Whilst on placement, over lunch I visited Exeter Phoenix Art Gallery. The exhibition which was on was French photographer Claude Cahun (1894–1954) who achieved posthumous fame for her elusive self-portraits in which she assumed multiple personae. Born Lucy Schwob, she adopted the pseudonym in 1917 to free herself from the narrow confines of gender.
At the beginning of her career she was aligned to the Surrealist movement and was friends with André Breton; however she distanced herself both politically and physically after fleeing France on the eve of Nazi occupation. Cahun settled in Jersey where she embarked upon her defining photographic series, in which the subversion of traditional portraiture and the constructed nature of identity and gender are pressing concerns. In these now famous images, Cahun anticipated the performative work of contemporary artists such as Cindy Sherman.
It was interesting to see photographs decades ahead of its time, were Claude Cahun's work toys which perceived gender roles and identity.
Throughout the week I have been working mainly on design amendments (up to 30 a day!) these jobs were placed in my ‘pot’ called Proad, their online system that they work to, which tracks your time to complete the jobs, and were all colour-coded. Job codes labelled red and orange jobs meant it really had to be completed by the end of the day to send of to the account managers (to check and proofread that what you have done is correct) and then on to their long list of clients across the country. The jobs ranged from very simple tasks such as changing a telephone number, making the text bigger, replacing text/image etc, to more challenging tasks which required a lot more creative thought whilst keeping within the clients look and brand.
It taught me to read thoroughly and re-read exactly what the client has specified as I do have a habit of skimming over things very quickly. I think this was apparent on my first day as I have the attitude that ‘time is money’ and I was working at a fast pace, perhaps overwhelmed by the design amendments which were piling up in my pot which meant sometimes I missed silly little things. However, by Tuesday I got the design office-working pace down and was a lot more relaxed pace and getting the work done to a high standard and correct.
My colleagues have been incredibly friendly (and patient!) given great advice and pleased with the work I have got done, taking a load off their shoulders. I have learnt an incredible amount by doing design amendments, such as new shortcuts and tables in InDesign, which are a pain at first! In fact just getting up at 6am mon – fri and beginning work at 8.30 and finishing round 5.30 has been a really learning curve about working life! Simply being in front of a iMac for over 8 hours a day on the Adobe Creative Suite meant on Monday evening I was simply exhausted and felt I was not cut out for the working life! However, by Thurs/Fri my mind and body had a much more positive outlook and I had adapted to the working hours. Overall, I am so happy I haven’t been a burden to the team and I am a lot more confident in my abilities.
Overall, I am pleased with how the project has gone, despite leaving the group behind and going away for placement for the final week. At the beginning of this project, we all focused on the research and coming up with innovative ideas, researching into areas such as how Hyperloop works and researching into LA and San Fransisco as destinations and transport brands that are already around. Helen and I worked hard on building up a strong concept for Hyperloop, with the idea of travellers collecting loop points and being rewarded for their loyalty. After a successful crit with the DBA judges, we decided to focus on the destination with Helen's strap line, Travel Less, Explore More.
I enjoyed working within a team of new people, I had never worked with Jonathan and Sophie. However I felt one person did not really pull their weight, they spoke with great confidence had some ambitious ideas, but unfortunately these ideas never really materialised. I felt I created some strong visual ideas/concepts, such as the app and website. It was mentioned that I received positive feedback from the DBA judges on the website and app I had designed. I have enjoyed the brief. Although we did not win as a group, I think we have done very well, coming up with something unique as well as creating a strong concept to lead and differentiate our brand.
Helen kindly sent me over the final presentation to have a look , keeping me 'in the loop' whilst I am on placement. I am really pleased with what they have accomplished during the few days I have gone!
I spent Day 1 + 2 really getting to grips with protocol and the way the office runs through there Proad system. The PROAD Software is a leading project management software which has now also become established on the market across industries as ERP system and office and management software.
This is where my colour-coded jobs were listed I took this screenshot at the end of the day, so there's only one left to go.
Where to find stock images/fonts etc
Coded Job Numbers and over 200 Client Files
I learnt a lot about work etiquette and keeping files tidy and coded, this is something I am going to take away with me after I had a chat with Ronnie who is head of marketing services. In the design world, it's a business and time is money so you can't spend ages hunting around looking for files/fonts/images for the client.
Everything is coded at Big Wave Media Clients Name > Months > Jobs Numbers. When I'm working on design amendments I drag the file onto my desktop, delete the file from system, make a wip file, copy the current versions in their (indesign/pdf) and then make a new version such as V3 (version 3). Then I add the updated file back to the system in the correct month etc and upload the pdf version to proofhub, which is an online project management system for the account manager at BigWave to see and the client to see and review.
Admittedly I am a messy designer, in regards to keeping documents, desktop and filenames tidy as by the end of the projects I'm struggling to find certain links and work as its a mess! My filenames are usually things like, final, finalfinal, FINALfinals, FINALOUTCOME , finalfinaloutcome etc you get the idea. Becoming a more tidy designer is something I am going to take away with me haha.
