Visiting Professional: Lee Goater LX

Lee is a freelance designer from Shipley. He came in today to talk to us about the real design world.

Inspiration/Clients that Lee has worked for

• Design Tomato- Concrete Poetry
• Neville Brodie
• David Carson
• Armin hofman, Joseph Muller Brockmann, Emil Ruder
• GTF
• John Maeda
• Alan Kitching (Maps)
• BBGDB
• Melle Hammer (A)
• David Shrigley
• Martin Parr (Hepworth)
• John Pawson
• Lacoste
• Playstation
• Bramley Baths
• NSCD
• Munro House
• Leeds Museum Women Work War
• Ross graduate - Barnbow Sans

 Lee's Design Work

Coins

Faces

Shapes

"Do Charity Work"

"If you can get people excited about your work- they will want to get involved"

"Gotta do a bit of merch these days"

Tips From Lee

Start a project with 'What do you want?'

Time : Always double the time

Don't free pitch

Ask shit questions (everyone else is probably thinking the same)

Know the audience

Don't design for portfolio

Keep some work offline- so when you go to an interview there is something extra that they haven't seen

What Did I learn

Don't be afraid to put yourself out there/ask for things

Work with as many different people as you can

Send things to people (get yourself noticed)

Experiment

Always have 'hobby projects' on the side. Just little ideas that you have- Do them! Have Fun!

Overall, this talk made me realise that I should never be afraid to ask or approach someone about something. Everyone was in the same position at some point. Be confident.

Visitng Professional: Maraid Design

About Maraid

They are a freelance partnership. They both largely have a background in Museums and are self taught in web design.
http://www.maraid.co.uk/work/n8-agrifood

Inspiration

- In loving memory of work
- Black Hole. Charles Burns
- Music/record art
- Ephemera
- Site inspire
- Other agency websites
- Movies
- Architecture
- Travel
- Advertisement
- Museums
- Cartoons
- GIFS

Presentation

  

Websites/Agencies They Like

http://ghostlyferns.com/

Our Process

- Talking and research

- Asking the most important questions to find out what exactly they want and whether it's interesting enough to do

- Siteplan, drawing up a rough idea and contract- signing off the pages and plans

- Wireframe

- Design

PPP Statement & Experience

General Notes

- I have been blogging visits and experience and client work

- Need to start branding (BC, CV, Refs, website)

Internship/s

FX printer
Label/M web

Feedback

- Presentation in 6 weeks time (10 minutes) - start to plan and get work done to present

- Watch more Ted Talks

- Blog 'Design I like' - influence for work/potential work
- For websites, look into using Wix/Wicks/Tumbler/cargo collective

1. Complete a short statement about yourself.
I am a fab designer with a cracking sense of humour. I really enjoy what I do and like to experiment within my work. I can be a bit of a stress head and perfectionist at times and tend to experiment with work too much, making it hard to choose between them. Over these past 2 1/2 years at Leeds College of Art, I have slowly developed the skill to work more concisely and efficiently. 

2. Complete a short statement about your technical skills.
My technical skills have vastly improved over the two and a half years of being here. I can work quickly and efficiently using shortcuts within programmes such as Illustrator and PS etc where ever possible. As a result of my skills improving, so have my designs and overall efficiency and way of working.

3. Complete a short statement about your work experience.
FX Signs & Stickers

Summer 2015 I worked at a small design studio for around 2 months. This was paid work and I was left alone as head designer after 2 weeks. I had to deal with existing and new customers, designing a range of products. I learnt to deal with money and time more efficiently.

 From this I also gained some freelance work which is still on going now. I have one repeat customer as well as a few more job opportunities including working with another designer in India.

Label/Marvellous Design Agency

I worked here for a week in January just gain experience of how a larger agency works. Label, now Marvellous rebranded and launched their new company in the week that I was interning. I was given an official brief and asked to create a bespoke logotype, which is still on going.

 Whilst at Marvellous, I gained contacts and was also able to see how a professional company designs and codes a website from start to finish. Through discussing how each of the designers, devs and managers got to where they are in their careers now, reassured me about my own work, skills and experience.

 I am keeping in contact with the company, as I am continuing work for them as well as also being offered a longer term (few months) paid internship which could result in a job.

