406 Studio Brief 2 - Licence to Print Money, Idea Sketches

Idea Sketches 

After deciding on a idea and concept for the final outcome note, these are the layout/design sketches created in to influence digital the design for the screen print of the note, they are simple layout exploration ideas combining all the research conducted into Chinese flower painting, Chinese culture and new age Chinese graphic design. Since the final out come will be a screen print the over all design have been kept so they can be reduce down to 3 or 4 colour layer for screen print and the final digital mock ups will be edited for the amount of detail that can be produced. The main Chinese graphical design style from research was that they used heavy illustration style work rather than photography based work, this will fit better for the idea of a flower design since a photo will struggle to be screen printed so these design include simple illustrations that will be improved for the final outcome.

404 - Studio Brief 2 - What is a book? First Print

First Print Test 

this is the first print test for this brief, the main thing i want to test are

-does the text on the cover fit in the circle 

-get it proof read to check for any mistakes

-if text text and imagery look the same on the matt 120 gsm paper as they do on screen

-if there is any issues with printing so much back ink on the pages will this mean that the other side of the black pages is unreadable as the ink is seen through

-if the matt stock is suitable 

-the if size (17cm) fits in the cover

-if the binding (saddle stitch) is thin enough to it allows the book to fit in the case

-if the paper size is thin enough for all the pages to fit in the sleeve

-is it better to cut down using a hand scapula like the other book was 

-get feedback

does the text on the cover fit in the circle?

After changing the alinement slightly of the text son the cover print test this now mean the text is situated correctly in the middle of the circle of the cover, all the letter can be read and seen thought the cover hole which was an issues i wanted to test in this print as it would show it with the book background, rather than just a separate piece of paper.The text fits perfectly in the middle of the circle record sleeve cause, therefore there needs to be no changes to this page or layout. 

 the if size (17cm) fits in the cover/if the binding is thin enough to it allows the book to fit in the case

The record sleeve cover of this book is 18.5 cm when the case is flat, but as i found out when i tested adding 24 sheets of paper in the case if all the pages are this size they don't fit because the thickness of the amount of pages causes the case to bend slightly reducing the length of the case. Because of this i reduced the size of my designs in my mock up to 17cm, this would give room for the case to bend changing the length, changing the sizes designs was done just before the print as this is an issues i only discover the night before the print but printing at the difference size as seen above allow the pages to fit in the case without being cut down, I didn't want to cut down the book after it was printed as some of text and imagery runs close to the edge and would therefore be lost. Conducting this print test allowed me to check that the size would fit and that with the binding it would slide in and out of the case easily, make it easily accessible. There need to be not changes to the binding or the size of the pages as they fit     in the case perfectly and can be removed fast. The only issues with the print is that when bound together the pages don't have a solid end line and the end sticks of the covers, this can be daily cut down for the next print. Cut down the pages after the next print so they fit together. 

is it better to cut down using a hand scapula like the other book was 

Since i had so many issues using a guillotine cutting out my last book and realised after the 2 print that it was easily and more efficient to cut out using a hand scapula and metal rule as it allowed me to line up against the crop marks more accurately for each page which made them fit together more equally that i used this way of cutting for this book. It again worked better than a guillotine as it cut down the lines accurately and made sure that all the pages matched, this is defiantly the cutting method i will use in the future now and for the next print of my book. I was very nervous about using this type of first as i haven't done it before this module and felt that a machine would be more accurate but it turns out it the opposite therefore this method will be used from now on. 

get it proof read to check for any mistakes

After showing my book to a few of the student in the print room and around my class the mistake that was pointed out was the spelling in this page, joy division is spelt wrong, therefor on the next print i will make sure that is changed. 

Also on this page the white from the other page ran over as the black background didn't cover the page correctly, to see if i could cove this up i have drawn over it in sharpie which has made it less noticeable but even from this scan the difference is still noticeable, on the next print i will make sure that all the pages background are correct and too the middle. This happen on a few pages and even thought once bound it not noticeable as much i would like the final print to be perfect so will change it.

if text text and imagery look the same on the matt 120 gsm paper as they do on screen

Since this print only uses 2 colours and when i set the document up i used CMYK setting, this print colour were exact as they are on screen so this aspect of the print worked. This print also allowed me to see if the imagery was too big in person on a physical book but since the quietly of the drawings is high and there is no pixilation the images work at this size, they grab attention as they are the main focus of the layout but also all the detail from the covers can be seen due to their size. The text was worked out to the half the size of the images and when printing this showed a clear grid system, which fits with the ideas of minimalism and modernist design principles. The text used also fits with the imagery as its very neutral which allows the images to be the main focus, all the pages aligned the type correctly when printing so there was no layout issues with this print. 

if there is any issues with printing so much back ink on the pages will this mean that the other side of the black pages is unreadable as the ink is seen through

This was a major issues that i wanted to check when i printed the book, if i could print anyway i wanted i would have printed the black pages on black stock but as white digitally print ink doesn't exist i couldn't do this therefore i had to fill in the background of the pages in which black ink instead but i thought this might have an effect on the other side of the pages is the ink is too dark and the gsm too thin it would leak thought and the pages wouldn't be readable but i picked a 120 gsm, i only also the print man if he thought it would be ok on 80 gsm but he said as it was quite thin it would be seen thought the other sides therefore tested it on 120 and it worked perfectly.

