Major Project Brief / Research Proposal

Major Project Brief

Introduction:

My major project will be a continuation of my business for design plan. I will design, illustrate and incorporate writings. It will be segmented into three tasks, which collectively further build my business ‘Afnan’.

1. Design authorship (main and primal asset): A sophisticated, elaborate book that will consist of my poetry, illustrations, photography and also inspiring quotes. Most of my time will be spent on the creation of this book.
2. Electronic usage: This asset will consist of my website, a blog, and the continuous use of social networks to interact with the audience and advertise my work.
3.  Artwork selling: This will exemplify how my business seeks to sell artworks on various products that can be utilized such as mugs, shirts and bags.

Research:

My main concerns are: 

• How can art, photography and words come together? 
• How can typography be used in such a way that is readable, expressive, falls in context with the illustrations, and appear to be dynamic? 
• Finally, how can the design, illustrations and photography support the poems in the book? 

To answer all of these questions, I had to do two main things: 

• Study the grid systems.
• Experiment with all elements to see how they can be used harmoniously. 

The books that I have been using are:

• How to Use Type by Lindsey Marshall and Lester Meachem
• Graphic Design in Context: Typography by Denis Gonzales Crisp
• Design Principles by Jeremy Webb

These are being used in parallel with online sources.

Proposition:

There are ubiquitous problems that are worth getting across; these include emotional, political and social. It is primal for me to address them using my major and hobbies.

Overall goal of the design:

• To promote myself as a designer, illustrator and incorporate my writings.
• To convey essential messages to the viewers

What I would like to communicate and why:

I would like to make sure I make a stand about how this world needs a change and needs our awareness and unity in any way possible. At least for as an initiative step we must aware that something wrong is happening. A part of the book will look gloomy, as it serves the role of addressing the these ideas through my poems. Another part of my book will have a more comforting appearance, as it is where the quotes about love will be.

Target audience:

Young designers of 20 to 40 years of age.

Competitors:

There are so many designers and artists that are already successful and deserve the praise they receive from their audiences such as:

Dino Tomic, Anton Semenov, Kazuhiko Nakamura and Ralph Steadman. 

I am specifically interested in Steadman because we have similar aims. As he says in the movie 'For No Good Reason', "I really thought if I ever learn to draw properly, I would change the world to the better." Moreover, his art style is convenient, as it is detailed, dynamic, yet very spontaneous and requires less time than hyper-realism, an art style that I was initially aiming to produce for my book.

There are many other conventional artists that I look up to for inspiration. Most of the artists and graphic illustrators I seem to admire are freelance designers and concept artists. Most of them are dark. However, some artworks, such as those produced by Bente Schlick are more comforting and colorful.

SWOT analysis:

Strengths:

•   Both graphic design and art are my passion, and with passion comes devotion. I'm not an expert, but I do have a history of artistic endeavors. 

•   I enjoy writing, and encompassing my poetry will give originality and a deeper understanding of the messages I aim to convey.

Weaknesses:

•   I am not a professional, but more like a practitioner. The current artists are mind-blowing, and are widely known all over the social networks. 

•   I feel as though I am not a stable artist, nor am I a stable designer. Being caught in between in a downfall.

•   I do not have a fixed style in art. For every state of mind, I have a different way of implementing an artwork.

Opportunities:

•   Art is a global language and is praised by many. 

•   Social networks can play a huge role in helping myself with the promotion and also spreading my ideas and thoughts.

•   Blending writings can help me create a signature.

Threats:

•   Many artists now sell their artworks on various media, which might falter out my originality and exposure.

•   Local support might be lacking, as the subject matters have not been widely used. Dark arts might evolve in the future in my country.

Major Project Schedule

Time Lapse:

June 19^th – September 11^th 2014.

June (19^th – 30^th):

• ·      Research
• ·      Finalize the ideas and sketches of my main design asset (book)
• ·      Writing more poems.
• ·      Collect notes that will be included in the critical reflection

July:

• ·      Research
• ·      Start designing the real version of the book
• ·      Writing more poetry and create illustrations for the book
• ·      Collect notes that will be included in the critical reflection

August:

• ·      Revise my designs
• ·      Begin designing and ordering my designs online on mugs, t-shirts, bags and posters
• ·      Finish up the critical reflection
• ·      Printing should start at this stage

September (1^st – 6^th)

• ·      Finalize the critical reflection
• ·      This time serve as a safety gap incase of any faulty printing