4. Complete a short statement about your ability to work in a team and independently (with examples).
Working alone or as a collaboration comes easily to me. Working alone, I set myself deadlines and work thoroughly. An example of this, this year, is my food packaging brief amongst others. I also use the same mind set when working together with others, yet I am also able to take more of a backseat if needed. An example of this is my Christmas card brief.

5. Complete a short statement about your communication skills (with examples).
I have developed my communication skills greatly whilst studying at LCA. I now know how to write appropriate emails and messages to clients, colleagues and other professionals and companies. For instance, whilst working over summer, I was not only designing but I answered emails and the telephone.I chased up customers and suppliers. All of these gave me the experience that I needed for my 3rd year as I now have clients etc, and I know how to contact them in appropriate ways.

6. Complete a short statement about your understanding of graphic design (with examples).
 I have come to realise that Graphic Design is not only a way of expressing and visualising and idea or resolution it is something to be enjoyed. I have recently been designing for clients and have not enjoyed most moments (client) of it (carnage). I have now made a promise to myself that I will never design something that I wont enjoy, unless the money is ridiculous; everyone has their price.

My Plan for the Year

- Update and finalise website, social media and portfolio
- Have work that gets me recognised
- Visit more studios
- Gain more contacts from all over the world

After University

June 2016

Travelling to Croatia for 2 weeks

July 2016

Travelling around Thailand for 7 weeks

September 2016

Hopefully staying in Leeds and possibly interning for a few months along with working to save more money

March 2017

Travelling to Australia and hopefully visit a few studios and gain some experience out there (Need to look into it more)

September 2017

Sweden to stay with family friends and gain experience out there too

October 2017

6 month internship with Marvellous which should lead to a job

DBA Hyperloop Brief

DBA HyperLoop

(Design Business Association)In groups of 5+ create a thorough brand, concept, personality and provide visuals for the HyperLoop transport.

1 Month Brief

- Create an identity, including logo etc, for the HyperLoop

- How does the logo and identity manifest onto the train and other products (tickets, uniforms etc)

Initial Ideas

- This is the future (never been done before)
- Holograms
- The logo changes with speed/movement
- Reflect and represent speed
- Spend less time travelling and more living life
- Tickets reflect materials used on train
- Colours (don't use NASA colours) (greys and silvers - the train)
- Typeface (Prototype website)

Group / Colleagues

Abbie Moakes

Jessica Johnson

Rosalyn Halford

Lucy Stronach

General HyperLoop Research

 
 
 

 

Above, is the the final MIT HyperLoop pod design.
http://www.theverge.com/2016/1/30/10877442/elon-musk-spacex-hyperloop-competition-awards

Further Independent Research

Image 1 shows the intended design of the stations and 'loop' itself the shape/s within this could be interesting to experiment with for a potential logo. I also researched into the codes for speed (ZR for over 240MPH) which would be relevant to use within the design.
The last more relevant and interesting piece of research and data that I found was the very last image; 'Symbols for the 5 Primary Dimensions'. These all feature circles or 'loops'.

  
  
  
  

 

3D Sculpture (logo inspiration)

Speed/Nature/Biomimicry Research

HyperLoop will run at 700mph which is faster than most commercial airliners and slightly less than the speed of sound! From this, research was collected in reference to other 'fastest' things; the fastest animals; land, water and flight.

 

Fastest on Land: Cheetah

 

Fastest in Air: Peregrine Falcon

 

Fastest in Water: Sailfish

The shapes, colours, patterns and movements of these beings will be considered when designing.

Colour Decisions

 

Colours were selected from these animals to use within our own brief. These consisted of grey, black, brown and grey, shown above.

Creating such a strong link with the animal kingdom led me to Biomimicry and how technology can be influenced through natural form and appropriate animals themselves. Some examples of Biomimicry are;
- The aerodynamic shape of a the bullet train was inspired by the beak of the kingfisher.
- A shark skin swim suit that aids the swimmer and makes them more streamlined and thus, faster.

Travel Decision (Travel Bands)

As to bring travel to the 21st century, it was decided as a team to have a band or 'loop', inspired by the HyperLoop, which would be worn by passengers instead of travel cards or tickets. This idea was to make everything more digital, contactless and eco-friendly.

In reference to the HyperLoop in combination with the animal research, the Cheetah is the the fastest land animal and as the train is also on land, it was appropriate to create links.
 The Rosetta is the marking found on the coat of another member of the big cat family which features an incomplete circle. This links back to the previous research in which circles were referenced and identified throughout.

 This was the initial idea for the 'Rosetta Loop' (the name of the contactless band/ticket).
The bands will be made of recycled rubber (rubber tyres) as these cannot be recycled into tyres again they sit in  landfill. Re-purposing them would actually be helping the environment.

Meeting Plans & Results

Meeting 1
Friday 5th February
- Go through all research and ideas to refine project, outcomes, designs, imagery and themes
- Do work over weekend to create more examples as to logo designs and other advertisement etc
- Decide on colours and narrow down shapes/imagery for logo

Feedback
- The use of biomimicry should be continued with
- Fastest land, water and flight animals; research more into these and their patterns etc

Think more into;
- Colours
- Type
- Band and ticket (how can be used through phone)
- Shape (logo and band)
- Advertising 
- Materials
- Website and app

Interim Crit with DBA Staff
 The DBA panel really were impressed with our decision to use and theme of nature to bring a more natural feel to something which is so unnatural to us as human beings; travelling at 700+ MPH.
 They also found the use of a band fascinating. We were asked to think about how far can this be pushed. EG. to other forms of transport just as UBER has - taking patients to the hospital etc.


 As for the shape of logo, the sculpture shown in my own research was a focus point for the DBA judges. The man made structure is made of metal and yet still represents and holds a likeness to a natural form.

Logo Developments

Paper Experiments to create something more fluid and 3D as inspired by the sculpture research image

Shape Inspired by Science Experiments/Shapes from research

 
Simple Line Experiments Inspired by 'The Incomplete Circle'

 
Repeat Pattern Experiments

 
Meeting 2
Monday 11th February
- Go through all developments and refine logo shape and ideas
- Decide on final colour and type

- Divide out jobs and responsibilities

Decisions

- Use Lucy's logo (outline), shown above. It is the most aesthetically pleasing and professional looking.
- Typeface to be used is Avenir Next as it is almost a prefect circle. This links with the 'loop' in HyperLoop as well as the shapes and rings identified on the animals previous.

- Use the repeat pattern experiments as influence for the design of the HyperLoop

My Jobs

- Co-design the App (interface and app logo with Abbie)
- Mock up the HyperLoop logo onto the pod (this is mandatory deliverable as stated on the brief)
- Develop ideas as to how technology can be used within the pods/in the station as an extension of the band

Experiments & Developments

App Interface

The basic interface allows the customer to view such things as previous journey/ plan new ones in advance etc.

Logo on HyperLoop Pod

 

Simple logo on the front window of the train

 

Repeat pattern on the silver of the train as seen on the big cat family.

 

Loop around the train like the rings/pattern.

 This last experiment was chosen to be the final design as it not only the most simple, minimal and aesthetically pleasing, it is more conceptual, as the rings around the train reflect the bands which can be seen on the Falcons tail and the sailfish. Whilst the incomplete circle or rosette identified on the big cat, is also relevant here as the pattern would not be printed on the underneath of the pods.

Technology Ideas

1. Pod Screens

The app would link with a screen on the pod this would allow the customer to;

- Book a taxi/bus/train for the next part of their journey

- Arrange a car-share with another person on the pod

- View the app on screen (to check transactions, times of pods, general news/weather for the area etc)

- Top up their band

2. Advertisements

Within the station itself (and outside), advertisements for the HyperLoop and Rosetta Loop etc would all be digital. This is to be more environmentally friendly and the cost for print and the replace these as and when need is not cost effective. Digital displays an be changed and altered without cost (of material).

 The ads in the station will be on a sensor, only turning on/lighting up when someone passes by to save energy.

3. Website

The website will allow the customer to view the information collected from their bands, top-up, 

4. Payment/Top Up/Contactless

Although the Rostetta Loops are contactless, just like a debit card, there is an option to only have 'top-up' on your band (which can be set up through the app/website). This acts more like an Oyster Card. It would make some people feel safer when using this band- just incase of theft.

 There would be top-up stations in and around the HyperLoop stations, as there is now with ticket offices

Presentation & Final Work

 

Biomimicry Concept Examples

 

Colour & Biomimicry/Nature Influences

The links to nature and influence of colour, shape and pattern

  

Rosetta Loop Bands

Eco-Friendly, contactless, ticketless bands mad from recycled rubber. The shape is derived from the patterns/incomplete circles found on all three of the fastest animals researched at the beginning. The colours were taken from the tones identified in the previous image.

