Rhea GaughanSemester 1 \\\ Creativity & Play

Limitations\\\ Produce a typeface through paper manipulation and to present a graphic word

communicating the chosen method of paper manipulation

I found it initially quite challenging to get my head around what was asked of me. The studio session dedicated to playfully producing quick, simple letters using methods such as folding, tearing, bending, scrunching and twisting really helped me to get my work started (see results, right).

I also searched for something to motivate me, I was drawn to Rob Ryan and Kate Moross’ work; both quite different. From here I used the folding, tearing and cutting methods from the studio session to experiment further.

This is my uppercase typeface produced after I chose to limitate myself further; using only a 20cmx20cm square piece of paper for each letter. I found that this was a good method to use; sometimes adding more limitations and guides helps speed-up the idea production.

My typeface was produced through simplifying the folds and bends for each letter. I have communicated the graphic word of ‘simplify’ as this is what I solely focused on in production of this typeface. I also found that my repetitive process was very mesmerising and relaxing.

All images/ photography (left) are of Kate Moross’ work. These are examples of what drove me to produce my typeface. The geometric, sharp, angled ‘style’ are all common characteristics of Moross’ work. I feel I have captured the sharpness in the shapes I have produced.

Above, are a few of my initial sketches of the typeface.

Helvetica Workshop\\\ A one-day workshop dedicated to Helvetica. To produce in groups, moveable type and

prints.

Using lino, in groups we re-produced Helvetica; allowing us to become familiar with it. We also chose a quote from the Helvetica film, to print with our movable type (opposite). I think printing black on yellow was a good choice. The print is portrait allowing the text to read upwards, highlighting part of the quote “...like crack”. I thoroughly enjoyed this workshop!

Information Graphics; “How to make a Pinhole Camera”\\\ To demonstrate in any creative process how to make a pinhole camera without verbal

or written explanation

Firstly, I researched ‘information graphics’; my search included results that highlighted use of bold shapes and colour coding, to emphasis the important information to the viewer. From the start I had decided to illustrate my graphics, so my research also included illustrators, one of my favorites is Nina Chakrabarti. Youthful, ‘clean’, simple black & white drawings.

I went through several stages of production. I found this quite easy as I felt I had strongly engaged with this project from the start. Using tracing paper and fine liners, I produced lots of variating illustrations. I have also used Illustrator to import drawings and refine and play with colour and size.

I made a list of what the most important factors are; ‘what you need’ and ‘steps’. I started by producing some line drawings. The first drawing, left, I felt was a little complex due to all of the lines and no colour. So, I produced another drawing, below, and placed it into Illustrator and added blocks of colour. This project was engaging from the start allowing me to develop my drawing, computer skills and becoming more aware of how to communicate to an audience.

Research and motivation, opposite, left: Chad Hagen, opposite far right: Nina Chakrabarti.

I went through several long stages producing drawings. As you can see the left-hand-side drawings are shaded by cross-hatching whereas the right-hand-side drawings shadow has been filled solid. I felt that this made a huge difference to the overall ‘look’ of my graphics. I preferred the latter illustrations as these seemed clearer and crisper.

These are the steps, 1 - 11, over several pages. I added arrows to direct the viewer along with small, quick adjectives to forward the viewer further. I started to think about how I could make the directions even clearer. I felt that my illustrations made sense but the overall composition needed work.

Challenge a Pencil\\\ Explore and exploit the imaginative potential of a pencil

Weaving, layers, positive and negative space, squares, horizontal lines, curvatures, accumulation, repetitiveness and direction were what come to mind when I was handed my starting point to the task, a fellow students first expression to the brief (Image, below).

I found that my responses became a hypnotic movement and quite addictive, playing around with shapes I had found, repeating them and simplifying them.

However, have I “explored and exploited the imaginative potential of a pencil”…no, I don’t think I have as such but, instead used the pencil as an object to trigger a starting point which has allowed me to produce something that I had never expected to produce at the start. I also feel that I had ‘suspended my judgment’ during this small task, no editing was involved, I allowed my ideas to free flow.

I have concentrated on positive and negative space as well as patterns and shapes made by the ‘sculpture’. Each experiment was inspired and driven by the previous experiment, simplified each time. I found that drawing (not necessarily by pencil) what I saw in front of me helped to understand the structure and also pointed to new patterns and directions.

Logo; Contrast\\\ To design a logo style image to convey ‘contrast’ in three stages

Firstly, I produced a wide range of ideas, these come from brief research and quick simple idea generation (some shown right). I worked with only black pen on white paper, this allowed me to solely focus on the meaning of my logo composition and save colour application for later. This was a fast paced task so I investigated logos briefly but I personally felt comfortable with producing a logo out of three primary shapes: a square, circle and a triangle.

These are my initial sketches; they are all formations from the original square, circle and triangle. Each sketch was informed by the last, I didn’t produce anything overly complicated as I thought this would make adding colour even more difficult.

