Mistakes and things to change

First mistake I noticed was that I'd spelt recipes wrong on the thanks page. DOH. Its a small mistake and probably wouldn't be noticed by too many, however, I really want this book to as good as it can be, as I've worked really hard on it, so don't want to just call it a day when there are still imperfections and things that need sorting.

Will be going back to print this correctly so thats given me space to make some other considerations..

Here's something else I will change. This recipe is far too close to the edge of the bind. You can still see it perfectly, but if I was to stitch it even slightly wrong, some text could be lost. So I'm going to readjust this and centre it.

Finally the back cover. I want to move the text up, just below the carrot. I don't think it looks right where it is. The background colour is a little dark throughout the book too, so will change the opacity of the textures background in order to make the imagery and text stand out a little more than it does currently.

Nothing major on the whole, just little design tweaks that will improve the overall design. Being critical of my own work is really important at this stage in order to produce the best possible outcome. 

Infographic complete

Here's the first completed infographic. 

I actually really struggled making this, because its so simplified that to make it look good the layout and design needed to be perfect. I wasn't sure how to go about it. 

Getting the roughs and ideas down on paper was fine, but making it into something finished was a challenge, because I'm not a graphic designer. 

Gathering contextual research was a great help, as were books from the library like 'Information is beautiful' and 'Knowledge is beautiful.'

So many books!

Im pretty pleased with how its turned out considering I was a little out of my comfort zone. I used the mono print textures again to maintain the harmony throughout the practical.

 I may use the same information and try a few new layouts, and then propose them as leaflets, or part of a starter pack etc rather than creating lots of new ones. Need to consider time scale now especially.

The simplest imagery

Ive been finding it really difficult to make the imagery for the infographic because its so simplified that making it look good is hard! I think the application of the imagery will be the important aspect with this, and the layout of the final design. As long as its informative and visually engaging I will be happy, but right now I'm struggling to see that this might ever look good. 

Fingers crossed...

Contextual Research - Katie Shelly

Picture cook is such a great idea! It combines two sections of my research. The idea of using infographics within a cook book in order to simplify something works really well. I need to consider the simplicity of this imagery when making my info graphs. 

My cookbook is not this simple at all, but I'm working with a range of products so as a whole it should communicate exactly what I want it to. 

I think there's a gap in the market for illustrated cookbooks. Photographs are often used instead, which makes sense, but perhaps the illustrations make for a far more organic and original looking book. Maybe when my book is all together, I could take it to village and other small businesses to see of they would consider stocking it. Just a thought to consider. 

Editorial piece

This editorial piece focuses on an article that was featured in The Guardian a few years ago titled '10 ways vegetarianism can help save the planet'. Drinking too much water is one of the sub headings, and I aim to make an editorial piece for at least 3 of the 10 points. 

Ive used the textured that were used in the cook book, to maintain a coherent aesthetic, and so that the texture aspect remains an important aspect of the synthesis.

The reason I am not just working to one outcome, is because I feel this topic can be explored and used across an array of platforms. The wider the breadth of work, the wider the audience reached. The cookbook might not appeal to everyone, so by using editorial and infographics as well will boost potential viewers. This is far more educational than the cookbook, and is something that is covered within my dissertation.

The aim is to have -

- 1 completed small publication (The cookbook)

- 3 Editorial pieces

- 5 infographics

Anything extra will also be included, like the seasonal veg cards, but the above will hopefully be the main body of the practical submission.

Possible page layouts

This is one design idea. Having a recipe on one side and then the inspired textures on the other. I'm not sure whether is should be a little more muted though, maybe I should bring the opacity down a little, so that it doesn't take away from the recipe too much. Some pages will have recipes on each side, with the occasional double page spread for some more imagery. 

This is designed at A6. I was worried that this would be considered too small for a substantial submission, but I've considered my reasons. 

Why so small?

- Within my essay I argue that large corporations are taking over, and that we need to start building culture from the bottom up again. I want my book to reflect this. It will aim to help people rather than for myself to profit. 

- Texture is very important throughout this process, and I feel it is captured better when smaller.

- I want the book to be pocket sized, so that you can take it anywhere. As accessible to as many people as possible.

Layout option two. Think it could be quite interesting to vary the layout throughout, so something like this could also be an option. 

Front cover design

I like the idea of a panelled front cover, without any title. I want to out the title on a belly band, and I could perhaps foil the type. Im trying to figure out whether I want the title to be hand drawn or not, so I'm going to have to test that. I might have all of the titles of the recipes and the name of the book in hand drawn and then the rest in photoshop type. So much to consider. 

Need to work on this cover a little more, but thats the aesthetic I'm going for. 

Meeting with Roots and Fruits

On Wednesday I was invited down to Roots and fruits to discuss recipes and meet everyone there. They were so helpful, and each of them took time out of their day to sit down with me and discuss my project and what I needed. 

They gave me this recipe, and then a soup and a crumble too. I spoke with the manager and then two of the chefs, and everyone really liked what I was doing and were super enthusiastic about my work. 

As a means of thanks I would like to give them some seasonal veg postcards and then hopefully a copy of the book. 

Primary research really boosts your confidence, and is also a great way of networking. After completing this, I would feel comfortable asking them to showcase some of my work in the cafe, because I have that contact with them now.

TEXTURE

Why is texture so important in my practical response?

Texture will be the main synthesis to my essay. Within my essay I talk about the visual qualities of organic packaging, and how our minds believe things that aren't necessarily true. By using texture and imagery that is close to nature, you can achieve an eco-friendly and environmentally conscious aesthetic. With the recent push towards organic and natural products , its important that my book (that is promoting a vegetarian diet) embodies this. People will be drawn to the textures and aesthetic before the content. I am not creating any myths, but I am using what I have learnt to create something I know will work in the current market. 

