This week, worked on more variations of my existing logo designs. These variations were mostly my attempt at trying to portray the vintage, 1920s feel. I hoped to do this by the font choice, color and use of other elements such as framing, borders, and ribbons. Based on my research, these elements were essential in the design work that was done during that time period. I feel that these logos are a close (but far from perfect) reflection of the style that I was aiming for. Color also played a huge role in the design. I am happy with the feeling that I am getting from a few of these logos and feel that I am getting closer to the look and overall feel that I want for my train.

My concern at this point that was raised during the critique on Thursday, was that I am getting too far away from the feeling of up north. Questions were raised such as: what types of words would you use to define up north? What is the font communicating? These questions made me question whether I should be gearing my logo more towards the "feeling of northern michigan", the real essence of up north or sticking to the vintage charm. Can I have both? I would like to.

The biggest thing I got from the critique..my logo should reflect an experience, just like the train.

Goal for next week: get peer critiques...what should stay, what should go. Ask what feelings people get from the existing logos. Also, come up with KEY words for northern michigan and make sure that they are reflected in my design.

Work done this week: Library research and reading (3 hrs), logo work (5 hrs).

Week 10: Logo Continued

This week, I continued to work on my logo. My goal was to try and work with lettering and fonts that were much less delicate than the ones I had worked with last week. However, in many cases I think the logos I designed look far too contemporary and are starting to move away from the style that I would like. The one logo I am still drawn to in this grouping is the one second down in the left hand column, although I am not sure if it is readable as an "N" and an "E". I am happy that I went down this road because now I know that the logos I did last week are much more the style I am looking for. I am still working hard towards a logo that gives off a "special event" feeling.  I will continue to work on logos and plan to bring many more variations to the critique on Thursday to ask opinions from the class. 

The logos designed this week:

In addition to my logo, I will start to sketch ideas for my brochures such as how I want it to be folded and what I want the outside shape to take. I think this will help me to move forward and continue to build an aesthetic for the train. 

Work done this week: Reading (2 hrs), Logo Design (3 hrs), Online invitation research (1 hr), Book research for logo design (1.5 hrs) 

Week 9: Logo

This week I made my first attempt at logos. At this point they are just basic sketches. In my logo designs, I incorporated the hand written "the escape" with other fonts that I felt demonstrated a retro feel. I also played around with using different shapes as borders to the text to mimic a vintage photo frame. My first attempt logos can be seen below: 

I think that I learned a lot from these first designs. First, I realized that while the hand written text I made may be beautiful, it may also be too delicate for a logo and hard to read. In addition, this text looks a little too feminine. As discussed in a mini critique on Thursday, I should remember that the train is a heavy machine too. From this discussion, I have some logo ideas which could remain delicate while having more power than the current designs. I know that my logo needs to stand alone. I am now still wanting to draw my own font but keep it more simple and less delicate. Further, I would still like to work with the framing around the text making it look like a stamp. Lots of trail and error and work a head of me! More logos to come... 

IP work done this week: Read design books (1/2 hr), worked on logo designs (4.5 hrs), Meet with design group and Seth (1/2 hr), discussed work with peers (1 hr) 

Week 8: Text Design

This week I was determined to create an original text. I wanted my text to evoke a feeling in the viewer. It was also important to me that it had a delicate, calm and one-of-a-kind feeling. To create this text, I started by sketching in my sketch book and then scanned the ones that I liked the best. Some of my sketches can be seen below:

After sketching, I worked on creating vector images from the text by using the pen tool to outline the text. The final text can be seen here: 

I am really happy with the way that the text turned out and I am now working on incorporating this text into brochure designs. I am interested in playing around with the format of the text and exploring the different ways I can use it in the brochure design. 

This week, before working on my own text, I played around with another brochure design that played off of the vintage label look. I like the simplicity of it and I am hoping to use the text I have made and work it into a design similar to this one. I also would like to start incorporating some vintage patterns into my designs. I think they would work really well with the text I have made.  

My plan and goals for next week are to continue to work on my brochures by incorporating my new text and exploring color. I would also like to ask the class what they think of the text so far and the name "Escape", which is what I thinking for the name of my train right now. 

