Tame Impala - Development

• TAME IMPALA COLLECTION
• made up of;
• Repeated abstract shapes
• textured backgrounds 

For this song i decided to create a set of 3 cohesive images. I really enjoyed creating these pieces, it was fun to develop a repeat pattern and come up with a range of mirrored imagery that i felt reflected the music.

PROCESS OF DEVELOPEMENT

• Scan in abstract shape.
• I colourised the shape - white. I wanted to use brighter colours for a more uplifting atmosphere.
• I initially experimented in combining with different backgrounds and colours. with differing levels of opacity.
• developing compositions; Some of the design i felt were a little flat, I aimed to keep developing and arranging the shapes to create a more depthful and impactful image.
  
• I found some really interesting perspectives could be created iwht certain positioning and repetition of the shape - the stronger perspective are the much more interesting and striking images of the collection.
• i was worried the block colour of the shape would maybe be too harsh against the texture, but i think this contrast works well. 
• it was easy to carried away with the over repeating the pattern and details would be lost, sometimes simpler is better.
• I still felt more could be developed with the colour, so started to play around with the gradient tool. I haven't used it before but i found it really brings a lot to the image! i used a combination of soft but contrasting colours and applied across the image; i think it exaggerates a further sense of depth.
• i like that  all the images have a central focal point. your eye is drawn in and back out - it adds to the sense of movement i wanted to create. I think the bold white and structured shapes work really well positioned against the soft gradiet backgrounds, with the subtle texture bringing more depth and interest to the image -  the dark tones within the mono print help to soften the bright colours. Overall i am pleased with these designs and think they would be a good edition to an album cover sleeve. I think i have created a cohesive series of pattern, - the compositions and colour palettes work well to compliment each other. 

digitalising and Inverting my initial black shape to white. I will be using and repeating this shape throughout all of my designs.

shape 1 development

shape 2 development

shape 3 development

shape 2 final

Shape 1 final

Shape 3 final

Cvrches - Development

• Developemnt of my fading face design. This was a bit different to the others. It was a process that was a lot more in the moment.
• created my face through paint as i felt that using this process i will be able to create some expressive and marks in response to the emotion within the song. Even though the tune is quite upbeat, i interpreted the lyrics to be a bit dark. I used quick brush strokes, and dry paint to get texture.
• when editing i really wanted to bring out the dark tone and add some vibrant but dull colour.
• I really began to play around with the blur and distortion tool to try and create a sense that the face is fading, trapped, and in a state of longing as i stated in my initial ideas.
• i wasn't initially happy with the proportions of the face, and this was a good way to cover that!
• i also liked that i took a bit of a risk with this one, but i am quite pleased with the results. Using a hint of colour, of sublet blues and pink, i am complimenting the vibrancy of the music, against the darker message.

• 

  Final distorted face design.

  
  
• Half and half 
• - again with this design i wanted to represent the two sides to the song - the upbeat and darker sense. I feel that theres definitely two contrasting messages within, -  due to the upbeat music, and sad lyrics.
  - created my woman digitally
  - layered over my splattered design - expressive and emotive mark making
  - split down the middle of the hair i coloured each side of the image differently to create this contrast with a smooth gradient over the top to give a softer effect to this image - using pink and blues that i feel relate well to the song.
• adding a mono print texture beneath made the image feel less flat.
• i do feel like this image could be improved quite a lot. the half and half composition could have developed to create a better balanced image perhaps. - the hair might have looked more natural if flowing into the background? if the lines from the splatter and hair were more similar perhaps?

Final Half and half Design.

Other experimentation - this was not a final design but i enjoyed playing around with creating textured details. Its by no means substantial enough to be a final but perhaps if pushed further it could have been? I like the underwater effect created by altering the opacity.

