Design Development
Design Developments w/c 12th April
Further development of the responsive typographic observations. These letterforms are informed by the observations I took when initially analysing the building. However when I started to construct forms together I realised I needed a method in place to apply to all. This led me to start working with only 2 observed forms this giving me a more consistent look across the letterforms.
Below is the latest edition which is still a work in progress at this stage (sketch) You can see for example the letter ‘B’ still looks odd from the collection along with the ‘Z’ I need to look at the construction of these. The other thing I want to start to look at is how am I going to use these forms?
In a tutorial with Tove we spoke about potentially using the language / words I’m using within my narrative elements. Could I use the form to spell elements out? I also want to explore how the letterforms work with there original form, narrative, photo and captured texture as one piece? Does it start to build a story? Does it need to be words spelt out or are raw letterforms enough.
Here I have isolated a letterform from the family. It starts to work stand alone. It’s structural and imposing. If accompanied by a photo and or narrative could this start to create a new narrative?
Letterform Development – Civic Centre
Within the secondary location the ‘Civic Centre’ the forms are more angular and strict. They follow the architecture of the site. Strong Lines, angles and rigid. Here they take more of a literal reference of the building, connecting the design to the narrative.
What’s working well here? – The feeling of difference from Trowbridge Town Hall letterforms.I see these are more a topology of the location rather than a typeface. In a way you can construct elements from this which aren’t letterforms. There is a sense that this is certain type of place. Showing a less creative site?
What’s not working so well? – Not all forms feel connected to each other as one? (this might not necessarily be a bad thing) Could they be different scales to showcase the difference scales of the site? Is it too constructed, could it have more freeform?
Narrative Building – Trowbridge Town hall, Letterforms / Texture/ Narrative
With letterforms in place I want to start adding in the other elements from the ethnographic collecting to see how it can build a narrative? Should they be placed already or should the viewer be encouraged to make these compositions themselves? (tear out / series of cards they can mix and match with)
When placed with collected texture it starts to put the letterforms into a different context? They feel more connected and taken from the location. Like the building has been analysed and deconstructed from a viewpoint. How will this work with words narrating? Will it add or takeaway.
Next steps – Continue to explore with the different elements and how they come together. Test out some prints and place them together.
On the right I have looked at simply using the words from my experience and the letterforms created. There is something beautiful about how this sits and is presented. However could they be presented in conjunction with the other findings or even follow the structure of the site?
Structure grid experiments.
Playing around with how the letterforms sit within the grids created from the structures of the buildings. This continuing to build the narrative and connection. These currently are working as stand alone pieces but how will these integrate with a larger body of work? On a series of them I have started to play with photos captured from the places. These distorted to remove their literal sense. A blurred vision of the place from my experience.
Should the forms be stand alone with textures, photos and narrative?
Testing formats and narrative together
Starting to work with formats and layouts of potential short pamphlets to sit within the main box of objects. These would be my personal experiences documented. Alongside these will be other elements which can be constructed into narratives. Referencing here Poem Editions and Fluxus project (a set of cards / paper objects which are not bound together)
How can the narratives work alongside the photos?
Should there be my ‘personal experience’ documented with the wider pack of documentation? So people can see my response? But there also being this availability to look over all the documents and place them together? / edit them / write over them. use them as cards to write your experience on.
Below – Narrative vs the distorted image. Something obscure works? The personal narrative mixed with a slight unknown image. I didn’t want to show just the raw image, but maybe this could be an option as well? Two different variants.
Texture documented alongside narrative
(Above) Collating cards together for intended ‘packs’. The outcome will be a series of loose card packs which contain the following:
Narrative Cards
Photo Cards
Texture Cards
Typography Cards
These will all play apart in telling a narrative of the places I’ve been documenting from my own personal experience. The format allows users to lay them out, pick them up, join together and also add there own. Plain cards will give users the chance to expand, add their own narrative to the collection.
Narrative are more personal?
Been exploring the presentation of text? I captured the narrative while sitting in a cafe and outside. Should it reflect more of the documentation of it, rather than it being digital? Above is the narrative laid on top of the image and digital text but in the form of dots. To abstract…
Can these hand written texts form another set of cards within the pack? (these being more personal responses) Explore here how they can work on their own but also with the other materials I’ve been working on.
Developments of printed materials
Starting to place together elements into a format which would be held by individuals. The idea behind the format is every part is singular and plays it part. But when placed together you get an overall sense of the place/ Below you can see how the elements are starting to come together and form a pack of narrative. In its early day but I’m pleased that it’s working.
Parts which aren’t working at the moment are the coming together of everything. I need to figure out how I am going to print all of the letterforms. Should they be displayed on individual cards for example or should they be present together. (maybe as a poster) I also need to figure out how I am going to integrate the digital glossary. Does this sit as a QR code which can be scanned?
Another element I want to incorporate is part of my essay. As this played a key part in the understanding of the project.
Next step
Starting to bring in other elements, seeing them layering on top of each other to add context. Its rough approach is working. I don’t want it to be slick and on white paper. it needs to reflect a personal experience and journey of discovery. Whilst constructing I have also thought if there should be a series of digital versions to work alongside these?
Further exploration of items together.
Still need to see how the letterform elements are going to work with this. And how this is overall going to work as a digital piece? Maybe there would a series of these ‘packs’ for different locations. OR multiple places within a location box. For example this outcome would be a box for Trowbridge. Wiltshire.
Digital Exploration of forms and letters. Presenting the personal identity reveal from my personal experience.
Photos of development so far:
Collating all the elements together to present in a ‘concept’ pack. I intend the pack would be for each location. Within the location there may be multiple identified places explored. My output explores two places within my location. However not every element is present. The printed elements are also accompanied by a digital content zone and glossary. This comprises of the full object showcase.
Opening of the box and placing all items out to see them working together. The intention of mixed paper types is for the tactility. This needs to be held the viewer and opened. Elements fold to out A6, A5, A4 size with varying formats. This make the pack very mobile. Some papers are thin, some are thick, some you can layer, some you can see through. Collect and layer as you wish. All the elements are also accompanied by introduction texts and personal narrative.
Final Outcome
Link to final outcome digital zone:
Outcome / Published Piece visual research
Poem Postcards by Poem Editions
How can the series of my elements be presented? Poem Editions which was shown to me in a peer to peer with Tove is presented across a series of cards. Each card having their own communication. Can a similar format be looked at to how I present all my found objects? Alongside pieces of written narrative. Does this restrict me in any way? Can this also be used in a digital format?
Ongoing / documented research journal
Weekly Reflection
James Shaw 