Considering the Contents Page

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I want to have a contents page to ensure it will be easy to access the activity pages, I will be exploring the children's illustrations on this page as I feel it would be visually interesting and a successful way of getting the children involved and engaged. I will be using the same typography as I have done for each page and would be able to combine the page numbers with the children's illustrations to add another visually interesting aspect. 

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When creating my first contents page mock up I found the spacing difficult because each bee is a different size and shape. However, I feel each bee being different makes the page visually interesting and unique. I feel the use of the white circular forms within the bees are successful as it helps the page number stand out and makes it easy to understand. 

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Although I did enjoy the use of the children’s bee illustrations on my contents page I feel they were to big and was it was difficult to recognise when used as a page number. I also feel they distract and conflict with the page contents. Therefore I have continued to explore a simple idea which consists of a circle form for the page numbers. However, I will continue to explore to ensure my final outcome is successful and appropriate for my target audience. 

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Here I have explored how the contents page will link in with the visuals of the page numbers. Although I feel the green circular forms are visually pleasing on the contents page I do not enjoy the use of them as page numbers because the scale and colour conflict with the page. I feel using a simple typographic number will be more appropriate because even though it is simple it harmonises with the other aspects of the page with distracting my audience from the important information and interesting illustrations.

Exploring a Border

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Here I have experimented with my illustrations as a border on my habitat page, although they are eye-catching I do not feel they are successful as the page feels chaotic and it is hard to focus on the information. I feel I need to continue to experiment with idea’s for this page to ensure my final outcome is successful and appropriate for my target audience. 

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I really enjoy the visual of these simple illustrations because although they are eye-catching they are not overpowering the important information - instead it harmonises and compliments it. On the other hand I feel this page may contain to much information and could be overwhelming for my target audience. Two improve these I will be transforming the page into two. 

Reducing Information 

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Here I have reduced the amount of information on the page and feel it immediately looks less chaotic and overwhelming for my target audience. I also explored my simple illustrations and feel the composition works really well as the page feels balanced and visually interesting. I also feel using no colour within the illustrations is successful because they do not distract from the information and feel sophisticated. I feel I will continue to explore ideas for this page but will be considering this as a final page design in my book.
Mirrored border? 

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As these two pages will open as a double page spread I feel the use of the reflected border will be successful as it will create an impact as it is opened. I also feel the composition of the information works well because it does not feel overwhelming or to much for my audience to absorb. 

Habitat Page Experiments

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Although my two completed pages have been based around illustration and texture I wanted to explore other techniques to ensure my book does not get predictable
or boring. Here I have left flowers to dry out and then scanned them - I really enjoy the visuals because the flat 2Dimensional forms have an unusual capture of texture and movement. I am unsure how this will work on my page but will be exploring this idea and outcome further. 

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Here I have created a quick mock up idea for my ‘Habitat of a honey bee’ page, I used the previous scanned flowers to create an interesting repeated pattern as a border. Although I find the border visually interesting I do not feel it fits in with the style of my other pages - therefore I will be recreating it as an illustration. I also feel the page looks quite empty and will need to continue to explore to ensure a successful and interesting outcome which will not only inform but engage my target audience. 

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As I discovered I enjoy the visual of the border on the

‘Why are bees in danger of disappearing’ page I now feel I need to transform it into an illustration to ensure it fits in with my other pages designs. I really enjoy some of my outcomes because they are bright and would be eye-catching for my target audience. I like the use of the fine liner and watercolour because it highlights the form of each petal, I feel this would be successful in my final outcome because it has a similar style of illustration and overall visual to my other existing pages.

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Here I have explored a range of colours to understand what will stand out and be most successful. I feel the purple outcome would be appropriate as one of the tips to save bees consists of planting purple flowers; I could however consider combining a range of colours to create variation and an interesting visual. 

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I have started to explore texture and feel both outcomes are successful, I really enjoy the delicate and fragile appearance of the brown paper and intend to explore this further. 

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I went onto scanning my illustrations and feel by slightly changing the contrast on Photoshop the outcomes are successful as they are bright and eye-catching. I also feel they relate to my previous crop illustrations and would work well in my final design as it would represent a continuous style throughout. 

