Problem

To create a name and an identity for a fictional snowboard company, and create a snowboard to showcase this identity and the ideals behind it.

Conception

Form an identity that embodies the sport of snowboarding and relate the identity to snowboarders who are passionate about their sport and enjoy the variety of experiences accompanied with the activity. Further, create a graphic for a snowboard that will emphasize the message associated with the identity and appeal to snowboarders.

Solution

By identifying the name of the snowboard company as “emotion,” the identity is able to stay ‘emotionally neutral’ because of how generalized it is. This affords the identity the ability to relate to any of the emotions that can be experienced while snowboarding . The logo had to be treated in a similar manner; by using type that was based on my own handwriting, the logo is able to create a continuous flow and unity between the letter forms. This then creates a duality between emotion and the motion part of the name, tying further into the idea of the range of emotions experienced when riding a snowboard, which also influenced the graphic on the board itself .

Problem

Create an identity that defines myself as a graphic designer.

Conception

Form an identity that is unfamiliar enough that it provokes viewer’s interpretive participation, yet is still clear enough to convey the message of an identity.

Solution

The creation of an identity that breaks the form of conventional type and creates a monogram inspired logo composed of an organic synthesis and symbiotic form between the initials c and k. This logo relies on the basic idea of a figure ground relationship. Yet, as the letters c and k can still be evoked, and the viewer’s interpretive participation of the familiar in an unfamiliar context is promoted.

Problem

Create a business suite that includes a business card, letter head, and any other promotional materials that follow the overall theme created by the logo type.

Conception

During the evolution of the logo it was realized that the logo itself not only started to look organic enough to suggest the idea of an organism, but the evolution itself of the logo also resembled that of an actual organisms evolutionary path. Thus the idea was formed to treat the logo as such, and make the basis for the suite on the idea that the logo was an organism, and after countless generations it had evolved into its current state.

Solution

After treating making my business card like a slide you would find in a lab with an organism on it complete with label, I was able to base the letter head and business folder as if they were also from the same lab. The business folder was treated as if it were a biohazard container which would contain the business card slide, resume, and identity evolution.

Problem

To Create an interesting way to visually display the evolution of my logo, while keeping with the theme defined by the business suite.

Conception

To stay literal to the idea of an evolutionary path. Show the evolution of the identity in the form of a chart, same way a species of an animal would be shown in a encyclopedia or museum.

Solution

Since the business card stayed true to form in that it was comparable to an actual slide, it made sense that the evolution of the logo would be turned into a display that looked like it belonged in a museum. In keeping with the same idea of the logo being placed on a transparent medium, it was decided to put the evolution on panes of glass that would be mounted. Museums however do not only have charts, they also have information explaining them, allowing the viewer to learn more about what they're looking at. So a second pane was added to it which would have the problem, concept, solution, and a further explanation of the journey that the identity took. Once this was accomplished the two panes worked together to deliver an experience that showcases the origin, the evolution, and the reasoning behind the identity.

Problem

To recreate a layout in the style of graphic designer David Carson, and to write a biography for our mentor as our content for it.

Conception

To experiment by colloging multiple images together, and stay as analog as possible in order to have the same type of thinking that David Carson experiences.

Solution

After taking images from David Carsons own work, as well as sketches and roughs from my own work for this project, collaging them together, three images were created, the cover, the spread, and the final page. These images were then used as the basis for how the type would be laid out on it, as the text would also have to have an analog feel to it, which is why a font similar to a typewriter was chosen. After the type was chosen, the type was integrated into the collaging as if it had been there during the process of collaging David Carsons own work, and my sketches. Thus creating an organic layout that unifies type and images, and takes the ideals of David Carson and allows viewers to participate in the understanding of who he is and how he designs.

Problem

Choose a statement that you have learned from your experiences in life, and use graphic design to express that statement.

Conception

The statement that was chosen was "Embarrassment is a Temporary Feeling." The idea from there being to convey the feeling of embarrassment onto the viewer and to the participants in the piece as well.

Solution

There is an entire spectrum of feeling that can accompany the idea of being embarrassed. The idea I came up with was to take the most extreme form of embarrassment possible: nudity. It truly became best way to accompany the statement as nudity, while embarrassing, is only as embarrassing for as long as you are in fact nude. Then the concept was pushed that much farther when it was thought about more than just one person being nude, and what it would be like if there were a group of people in the nude, which would create a various degree of embarrassment both for the people in the pictures, and a stronger embarrassment for the audience as well. Thus a sequence of pictures was taken, in the idea that it would evolve into a flip book, which would start with a group of people in the nude with only each other to be embarrassed with, and after flipping through the book, the image sequence would show them slowly putting their clothes on, until finally they were no longer nude, and in effect, no longer embarrassed.

Unfortunately because flipping through the book is a far different experience than viewing images, I created a video that recreates the same effect described above, so that you don't need to have the flip book to enjoy the experience of embarrassment. If you're having issues viewing the quicktime video, there is a link to vimeo for your viewing pleasure. The quicktime video may take a while to load so be patient.

Problem

Design a website that combines HTML and Flash that will convey a message

Conception

To encourage people to get out and vote during the provincial election on March 3, 2008.

Solution

Originally the idea was to just broadcast the idea of going out and voting to the general public, but it was realized that by choosing a demographic, getting the intended message across would be much easier. Thus, I decided that the best demographic to choose was the one that I am apart of; this being students at Nait who are ranged in age from 18 to 28. This demographic is especially important to the democratic process because of the normally low voter turnout, not only in this age range, but in students in general.

From there the decision was made to make the site politically neutral. By doing this, students would be able to trust that they were not being encouraged to vote so they could vote for a certain party, but instead that they were being encouraged to take part in the democratic process of Alberta. This was achieved by making the site "sponsored and endorsed" by NAITSA, Nait's Student Association, an politically neutral entity, whose only goal is to focus on the well being and needs of Naits students.