Wk 6.2 Dropbox Trouble

I tried to hand in my final on Dropbox but it wouldn't work no matter how I formatted it. I made it medium (like it stated to hand it in) but it wouldn't work. 

I emailed my tutor Caroline and asked if it would effect my mark that it was late. She confirmed it wouldn't be a problem. I also send her a PDF of my final over email. Because it was too big to send, I had to send a smaller version -that is why that file is very low quality. (It was formatted as low rather than the specified medium). 

I hope this doesn't effect project.

Wk 6.2 Rationale

For my design process I wanted to experiment with different types of rhetoric. I used juxtaposition in all of my developments and in my final outcome. I used juxtaposition to highlight the message I wanted to portray. The Twitter styled birds nailed to the branches contrast drastically against the bird that is flying away free. They contrast visually in their shape, placement and also the scaling. This communicates to the audience the difference between being stuck in social media and being free of it and actually achieving things. 

I used real photos of different birds and put them into the Twitter logo cut out (in a subtle collage style) more of a strong visual effect in the design. This substitution and addition technique here enforces the idea that this is a real thing that happens: the real birds in the Twitter logo instead of the plain Twitter logo itself. This also achieves less of a flatter look than the unaltered Twitter logo also. 

I decided to go with a subtle textured and collage style for my poster design. This worked really well with the bird imagery and tied in excellently with the subtly textured background also. I used more of a modern font to highlight that this is a very modern day problem. 

I feel my final outcome has strong Ihi and Wehi because it visually engages the audience and makes you think about this important situation. It makes you feel like you want to change from the habits of social media (of constantly being online and addicted to it) and almost make you want to warn others about it or discuss the issue. 

Wk 6.2 Meaning to my Design

The large number of Twiiter birds nailed to the perch communicate to the audience that the majority of people on social media are addicted to it and find it very hard to just log off or delete their accounts. The nails are the peoples habits and are hard to break free from.  I thought having multiple rows of the Twitter birds would create a visually attractive pattern and rhythm.  

The bird that is flying away has broken free of their addiction to social media and have blossomed because of it. I choose that bird to have a different form to show it is not the same as the other birds (not the same as most people stuck on social media). I gave it a more visually attractive form with bigger wings to symbolize its freedom.

I wanted to communicate in this design that although it is hard to break free from habits, it is incredibly rewarding in the end and you will go much further. I also wanted to show that it can be done. 

Wk 6.2 Final Outcome

Final Poster

Making

I decided to make my poster themed with one colour, blue because of the association with the Twitter brand. I made the branches more wobbly to add more realism and gave the birds real feet also. 

The diagonal from the empty space where the bird used to be to the falling nails to the  free bird show visual flow and movement. This gives a nice juxtaposition with the still pattern of the static Twitter birds in rows.  

Wk 6.1 Homework

Trying out a New Style and Developing Further

Making

I had a go at making the new Twitter bird. I made it by combing different imagery of birds and them stamping them out into the Twitter logo. I was really afraid this wouldn't work but I feel it was actually quite successful. 

It looks creepy by itself but in a group it looks quite effective.

I think the style is getting there but the repetition of the same Twitter bird doesn't look right. So I decided to make more Twitter birds and also make the free bird in the same style. 

My next development (without the new free bird yet).

The new Twitter birds look a lot better and although I only created three different ones, I feel they work really well together.

Wk 6.1 One on Ones Again

More Feedback

Critique 

I showed Tom my progress and he really thinks I should have tried out the collage idea. I will research inspiration for that tonight and give it a go.

Tom said my free bird should be more different. A bright coloured bird with a big fancy tail like one from Africa apparently (I really don't know if I can pull this style off though...)

Wk 5.2 Homework

Developing Further

Making

I developed my work with subtle changes like making sure the colours worked well with each other and I also worked on the flow of the work. I changed the colour of the branches so they suited the design more and I also introduced two falling nails from the free bird that is flying away. 

In my other developments I experimented with more negative space and having a more simple approach. I did this by taking away the rows of birds and having one bird left on the one branch. I wanted to communicate the loneliness of being stuck in the social media world while other people are out there being free and actually doing something, achieving something. 

My last development I did was the same idea of introducing more negative space but not as drastically as the previous one. I wanted to keep the pattern and rhythm in the design because I felt it was stronger this way. 

I didn't do what Tom thought I should try out though. I didn't really know how to approach the idea of having real birds collaged into the Twitter bird logo so I avoided it all together.