Max Richer - Dreams 3 Development

MAX RICHER - DREAM 3

•  lost world.
• unfortunately i didn't get to push this idea as far as i would have liked, and i prioritised some of the other designs. i created the composition digitally as a fought version. i think this idea could have been successful if using textured shapes

• Spirits. - the idea of becoming absorbed in a dream like state - transforming your conciouness
• created ink silhouettes of my ‘souls’ and forest background. I wanted the spirits to transcend - float into the unknown, - fitting with the sleepy calming tone of the piece.
• I edited some of the background textures i had created and achieved some really lovely results. I found that altering the colour and enhancing the contrast of tone worked really effectively to create more dream like atmospheres.
• although the background worked well, bringing the components together did not. there are too many different elements and it does not flow the way desired!

Adapting my ‘World’ design. - of the same concept but a different composition. Hopefully this design would be more successful.

• as i found the combination of hand painted and digital didn't work too well on the last design i ‘digitalised’ my world 
• i then played around with the composition - arranging the figures to appear to float around the world. The range of sizing really creates a lovely perspective.
• I still really like the beauty of the hand painted surface and felt it could be incorporated into the design. I used the opacity tool and rubber to gradually fade out the edges of the texture so it fit well with the rest of the image.

• I experimented with colour combinations; trying to achieve a more otherworldly combination - unrealistic colours that would feel quite dream like and surreal.
• small details. - creating a duplicate of the ‘souls’ so they looked more ghostly works well - it also softens the edges.
• Overall i am pleased with the compositon. I worried that the soft painted textures wouldn't work with the geometric shapes but i feel it did. It helped to soften the harsh lines and give the image a dream like atmosphere. perhaps the floating people could be seen as a bit childlike and i could have developed more? but i actually like the playful and innocent feel to the piece.

• I think that one of my more successful pieces was actually the simplest.
  - i was inspired by the emotive instrumental within the song, from which i got the sense of calmness and serenity. I aimed to create a piece that represented this feeling.
  - I inverted this textured image, which flipped the shadows, and I played around with different colour combinations.
  - I feel the light blues and reddish pinks are the most successful in re creating this tranquil feeling that flows through the music.
• II feel that this interpretation was a very abstract and emotially based piece. I aimed to create a beautifully haunting and calming interpretation of the music, and appropriately compliment the song.

Final Piece.

Development - Jack garett - worry

development and finalising.

developing my designs into final pieces; i wanted to incorporate a range of processes into each design. To do this i created mmay of my elements by hand and compiled digitally.

• For my development, i was using my initial concepts and designs as compositional guidence. As i wanted to bring a few different materials into each piece, with many of them i created the the elements to each composition seperatly.
  - Scannng in the images and using the magic wand or selection tool was an easy and appropriate method of selectiong the components so i was able to compile them together in one document
• using the rubber tool to clean up edges.
• i found the opacity tool really useful and used it in some form through all my pieces. It allowed me to layer many different colours and textures together - but it would give a softer edge to the combination - making the textures more subtle for example.

DESIGN 4

JACK GARETT - WORRY.

• Representing a sense of longing and paranoia. 
• memories fading and emotions high.
• becoming a distorted memory?
• i wanted to create a distorted and broken face - much like the broken person within the lyrics of the song.
• i began by drawing out my face design, and then considered how i would digitalise.
• i focused on where the shadows and light shone across the face and use my wacom tablet to paint on block sections of shape - starting with the lightest first and deepening to the darkest shade.
• the character of the face soon started to build up! and i was pleased with the overall depth and detail provided!

• I had seen some photocopy artwork, and for some reason thought id give it a go! the scan ins came out quite cool, and eerie! but i wanted to incorporate it into this design so also converted it into a geometric design.
• after playing around with the compositions and colour palette i have come up with a design that i am happy with! i like the balance of my image, and out of all the experiments, i feel that its the most refined and considerate to the message of the song. I think it portrays that sense of longing and emotion that i wanted to create, and the geometric finish compliments jacks sound well i feel.
• I added a surface texture of one of my mono prints which it think adds a better finish to the final design.
• Overall i do like my design but i feel that perhaps more editing could have been done to improve. In particular maybe the edges of the face and hand are too jagged? playing around with this more may have resulted in a more refined piece. - perhaps a gradual fade into the background could have worked? But i am really pleased with the composition, an use of space, as well as the colour palette.

