I began by creating a brainstorm of likes, dislikes, inspiration and associations which I felt were most important to me as an individual and as a designer. I wanted my information pack to be formed around my all of these elements but also reflect my key personality traits. I used my initial brainstorm to form categories to better define myself. These categories included: Me - as a designer, me - as an individual, my inspiration and my skills.
Me as a designer:
-Minimal
-Typography
-Print
-Experimental
-Digital
-Modernist
Me as an individual:
-Patient
-Confident
-Independent
-Friendly
-Easygoing
My skills:
-Photoshop
-InDesign
-Illustrator
-Typography
-Letterpress
-Photography
-Print
My inspiration:
-Creative Review
-Noma Bar
Forming these four categories helped me to generate more structured and justified ideas. I thought that one product alone would not be enough to convey such a vast amount of information. This meant I would either have to narrow down the information or design a range of items to go in the pack. I began by carrying out research into existing self-promotion packs to gather inspiration.
I began by experimenting with different logo potential logo ideas to promote myself. I wanted to keep this as simple as possible. This logo would then be used consistently though out my information pack to represent me. I decided to focus on my initials: EG, this is also commonly used as an abbreviation for 'for example'. I thought this was a useful double meaning which would be beneficial with the message I wanted to convey. I also liked the fact that this would be said as 'egg'. Using these two concepts I began sketching new ideas both hand drawn and digitally.
As another alternative idea I experimented with my name in a range of different fonts and layouts. At first these were all digital, but I wanted to push the ideas forward by experimenting with printing and cutting out the individual names and letters to then scan back into Photoshop.
During experimentation using existing typefaces I began to like how the capital 'G' in some cases slightly resembled a circular arrow pointing upward at the end. Using this, I began adding my own lines and serifs onto typefaces such as Helvetica and Code to get an idea of how effective this arrow could look. Below are a few of my initial experimentations:
As I still wasn't completely satisfied with my logo I decided to take a new approach and begin applying the initials within a specific context. My first experimentation was business cards. I wanted to create basic cards using the theme of EG and an egg shape as my main guidelines. Below are a few ideas that I came up with using an off-white colour on a shade of dark grey. The cards are basic in order to allow focus on the EG creating clients to feel intrigued by what EG might stands for.
Below is an example of my initials in the typeface Code Light. I tried removing the egg shape and also slightly adapting the type. I was pleased with this outcome although I felt the card looked boring and too basic.
I then began thinking about how I could adapt the appearance of my business card without causing it to be too busy or over-complicated. I was aware that I was working with a small surface area so I needed something which would work effectively on a small scale. As illustration has never been my strongest design skill, I found it difficult to come up with an illustration to represent myself. Therefore I chose to work with words and type instead.
I thought about ways I could incorporate my name or initials into the business card which was both unusual and unique. I thought an effective way to do this was to find words to very briefly summarise me as an individual and me as a designer combined. I soon realised that the word design already has my initials within it. This was a perfect starting point, enabling me to effectively play on the word design. I then continued to think of more words which contained my initials but were also applicable to me as a person. These new words included:
Engaging
Intelligent
Extravagant
Elegant
Using the words above I began trying out different typefaces, weights and layouts in order to convey my intended message. Some of these ideas are shown below:
I was really pleased with the outcomes of the business cards shown above. I decided to use the three words: Elegant, Intelligent and Engaging. I chose these as I felt they were most appropriate for all three concepts: me as a designer, me as an individual and my who I am (my initials).
The designs below were all created using combination of Code Light and Code Bold. The two weights, along with deletion of letters is to add emphasis to the key meanings and messages I was aiming to achieve. I also began considering different scales and layouts which could potentially be applied to larger scales or products. For example the large DESIGN type at the bottom would be more suited to a landscape poster as opposed to a small business card.
Continuing with the use of Code, I began experimenting with the words and layouts. The two examples below show both sides of two business card ideas. On the left is the front and on the right is the opposite side with the key message. By making these cards double sided, each side effectively supports the other. I liked how the each side is slightly unclear but then justified when placed next to the other.
During the development of my business cards, I found myself limited with different weights and styles within the Code typeface. This made it difficult to push my ideas further, so I began experimenting with similar sans-serif typefaces with more weights. The first typeface that came to mind was Helvetica. This typeface is consistent, bold, modern yet also has multiples weights in order to create a more specific and personal appeal. I decided to use Helvetica Neue as this is my favourite variation of Helvetica. This worked just as effectively as Code and also had the advantage of using italics. Below is a comparison of before and after: Top - Code, Bottom - Helvetica Neue
Typography
Using four variations of one of the most famous, traditional typefaces: Baskerville.
Left-right: regular, italic, semi-bold, bold italic. I wanted this card to represent my interest for traditional type in digital, rendered form.
Hand-rendered, Illustrator version of my Birth of a Font work. This was another approach, showing an example of my own type creation during the Birth of a Font Design Principles task set by Fred. This typeface had a lot more individuality and showed an unusual experimental approach to creating letterforms. I thought this was more interesting that using type which was familiar. I wanted my business cards to contain as much character as possible with little space. I decided this was stronger than using the previous Ampersand idea.
Photography
Examples of current work
The final pages:
About me: In these pages I included adjectives to best describe myself and also a short paragraph about me as an individual. This was then followed by two pages focusing on my main inspiration.
Business cards as a mini showcase of my main interests within Graphic Design. These all use small samples of work created by me. Each card shows a different design process or method in order to keep my information pack more diverse and interesting to look at. By using my own designs I also intended to add emphasis and clarity to my style and work.
Examples of my work currently & my software skills. These cards are short and informative to give the client a range of examples of work I have done previously. The majority of these would not have been as successful without the understanding of PhotoShop, InDesign and Illustrator. Therefore I thought it was necessary to include a brief description of my skills within these three programmes.
Once I was happy with my cards, I began thinking about different ways to effectively present them. I considered a wide range of packaging methods.
After carrying out a sufficient amount of research I decided my information pack would work best in a simple wooden box. I ensured my cards were made to the right proportions: 4.5cm x 8.5cm. The cards were then to be placed neatly inside the box. As further development of my idea, I separated my cards into three groups:
1. About me
2. About my interests within design
3. Examples of my work this year
I wanted the cards to be match the description I had used on the front business card: Intelligent, engaging and elegant. I thought watercolour paper was an ideal stock as it is light, subtly textured yet strong and visually appealing. I also liked the slight off-white shade of the watercolour paper.
Once printed, I cut the cards to size and grouped them accordingly. Each card was then hole-punched and placed in the correct order. Using maroon/burgundy ribbon, I tied each group together to form a set of three mini information packs. These were then placed inside the box. As a finishing touch, I tied a slightly thicker ribbon around the box. The colour of the ribbon worked nicely with the shades of the varnished wooden box and also represented my own liking for the colour maroon.
Initially I considered laser-cutting my initials into the top of the box to add emphasis to the message. This would also add a stronger personal element and character to the packaging. However I was not able to do this due to poor time planning. If I were to carry out this task again, I would definitely try experimenting with laser cut as I feel this would add consistency and a sense of branding which are both elements I feel are important in Grapic Design.
The final outcome:
Sample booklet shown using issuu:
The final physical outcome including packaging:
Overall I was very pleased with my final outcome. I kept the idea small and simple but also managed to include all of the information I felt was important and necessary. The design colour, stock, font and concept is consistent throughout. This gives the information pack a stronger sense of character and personality - two elements I would consider crucial in a self-promotional information pack. If I were to carry out this project again I would experiment with additional methods of delivery. Although I was happy with this outcome, I think the idea could be pushed further into different processes and products.
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