'Movie Props' Workshop - 'Trash' UK Gossip Magazine

Group Work

Brief:
'Trash' - UK glossy gossip mag.
- Create the visual branding and cover page design.

Who will engage with the magazine?
What is the film? What is the genre? Who will use it?

Genre: Chick Flick
Era: 2000's
Characters: Teenage Girls

Research:
Common design elements in all 2000's magazine covers:
- Bold, colourful and various typefaces.
- Collage photography.
- Logotype (large, bold and colourful).
- Content layout quite chaotic and fills the page.
- Lots of information to lure audience to look inside.
- Lots of bright and bold colours.
- Some illustrations.
- Content over-lapping each other.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Design:

Initial Layout Sketches

Digital Layouts

 

 

Digital Developments

 Presentation & Final Outcome

Studio Brief 1 - Greta Madline Editorial

To present my creative report, I decided to create a magazine editorial for my interview with Greta Madline. I did not follow the usual process of creating initial ideas, research or design developments for this outcome. This was because I simply wanted to design something that I would enjoy doing and that would be stress free. In the same way I found my communication and interview with Greta very casual, playful and fun, that's how I treated the process and design of this creative report outcome. I did a magazine/editorial design because it was something I've never done before, only seen, so I wanted to try it out and experiment with it. I also enjoyed mostly making the custom type title for the interview, and the illustrations I accompanied with the interview. I know that this outcome is nothing that is new or fresh in terms of design. In fact, it is quite typical in its use of type and layout. However, I treated the design of this outcome as something that should not necessarily be the most professional or clever, but as something that was simply enjoyable to design and pleasant to look at. Using the custom title and illustrations I believe added a sense of excitement and energy to the magazine editorial design, which highlights Greta's personality and brings something more visually interesting to the design.

OUGD501 Module Evaluation

My essay explored the relationship between Graphic Design and Architecture, and how Graphic Design has shaped the identity and impact of Architecture throughout history. One of books that informed my essay was ‘Graphic Design and Architecture: A 20^th Century History’ by Richard Poulin. This book revealed the various elements of Graphic Design that have existed within Architecture and the built environment throughout history, and suggested that Graphic Design is an important factor in making the Architecture memorable and timeless. My essay explored how buildings and structures utilise Graphic Design to aid the communication of their identity, and to create a powerful impact on society within their time, as well as up to this day.

For my practical project, I designed supergraphics that could be applied to the existing Architecture of the ‘Royal Armouries’ Museum. The brief asked the supergraphics to strengthen the identity of the museum, as well as to make it stand out and attract visitors. From exploring in my essay the different Graphic Design techniques that were used throughout history to make Architecture that was memorable and iconic, I was able to apply this knowledge to my designs and make the ‘Royal Armouries’ museum potentially fit into that category. The choice of creating supergraphics was particularly inspired by the ‘MoMA QNS’ building that I discussed within my essay. The use of supergraphics is bold and modern, which I thought would be appropriate for what I am trying to achieve. The ‘MoMA QNS’ building inspired how I view the use of supergraphics and revealed the potential of how to work with the buildings Architecture to create an even bigger impact. Furthermore, the theoretical research done for my essay inspired how the identity and message of the museum can be communicated on its exterior/Architecture. Throughout history, graphic marks and imagery have be used to reinforce what the building stood for. During the Egyptian period, for example, hieroglyphs were applied on the stone temples of King’s and high officials, to represent their power and tell their story. During the middle ages, stained-glass windows were used in Churches to represent the teachings of Christianity, which also created power for the church as most of the people at the time were illiterate. This, and other research, reveal how utilising Graphic Design to communicate what is inside of the building, on the outside, strengthens the overall power and impact of the building and its Architecture. For this reason, the outcomes I creates for this project were inspired by what is exhibited within the museum. The illustration supergraphics I created are meant to represent the vast collection that the ‘Royal Armouries’ holds, and to strengthen their identity by making the Architecture appear stronger and more iconic.

Studio Brief 1 - Intervew with Greta Madline

1. How and why did you decide to study Graphic Design?
Well, I played in a band back in Lithuania and they needed someone to make their posters. I was in an art school and I thought - why not. I really enjoyed it and then I realised that someone actually does this as a job. And that was that.