Big Wave Media are a full service creative agency based in Exeter providing innovative and cost effective marketing, design and digital services for companies large and small.
A team of designers, developers and marketers are all housed under one roof which allows us to work closely together to create dynamic and creative marketing solutions. Currently they work with over 200 clients and across 430+ locations globally, and span a broad spectrum of business to business and business to consumer sectors. Working primarily in the leisure division also specialises in the provision of marketing services specifically to the leisure, tourism and culture sectors within local governments and charitable/social enterprises. With business knowledge and marketing experience they work in partnership to provide exceptional marketing support.
I didn't really have a lot of time to produce a lot of pages for the website, with going away for placement this weekend. I have managed to produce a really clean and minimal website booking page. I wanted it be really clear, functional and no nonsense so all ages will be able to use it.
After the success of my collaborative Extended Practice Brief with LCM students, ‘An evening with Heir’ which was hosted at Headrow House. I received really positive feedback for the promotional work I designed. Leading on from that, I have been approached by band member Sam Perry to do their posters for their EP Launch!
So after your brilliant job on the posters for last night's event we were wondering if you wouldn't mind doing them for our EP launch in March? If you're up for it then let me know and I will send you the dropbox link with the photo that we'd like to use! Along with possible text positioning ideas etc.
The EP Launch is at 360 Club, which is in The Library Leeds on March 12th. This is another great opportunity to work with talented musicians from LCM! Ideally, I want to complete the poster by the time I start placement.
My final designs for the Hyperloop App, I am really pleased with the overall look and what I've managed to accomplish within two days.
***About the APP
When a user first opens the app they are take to this subscription screen where they can choose what type of events they'd like to go to. These categories of events will populate the event based on the users preferences and location.
*** Events Page
The event scroll page features all event details the user needs to make a decision as to whether something is worth going to or not. The card design is scaleable enough to accommodate event options, if a user taps on it to find more details.
For example, a user can press hold on the event to take you to a pop-up menu , to get directions, visit url , book tickets/hyperloop or even summon an uber.
As I am concerned I start placement on the 22nd I have decided to really crack on with designing the app for my Hyperloop group, as I don't want to leave them hanging on that last week before presentation. I came up with some initial ideas and drawings for the Stay in the Loop app. New Smart Traveller: As Hyperloop is going to redefine the way in which we travel. I want hyperloop to offer an experience, and make travelling more enjoyable and easier so you can enjoy the location and make full use of your time in the destination. Making it easy to book tickets/restaurants and know whats going on in the city. About the APP: When a user first opens the app they are take to this subscription screen where they can choose what type of events they'd like to go to. These categories of events will populate the event based on the users preferences and location. Events Page: The event scroll page features all event details the user needs to make a decision as to whether something is worth going to or not. The card design is scaleable enough to accommodate event options, if a user taps on it to find more details. For example, a user can press hold on the event to take you to a pop-up menu , to get directions, visit url , book tickets/hyperloop or even summon an uber.
This afternoon we met us as a group and presented our ideas we had come up with from our crit with the DBA on Wednesday. Regarding the design work that needs to be done , I think I will be focussing on creating the branding (logo) and the web and app mock ups. Below are the logos I have done:
When I got back home, my boyfriend pointed out that the logo (top logo) looks like a bunch of bananas! and now I simply cannot seeing a bunch of bananas. As Helen and I like the overall shape of the logo, Helen went away and fitted the logo within the golden ration, to add further concept. Also, it adds movement and speed to the logo so more fitting to Hyperloop. However, it does loose that simplicity.
Today , DBA were in to have an interim crit with our group. We brought all our ideas in, logos and presented everything. We came away feeling very positive about the feedback. They especially liked the idea of hyperloop being about the destination (getting you to San Fransisco and Los Angeles within half an hour) rather than the mode of transport. They loved the illustrations that Jonathan brought in and this has prompted our focus of destination. As well they really liked the fact that Helen and I had put time into thinking about our concept, and what would make it better for users. They loved the idea of loop points and the other loop related puns. Next steps:
Develop Logo (minimal)
Develop Bird Logo
Decide on a Logo (by the end of the week)
Decided on a colour palette (we are thinking pastels)
Concept: Helen and I wanted to think further than the design to what will make Hyperloop better and provide the best user experience. If Hyperloop is going to be a success then it needs to put the customers and users at the centre of their focus. We have begun thinking of things that would make Hyperloop's travel experience the best; and most importantly make people loyal customers.
Loop Points: I came up with the idea of Loop Points: as people travel using Hyperloop they are rewarded and after so many rides they get a free trip or coffees or something that makes it beneficial for them loyal and using the service. Almost like a Waitrose card, in which their customers can receive a free coffee everyday! Cyberloop: On the loop roll Helen came up with Cyperloop: Free Wifi to all commuters Hypergroup: Discount travel for bigger groups of travelers to encourage more people to use it. Stay-in-the-loop: Helen also came up with stay-in-the-loop which could be an email or updates for customers to keep them in the loop about changes or things going on. Could also be the name of the App
We also came up with a list of things that we find annoying when travelling:
Delays due to weather - the majority of delays are caused by the weather, this is something that won't affect hyperloop as it is weather resistant.
Ticket Barriers - Some how make it quicker and more effortless?
Slow people - not in a rude way, but sometimes slow people do get in the way when you are in a rush and you feel rude barging past them. Could there be separate lanes? such as a rush lane for people that are in a hurry so that they can run without having to dodge past slow or stationary standers by.
Queuing for tickets - I suppose queues can't be avoided sometimes, maybe we need to come up something innovative where queues are less of a hassle. Using smarter ways of payments for tickets such as contactless and apple pay.
Safer/Faster Carbon Free High Speed Low Cost Helen and I were discussing concepts and marketing strategies on how we could make the Hyperloop identity different and unique. I came up with the idea of loop points; every-time a passenger travels on the hyperloop they collect loop points, which (after time) could add up to a free ride. Like you would collect air miles or every time you go into Waitrose you get a free coffee. Makes the hyperloop feel like a community. Also Helen came up with the cracking tagline for the mailing list as "stay in the loop". We also came up with: Cyberloop: Free unlimited WiFi as you travel, we thought this would be a good idea as you travel there aren't any windows to look out of and if you haven't got a Hypergroup: The name Helen came up with, so passengers travelling as a group could save money by buying a "hypergroup" ticket.
Logo
I saw this hummingbird vector on Pinerest and thought it would be interesting to incorporate the shape of a bird into the logo, to represent speed and sleek-ness of the hyperloop. Helen went away with the idea and starting creating bird shapes so I decided to step away and create some interesting retro shapes so we have a whole range of logos to show at our interim crit with DBA on wednesday,
Today the duo from Maraid Design (Jane and Richard) came to give a talk on what they get up to. Maraid Design is a web design studio in the heart of York, and have been making websites for over ten years. I found it a great insight into the industry, and found listening to their journey as to how they got where they are today interesting. They spoke mostly about their interests outside of design so I took notes of inspo during the talk....
Books
In Loving Memory of Work
Songbook
Black Hole
Films
Slow West
Route for Love
Cyclo
Chinatown
Architecture Travel Music Museum and galleries
Points taken from the talk:
Spoke about the different clients they have and how they handle projects. It was beneficial to hear about the way they go around arranging design work for client also how much to charge
Have an online presence as not only does it help you with getting jobs, but a good way of making contact with other creatives.
As they are a freelance duo, they pay tax, rather than a LLP which pays a lot less.
Stressed the importance of clients signing off on the work, as not only does it covers your back but makes sure the work is on track and moving in the right direction
Hyperloop Research: I decided to go away and do some initial research on Hyperloop to really understand what it's about.
One Trip Between L.A. And San Francisco Would Take 30 Minutes - Speaking with Business Week, Musk revealed his vision. The train would be able to take passengers up and down the coast in 30 mins. Cars can be carried on into vehicle which would ultimately be a solar-powered elevated transit system. Traveling at 800 mph speeds, the track would be supported by columns stretching 50 to 100 yards apart.
The Hyperloop Train Cars Would Be Dense Aluminum Pods - The train would be comprised of durable aluminum pods that would contain skis with a durable SpaceX alloy called Inconel. The acceleration speeds were a concern but the element encased in this element to handle high pressure and heat.
Musk Hopes This Is A Low Cost Alternative To Another Politically Motivated Project
4. Emergency Brake Will Prevent Possibility of Accidents - Of course, the high speed rates probably raised some concerns which is the train will have a durable emergency brake installed. The creator emphasized that pods would be spaced about 5 miles apart with a total of 70 pods leaving every 30 seconds. Factoring more safety concerns, the train’s columns are durable enough to withstand the weather. The trains would remain on the track supported securely.
5. It Could Travel Close to the Speed of Sound - with Elon’s new super train, you’d cruise along at 760 mph, making the trip would take you only half an hour.
Today the DBA came to present us with Hyperloop. The brief is to create an identity for Hyperloop a high speed transport system with speeds up to 800mph. It has been named the 5th mode of transport.
Founder: Elon Musk Audience commuters investors media potential travelling public sceptics Ideas for deliverables: a logo a capsule tickets uniforms timetable signage posters publication way finding route map app advertising capsule interiors station environments The Hyperloop is a conceptual high-speed transportation system originally put forward by entrepreneur Elon Musk, incorporating reduced-pressure tubes in which pressurised capsules ride on an air cushion driven by linear induction motors and air compressors.
Immediately after the presentation, we were told to get ourselves into groups of 4 or 5 and advised not to go with friends... which is the easy option! Helen and I were approached by Sophie and then Johnathan joined us.
