Exhibition Hand Out

As recognised in other exhibitions, a handout provides the relevant context to the artists work. This can also be a platform to promote the artist and have their contact information. Following the theme of the exhibition, the following handout was developed. Experiments took place in terms of text size and layout. Due to the content, a two column design was most appropriate. This allows for a readable line length and separates the information appropriately. Providing the audience with a choice as to whether they read the context information or not encourages individuals to discuss their own point of view. The simple layout allows for each of the 9 individuals in the exhibition to have their statements alongside the title of the work, name and website/social media. The design has been kept in a black and white format to keep costs low. 

Exhibition Feedback

As part of the exhibition, we want to engage the audience with the content and encourage the sharing of their interoretation of the work. In theory this concept has its strengths (networking, positive atmosphere, increased engagement) however there are also the real life limitations. The key audience of the exhibition is students, known for their fear for networking. This means that the chance of strangers engaging with each other is smaller than people talking within their groups. This problem was raised in a feedback session, to gain further insight from other students and a discussion was had about how this could be overcome. 

Feedback:
- post in notes, but nicer. Take the concept and apply it to a clean looking exhibition space
- each person or group could be given a booklet that they write their own interpretation in as they view each project. This could be collect at the end of the viewing. In discussion about this concept, we covered how this could be taken further to collate the responses and see them in comparison to the photographers description. This could be achieved through a publication. Scanning each response and presenting them alongside the photoraph(s) and descriptions would add a developed level to the brief and exhibition. Doing this would engage the audience further and continue the discussion around the theme. 

Final Outcome

Specifics
- A5 pages that make up an A4 spread. Size has been informed by the usability of a zine format identified in research. 
- Typeface presents a level of authority, reflecting the academic references of the study. The typeface also allows for the information to be presented in an engaging manor, providing the audience with content that reflects qualities of other reports they may have read however in a more playful way.
- The outcome has been ring bound. This reflects the lab report influences of the outcome and gives the piece academic qualities. 

Venue Issue

After confirming the date of the exhibition with the individual who runs the event space at The Brunswick, the following email was received. Having already sent out the invites, made a Facebook events page and distributed posters, this news was unnerving. Through communicating with Chris via email and over phone call, the date for the opening of the exhibition was changed and confirmed. Although this meant a redo of the existing graphics and event information, it was reassuring to know the exhibition will still go ahead and now receive more exposure due to the events being held by The Brunswick. 

Outcome Development

The following images represent some of the initial experiments in terms of collating the information. 

Considerations made:

- size of document

- appropriate typeface to ensure text is easy to read and does not take a hierarchy over other content

- layout of double page must be clear to ensure that information is understood and engaging

                                         

Photographs

The photographs were taken by a fashion photographer. Taking the photographs in a studio environment meant that the quality of the image was much higher. On being presented with the edited photographs, I was not happy with the level of editing that has been completed. The images maintained a grey overtone and touchups to the dirty floor had not been made. These were adjustments that I had to make due to the photographer not having sufficient time to complete the requested changes. 

Deadpan and emotion photographs were taken. Having a deadpan image of each model ensures that it is the colour of the clothing that is being recognised and the audiences perception is not being altered by the expression on the individuals face. The emotion photographs allow for the audience to understand the persons feelings visually and would hopefully help with engagement with the content.   

An example of each photograph style. Emotion.

Deadpan.

Reflection/Evaluation

Strengths 
Due to the openness of style in this brief, I was able to explore a range of different directions and apply my own creative interests to the outcomes. As this was a client based brief, feedback was received throughout the process. This was beneficial to the development of the outcomes and it was constructive to my practice to be able to process and apply this feedback. 

Weaknesses
The weaknesses within this brief were due to the print technician at the university being absent. This caused issues when printing the egg box stickers and meant that for submission and alternative had to be made. This was explained to the client and an alternative will be explored to deliver the stickers to them.


Time Management
Due to the period when this brief was completed, full commitment was able to be provided. Having a time schedule for this brief ensured that feedback was received by the client and therefore meant it could be applied to the development of the outcomes.


Final Outcome
The final outcomes were presented to the client as scheduled. It is reassuring to my practice when the final outcome receives positive feedback from the client as it reassures that the outcome is what they envisioned. It is also a brief that I feel passionate about and this has been reflected in the outcomes.

Email Template

From my experience at LeedsBID, I learned the importance of a clean and professional email. This makes the information clear to read and therefore the audience is more likely to engage with the content. The decision was made to produce the emails on MailChimp - an email marketing platform. The templates were then loaded to the gmail account to send to the list of recipients. 

Two templates were designed for the variant in audience. The list of audience was separated into those who have a professional relationship and would like to build on this and those who are already aware of the event through discussions with myself or Hilda. 

This email was sent to those who we would like to build more of a relationship with. Links to the websites/Instagram accounts of the photographers featured in the exhibition were embedded in this email. This gives the individuals expose and trafficking to their profiles. It also shows a taster of what to expect at the exhibition, In the hope that those who attend are interested in the theme and content. The second email template acts as an informative ‘quick note’ for the audience who have already had discussions with myself or Hilda about the exhibition. 

Outcome

Images of the final outcome were taken in a photography studio. This gave me the opportunity to practice lighting and camera set up skills alongside a photographer. 

Exhibition, Research and Development

In a review of the design chosen to advertise the exhibition brief, it was decided that the design lacked the 'wow' factor that is needed to draw attention in event advertising. Having a secure date for the exhibition allowed for more time to experiment with the overall appearance of the exhibition. Specific research was carried out into the overlay technique. This was a method used in the brief release and continuing this style would ensure that there be a consistency.  

Taking inspiration from the research, a range of developments were made. Once the poster design had been decided, further designs were made to ensure that it was appropriate in a range of mediums. This highlighted designs that worked and those that were less appropriate. 

Feedback:

General

- The strong use of colour is eye catching

- The colours work together when overlayed and as separate colours 

2nd line of developments

- Use of white space is overpowering (2,3,6)

- Th direction and colour of the shapes are powerful and draw attention to the advertisement 

- The typeface is cohesive with the shapes used in the design

- The link with perception is perhaps not clear

3rd line of developments

- the use of a semicircle and triangle look like kitchen scales. This could give the wrong impression of the nature of the exhibition.' Following this feedback comment, the same style was experimented with with varying triangles. 

4th line of developments

- although appropriate for the theme of the exhibition, they lack visual enthusiasm

Taking into consideration the feedback given, the decision was made to progress with the following style. 

Banner:

A banner is required for social media and the e-invite header. The dimensions and process of which I have learnt from my time at Leedsbid. 

Further exhibition was carried out to gain inspiration on how to advertise the exhibition as well as in the assisting with the exhibition curation. 

Poster for Advertising

To extend the brief further, a design for an advertising poster has been developed. The main piece of inspiration can be seen below. The advert aims to advertise poster for the fruit and vegetable stall that is placed outside the farm gate. This outcome allowed me to apply my own illustrative style to the process to produce a decorative yet informative poster. 

 

Inspiration.

At first the design was constructed using gouache paint. Once this image was scanned in there was a texture present. Although this adds detail to the piece, it did not look effective when reprinted. Further experiments were completed using Adobe Draw for Ipad. Text was then applied to these images in illustrator. As decisions on the logo and typeface progressed, the experiments were made clearer and continued in the same direction as the other outcomes. 

Including information such as the location and times the produce would be available to buy was informed by feedback. This feedback identified the need for this information to make it clear to the audience who would see the advert in local noticeboards.