IP work done this week: Worked on brochure design (45 min), sketched/worked on text in illustrator (5 hours), read book on Art Deco design (45 min) 

Week 7

This week I started to turn my research into something visual by creating mock up brochure covers. During this process, I explored colors and different texts. The brochures can be seen below:

After this exploration, I determined that I was happiest with the one that did not use a photograph. While I think that scenery and depicting the colors that will be seen from inside the train looking out, I do not think that using a photograph is giving me the mood that I am looking for in my design. Rather, I would like to further explore using text only and possibly adding illustrations to later iterations. When using text only, it is essential that I create the mood with the text. I will do this by hand drawing some of my text so that I can add tiny details such as curved and delicate line work. Since I want the feeling of my train to be elegant and comfortable, my font will need to display this. I am in the process of designing some text now and I hope to  be able to scan it in and play around with formatting this weekend.

IP work done this week: Worked on brochures (6 hours)

Week 6

This week I spent most of my time working on my midterm proposal. One of my main focuses for the midterm proposal was understanding my audience. After many discussions and reflections on my project idea, I determined that my IP project is directed a specific group of people and culture. Recognizing this group of people has and will continue to help in determining future design elements and decisions.

This week I also researched the Michigan Central Railroad. I was interested in this railroad because it was an important railroad line that used to run within Michigan. Further, one of the train depots is located in Northern Michigan in a town called Charlevoix. It was interesting to learn about the type of public transportation that used to run within Michigan and its contribution to the state. Since it is no longer running, I hope that my IP project will both bring back memories and show what train transportation could be if it ran again.

My goal for next week is to start putting my research into some type of visual format. I will start doing this by creating design briefs for two different trains (a commuter train and a site seeing train). I will list materials needed for the inside of each of these trains and compare/ contrast how they would be similar and different. These briefs will contain dummy content and will focus primarily on color and fonts in attempt to establish a tone for both my train and the northern Michigan culture.

IP work done this week: worked on proposal (2.5 hrs), continued artist and train research (1.5 hr), began design brief mock up sketches (4 hrs), logo sketches (2 hrs).

Week 5

The weeks in my studio have been flying by and I am already reflecting on my 5th week. This week, I still worked on research. This week, I have been looking at inspiring artists in addition to companies that do branding work and have come across a couple artists and companies that really inspire me. The first artist that I am drawn to is Tom Geismar. Not only am I inspired by he work he has done but by his process. I was especially interested in the role that sketching on paper plays in his design process. As stated in his interview with Logo Design Love, "Sketching allows me to indicate certain forms, especially curves, that I find difficult and cumbersome with the computer. And sketching allows me to suggest and idea or concept, while drawing with the computer leads very quickly to a sharply defined object". I can definitely agree with the advice given by Geismar. I think I tend to get restricted by the tools on the computer when forming ideas and sketching would allow me to not be restricted to these areas right away. I have also been intrigued by the work done by Landor Associates, a strategic brand consulting firm. Their motto is "creating brands that transform business". Their work involves taking an ordinary company and making it extraordinary. Their work stands out from other companies. I was especially interested in the Delta Sky Miles project. They created an unforgettable name, which stood out from other airline frequent flyer programs. A glimpse of the project:




The entire project and the rest of their work can be seen here:  LANDOR


I have also gotten all of the Amtrak travel brochures, and have been looking at the format and layout of the book as well as the information provided. I have found it to be informative so far.

For the upcoming week, I am focusing a lot of my time on my project proposal. I am extremely happy with the feedback I received on the draft proposal I wrote and will use the comments and suggests in the final proposal. I will make sure to pay special attention to my audience, as this was my biggest criticism in my comments. Also this week, I would like to begin to create some mock up logos and booklets, just to start and look at the styles and layouts I am interested in. I would also like to explore color, because I think color will play a very important role in my project.

IP work done this week: Worked on draft proposal (1.5 hours), researched (3 hours), read through amtrak brochures and took notes (1 hour), Consulted with Erica (1/2 hour), sketched (1/2 hour)

More updates next week!