Emil and the detectives: Initial Research

I have decided to have a go at the penguin random house competition brief, although I am unsure as of yet whether to do all three books or just one. Due to being an incredibly slow reader I will need to take this into consideration when planning my time!

So far, I have read the children's book Emil and the detectives by Erich Kästner, and have made my mandatory start of brief mind map:

Going from what we have already learnt about deconstructing a brief and answering it in the most effective way; I would like to try and tell a story...within a story.

I did a google search to have a look at the range of book jackets already existing for Emil and the detectives:

A lot of the covers already existing are quite outdated as the book is almost 90 years old, consisting of very basic illustrations (most of which aren't really that exciting). 

Here are some previous winners from the same competition last year:

I have noticed that the winner and runners up have used very limited colour palettes, and have used hand rendered methods of image making; this is something that I need to take on board. The more crafted images appealed to the judges, and will appeal to the young readers too.

Factors which I will consider to make my book jacket stand out:

• An interesting narrative
• A striking yet appropriate colour scheme (to make the book desirable)
• My audience: children between the ages of 8-11?
• Appropriate layout, imagery and type

What I will do from here:(in the next week; deadline Dec 7)

• Explorative drawing: characters, buildings etc
• Research into the 1920's era
• Look at potential narratives
• Come up with three-five thumbnail sketches

Peer review and Lino prints

Peer Review Queries

• I think my printing ideas are too literal; how can I refine them

• What sort of printing process shall I use?!

Peer Feedback

• Do some more mono-printing; do some abstract brains

• Make up brains from objects too for example the things that Oliver Sacks loved.

• Try the prints and see what they look like, refine them digitally if you get stuck

Ben's Feedback

• This way of working (the lino prints) is too graphic for you...

• Consider making a book

• Your drawings of objects and scenes from the film are really good, do some mono prints of these

Reflection

This feedback has left me feeling like I've hit yet another brick wall, and that I'm just going round and around in circles!I appreciate what people are saying but I just feel like I can't make decisions for myself. Part of the reasoning for this is that I haven't yet discovered what my real strengths are within illustration; I want to be good at everything and try new things but this just isn't possible. So at the moment I'm feeling utterly deflated, and that I don't want to continue with the project because I just keep hitting brick walls.

Results of my lino prints:

I really dislike my mono prints, I am so heavy handed with the cutting tool that they do not look delicate and aesthetically pleasing.

Things I will do from here:

Ben suggested that I 'make a shit load of mono prints' for next Tuesday. So I will go crazy and have a go at that I think. I will also look for more inspiration to keep me motivated (because my motivation is at an all time low right now!

Responsive Lecture: Narrative/ Task

Narrative in our Responsive work:

• Our work needs to be memorable as so many people are entering these competitions: it needs to stand out and provoke reaction
• Stories saturate our lives
• Using narrative can enhance and underpin your creative work

Three levels of narrative:

• Thesis- statement/theory put forward to be maintained/proved 
• Antithesis- direct opposite comes along and there is conflict
• Synthesis- things are resolved

The John Lewis adverts use this structure; they sell a story and not the product, this way they are so successful at promoting the brand through emotion.

Seven basic plots

• Overcoming the monster
• Rags to riches
• The Quest
• Voyage and return
• Comedy
• Tragedy
• Rebirth

Task: Select a YCN/D&AD brief; Fever Tree premium natural mixers

Apply adjective: Sophisticated
Identify facts: 

• The brief states that we have to design limited edition bottles to raise money for Malaria No More UK
• The product is a premium tonic water/ mixer designed to enhance the worlds finest spirits
• They are unrivalled in terms of quality and taste
• The product uses all natural ingredients, no artificial sweeteners and flavourings
• It has been voted the best selling and top trending tonic brand (drinks international 2015)
• It is proudly poured in 8 of the worlds top 10 restaurants
• Sold in thousands of pubs, bars, restaurants and hotels in the UK as well as most major supermarkets and independent stores across the UK.

