For the past couple of days I have been sketching and cutting paper and photocopying because as a result of my RESEARCH (:P) I have come up with a concept I really like. Now, I know we are supposed to come up with more than 1 concept and pick the best, but I really think there might be some strength in this one and I think once I find a way to make it work, I can play around with it and execute it in a bunch of different ways. I have been trying this thing where I really go with my gut, and my gut really likes this idea. But to be on this safe side I am gonna play with this idea till I come up with something that resembles the thought in my head, and then skecth out a few others as backup.
Sorry to be vage, I promise promise promise I will put some sketches up. I don't have my scanner cause I am at the library - I don't have AC or even a fan at home so I am getting stuff done at the library to keep cool and sane. Also, I am taking small steps, so right now my sketches are messy and fastened with tape and look like something that was done by a hyperactive monkey.
I am not worried about having hit the wall, I think I have been trying to wrap my brain around this project for too many hours in a row and I think a nice walk and a starbucks mocha frappe will set me straight.
I am just running into questions . . . how much freedom do I have to play? I am operating under the assumption that I have a lot of freedom, that I can take liberties with this existing cd to fit my concept.
Monday, July 9, 2007
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Documenting my research.
I really hate my own handwriting. When I am writing nicely and thoughtfully and carefully it doesn't bother me so much, but who writes that way when they are trying to jot ideas down?! Because I hate my handwriting, I don't sketch and doodle and journal as much as I should. I am trying to break myself of this neurosis. Until then, I will blog out my thought process.
For my cd project I have picked Pearl Jam's "Lost Dogs." I picked Pearl Jam for 2 reasons:
• They have been my favorite band since I was 12. They still have the ability to affect me as deeply as they did 15 years ago. They constantly reinvent themselves, they aren't afraid to take chances, they create stuff that is true to their vision, whether it is popular or not. I am very familiar with them and their music, design, belief system, etc, and so I wouldn't have to do quite as much research. They say "write what you know." I think the same is true for design.
• In keeping with my thesis, I wanted to pick a band who influenced me the most when I was performing and creating music. I am inspired by the skill, versatility and drive of every single one of the band members, and I tried to cultivate those qualities in myself.
"Lost Dogs" is a collection of B-sides and rarities. The reason I chose this particular release is because it features music that spans the 13 years of the band's career and is a double disk set.
This is the existing artwork for the release: It features a large textured metal trash can filled with tape that has been discarded. I actually like this idea. I think the image and the mood fit in with PJ's style. The front says "These are the ones that didn't make the cut."
On the back is a simiarly toned photo of flyers searching for lost dogs. (Will upload an image, need to scan it first.) This to me says "We've lost our babies. We miss them and we want them to come home." I kind of like the idea that even though the songs didn't make the official releases, they are still valued and beloved. Maybe I have got this all wrong, but to me the compilation represents all the lost rarities and B-sides coming home, safe and sound in one place. (Does that make sense?)
So for the past few days I have been doing a lot of research. I have been looking at PJ concert posters to see the kinds of aesthetic and style they value, that fits them. I have been looking at past cd designs. From looking at the posters and cds, and the work of the artists they choose to create these pieces, I am really getting a feel for how I want to design my piece.
I am going to post examples of what I mean when I have time, but for now, I will just describe my ideas.
• The packaging should be unconventional. Only the first couple cds come in regular jewel cases; the rest are in these cardboard fold out things with specific pockets for liner notes. One of the releases, No Code, had collectible polaroid type cards that varied from cd to cd. I am not exactly sure of the reason for the lack of jewel cases, but I think it has something to do with the cardboard being environmentally friendly, and also the band wanting their cds to stand out from the rest.
• The concert posters are usually very bold and graphic, and definitely convey a sense of being designed by someone who knows what they are doing. They also usually make some kind of social or politicial statement.
• The concert posters and t-shirts also feature the band's name taking on various quirky shapes. You can see this in the tiger stripes I posted in a previous post, or the cross shape. I will post a couple more examples.
• The cds artwork usually conveys a deeper meaning. The cd "Vs." features a photo of a sheep who refuses to be a stereotypical, well, sheep, and is struggling to bite through a fence which is holding her captive. "No Code" has 4 flaps that when unfolded, reveal a large image that alludes to the concept behind the album.
So I feel I am off to a pretty good start here. I am in the process of sketching out ideas that will embody the above qualities but will still be different and unique and mine. Oh, I guess thats another reason I want to design artwork for Lost Dogs. I like and understand the concept, but I think it could be much more fun and experimental.
I must say, I am having a lot of fun with this!! :)
For my cd project I have picked Pearl Jam's "Lost Dogs." I picked Pearl Jam for 2 reasons:
• They have been my favorite band since I was 12. They still have the ability to affect me as deeply as they did 15 years ago. They constantly reinvent themselves, they aren't afraid to take chances, they create stuff that is true to their vision, whether it is popular or not. I am very familiar with them and their music, design, belief system, etc, and so I wouldn't have to do quite as much research. They say "write what you know." I think the same is true for design.
• In keeping with my thesis, I wanted to pick a band who influenced me the most when I was performing and creating music. I am inspired by the skill, versatility and drive of every single one of the band members, and I tried to cultivate those qualities in myself.
"Lost Dogs" is a collection of B-sides and rarities. The reason I chose this particular release is because it features music that spans the 13 years of the band's career and is a double disk set.