2. How was your uni experience? And do you think it helped you to get to where you are today?
Def YES! I mean maybe not in a way that was expected but still it has thought me very important skills. I don’t think I was seen as “a successful student”, I never got great grades, in a way I think I was a really bad academic but I really did enjoy it. I know that maybe it was hard for some tutors to grade me or even understand me. I really don’t blame them. Some (John Watters & Matt Burton) really enjoyed my craziness and to them I am forever grateful. I’ve learned to fight for my ideas and I really needed that attitude out there in the ‘real world’. So to answer your question, there were good times and bad, but I would definitely do it over again.

3. This one you probably get a lot and I vaguely know it began at uni, but what is the story behind 'GOLD'? :D
Hahahaha, well, actually. It’s a strange one. Second year of uni. I had this idea in my head to spray stuff in gold and make an alphabet out of that stuff. Mike Williams joined in and for a week we asked people to bring shit they didn’t need anymore so I can spray it. Then I just kept spraying stuff in gold. I sprayed outside and got a bit in trouble for destroying some tiles in the smoking area, I sprayed even at home and I think because I just got tired of explaining what I’m trying to do, people started calling me the Golden girl cuz I always had gold spray on my fingers and was always spraying or looking for something to spray in gold. I was just fascinated that gold can transform any stupid object into something that could potentially be art. So I guess that’s the story. After that I just continued spraying, I even had a golden suit and a lot of other golden stuff. It just naturally turned into my personal brand. I think I now am more delicate with it than before and I’m still fascinated by gold, the stories, the actual objects, the stiles. For me gold is more than just a colour. There are so many great stories of the gold fever and the golden age of advertising. I also love the thin line between golden kitsch and golden art. I can actually keep talking about this for ages as well. So I’ll just stop now.

4. What gets you up in the morning? (Kaskur skaiciau kad anksti keliesi, man tas atrodo neimanoma, kaip tu taip sugebi?! :D)
Well, actually I only get up early when I’m freelancing. I don’t know why. I can’t explain it. Whiles in The Kennedys I would wake up quite late. I guess I was always an early bird. I naturally wake up at 7:00 but when I used to freelance I used to wake at 5:00. I love mornings. I absolutely love them. I love running in the morning. I love coffee in the morning. I love breakfast. It’s just my favourite time of the day. The earlier the better.

5. What is your design process like? Is it always the same or does it change from brief to brief?
In branding I usually have the same process. It’s very well thought trough. Some things are intuitive. But I think my Brian thinks in a pattern now if I get a branding brief. As an Art Director I’m super chaotic. I love it. I love exploring and not knowing where I might end up. So I guess I have two different sides the logical and the creative. I wonder if they will ever mix up.

6. What has been your favourite project so far, and why?
Favourite is always the one Im working on. But I love passion projects the most. Right now I’m working on The SideCast podcast. A podcast about passion projects! So even my side project is about passions. I think it’s because I love passionate people. I’m also working with a clothing line called F***IT. We recently got an embroydery machene! So I’m super excited to experiment with that!

7. What would you say are your biggest inspirations and influences?
Our Machine, Snask, Achos, Michel Gondry, David Lynch, Danny Sangra, James Victore, Coco Olakunle, Jesica Walsh… In general I think I get inspired by random stuff. Life experiances, paper wrapers, books, words, conversations, galleries…

8. What is it like working within this industry in Lithuania, is it much different from the UK or other countries?
I think each country is different and the same. Clients mostly act the same but the bugets are different. I’ve worked in London, Vilnius, Klaipeda and Amsterdam so far and enjoyed each place differently.

9. Why did you make your surname more 'English'? Would you say that helps you to communicate with clients?
I think I would go back and change it to a more Lithuanian version. I will probably change it at some point to Medele. It has nothing to do with Lithuanian surname, people pronounce it well everywhere. I just don’t like the Lithuanian way of having a sistem where girls are publicly announced if they are married or not and men don’t have that in Lithuania. So for me it’s more about sexism than about it being Lithuanian. I’m really proud to be a Lithuanian. It’s just a bit hard right now to change it, so I decided that I’ll change it once it’s changed in my passport. Good question tho.