What is the brand community?

The brand community consists of consumers that enjoy sophisticated and higher quality alcoholic drinks, and are happy to pay more than the bare minimum to enjoy the drinking experience. 

What do the facts say?

The facts say that the market for this product is hindering more towards the niche category; for over 18's that enjoy drinking high quality alcohol products. I get the impression that Fever tree want to promote the brand to more affluent customers, which reflects in their pricing against more mainstream and cheaper alternative mixers such as coca cola. 

Can you apply emotion?

I would find it difficult to apply emotion to the fever tree brand alone, although if I took into consideration the connection with the charity Malaria No More UK I could try to interpret a more emotive theme in that way.

Can you communicate facts in an engaging story which highlights values/ benefits of the brand?

Again, I would find it rather difficult to think of a story associated with the brand. I personally find that the most engaging and emotive stories used within advertising feature children, with a young, naive and charming perspective on the story being told, the same being with the narrative being focused on a family etc. However this would be a little more difficult with the alcoholic restrictions being applied

Conclusions/plans from here:

If I am to have a go at this brief I will have to do so very carefully. I know now that narrative is the most effective and emotively engaging method of tackling a brief. Although I realise that with an age-limited product that this might close a few doors with emotive opportunities. However the connection with the charity Malaria No More UK could spark an emotional engagement with the people that this charity is trying to help, which could reflect upon the brand in some way.

What I will do from here:

• Try the drinks for myself; record the flavours taste and overall experience
• Research competitors and the market
• Research into the charity Malaria No More UK

Responsive Issues

Problem Identification

Due to my acute struggles with the 504 module, responsive for me has worryingly taken a seat on the back burner. I am still unsure which briefs to tackle, and have still not made a start on anything.

I wanted to have a go at the Ruskin Prize, and also the Christmas card brief but due to lack of planning ahead and managing my time efficiently I have been unable to do so. This is something that I need to change pronto if I will pass this year!

Problem Solving/Organisation

I have downloaded a timetable frame so I can manage my time better on a weekly basis; making specific allowances for each module: I will also try to do this on a larger basis too so I can plan ahead in the future.

This week's timetable

Also, at home on my desk I have written out the deliverables and deadlines for each module, with a post it note of the immediate tasks I need to do underneath.

Briefs I am interested in at this stage

• Illustration Friday (for about 10 weeks?)
• Penguin Brief- I am unsure whether or not to do just one book or all three to make it a substantial brief
• Royal watercolour society
• YCN Fever tree

Soundtrack and Storyboard task

Sting example 1 http://isodesign.co.uk/projects/the-old-guys

This 20-second sting is used for the title sequence to a BBC comedy series entitled 'the Old Guys' which aired from 2009-2010. The hand-crafted paper cutouts and jazzy upbeat music attracted me to this sting.

Music: 'I'm happy' - Ivor Cutler (the lyrics say 'I'm happy (x6), and I'll punch the man who says I'm not') suggesting that each male character in the first person declares to be very headstrong in the fact that they are 'happy'.

Frame deconstruction

Clive swift looking relatively happy and content with his surroundings; a well furnished home and a lady, until the giant hands start to grab and remove his belongings.

Facial expressions change to outraged as his belongings have all been taken away, and a random suitcase is plonked next to him.

(the theme tune of 'I'm happy' is starting to take an ironic note)

Roger Lloyd pack is in a similar position, he is happily surrounded by happy punters at a busy bar...

...When everything is removed from his surroundings too, and he is also given a random suitcase.

Lloyd- Pack and Swift meeting for the first time with their suitcases, not looking too amused about the situation.

What seems to be a very uncomfortable car journey...

The pair being placed in a living room, propped awkwardly next to each other on a small sofa. Two younger women appear; an indication to the audience that Clive and Lloyd-Pack will interact with these women during the series.

The end sequence, showing the gentlemen outside their new shared house with their arms round each other and a sun shining above their heads. This suggests that although the first impressions of each other were not great, they may in fact befriend each other in the duration of the series.

