Mixed feelings

This week I feel disappointed with my progression, I originally planned to have the corporate manual completed and three other Digipak® designs uploaded with this blog. Probably it is just the way I work, but I don’t seem to get into an assignment until the last few weeks. Day to day I have to turn things around so fast, having a month over a project seems endless. Rather than complete it in the first few weeks, I find myself pondering over the slightest detail.

I intend to revisit my production schedule and complete everything other than the evaluation for next week.

Currently pleased with my corporate Identity, although I feel it is requires further development. It is a square leaflet that folds out into an A3 poster.

Side 1. Front cover top left and Back cover top middle
(Folded across middle and folded again to allow grey section to meet)



Side 2. Creates an A3 poster when the leaflet is folded out.

Lead us not into temptation, but deliver the corporate manual (mark blog37)

Whilst I enjoy creating different design solutions to represent the Emit record label, I find writing a corporate manual quite tedious. I may have to design a different approach to a corporate manual. Developing a standard A4 manual is something I don’t struggle to do, I just would rather create the initial concepts for the Digipak® Outer. Therefore, please feel free to comment on my initial cover design.



The corporate manual is coming along but very slowly. I need to knuckle down and complete it, before I am tempted to create another Digipak® Outer.

My target this week is to complete the manual and at least another three cover designs to present at my next tutorial. Although a difficult task to take on, I am determined I can complete it.

Swirl or Speaker/UFO?

Exploring the different possibilities a logo can offer such as how it works as a pattern, or the best colours to use related to the subject it portrays, is something I find very time consuming.

Last Monday, I thought I’d cracked it with the three e’s joined together to create the swirl effect. Unfortunately, seen by many as a surfer’s logo I created another one that represented a speaker/UFO. Initially, I had my reservations about this logo although it has grown on me, I like how it is can be preserved differently when rotated.

I would be really interested in your opinions about my work so far.

Is it a UFO or a Speaker?

Although the swirl represented a galaxy to fit with the style of music, it is apparent that it is more fitting for an extreme sports company. In response to the comments I received I have totally redesigned the logo.

I wanted to create a new logo that had a relationship to music and space. Utilising a speaker symbol I have adapted it represent a flying saucer, a loud speaker and the letters e m I t. I am thrilled with this logo and hope to improve it over the weekend.

What do you think?

Tinkering over

I find it easy designing for others, but impossible to design something for myself. I am so critical of my own work, to the point I find it difficult to stop tinkering with the design.

Logo development


The only design that had any scope for improvement was my first idea. I have spent many hours creating different spiral combinations to reach these final four designs.

I would really appreciate some constructive criticism.

Initially, I was going to create one cover design, however I realised if Emit are going to re-release it’s entire back catalogue I would need to create a themed design. Although the logo I have developed symbolises a galaxy and the letter ‘e’, it also can be used with a range of images that cover an array subjects.

Emit that logo

The principles of good logo design lecture on Monday, confirmed my understanding of logo design. Although I agreed with the majority of the principles discussed, I refute the idea that only good logos are based on triangles.

Listening to the ex-student Jonny Haynes (who is currently working at Technophobia) provided me with a further understanding of some of the technologies I should be learning, in order to become a fully conversant web designer. Crasyegg.com is something new to me that allows the web designer an opportunity to identify hotspots and possible link opportunities. Firebug is another useful add on that integrates with Firefox, to put a wealth of development tools on your browser. You can debug, monitor, edit CSS and HTML at your fingertips while you browse.

With the new assignment underway a new production schedule is required. Opting to choose both assignments will allow me the opportunity to achieve high grades. The basis of the assignment is to provide Emit with a series of design proposals that could be used to relaunch the re-release of its entire back catalogue.

This is my current production schedule:

Week 1

• Research existing record labels (A1)
• Redesign Emit logo (post initial designs on to blogger) to gain feedback
• Download necessary templates posted on HND site
• Create Indesign Template to include Barcodes, titles and other small text

Week 2

• Develop three logos (must work as a silhouette) and post for evaluation
• Consider different typefaces and colours (A1)

Week 3

• Create corporate identity, letterhead, business card
  (three different alternative of stationery)
• Corporate style guide
  

Week 4

• Create advert for ‘The Wire’
• Create Digipak
• Evaluate and improve
• Pre-flight
  

Week 5

• Evaluate and improve

Week 6

• Final Evaluation

Please vote for your favourite logo design from the sketches below: