For this one day brief, we were given the concept of producing an event for the people of Leeds. The budget is no option and it is to last between 4-7 days. It can be as imaginative, open-minded and creative as we wish.
We were put into 4 groups and started brainstorming ideas. One of the ideas came from a discussion about the German market which was the idea of having a world festival which would explore 7 different cultures around the world. Half of the group went onto brainstorming further into this idea and the group ended up naturally dividing in half.
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| Brainstorming of the Idea |
Using the name 'Around the World in 7 Days', we decided that we would showcase different festivals from around the world in order to educate the audience so that they can see for themselves the importance of the festivals to those specific cultures. It would also encourage people of those cultures to get together and be proud of their heritage and where they come from, bringing the festivities to them. Plus, people would have no choice but to interact and socialise with each other face to face.
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| Planning Sheet |
We settled on 7 worldly festivals which we felt would provide a eclectic taste for the audience whilst providing a large amount of fun and interactivity so that the audience would be able to participate for themselves.
The festivals are:
- Rio Di Janeiro- Carnival
- America- July 4th Independence Day
- China- Chinese New Year
- Germany- Octoberfest
- Spain- La Tomatina
- India- Festival of Colour
- Australia- Australia Day
We split these up amongst our group to be able to research into them in more detail to be able to provide an informed design decision.
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| My Research into Independence Day |
Within my research, I looked into the history of the event and the reason behind it. I looked into the traditional celebrations that happen and I started to mould my day on that. I wanted to have a traditional parade, with a re-inactment of the signing of the charter and a gun salute. I would have a fair alongside a baseball game and the day would finish with a large fireworks display. I would have vans with American food and would have a mixture of a brass band, country music and impersonators to provide music so that there is an authentic feel to the day.
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| Other Research Sheets made by the Group |
After coming together as a group, we decided that we would need to brand our event by fitting the name with a branding logo which could be used to promote the event.
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| Typographic Logo |
The group liked the idea of having the name of the event in the shape of the world and that the letters would take on the uneven shapes that the countries make on the world. Alex came up with the type design and Sarah quickly mocked it up on Illustrator.
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| My America Typographic Logo |
We wanted to be able to have an identity that would work for all of the events that was inter-changable based on which festival it was advertising. I came up with the idea of putting a party hat on the world which I then evolved onto having a corresponding traditional hat from that culture which could be swapped and changed so that it would work for all of them.
We then presented what we had done to our peer group which went successfully. Something that was particularly praised was the logo branding yet we were questioned as to why people would want a festival twice and might be seen as insensitive. Saying that, in the brief it said to be open-minded so if we can then the audience can be too and help the education of the british people.
After taking part in the workshop, we then had to answer a questionnaire for John to evaluate the day.
Did you find this interesting?
I found it interesting as it managed to allow us a lot of freedom to be as imaginative as we could be which I liked. It showed that with one good idea, you can work to produce some great inspiration and create some strong designs to bounce from it.
Was it useful in any way?
I felt that it was useful in the sense that it was fun to do something that was slightly unconventional and had little pressure on us.
Why?
It was a fun brief rather than being worried about deadlines or finished pieces even though we were still working.
Did you find it useful or difficult to collaborate in a group scenario?
In a sense, it was difficult because we were the only group in the class to split in half which is a bad sign, however, it was very natural and veered from discussions within ideas. Normally, I don't like working in a group because there is usually friction and arguments as people don't agree but in the group we had, we manage to select a great idea and run with it in a positive way, assigning each other jobs and getting on with it.
How was the time limitation?
I felt that it would have been good to make it a half day session or maybe finish at half past 1 because, as a group, we did start to lull at about half past 12 until we decided to expand it into producing a logo design. I felt that it would have been too long if it was a full day session.
Do you think it added to the creativity or not?
In a sense, it did because it meant that once we came up with a concept that we were very quick at producing ideas and solutions yet in a sense, it did mean that if we hadn't come up with an idea, it would have become very stressful to produce something in those circumstances.
Because it mentioned 'multicultural' did it create issues?
Not at all, if anything it influenced our idea and we built it around the idea of being proud as a nation to be a multicultural society.
Was the issue of 'age' a negative? if so, why?
The issue of age wasn't a problem that we had either. In some senses, for some festivals, children would not be able to take part in festivities like the paint throwing in the festival of light for there own safety but in general, we wanted to keep everything family friendly and fun as festivals are a time for families to get together and meet face-to-face.
What did you 'like' or 'not like' about this way of doing a workshop?
I liked the way that the workshop was quite open and allowed us to use our imagination without the constraints of real life or requirements of a brief. I can understand that the timing of the workshop was suppose to give us a day off but I would have rather used the day to work on the briefs I have for the important module deadlines. I felt that it would have been good to have it after the module deadlines so that it would be a nice way to finish off the year.
Did having to edit your presentation to 8 boards difficult to achieve?
I felt that 8 boards was just the right amount. i feel that any more would have been too many to do yet less than 5 would have meant that there wasn't much work for us to do so we would have been off task.
Why do you think we did this?
I think we did this to show us how much work you can get done in a day when you are given a focus. I think it also reminds us the reason why we decided to do graphic design, not for the deadlines or the stress but to remind us of the fun we have doing it.
