WHO ARE YOU? further development

I started to experiment with possible ways of editing the below image of Imogen (image belongs to Imogen). 

In order to gain the 'simplicity' of her desired aesthetics, I decided to change the image to greyscale. This would allow me to play around with colours elsewhere within the double page spread. I also feel that the colours in the original image are a little yellowy, therefore they'd look much better saturated. The brightness and contrast was also altered slightly.

Putting the image into a double page spread...

I began by putting an opacity filter over the top of the image in order to send it backwards and bring the content forwards. I didn't want it to be the main focus, however, its scale obviously wouldn't deter away from it.

A background was used around the text to make it pop and stand out, keeping simplicity in mind.

Content then needed to be added. This would be taken from the two interviews with Imogen, and anything extra that would be put in with Imogen's consent.

Below are some initial layouts that were experimented with.

Within these layouts, simplicity was key, as well as there being a lot of focus on Imogen's favourite quote. I think it's something that really stood out to me when investigation her blog, and it's definitely something that should be included. A sub heading format was therefore used, with a lot of emphasis around it. The lines were used to draw the reader's attention straight to the quote in order to tempt them to read more.

You can see from the above layouts, that they're very text heavy. There is a lot of content on the right hand side in comparison to it's facing page. This contrast is a little bit outweighed and doesn't quite work.

The same style and ideas were to be kept, however the layout of the content needed to be moved around a bit.

The text is now focused on the left hand side, and the subheading has been moved across, lay out on top of the image.

Both pages will have white space around the outlines of the boxes.

Focusing on the crucifix idea, adding a simple little touch to the image on the right.

Centring the text, so that everything is aligned in the same position.

WHO ARE YOU? development

I wanted to mix a couple of Imogen's interests in order to gain a starting point for my double page spread. I played around with different styles of crucifix to begin with, but soon decided on a simple, standard version in order to suit Imogen's taste. 

In order to make it fit Imogen's personality, an aztec print was created, using different lines and shape. 

The colours used were influenced by Imogen's answers in the interview.

This was then applied to the cross using a clipping mask.

Whilst searching around for some pictures of Imogen to use, I came across some possibilities.

Original image from Imogen's Facebook, displaying her crucifix necklace.

Edited versions.

Chosen image.

The image below is definitely the image I'm going to go for. I feel it best displays Imogen and her personality. She's very outgoing, fun to be around and enthusiastic. This is a playful and positive image that would work well with the content I have on her. 

IMOGEN'S BLOG

Looking through Imogen's blog to find out who she is. 

Points of interest...

• Love old, vintage looking textures/shades/type
• Interested in subliminal things, things not so obvious to the eye and need thought
• Subliminal messages within the use of geometric shapes and lines
• Simplicity is key in communication..."Simplicity is about subtracting the obvious, and adding the meaningful."
• Love paper craft and decorative things such as wrapping and decorations
• A sense of humour in graphic design is always appreciated
• Quote: 'Where you invest your love, you invest your life'

In order to get an overall view of the type of stuff Imogen's interested in, I went through her blogs and made notes on things that I thought could be incorporated into the double page spread.


1. Aztec pattern
Throughout her blogs, there is continuous mention of aztec patterns, and they are even being used in one of her current briefs where she has gone ahead and created her own designs.
Below are some of Imogen's stunning aztec glasses designs.

2. Pattern in general
A lot of pattern is featured throughout Imogen's blog, be it as part of her own work, or that of others. I have noticed a lot of geometric patterns, aztec and also the patterns used on Paperchase products.
Imogen's interest in pattern, shape and line may possibly stem from her love of maths, something that I have taken note of from past briefs. 

3. Where you invest your love, you invest your life

I am uncertain as to whether or not Imogen has picked up on this quote from the Mumford & Sons track Awake My Soul, or it is just a saying that she is aware of. However, I think it says a lot about Imogen's character, and she probably has her priorities in order. Love evidently makes up a big part of who she is and what she does, putting her energy into the things, or even those, that she is passionate about.

'Is your time and dedication to people, places and passions investments of your love into them, with the dividends from it deposited back into your own heart? Will your life become impoverished if you fail to invest your love wisely?

