505 - 2 - Poster Experimentation

In response to the poster designs in the previous post I began experimenting with how I can set out the layout for the content that needs to be put in. I knew I was looking at about 3 different bits of content, which could be experimented with in terms of type style - bold, italic, roman, etc.

I focused on how I could expose the negative space and allow the structure of the poster to guide your eyes around the most important information..






I tried various layouts, but it was clear to me how I was most keen on the simple designs, were the information seemed to be pieced together in an efficient way, acting as a guide to help navigate your eyes around the content.


I eventually developed a style which felt consistent throughout all 5 and the modern design style felt most appropriate.



I took these designs to a Crit, as I wanted to ensure it felt consistent to other viewers.
- It was immediately pointed out there was way too much text on the poster, it draws your eye away from illustration and confuses your eye to the point were you don't know where first - needs to be simplified and enhance the white space, most appropriately guiding your eye around the content. 
- There is nothing wrong with the layout I just need to reduce the amount of text as no-one will ever read that much content on a poster anyway.
- So split the writing out between posters, or re-address this.
- I questioned whether people thought I should introduce colour to the posters, but it was agreed that it is not necessary and will only draw away from my illustrations and confuse the content. By experimenting with the outlined text horizontally this creates enough variation for the eye to be satisfied and not un-engaged.
- I should now also explore various typefaces and the different impacts and feelings they can give off.

Content on Posters:
- I want these printed poster designs to act as an insight, not giving away too much information. They should intrigue people as to what the challenge is, then encouraging them to interact with it online to educate themselves through the social media pages.
Originally I had used this summary on the posters:

Are you always checking your phone? Do you use your tablet every night before bed?  

With traditional values under constant attack from modern day life and a variety of mental, physical and emotional issues stemming from technology overuse. We increasingly miss out on the important moments of our lives as we pass the hours with our noses buried in our phones.

So put it down more often throughout the day and get involved with The Unplugged Challenge! Can you last 2 weeks with no devices after 10pm? Give it a try and see how it helps you. 

This felt way too bulky and would never get read by passers by, so I wanted to slim it down, make it more appropriate to everyone, and read in a much snappier way, drawing you in to finding out more..

Do you live your life with your nose buried in a screen?

Aim to put your phone down more throughout the day and get involved with The Unplugged Challenge! 

Can you last 2 weeks with no devices after 10pm? Give it a try and see how it can help you.

I decided to use this on every poster to keep it consistent throughout, the only things changing being the illustration, the layout varying slightly and then the punchline to go with each illustration.

It was now time to begin exploring typography..

Firstly I used 'Gotham'

- It's sans serif universal appearance is extremely legible and provided me with styles in Black, Italic and regular to emphasise the various content.

- It's regular and consistent form makes it a very effective typeface to use however I wanted something with a bit more character..

I trialled it as an outline to provide some variation and abit more depth, I do like the effect it has had on the balance of the poster although I do want to find something with more character..






Beneath I tried 'Biko', a very swiss feeling sans-serif typeface which I used a lot last year. It has a bit more character to it and almost makes the illustration feel softer and more pastel-y in a way, I want it to feel stark, really representing the assertive yet approachable tone I want the collateral to have.
(again the outline is something I will consider if I stick with a sans-serif typeface)

 

I decided to jump the fence and go for something really out there and charismatic. This typeface is called 'Narziss Pro CY' and it comes in both UltraBold and Regular for the various type sizes.
In the lowercase heading it feels particular fancy, however I could imagine this in a female fashion magazine.

As my audience is a broad one I want a typeface which is very legible for all, yet reflecting the topic of modern technology.








I thought that the more subtle serif typeface 'Georgia' would provide me with the happy medium, offering a range of weights and styles for various collateral. 
I wasn't keen on how it sat in caps on the horizontal text and it feels like a newspaper of some sort now!

Definitely back to sans serif!












Finally I came back to 'Eurostile LT'. 
Originally designed in the 60s by the Nebiolo foundry as a more complete version of the earlier Microgramma (a caps-only font). 

It has big, squarish shapes with rounded corners which make it feel strong and appropriate - described as reflecting television sets from the era!
Eurostile has sustained the ability to give text a dynamic, technological aura. Perfectly fitting my focus.

It works well for brash headlines and small bodies of text as it's font family has 11 weights, from roman to bold and condensed to extended - allowing variation within the various collaterals. It looks especially effective as an outline - not drawing away from the main focal point of the illustration in my posters.



Here are the final versions of the posters, all balanced out: