Friday, 21 March 2014

Authors own 
 Research into Olympic Logos

The Olympics is a 4 year event with summer and winter games, both games are scheduled slightly apart to give audiences and participants time between the events.  By selecting a few iconic logos it gave me the chance to analyse them and compare them against one another.

Albertiville 1992
The official emblem consists of an Olympic flame in the colours of the savoie region, and is an element of the visual identity of the Albertville games, which had to meet the three main objectives, highlight the mountain site, modernity and sports.

London 2012 Logo Authors own 


London 2012 Summer Games

The jagged emblem, based on the date 2012, comes in a series of shades of pink, blue, green and orange and will evolve in the run-up to the Games.
The word London and the Olympic rings are included in the first two digits of the new logo.

Each edition of the Olympic Games brings its own flavour and touch to what is now well over a century of modern Olympic history; the brand launched today by London 2012 is, I believe, an early indication of the dynamism, modernity and inclusiveness with which London 2012 will leave its Olympic mark."



Logo - Vancouver - Authors own 


Vancouver 2012 Winter Games

The new Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics logo, named Ilanaaq, and designed by a Vancouver graphic artist Elena Rivera MacGregor, was unveiled in Vancouver April 23, 2005, in this image released by the Vancouver Olympic Committee.


The emblem of the Olympic Winter Games is a colorful humanoid with arms spread wide, a contemporary interpretation of a stone landmark called an inukshuk with a history stretching back more than 3,000 years in Inuit culture. Sitting atop the Olympic Rings, the symbol looms large on licensed merchandise and is sure to generate curiosity once the Games are under way.


Timeline - Authors own 
Timeline For the Games

 The games evolved back in Ancient Greece and looking back this far can be daunting, but actually was interesting looking at how the games have changed. I wanted to create a list or timeline of all the games but that would mean hours sitting and writing down the names.  So I took the most iconic games either winter or summer and jotted them down.
What is noticeable is how much interest the games have nowadays compared to ancient Greece 777.b.c. Media coverage is widely used and this was evident in Sochi. The BBC took over commentary for the 2 weeks of events.
Authors own - London 2012
 Behind the Olympic Flame 

The story behind it goes back to Prometheus who stole fire to give to man, as a punishment he was chained to a rock by Zeus, the God of fire. Basically Prometheus defied him.
In the sanctuary of Olympia the flame burned permanently on the alter of the goddess Hestia.

The flame must never go out on its journey, and it must withstand the difficult conditions. Back in the day the relays were carried on foot, this is the same as today for example for the London games the torch was carried by foot.

The flame represents the positive values that man has always associated fire with. Fire has many symbols the divine origin of fire made it a secret element.
In the early days the torches didn't change much in design shape and size, its only in the modern games the hosting country has taken pride in redesigning a torch to symbolism their country.

Authors own 
Rio and its history, Etymology of Brazil

Brazil is a fairly new state compared to some other countries, historians and scientists have discovered that communities of indigenous people around 8000 years ago. These first people were nomadic beings, believed to have come from parts of Asia in search of abundant hunting grounds.

Why did I research into Brazil and their history?
Authors own 
I wanted to look at my research from a different angle as im designing for Rio 2016 looking into their past and iconic natural and historical figures was a good place to start.

Authors own 

Pau Brazil caesalpinia echinata is the national tree of Brazil, the country to which it gave its name.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caesalpinia_echinata



I have had some thoughts about this tree, on the medals engraving could be used to create an outline of this famous tree which would identity Brazil to those medals. Its also a nice historical thing and plus it would look beautiful.  The Sydney games had the same sort of thing but it was an olive tree look alike as the logo. 

What im looking for is a designing that shouts Brazil as the host country it needs to be special and really relate to their history.







Comparing Barcelona to London 2012 Mascots


Authors own - Cobi Bear 



Barcelona was back in 1922 the mascot is named Cobi, who is a captain sheepdog, which was inspired by interpretations of Picasso.

  • The name was chosen because it was easy to pronounce and was easy to write in all languages.
Its very bear like to stuck to tradition.

Designed by Javier Mariscal

What I like about it ?
its very easy to remember its distinctive, but also fun as lots of young children are going to want to buy one and play with it, and to then inspire generations.

What I dislike? I think the colour choices should of been bolder but I like the idea of him stretching out holding the world in his palms.



London 2012

Authors own - London 2012 Mascot 

This is Wenlock the Olympic design for London 2012 Olympics, he also had a twin mascot as they come in  a pair.

The main difference between the two is the colour use, Wenlock is significant as its made from colours of the GREAT BRITAIN flag colours, Cobi is not its just random colours.

This to me also shows how much design for Olympic events have changed. Now any design must feature or relate to the host nation.The actual shape is far more modern and futuristic, and honestly im exited to see Rio because London's is hard to near, me being a tad bias as im a Londoner.


