Gif testing

In preparation for my animated web banner/gif, I went back and made a practice gif as I haven't made one for a good year and a half.

 This is very basic, but it's the sort of simple animation I want to use in my final gif; colourful and quick transitions to try and grab the attention of the person surfing the web. It doesn't need to say much. The most important elements to include are the illustration, the 'creativity' and the EqualArts logo. It would be good if I could get the rest of the text in somehow; it will be hard with the long banner format though.

https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/how-to-create-animated-gif-quick-tip-ht#sm.01vkctrx11fcd38118x2fi9i0xd9e

"The Non-Conformist" final digital version

The final digital version for "The Non-Conformist"; I'm really happy with it and slightly prefer it to "The Gardener", as the overlays really work and I think the overall composition is better. The overlays should also work really well when I take it into screenprint!

"The Gardener" final screenprints

These are the four most successful prints out of the stack. Although they are not perfect and the registration slipped on all apart from the white (didn't tighten the screws enough on the print beds!) However, I am really happy with them.

It gives them a much more hand-made and creative feel to them; the whole reason I decided to try screenprinting the posters in the first place, to visually enhance the message I am trying to communicate. I already have the 'perfect' digital version, so it's nice to get something a little different. They also feel really nice in real life to hold - just nice and handmade and much more personal than the digital versions. Screenprinting was definitely a good idea for this project, as it's given it a whole new outlook - like I have finally properly got involved with what I am trying to promote! Doing digital versions felt a bit like creating from a distance. 

"The Gardener" screenprint positives

turquoise

pink

yellow

FINAL PLAN OF PRACTICAL OUTCOMES

After thinking some more about what I have proposed, it just seems a bit stupid. I would rather make less prints at a smaller size than A2, and as a result the prints be better as I can commit more time to them. Quality, NOT quantity! There will be other people trying to use the print facilities so it's better to make the project simple in case of queueing emergencies.

THE PLAN:

3 x A3 screenprints (digital versions can remain A2) 
Consistent colour scheme across the whole project (yellow, turquoise, pink)
Print onto various coloured stock
3 x animated gifs/posters (simple!!!)
New design for 'campaign page' on EqualArts website - mock up
Billboard mockups - static and moving
Flyer/postcard mockups
Design boards

This makes everything much more doable and hopefully give me time to make everything much better quality. I really want these screenprints to turn out nice! Making them A3 makes the printing process so much easier, as I can use smaller screens and probably less of them.

"The Gardener" - initial digital designs and practice mockup

These are my two undecided versions for the final poster for "The Gardener". The only difference is the slight change in colour for the green/turquoise type. I can’t work out if turquoise gets a bit lost, or green makes it all look a bit too messy.

I'm really happy with the font choice (Futura) but a graphic designer has advised me that it is a bit sharp; I don't really know what to do about this, as I like it. I'll ask some more people and see what they think.

Now I need to separate all the coloured layers into solid black versions ready for screenprinting; this shouldn't take too long as I've labelled them as I've gone along as Green, Yellow or Pink. 

Handwritten type development - "creativity"

I want to have the word "creativity" standing out from the rest of the type on the poster, to really get across the message and have more of an impact on the viewer - it's the most important bit that needs to jump out. I also want it to be handwritten, as it has more of a creative feel to it and further enhances the message of the advert. I like the idea of the type being white on a sort of ink or paint smudge behind it; it's more interesting than just being in a square box or floating on it's own.

As I am rubbish at doing my own handwritten type, I printed off a few fonts I liked from Photoshop and traced over them with ink and brush using a lightbox, to make sure it was straight and not a complete mess (my own handwriting is pretty hard to read). I then used a bigger brush to make the background smudges.

I think the thicker and more solid smudges will work better - too much texture might not expose and wont print properly. A sans serif font works better as the rest of the type is Futura (also sans serif); it would all be a bit too different and messy otherwise with all the colour.

final choice

Colours - testing overlays

I have decided to use this colour scheme throughout all three screenprinted designs. This decision has come after re-evaluating how possible it would be to create three designs all with separate colour schemes in the time left. It would be doable but just completely daft - setting a task too hard when it could be simpler and have the same effect. It will also help the posters run more effectively as a set, something I believe is important for the campaign to be properly recognisable and have a solid effect.

I tried other schemes, but this is my favourite by far. I tested the overlays using the 'multiply' function on Photoshop, as this is the most accurate way to see how the inks will lay over each other when actually screenprinting. It also gives me access to three more colours!

It is bright, bold, positive and fairly gender neutral when the overlayed colours are considered. It makes for an eye catching campaign and something a little different compared to normal charity adverts!

Other stuff I tried and don't like:

Don't like the yellow/blue overlay

Alright but orange makes sections too dark

Nice but not right for the campaign

Nice but orange feels weird

Save for another project!!!!

A list to clear my head

My head is a bit full of stuff I need to think about so I'm going to write it all down.

What I need to do in 5 weeks:

• Finish poster designs
• Create handwritten type for part of posters
• Decide on colour swatches (3 colours, use yellow in all?)
• Test colour overlays
• Separate coloured layers into solid black versions ready for each layer of the screenprint
• Go to digital print (drop off memory stick) and print A2 sized solid black positives
• Prep and expose screens (6 x A1?! 2 layers per screen...)
• Screenprint posters
• Finalise digital versions ready for gif
• Make gif/web banner
• Mock up web pages
• Mock up physical adverts e.g. bus shelters, shop windows, train adverts etc.
• Final presentation boards
• Final presentation of physical posters

CHRIST

It's doable, but it's going to be mental.