Pick Me Up

Pick Me Up is a Graphics Art Festival which features new illustration, graphic design and related disciplines to inspire and delight. As this was my first experience of the festival I was overwhelmed with the amount of work it had to offer with each one having their own unique style and way of working. I feel some designs stood out more than others based on my personal preferences to work - Here are some of my favourites from the event which has inspired me for my own future designs. 

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I really enjoyed this work by Luke Evans a recent Graphic Design and Photography student. At first glance I was unsure of the medium or what the visual was representing. However, as I read into his work and the process he uses I discovered he is influenced by science and creates the above visual with 500,000 volts and the outcome is the result of static electricity. I really enjoy the delicate vein like patterns throughout the unusual and unique print; I also like the different

type of process Luke has explored to create such magical prints.

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Thomas Lamadieu
I was really drawn in by Thomas’s work because of the fun and quirky style; I enjoy how he combines illustration with photography. I feel the minimal colour palette also makes the visuals successful as the illustrations work in harmony with the photograph’s instead of being to chaotic and taking all the attention. 

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Rop Van Mierlo
I was really drawn in by Mierlo’s work because of the large amount of movement and texture present throughout each piece. I really like how the paint of the two deers merge together to create interesting and delicate forms, I also feel the motion process enhances the fluffy like texture of the animals. Mierlo said “In most cases I put a process in motion where I do not have full control over the end result. I create a gap, an uncertainty between the act of making and the actual outcome.” I feel Mierlo’s work is a good representation of how work and outcomes do not have to be ‘perfect’ or ‘expected’ to be successful or interesting. I also really enjoyed the visual of the pigeon because the variety of merging colours create movement but would also be really difficult to recreate using a controlled and predictable technique. Overall I feel his work has pushed boundaries as even him as the designer does not know what the final outcome will be - this increases the unique style of his work as it means no else would be able to recreate the work; not even the designer himself. 

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Laura Jouan
I was drawn into Laura’s work mainly by the bright, vibrant colours, when observing each outcome I was fascinated by the layering technique and texture. The grid like texture really stood out and created a unique visual, I also felt the diverging lines worked well to combine all the elements involved in the one piece. Laura described her work as ‘De-composing and Re-composing’ her surroundings and environment. I really enjoy this idea of taking something you know so well and transforming it into something completely new. I feel Laura’s work has inspired me to look around me and constantly absorb what is happening as one day it may play an important role in your designs. 

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Jennifer Argo

I really enjoyed the delicate and chaotic visual of Jennifer’s graphite illustrations; I discovered they were inspired by her recent documentation of glaciers and geology in Iceland. She said ‘I combine structural elements of natural systems and formations that represent timeless networks of strength and longevity.’ I really enjoy how she has transformed a photographic study into an illustrated one and how she has been inspired by the natural forms. 

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Laura Callaghan

Laura’s work was the first displayed as you entered Pick Me Up, I was really intrigued by the variety of colours and the scenes the characters have been captured in. Laura suggested she likes the viewer to create their own story for her characters; she likes to fill each illustration with detail, narrative clues and objects to create a sense of mystery and unease. 

Bees Pollinate 70 Crops

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Here I have quickly  created a visual of the 70 crop page and how I imagine it to look, I did not use any filters on my illustrations as I just wanted to understand the composition and how it would work. I will need to explore typography and composition further to understand the most successful; I will also consider creating new illustrations as these were quick idea's, although I do really enjoy the visual of the watercolour and feel the colour and texture will appeal to my target audience.

Colour and Composition 

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As already have my chosen typography I wanted to understand how well it would work on all pages. I have also started to explore the colour and composition on my crop page. I feel the green works well because it helps each crop stand out and has an organic feel to it.

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I also eliminated the colour to help me focus on the composition. I feel the more organised visual is successful as it is easy to follow each crop.

Exploring tones

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I knew I wanted to use green for my crop background but was unsure on the tone. Here I have explored a range of tones to ensure I use the most appropriate and successful. I really enjoy the bottom left tone because the green is bright and stands out; I also feel it harmonises with the leaves and contributes to the organic feel of the page. 