I have noticed that this sting is very 'busy' and quick paced, in effect that something, somewhere in the frame changes with every beat of the music, although the changes are not strictly rhythmic and robotic, so each frame flows more smoothly. I also thought the choice of music was very fitting to the generation and target audience of the show. Using a jazz piece from the 60's will be familiar to the older generation, as well as the two main characters being in their sixties and seventies.

In terms of my own sting, I will take on board the importance of music choice, and how to vary the complexity of the narrative. A sting of this level has required a much higher level of craft to what I'll be using in terms of having Lloyd-Pack and Swift live acting in the frames.

I will need to do some research into my desired target audience and consider what kind of music will associate both with them and with Oliver Sacks, and what will be the extent of the narrative sequence?

Sting example 2 https://vimeo.com/16093039



The second sting I chose was one entitled 'popcorn', made for the annual E4 sting competition. I was interested in the forms of key movement used, as well as the calm acoustic style music; as I am considering using this type of music in my own sting.

Frame deconstruction

Opening scene pans down to field with slow guitar chords playing.

The frame begins to shake as the popcorn is brewing, zooming into the corn cobs in the field. Sound effects become louder than the music.

This continues as the corn continues to brew more rapidly.

The popcorn explodes (with sound effects) and fills the frame, very close up.

A wintery popcorn scene begins to emerge, the musical layers build up by adding little piano trills to accompany the guitar.

The scene continues to pan out and gradually fades.

More than the first sting, I can see my sting being composed and constructed similar to this one in terms of musical similarities, use of sound effects and the number of events happening, which is a small number in comparison with 'the Old guys' sting. Obviously my sting will be lower in complexity in terms of movement, but I can take this sting, and others that I watch and take note of the use of key movements and how that intertwines with both the sound track and the narrative.


Further Research- Soundtrack and Content

I am really struggling for ideas for my sting. I had a look at the third years blogs from this time last year to gain an insight into the processes and final outcomes that they produced, which was helpful because it gave me a vision to work towards. I also tapped in 'Oliver Sacks' into vimeo and found a few animations relating to him and his work.



This animation is in a trailer format of one of the patients from 'the man who mistook his wife for a hat'; The Lost Mariner. The content of the animation is just right, although the animation complexity would be a bit of a long shot for me to try and replicate.




'Myron and Hester is a love story animation inspired by Sacks' book Awakenings; it doesn't advertise a documentary about Sacks in terms of context but I am drawn to the use of simple movement and the piano soundtrack that is used in the sting.

Ideas at this stage:

• Piano/acoustic music
• Documentary about prosopagnosia; because sacks suffered with that himself

Storyboards

Concept One: 

 

Based on the initial ideas of my prints showing the processes in the brain of the struggles of Sacks' prosopagnosia (the ability to recognise faces)

Concept Two:

A metaphor for prospagnosia; the identity flipbook. Each page turns and gradually reveals Sacks' face, then the book dissolves and only his distinctive features are left, his glasses and his beard to represent how face blind sufferers pick out particular features in order to recognise people.

Concept Three:

I put a little more thought into this storyboard; I set the scenario of a surprise birthday party for Sacks', an atmosphere surrounded by his closest friends and family. For any person this would be a surpise, but for prosopagnosia sufferers, it would be a challenge to recognise each face in front of you, even the people who are closest to you, 

I am really keen on this third concept and I plan to take it further. For the after effects workshop on Monday I will prepare the appropriate images and find the following sound files:

• Footsteps leading up to a door
• A door opening
• A lightswitch turning on
• Piano music  

Authors progress

To further overcome my block with this brief, I sat down and wrote my three favourite ideas/methods that I have used so far:

• Working with shape
• Painting medical bottles and jars
• Looking at conditions

I realised that the top two did't really have as much drive to move forward and develop my ideas, so I decided to revisit looking at conditions. I rediscovered some of the early patient studies I did and picked out a few conditions that I thought were interesting:

• Visual Agnosia
• Prosopagnosia (face blindness)
• Tourettes syndrome
• Post-encephalitis 
• Strokes 

Another thing that I thought would be helpful in terms of the direction of my work was asking myself what I wanted to achieve from my images. Oliver Sacks wanted to help the patients suffering from these complex conditions, I couldn't do the same, so the best I could do would be to inform others about what it is like to live with neurological disorders; the frustrations, the humorous aspects and of course the dark aspects.

