My Final Book & Icons:

I started this project just thinking of doing a collection of icons based on the country America. As the project went on I realised I wanted to showcase these icons in a way that they would all work together and something tangible that people could hold and look at my icons. This resulted in my wanted to put them in book form.

I have always been extremely interested in America, it’s states , it’s culture… everything American.
I thought this would be a really fun project to do and because I am so interested in the subjects I have really enjoyed myself doing this project.

The reason I chose to do icons is because in the past I have done work with icons and really found them fun to do. And I was able to communicate well in this form.

As I was running out of time, I was a bit unsure of the layout and what was best, so I did some basic research into self made, illustrated books that people had done, from around the studios at university, to home and around the place. I found that many people based their books on an A4 size and used very simple ways to bind them. Like some people used staples and covered it with tape. Which made the book really have that hand-rendered feel to it. I really liked this process, as it made the books feel that bit more personal. But it also took that professional feel away from it, so I wasn’t sure I wanted to use that method.
Finally after thinking about what I could do. I remembered that in a previous project I had made a binder using screws, and this also had a personal feel, but also added that hint of professionalism to it that I want.
However I ran out of time to do that, so I have clipped it together for now, and I would like to get it bound properly.

I decided I wanted it to be double sided on each page, and that enabled me to do double page spreads, which helped me place my icons together. Some pages work better than others, like the Golden Gate bridge and the Brooklyn bridge double page spread, works really well, they stand out so well, and look amazing together. Another page that is my favourite is the different houses. I think this works well together, and also is recognizable as the different houses you can get in America.
I have decided to put different my icons in different sizes, this is because I felt like certain ones stood out a lot more than others.

Overall I am really happy with the final outcome of my book, I feel the icons stand out really well and are placed in a way that they work, and anyone looking at them will understand them. I haven’t been able to fit in all of my icons, but I feel there is a good amount in here that make the book work. I just wish I had the time to get it bound properly.

Dear Diary: …

Busy busy busy. That’s my life now. Not a day off a week, part time job, uni is a seven day a week thing.
It’ll all be worth it once I have my degree, I’ll have something to be proud of! I just need to keep cracking on with my NMP. It’s not going swimmingly. Due to life taking over. But I’m confident!

When life takes over.

PRINT

www.coroflot.com/lovegem

-Establishment 2022NQ.
-Editions- was at editions for a couple of days.
-Printfair- a few of us had stands at the Christmas fair.
-Blab talks - I went to the blab talks with Mr. Bingo
-Had month placement at Craft & Design.
-Ongoing internship with What I Always Wanted.
-Came to GFSmith Talk with Jane

Dear Diary: What I’ve done…

During last summer I was given the opportunity to become an intern with an online selling site who needed someone to design their monthly E-newsletter. The company are great to work for and I’ve really enjoyed designing the newsletter every month for them. It’s helped me work towards a deadline within industry, it’s helped me understand the needs of clients and my “boss” too. It’s very relaxed and gives me the creative freedom that I like as well as sticking with guidelines. It’s really benefited my artwork and personal style.

In semester one for my Professional Context I chose to study print making. For this I wanted to focus on What I Would Change… And it was that the seasons would all be Autumn. I experimented with a lot of different techniques and printing methods and in the end, I made a book of relief printed leaves.

At my part time job I was approached by my boss to design posters advertising a charity race that a few colleagues were taking part in, and the poster was to bring in sponsors. This gave me a sense of accomplishment, seeing my work as big posters in a very famous restaurant, and knowing that people would see this helped my confidence a lot.

I applied for a placement with Manchester’s Craft & Design, and got it. I can not wait to start.

I’ve also taken parts in print fairs with my art-work and look forward to many more.

The main thing I am excited about is the P.G.C.E that I have applied for. I’m just waiting for my interview *fingers crossed* and then hopefully I can go on to becoming a teacher. I’ve always wanted to become one, but always thought I would need to do everything. But luckily I can specialize. I want to teach high-school and college kids graphic design/art. Having to go down tomorrow to get my reference. It’s all falling into place.

There’s lots going on this year: Personal things…

I’m moving house soon, within the next month. To a beautiful little cottage, where I can start my life with my soon to be husband. We have a beautiful little puppy who we adore, and has quickly become part of our family. I’m finishing my degree, which is terrifying, but I’m excited that it’s here. And I’m getting married. I’ve designed and made my invites all myself. Very crafty which I love to do.
Bring on the rest of the year.