Week 5 Session 2

I printed out my brochure in it's actual size and stapled it in preparation for critique. Since I printed it off on another computer, it doesn't show the Univers font and used a default font instead. It also printed out darker than I expected so that's something I need to keep in mind when I'm printing my final brochure. I may need to lighten up the background.

I need to refine some details such as removing hyphenations, making sure the heading size is consistent throughout and kern my headings. One key element that Mark pointed out that was that my cover page only covered information for One 80. I need to include more elements that relate to Spruce Goose and the Chocolate Frog. He also pointed out that my cover page doesn't showcase all the colors in my spreads as it's only blue, black and white. I could include oranges, reds or greens to match the color palette inside the brochure. He also pionted out that I might not need to have the rocks on the Spruce Goose spread to extend across the spread. Though I quite like how it's a different composition than the Chocolate Frog and One80 because it makes my spreads not so repetitive. I could decrease the size of the rocks so that it's not so obvious.

For my cover page, I included more imagery that relates to Chocolate Frog and Spruce Goose. I definitely think it communicates my 3 locations better.

Week 5 Session 1

I've decided on my three final illustrations to use for each location. I roughly arranged my spreads side by side so that I have a clear look at how they work as a whole.

The main feedback I received today is to make sure that my illustrations are different enough and that they communicate the vibe of each location. For Chocolate Frog, my collage doesn't communicate the relaxed vibe the cafe offers. I can include photographs of the actual place, kids on their bikes or people eating next to the beach to communicate the cafe's vibe.

Other things I need to change:

- I want to change the color of the Chocolate Frog, Discover Wellington, and Food and Drink spreads so that they match the other 2 spreads. Although Lee said it might be a good idea to have a variety of blue shades so that it doesn't look so repetitive.

- Change the location headings to white so that they all match.

- Decide where my communication points will be placed.

More brochure developments

A few brochure drafts 

• I experimented with asymmetrical compositions. 
• I tried out a different heading font to convey a more casual mood. I also incorporated the heading with my collages, rather having it on a separate page.  
• I used more vibrant colors to communicate a more energetic mood. 

Week 4 Session 2

Today we worked on our maps. We quickly sketched up our current map on a piece of napkin to see if others could follow it. Looking at my map I made through photoshop, I think you can clearly identify how far apart my 3 locations are. Since my locations are very far apart, I don't need to include all the street names, only the ones relevant to my location. I don't think it's necessary to having a key to determine where my locations are. I already have a map marker symbol along with the cafe/restaurant name.

To ensure that my map fits the overall style of my brochures, I made the ocean that surrounds the locations blue to match my current color palette. I also wanted my map to flow across the spread. The black lines I've drawn may not be so useful in terms of navigation so i'll have to redo the lines so that it makes somewhat more sense to the reader.

I included the street names of my location and changed the font of the names of the eateries to match the heading.

Week 4 Session 1

We had our interim critique that showcased 1 intro spread and 2 destination spreads.

Since my layouts should show a consistent style, I adjusted the color and layout of One80 restaurant page so that it matches the other 2 pages.

Developments:

Spreads for interim

My Critique:

- Composition layout and the color palette is working well. It's cohesive throughout all spreads.
- I could move my symbols to the first page, so it doesn't distract from my collages
- Change the font size of One80 restaurant so that it matches the other headings
- Fix some spelling errors and type

- Show the differences between my locations. Spruce Goose imagery communicates a relaxed atmosphere. I could try communicate a more formal atmosphere for One 80.

Week 3 - Session 2

I've started to experiment with type and layout compositions in Indesign. I first broke up my text into columns, making sure to follow the underlining blue grid. I then placed my imagery from Photoshop into the background. 

Today, we had our class critique that showcased 1 destination spread and 1 topic overview spread. 

Spreads for Critique 

For my layouts, I like when the imagery extends across the page as it creates flow.

Week 3 - Compositions so far

For my these compositions, I wanted to focus on a few things that would communicate my 3 locations:

• using circles for framing and leading the viewers eye. 
• a consistent color palette. I mainly used blues and greens to relate to the ocean and warm oranges to provide contrast. These colors contrast with the monochromatic imagery. 
• imagery of food (mainly seafood and fresh ingredients), people and the beach. 
• a combination of illustration and photography.  
• layering elements together so that the design communicates both cafe and beach. 

Week 3 - Session 1

Critique:

After showing my compositions to Lee, she said I was heading in the right direction, which was good to here because I was questioning if my collages were strongly communicating my theme and 3 locations. We also looked at grids and began sketching thumbnails of compositions for our text using the columns provided, and how our imagery can be placed with the text. I'll be working with a portrait template as I think it's most suitable for my designs.

For each spread, I plan to have a:

• Heading
• Subheading that briefly describes the place
• Contact info (address - phone - hours)
• Information of each cafe.   
• My 3 secondary communication points:
• Price range (cheap - mid-range- and costly) 
• View of (Wellington Harbour, Lyall Bay beach, Shelly Bay Beach)
• Types of meal they serve throughout the day (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) 

Week 2 - Session 2

In today's lesson, we critiqued design examples that showed different stylistic approaches such as energetic, polished, organic and technical.
For my compositions, I think it's appropriate to convey an organic stylistic approach since I am trying to communicate a relaxed, happy, beachy vibe. I also want to incorporate aspects of a technical and polished stylistic approach. This will provide contrast in my designs because Chocolate Fish and Spruce Goose have kind of an organic look while One80 has a polished look.

The critique I received of my collages was that it looked beachy, but I need to include more imagery that communicates food and eating near the beach.

Week 2 - Session 1

We grouped our printed visual material into different destinations/activities, colors, and textures. We then drew from our visual material using different medias such as ink, charcoal, and pen. This exercise was helpful as it allowed me to experiment with various media types and understand how the feeling of marks can be used to convey a meaning or mood.

I combined my printed material with the drawings in compositions. They're not really thought out much, but I plan to combine illustration and photographs in my future designs because the effects of different media can help communicate my topic.

The first collage, I experimented with contrasting shapes. I find it too have too much imagery though. There's not really a focal point. 

Week 1 Session 2

After brainstorming possible food and drink ideas, the idea of cafes in Wellington appealed to me the most. But I felt as though the topic was too general, so I refined my topic to cafes/ restaurants with a view. This way I can narrow down my locations.

I realized that my list of cafes/restaurants featured a view of Wellington and some featured view of the beach. I decided I wanted to focus more the beach aspect as I feel like it can expand my ideas more and develop a distinctive style as well as showcasing Wellington's beautiful beaches.
Initially, my three chosen locations were too similar. They didn't offer different experiences or emotive quality. So I decided to make the price that differentiates them all, ranging from cheap, mid-range to costly. This way, each location offers a range of desired experiences, and each site has a different beach.

After critiquing our matrixes, my feedback was to describe each location in detail and how each one differs from each other, such as the vibe and what it looks like.

Week 1 Session 1

Today, in groups we discussed possible subject matter and activities for our brochure. We got introduced to the matrix template which allowed us to look further into our overall topic.

I researched three possible sets of destinations under each category, including water activities and live music in Wellington. However, I have a strong interest in doing something under the theme food and drink.