Texture is also key in my practical because the textures you find in vegetables and food vary so drastically. Which is why I have been using mono print textures to create the images. 

Today I did some more mono printing, and eventually I plan to make a book of textures, because its a really important part of this module, both in my writing and visual. 

Need to scan these in and tidy them up. I really want my book to be original though, not printed digitally. That way I'm keeping it all as organic and raw as possible. The cook book is of course being printed digitally but the mono print book needs to be kept as it is. I just need to figure out the best way to do it. 

More mono printing next week. 

Some more primary research

Grub and Grog have really inspired a large part of this project for me, after doing some research there a few months ago, and meeting the guys that work there. I learnt quite a lot about organic farming and organic food through them, so thought id see if they would be interested in my practical and helping out like Roots and Fruits have. 

The response was really great. 

Having exchanged emails regarding organic movies previously probably helped me out a little, so networking is really useful. 

Ive replied with some examples of my work and the design board I made for Monday, which is proving to be very useful when trying to explain my ideas to people, as its a much easier way to visualise the final product.

I will hopefully go and meet with Dan this Sunday to discuss things further, but its all starting to come together. 

Seasonal veg postcards

 Finally finished these. Just in time to take with me to Roots and Fruits, to show them my work and what the aesthetic of the cookbook will be like. The response was really great, they loved the work and seemed really excited by the whole idea. (More on that later)

The vegetables have taken a while to get right, but now that I have them I almost have a catalogue of endless possibilities. There's so much I can do with these. They will be used throughout the cookbook and then proposed for other things too.

I'm going to print these seasonal veg postcards to sell at a market this Saturday, and also to give out to the folk that are going to help with my primary research as a means of thanks, such as Roots and Fruits. 

Using mono print textures in photoshop has opened a whole new world for me. I think I will be using this process frequently in the future. 

Development- 

Hand-drawn type to maintain the hand made feel, and to add texture
to the type. 

Mono prints used for the vegetables. Will be making more mono prints tomorrow to add to the collection. 

Contextual research- Luba Lukova

Finding lots of interesting work in the 'Graphic Agitation' book, which is really inspiring me and feeding into my practice. Absolutely love the work by Luba Lukova, very simple but with a powerful impact and message. This sort of simple imagery will be really good to use within my infographics, as I was over complicating imagery previously. 

Need to consider the work that inspires me when creating practical work. 

What works well-

-Block colours

-Minimal colour palette

- Graphic imagery that's easy to understand

- Although these images are completely separate, they could work as a series because of their aesthetic. Would look good in an exhibition if multiplied.

I should-

-Consider minimal colour palette

- Create work that could work separately as well as together

- Create imagery thats obvious and easy to understand.

Primary research

Noticeable feedback from today's session was that I was lacking primary research, which I knew. So tonight I decided to change that and emailed some cafes in Leeds that might get on board with offering recipes for the cookbook. Already had a really positive response which has really excited me and I think it will drive my practical forward. 

I would like to have some examples of my work printed out for her to have a look at before I meet with her on Wednesday. I think this will kickstart my practical, and hopefully open some new doors for me, in the way of meeting and networking with the right people.

• Conversation started today
• 

  21:43

  Tilly Catherine Naomi Butters

  Dear Roots and Fruits,

  My name is Tilly and I’m a third year illustration student studying at Leeds College of Art, currently making a vegetarian cookbook as a part of my dissertation. I was wondering if you might have any short recipes you would like to contribute to the book? I will of course reference you, and make you a copy as a means of thanks if you do decide to help.

  Thank you for your time, and for providing fabulous vegetarian meals to the people of Leeds, I absolutely love what you do.

  Hope to hear from you soon,

  Tilly
• 

  22:12

  Roots And Fruits Leeds

  Awww thanks Tilly! We'd love to be part of your dissertation. Can you call in to chat?

  Kay
• 

  22:15

  Tilly Catherine Naomi Butters

  Amazing! Yeah I can call in for a chat for sure, when suits you best and I'll check my timetable.
• 

  22:22

  Roots And Fruits Leeds

  We are normally quiet between 3&5, can you do tomorrow or Wednesday?
• 

  22:27

  Tilly Catherine Naomi Butters

  I can call in on Wednesday around 4, would that be alright? Ah I'm super excited!
• 

  22:32

  Roots And Fruits Leeds

  Wednesday it is.

  See you on Wednesday. Kay

  
  

  
  

  
  

Cop practical workshop and review

Todays workshop was a little different to the usual crit, in that there were two sections, with some practical in-between. Without being able to explain my ideas to my peers made me realise that perhaps my ideas and thought processes aren't being documented well enough. So from today, I need to blog my development and ideas as I go, otherwise I will forget what I have and haven't said. 

Perhaps my design boards weren't fully explanatory either, it is difficult to communicate exactly what you're trying to achieve when it synthesises with such a vast amount of theory. 

This needs to be considered throughout the next few weeks.

This is my weeks plan, which I think its feasible. I really want to spend the whole of wednesday mono printing, but I have start up wednesdays to consider, which will take up 2 hours right in the middle of the day. Slightly annoying but I think I can manage it, as long as I've planned what I want to mono print before getting there I should be fine. 

Things to consider after today's session- 

- I should submit design boards for the proposed outcomes. 

- Design boards are good platforms for communicating visual development in one place, so could make a few for development too.

- How will I present my work? 

- Consider colour palette for the info graphs, keep it limited and aesthetically similar to the other work I create. 

-Lacking primary research- DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS.