CARDS

GREETING CARDS LAYOUT

This is the final layout design that I will be using for my greetings cards. Alike the Postcard layout it is going to be simple with only the necessary information included.

• Logo
• Website
• Collection name 
• Copyright
• Barcode 

As all these pieces are part of a set/collection they all need to be alike, following the same identity.

ORDER

This is the order in which my illustrations will be portraying in my Zine, from left to right, with left being the oldest memories to the last on the right being the newest. I want them to show a story with the oldest memories being slightly hazy and fragment, through to the newest memories being sharp and clear. By laying them out like this I can see the order in which they will need to be portrayed.

COLOUR

I have been experimenting with editing the colour of my illustrations to further set the mood/theme for each illustration. As each illustration is representing a childhood memory some of which are old and slightly hazy, as well as playing with the hue and saturation to show this, I have experimented with the transparency setting to portray, distant and unclear memory.

By making the colours more hazy and inky I feel that they reflect the image of memory more clearly, by showing that floaty, imaginative, feel that memories have.

POSTCARD LAYOUTS

When designing the reverse layout for my Postcards I have decided to keep them very simple. From research I have found that most design cards are left blank to keep the focus on the main design on the front. The only information that I have found necessary to include is the name of the collection, and contact information for the viewer to find more of my work. This is found in the bottom right hand corner under the address bars, resulting in the left hand side of the Postcard left free for a message.

LABELS

Now that I have selected a logo to represent my image, I have been able to progress forward with designing the labels for my t-shirts which will have my illustrations printed on them. As well as printing on white card I have also experimented using older and recycled cards to reflect the vintage, re-used theme within my working. These are a few experimental designs that I have come up with so far.

LOGO DESIGNS

This is the development leading up to my final logo design (image just above) which will be used as the identity for my merchandise. It will been visible on all pieces of my Collection, Zine and Website. I have kept the intricate line illustrations in single colour so that it will be easy for it to be used on all types of media.

PAPER SAMPLES

I have collected these paper samples for my Zine. I have chosen them carefully to reflect the different stages of the journey of my memories, wheras some of the sheets are glossy which will reflect more recent memories, there is also recycled, old paper that will reflect old, and distant memories. The different textures, translucence and recycled natures of the papers will also allow me to portray the idea of memories being swirling and intertwined, along with layering and stenciling.

BELLE AND BOO BY MANDY SUTCLIFF

Researching Postcards I came across this collection in Paperchase by illustrator Mandy Sutcliff.

Looking on her website which was available on the cards it describes her work as " deceptively simple and stylish images that capture vividly those precious moments in time enjoyed by children....her illustrations are full of dreamy colours that invoke memories of childhood and nostalgia. "

I went on to discover she has placed her illustrations on a wide range of media as I plan to do so. Looking through her website there is a lot of inspiration for when designing my own. Mandy is a excellent example of how creating a collection and variety of merchandise can make a very successful illustrator. Her merchandise consists of Prints, Cards, Postcards, Clothing, Cushions, Badges, Fabric character figurines, Childrens Books and Gift Tags... the possibilities of creating a collection is endless.

This is a screen shot of the layout on her website for future reference when designing my site:

URBAN OUTFITTERS

Here are examples of existing Art Prints, Postcard collections and Zines from different designers/illustrators and creatives being displayed within Urban Outfitter stores.

AUDIENCE

Following my last post I have been brainstorming possible outcomes and places to exhibit my work.

As well as having a selection of art prints of my illustrations, I want to create a Zine that will show a personal journey of my memories, I want place my illustrations on different supporting mediums creating a collection of work, that will further to promote me as an illustrator and reflect my interests for when I graduate. Other mediums I have thought of are postcard/gift card sets all of which including my Zine can be distributed to Art and Design haunts. Thinking of shops has also made me think of the possibilities of printing onto clothing reflecting my interest in fashion.

Exhibiting my work to an audience has led me to research stores such as Topshop and Urban Outfitters because they are renowned with collaborating with other designers. Topshop have previously hired Julie Verhoeven to produce a collection of christmas cards and have sold limited edition t-shirts with her illustrations printed on. However as Topshop are strictly a fashion based store I have been swayed more to Urban Outfitters who as well as fashion, sell homeware, stationary and art and photography related pieces. They are described as being quirky, vintage, bohemian, retro, hipster, and ironically humorous - their main audience is 18 - 30 year old who share a love of these styles. This is store that I feel defiantly shares and reflects my interests and style of working. Exhibiting within Urban Outfitters would broaden my possibilities of showing my illustrations on an extended range of mediums resulting in a collection of many outcomes appealing to a wider audience. All of which could also be available on a website.

PATHWAYS

After a group presentation with a different group of students than normal I have gained some quite different feedback from having fresh eyes look at my work and hear my ideas.

Showing 10 of my recent illustrations of my memories it was agreed that they are really quirky and work really well as a set. Although they are simple there is good use of negative space which keeps them simple but effective within my style.

The main questions in focus were how I was going to present them and who am I aiming them at by means of a target market. After showing images of my paper stencils cut out from the patterns that I use in my illustrations and my plans of making a big installation out of them it was suggested that they could be used with in my actual 2D work more so especially as the studio space that I have been trying to book is becoming more and more unreliable.

From this I have been thinking of an original question that was asked at the beginning of the project which was: What do you want to achieve and how?

I want to produce a body of work that will show me a professional illustrator and that is personal to me, I like quirky, vintage, old, worn, inky, 'collagy' things, I like textiles, patterns and fashion - I am aiming to sell myself based on this statement. I would like my outcomes to promote me to my target audience, which would mean them being professional and widely available.

I discussed the idea of creating a book/zine which would show a journey of memories from old to recent as I have grown up over the years and having these individual illustrations available to purchase as art prints, which at this point seems alot more promising outcome than a paper installation and just as effective if not more professional.

Questions that were raised that relate to determining a target market from this were:

Where would the Zine be placed? Reflect your style? Where would you sell art prints? Zine would help advertise and support Art Prints.

Think of shops, public places, bars etc that you could exhibit your work and would reflect your style and interests.

MEMORIES 3