sample pages of my book...

I am still playing around with the layouts and designs of each page as well as the stories, etc., but thought I might put a few on here to show how things are coming along so far.

Logo sketches for Penn Point Designs

I have been working on my book and my logo design has been neglected. I took some time out tonight to get a few sketches down. I took some advice and started taking away from my original design to see what I could come up with. 

Frustration....

I am working on my book. The photographs I took thus far are not very good at all....GGgrrrr!!!...

I am frustrated!!!!!!

Yes, I revamped my statement again...

Design for Elegant Frugality, Sustainable Graphic Design

‘Trash To Treasure’ Book

There is an astonishing amount of trash being thrown in our landfills each year. In UK alone there is over one tonne of trash being produced annually in each home. (Source: Harrow District Council)

My objective is to design an interactive book with tools and tips to reuse and recycle consumer’s trash and turn it into treasure by creating second-uses for consumer packaging and ways to recycle existing items in the consumer’s homes. The book will be simple to follow and playful. There will also be places to add new treasure finds along the way.

My target audience will be people of all ages and economic backgrounds. I want them to have fun and to feel confident and empowered that learning and doing even the small things listed in the book they CAN make a difference in the environment.

I will be frugal in my design as well and use existing items to create my message.

My Revamped Statement

Design for Elegant Frugality, Sustainable Graphic Design

Trash To Treasure

There is an astonishing amount of trash being thrown in our landfills each year. We are living way beyond our means. In UK alone there is over one tonne of trash being produced annually in each home. (Source: Harrow District Council)

My objective is to design an interactive book with tools and tips to reuse and recycle consumer’s trash and turn it into treasure by creating second-uses for consumer packaging and ways to recycle existing items in the consumer’s homes.

My target audience will be people of all ages and economic backgrounds. I want people to feel confident and empowered that by doing even the small things listed in the book they CAN make a difference in the environment.

The visual style of the interactive book will be simple, vibrant and playful. I want the audience to have fun reading the book and learning how they can help the environment and how easy it can be to make a difference and incorporating their own treasure finds in the process.

I am designing for frugality so my design elements will be by reusing existing items to create my message.

I started off yesterday frustrated and feeling bogged down by information and felt that I was hitting a brick wall with my design efforts. 

I stepped back 

I started again today with a fresh outlook. I think I had TOO MUCH in with my work and had to start taking away and simplifying my designs.

 

So, I am playing around with some visuals for my story. 

Books I checked out this Week

Alex Katz Collages (I enjoyed the simplicity of the artist's style, very eye-opening)

Beware of Wet Paint Designs By Alan Fletcher (very inspiring!)

The Art Of Looking Sideways By Alan Fletcher (Full of great ideas and inspiration)

Recycled Papers: The essential Guide By Claudia G. Thompson

The Green Paperchase Prepared By Anne Chick

The view from MY window

Playing around...

Breaking it all down

I was pondering the past few weeks on what type of media I want to use and how I want to present my message. After last week’s class and a trip to the V & A Museum I am focusing in on a collage-type design for my “Trash To Treasure” book. 

I have been collecting magazines, plastic packaging, bubble wrap, newspapers, etc.; pretty much anything that can be recycled/reused again.

Along with collecting items for my design project I came across some great examples of collage work that I really like.

I really like the dimension of this piece....

I went to the see The Cold War Modern exhibit at the V & A Museum last week. The revolutionary period of the 1960s and the artist that pushed the envelope with their work inspired me most.
The Revolution Period in the 1960s was a time in which masses of people felt that going out in the streets and protesting was a more effective way of changing society than going to the ballots to cast a vote. Many throughout this period protested the wars and society in this manner.
Many artists and designers showed their views about war and society through their work.
One designer I found very inspiring in this time period was Jiri Kolar. He designed this poster using material that he gathered throughout that year (1968) that was circulating in the Czech media.

A diary of 1968, Entrée
Jirí Kolár (1914-2002). Czechoslovakia, 1968

I was very much inspired by his collage designs. He did not use fancy computer programs or computers, but rather used things around him to create a message; papers, restaurant menus, newspapers, etc. I find a real passion and connection with his style of work.

I am going back to basics for my project and ready to get my hands dirty. I am designing for elegant frugality and this gathering of information and designing just as Jirí Kolár did just makes sense.

 

My Trash To Treasures

Here is my "Trash To Treasures" book layout so far.  

I then began my sketches for the sketch page in the book. 

Mesh vegetable packaging, which can be turned into dish scrubbers. They are great for your pots and pans and don't scratch the lining!

There are so many uses for water bottles including creating a vase and a funnel! These are great ideas people gave me! The ideas can be endless sometimes!

a plastic stir fry container revamped into a coffee and coffee scoop holder! I also have one to put my spices in so that my cupboard doesn't get so messy.  

Many uses for glass honey and jam jars...candles. I love gather several glass jars of all sizes together and placing them on one table. I add tea lights to them and they look amazing! If I have spare time I paint little designs on them as well, for a fun look! 

I have one glass pasta jar, which is a taller jar,  I use for a toothbrush and toothpaste holder.

old newspaper, a few markers and there is a secret message wrapping paper!

apart from hanging clothes up, clothes pins are fabulous for keeping crisps, pasta, bread coffee and all sorts of food fresh. I like to paint my for a bit of sparkle. 

I began playing with different media to sketch on.....

I have been experimenting with my oil and charcoal pastels. They seem to really stand out on the brown cardboard...

More to come later. Stay tuned!