Authors own - Brazilian designers 
Brazil's Graphic Designers 













 Looking at some Brazilian Graphics would also help me think  about style and colour use, I was hoping they used the colours of the flag or historical influence but this was not the case.  The thing that caught me was the middle blue design which was bright and interesting , almost octopus like with its tentacles.









Authors own




Olympic Font Analysis 














The first picture is of the London 2012 typeface and this is successful because it was clear, precise and bold whilst not being overly confident. To me the font reminds me of London's skyline. 2012Headline by Gareth Hague, the official typeface of the 2012 Olympic Games.

What is also memorable is Gareth Hague’s typeface for the London Olympics, 2012 Headline. Besides being fervently discussed – and ridiculed – in typographic circles, it was also featured in the mainstream media, both at home and abroad. Unlike the logo however 2012Headline is quite difficult to wrap one’s head around.












BERLIN DEUTSCHLAND





Authors own- Berlin

Authors own- Foster and Partners government building

Authors own - Berlin wall 
Outside the Olympic Stadium Authors own 


Authors own - Fascist Olympic Stadium 

The trip to Berlin really linked in well with my project and taking a visit to the fascist stadium was a real eye opener to the history that occurred here that changed the way the Olympics were viewed, not just for organisers but for people worldwide.

Youtube - 1936 opening ceremony

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_s_K3-FEwQA


















 

Monday, 10 March 2014

FMP WEEK 1

Authors own
Olympic Torch
Final Project Brief 
In the Final Project the intention is to design and manufacture a new 2D/3D icon to be an emblem to symbolize a world sporting event. The icon should embody the spirit and togetherness found at the Olympics or perhaps the World Cup.  These virtues might include athleticism group spirit, endeavour and excellence. It is anticipated that the icon should be adaptable and attractive and could be awarded as a special recognition of athletes who embody most completely the Olympic ideals first proposed by Pierre De Coubertin (1896–1925).

The research will focus on the history of logos and iconic emblems we see today and how they embody important virtues athletes seek while competing, and what these symbols represent to people. Time has also meant the emblems have changed over the years with the more recent games meaning more up to date graphics and technology. Further research will look at who actually designed them, and what aesthetics and thinking lies behind the ideas.  The task is to be able to make something aesthetically pleasing that can be manufactured many times. It also needs to stand out and successfully represent the era in which it is to be used.  It also needs to be different from previous designs that have gone before and must work in its own right in design terms.  Through the use of practical methods for example Solidworks and building up thumbnail sketches the best ideas will be pushed forward. 

Olympic Torch at the Design Museum 
Authors own -the torch designed by Jay Osbergy
Authors own- the Olympic Torch for 2012

 "For the Olympic Torch we created a curvilinear form aluminum sheets making the most of the materials strong and light weight properties. Paused as a flat sheet, the outline and perforated pattern make its final from inconstantly recognizable". Edward and Jay



Olympic Logo's Handbook 

Authors own - Olympic Handbook 
 Colours: For any Olympic Games colour is important as it cant be politically eye catching. The primary colour selected for the London 2012 games is magenta. This is the only colour that does not prominently exist on signs within the UK transport or street environment.
Its bight, provides good contrast with white texture and stands out in a bust environment.


Colour Palette - Authors own 

The colour swatches are used for the logo as seen on the left, the colours actually looked great, but initially I thought they looked childish. 
Authors own
this is the Olympic Manual of all the graphics used 

Authors own
olympic park sign post 


Day out to Victoria Park London - Olympic pool, velodrome and stadium. Most of the architect is there to stay but some was only temparary, for example the aquatic centre held at he venue, which hosted all of the aquatic disciplines at the London Games apart from water polo, cost more than £250m to build and had its capacity reduced from 18,000 to around 2,500 before it was re-opened to the public in February.
Authors own - the olympic pool

The venue looks amazing and we can't wait to get diving

”Rebecca Gallantree


Authors own the Orbit

Authors own 
Authors own Victoria Park

The 2012 Summer Olympics, formally the Games of the XXX Olympiad and commonly known as London 2012, was a major international multi-sport event celebrated in the tradition of the Olympic Games, as governed by the International Olympic Committee.

London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park has been fully opened to the public for the first time since the conclusion of the London 2012 Olympic Games, following the redevelopment of the south section of the park.



Figure 1 http://www.olympic.org/news/london-s-olympic-park-opens-to-the-public/229283


Figure 1 www.olympic.org.co.uk



Thursday, 20 February 2014

Continue - bottle and cup project

My project change over the weekend I found it hard to create and model the initial ideas on this page, so I switched ideas. I had drawn some designs of lights made out of plastic cups and bottle parts,  and this is what i continued to develop.
The pictures at the bottom are there for fun, I wanted to show that the world is now within our hands and that we will need to take action in order to help slow the process of global warming.
The initial ideas are very abstract meaning using plastic it would create a curved form which would give off a atmospheric light. I used plastic cups to make my product.

