Design Process BookProject 1Ben Cronin

Table of Contents

I. Design Brief

II. Research

III. Brainstorming

IV. Thumbnails

V. Roughs

VI. Comps (Critique)

VII. Final Comp (Critique)

VIII. Final Solution (Photographs)

IX. Design Narrative

X. CD

I. Design Brief

A. Design ChallengeThe challenge for this project was to communicate the lyrics to my song of choice, visually, in an innovative and creative way. The aim was to stay away from the trite images that come to mind when one thinks about a breakup.

B. Target AudienceThe target audience for this band’s design is kids ages 13-18. The message is directed towards males and females because the lyrics affect both genders. I want the design give these teens the ability to relate their lives to the lyrics in the song and the text on the panels.

C. CompetitorsWithin the genre of breakup songs and albums there is an abundance of broken hearts and smashed roses throughout the artwork.

D. DifferentiationMy solution draws away from cliche visuals and pulls on the strings of interpretation. These six panels tell a story. There is so much symbolism thrown throughout them that the audience should find something new each time they look at them.

E. Design Goals and ObjectivesThe main goal I would like to accomplish through this design project is to create a series of images that get the message of this song across to the intended audience in a visually stimulating solution. I would like the text and imagery to flow together while creating a dynamic composition that keeps the viewer interested without being overwhelming.

http://www.howardmodels.com/Topography/Sandyvale-Botanical-Garden/index.htmlhttp://www.maydayparade.com

II. Research

III. Brainstorming

IV. Thumbnails

Using simple black boxes to convey messages.

V. Roughs

Working frame by frame to achieve visual communication of the lyrics through the imagery.

VI. Comps (Critique)

Work on making the overall look of the images and typography more cohesive. Take it to the next level.

VII. Final Comp (Critique)

Select the most effective for the cover and back.

VIII. Final Solution (Photographs)

Front Cover 1. 2. 3.

4. 5. 6. Back Cover

A. Design Goals and ObjectivesTo create a composition that successfully draws away from cliche connotations while still getting the message of the song’s lyrics through to the audience. By using a creative and innovative new approach I hope to give this band a fresh new look.

B. Design ReasoningTo begin I read through the lyrics many, many times. The song fo-cussed on a boy missing the “vibrant gleam” that was in his girl’s eyes and overall had a very somber, lonely feel to it. I wanted to focus on a form of light that is both lonely and searching and decided on the lighthouse. I also wanted to have a dark feel to the photos while utilizing the band’s iconic red umbrella. I built a model landscape and photographed it with the intention of kep-ping the design simple yet dynamic. I then inverted the colors to bring out the contrast. Lastly I decided on old strips of notebook paper with a Courier New typeface for a typewriter feel.

C. Output and Production ReasoningThe design was originally made in a 7”x7” square. Having a square design allows the artwork to easily be reformatted or cropped for use on CDs, DVDs, and many other forms of print. It uses CMYK ink.

D. Final OutcomesThis design is a delicate balance of simple and complex. The message of saudade heartbreak is easily portrayed through the frames and the longer you look the more symbolism you find. It takes the iconic red umbrella and creates a new twist on the concept of walking a lonely road. This design can be easily and cheaply formatted for nearly any form of print and would be quite the addition to Mayday Parade’s current collection of album artwork.

IX. Design Narrative

X. CD