The Entrepreneurs Forum

In my last module, we were given 5 briefs and told to conduct a sketchbook of ideas, including a final idea and scamp, for each. Following that, we were then told to choose our favourite brief and idea, and expand it digitally. This module was Digital Skills Application, after all.

I decided to continue The Entrepreneurs Forum, in which I was to create a brochure for a conference for the organisation. As Editorial is the area of design I would like to go into, I felt it appropriate to choose this brief. I also felt it was my strongest idea, and there was a lot I could play with and use to show my digital skills. I created a moodboard in my research and scamp phase, which you can see here.



Using the colour scheme of the Forum, found on their social media sites, I created a brochure which gives the impression of reprinting: this being my initial idea.



I also initially wanted the conference's name, "Fortune Favours the Brave" to be printed on a vellum cover sheet. As I was fading the images to make the colour stand out, I felt this would be appropriate and tie the brochure in together. Unfortunately, I soon found that no where will actually print on vellum, as it is extremely difficult and could risk breaking the printer.I think if I were to continue this module further, and expand it as a portfolio piece, I would try and find a way, or explore other ideas to give the same effect.



Throughout the brochure, I used black and white images to highlight the colour of the text. There were two pages - the middle spread, and a quote from one of the speakers, where the images were in colour. I felt this broke up the monochrome and made it look a little more interesting.



The main speaker, George Clarke, was given a full spread, unlike the other speakers who were given sections. I felt this added importance: as the headline speaker, his segment was the longest. I experimented with drop caps and fonts to create something that highlighted the professionalism of the brand, and let the colours do the talking in terms of making it fun and exciting.



Throughout the brochure, I used a serif font as the body text font. On the speakers page, I felt it looked to similar: used both on the subtitle's and body text was repetitive and looked quite boring. I used the title font as the body text instead, and found it added a new dynamic to the page.



Possibly my favourite page is the quote. I wanted something to break up all the writing and monotony, so I decided to add a quote from one of the speakers. Using an image of lightbulbs, which I felt was appropriate due to the symbolism of ideas and information, I created a bokeh effect, added a gradient and turned the shadows the shade of purple that was used throughout. I love the simplicity of it.
 

As this module was Digital Skills Application, it was more fitting to revisit InDesign to create my sketchbook. Although I work well this way, I do want to continue to explore with my sketchbook work (on paper!) and continue to expand the skills I learnt within the last module. Sketchbooks are there for you to be able to jot down, scribble, note take: they don't have to look pretty. They are there as a reflection of your thought process and a place to keep everything together: I need to remember and use this to my advantage. In the last module I found my idea generation was better due to using sketchbooks, and therefore it is beneficial to me and my work to continue this. My goal in the next module is to use a sketchbook again.

The Entrepreneurs Forum

Whilst completing my work based learning module, I created moodboards for each sketchbook I was required to create. I found this way of researching was a great help: I was able to keep the ideas I had and the inspiration and influence I had found within my research at the front of my mind. The moodboard above was created for The Entrepreneurs Forum.

Now moving into my digital skills application module, I feel it's important to keep this focal as I won't be conducting much more research, solely moving my final idea into it's digital form. My idea is to experiment using reprinting techniques.

Below I have created a SWOT analysis in which I am able to gather my thoughts around this module, and what I wanted to achieve following:

Strengths: After creating sketchbooks on certain briefs, we have now been given the opportunity to continue on from what we researched and create a final outcome. I believe this will be a strength as it will allow me to bypass research and idea creation, and allow me to focus solely on the final outcome. I have chosen to continue The Entrepreneurs Forum as I believe I am quite strong when working on InDesign.

Weaknesses: My skills on Photoshop are still quite limited, although I believe I am better with this program in comparison to Illustrator. I would like to gain a better understanding of editing images using curves and the likes, but believe this is partly my weakness in this module.

Opportunities: I have the opportunity to work on a live brief whilst also expanding my knowledge and skills of different programs that are essential to the project. I also have the opportunity to be in contact with the marketing director of the Forum, which allows me to grasp a greater understanding of the brief whilst also working with the client, which is great experience for working in the industry.

Threats: Malfunction of computers is a threat on this module and therefore it is essential to back up all work as it’s created. Resolution will also need to be kept in mind as it is important to create a high quality body of work.

My goal with this module is, instead of using mockups or mounting the spreads on card for presentation, I will actually create the brochure. I think this will challenge me as I haven't yet done such: and will allow me to gain knowledge and research into the world of printing. Having stuck with the college printers until this point, it would be great to see what companies work in Newcastle, and also use websites such as the newspaper club and ex why zed, and have a higher quality print. When I finish university and move into the industry, I won't be able to rely on college to create my prints, and therefore it will be great experience for me.