Re writing my brief

In todays workshop we took our brief for study task 3 and examined it so we could see what details were a bit iffy and if it actually made much sense. 

Firstly we had to come up with questions that we wanted answers to, we had to put down questions that we wanted to know the answer to about our briefs. 

The questions i still wanted answering were:

I then wrote out a list of things to do. 

Next we were asked to write down things that we thought were important about the brief by highlighting them. 

The parts i highlighted then lead me to these sentences below. 

I then went about re writing the brief. 

Target audience

People who enjoy riding bikes and have a reasonable experience riding them. And any of these who wish to raise money for there chosen charity.



Concept 

To set up a cycling event that will be for people who enjoy to ride bikes. The event will be based in Leeds and will be taken part by 2 different skill level groups, non professionals and professionals, each with 2 tracks which then helps to form the brand and identity of the event.

Deliverables 

Posters, maps, handouts such as leaflets contender numbers, tickets, lanyard with entry details, event tickets and mocked up advertisements. 

Design Ethics (Triangulation) Study Task 5

Using the texts Garland, K. 'The First Things First Manifesto (1964); Poyner, Lasn et al (2000) ' The First Things First Manifesto 2000'; Poyner, R. (2000) 'First Things First Revisited' and Beirut, M. (2007) 'Ten Footnotes to a Manifesto' write a triangulated critical analysis of two media images (works of graphic design / advert / TV commercial / publicity poster / magazine cover / news story).

         A number of authors within the First things first manifesto have considered how Graphic Designers have influenced and are influential in the advertising industry. Within the First things First manifesto (1964) they talk about how designers use there talents for good but also for bad, advertising things to make them seem good, 'we have been bombarded with publications devoted to this belief, applauding the work of those who have flogged their skill and imagination to sell such things as: cat food, stomach powders, detergent, hair restorer, striped toothpaste, aftershave lotion, beforeshave lotion, slimming diets, fattening diets, deodorants, fizzy water, cigarettes, roll ons, pull ons and slip ons'. Here they are fed up of design for trivial purposes, they feel design should have a purpose. Within the manifesto in 2000 they back this up by stating the fact that consumerism is growing and its changing from cat food to things like diamonds, an example of which is shown below. This statement is then backed up the the revisited manifesto, again talking about how we are made to think things and feel things that are not true, 'we imagine that we engage directly with the content of magazine, the TV commercial, the pasta sauce, or perfume, but the content is always mediated by design and its design that helps direct how we perceive it and how it makes us feel'. Although this feeling changes in the ten footnotes to a manifesto, where by there is a different feeling that to make money they have to do the commercial work, its easy to have ethics if you have a good job, its much harder if you have little money and need to earn for the family, the designers who wrote in the First things first manifesto are described as 'cultural elite', they have never worked in the cultural industry and so they wont know what its like and don't like it. It also mentions that design is what makes a culture, if it goes what would be there, what would we do? 

         There is however designers who use the advertisement industry to try and promote a message and combat the consumerist society and designers/companies who put of these adverts. Adbusters take adverts from large corporations and try to show what they really mean, such as the advert below where they use a the Loreal name and image to create something that tells the consumer whats really going on, creating design that is for good and tells a true story, adbusters hope for 'a new style and way of being, a sustainable agenda for Planet Earth'. But these motives are put under scrutiny in the 13 footnotes to a manifesto, who claim this revolution is 'replacing mass manipulation for commercial ends with mass manipulation for cultural and political ends'. 

         There is many different and varying views on this problem throughout the manifesto, it is clear though that over time the consumerist society has changed and there is becoming more and more of a problem despite what is said in the 13 footnotes, which is becoming uncomfortable as said by Beirut M (2007) "many of us have become uncomfortable with this view of design" and something has to be done. 

Studio brief 2 crit

Today we had a crit on the work we had done so far for studio brief 2. 
To begin we left out questions that we wanted answered, so i asked: 

1. Is the aesthetic of neon colours suitable for a bike event? 

2. Should the event cater to all age groups? 



Feedback


I think the neon colours will work for a bike event though you will have to choose colours that are visible from long distance and also on screen. The pink works well though i might be tempted to use black and white. 

I think that creating different routes for different ages would work though some younger people might be at higher scale than others? Maybe create routes measured at difficulty rather than age.

The neon colours could work really well and replicate the colours of the safety lights and and high vis jackets that are worn by cyclists 

I think it should be more catered to an older audience rather than children, as they are more likely to go and be interested 

i would use perhaps one neon colour with black to tone it down slightly otherwise it might be too bright and not visible from a distance 

Neon colours would work really well to stand out against the background to show the routes, as long as it is not too many colours as this could be very garish. select a colour scheme that can work throughout. 

Yes the more people involved the better, you just have to make sure whatever you create its going to appeal to everyone 

Neon colours create a  unique aesthetic. makes it eye catching and very current 

Maybe the aesthetic makes it appeal more to a younger audience. Presumably your creating for a different skill level to the actual tour de france, maybe its for beginners. Focusing on one skill level will make it easier for yourself. 

Neon colour scheme works well as i think of high vis (that cyclist are supposed to wear) would show routes etc very vividly in the natural environment 


Wide range of ages would work but each age group may need to be separated to take different interests into account. 




My thoughts on the feedback

I thought there was some strong feedback that i received, there was some good ideas that i think i might carry forward, like basing the event on skill level so there is a number of different tracks based on the skill of the rider. Most people all said that the neon colours idea was strong because it related well to the neon that cyclists wear. So that is something i think i might stick with, although printing neon colours will be extremely hard, which for some reason nobody mentioned, so i might have to screenprint them so depending on time i will see if that is possible, if not i will jsut use bright colours. 

Bike Event further research

Feather cycles website design

I really like the simplicity of this website and the colour scheme that had been used. The layout is really strong and i like the navigation bar on the left of the page and how it moves out form the left. 

I also like the continuos scroll website, this again allows for easy navigation and all the information is easily accessible 

End of Module Evaluation

16 page book layout research

One of the main things we were briefed on was that we needed to look into different types of layouts and experiment with different kinds of layouts, as well as having our content all done so we could get it critiqued to check for spelling mistakes and if the layout/content is relevant.



Looking into page layouts

I like the use of the gold on this publication it works really well with the black matt paper, it also mixes it up a bit, changing the pages so there is something different and not just the matt paper.  

 I think this publication is interesting, it has an outside cover that then relates to the other pages with the type that is around the outside, these words help frame the pages and give information about them, it also creates a book within a book almost.

I think although there is a lot of text on this magazine it has a strong layout and the text doesn't become overwhelming, i also like the arrow which directs you in the correct direction very subtly. Another aspect of this magezine i like is how the photos have been cropped fitting in with the rest of the pages, this is something i will have to think about when it comes to my design, thinking about the images i will use, how there cropped, will they be photographic or vector based?

Looking a different layout on magazines and books that i could take inspiration from

Paul smith men spring summer 2014

As can be seen this publication has a very simple layout, focusing mostly on the image, therefor showing off the clothes that they want people to buy. I feel this layout could be suited to what i want to do with the bikes, focusing more on the image than on the text. Also there is a very small amount of text next to the image that takes up a whole page.

As can be seen below the same layout is carried on throughout the book, keeping a consistency and flow of the book that is always focused around the clothing. This consistency is something i am going to apply to my own work, so the main focus is around the bike with a small amount of text.

More layouts

Bike Magezines

I like here how they have zoomed in to parts of the bike they want to show off. 

I like how the whole image has been put across the double page spread with a small amount of text in the bottom corner, this is something i could use on some of my pages.

16 Page Booklet research

After the crit and my first publication i decided to look in more detail at bikes and maybe how there made so i can put that into my publication. So i decided to go down to Evans cycles to see what the bikes are like and take pictures, i would also speak to the staff to find out about the bikes.

Whilst at Evans Cycle i also asked if they had anything that described the bikes or gave information on what they are like or what types of bikes there was, they then told me that they only had a website, no catalogue with all the bike in it. 
SO i though a good idea would be producing a book that gave a description of different types of bikes so people could see what they might want to buy and what they will get out of it. 






