queen vic

Started off building up an image for my layout. Found a picture of a guy urinating and thought it would

herbert bayer

One of Bayers compositions showing extremely effective use the grid system and colours. Very much reminiscent of the Bauhaus work, beautifully balanced, totally legible and very modern even though it was probably produced over half a century ago. The very principles that were derived by people like Bayer, El Lisitsky and Jan Tchichold are still considered to be very much relevant today, something very rare in the ever changing climate that is Graphic design.
One thing tha i especially like about it is the axis is set on an angle, adds a new dynamic to the whole composition. Just goes to show that you might have the greatest subject matter for layout but get your proportions wrong and the whole thing goes to pot. However, you can lay type and image that on there own would appear mundane, in a particular way to appear compelling. Now thats talent!

layout 5

Moved the image to the top left, small graphic at the top moving to the right just to give the text box a frame and to utilise the parameters. The title remains at the same height but shortened by a third, and i've added two more typographic elements in the lower center third. There's a circle placed in the bottom right hand corner that i have raised slightly in order to increase the white space. My only concern is there's nothing touching the bottom right corner. This composition would probably look better on an angle (say about 30 degrees?).

layout 4

This time have the main title running through the top of the lower third touching each corner, the main image through the image separating the text boxes on either side. This layout will reintroduce the image i was going to use in the first layout and be connected with the other graphic element in the bottom left hand corner. Not too sure about breaking up the text. Don't really see the point. Maybe the title could do with being ever so slightly deeper and shortening in length. Not too sure about the long band of negative space running along the bottom, seems to separate whats above the title from whats below it. Having said that the bottom image could be enlarged so as to interact with the decenders in the title. Could be interesting?

layout 2

Here's another layout possibility. I've done away with the illustration at the bottom to free up a little more negative space, and quite like the result although it appears a bit complex, so could do with a little rearranging. I've added another graphic element at the top right hand corner to try and balance up the upper half. Might consider dropping the main title down a touch and adding another box above to utilise the perimeter. Could be a subheading, or the date of the gig etc, but because of it's size it wont detract the hierarchial value of the main title.

layout experimentation

Playing with the grid system. The grey boxes represent the elements that will appear on my page. Each one is labelled individually. Not sure why the background has come out in black as it was saved as a white background, and that is what colour i intend it to be. I'm also intending to present the final piece on a slight angle.
Not a right lot of negative space in this composition although i may have overestimated the amount of type i'm going to be using. Focusing on the hierachy, the layout should be read from the top right (title) followed by the body, with the main image (left) there to provide balance and the bottom image will frame the bottom space, but will not be constrained to a rectangle as it will be an illustration. The graphic in the bottom right hand corner is a sort of "wild card" designed to balance the composition further still, as it will feature colour elements at opposite corners.
The composition has a strong perimeter edge relationship, but is lacking an axial relationship, due to the amount of components on the page.

dividing the page equally

Click on "photoshop" next to "file" "edit" etc on the top bar and click preferences and go to grid guides etc. Click on the drop down menu in the grid section and select percent (it will most likely be on cm's or inches)- set the value to 33.3 (to split it into thirds). Click view - show grid and it will divide any size page into thirds. Magic. Also set snapping to grid and you can draw very accurately.

Grid Systems - kimberly Elam

Notes from the above title...

Project Elements and Process
A three column by three row structure is the format for exploring texture and composition (rule of thirds).

Grouping
Grouping of elements is important in visual messaging. Builds an immediate relationship with other relating elements in close proximity.Both similar and dissimilar elements can be grouped to create rhythm and repetition.


Negative Space and Grouping
Negative space (white space) is the space not occupied by composition. The shape of the negative space will have a direct impact on the viewer. White spaces should try to be grouped and larger in size making them simpler and more cohesive.

Perimeter Edge and Axial Relationships
Allow elements to touch all four sides of the format, all spaces are activated and the format expands visually.

The axis (center point of the edge of the element) should align on a vertical or horizontal column to make the composition stronger.

The Law of Thirds

paper sizes

Official paper sizes found on Wikipedia

setting up a grid - indesign

1. Choose InDesign > Preferences > Grids.
2. Specify a document grid color by choosing a color in the Color menu. You can also choose Custom in the Color menu.
3. To set horizontal grid spacing, specify a value for Gridline Every in the Horizontal section of the Document Grid section, and then specify a value for Subdivisions between each grid line.
4. To set vertical grid spacing, specify a value for Gridline Every in the Vertical section of the Document Grid section, and then specify a value for Subdivisions between each grid line.
5. Do one of the following, and click OK
To put the document and baseline grids behind all other objects, make sure that Grids in Back is selected. To put the document and baseline grids in front of all other objects, deselect Grids in Back.

photoshop tutorial

This is an image i have doctored using the photoshop technique listed below. At the moment it looks o.k. but still needs a bit of playing around with paint brushes.

joe strummer

Another tracing,this time i've altered the brush shape and added a bit of blurring after i'd finished drawing. Still not 100% happy with it though - think i might try laying the paper on the tablet and trace onwards, that way i can see the image as i'm drawing it.

joe strummer

First sketch of Joe Strummer, used the Wacom Tablet and then just traced over the top using a soft round brush. Not too happy with the shape dynamics of the brush, want to make it look like it's hand drawn so need to mess about with the sharpness - this image is too blurred - except where the shadow is. quite like this effect but overall its back to the drawing board.

John Lydon Image (Ltd)

Done a reduce noise filter to try and despeckle the image. I'm gonna play around with the colours so it's important the colours are consistent otherwise they will be amplified and stick out like a sore thumb.

John Lydon Image (Ltd)

Same image, but i've tried to sort the blur out a bit. First did a high pass (Filters, Other, High Pass radius 4) on a duplicate layer above the original and set mode to hard light, then added a smart filter (Filters, Sharpen, Smart Sharpen - knocked it up to about 127%). To add a bit more definition to the shadows i duplicated the high pass layer a few times and applied a gaussien blur to the top layer just to try and blend the colours a bit more. Looks a bit better but still needs a lot more work - colours are a bit washed out, i'd like to make them a little more vivid. I'd also like to reduce the noise level considerably - i'll have a play in the channels box using a gaussien blur.

John Lydon Image (Ltd)

Starting Image of John Lydon i took at Brixton Academy last November. Cut it out in Photoshop with the pen tool, now needs a bit of work sorting the colours out, and there seems to be a bit of blurring that could do with sharpening up. Might chop his hair off and digitally paint something over it as could have difficulties sharpening it up realistically.