What do you invest your love in? Have you ever been like a venture capitalist in love and poured your heart into something or someone with the hope of a great return, but no guarantee of it? If so, what were the results? Did you give your heart to someone and get it back with interest, or did you just walk away with a pen?'

(source)

4. Colour

When asked, Imogen stated that her favourite colour in particular was navy. However, she was also partial to burgundy, forest green and turquoise - "vintage colours that are slightly drained". 

I played around with some colours on Illustrator, and came up with some possible shades that may fit the bill.

5. Simplicity
Imogen talks of simplicity quite a lot within her work and she enjoys it within others as well.
The quote "simplicity is about subtracting the obvious and adding the meaningful" crops up quite a few times, and I am aware that this is something she wanted to focus her C.o.P publication. It therefore must mean a lot to her and I feel it would be really interesting to work towards something that reflects this. A simple design that still reflects Imogen's personality and main points that need to be included.

6. Crucifix
Also this isn't something that I've come across on Imogen's blog, I am aware that she is very attached to her cross necklace. This type of imagery could be included as it ties in nicely with the idea of simplicity and meaning, as well as Imogen's favourite quote from M&Sons.

Imogen appears to appreciate a lot of design, ranging from vintage packaging and work from the modernist era, to Peter Crawley's illustrative techniques. Because of this, I'm going to have to really focus my work, and look at one main aspect of my partner, be it an answer to one of the interview questions, a pattern or even her favourite quote. 

QUESTIONS ANSWERED

What sort of music are you into?

I tend to like all music to be honest except heavy rock metal but i do love songs that you can dance to and some oldies to which i've got off my parents. I'm hopeless at remembering songs and names etc but heres a few memorable ones 'Send me on my way' Rusted Roots, 'DNA'Darwin Deez, 'Far nearer' & 'Touch me' by Jamie XX, 'High' Lighthouse Family, 'Somebody i used to no' Gotye

What would you say are your favourite colours?

Navy i do love a bit of navy, burgandy, forest green, tourquoises ... i love like vintage colours where the colours drained slightly if that makes sense? and like creams and browns for stock like paper bags and tags etc

What type of design are you currently interested in?

old vintage stamps, bottle caps, labels packaging etc

I like this sort of stuff i suppose. Packaging and decor i love like tags and stamps etc Look at the penguin books and Peter Crawleys work to, there insane.

Describe yourself in three words.

i talk alot

Do you have any nicknames?

Im, imy, milly, mildred, mil, mildrew, imo, imiwimi, funkymonkeyimo & sweetnsour (embarrassing hotmail accounts), i've been called everything under the sun

If you knew today was your last day on Earth, how would you spend it and why? Probably just hanging out with my friends, boyfriend and family doing nice things and eating good food because there the most important thing to me and i'd want to enjoy my day doing things i love with the ones i love (soppy or what)

Who or what inspires you and why?

My parents inspire me because there amazing people, caring and selfless in personility, worked extremely hard to have what they have and yet  there kids and each other are the most important thing to them over work or themselves. There relationship is amazing, 28 years and going strong.

If you had the power to just utter a word and kill someone - no one would find out and you would not be charged with a crime, who would you kill and why?

I'd like to say i wouldn't kill anyone because i think its completely immoral to take someones life and i'm catholic to soooo its kind of aganist the rules.. there was a time however when i reaaaaally disliked a girl because of what she did with my ex-boyfriend and i defiantly felt like harming her.

If you won a million pounds in a lottery, what would you do with it?

Pay off my parents mortgage because i love my family home, i've lived there all my life and there trying to sell it because they can't afford it anymore and its falling apart therefore i'd pay it all off, bills and everything and give them money to fix it up.

Are there any fears you have that you would like to get over?

I don't have any particular fears like spiders or heights 

If a genie granted you 3 wishes, what would you ask for?

1. a hot holiday for a long time so i can tantantan 2. to never have to worry about money 3. unlimited wishes

What’s the #1 most played song on your iPod/itunes?

i don't tend to use my ipod because i don't have the time to unless i'm travelling and its my friends itunes anyway because i never bother to download songs or anything or even get itunes until it came on my mac... 

