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.