GRAPHICS task Task Your task is to design

GRAPHICS – task Task > Your task is to design a calendar. The calendar must : • be free standing • contain the months & dates of the year. Anything else can be your design preference. In designing and making your calendar you will have the choice of printing and computer manipulation techniques to achieve a high quality product.

Introduction to task Throughout the task you will be expected to: • Design with imagination and flair. • Work to set deadlines. • Be organised and work in an effective manner.

Introduction to task In this unit you will learn: • how to use the computer programmes Corel Draw and Photoshop to design, develop and manipulate images. • to test and trial various • how to produce an effective printing methods. eye catching printed graphics product.

Research – searching for inspirational products A quick and efficient way of getting inspiration for this unit of work is to look at the work of other designers in various websites. Analysing the work of graphic and product designers will give you a starting point for your calendar product. Look at a range of innovative products (they can be any sort of products) and assess the way they look and function. Possible helpful websites: www. twentyone. com www. nicespace. co. uk www. alessi. com www. adrahome. com Once you have chosen your inspirational products you need to start asking yourself why you’ve selected these images. Images courtesy of www. adrehome. com

Research – analysing products Which is your favourite product and why? Would you buy it? Why? Which product did you dislike the most? Why? What materials are used? Do they use sustainable materials? How would you improve these products? What do you think about the cost your selected items? Task. After searching for Inspirational products on the websites, you need to analyse them, consider some of the following questions. Wordbank Colourful, Cool, Funky, Texture, Fashionable, Innovative, Primary Colours, Folded card, Acrylic, Distorted, Manipulated, Free Standing, Feminine, Trendy, Dated, .

Research – analysing products Designers often look at other designer’s work to get inspiration or to spot trends. When we look at products, we begin to analyse them. Breaking down what is successful or not. We can use these positive aspects as starting off points. Let's analyse what is successful about the calendar below and work out the implications for each successful point (one example has been completed for you). Implication – sustainable can be used forever. No extra cost for a new calendar each year. Numbers are innovative in their design Can be used time after time Magnet allows date to be seen Made of metal Comes in different colours Fold allows calendar to stand

Research – selecting and analysing three products Select three products, print or draw them and place them in boxes provided. Analyse each product, identifying the good design features. You have approximately 30 mins to do this task. Once you have completed the task, discuss in small groups you’re findings. What design features do people in your groups like about the products you’ve selected?

Research - illustrators Another source of inspiration and research is the work of cutting edge illustrators. They can add a ‘bit of sparkle’ to a dull looking page. Illustrations can be hand generated/enhanced. drawn or computer Illustrators styles vary a great deal. Investigate the work of a range of professional illustrators and decide what type of graphics style and/or techniques you like. Task : Have a look at these websites, all showcasing the latest trends and styles by professional illustrators. www. monsters. co. uk/ www. pvuk. com www. eyecandy. co. uk www. artshole. co. uk www. thorogood. net/ Images from www. dennisharrison. co. uk

Research – work of professional illustrators Select an illustrator that inspires you and answer the questions opposite. Write your response in full sentences? colourful, cool, funky, texture, fashionable, innovative, hand drawn, computer manipulated, distorted, manipulated, trendy, dated.

Research- collecting inspirational images Task : Your next task is to create a mood board of inspirational images. This should contain images that inspire you or ones that you could potentially develop in your design pages. You could select images on a particular theme that interests you e. g. the example opposite is of butterflies. Collect images from the internet or magazines, thinking about shapes and colours that would work well together. You could annotate the mood board to further explain you thinking.

Function of calendar How effective are the above calendars? images courtesy www. the lollipopshoppe. co. uk Function: which key features will you include on your calendar design? date year month day of the week space for reminders

Trends designed by Peter Woudt – perpetual calenda The term trends is often referred to as the ‘latest styles’. Trends can be found out in a number of different ways, such as looking… In magazines: Empire, Gadget, Stuff, Elle, Vogue, Marie Claire OR - on the internet: Here are some good ones to have a look at. www. thelollipopshoppe. co. uk www. designmuseum. org/ www. designboom. com/ www. orlakiely. com www. illustrationfriday. com designed by Labratium Think about: What are the ‘latest’ styles of calendars? What are the ‘latest’ colour trends? What are the ‘latest’ graphics techniques used? designed by Ben Stevens

Design specification Having completed your research you will need to draw together your thinking and write a design specification. Consider the following: Who are you designing for? - target group What gender are you aiming the calendar at? How old are they? Does the calendar need additional space for writing – reminders e. g. birthday, appointments? What are their interests? How much would they spend on their calendar? What type of room will it be used in? What trends are going to influence the style? How are you going to manufacturer the product? what considerations do you need to make? going to How are you ndar? ake your cale m THINK ABOUT How big is it goin g to be? What materials are you going to use? What CAD packages are you going to use?

Design specification TASK: You can begin writing your design specification. Specification Remember to include sufficient detail. WORD BANK decorative, contrasting, illustrative, colourful, interesting, innovative, different, trendy, contemporary, interior, expensive, texture, floral, masculine, feminine, sports, interests, beautiful, functional.