Key components of each bike



Utility Bikes

A traditional type of utility bicycle, the English roadster may weigh as much as 35 to 50 pounds (16 – 23 kg). Parts such as frames, wheels/rims, and tires are chosen for strength, safety, and durability rather than high performance. Additionally, utility bikes tend to incorporate fewer technological advances in material design and engineering in comparison to sport bicycles, though there are exceptions. In particular, the small-tired Moulton portable utility cycles incorporate advanced engineering with relatively light weight.
Most utility bikes feature an upright riding position. The handlebars are almost always curved back and positioned higher than the saddle so that the rider can operate controls without changing his or her riding posture. Some people add a child seat or a trailer. The utility bike's combination of parts, design, and features provide functionality and comfort at the expense of weight, an adequate compromise when used as originally intended (local commuting and short rides).

1. Curved back handle bars. 
2. Upright riding position for comfort.
3. Space to carry objects. 
4. Handle bars above riding position. 
5. Strong durable tires.

Mountain bikes

Mountain bikes can be classified into four categories based on suspension:

• Rigid: A frame with a rigid fork and fixed rear, no suspension.
• Hard tail: A frame with a front suspension fork and no rear suspension.
• Soft tail: A frame with small amount of rear suspension, activated by flex of the frame instead of pivots.
• Dual or full suspension: A front suspension fork and rear suspension with a rear shock and linkage that allow the rear wheel to move on pivots.

Road bikes 

A racing bicycle, also known as a road bike, is a bicycle designed for competitive road cycling, a sport governed by according to the rules of the Union Cyclist Internationale (UCI). The UCI rules were altered in 1934 to exclude recumbent bicycles.

The most important characteristics about a racing bicycle are its weight and stiffness which determine the efficiency 

at which the power from a rider’s pedal strokes can be transferred to the drive-train and subsequently to its wheels. To this effect racing bicycles may 

sacrifice comfort for speed.

1. No suspension
2. Thin tires for speed.
3. Extremely light frame to enhance speed.
4. Easy shift gears for extra speed.
5. Everything has been made aerodynamically for extra speed.
6. Lightweight alloys.
7. Dropdown handle bars
8. Higher seat than handle bars for better aerodynamics.

Touring Bikes

A touring bicycle is a bicycle designed or modified to handle bicycle touring. To make the bikes sufficiently robust, comfortable and capable of carrying heavy loads, special features may include a long wheelbase (for ride comfort and to avoid pedal-to-luggage conflicts), frame materials that favor flexibility over rigidity (for ride comfort), heavy duty wheels (for load capacity), and multiple mounting points (for luggage racks, fenders, and bottle cages).

1. Lots of space to carry equipment.
2. Lots of space for water.
3. Tough sturdy tires for the long journeys
4. Strong durable frame.
5. Very comfotable seat and handle bars.
6. At least 36 Spokes.
7. Trades speed for ruggedness
8. Hidden chain to protect riders clothes.

Hybrid bike

Hybrid bicycles blend characteristics from more specialized road bikes, touring bikes and mountain bikes. The resulting “hybrid” is a general-purpose bike that can tolerate a wide range of riding conditions and applications. Their stability, comfort and ease of use make them popular with beginning cyclists, casual riders, commuters, and children.

1. Tires can withstand a range of different terrains.
2. Light but strong frame to cope with differing terrains
3. Upright frame, offering a more comfortable riding position.
4. Stouter frame that can handle more weigh
5. Lighter rims for faster riding.
6. Lighter components and taller gearing for going faster
7. The handlebars on a hybrid are typically flat like a mountain bike.
8. The design allows riders to be upright in a position that gives them best control.
9. Wide range of gearing to allow the rider to both climb hills and go fast on flats.

BMX Bike

Bicycle motocross or BMX is cycle sport on BMX bikes, either in competitive BMX racing or freestyle BMX, or else in general on- or off-road recreation. BMX began when young cyclists appropriated motocross tracks for fun, racing and stunts, eventually evolving specialized BMX bikes and competitions.

1. 20 Inch wheels.
2. Light frame for speed on the racing bmx bikes.
3. Heavier more sturdy frame for freestyle bmx bikes.
4. Rotor  allows the handlebar and front wheel to rotate.
5. The bike is much smaller than a standard bike. 
6. High handle bars to give racers an upright position when riding.
7. Heavier more sturdy frame for freestyle bmx bikes.

Images of relevant bikes 

I could use these bikes to create the illustrations i want to create.