project 01 :: project synopsis

It's finished!! Here is the link to the final product on Vimeo:

https://vimeo.com/203969890


I thoroughly enjoyed this project. It was refreshing to be able to create something so personal. Now that I am a junior, my graphic design education is moving from focusing on foundational skills to being able to think about myself as an individual designer, and I'm pleased with how my final product turned out! I love that I was able to incorporate so many of the creative things I enjoy.

I feel like I successfully accomplished my goal of demonstrating my technical skills of hand lettering, video-making, and storytelling (attributes that may be valuable to a future employer) while still creating something that is useful, inspiring, and encouraging to the general viewer.

project 01 :: filming & music making

I sure do love the process of making videos.

Here's some insight into our set-up on Saturday:

We filmed in a drawing studio, a coffeeshop, my dining room, and at 2 mailboxes! I'm thankful for friends who stand in as my assistant camera operators and actors. 

Here's a link to my friend's photography blog – she documented the process and took some cool photos: 

http://autumnmeyer.wixsite.com/acmphotography/single-post/2017/02/14/Cameras-and-Kylee

I also ended up recording my own music to use in the background. I played some chords on the ukulele, added some whistles and claps, then layered the sounds using a program called Audacity.

Now, back to the editing... it's coming together nicely!

project 01 :: final lettering design complete

I finalized a composition for the quote I chose! I used a process of pencil transfers, and Tombow brush pens & watercolors for materials.

Now that the prototype is complete, I will be able to move forward with filming my video. I have pages and pages of lists detailing the shots, props, sets, and the order in which I need to film each part. This will be a busy weekend!

project 01 :: final critique

Today in class was our final critique. We shared our projects in their current state and had a chance to solidify our intent and make sure we were still headed in the right direction!

It was helpful to have my classmates take a look at what I had competed and give constructive feedback. My project was still a very rough-cut – I created a video with filler clips that mostly only laid out the type of shots I would need and the pacing of the video.

Some helpful feedback I'll be implementing:

• incorporate my name more throughout the piece
• pause more on the quote so it is readable
• paint my nails ;)

project 01 :: progress update

Over the weekend I came across this quote by a woman I greatly admire:

"Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength." – Corrie Ten Boom

This speaks to me much more than the previous quote I had chosen, and using this one in my video will do a better job of showing how design can be used to encourage and inspire.

project 01 :: development

Today, I worked on a final lettering design for the quote I chose...

"You have something to offer the world that no one else can"

...and made plans for shooting the video this weekend.

There are lots of components to this process: location, lighting, props, audio, equipment, assistants...

But I'm excited about it!

project 01 :: development

Over the weekend, I nailed down an idea for my video.

The premise will be "A Letter's Journey." This title has a double meaning; it will portray the progression of letterforms from sketches to a completed design, as well as the mailing and receiving of a letter itself.

I will develop a hand-lettered design in my own style, which will serve as the subject of the video. The video will show the design being created, then finalized, then sent as a letter. The receiver of this letter will then hang up the design, and post it on social media.

The story told in the video will explore the way design can be used to encourage and inspire, and comment on how design can be so widely spread in today's society.

On a technical scale, the video will showcase my experience in digital media production as well as graphic design.

sketch of storyboard 

digital storyboard pg 1 (stock imagery used to help communicate my ideas)

digital storyboard pg 2 (stock imagery used to help communicate my ideas)

project 01 :: brainstorming

1.26.17

Today in class each of us shared our project ideas, which was helpful in understanding how to approach the project and all the different aspects we should consider.

Here's what I know for sure about my project:

• It will be a video
• It will include hand lettering
• Primary purpose: to showcase my skills as a designer
• Primary audience: other designers and future employers
• Secondary purpose: a message that is beneficial for other viewers, something inspiring and/or encouraging
• Secondary audience: general public
• It will showcase how design can be used to encourage and inspire

Things I still need to nail down:

• Specific message/theme
• Content (specific images & words)

I spent today brainstorming potential themes and conducting visual research. I'm inspired by the Jubilee Project, this video, and some designers I follow on Instagram who take pictures of their hand lettering in front of beautiful scenery.

I'm not quite ready to lay out what exactly the message of this video will be, but hopefully I'll be able to nail it down this weekend.

project 01 :: project statement

Project 01: Self-Promotional Object or Experience

When thinking about the design skills that set me apart form other designers, these are some qualities that come to mind:

• I love calligraphy & hand lettering.
• I am double majoring in graphic design and digital media production.
• Pursuing a journalism degree has given me experience in filming and editing videos, interviewing, and telling stories. It has also given me opportunities to study social media strategies and digital ways of communicating.
• Having design experience on top of these journalistic skills is incredibly helpful in today's world. I'm interested in web design, social media, and communicating through video.
• I am organized; a creative-minded person with 'Type-A' tendencies
• I love making lists.

I desire to use design to inform, encourage, and inspire people. 

Therefore, for this project I think it would make sense to create a video that promotes my hand lettering/calligraphy style and emphasizes how design can be used to inspire and encourage.

My audience can include other designers, potential clients, future employers, and the general public. 

I still have brainstorming to do in terms of what content to include in the video and if there should be an overarching message to the video (perhaps something that is more helpful to viewers than simply watching what I can do). 

My parameters include: 

• this is a 3-week-long project
• the video should be no more than 1 minute
• I want this to be a sampling of what I can create, not necessarily a full-resume self promotional video
• in today's fast paced world, people hardly watch anything for more than 10 seconds. If I want this to be shared and appreciated by a larger audience, it needs to be engaging and to the point.
• include videos of my process?

Taking all of these ideas into consideration, here is my Project Statement ::

I will create a video to promote my hand lettering work and show how design can be used to encourage and inspire.