Step by Step:

  • get 8 cups and sellotape them together joining the tops and bottom together
  • staple them making sure the staple reaches the other side
  • get loads more and keep adding to the middle 
  • work your way round stapling cups until big enough







Analysis 

What I found hard? I really struggled making a model for the project before I came up with the light idea, the initial ideas of the bottles with the message inside was hard to portray well enough inside a bottle.  I did try and make them but they just looked messy and didn't represent the powerful message about the environment.
What i found easy ? I loved making  the light I sat down all day and just stapled It  wasn't a planned thing I just started to make and this shape formed.
what could i improve?
Next time try and stick with an idea and see it through, I gave up on the other initial ideas because they were too hard to portray.


What do you think was successful about your image/work and why is this? 
The bottle project had huge scope, bottles and plastic are the most commonly used material, not just in the UK but worldwide, and the impact are now becoming clear. With that the impacts of this are becoming clearer for example, global warming, smog, rising sea levels. 
My research started looking at sculptural pieces that sent a message to the people living there. The one that caught my eye was a designer had collected all the plastic bottles washed up on Rio beaches in 1 year and made 2 massive fishes out of them. This is using art to make a political and environmental impact. 

Message in a bottle? Idea 1 
This ideas was fascinating to me, as a young person me and my generation are the ones going to have to be dealing with global warming and coming up with prevention's.  I then went on to design "peoples worlds" inside a bottle. By this I mean the bottle would represent the world and it being trapped in time by this global warming which cant be solved. The inside would be a mound of rubbish getting higher and higher as pollution and rubbish was chucked out. 

Light Idea 2 
What have you learnt from the overall tasks? 
I have learnt that doing 2 projects in one wasn't a bad thing, I was just stuck and moved on. 
The light project was just a change of plans, my previous idea was too technical for me to properly portray he environmental message it needed to be successful . I did 2 projects in one which was stressful for me but because the first project was of an interest to me it wasn't hard in that sense. 


Tuesday, 18 February 2014

Branding

Branding


Below are drawings of a few of my favorite pieces, the blue George Nelson block clock. The designer was trying to translate functional properties with utilitarian objects. The Block clocks represents high quality reproduction in the style of the original clock. Nelson used:

  • pure colour
  • bold graphic forms
  • modern materials
  • simple
  • good looking







The "Crying girl 1963" I only drew the eye not the full picture,  as during the 1950's and 1960's a majority of american artists began to adapt the imagery of motifs of comic strips. Lichtenstein made comic strips in 1958. 



Existing Logos Research

My logo is actually coming on leaps and bounds but making a brand is not just about your company. Research is also vital, I looked into a few brands such as Mercedes, McDonalds, and Nike. Back in the day logos were a mark or symbol to showcase the product. They are the same thing today but with a few changes, the modern day logo is a bit more flexible and adaptable to any type of media. 
The Nike logo "swoosh or tick" was intended to look like the wigs of the Greek goddess of victory. 
Other dominating logos include
  • Google
  • Adidas
  • apple
  • channel
  • virgin

"YAKI NOODLE" 
This page shows the different colours of which my logo could take,  I actually didn't go with any of these, eventually I went with a red and orange logo. 


 The colours used are shown above, for the Brand Guidelines you had to show the CMYK the percentage the colour is. Doing this allows another to find the exact colour you used to make the logo if they were to make the company.



Reflection: 
How did you get on with your given task/s?
The branding project was really fun and to this day was the best project, I think because it was totally graphic based it meant I had to go back relearn new skills which was enjoyable. It was also challenging because of the timescale we had 2 weeks to come up with  a new brand, and this wasn't easy. I was really pushed to my limits.  Branding my favorite food meant I traveled all over London to different restaurants and markets testing out the food and asking locals questions.  Designing a logo for the food you are highly passionate for was great and spurred me to on to design loads. 

When and how did you learn this and how will you further use these thoughts in future work? 
Branding is all about making an iconic company almost, For the final project may be branding might come in, meaning designing logos or posters.  The graphics project really made me think about presentation and how things are set out, because we had to make menu etc. 

What aspects of your work were you not happy with and why is this? 
I had one initial idea that got really good positive feedback from class mates in crits and I decided not to use it, and  looking back I don't know why I didn't.  I was fun, new, and modern.

Overall 8/10 for the crossover project.




This is me with my YAKI NOODLE T-SHIRT, using a online t shirt designer applied the logo and the text on the back, and got it printed.