What is one of your favorite quotes?

where you invest your love, you invest you live

If you could witness any event past, present or future, what would it be?

I reckon it'd be pretty cool to be at the opening of the olympics just so you could tell the grandkiddies you were there

If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose?

Tintin he was my favourite when i was a kid and he has a dog who's a type of terrier much like my beauty of a dog bessie

IN DESIGN

Create new document > two pages, uncheck facing pages, width 190mm height 237 mm, bleed 3mm

 Pages menu > uncheck allow document pages to shuffle

Drag page two up to page one so that they are a double page spread

QUESTIONS FOR IMOGEN

What sort of music are you into?

What would you say are your favourite colours?

What type of design are you currently interested in?

Describe yourself in three words.

Do you have any nicknames?

If you knew today was your last day on Earth, how would you spend it and why? 

Who or what inspires you and why? 

If you had the power to just utter a word and kill someone - no one would find out and you would not be charged with a crime, who would you kill and why?

If you won a million pounds in a lottery, what would you do with it?

Are there any fears you have that you would like to get over?

If a genie granted you 3 wishes, what would you ask for?

What’s the #1 most played song on your iPod/itunes?

What is one of your favorite quotes?

If you could witness any event past, present or future, what would it be?

If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose?

IMOGEN'S PERSONAL LIKES

For the 'What is a line?' brief, we had to make a list of our own personal likes. On Imogen's blog, she has posted a photo of her sheet containing her likes, which will help me in finding out what kind of person she is and what her interests are.

Her likes include:

ketchup

tea

dogs

a tan

beach

bracelets

navy

odd socks

crosses

good hair

spots

aztec patterns

shirts

lace pants

driving

sandwiches

chicken

hugs

painted nails

fruit

tags

nike blazer hi

buttons

eyeliner

photos

WHO ARE YOU?

PPP1 - WHO ARE YOU?

IMOGEN 

Where are you from? Tell us about it?
Birmingham - big city, second to London, people think badly of it

What is your earliest memory?

At nursery

Which living person do you most admire, and why?
Dad - he works so hard

Cat, Dog or other? Tell us why.
Dog - got one, called Bessie

Where would you like to love? Why? What would you do if you lived there?
Somewhere sunny - get a tan

What would your superpower be? What would you use it for?
Video record with eyesight - record funny times

If you could bring something extinct back to life, what would you choose? Why?
My rabbit, Bozz

What is your most unappealing habit?
Getting my phone out at bad times

What is your favourite word? Why?
Boo - it's funny, I moan a lot


What is your favourite book? What do you like about it?
One Day - cliff hangers in every chapter


Which four people would you invite to your dream dinner party? Why?
Michael McIntyre, Zooey Deschanel, Joseph Gordon-Levitt


If you could edit your past, what would you change? Why?
Making my Mum's life difficult


If you could go back in time, where would you go? What would you do while you were there?
60s, 70s - go to Glastonbury


What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Getting into University


Tell us a joke?
/


Tell us a secret?
I cheated how to tell the time in Primary School

WHO ARE YOU?

WHO ARE YOU? (IN DESIGN. Workshop briefing.)

TASK

You have been given a subject matter (a fellow classmate) and you are required to produce a visually considered double page spread based upon them. The content for the double page spread will be gathered from an interview with the subject matter and information they have posted about themselves on their blog. The article must have 300 words and contain two images. Explore a range of visual outcomes before working digitally. Don’t design while sitting at the computer.

Research Sources / Further Information

One of the problems with software is that everyone has access to it but not everyone knows how to use it creatively. Abode In-Design is primarily used for the generation of compelling print layout and breaking down the barriers between online and offline publishing. The possibilities of which can used as a springboard for further visual research. THINK VISUALLY. Explore layout/type/image/colour and how they relate to each other. What tone will the article take and who will the audience be? How will this visually affect your design(s)? Legibility is to be considered carefully.

Mandatory Requirements / Deliverables

All work should be supported by a broad range of visual investigation in the form of design sheets and notebooks. The final image double page spread. Landscape A3 stock.