Inspired Ideas

A particularly inspiring design by studio-cuculic.hr

http://www.studio-cuculic.hr/radovi.php?c=3

I really like the bright colours and the really interesting designs for the year. It is very eye-catching.

http://www.korlat-vina.hr/images/cms_gallery_photo/63.jpg

http://www.korlat-vina.hr/images/cms_gallery_photo/64.jpg

http://www.korlat-vina.hr/images/cms_gallery_photo/68.jpg

http://www.korlat-vina.hr/images/cms_gallery_photo/65.jpg

http://www.korlat-vina.hr/images/cms_gallery_photo/66.jpg

http://www.korlat-vina.hr/images/cms_wine_year/1_image.jpg

http://www.korlat-vina.hr/images/cms_gallery_photo/78.jpg

http://www.korlat-vina.hr/images/cms_wine_year/2_image.jpg

http://www.korlat-vina.hr/images/cms_gallery_photo/77.jpg

http://www.korlat-vina.hr/images/cms_wine_year/7_image.jpg

http://www.korlat-vina.hr/images/cms_gallery_photo/79.jpg

Third piece of particularly inspiring design by hat-trickdesign.co.uk – Task 4)

http://graphicambient.com/2012/02/17/east-thames-offices-uk/

4) Now select ONE designer or company that you find particularly inspiring. Choose THREE pieces of design (these might be separate items or three campaigns of linked items) and make analysis of each of these:

Why do you like it find it inspiring?

I like these pieces because they are bright and eye-catching. I like the colour scheme used because it is very cheery. I like the large-scale ‘G’ and ‘5’. The designs really brighten up the area without being ‘too much’.

What is the message/purpose of the piece?

My research tells me that these are ‘Environmental graphics and wayfinding scheme’.

Who is the audience and HOW does it hail the audience?

The audience would be anyone who comes to visit the housing association East Thames’ group headquarters in Stratford and anyone who walks by that building. The staff who work there are also the audience.

In what ways would you say it is innovative (if it is) OR why is it appropriate for this piece to use traditional conventions?

It looks innovative to me because some of the designs are really big and bold like the large ‘G’ and ‘5’. The designs are minimal which makes them look modern.

Outline the signifiers and how they tell you anything about the signified meaning – look at things like messages, narrative, quality, hailing and anything else that you deduce.

The numbers and letters are symbols so most people will be able to work out what they mean. My research tells me that the brands identity uses sunrises so this is why warm colours have been used.

The cup probably tells us that there is a café near or refreshments are available. I’m not sure what the piece that looks like a rainbow is trying to say. I thought the inspiration was meant to be sun rises, not rainbows.

Would you say that this designer or design company has a recognisable style – if so describe why this is, or say why this is not the case.

This piece fits in with the design for the Natural History Museum.

Here is some information I found out about the design when I was doing research.

‘East Thames Offices, UK

by Hat-Trick Design
2008

Environmental graphics and wayfinding scheme for housing association East Thames’ group headquarters in Stratford, east London. Based on the Group’s brand identity theme of ‘sunrises’, referencing the sun rising in the east. Using the principles of light, shade and reflection, a simplified circular ‘sun’ shape and a relevant colour palette, we created an innovative system using reflected and transparent sunrise colours.

Creating ‘glowing’ iconography and wayfinding by bouncing colour from the reverse of signs against white walls of the building provided the base for their scheme.

Transparent colour applied to glazing let natural light cast colour throughout the building.

In addition, applied graphics and installations captured the theme of the ‘sun’, including a 2m clock in the public space alongside photography of local sunrises submitted by residents across east London and clients of East Thames to convey an optimistic and hopeful future.’

Article above from: http://graphicambient.com/2012/02/17/east-thames-offices-uk/

http://graphicambient.com/2012/02/17/east-thames-offices-uk/

http://issuu.com/lavita/docs/followme__wayfindingbj

Second piece of particularly inspiring design by hat-trickdesign.co.uk – Task 4)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxOwTQDiATg&feature=player_embedded#!

Why do you like it find it inspiring?

