LETTER FORMS :

The variety of typefaces these days is mind boggling. I think it's probably best if I choose a few nice examples from different groups of type.

- Serif
- San Serif
- Slab
- 3D?

Ultimately I don't need to spend too much time on this so I can get stuck into the practice.

  CRAW MODERN - Serif

Stumbled upon this in the type face encyclopedia. I like how clean it is. Plenty of options to play with.

FUTURA - Sans Serif


One of the popular San Serif typefaces. Other options are Helvetica or Gill Sans. The differences for this purpose aren't massive so Futura is as good a choice as any.

BRACCADOCIA - Slab / Stencil

Found this font during my final major project at college. Some nice stencil form letters knocking about in there.

Stretch...

STRETCH

- To lengthen, widen or distend.
                   
- To cause to extend from one place to another or across a given space.
                   
- To make taut; tighten.

These are the relevant definitions which can be made applicable to type. It does give me freedom within the letter-forms to experiment and still remain within the brief criteria.    

Summer Brief Research - Typography Examples

Beer Mat Content?

After our crit with Amber we decided to revise our concept and go with something a little more fun and more perceivable in the stated time. In this case Beer Mats.

From a students point of view the stereotypes of all students being drinkers is for the majority true. It made sense to play on this and make something that can be picked up easily in a bar or pub with a content that was interesting and interactive.

We had the idea's of
- Fact or Fiction? The myths and realities of hangover cures and prevention.
- Interesting facts keeping in mind the 'staying healthy' brief guidelines.
- Information on Calories etc.
- Advice on what not to drink.

Personally I like the fact or fiction idea. I think it gives us room to play and not be too serious. Also I honestly think most people in our TA would be interested in this information and give it the time of day.

10 Hangover Myth's Debunked/////

Myth - Aspirin helps a hangover.

Fact - Dark spirits and red wine are more likely to leave you feeling rough the next day.

Fact - Egg's, Banana's and Fruit Juices are recommended hangover fodder.

Myth - Hair Of The Dog. Might get you pissed again but inevitably delays your hangover.

Fact - Energy and isotonic drinks help replace lost water and electrolytes lost the night before.

Interesting Facts:


- The longest recorded hangover lasted 4 weeks after a 4 day 60 pint bender. He'd basically dehydrated himself so much he had a form of stroke. 


- Ancient Assyrians believed ground bird beaks and myrrh cured a hangover. No. Just No. 


- In the wild west they drank tea brewed with rabbit droppings to cure a night hitting the saloon. Again... No. 


Also might be interested to have a side with instructions possibly a bit daft to play on the students probable lack of knowledge in anything homely.

- How to fry an egg - There's more to chickens than Nando's you know.

- How to peel a banana - The beginners guide to avoiding fruit fumbles.
   

Content Research - Existing Student Healthy Living Guides

Obviously guides for student's surviving university in a relatively healthy state already exist. It will be useful to reference a select few to see how they tackled the issue and hopefully gain some ideas for our own content.

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The Independent - Food For Thought 

- Tackles some of the dietary issues a student may face considering budget.
- Chooses to use bullet points to give it an easier readability for someone dipping in and out of the guide.
- The guide reads as though the parent is viewing it. Almost pushes the stereotype that the actual student in question isn't actually that bothered.

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Healthy Living For Students - University Of Leicester

- Quite dry as most university guides seem to be. Not particularly appealing or fun. Talks to you the way a doctor would.
- Seems to of overlooked the appeals of it's target audience and what might lure them in to reading such a document.

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/ / Content Idea's / /

- Useful numbers and contacts but specific to Leeds and relevant to the age group.

- Local healthy eating and fitness establishments. Vegetarian Cafes, Gyms, Holland and Barrett's etc.

- Being healthy on the cheap. Again could be relevant to Leeds and where the deals are. Buying fruit, veg and meat from the market for example instead of Morrisons. Gyms with student offers or free group activity's  like the Hyde Park run every weekend.

- Essential Information such as what actually counts as 1 of your 5 a day and how much water you should be drinking. Especially relating to the consumption of alcohol.  

- Try and keep it light, humorous and informative with useful tips and hints. Not scare tactics and consequences.

- List of what's in the box and how it's going to help.

- Week Planner with suggestions. Taking into account the main student nights and the aftermath.

- Hangover cures? Depends on the message we want to project but it will make it more student specific. Whether the parents like it or not, it happens. On that note you could also look into other things to ease the body whilst consuming large quantity's of alcohol.

- Benefits directly resulting to student life. Feel more awake in the morning, easier to think, more energy to go for longer, less recovery time and generally feeling more alive day to day.

Leaflet Design

We decided it wise to use printed media for our design outcome taking into account most of our target audience have recently moved into student halls. People who have just moved out generally pay attention to any post they receive. Whilst living at home letters are usually few and far between.

In particular we decided upon a leaflet/brochure and a box containing some sample products which would require either a sticker or some form of simple and effective packaging design. Leaflets are everywhere and making one stand out heavily depends upon design. I thought it useful to get a better understanding of some basic and more creative techniques.

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To elevate a brochure to something the consumer will pay more attention to it always seems useful to take into the account the folds whilst designing the content. Sometimes even making the folds an integral part of the design. 

/ / French Fold - www.behance.net / /

/ / Accordion Fold - www.behance.net / /

/ / French Fold w/ Outer Sleeve - www.behance.net / /

/ / Accordion Fold - www.behance.net / /