Good is... Existing ipod infographics.

www.google.co.uk

Due to the fact i'm creating information graphics for the ipod generation, I had a look at what was already out there to get ideas for my own work and to be sure I wouldn't create something that had already been done. I feel particularly that the less complicated information graphics work better because they don't look as cluttered and the design generally looks more crisp. Darker backgrounds tend to be quite popular with designs done based on Apple products and this works quite well because it adds sophistication to the designs. 

I particularly like the evolution of the iphone information graphics poster because although this is not to do with the ipod a similar design could be applied. The way in which the information is presented to make it seem such an effort to read and the whole layout in general is quite quirky. The suggestion that people were living in the stone-age before the iphone is also quite comical and consumers are likely to see the funny side of this.

I also think the 'apple tree' is a really successful quirky design. The simplicity of the imagery and design in general works really well because the consumer will be able to understand the message quite easily. The use of hierarchy of information is another plus because it orders the information that has been presented and using colour but in such a simplistic way makes the piece more interesting. The fact it's called the 'apple tree' is what caught my attention in particular because I thought this was quite simple but clever. 

Print study task one; what is design for print? - Information & wayfinding.

NTU Invites.

These university open day invites are a sophisticated and stylish example of wayfinding. The clean cut design means they not only tell people where to go but they look really good too. The fact the typography has a slight shine to it gives the invites a little bit of class too and the information looks as though its printed on a more interesting choice of stock to add to the whole look. The way the information is set out and these other considerations could say a lot about the uni for example, its organised, modern and sophisticated. 

Dunmore East Map Booklet.

The illustration on this map/leaflet really stands out because of the colour and styling. The way the information fits into a sleeve is a bonus because it will keep it looking tidy and due to being handcrafted might be kept as a souvenir too. The actual way finding itself is really successful because it has a simplistic layout which will be understood by most if not all people. Using colour coding always works well because not only does it make things easier but it makes the piece more interesting with the variety. The general layout has been considered in a way that makes the information easy to understand and also to find if theres a particular thing your looking for. 

iPod plus iTunes Timeline.

This piece is can be admired as a piece of design because it displays complex information but translated into such a simplistic way. The colours work well with the fact the product being displayed is the ipod because these colours seem innovative and modern in a sense. The layout of the sections of colour guides your eye around the apple logo and it seems quite clever because its somewhat hypnotising. The background being black is successful as it makes the colours stand out due to the colour choice and doesn't wash them out instead. The whole layout has balance and consideration so that all the information can be included. 

Worldflag System.

The relationship between positive and negative space on this piece makes it work because it means the image the coloured squares create can be recognised easily as countries. This is another piece thats captures the audiences eye through the choice of colour and simplistic 'imagery' with the squares. It reminds me a little of the pantone colour swatches so is something I can easily relate to as a designer. This could work on both a large and small print scale due to the simplicity of the design. 

O2 academy promotional leaflet (primary) 

The O2 leaflet always has the same kind of layout and style as seen above. Its such a successful concept because although the leaflet folds out quite large it can still be folded up and put in your pocket or purse. The mixture of text and imagery works really well due to the balance of imagery and text on alternate pages. The leaflet includes an incentive of a free drink which is a good way of leading people to the bar so it means the wayfinding will do its job. Although the type is small, its not so small it can not be read and this is another positive thing about this leaflet because it means more information can be included in each addition. The general composition makes the venue look busy as theres so much to view so this may be another way it persuades people to go. 

Print study task one; what is design for print? - Publishing & editorial.

Anthon B Nilsen.

The layout of this booklet caught my eye because its so precise and obviously thought about with each page containing quite a lot of imagery but placed so that it doesn't look overcrowded. The fact the front cover has a slight shine to it is also quite appealing because its a nice design feature and makes the booklet seem quite sophisticated. The design has quite a modern touch and this shows through the use of point size in the contents as more modern editorial pieces tend to experiment with this. 

Pershing Calendar.

The composition of this book was the main thing that caught my eye because the typography has been fitted to compliment the imagery quite successfully (as seen with the text going vertically down the image of the buildings). The fact silver foil text has been embossed on to the front compliments the fact the book consists of black and white imagery really well and it fits with the idea of nighttime in some of the images. Each spread of the book mainly completely fills the page and this feature works well because it somehow makes the images come alive. 

Candela Brand Book.

This is possibly one of the most exciting examples i've come across whilst researching editorial. The fact the book is all about leather shoes and then is made of leather itself is something that can be appreciated by the reader and also makes it completely unique. The layout of the pages throughout the book tends to be different but this works successfully because you don't know what to expect at each turn of the page and it gives the book variety. The pages inside the book also fit to the vintage style of the outside of the book, another very successful design feature. 