This is the existing artwork for the release: It features a large textured metal trash can filled with tape that has been discarded. I actually like this idea. I think the image and the mood fit in with PJ's style. The front says "These are the ones that didn't make the cut."
On the back is a simiarly toned photo of flyers searching for lost dogs. (Will upload an image, need to scan it first.) This to me says "We've lost our babies. We miss them and we want them to come home." I kind of like the idea that even though the songs didn't make the official releases, they are still valued and beloved. Maybe I have got this all wrong, but to me the compilation represents all the lost rarities and B-sides coming home, safe and sound in one place. (Does that make sense?)
So for the past few days I have been doing a lot of research. I have been looking at PJ concert posters to see the kinds of aesthetic and style they value, that fits them. I have been looking at past cd designs. From looking at the posters and cds, and the work of the artists they choose to create these pieces, I am really getting a feel for how I want to design my piece.
I am going to post examples of what I mean when I have time, but for now, I will just describe my ideas.
• The packaging should be unconventional. Only the first couple cds come in regular jewel cases; the rest are in these cardboard fold out things with specific pockets for liner notes. One of the releases, No Code, had collectible polaroid type cards that varied from cd to cd. I am not exactly sure of the reason for the lack of jewel cases, but I think it has something to do with the cardboard being environmentally friendly, and also the band wanting their cds to stand out from the rest.
• The concert posters are usually very bold and graphic, and definitely convey a sense of being designed by someone who knows what they are doing. They also usually make some kind of social or politicial statement.
• The concert posters and t-shirts also feature the band's name taking on various quirky shapes. You can see this in the tiger stripes I posted in a previous post, or the cross shape. I will post a couple more examples.
• The cds artwork usually conveys a deeper meaning. The cd "Vs." features a photo of a sheep who refuses to be a stereotypical, well, sheep, and is struggling to bite through a fence which is holding her captive. "No Code" has 4 flaps that when unfolded, reveal a large image that alludes to the concept behind the album.
So I feel I am off to a pretty good start here. I am in the process of sketching out ideas that will embody the above qualities but will still be different and unique and mine. Oh, I guess thats another reason I want to design artwork for Lost Dogs. I like and understand the concept, but I think it could be much more fun and experimental.
I must say, I am having a lot of fun with this!! :)
Hanoch Piven
I am working on my own stuff!! Its mostly in sketch form but I should have some stuff posted by Sunday. In the meantime, I am very excited to share this very talented funny illustrator with you. I am sure most of you have seen his work before; its been featured in art directors annuals and various publications. I think the Barbra Streisand one is the most successful and probably the most recognizable.
I like Piven's work because it is funny, it is deceptively simple, and it is meaningful. He is able to boil down people into their simplest shapes, as evidenced by the Clint Eastwood portrait. I love that he creates the likeness using elements that relates something about the subject's personality. I am very inspired by the seamless integration of form and function. To see more of his work enter his name into Google and a few sites pop up.
I like Piven's work because it is funny, it is deceptively simple, and it is meaningful. He is able to boil down people into their simplest shapes, as evidenced by the Clint Eastwood portrait. I love that he creates the likeness using elements that relates something about the subject's personality. I am very inspired by the seamless integration of form and function. To see more of his work enter his name into Google and a few sites pop up.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Incredible.
Both of these things stun me. The first for its sweetness and tenderness, the second for its shocking gruesome brutality. Like humans, chimpanzees are capable of being very loving and very evil. We're not all that far apart when you really think about it.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Saturday, June 23, 2007
4 more nifty designs.
Pearl Jam is one of my favorite bands for a lot of reasons. They are skilled passionate musicians who continue to re-invent their sound even though they actually are less popular for doing so. They are versatile, they put on an amazing live show, they seem to have as much fun making music now as they did over 16 years ago.
They happen to have an amazing design firm who handles all of their posters and t-shirts. The posters sell out quickly at shows and soon appear on Ebay with bids of 100s of bucks. The firm is called Ames Bros Design (http://www.amesbros.com). I couldn't get the links to work, it might be my browser, but I have spent hours in the past perusing the site. The firm was founded by bassist Jeff Ament's brother Barry, but in this case the nepotism was well deserved. The firm designs all of PJ's stuff, as well as posters and shirts for other bands. they also design general stuff for thise hip edgy urban places. Do a good search for their stuff, its intelligent and evocative.
They happen to have an amazing design firm who handles all of their posters and t-shirts. The posters sell out quickly at shows and soon appear on Ebay with bids of 100s of bucks. The firm is called Ames Bros Design (http://www.amesbros.com). I couldn't get the links to work, it might be my browser, but I have spent hours in the past perusing the site. The firm was founded by bassist Jeff Ament's brother Barry, but in this case the nepotism was well deserved. The firm designs all of PJ's stuff, as well as posters and shirts for other bands. they also design general stuff for thise hip edgy urban places. Do a good search for their stuff, its intelligent and evocative.
24 Cool Things I Found!!
The internet is a wonderful thing :)
These are cool pieces I found by Kelly Blair, Gray318, and Heads of State. I hope I didn't leave any studios out or miscredit. The very bottom is Louise Fili. I think the middle bottle is particularly lovely.
These are cool pieces I found by Kelly Blair, Gray318, and Heads of State. I hope I didn't leave any studios out or miscredit. The very bottom is Louise Fili. I think the middle bottle is particularly lovely.
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