ASSIGNMENT 5: Your choice - Final work and critique

 

Poster A3

 

Flyer A5 landscape - front

 

Flyer A5 landscape - back

 

Flyer A5 landscape - back

 

Newspaper Advert A6

 

Programme Cover A5

SELF CRITIQUE

This was very challenging task for me as I had to revive 70’s feeling, along with design, trends, typography and everything that was characteristic for that era. I wanted to watch show as it was the only way to form my own perception which would reflect on my work. I like the tale where Mike Leigh portrayed a core of human nature which remains the same despite all technological development, so it is understandable why this play is popular even today. 

I started my research with popular posters of 70’s where I could get impression about design elements such as graphics and typography. All those bubbly rounded fonts, 3D effects, hand-drawn bold letters were symbol of this period. Some of them were based on 60’s especially on Wes Wilson’s psychedelic typography. I also noticed use of font such as Century Gothic, and many bold sans serifs that look modern. Since this was pre computer era I wanted to add a touch of hand drawings so I drew woman’s hand which holds the cigarette. I wanted to make it big and dominant as it represents Beverly as a dominant character. I thought about to draw other elements such as furniture using pastel but instead I decided to play with photos in order to produce some retro effects. I wanted to see what can I do with Photoshop. I made a composition and took a photo which I later reworked. I struggled with it as I couldn’t get the wanted result so I was thinking to give up and simply draw it like a hand. Finally after exploring adjustment and filters I managed to get a picture that has that feeling. I wanted to use patterned wallpaper as this was a popular part of interior design, along with patterned tiles in kitchen and bathroom. I had some idea to get some richness by using subtle patterns which would look good as a background. I made them fainter as I didn’t want them to affect readability. As for the poster where pattern is stronger I drew cigarette smoke which served as a good background for text. I was thinking to put more elements like 70’s frame glasses which Angela wore but I didn’t want to be cluttered. I also had a doubt whether I should place man’s legs on a floor as I thought it might look like crime movie but my friends liked it. They thought it portrays black humor and relation between characters. All promotional material is variation of main design as I wanted to have consistency throughout my work. Exploring billboards, other adverts, banners, posters that are part of one campaign was very helpful.

From my previous experience I will be more objective after a while when I open my works. I will observe it then more like a beholder. During the time as I continue to progress I will have less troubles with software and I will get more satisfying results for less time. I like retro style artworks and I am glad that I tackled into this kind of task.