 

Ticket Gates (Inside of the station)

The inclusion of greenery continues the links with nature

 

 

The app has features such as;

- Home/Login/SignUp

- Book a journey (HyperLoop/taxi etc)

- History of journeys/transactions

- Settings/Personalising the app

- Money/Bank account details. Pay as you go/Top up etc

 

Website

This is another extension of the band, the app and the overall experience.

 

Station Environment/s

As you can see, the concept and introduction of nature and familiarity is apparent here too.

 

The Pods

The Logo has been used as a pattern/ring around the pod as influence through the animal research.

 Whilst the interior of the pods are relaxing and private. The screens, as mentioned previously, are another extension of the app/band in addition to showing the passenger the local news and weather.

 

 

Advertisements

These are digital and are on timers/sensors as to be more environmentally friendly

 

Final Logo

Collaborations

We would also work with other companies, such as Uber/the buss service etc to provide a service from the stations to the customers final destination.

Presentation Feedback

It was agreed by the DBA board that our concept and ideas were very original and interesting. In regards to improvements, they mentioned that if we would have shown how else the logo could have been used eg: on staff uniforms, other modes of transport etc, it would have seemed more 'real'.

Development After Presentation Feedback

 

 

Staff Uniforms

 

Uber Collaboration

Evaluation

This brief was challenging, yet enjoyable. Working in a large team was difficult at first, until someone took charge and divided the work.

 Our work overall looks professional and is all very conceptual, ensuring a strong project throughout.

 Pitching our ideas in front of a team of professionals was a rather good experience. I feel much more confident about doing this now and in the future.

Self Branding: Business Cards/Printed Material

Brief

Re-brand yourself for the professional world that you will be entering into after you have graduated.

Concept, Ideas & Decisions

As this is a brief about oneself it was essential to identify certain things to influence the design and overall aesthetic of the branding.

 A business card has to be aesthetically pleasing, something which someone would want to keep. Therefore design decisions that are purely aesthetic based are more than justified here, as long as the relevant information is also readable and legible.

 Firstly, as minimal design is something that I enjoy working with, it will be a large influence when designing. Using this as a basis for the research and developing ideas will allow this aesthetic to manifest itself into the work, reflecting myself and preferred 'style' design.

Secondly, colour, this goes hand in hand with the strong passion for experimentation.  Using a range of colours, and even designs, in this case would be more than appropriate.

I now have a better understanding and passion for type. I have in fact already created several typefaces. This is something which could be considered, creating a personal typeface, possibly influenced by my own handwriting. This idea links back well to 'being able to project your personality onto your work'. I discovered this within my Level 5 COP brief where I studied Graphology (the study of handwriting) and how you can identify traits and understand people through the analysis of their handwriting.

 When it comes to a 'logo', I feel that this would cause restrictions, as I plan to work in a studio after my studies and travelling. Branding myself with a logo could prove difficult to use if/when I develop through and change my designing 'styles' etc. When working in a studio, I would have a business card which would be linked with the company.

Condensed Decisions

- Strong concept (Me)
- Aesthetically based
- Minimal Design (simple details)
- Experimentation is very important
- Consider creating a personal typeface

Initial Idea

When thinking about the way that I work; experimental, and the design that I like; colour, it led me to research into marbling. It is something in which I have always been interested in doing. The outcomes are unique and are a blend of the two key words previous; colour and experimentation.

Research/Design Inspiration

 

 

Colour Marbling

 

Simple Marbling

 

Watercolour

The imagery above is very interesting. The mixtures of colour, variation, experimentation and yet control (when printed and cut out as a business card) is intriguing and still rather minimal considering the various shapes and colours.

 Aesthetically, they are beautiful. Conceptually, it reflects the things in design which I enjoy.

Background/Colour Experiments

1.

  

  

2.

  

  

  

I found it very therapeutic and enjoyable whilst also producing beautiful images. This technique reflects my personality a great deal whilst also combining some of the previous design decisions such as being a minimal design and creating variations (no two experiments will ever be the same).

Change in Idea

Although these images are interesting and successful, I have come to realise that they do not actually reflect my work. They support my love of variation and experimentation, but not the design aesthetic of my work.
For this reason, these images will not be used.

Primary Research

 
 
  

Since the first year of college, I started to collect business cards that I thought were interesting, shown above. When planning to create my own I went back to look at them.