Initial Sketches

I came up with the idea of showing the side profile of a face, also exposing the brain activity. Using a little person to illustrate the brain activity is a metaphor to emphasise the point that it is not always clear to see what is going on in the mind, especially when certain conditions make it difficult for the interior and exterior to work in unison.

I thought that this would be an effective idea from the things I have read about how patients cope with their conditions, for example people with Tourette's syndrome find it difficult to see their Tourettes as an external condition, as their tics and impulses can over time feel like part of who they are. I have tried to show how the mind would react in a typical scenario:

• Tourette's: The 'raging' storm of impulses, the energy that comes when an interruption sparks off a tic
• Post-encephalitis: The feeling of being imprisoned in a paralysed state, the mind being warped and down trodden as a result
• Prosopagnosia: The frustration, confusion and embarrassment when one is unable to recognise a familiar face

Thumbnail Development

Using reference imagery I developed my interior mind characters

I am unsure of the final colour scheme as of yet, but I thought that black and white was a solid starting point. The characters at this stage are simple silhouette figures with white eyes; this was an important factor because I did't want the characters to show too much emotion and individuality because they are supposed to be a metaphorical representation of the patient.

Initial sketch development

Tourette's Syndrome

 Post-Encephalitis

 Prosopagnosia

I am pleased with the outcome of my initial sketches, and the fact that I am finally making some progress! I did have another idea; which was to show the same scenario (e.g. a public situation) through the eyes of each of the different patients. This is something I could work on but for now I am pretty confident with this idea. 

Production plan from this point:

• Get some peer feedback on my ideas, and tips about how I could further develop the concepts and imagery
• Decide which method of printing that would be the most successful

Authors' Struggle

Problem Analysis

I have hit the wall AGAIN. I feel like I am going round and round in circles with this brief and I am beginning to really struggle with it.

My advice from Teresa was to:

• Look at more quotes
• Look more at his life, what did he love and want to say?
• Parts of the brain?
• Spend 30 minutes getting everything out of my system about Oliver Sacks

So I tried; here is my 30 minute brainstorm:

But again, after I had done this I still felt like I was at a dead end, how would I bring all of these things together?

I then tried to experiment with the LSD side of things, I was quite pleased with the outcome but feel apprehensive about taking this further because of the two colour restriction.

Big problem

I am in such a pickle! I keep feeling really angry and upset whenever I try and sit down to do some work on this project now, and I want to be able to enjoy it and be successful at it, and I am just going around in circles.

Problem Solving

Where am I at now?  In a massive RUT!

What do I have to do? Produce a two colour screen print representing Oliver Sacks, and an animated sting advertising a documentary on his life.

What can I do to move myself along? Look for inspiration?

Inspiration it is.

I filled my pinterest board with pictures of two-colour screen prints just to freshen my mind.

I also did a search specifically for illustrations relating to Oliver Sacks:

The images that I found were peaceful and soothing illustrations of what Sacks' patients were going through with their conditions; not too manic, not too simplistic. Three of the illustrations (in collage style) were composed by Martin O'neill for the Folio Society, which consisted of a cover for 'the man who mistook his wife for a hat' and three of the inside pages.

This has given me the idea that I could possibly produce book covers for my three prints, or at least use them as inspiration and starting points for my three images (because I am so lost!)

I also looked at some compilation images, just because everything I'm drawing at the minute when I do brainstorms kind of looks and feels like a compilation.

Plan

• Draw anything that comes to mind
• DON'T STRESS
• Play around with composition