Final Crop Page

I have chosen the organised composition and bright green background as my final crop page because I feel this is eye-catching and would draw my target audience in. I feel the page is visually interesting and the textured elements add a  sense of ‘fun’ whilst learning. I like the use of the stitching through the leaves as this not only adds texture it is a good representation of the detail of a real leaf. I also like the layered effect of the grapes and overall feel the texture, colour and illustrations harmonise to work as one.

Exploring Typography

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How does the typography work with the image?

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I wanted to understand how my choice in typography would effect the images, here I have combined my previous typography experiments with my chosen illustration for my double page. Although I really enjoy the simple visual of the basic typography I feel the more playful and quirky visuals would be more appropriate for my target audience as it would be eye catching and engage them; I also feel the handwritten typography looks more friendly and welcoming for my audience. Although I feel the use of the black typography is successful I felt I still needed to experiment with a range of colours to ensure I was making the right decision. However, my outcomes suggest black typography will be the most successful for my final design. 

Colour Background

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I have explored background colour for my double spread page and feel the blue and green outcomes are the most successful as they help the yellow of the bee stand out and become eye-catching, whereas the yellow and orange makes the bee blend in with the background. 

Completed page 

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I wanted to create a mock up of my first completed page to ensure all the elements including typography, colour, composition, material and illustration would work well together. I really enjoy the outcome and feel it is successful because not only is it visually pleasing it is also appropriate for my target audience and the bright colours will draw them in while the material and stitched texture will engage their senses. I also really enjoy the chosen typography’s as the headings, subheadings and information is clear, stands out and is easy to understand. My next intention will be to explore other pages and complete them before putting my final book together. 

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Exploring Material


Although I feel the previous outcome is successful and I am happy with it I wanted to explore this textured, coloured paper and glittery felt. I enjoy the glittery felt as it sparkles catch the light which makes it eye-catching; I also feel the glitter contributes to the texture and movement of the page. However, I feel it does not represent the delicate and detailed aspect of a bees wings and feel the previous outcome would be more appropriate in my final design. I also really enjoy the textured surface of the blue card but unfortunately it washes out the bright colours of my illustration and makes it look dull. Therefore I will be in search for white textured card for my final outcome.

Illustrated texture

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I have recently discovered a bees body is covered in tiny hairs and it is only the head which appears hairless. This inspired the idea of exploring texture through the illustrated visual; to do this I used Photoshop paintbrush to add tiny dots to the bee. This technique was very time consuming but I feel the outcome is successful as the dots add texture and contributes to the movement. I feel I could consider using this technique in my final design and will continue to explore it. 

Exploring Layout - Double Page

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I feel the double page spread will be successful because it will be eye catching with a bright, bold illustration in the centre. The use of textured wings will also draw my target audience in as they will be able to feel and engage with the page. I also feel the use of the information over a double page will ensure it does not look chaotic and overwhelming. However, I feel like I am going to struggle printing these pages as I need to work out what page numbers to print together. I feel this will take some planning and I do not want to jump straight in. My next intension will involve exploring how to print and to start looking into typography and colour for this page.

Exploring Filters

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I have scanned my previous stitched bee into photoshop where I have been able to experiment with colour and filters. My aim was to understand how these aspects would effect the visual and if the texture would remain. I really enjoy the outcome because the colours make the bee eye-catching in comparison to the simple stitched bee outline. I also feel the filters are visually interesting, although they do remove the appearance of the texture.

Composition and Illustration

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Here I have coloured my previous be template and have explored image, composition, typography and colour. I really enjoy the green outcome and feel the layout is more successful then the bottom left as the position and scale of the bee creates an impact as you open the page and draws you in.

Colour Cotton?

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Here I have combined the cotton bee scan with felt, stitched wings; I really enjoy the outcome although it is simple the colours are eye-catching and the wings texture will engage my audience. I also explored white and black cotton to understand the visual and to compare each outcome. Although I enjoy the delicate, subtle appearance of the white outcome I feel for the purpose of my target audience the black cotton would be more appropriate as it highlights the wings.