Design Decisions

After analysing what it was about each design, previous, that I liked, the following design decisions when it comes to designing my own business cards were made;

- Black stock/background

- White text/design

- Minimal, clean, contemporary typeface

- Simple design featuring only essential details.

I realise that this is far from the marbling experiment idea, yet the marbling was reflecting the work that I like, not my own work itself.

Further Research

  

Portrait Type

 

Spot Varnish/Gloss

 

These images above in combination are how I would like my business card to look.
 Using portrait layout and type, provides an interesting aesthetic which is stands out to in comparison to most landscape business cards. By using black stock the white text contrasts and stands out more so creating a bold and yet minimal aesthetic. Whilst the embossing and spot varnish is more subtle, altering the surface slightly to create another interesting aspect.

Final Design Decisions

These decisions were confirmed again for when it comes to designing my business cards;
- Black stock

- White text (Sans Serif as it is structured, strong, independent and connotes simplicity and minimalism)

- Portrait design

These are all chosen based on aesthetics and the reflection of the design that I like.

Design Developments

Typeface

When choosing a typeface, it was crucial to use one which reflects my personality as well as way of working. 'Moon' is a very simple, strong and structured uppercase typeface and yet the its subtle rounded nature is still friendly. This connotes that I too am professional and strong whilst also having a friendly personality.

I chose against creating a typeface as I feel that this one represent me rather well. Using my handwriting was not an option as it is rather hard to read and is not as structured as I would like. The aesthetic does not represent my way of working at all.

  

  

Front of Card

It was essential to experiment with altering the sizes and placement of the type in order to choose the most professional design.

 The bottom left design was chosen to be the final one as the central alignment creates a balanced overall design in addition to then also being the most aesthetically pleasing. The positioning of the type connotes that I am independent and not afraid to stand out from others, to be 'in the centre' quite literally.

'Graphic Designer & Creative Thinker' was used to show that I have more to my work than simple design. It shows that I like to think out of the box and will stand out against any other simple 'Graphic Designer' card.

The line is to connote that being a 'Graphic Designer & Creative Thinker' is only one part of my life. I am able to separate my personal life and my professional life asI understand boundaries. It also underlines my name to show that I am proud of who I am, whilst also again, creating balance on the page.

  

  

Back of Card

The very last experiment was chosen to be the final design. The central alignment of the type was influenced by the design of the front of the card to create continuity. Yet, to reflect my love of variation, the information was positioned at the bottom of the card. The same typeface and colour has also been utilised as to keep the overall design minimal, simple and continuous.

Final Design

 

Front of Card

 

Back of Card

The front and back work together seamlessly.

CV & Letterhead

 

The use of black and white along with the same typeface used on my business cards is simply to ensure the continuity and professionalism of my branding.

Comparison of Branding

Level 4 Branding

Level 5 Branding

Level 6 Branding

- The level 6 design is;

- More professional and sophisticated

- Has a stronger use of typography

- I now have the confidence to do something different (use black stock and design in a portrait format)

- Finally feel as though the design reflects my personality and way of working/graphic design

Evaluation

As you cannot print white ink unless screen printing, the stock chosen, a 300 GSM white matte card was actually white and the black printed over the top. This card is stronger and more durable than the thinner stock and so was suitable to use.
 Once cut to size, the white stock was revealed around the edges. This appears to be a part of the design as it links back to the white stroke on the front of the card, creating a boundary around the card itself (a literal 'cut off' point).

The research images allowed me to pin point what it was that I enjoyed aesthetically about each one, combining them together in order to create my own personal branding. I was influenced a great deal and this is reflected within the final design.

The business cards were printed digitally as this is how I tend to work, digitally. Not only was this appropriate for this reason but also for time and quantity reasons. I intend to give as many of these out and even leave them in stores in hope of gaining more clients and work to expand my experience. I will also send these off to studios. For this reason, having them printed digitally saves time as I can print and cut them on mass.

Overall, it is felt that these minimal, yet boldly designed cards do in fact reflect my work and personality all in one. I am rather happy with their design.

Professionally Printing

When printed and cut out, the quality of them is not as high as I would like. The black ink appears slightly grey and the type is not a bright white as required and so is a little difficult to read. As a business card reflects the person, this would in fact send the message that my work too is low quality and of a low standard. For this reason I have outsourced my business cards with Moo.

 They will not arrive for the deadline but will be available for the end of year show where I intend to hand them out to professionals and studio's.

Photoshoot