Final Design

Texture

DEVELOPMENT TEXTURE EXPLOR

I really enjoyed being quite free with my mark making and wanted to continue with some experimentation. This time creating some textured backgrounds using paint -with a variety of brushes and techniques.

these could provide a great base for some of my imagery ideas, but could also even perhaps be developed and edited to stand alone. If i want to use block shapes i could cut up these surfaces and compile digitally?

After become really invested in mono printing of my last project, i decided to re visit the print room and create some more textures. - nothing in particular, but just creating a base of surfaces that could be used as background of formed into patterns.
I wish that i had gone to mono-print with some designs and shapes cut ready, and i could have created some final artwork by hand! hopefully if i have time i will go back and do this.

 

Indesign Workshop

page size is the actual size of a single page in booklet
preset - maybe relevent
or custom

don't scale to fit.

columns /margins
alter number of columns;
layout grid - divide page into number of columns. - magazine/newspaper like layout.

- can alter gutter = the spacing between these columns.
(if using text - set the gutter - frames each column of test - leaves space between sections of text)

bleed guide.
- anything that goes to the edge of the page - should extend off the edge of the page - to compensate for any inaccuracy when trimming pages.
standard bleed amount is 3mm (red margin - extend anything that goes to the edge of the page to this line.)
crop marks will line up withe the edge of the page.

bleeds and slug - define area that sits outside the page - but that will actually print.
(slug is used for cop marks, registration marks - not commonly used)


each sheet of paper that will make up the finished publication - has to be in a multiple of 4!
4,8,12,16,24
consider content - work out how many pages.

our example
12 pages - 3 sheets.
- facing page check box - essential in making this kind of saddle stitch - traditional type of book format. - if ticket - pages will appear in indesign - in the exact format of the printed and bound book.



consider how - were going to print / produce book?
if work with margins - the non print border  - to frame content - use margins not bleeds - more straight forward? if bleed is perhaps not needed.

examples set
12 pages facing
columns 3
200
280
bleeds - 3mm
- file document set up - allows to make some changes to original document.
- but in file document setup - cannot change the margins or columns.
- to alter these - work with the pages palette. - select the page/pages that you want to change the margin columns of.
- can select multiple pages - click first - hold down shift - last page.
- ;ayput meneu (with those pages selected) layout, margins and columns - options to change these settings.

layout - create guides - similar to columns - but allows to divide page up into rows.
example - 6 rows, 3 columns - 18 square grid.
- can add a grid to each individual page. - guides that are added are selectable and movable (selection tool)
- option - view menu - grids and guides - lock guides option.
(can click and drag and backspace to quickly remove

alternative way to add grids to every page of your layout.
= in pages layout
- master page. the paster page - if you zoom out only see two pages - so you know your working with master.
- master page - layout margins and columns
- alter settings for master page - applies for all!
- option select both master pages - shift
- when applying changed settings - unclick the link button to can alter each sestina individually.
- if you change any item on the master page - it will alter across all pages
- whatever you need to be consistant across all pages. - images/text/page numbering….

- to force the ,aster to be updated = palette option - apply master
- same to create grid. - select both pages on master. - layout - grid
- master page will be locked.

Page number each page.
- go to master page
- create a text frame - box
option - type insert special character, makres. - then applies actual numbers on each page - i.e. 2,3, 4,5
alt - and drag from left hand side - to copy - then creates number on each page.

Initial ideas

(images failing to upload)

INITIAL IDEAS - THUMBS and concepts

After my initial abstract mark making, i began to create some thumb nails in response to the songs. I listened through the lyrics and melody of the music a few times, and began to illustrate in themes that i related to the music and lyrics.

The difficult thing with this is the fact that others may not see how my interpretations have developed from the song, but from doing further artist research, I can see that many of the previous works for the competition has been very personal, and abstract and may not be instantly interpretable by the audience. I think the artwork holding some mystery will make it more intriguing and unique. I want my work to stand out and not go with the obvious.

