Just my type (typographic book project)

This is our first official project, we are to create a book showcasing various typography all intergrated into one main theme. The theme i chose for this project is a mugshot line up, their type is their charge. My cover is a watercolour painting which incorporates each colour used in the final book. I chose to staple bind the book so it can open flat as if the page were an actual photograph of the mugshot. I will post images soon.

"What design is to me."

This was our very first assignment as 2nd year graphic design students, a 500 word "essay" about what design is to us. This is mine, please feel free to comment. This is also a reminder that I am not a writer, so bear with me. :)

Hi, my name is Design. I am your vehicle. Many people have tried to define me and failed miserably because I’m just that awesome. I’m like Jeremy Clarkson’s favourite car, a Bugatti Veyron. Undeniably amazing, breath taking and great to look at. I travel at lightning speed and have 5 gears to help me get to my optimum performance. This is my public statement...

To begin this journey we start the ignition, checking for any design problems and confront them. This enables us to decide whether previous ideas and solutions have worked or where they have failed. Research is a vital component when producing a solution it’s just as important as putting petrol in your vehicle. This will help the journey become a smooth one.

The 1^st gear gets the vehicle moving, this gear gives us the option of questioning the process of design. Who, what, why and how. Who is this made for? What is its purpose? Why is it shaped like that? And how does it work? This gear enables us to find out what is relevant towards the design and what isn’t. It allows us to solve the problem using lateral thinking, using our senses equally. After being in this gear, all questions pertaining to the design process should be answered.

The 2^nd gear gives us the option of finding alternative options to what has already been done. Throughout this gear you question the theoretical analysis. Deciphering its strengths and weaknesses. Finding alternate solutions that could make it better, different and more creative than its predecessors.

3^rd gear helps you get to the next level, finding the most suitable ideas and refining them. This gives you the necessary boost to find a solution, like having more power to go up a steep incline. This gear sets you in the right direction to finding the final idea.

4^th gear is the gear where everything is put in place and last refinements are rendered into the final idea. This is the final part of the process, attention to detail is key when in this gear. It shows your understanding of the design elements and principles.

5^th gear is the last stop. Anything done before this gear would probably be unoriginal and not functional. It is vital to go through all the gears before reaching for 5^th or else you will damage your vehicle and the only way back is the reverse gear.

If the reverse gear is required take heed when you move off, you don’t want to overlook any hidden problems. Being cautious when reversing will help when looking for certain problems in the final outcome of the design process.

In conclusion, design to me is like driving a car. If each gear is used accordingly the final outcome can be a very successful one. The way you use the vehicle also determines the way in which your process is received. If the reception of your design is what you wanted or expected then you drove well.