10. Do you think you'll be going back to work in Lithuania anytime soon/ever? Why/Why not?
I always want to work in Lithuania. I will def go back at some point. Right now I want to learn more, travel and make friends everywhere around the world. These days you can really chose where and how you want to work. There is no need to be in London or New York or any other major city unless that’s what you truly want. I worked in Lithuania for 2.5 years and I loved it but now I want to travel - so I’ll do that.

11. How was your experience at the Kennedys? What's the most beneficial thing would you say you learnt there?
Oh, wow Kennedys. I definitely will be writing a post in Medium and Linkedin about the whole experience once I’m ready. I feel I need some space until ten to process all of it. It’s an amazing experience. I’ll let you know later…

12. You are now not just a designer but also an 'Art Director', what does that job include? Is it much different?
Yes. It’s different. As as designer you get to be at the ‘making of ideas”, get to dig into the detail of design and nerd out. As an Art Director you get to make the ideas before they happen and dictate the way they will be made later on, making sure everything visually is consistent and is being presented to the client clearly. + it varies what size company you are in, or even if you freelance.

13. What's are your plans now? And where do you see yourself in the future?
Plans. Right now I’m trying to process the Kennedys, understand what it has thought me, I’m at home resting and I will be traveling to Offf Barcelona and then, we will see. I have offers. I’m still deciding.

14. What advice can you give me, something you wish you had known before graduating?
I would probably tell myself to learn motion, understand VR way more cuz it’s amazing, stop obsessing over one person, spend more time trying to know yourself more, be as crazy, be as bold, just create stuff that you like and never compare yourself with anyone else.

14. When are you going to come visit us here in Leeds?;)

I really want to come soon! I’ll try and organise a trip in August (September maybe)

OUGD505 Module Evaluation

This module I have found extremely enjoyable and satisfying. This was because I chose topics that I have a personal interest in, and was able to create work that I am proud of happy with.

Studio Brief 1 was about micro-genres, and by picking Lithuanian Rap, I was able for the first time to bring my nationality into my design work. I treated the brief with a sense of patriotisms, and allowed myself to really immerse in the imagery and culture of Lithuania. I feel that I may have gone slightly too far, as almost all reasons for design decisions were surrounding Lithuania. However, I feel like this is acceptable and okay, as it only shows how proud I am to be Lithuanian and excited to promote it to others. I especially enjoyed creating illustrations, as it meant I was able to get away from the computer and do some hands-on drawing, something which I find myself doing less and less now a days. The outcome for the brief is a 3D graffiti spray can. A 3D outcome personally is atypical for me, which is another thing that I really enjoyed creating. Making mock-ups and working the design to fit the spray can was quite relaxing and enjoyable as it also meant I got to step away from the computer. Also, having a 3D outcome makes the experience of seeing the design much different. Seeing it in real life, in context, and being able to touch it gives it a whole new meaning and impression. This I believe is very effective for the exhibition, and what makes the outcome successful.

Studio Brief 2 was about tackling an issue, and I was very enthusiastic about my chosen issue of endangered animals and the threat of extinction. It was fulfilling to design something that could have real-world applications and have the potential to make a change to the better, especially since the issue I worked with is quite emotional and important to me. The outcome I created for this brief I believe are quite innovative and interesting. It's an unconventional means of certifying products, and I believe it would be far more effective than existing methods due to it's unavoidability and boldness. The execution of the concept/ideas, however, I believe was a little rushed and could have been more developed. Although I am happy with the outcomes and believe they communicate the brief and my intentions adequately, with further development I feel like the project could have been even more effective and successful. I especially liked the colour scheme of my designs, a bright orange and 'greenpeace' green work well together and make each other stand out. The 'orange strips' on products I believe worked very well in context and looked fairly professional. The amount of outcomes I produced for the campaign, could have been more. I could have expanded the campaign into social media and more digital platforms, rather than just focusing on print materials and the website. Overall, I am very happy with the outcomes I produced, and feel proud in coming up with a concept that had the potential to be a real solution to my issues. If it was applied in real life, I believe I could really help reduce deforestation due to the demand of palm oil, and in turn help endangered species and the threat of extinction by preventing the poor animals' habit from being destroyed for our human greed.