Blink Type Works.

These double page spreads are a collection take from a single magazine over time. There is a link between each one with the composition being similar via the fact it takes up the whole of the spread. The colours chosen are one of the most successful features because they draw attention and will bring focus to the DPS. The relationship between the text and imagery has obviously been considered as they compliment each other with the styles chosen. 

Student cookbook (primary)

This is a cookbook given to me by my parents when I first began uni. Everything about it is student friendly because its so simple yet stylish. The bright colours indicate that they may be trying to make cooking seem fun rather than just another chore and colour has also been used quite successfully to break the book down into sections depending on if you'd like a quick and easy meal or something more complex. The use of imagery tries to convince the audience that they want what they are seeing and then on the other page theres simple instructions on how they can go about this. Info graphics have been used to show wether the food be vegetarian etc. The layout means the instructions can not be easily confused and it looks neat and ordered. It also gives the book balance. 

Print study task one; what is design for print? - Packaging & promotion.

Soto Organic Skincare.

I was drawn to this collection of skin care products because the design reminded me a little bit of pantone swatches. I like the fact the layout has been considered in a sense that gives the product sophistication and cleanliness. The fact it looks quite clean is also a plus because its a skin care product which you relate back to cleanliness anyway. The choice of colours suggests that the product is neither feminine nor masculine so i'm not sure if this would lead to confusion or not as I don't know enough about the product. The main thing that stood out however, was the fact this text has been printed on to plastic bottles which again, leads to this idea of cleanliness. 

Laken bottles.

This is the basic printing onto some type of card but i found the packaging quite interesting due to how the bottle fits inside the box. The fact the colour scheme has been kept simplistic gives the product quite a clean cut look, especially due to some of the design being placed on a white background. The imagery helps promote the bottle brand successfully because this is what drew my attention to the product. 

Urban Influence Holiday Promo.

The packaging for the bottle caught my attention with this product because i've not really seen designs printed onto wood like this before and I thought it was different and looked quite good. The bottle itself is also quite a good example of promotion and the choice of colours are quite happy and warm so it makes the bottle quite inviting. The choice of colours work really well because they stand off the dark background. 

Gift packages.

With these gift bags the limited colour drew my eye in which was different as far as personal preference goes because usually i'm attracted to more colourful design. I think the type of illustration makes this product quite fun and child-like. I also like the '3D' effect that the illustrations have because these take the simplicity and give it a little bit of a twist. The dull looking background works in favour of this packaging because the colour seems to stand off it quite well. 

Urban Outfitters (primary)

This bag packaged some free gifts I got from the freshers fair. Generally Urban Outfitters use brown paper bags and this is such a positive because not only are they recyclable but the colour seems to fit with the vintage style of the content of the shops. A simplistic logo on the bag means that theres nothing to distract from what they are trying to promote. The choice of typography is good because its a bit different to your usual plain type which is one way of making something interesting without the use of imagery. The fact the bag states about it being recyclable on it suggests that the store is quite eco friendly and has been laid out to fit along side the logo well. 

Print study task one; what is design for print? - Branding & identity.

SOTO (State of the Obvious)

SOTO (State of the Obvious)

I really like the state the obvious campaign due to its humour and simple design. I found two seperate types of printing with one on the t-shirt and the other on the cup but both come from the same collection. The choice of typography works really well because its not too 'in your face' and its legible. This sort of product appeals to someone who can appreciate the humorous side of it and also someone who may appreciate typography/design. 

Ancillary Magnet Brand Identity Business Card.

I appreciate this business card for its design rather than what its relating to. The simple choice of colour and text makes the business card successful because it has character yet is basically just doing its job rather than looking too fancy. I also appreciate the layout and shape of the card because it looks smooth and professional. I also find that the elephant logo not being too overpowering makes the business card seem quite inviting. 

Corporate Brand Identity Konig Architektur Schweiz.

Although this is not a direct example of print I still thought it was pretty relevant as car stickers have to be printed before they are applied to the car. The composition of the stickers works really successfully because theres a balance to the design and its not too overpowering. Car stickers in general can be quite interesting because some of them can have really complex designs. 

O2 academy (primary)

This logo is successful due to the simplicity of colour, font and layout. The colours were already really selected when the company began as a brand so this makes it easy when creating other products. This works in favour of the brand because it can be recognised through the colour quite easily. The choice of typography is quite modern so rolls with the times and suggests that the club itself is modern.