I produced some compositions from tracing paper cut-outs. This allowed me to visualise quickly how the combination could work. I found this was a good method of working. The image above is a logo from my research, I liked how the layers are transparent, this is what inspired me to use tracing paper in my experiments.

These are 6 logos I chose to develop further. Working in black and white really helped understand space and connection between the shapes. Leaving colour application to the end of the process makes it easier and learn not to over-complicate things.

During a feedback session I asked my peers to give their opinion on the logos and to choose their favorite. They found that all the logos were strong and the majority chose the logo at the bottom as their favorite.

C 60 - M 0 - Y 2 - K 0

Pinhole Camera vs Digital Camera\\\ A collection of photographs from both digital and pinhole cameras

I found making the camera really fun but tricky! I had the urge to produce another straight away. These results were surprising and allowed me to understand the making process even better. Un-editing the results also allowed me to study and engage with the spontaneity of the photographs.

Here are just a few of my results, my favourite, below, was the first on the film. It’s composition and colour mix is spontaneous and in my opinion, very beautiful. I’m guessing this was produced from me pulling the beginning of the film out to feed it through the camera.

These are my results from my pinhole camera. As you can see I wasted a lot of film up while making it; however these are my most favourite.

These are the pinhole results alongside the digital results. I have very few digital photographs due to feeding too much film into the camera while making it. This, obviously limited the amount of photographs I could take. However, I found it interesting contrasting both results, my favorite aspect is the ‘furry’ edge, the edge of the cardboard shutter, seen in the pinhole shots on the right.

Old vs New\\\ To engage an audience of 18-25 year olds who are technology savvy with the

superseded: pen and paper opposed to the computer.

I initially found this project really hard. Knowing I was expected to have a ‘finished’ piece of work by the end of the time restraint of 2 weeks and the thought of presenting my work half way through was slightly daunting. I chose to concentrate on ‘pen and paper vs computer’ as I thought this would allow my work and ideas to have movement and flexibility.

I produced some quick drawings of a few objects around me in my room; one hand drawn and rendered and the other digitally drawn in Adobe Illustrator (below). This highlighted the main characteristics and advantages of pen and paper compared to the computer.

2 minute sketches, 10 minute digital digital drawings. Pen and paper gave me natural movement, edge, personality, character, expression, preciousness, accessibility, patience and a quirky feel. Computerised drawings gave a more simplified, clean, smooth, refined look, I feel that we have become too used to the computerised aesthetic.

I had found a D&AD annual review book, illustrated by Marion Deuchers. It motivated me and showed me how using pen and paper will always be unique and personal.

A list of what 18-25 year olds are possibly interested in. This list guided me to a Youtube video that lightheartedly mocked modern youth culture and the ‘hipster’. The video illustrated all the pointlessness and uselessness people consume themselves in, such as looking good and producing a false image of themselves. I become interested in the word hipster and was surprised over how much information there is written about it and ‘them’.

I discovered further research, Jason Travis on Flickr. The images left are from a huge collection called ‘Persona’ which displays each individuals objects from their bags and pockets. The artist and audience identify with the stranger through their personal belongings; we build up a sense of character from them.

Below and opposite, using the definition I have started to draw the main characteristics of a ‘hipster’.

I chose to produce a booklet of illustrations called “How to be a Shoreditch Hipster”. Left, are differing versions of the title page. How ever I later decided to place the definition of ‘hipster’ on the front page (opposite). I felt that this would introduce the booklet giving the reader a better understanding.

Concentrating on fashion, the booklet humours how we take image so seriously. Ironically, the booklet is as pointless as its content. I do feel that the booklet is not completely finished and that is doesn’t completely convey ‘Shoreditch’; stepping back now I can see that my research, particularly the Youtube video had masked my vision of new ideas and moving my original ideas further. I would like to develop this further or use what I have learnt to produce something different.

What I have learnt from Semester 1:

At the formative assessment stage I found it really difficult to keep my projects balanced and equal. However, the last 6/7 weeks I have found a rhythm; dipping in and out of projects, keeping a constant connection. I have also been using my own method of setting mini deadlines: e.g 1 day spent on one project or 1/2 hour spent on research or idea generation. This allows me to have a goal and ensure myself I will have a result at the end of it.

I have learnt to keep pushing my work no matter how painful it may feel at times and to have an awareness of time and technical restraints. I tend to panic while I am developing my work due to the pressure I put myself under. However I feel that confusion or panic is a good sign of thorough idea development and submersion.

I have completed the semester of Wednesday workshops gaining a wider knowledge of techniques. The workshops are a good way to work with other year groups and professionals to gain an insight into their working methods. Towards the end of the semester I was very grateful there was a Wednesday ‘surgery’ allowing us to improve on our portfolio layout skills.

Overall I have learnt to embrace ‘nothingness’; to not dismiss a ‘bad’ result but to use it, learn from it, build upon it. Ideas are triggered from anything and everything; I have learnt to dispense everything no matter how weak it is, this has allowed me to make space for further, stronger idea generation. I have learnt to be spontaneous, to enjoy suspension of the brief and my ideas.