Page Development

I have produced some mock up pages for my activities, exploring composition, form and space in each design. I was mainly thinking about the layouts and content of each page before I develop the visuals. After mocking up three design for each activity, I am able to understand what I need to do in order to develop clean clear practical pages. I will ask up to 10 individuals which lay outs are prefered to confirm direction.

Activity one: Learning a new language

Design 1

Here I used a variety of natural visuals, exploring plants and nature. I thought about what language would be taught which at this time would be Japanese, however that got me thinking about teaching other languages in future issues, so I decided to display other countries and names. I feel like this could be confusing so I decided to leave it in my upcoming designs. In terms of practical content I thought about how I would teach them on paper so I displayed the english and japanese adjecent for clear display along with small note on pronunciation, however I didn’t think this was practical enough. I liked the visuals and fullness of the design but feel it needs tidying up and expanding on.

Design 2

Here I wanted to produce a similar page with more practicality, using minimal visual stimulation and more page space. I decided to use coy fish shapes, waves and huts in a way that could contain the exercise and hold it together. I contributed more directional text such as “repeat me three times” in the pronunciation section which I feel adds more practiciality within the process. I didnt want to use as much text as to keep it self-explanitory and visual so I feel this is a nice balance. I feel it would be a good idea to display how to work through each activity perhaps in the contents page to avoid messing up the pages. I like the effect of this design as it looks like a planned exercise which is important though I do feel the imagery and details needs adding to.

Design 3

Here I wanted to take a more so visual approach, using a main illustrated design in the centre with symbolic ties to the activity. I used the theme of nature and japan, displaying  road to freedom as a creative title to learning a new language. I prefer the creative take as it lightens the aesthetic and adds to the quirky fun feel, I could also use the visual as a colouring exercise. I like this design but feel it is simiar to the first in that it lacks practicality however I thought about adding two more words so the individual would have one a week till the next issue comes out furthering the effectivity of the exercise.

Activity two: Mindful Colouring

Design 1

Here I thought about what mediums the individual would use, I feel paint would be ideal for this however I want it to be friendly to felt-tips, coloured pencils and crayons. In my workshop, I gave everyone a blank piece of paper to work on so I thought about providing a blank space for expression, decorated with nature and example pieces from my workshop. I felt this would be a great idea as the individuals could add to the decorations too if they wanted. I thought about providing an inspiration box full of brush strokes and lines of crayon and sharpie. I feel this holds great potential but i got thinking about how some people would rather a contained illustration to lose themselves in so I thought about responding to that next.

Design 2

Here I created an abstract surrealst landscape, drawing from my theme and using modern arts shapes for a contemporary feel, it almost reminds me of my war work and ideas of using cubism and comauflage, I feel this could still be a good idea if I was to take an illustration route. By breaking the image into shapes and fragments, the individual can express themselves and engage until the picture is complete. I’m having difficulty thinking about which approach to go for, using an illustration or a blank space. In my next design I will focus on combining the two.

Design 3

Here I decided to use the entire page as its own contained illustration, composing two panels of space for expression. By placing the panels in the centre, the individual can further the illustration and connect the missing space or use it express their own pieces. I feel this resolves my problem however I don’t think a narrow space would work for expression, I could maybe expand the boxes or display one for expression with an accomanying illustration. I will ask the individuals during a survey which they would prefer.

Activity three: how to paint a landscape

Design 1

Here I thought about the activity in depth, and how they would be limited to paint which isn’t fair, so I thought about the idea of changing it to drawing a landscape with the option of painting if they want to, this makes sure everyone can contribute and engage. I started by referencing my primary magazine work, specifically the how to: tutorials in my painting magazine, these would all be displayed in clear boxes separated into steps as a demonstration for you to work alongside. I feel this doesn’t hold much excitement or context and could do with more detail and perhaps space to respond to. I do admire the practicality of the page.

Design 2

I then designed a basic page of visuals, using the overall result as the background with panels of space for the steps, I have realised that I need to provide them with response space which would need to go on another page, this would look like the official activity with blank spaces rather than evolving images. I feel this could be developed further through visuals. I need to think more about the image we would be drawing as well, I think using an image from one of my trips would work well, building on some values in each step teaching them the basics to drawing which they can then use on other subjects of their imagination.

Design 3

Here I used the practicality of the first design combined with the background illustration idea in the second, I then used the composition of steps with the boxes to further the design detail and composition. Over all I like the composition and feel it works well in terms of approachability. I feel the page looks the most methodical and complete out of the three but it would be good to provide some inspiration boxes like in my previous designs. I will be asking my peers and friends about their thoughts on each before I finalising a composed layout and structure for each.