PPP Task 1 Research

 LAYOUTS and UX I've noticed design studios use for their sites:

1. Simple white layout or black and white layout, sans-serif bold text, no specific logo or style present, scroll down box images of each project

2. Introductory logo used as image window or general logo, interaction leads into actual site 

3. More interesting layout utilises UX more and guides the user through the different areas with seamless arrows 

4. Either all the outputs are seen together collectively small, or they are large, independent, you have to scroll/click through to get to different briefs 

STUDIOS that produce work I'm interested in:

YES — Featured

- Mostly do site designs and UX which is something I have only touched on

- But their aesthetic and direction is really similar to where I would picture myself going, feels very artistic, has touches of fine art there rather than other studios which feel extremely one dimensional graphic design, super commercial branding 

- Work with lots of photographers, artists, fashion designers, galleries etc. which creates outcomes which follow the direction I look to 

> Site follows the simple UX to give space for their outputs to be appreciated, which are mostly UX website designs 

OK-RM (ok-rm.co.uk)

- Does a lot of print and publications, stuff for exhibitions and fashion runways, all things I would like to spend most of my time doing 

- As a result of these outputs the website feels interesting to me, but it is a temporary site and employs the simple direction of white unchanging background, simple click through images, almost like a portfolio, minimal UX

STUDIOS that I like the direction of:

Branding Agency London - Ragged Edge

> Ragged Edge gives itself a strong aesthetic

> Some studios choose not to do this as they may feel it corners them into an aesthetic and specific types of work - it may put off potential clients 

> I find that out of all the designers and studios in London I was looking at on the Open Directory these types of studios stood out the most, whilst those with a more minimal aesthetic and more typical direction (white/black, bold type, scrolling through outcomes etc.) blended into one another and weren't decipherable or memorable 

> Ragged Edge has really created an identity, working with visuals and type to create their image 

> Uses the instant image/animation experience which creates an impact straight away to the user entering the site

> Natural instinct for user to scroll which leads into an introduction and as you continue to scroll leads onto their outputs 

> The cursor changes into different presentations of arrows as you move on and off of highlighted sections (clickable) 

> Background colour also changes with change of output pictured as you scroll, which is a seamless way of solving the background and foreground colour problem when using a black or white background only 

> Takes away the over identity branding of the studio when focussing on the briefs themselves, and allows the viewer to see them as they are rather than part of the studio's image

> Like lots of design studios, Ragged takes on the tone and language of a force of power in the design industry, placing itself as a collective team using 'we' 'us' 'our' and using terms like 'challenge', 'change', 'power' etc. 

> This encourages the viewer to see the studio as a strong collective unit that will deliver and do the impossible 

> This does make a powerful statement, but in a sense feels almost gimmicky once its been seen consistently across many studios, but that's the problem: how do you stand out among thousands of similar studios/designers??

> Additional section where articles are provided on pieces of work they are currently doing, asking for inputs from the viewer on decisions being made on such briefs (engages you more!) etc. 

Rotate° — Design, Development & Marketing Agency for eCommerce (studiorotate.com)

- Very sleek Design, much like Ragged but reflective of and appropriate for a luxury design studio that works with holiday places, fancy water bottles etc. 

- Simple language, very brief descriptions, straight to the point, talks about 'we' as a studio, 'our' values 

- Utilises their logo as a way of showcasing the work and as a symbol for progress when scrolling through a specific brief and product 

- This brings everything together under one cohesive visual and creates a strong identity 

- Takes the viewer through their process of each brief, what the client wanted (the problem), their initial ideas, development, how it looks on different contexts 

- All in a very sleek uniform way 

- Very successful brand identity as a result and reassures you they know what they're doing and the process will be smooth and of a high quality 

> Both studios and websites use strong brand identities, sleek design, bold colours and importantly a really thought out UX of the site and how it transitions between different sections 

> It brings to the viewer their brand identity first and foremost, the transitions between this identity and the briefs themselves, each is given its own time and platform for prominence and focus as two equally important aspects 

Made Thought | Creative office for heartfelt strategy and exquisite visual craft

> Something different this studio does is that it uses serif type throughout, which gives it a more formal, less digital more print aesthetic than other studios 

> Sans serif bold text is used by most studios as it suggests modernity, progression, digital direction and understanding and so on, but seeing this serif gives a really fresh appearance to the viewer and creates quite a powerful impact 

> Again, simple layout, smooth transitions and easily navigating 

> Not particularly a strong visual identity as much as Ragged Edge may have, but its simplicity works as its visuals in its own way 

> Instant automatic slide through different briefs, using videos to engage the viewer as soon as they enter the site 

> Additional section for thoughts, ideas, articles etc. 