Considering Other Front Cover Idea's

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Before committing to the previous front cover idea I wanted to explore another idea; it consisted of using children's illustrations with a simple background and composition. The aim was to ensure the illustration was the main focus and engaging for my target audience. Out of the illustrations I chose this one because I really enjoyed the scale and personality of the smiley face. In the final outcome I used the paint tool to smooth out the yellow elements, I feel this removed the texture and unique style of the child's drawing.  Overall I feel I could consider using this as a poster design but will need to design all pages to understand how they will work as one.

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Combining Idea's

I have tried to combine  the idea of cut out wings and the use of a child's illustration. I found it quite difficult to make the cut outs appear delicate and detailed because of the small scaled wings within the drawing. I feel I could improve this idea by observing the wings on the other illustrations and exploring larger scale ones. I feel the difficult task will be finding and choosing an audience appropriate front cover. 

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I am continuing to explore idea's for my front cover; I have tried to combine two elements consisting of the cut out wings and child's illustration. I really enjoy the outcome and feel the wings stand out whilst being delicate and detailed. However, as they are free to move off the page overtime they will get damaged - I will need to consider this as my audience are young.

Cut out wings?

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 This experiment involved exploring the delicate and detailed aspects of a bees wings; I really enjoy the outcome because the cut outs represent both aspects and look visually pleasing. I really adore the shadows created from the outcome as it highlights the shape and form of the wings. I feel this could be a good technique to use on the front cover of my book - the cut outs would reveal the page behind and encourage the child to read the book. It would also represent the main focus of the book, the importance of bees and how they are delicate and vulnerable.

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I really enjoy the sophisticated appearance of the cut out wings and feel it could be successful as my front cover. However, I will need to consider if this technique and visual would be appropriate for my target audience and if it would catch their attention.                                                             

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I feel I need to explore the front cover using a range of techniques and idea's to ensure it is the most successful. In this experiment I tried to stitch delicate detail of the wings. However, I feel the outcome is unsuccessful as the card is to fragile to hold the cotton. Therefore I will not be using this technique in my final outcome. Alongside this idea I need to visit the idea of using the children's illustrations I collected on the front cover as well as in awareness posters.. I feel my main challenge is going to be combining all  of the elements as one. I need them to have the same style/ visual to ensure my campaign can be identified and recognisable. 

Exploring Wings

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I have illustrated the wings of bees to understand the detail and scale I need to focus on for my double page spread - I really enjoy the appearance of the wings because although they are delicate they are extremely detailed. I have also stitched a bee to understand how a textured surface will compare to a smooth one. I enjoy my stitched outcome because of its simplicity, I feel the basic outline makes the detailed wings stand out and become the main focus. My next intension will involve continuing to explore with a range of techniques to identify the most successful.

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Double Page Spread

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One of the pages in my awareness book consists of a bee and typography highlighting a bees features and their purpose. I want the information to be on a double page spread as I feel this will create an impact for my target audience as the bee will be brightly coloured and positioned in the centre to draw the children in. I aim to explore illustration and texture to discover the most successful outcome for the page.

Exploring Texture

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I have experimented with felt and cotton to create the wings of a bee, I really enjoy this outcomes is it would be successful in my book. My target audience would enjoy the visual, texture and movement of the wings. I feel the felt was difficult to use as it's fibres kept getting stuck in the sewing machine. However, I will continue to explore this technique as I enjoy the outcome. 

In my second experiment I used tracing paper to explore the wings of a bee, I really enjoy the outcome because the material allows light through which highlights the detail involved. I also like the delicate appearance of the wings but question if the use of tracing paper would be appropriate for my target audience. 

Considering Material

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These experiments was inspired by the Winnie The Pooh books I had previously looked at, the bee pattern used as a border and a double page spread. I feel this would be successful because the variation in bees create an interesting visual as a collective.

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As I may use the bee illustrations on my opening page I need to consider the materials this will be made of; I really enjoy the tracing paper outcome because the layered visual is interesting and the light highlights key aspects of the drawings.