With these pages I explored scanning on the computer and using photoshop. I tend to stray away from working digitally because I have no clue what I’m doing, therefore I’m bad at it and this leads to me not liking it. However I wanted to push myself and learn new processes with this project so I worked on my previous bicycle screen print. I explored different settings just looking at the different outcomes I could create. I looked into alternating the colours and incorporating type. I loved how you could clean up your print and erase any imperfections that it had. This created a more professional feel. Although this was only a beginner stage I’m really glad I committed to it as I feel it’s a useful skill to know especially in graphics etc. I feel as though in terms of future work/ final pieces working digitally could help me refine work, thinking and experimenting with composition. Also the use of typed fonts could be interesting.
At this stage of my project I wanted to include some more secondary research into artists. I felt Neasden Control Centre particularly resonated with my work and topic of cities. I love the effectiveness of using block colour combined with black silhouettes of objects/ buildings. Layering aspects of cities like this is definitely something I’d like to take forward. I took inspiration drawing the clock from York railway station in front of a pink building. Stephen smith has definitely been a very relevant and inspirational artist for my project.
I did some research into Nicholas Blechman which was interesting as within the previous project I researched into Christoph Niemann who works with him for the New Yorker. It’s fascinating to see their similar approaches and how simplistic yet effective the designs are. I committed to my own illustrative drawings referring back to my trip in Hull. I also used ink as my block colour backgrounds which I actually really admired especially because it created a solid shade of colour, unlike some pens etc. I liked his incorporation of type as well as perspective which I considered with the Hull bridge.
Following on from this I looked into Swiss graphic design. This taught me more about the development of type over the years. Particularly the involvement of the Bauhaus and type becoming more modernised. Also typography and dada looking into arrangement of letters and exploring composition not only horizontally. Besides this I researched into Kaiyo from the pentagram website. A multidisciplinary owned design studio. Their work encompasses a range of graphic design styles which I like. I narrowed onto Kaiyo an ad campaign. I simply liked the distinctive designs and bold use of yellow contrasting with black. I feel as though simplicity is definitely something I took from this ensuring you don’t crowd your pages. Especially accounting for audience less complicated designs can often communicate a clearer better message.