> Personally really like the Explore Layout with the editorial aesthetic and layout of the design work compared to many other studios which have collective work together in a more gridded layout of two per line, minimal small text... 

Interesting Approaches taken by Designers and Studios:

Gemma Copeland — Digital design

- Very different approach to most other websites I've seen 

- Utilises Arena as a way to showcase their work in sections

- What's interesting is the different perspectives and opinions they give alongside their design work

- It's used as a platform for their ideas, interests, what they have been looking at recently, articles etc. 

- It provides a real insight into who they are, their intellect around vast ranges of subjects, shows they are engaging with loads of different contexts and so on

- It is more difficult to navigate as a result though and at times can feel complicated 

- If you were to go there to look for their design work and understand their brand identity you would have difficulty 

> One thing to take away from this would be that showing an engagement with the outside world and contexts to possible clients does present you as a more in-depth understanding graphic designer 

> There is a better way of presenting this however, which I don't think Gemma Copeland has done successfully in this format 

> A link to another place like a blog with all these thoughts and research would keep the design work and thoughts separate to make it easier for the client to navigate and understand 

REFLECTION

> I have a more fine art, less commercial direction within my work and yet I show a preference for studios and identities and websites which reflect a strong commercial aesthetic?

> To combine both of these will be interesting and hopefully a unique direction

> Approaching the commercial world with an open-minded more artistic perception is certainly a strength and works well for briefs like gallery exhibition brandings, photography publications etc. 

> Central points from all successful visual identities and websites I've looked at is:

1 Simplicity, easy navigation

2 Strong visuals and consistency within this identity throughout 

3 Opinions, perspectives, additional avenues alongside showcasing work to present your ideas and interests as a designer 

4 Impactful language: Powerful, honest, brief, straight to the point, inspiring 

5 All studio names that are not someone's name are more memorable (simple, short, suggestive of identity eg. ragged edge takes on a forceful approach of power, reflective in name, while rotate shows the viewer it will help companies be full rounded in its reach and presentation and that the studio looks at things from all angles) 

WHAT IS MY VISUAL IDENTITY?

> Always approached the presentation of my work in a similar way as it was the easiest and most professional way for me last year when I was only just recognising how important presentation is

> Moved from bad phone pictures of work, to spending time on making it presentable 

> But with the amount of physical work I have produced paired with my inability with a camera scanning was the best alternative for documenting, and as a result all my work is presented on a black background

> This allows the work to speak for itself, but they are all very different outcomes

> It makes a cohesive identity for me and keeps my Insta feed more consistent, but it doesn't present the variety of ideas and aesthetics present from each brief 

> There are ways of presenting different briefs and their aesthetics without sacrificing my visual identity, as seen by Ragged Edge and Rotate

> The name I went for was Forbidden Fruit, but does this appropriately reflect my work?

> Spent a lot of time producing work on taboo subjects, touching on satirical feminism, women's issues etc. and while this is still a strong direction in my work, I have started to venture out and look to other subjects and production eg. commercial branding, futurism, digital aesthetics

> Is Forbidden Fruit too literal in its connotations now that I am venturing from it?

> Having a more open ended name related to design is more appropriate

> But as someone who doesn't necessarily want to go freelance using my own name for now is fine and appropriate for self branding 

studio name - Melanie Hudd

work - colour, bold, prominence, question ideas and values, make statements, encourage intrigue, 

tone - 

layout - 

language - strong, rebellious, genuine 

impression and feel - 

I am a designer that questions, provokes and makes a statement. I encourage intrigue and ideas, create new values and perceptions. With a fine art background and a design future, I am constantly blurring the conventions of each area together to produce new, unique ideas. My work looks to explore, experiment and exceed expectations. I see the world not for what it is but for what it could be: I want to see progression and be central to that progress, and I place ethics and inclusivity central to my practice. 

I approach print with innovative flair and digital with seamless impact. 

In a digital age, isn't every area now digital? Where does print belong? 

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