As i couldn't use black stock for this digitally print, this paper made sure it didn't obstruct the readability of the other side and made sure that all the pages where readable . 

if the matt stock is suitable/if the paper size is thin enough for all the pages to fit in the sleeve 

Since this is a very simple minimalist book with a selection of pages that needed to fit in a very thin record sleeve cover i decided to use Matt stock for the book, this is as it will be thiner and easier to bind thiner to make it fit in the cover. Also the cover has a glossy finish so if all the pages having a matt finish not he cover and back would make the cut out circle on the cover stand out more highlighting the uses of a record sleeve cover which is one of the main feature of this book therefore something that needs to be drawn attention to.  If the whole book used glossy finish the over all look would be very flashily and over the top which i don't feel would fit with the ideas/concept of this book therefore i selected matt, it will also help it fold easier and be thinner for the case.

 I have placed this book bound using saddle sketch binding (the thinest binding method that give full vision to the pages) into the record case using the 120 gsm matt paper 

The book needed to be thin so that it could fit in the cover which could only bend slightly without ripping therefore the book needed to be thin but also thick enough that it didn't let the ink run though or look like a leaflet, after looking at the different stock int he print room the one that bent the easiest but would also work for the solid black ink is 120gsm matt. This test was conducted to test if when the 24 pages where then bound together using the 120 stock would they fit in the case, it worked really well as the book quality is still kept  as the paper is thicker than normal paper but thin enough to fit easily int the case, the record sleeve case can be roomed easily without much friction so this is the correct weight of paper, binding method and finish that should be used in the final print.

issues i didn't think of - 

When the pages of solid page are folded the ink on the edges rips, this causes the edges of the pages to seem scruffy and unprofessional. The ink around the edges isn't as solid as it is when its in the middle of the page, using a case will hopefully protect the book from any more damage but there is noting that can be done about the black ink as  i can't use black stock (explained earlier). For this print i have tried to colour in the missing ink placing with black sharpie as i felt this was the most permeant ink i could use over the top which does cover most of the parts but this doesn't work under close examination.If i was getting this book professional printing i would find a way to print on to black stock in white but at uni this isn't available therefore there is nothing i can do about this but carry on to cover the small marks with sharpie on my next print.  cover ink mistakes with black sharpie

FEEDBACK 

'change the spelling mistake on joy diversion'

'try a black cover for the book? it might make it stand out more again the white sleeve cover'

'its a good concept but make sure the sleeve cover doesn't get ink on it'

'the pages are slightly misalined in the middle change that'

' the type works really well for with the complicated images because over very minimal and balances it out but maybe try Helvetica light? its really similar but it more modern and is associated with more 'cool' brands like american appear which seems to be the theme of this book to'

'i didn't get the idea when you tried to explain it but i do now i can see it physically'

'the white space works with the images well'

'the black thread for the binding works for the inside pages as it hides the line errors but it looks kinda of strange on the front, it contras with the white to much and drawn attention to an unimportant part'

'the colour scheme is very dramatic but since the theme of the book is more casual it seems to balance out'

the hand written text on the front matches with the image style inside and works well to add a more lighthearted personal touch,keep it but maybe do change invert the colours'

'the content pages has a black line on it that seems unprofessional and distracting from the text'

'simple layout works for a busy imagery' 

Cover Change Experiment 

Feedback from the book suggested that i changed the cover of tube book, invert the colour scheme to make it stand out more in the circle due to the contrasting colours, this is text i have conducted to change it .

in the case 

After changing the colour scheme i think it does look better, i can't alter the colour of the case due to its glossy finish that doesn't absorb ink but this allows the cover to have a contrast which fits with the style of the other pages inside the book that all contrast against the next. I will use this version for the next print, i might need to change the pages inside so that they still match up.

                                        

406 Studio Brief 2 - Licence to Print Money, Modern Chinese Graphic Design

Modern Chinese Graphic Design 

After looking at historic Chinese art in the form of the ink/water colour paining as an influence on the design for the bank note to make sure it reflect current design trends in china i will research into Chinese graphic design, i have already look at the work of 10 top Chinese graphic designer but that is work for any brief this will look design more that can relate to to this brief. This will look at Chinese poster design mostly minimal to see the
layout
text forms
type styles
ratio of text to illustration
illustration style
grid systems
line 
colour schemes
that all use, these will then influence how i modernise the note design. The note will be influence be aspect of the older painting style but also to new design to make sure it reflect the culture and the past but appeals to the younger generation. The modern style will make sure it fit for the target audience whilst making it more aesthetically pleasing for the exhibition, which it need to look elegant and decorative for.

The final design will need to be printed manually not digitally but i will change the design at the end to make it fit these criteria.

examples - 

406 Studio Brief 2 - Licence to Print Money, Plum Blossom

Flower Selection

For the brief the money created will have to be used in an exhibition, for this purpose to need to make sure that the money is as aesthetically pleasing to match with the other money as a piece of art. To focus need to be on the look of the note the concept rather if it would work for a real life brief, these means the note doesn't have to me max produced or work for a functional note.