• However, even with work that is perhaps vague and open to interpretation, i think you can still feel if fits with the song for example through colour palette, media or style of imagery.

LARGE ABSTRACT SHAPE

• Tame impalas song - i interpreted this through very abstract mark making originally, and took some of these shapes and formed ideas for compositional arrangements. I liked the idea of the works being mirrored imagery - reflecting. Also wanted to include some perspective to represent the movement and fast tempo. i simplified one of the initial abstract designs giving it cleaner line and created with ink and a ruler. i think this shape could be adapted and used to form a variety of patterns and has potential to be developed further.
  I think perhaps it would be interesting to contrast the bold black shapes of this design with colour and texture in a background perhaps.
  (include other cropped elements from sheets)
• next i plan to work digitally with these shapes and assemble in photoshop.

DREAMS MAX RICHER

Max Richer is a classical composer who's music i have come to love over the past year. Although not a genre of music i listen to regularly, i often find theres times when classic music is so relaxing and calming. The song ‘Dreams’ I think is the music that has inspired me the most from the whole collection. So much emotion is evoked through this song, i feel the without lyrics it leaves it more open to interpretation and perhaps that why I've felt more inspired and been able to interpret through different content.

initial compositions include;

- out of body experience….

I previously said that ‘dreams’ was created to be a relaxing song that aims send the listener to sleep. When listening i interpreted this dream like state as an out of body experience. where the focus is on the soul and spirit floating into another dimension perhaps? i wanted these to be a bit eerie, but also with a sense of calmness and serenity.

• A distorted reality…
• a world - dream like, colour and perspective is warped and changed - dream like state again? 

i think further development for this song will be further interpreting the music through mark making - perhaps instead of bold ink lines - use paints and take a softer approach?

CLEAREST BLUE

For me clearest blue was quite difficult as each time i listened to the song i almost interpreted it in a different way. but i think that just shows the kind of depth it holds, and these nothing wrong with me exploring these different interpretations.

• i want to create some abstract pieces to this piece - using blocks of shape - sharp edges.- the harshness of the lyrics and bitterness to the song. i think this is something i will play with as I'm in the process of creating and don’t want to plan.
• Im drawn to the idea of feeling lost and let down by someone. ‘meet me on the other side’ - the idea of mixed emotions and wanting someone to meet half way. wanted to show a sense of anger and isolation with the back of the body. - perhaps play around with texture and colour in development?

• Again following a sense of longing and a feeling of being let down and abanonded. I want to create some sort of face distortion? half fading, half appearing. perhaps evolved around water? the feeling of drowning? Where its almost present but distant at the same time? 
• 
  

WORRY JACK GARETT

• Representing a sense of longing and paranoia. 
• memories fading and emotions high.
• becoming a distorted memory?

I think this could be appropriated through a face -//figure - distorted in someway? disappearing? -, using layering of block shape and colouring perhaps. Keeping a quite a simple composition - plenty of negative space to feel isolated and ‘alone’

- his music to me inspires bold shapes, and geometric imagery. I feel that this style of illustration will fit the songs well. - perhaps using this style to break up and distort imagery?

Secret 7 - responding to sound.

 Being inspired by some of the artists work i have discovered, Initially i wanted to take an abstract approach to the image making. I didn't want to be too informed by the lyrics at the point, but aimed to focus on the sound and energy of the songs - the mood and atmosphere that spoke to me. In response to this i just started creating marks on a page using ink, brushes and sticks. I don't normally work in such an abstract way and really enjoyed not thinking too much about what i was doing, instead just letting the musk guide my movements.

By the end of this text i had gathered a large selection of mark making, some of which were actually quite visually interesting, and have the potential to be good interpretations of the songs perhaps. My plan is to re visit these sheets and pick out and develop some abstract patterns and shapes.

Secret 7 - Past Winners.

