trope in a playful way. I also see this style as appropriate for a low cost zine.

It was very trial and error to get legible letters that would fit together well. I scanned them in, and pieced them together:

The words are pretty clear, but I wasn't happy with them as I changed by mind about the 'scruffy' style. Maybe letters in this fashion paired with illustrations would be too much, so I've decided to use a sans serif typeface for the headers inside the zine after this experimentation.

Illustrations

Next I painted some ideas for imagery, taking from my research and portraying the ideas visually.

The Smurfette Principle - One female character amongst an all male cast.

At first I thought of drawing Princess Leia from Star Wars as she is an example of this stereotype, but then I thought... that isn't very imaginative or creative. I also thought about drawing the Smurfette from the Smurfs, which again isn't imaginative. I want to create a zine that is original to me.

So from this, I started to think outside the box. How can I reflect these themes through very simple imagery?

Most of my ideas were based around something being the odd one out, like simple shapes or peoples heads.

Then I came up with the idea of people's profiles lined up in a humorous manner.

By boldening one of the profiles, it clearly shows someone being the odd one out. The style of the faces create a playful atmosphere that I want to keep going throughout.

I scanned this painting in, and after playing around with it a little, I went off it and tried to create something more expressive:

It took many tries with the ink but I created these faces which look a lot more effortless and interesting. I did it by gliding the paintbrush very quickly and smoothly down the page, whereas with the previous image It was more of a detailed process.

I decided to incorporate a small amount of colour into the zine, so instead of filling in the whole face I solely made the outline red to signify the importance.

I painted some pages with watered-down ink to use as a pattern to break up the illustrations... This is because I want to keep the illustrations black and white but adds zine-scruffy layers.

I'm quite happy with the paint filler, as it makes the face considerably more bold.

The Evil Demon Seductress - An evil creature taking the shape of a women with great sex appeal.

For this trope I have struggled to think of metaphorical images. The two main points of this stereotype are sexuality and evilness.

The Manic Pixie Dream Girl - A joyful woman who picks up a sad man.

Damsel in Distress - A woman or girl who is helpless and in need of saving.

Alpha Bitch - A narcissistic, mean-spirited girl who is the leader of her gang.