Since the design need to be attractive to the audience, the flower i will select to use in the design will be the pretties flower, this will improve the over all look of the note. To find out which people feel is most fitting flower of this i will conduct a survey, ask people using pictures of the selected flowers (that have signifence meaning in Chinese culture) which they feel is the most elegant and beautiful. This will improve the over all elegance of the note and make it fit the brief more as it give me a group of opinions rather than just my own. 

Flowers Selected From Research 

Plum Blossom (National Flower of Republic, part of the four gentlemen of flowers)

Orchid (part of the four gentlemen of flowers)

Bamboo (part of the four gentlemen)

Lotus (already on bank note, people most associated flower with china)

survey - 

results - 

The plum blossom was the most popular, therefore the flower will be the basis or the note.

The plum blossom has been an important symbol in Chinese culture. As a “friend of winter,” the plum blossom most vividly represents the value of endurance, as life ultimately overcomes through the vicissitude of time. The fragrance of plum blossoms “comes from the bitterness and coldness,” as the Chinese saying goes. Souls are tempered in the depth of experience, growing in inner strength and unyielding courage.

Unity of culture and nature has been an important part of the Chinese tradition, and elements of nature embody important cultural values. The plum, together with the orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum, have been named the “four nobles” of plants by the ancient Chinese, each because of its noble characteristics, such as purity (orchid), uprightness (bamboo), and humility (chrysanthemum). 

Zhu Xi, a noted Song Dynasty Confucian scholar, gave the plum four virtues: the great potential in the bud, prosperity in the flower, harmony in the fruit, and rightness in its maturity—all of which embody the characteristics of heaven (qian), according to the Book of Change. Chinese also see the five-petaled flower as symbolizing five blessings: longevity, prosperity, health, virtue, and good living. 

Plum, or Prunus mume, is an arbor that originated in southwest China. For over 3,000 years, plum trees have been planted in China, including North China, where the winter is colder. From China, the plum spread to Korea, Japan (where the plum is called “ume”), and later to other countries as an ornamental plant. The plum tree flowers before its leaves come out in the spring. 

Plum blossoms typically have five petals, single- or multi-layered, with the colors pink/red, white, and yellow as common. The pink/red variety is used often for the Chinese New Year in late January and early February.

China has a long history of using and enjoying the plum tree and its flower. Plum fruit has been used for food for more than 3,000 years, and plum blossoms have been appreciated in gardens and around homes for over 2,000 years. In the 5th century, princesses and court women started to use plum blossoms for decoration, and this helped make the flower popular.

404 - Studio Brief 2 - What is a book? Cover / Back

 Cover / Back 

Since the case for this book will be a 7inch record sleeve case with a hole in the middle for the design of the cover the only parts that will be since when in the case of the selection in the hole. This meant that the whole needed to be worked out and calculated so that the design could fit in, for this three are mock ups available on line but as i found out all the covers differer slightly depending on where the sleeve was based. The mock up was the basic for the cover but it was changed due to the measurements of the sleeve purchased for this brief, which was slightly smaller. When the sizes and measurements had been conducted there was a circle in the middle of the cover which is the only part that can be seen through the over, this will be on the front and the back.

The style of the cover is based around the drawn theme of the illustrations in the book, as it is the future of the cover it can use this style to reflect the hand drawn type on the album covers. The simple copy typeface was experimented with but seems to simple for an attention grabbing cover where as the hand drawn text was elementary yet added a sense of difference to the cover, it reflected the personal feel and lightheartedness of the book as it was a whimsical typeface. It was drawn over the typeface which is used in the book to make sure it still link all the letterform even if this style was more imperfect it had the basic same design sculpture to the lettering to keep it fit with the house style.  Using this text as a basic for the redrawn text also link to the same way the images are created which keeps a current house  style though-out all the book, this will help the pages flow better as they all seem similar.

For the cover the same design style and colour scheme has been used, this will make the cover match the book fully, it will keep the with the theme and make the book read easily. The cover is very basic as the illustration inside are the main aspects of the design of the book and otherwise the design would seem too busy/over powering. There is only a small space the cover can be seen though the record sleeve so the text is the largest it can be without running over the space.

In the research conducted into books of this same style, the book cover where very basic and simple i have tried to reflect this theme in this covers. 

Final Covers 

Since the case has a hole of both side of it, i added a very simple back cover to the design, this is as people look at both sides of the record thought the cover therefore people will look at the back for more text naturally. The book didn't need a large explanation or blurb since its a very simple idea therefore i kept the back very simple. This also allowed less text to be placed on the front with meant the text could be made bigger so it was easier to read. There is no difference between the back and the front of the design to fit with the concept and styles of the book. 

Printed to Check Size

After the cover had been designed a test print was printed at the correct size to check if the hole on grid design for the the image lines up with the record sleeve cover. For this i put the cover in the sleeve and then drew around the hole, it can be seen from this image that the circle is slightly off and the text needed to be moved more to the right to make it centred, this will be edited for the print test and applied to both front and back cover.