To make printing easier, they are all going to have yellow as a common colour (maybe even all 3 the same colours?) so I can print the yellow layers for more than one poster at one time, as there will be 2 layers per screen.

Character Development

This is a summary of my sketchbook development for the three elderly characters. 

I have worked out that if I stopped focusing on the fact they are old, I won't draw them so they look old. Sounds stupid, but it's what has really worked in helping me depict them in a positive and unpatronising way. I just drew what I thought a gardener looks like, then went back and added elderly characteristics, such as laughter lines and a beard. They do need some elderly features to be able to communicate the right message!

I am really happy with the final pencil drawings, ready to be taken into Photoshop to add colour and then turn into screenprint positives. Drawing the final versions large scale will help make sure nothing is blurry when they are sized up to A2 - they are pretty much A3 already so will be perfect for the screenprints. 

Working with shape will allow for great screenprinting as well. I really feel like I am starting to crack drawing using shape; I can see my drawings transforming and developing at a rate they never have before! It's satisfying. 

Rough design boards(needs improvement)

Practical Response - whacky creative old people INSPIRATION

Leonora Carrington

Salvadore Dali

Iris Apfel

Yayoi Kusama

Practical Response - Change of plan

So...

I've known I wanted to make a set of posters, but struggling to come up with a solid theme. I was faffing around with the idea of "You Used To Be...", using older peoples hobbies and careers as an idea (when I go in to meet them at Henpower). This was based on a resident I used to know called Michael, who got very annoyed when people said "you used to be a vet didn't you?"; he is still a qualified vet, just not practising any more, and would get cross and point at his vet certificate on the wall. 

This is an ok idea but i can't get on board with it and hate everything I've drawn so far, which isn't a lot anyway.

NOW I'm thinking I could use the quote "Memory diminishes but imagination remains" that I found on the EqualArts ethos page. I might change "imagination" for "creativity" and create a set of posters, billboard mockups, animated gifs acting as website banners and a rough campaign page for EqualArts, on the importance of having creative sessions for the elderly with dementia. I feel much more excited about this idea and have more visual ideas kicking around my head already without drawing anything (I will start drawing now).

I don't know if I will have to email them and ask permission to do this, as I've already been in contact with them asking questions for research? Will have to check this.

Primary Research - EqualArts answered my questions!

Nichola (who I have been in contact with) kindly offered to answer some questions for me, when I asked if there would be anyone available at EqualArts. Some of the answers are interesting and will be great to use in the HenPower case study in the essay, especially when backing up the social side of the argument. It's also nice to gather some research of my own, rather than just looking at other peoples papers and articles. 

I do wish I had managed to get more about the availability of creative sessions for the elderly in NHS run care facilities; maybe i should try and find someone from the NHS to ask?! They might not like it, but it's worth a shot. 

Primary Research - talking to Henpower

This is where I've got to get to on Tuesday for the creative session with Henpower I've chosen to do. It's far away and I wish I had a car, but hey ho!

Initial Roughs and Sketches

I am really stuck as to what to do for the practical. I have been doodling old people in the hope that something will spring up but at the moment my brain isn't feeling very creative.

I really don't like these drawings. They make the elderly look small and weak; EXACTLY WHAT I DON'T WANT TO HAPPEN! I need to find a way to draw them without making them look awful. If the drawing shows them as negative then the overall message will be negative.

I have a sort of idea from a quote I found on the EqualArts website; "memory may diminsh, yet imagination remains". This has really stuck with me for some reason. I have started to think down the creativity route instead of 'old' and wrote down some creative activities to try and get the ball rolling. 

Sensory Stimulation - Virtual Reality for The Elderly

https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=the%20elderly%20and%20virtual%20reality%20masks

An interesting idea when talking about sensory stimulation - it is definitely not a creative therapy, but a more viable option for those who may not have the money or ability to access a Snoezelenroom. 

I could also bring in something to do with new technology working for older people; could it tie together old and young generations and bridge the gap a little more? SOCIETY STUFF

Primary Research - Questions for EqualArts

Nichola, who I have been in contact with about volunteering, said she is happy for me to ask her some questions about EqualArts and the benefits of creative therapies. These are what I am going to ask her:

1. Why do you think it is important for the elderly to have access to creative organisations such as the Hen Power Project?

2. Do you think there is enough opportunity for elderly people to take part in creative sessions in most NHS funded care homes? 

3. Do you think more should be done for the elderly to be able to take part in creative sessions, both in care homes and in local communities?

4. Are there specific areas of the UK which are more likely to have little opportunity for the elderly?

4. What do you think of current societal views of the older generation, especially those with dementia?

5. Why should we, the younger generation, care for the wellbeing and happiness of the older generation?

6. Do you think the elderly still have something to contribute to society? If so, how could creative workshops assist with this? 

Primary Research - EqualArts

Due to some lost emails, slow replies and difficulties getting my references back to EqualArts and the Hen Power Project, I am seriously running out of time to go and get some research done actually in creative workshops. I still really want to do this to get some good drawings for the practical side of the project, but I have come up with a sort of plan B just incase. 

I was thinking I could just ask some questions about their ethos, why they think creative sessions are important for the elderly (in particular dementia sufferers) and comparisons of availability of workshops like this in various places over the UK (and maybe their opinions on the NHS vs. Private availability of therapies?). They could also maybe give me some examples of positive cases where the projects have really helped certain individuals, even if they are unnamed.