ISTD submission Circus

I have not blogged the submission as it did not form part of my FMP however although I completed the brief in the Design practice 3 module it has had an impact on my FMP.  In March I spent a considerable amount of time (probably one week) refining the boards, collating the research and tidying up the printed piece. I also had to get them all printed and coordinate with Tom getting the submission couriered down to London.  With hindsight this was probably not the best use of this time.

The boards I submitted:

I also submitted a CD with all the research and development which I designed a cover for in the same stock as the Visitors Guide:

Around the same time I was also submitting D&AD and also preparing for an interview all of which had a impact on each other (there are so many hours in a day!)

We did receive feedback from ISTD and I was not successful with my submission.  Initially I thought the feedback was really harsh however once I had re-read it a few times there were some positives in there and also lots to evaluate.

I think it is important to record this for FMP as part of my practice as it has made me re-assess my type and layout skills.  I think I have only 'brushed' the surface in terms of what there is to learn about this topic... not a criticism just a fact.  In order to understand the feedback better I arranged to sit with Phil as Amber advised he has a background in this area ( I also asked Graham Tansley who taught us the type module last year however he is only coming in college one day per week.)

I was concerned about the comments about 'typographic detailing in all body copy needs much more attention and craft' as I had really worked hard on removing any orphans and widows, checked all the layout for consistency etc.  On reflection I understood what they meant by 'underdeveloped structure that doesnt feel very dynamic' I think I had focused on the overall appearance of the visitors guide ie the Victorian Posters centered layout rather than thinking through how the readers eye would flow through the document.

Phil's approach to type and layout is far more prescriptive than the way Graham taught us and he is going to share some slides he has gone through with the first years.  I have also been looking at the Structure chapter in Type and Typography by Baines and Haslam which provides an overview of how to use design grids using modular scales and other grid systems.

Overall whilst it is disappointing to have spent all this time submitting I am pleased they seem to buy into the concept as I do think this is my strength.  Given this was one of five briefs in a 10 week window I think I did as much as I could with the research and design development.  I understand I could have looked at more alternative ideas however within the time we had this was not possible.