I liked the strong shape and outline of the design. The photos used inside are bright and eye-catching. Design plus nature equals a very good result.

What is the message/purpose of the piece?

The ‘N’ is the ‘N’ in the word natural. So this piece of design is a logo and identity for the Natural History Museum.

Who is the audience and HOW does it hail the audience?

The audience is anyone who visits the Natural History Museum or their website so that will be any student, teacher, tourist or families. I think this design hails the audience quite loudly and confidently. This design is trying to get your attention with a high impact, bright, eye-catching design. This design says ‘Look at nature now!’.

In what ways would you say it is innovative (if it is) OR why is it appropriate for this piece to use traditional conventions?

Although I’m sure this technique has been used before, for me at least I think this design is innovative. This is because the shape the ‘N’ has taken looks very modern. I like the way the stems have two rounded terminals.

Outline the signifiers and how they tell you anything about the signified meaning – look at things like messages, narrative, quality, hailing and anything else that you deduce.

This design is a symbol and its meaning will be known by anyone who can read. The images on nature inside the ‘N’ give an idea of what can be seen inside the museum or on the website.

Would you say that this designer or design company has a recognisable style – if so describe why this is, or say why this is not the case.

This piece fits in with the East Thames Office piece because both have thick typography. The London Eye Clinic piece stands out from the group.

First piece of particularly inspiring design by hat-trickdesign.co.uk – Task 4)

http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/3/9/2/5/3/2/webimg/462551107_tp.jpg

Why do you like it find it inspiring?

The reasons I find it inspiring will be explained in detail in the answers to the next questions. I have read the questions in advance and I don’t want to repeat myself.

What is the message/purpose of the piece?

From my research I found out that the design represents each stage of laser eye surgery. Apart from that it is also a very attractive logo/identity for the clinic.

Who is the audience and HOW does it hail the audience?

The audience is anyone who is researching or looking in to having laser eye surgery. This type of surgery is expensive so the audience may be people who are well off. I think this piece of design hails in a quiet and knowledgeable manner because there are no loud colours or big flashy shapes.

In what ways would you say it is innovative (if it is) OR why is it appropriate for this piece to use traditional conventions?

I see this piece as innovative because I haven’t seen anything like this before, apart from in a child’s toy.

http://www.retrowow.co.uk/retro_collectibles/60s/spirograph_patterns.jpg

This piece looks simple overall, when you step back and look at it but when you look close you can see how complicated it is. There are so many lines. I like the way and find it inspiring, how a design can be so simple yet so complicated at the same time.

I also really like the way they have used the design in different places, as the pictures below show and it still looks good. I love the way it has been applied to a white wall and all its intricacies can be seen.

Outline the signifiers and how they tell you anything about the signified meaning – look at things like messages, narrative, quality, hailing and anything else that you deduce.

I think this logo is like a symbol and its meaning has to be learnt. I think once a person has seen it once, whenever they see it again it will jog their memory and they will know it symbolises the London Vision Clinic.

The main signifier for this design is the shape of the eye. I was surprised how well their design emulates the look of an iris.

The signified meaning tells me that this clinic knows and understands how intricate and delicate my eyes are so I should have my surgery with them.

http://www.health-energy-fitness.com/attachments/Image/Classes/Blue_Eye.jpg

Would you say that this designer or design company has a recognisable style – if so describe why this is, or say why this is not the case.

I would say this piece stands out as not fitting in with the other pieces I looked at. The other two pieces use thick typography so I could argue that they are similar. This design doesn’t use any thick type.

Here is some information I found out about the design.