I have been so inspired by looking at past competition winners! there's so much variety, its really lovely see a collection that explores such a broad range of media and content. Its interesting to see how unique all the images are, everyone has interpreted the music in a different way - it shows how music is a very personal experience. Some are very literal while others are much more abstract based.

Secret 7 - Track research

SECRET 7 TRACK RESEARCH

Secret 7 is going to count as my substantial brief so i will be aiming to enter at least 7 designs. However i have found that i am more connected with some songs more than others. In order to create artwork of a standard i am happy with, i may only visually respond to a selected number of tracks.
With this brief i feel that i can push my approaches to image making and aim to create work that visually differs form what i normally create.

Tame impala; the less i know the better 

I have been a fan of the band for a while now; I really like they're sound, and so the song really caught my attention straight away. The song is very upbeat, - bright colours, and bold shapes initially spring to mind.
Tame Impalas existing album artwork is really interesting. Theres a strong use of bright, and contrasting colours, which make for a very striking and visually loud visuals. I think these interpretations of the music are very successful in describing the songs temperament. This one has a slightly different feel, the flow of the paint means there are less harsh lines, and it feels a bit softer. I feel that the bold and abstract visuals compliment tame impalas sound and reflect well on their music.

I also watched the music video for some inspiration. Again, the use of bright colour was used, but even more present here. It featured paint being poured over people creating some beautiful blends and swirls of colour.
When creating my own imagery for this artists music, i think i will take away the success and use of they're strong and complex colour palettes .

Churches; Clearest Blue

A simple and quite abstract interpretation to the song. Taking the ‘blue’ in the title quite literally in relating to a sky. I think perhaps this imagery could have been approach through different media as i like the block sections, but more play on colour and shapes could have made it a lot more interesting. Currently i think the artwork is quite bland, and doesn't live up to the potential of the song.
perhaps i will explore the ‘blue’’ theme but take it further? in a more conceptual way? the lyrics do stand out for me quite a lot in this song, so perhaps I would be suited to create more literal artwork in response to this piece.

Jack Garret; Worry

This album artwork is very simple and i think it is more of an introduction to the artist rather than the song. Perhaps because the song itself relates strongly to Jack? Although simple, it is striking and bold, but i feel that the cover could be pushed a lot further to reflect the content and tone of the song. It doesn't particularly reflect ‘worry’ to me.

Max Richer; Dream 3

Although i think this current album artwork is quite fitting to the song, I also feel that its maybe too straight forward and a bit boring. Featuring a moon is just quite an obvious choice, and I feel this song has so more depth and such a powerful instrumental, that it deserves to be represented through an image which holds more complexity perhaps.

i do quite like the type, and on the relationship between sleep and the moon but think conceptually it could be pushed a lot further.

I feel a lot of emotion when listening to this song, and think the response to it could be quite broad. it is very calming and ‘dreamy’ in such a sense that i don't necessarily want to create something literal, but rather responding to the music itself. - what do i feel?

The brief

I am really excited about secret 7, as its such an inventive and fun competition that explores the relationship between art and music, and excludes none. I have always been interested in album artwork but never created any; so it will be interesting to see how this brief develops. The brief itself is very open, so i will be able to interpret the music as i choose, however i feel it is important the artwork be be well considered and that i don't just produce visuals for the sake of it, - I want to produce imagery that is heavily influenced by the music, that i really get a sense of the songs message. I need to be considerate of the artist and create appropriate imagery, that would appeal the musicians wide audience and do the song justice. - this perhaps will be quite challenging as what speaks to one individual says something different to another. I need to consider this when creating my designs.

- when choosing how to interprate the sound there are many directions i could take, what do i want my artwork to say? representing the lyrics of the song? the title? the rhythm of the music? more literal interpretations of the lyrics? it will be interesting and integral to explore many different options. 

With this brief i aim to have fun with it! Using a variety of image making methods and materials, coming up with combinations and compositions that i haven't worked in before. I don't feel that i will necessarily submit a cohesive set or a series because i think that each song speaks differently.

Working in square format is something that i did for my last project so i feel i should be able to easily design to fit this format.