Display project poster handouts

Wood work Workshop

We got set into groups of 4/3 where we posed to recreate one of the wood workshop machines. My team got given the band saw to reconstruct, in 1/6 scale out of MDF wood. The main starter was to measure every point of the machine, precisely so that when scaled down it would still hold the proper structure. This was done by simply using a tape measure.
pictures up soon

Context Project outing

From the last crit i was told that making the project more public would be a great idea. So i went out and about, showing off the work in different aspects. I printed smaller flyers of the 'Wake up' sign and handed them out in a response to see the possibly confused and unaware reactions of those that took them. This didn't turn out as hoped but i still managed to give a few out.
The reactions were mostly of a puzzled nature, but this is what i expected, perhaps in some way this simple message could improve the life of just one person? I also printed out a4 signs and planted them around my neighbourhood and surrounding areas, even though i cannot see the reactions of the public, i can still hope someone people have noticed them, you don't have to see something just to believe in it.

Photography zine, first logo, blitz

During the initial stages of the term i decided for the 'make and distribute a zine' project i would create a news paper styled layout publication with my photos along with quite a bit of text for the reader to allow themselves to see the world through my eyes. With discussion from tutors we decided that the text was slightly on the heavy side, so i eventually created a finished, professional zine incorporating rather semi- poetic writings from my own thoughts.
I decided to call this initial paper, 'blitz'. Being German for lightning i thought it fit with the goal of me wanting to create a strong, impending publication which catches the eye, so here is the logo i produced to go alongside that.

Context Project Photos

Image Project

For me this project was a mixed bag. As i had already created and had firm ideas for the two other projects i wasn't sure how i should go about this last one. I felt as though i wanted to go down the path of illustration so began with that, researching topics which caught my attention and related to the given title, though photography seemed to be looming over, as if this medium wanted to be used once more. I decided to follow with two ideas and perhaps finalize at the end of an 'evaluation'.
The first project i went underway with was the 'Choose a film and display a list of 20 words'. I went about researching and noting the various films i have watched and to which i thought held a strong motive and perhaps a political centre piece. The strongest film that ticked all the boxes and appealed to me as a viewer, was this is England. The political agenda was all there, Maggie thatcher, the Falklands, Ska music, Skin head rebellion mixed with racial prejudice and tons more, the movie covered all areas. So with this in mind, i wanted to create something which was bold and timeless, alike the movie. So i started sketching and thought the one of the most classic distinction in the spoken about culture were the highly worn, Dr. Martens. I began to draw an outline of the boot, central to the page to effect, as i wanted it to be alone, which would ultimately produce a stronger vibe. I then used a red/cherry paint(water colour) to give it the awareness, as most Dr. Martens are recognized by this factor. I feel the use of water colour, related to the movie, The grungy textured feel, seemed to represent the state of England and the areas of England it was filmed in. The objective was to display a list of 20 words which helped show how the movie could be perceived. I began researching different quotes of the 80's and those from the movie. I knew i wanted to have a definitive motive and felt that 20 some what spontaneous words wouldn't do any justice. After some time i came across a part of a 'petition' from S.H.A.R.P. (Skinheads against racial prejudice), this being "When things go bad we simply complain. It's time to raise our voices, take a stand, make our views heard!". Seeing how culture and Ska music being on the up rise with bands such as, the Specials, the Clash, Harry J Allstars and more, it was easily transferred to the thought of the Skinheads. Thinking that combining all the similar matter would be the for the best i did so while keeping both the typeface and illustration gritty and completely relevant.
Images of the final piece and a continuation soon!

Digital Illustration Workshop

This workshop was mainly based around the Adobe Illustrator software. Since i already knew alot about this i knew i would find the task given, possibly easier than some of the other students.
We established how Photoshop was specifically used for manipulating photographic imagery and to manipulate them at a high standard, with intricate designs, and how illustrator was used for design, web design, graphic design etc.
As photoshop runs on pixels, illustrator doesn't so the lines created with any tool will always be smooth, unlike photoshop.
The main task was to choose a picture of a ready made object and outline the whole shape, with great detail. Since i was used to illustrator, i found this part fairly easy to comprehend. In the future, i speculate that designing something from scratch would be a good challenege to strive for, as i am always wanting to step further into the world of illustration.

Context Project Photos

Context Project

The idea for this project arrived from two places. Through research and common knowledge i came across the 'Civil rights movement'. The piece I was most attracted to was the most famous, 'I am a Man' Poster which was used far over America to get this strong, vivid thought known. The photographer Ernest Withers portrayed these aswell as other C.R.M's agenda, some being incredibly extremeist at first glance, yet captivating once studied. Though as it holds complete philosophical ideas, the poster, to me, was a much bolder image.
At the same time i began researching into subliminal messaging. I came acros numerous articles proving the usage of this now illegal tool and how Multi-corporate business's (Disney) could still be using this tool to produce a larger empire. In the past I have also viewed countless amounts of episodes of Derren Brown, who tends to use this powerful tool to perhaps, change a person's once decided thoughts.
One other possibly vital piece of research was the "Hungry? Eat popcorn" and "Thirsty? Drink Coca-Cola" photographs. The text was used in order to see if it was actually possible for this sort of advertising to change a person's mind. Since it was during the 1950's and none of this had been put to use, the stages were experimental, but prooven successful.
So with all this information i knew i wanted to produce a piece that held these properties and were not as engaging as you might think, yet thought provoking.
I found a typeface that most resemebled that of the 'I am a man' Poster (named Bebas) and used it to create 7 a4 sized posters with 7 different slogans, simply printed central to the paper. The slogans i used have no typical purpose but to grab your subconcious, though the way they have been presented turns this idea on its head, seeing how obvious they may seem. So i suppose this piece can be regarded more as an experiment, seeing the reactions of the public when they see this or the happenings of what's to come if they dont conciously see this.
In a meeting with Stuart, it was advised that i should make this more public, this could include, hanging posters around the city and making smaller flyers and handing them out to the public, again, seeing the reactions of reading a two word slogan, but face to face. I feel as though this would strengthen the project, by making it less personal and giving it a function.

Photography Workshop

The photography workshop was the first of the workshop's in my case. Being a follower of photography for a few years already i wasn't expecting too much and for instance, the first session didn't reach any needs for me, seeing as it all about how to properly use a camera and what websites to use.
The second session was better, as we got to get out there and take some photos. The greatest part for me was having the chance to meet Johnathan Cherry who shared insight to me of his work, where he went and why. The documentary style photography really was a key stepping stone for my 'make and distribute a zine' project. John then went on to present works of different artists, my favourite being Mitch Epstein who's documentation projects capture the heart and soul of America itself.

Metal Workshop photos

So these were the outcome. I was pleased with the mixture of geometry and the material used, which gives off this grungy, well worn feel. Both arent complete, e.g. the smaller 'ring' needs to be drilled and the larger one needs to be smoothed and cut down more.
By rummaging through the bits of sheet metal we were given, i found a chunk of copper which kept true to itself by keeping this blue, cyan rust