‘Harley Street-based London Vision Clinic is the UK’s foremost laser eye-surgery clinic, using the latest technology to treat prescription-strength and refractive eye conditions. It challenged Hat-Trick Design to create an identity that reflected the intricate and delicate nature of the surgery. Hat-Trick developed five guilloche ‘eye’ patterns, created using a single icon repeated to form the eye shape. Each icon represented a key stage in the process: screening, service, treatment, results and aftercare.’

and

‘Benchmarks Awards 2009
Category: Pharmaceuticals/Healthcare – programmes
London Vision Clinic by Hat-Trick Design
Shortlisted’

http://awards.designweek.co.uk/benchmarks/2009/category/pharmaceuticals-healthcare/london-vision-clinic/london-vision-clinic.php

http://awards.designweek.co.uk/dw/2009/category/identity-programmes/london-vision-clinic/london-vision-clinic.php

http://awards.designweek.co.uk/benchmarks/2009/category/pharmaceuticals-healthcare/london-vision-clinic/london-vision-clinic.php

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7pXQE4qo5I&feature=player_embedded

http://www.behance.net/gallery/London-Vision-Clinic-rebrand/264531

Website Design

Looking at www.carterwongdesign.com for Task 2)

http://www.carterwongdesign.com/how-we-work.php

2) But also try to make more of a semiotic/ideological analysis of the websites too –

How/ in what ways do these HAIL the audience?

Looking at this paragraph from the website:

‘It’s our only formula. We don’t work to set methods, or produce ‘cookie-cutter’ design. Our work is as different and diverse as our clients and their business needs. We’re right with them throughout the process, an expert hand at every stage: from the development of a brief, to implementation. And with us there’s no jargon; we speak strategically but never incoherently.’

The designers are hailing people as potential clients. The designers are pointing out the similarities between themselves and potential clients. People are being hailed as equals and are being treated with respect. The website hails the audience as discerning clients.

What signifiers tell you anything about the way the quality or ethos of the sites?

The type tells us that this team provide a very thorough service. They really want to get inside the brief and then provide a set of original ideas. The images show friendly people and the type that appears when you hover over one of the pictures explains each individuals talents.

http://www.carterwongdesign.com/about/who-we-are/

What basic assumptions (ideologies) do they make about the viewers/clients and how do you know/deduce this from the signifiers? Also a binary opposites analysis might help here

I think that the basic assumption has been made that the viewer/client is looking for a really thorough, high quality service with the guarantee of a
high quality outcome. It is mainly the type that shows me this. The images give proof that the design team can back up their words with actual outcomes.

The basic assumption is made that the viewer has a product or service that needs a logo or packaging design. The images of logos and packaging outcomes indicate this.

Potential clients can see which companies have trusted this design team. So the design team may assume that their future clients will be big/well-known companies. I see charges are not mentioned on the site. So they assume that their clients will only approach if they are well-funded.

http://www.carterwongdesign.com/

Binary opposites analysis

Bright – Dull

Text – Images

Brief – Outcome

Team – Client

Light – Dark

Expectation – Outcome

High quality – Low quality

Start – Finish

Claim – Proof

Left – Right

Talk – Listen

Idea – Outcome

Poor – Well-funded

Website Design

www.nbstudio.co.uk – Task 1)

http://www.nbstudio.co.uk/

1) What kind/type of website is it (commercial, fan site, informative, helpdesk, forum for art and culture or music etc).

This website showcases the work of a design company called NB. This website is commercial and informative.

This links to who is the website for, who is it directed at? Who might be using it.

This website is directed at any individual/person in business or any companies/community groups who have a product or service that they need some design for.

Students could use this website for research purposes, like myself.

You then need to evaluate it in terms of its function and user group – what will they think of it?

What are the visual aesthetics of the content of the website? What is the immediate ‘feel’ of it? A PMI might help

Plus – I really like the dynamic, fun and interesting home page. It loads these beautiful images (among others) that are really eye-catching.

Minus – I haven’t seen a minus point yet.

Interesting – These images are really big compared to other sites.

ask WHY it has been designed like this and HOW does it communicate.

Page size/length. Are these beneficial to the site or do they make it difficult?

I didn’t find any problem with the page size and length. The images are quite big. The biggest ones take up two-thirds of my screen. It is only a problem if I want to have two windows open at the same time.

How are images used? PMI but be specific about effectiveness and purpose

Plus – Images used as links that go grey when you hover over them. This adds dynamism.

Interesting – I like the way they’ve used the company logos for their clients.

http://www.nbstudio.co.uk/our-clients/recent-clients

Minus – I can’t really think of any minus points apart from what I’ve already mentioned above.

How is typography used? PMI being specific about:

Tone of voice of the type
Choice of typefaces – are they effective for screen use?
Bulk or lack of type – is it too much, too blocky, too small etc. Say HOW/WHY it works or does not work

Plus – Their tone of voice is confident, business like and reassuring.

‘A dedicated team of ten, we’re hands-on and always here for you.’

http://www.nbstudio.co.uk/how-we-add-value

Minus – I can’t think of any minus points. I suppose some people may want more information but they would be able to request that from the designers.

Interesting – It was interesting that the site contains type that is really big. This is eye-catching and something different and unexpected.

http://www.nbstudio.co.uk/how-we-add-value

The typefaces they use are:

Helvetica Neue in size 8.5
Helvetica Neue in size 11
Helvetica Neue in size 27
Georgia in size 11
Georgia in size 21

The type is in black and grey. I’m surprised that Helvetica looks a bit messy on the screen.

Back ground colours and textures? Effective or distracting? How and Why.

The background colours used are black white and grey. It’s nice to see little changes like this.

Does it have gimmicks, animations etc? How and why are they effective or not?

This site didn’t have any gimmicks that I could find.

Is the unity of the website spoiled (or aided) by commercial banners and so on?

There are no commercial banners or adverts which is nice as I’m not distracted.

Navigation – is it easy and straightforward or difficult and frustrating? Describe HOW and WHY this is so. Be specific as this is very important.

The site is split in to news, our clients, case studies, projects, what we do, how we add value and contact. It is logical to break down the material like this so people can find what they want.

There is no problem with the navigation that I could see. As I’ve already said some of the images are quite big but it doesn’t really cause a problem.

How do design elements such as link buttons help the navigation?

This website has these links which I didn’t notice on the other websites.

http://www.nbstudio.co.uk/projects/mothercare-extra-services

This made me think why aren’t the other websites linking to social media sites? Perhaps they don’t need to.

Website Design

www.hat-trickdesign.co.uk – Task 1)

1) What kind/type of website is it (commercial, fan site, informative, helpdesk, forum for art and culture or music etc).

This website showcases the work of a design company called Hat-Trick Design. This website is commercial and informative.

This links to who is the website for, who is it directed at? Who might be using it.

This website is directed at any individual/person in business or any companies/community groups who have a product or service that they need some design for.

Students could use this website for research purposes, like myself.

You then need to evaluate it in terms of its function and user group – what will they think of it?

What are the visual aesthetics of the content of the website? What is the immediate ‘feel’ of it? A PMI might help

Plus – I like the way this has been designed because its really eye-catching and interesting.

Minus – I didn’t know where to click first but I’m used to this now. You just have to dive in. However it can get tiring if things aren’t labelled in a way which is quick and easy to understand.

Page size/length. Are these beneficial to the site or do they make it difficult?

I didn’t find any problem with the page size and length.

How are images used? PMI but be specific about effectiveness and purpose

Plus – See ‘interesting’ for my answer. The other plus is that by watching videos you don’t have to scroll around which is nice.

Interesting – I was really surprised to see that this site uses videos more than it uses images.

Its really nice to see the designs in situ.

Here is part of the video which showed the designs in situ.

Minus – If I was designing a website I’m not sure I’d use as many videos as they have. The video makes the designs look small and I cant see them very well. The designs flash by too quickly which is annoying.

The videos don’t use sound which seems like a chance lost although sound/narration can be annoying sometimes.

How is typography used? PMI being specific about:

Tone of voice of the type
Choice of typefaces – are they effective for screen use?
Bulk or lack of type – is it too much, too blocky, too small etc. Say HOW/WHY it works or does not work

Minus – I suppose some people may want more information about who the designers are and what working with them would be like. There isn’t any information that I can find that can tell me about their tone of voice. Its impersonal and strictly business.

There is a video called ‘3 minutes about hat-trick’ but it didn’t tell me anything about who they are as people.

Interesting – Their logo is interesting and memorable.