Welcome to Design by Laura Crane

The Disappearing Local Project

2010-05-28T05:34:00.000-07:00

Client: Self-directed project

Brief: Every week in the UK, 39 community pubs are closing down as a result of recent legislation, the recession and myriad social changes. More and more people are choosing to shun their local in favour of a chain pub or drinking at home with cheap supermarket alcohol. I found that when their public house closes, there is a surprisingly negative effect on the community and quite often people don't realise what a social hub it is until it's gone. I set out to record in photographs the story of locals in a 20-mile radius of Leeds, from the success stories to those who didn't make it into the new decade. I spent 6 months recording the established cultural institution that is the Great British Pub, and compiled my findings into a book.

To support the book, I developed a hypothetical marketing campaign including a press ad, exhibition and website.

Constraints: The photographs are strictly unposed, undoctored and often undercover to retain the honesty of the shot. This was my first foray into photography, and not only did I have the challenge of learning the technicalities, but due to the restrictions I placed on the shots there was bad lighting and unplanned compositions to compete with. Several of the photographs were taken on a camera phone inside my jacket!

Response: The book has 39 pages of photographs and stories/anecdotes which capture the character of the pubs featured. The photo essay roughly follows the order of the experience of visiting a community pub, starting off quite distant and unknown, then getting closer until the viewer feels included. Then the story of the struggle pubs are facing is introduced, and the viewer is warned with images of closed pubs- hopefully creating an emotional reaction which moves them to action (visiting these pubs to help them stay in business).

Press ad:

I mocked up this press ad for the Guardian Guide on Saturday, as it reaches a very large audience of wide age range, yet they are generally people who are interested in culture. The emphasis between the full, happy pub and cold empty one is emphasized by turning the page, and the question of how this could happen is designed to create the curiosity to visit the website/pick up a copy of the book.

Train Station Exhibition:

The train station exhibition is again designed to reach a large target audience, and act as a conversation trigger. A shortened version of the pubs story in photographs is printed onto huge banners and hung from the platform- eye catching, and the viewer has time to look at it as they wait for the train. Books are often advertised in train stations- but not like this! the first banner directs the audience again to the book and website.

Website:

Pub passport:

Mother's Day Type Competition

2010-04-14T05:02:00.000-07:00

Client: Tigerprint competition

Brief: Design a type-based Mother's Day card (full brief here)

Constraints: Must be square (500x500 pixels)

Response: I submitted two very different entries; the first was initially inspired by the colour and style of Indian floral prints, and the font is a modified version of Colonna MT.

The second design is all about showing appreciation for the support your mum gives you, and what you can achieve with her help.

Illustrated book

2010-03-24T10:09:00.000-07:00

Client: First year university brief

Brief: Design an illustrated book about yourself

Constraints: You must print and bind it yourself

Response: I decided to work with double page spreads, each one linked (sometimes rather ambiguously!) to my interests or experiences. Below are some examples.

[click on images for full size]

Furoshiki Designs

2010-03-22T14:12:00.000-07:00

Client: Second year university brief (Design Theory)

Brief: Take an equilateral triangle, square or hexagon and separate it into 3 or more parts. These function as tiles which you will use to generate repeating patterns. Develop six patterns, then devise a practical application for them. Scaling of tiles and patterning is allowed.

Constraints: No gaps or overlap. The entire pattern must be devised purely from the 3+ tiles.

Response: I took my inspiration from Japanese textiles and colour schemes, and developed designs which were influenced by traditional patterns and motifs. In accordance with this theme, I chose to apply the pattern designs to a range of furoshiki - square wrapping cloths which can be folded into carriers and bags - which have been used in Japan for over 1,000 years. These are currently enjoying a revival as an eco-friendly and more attractive alternative to plastic and paper bags since they are very adaptable, strong and long-lasting.

[click on images for larger views]

Don't Panic

2010-03-21T10:20:00.001-07:00

Client: Don't Panic (for D&AD)

Brief: Create an illustration which captures the theme of 'resistance'. Target audience: socially active, creative young people.

Constraints: Must work as an A2 poster

Response: My image is about resisting something which seems unstoppable and beyond your control, and never giving in even when things look bleak. It's about working with others against all odds, because this is when most unexpected victories occur. This is literally portrayed as (a subversion of) the story where Disney film makers drove lemmings off a cliff edge for their 1958 documentary White Wilderness, sparking the myth that lemmings commit suicide. I asked myself, what if the lemmings had refused to jump? The tank in the image rumbling towards them symbolises not only Disney (in this instance), but the onslaught of the 'cultural homogenization machine' which forces the public to commit a different kind of suicide: to give up our individuality and beliefs. Those who group together are strong (some who didn't fell off the cliff) and they help each other break through the seemingly impenetrable metal of the tank.

The theme is designed to appeal to the target audience as it is about retaining individuality, standing up for what you believe in, and is quite idealistic. The image itself is incongruous and almost humorous, but it contains a deeper and more serious message for those 'in the know' to pick up on. The angle places the viewer behind the lemmings, backing them up.

Barefoot in the Park arts night

2010-03-11T01:58:00.000-08:00

Client: Barefoot in the Park Poetry Festival

Brief: Design an A6 flyer for the BITP Arts Night, which is raising money for the 2010 Barefoot in the Park Poetry Festival in Leeds

Constraints: Must be black and white, and should also work as a poster. Must be completed in less than a day from receiving the brief.

Response: I modified the Barefoot in the Park logo by replacing the words 'poetry festival' with 'arts night' and created a very simple line illustration to reflect the title of the event. The style and subject of the picture is intended to capture its informal and relaxed atmosphere.

New lifestyle icons

2010-02-24T15:31:00.000-08:00

Client: Leeds Student Newspaper features section

Brief: Design new icons for the weekly lifestyle page, which features up to three of the following subjects each week (interchangeably): beauty, charity, food, health, money, tech, travel and design.

Constraints: Should work without a dark background (as current logos require).

Response: I developed a customised typeface based on the neon tube look of the old headers and added smaller, neater symbols to the right of each. Each of these have a distinct colour chosen to complement the theme, which will make the feature recognisable once they are established. Symbols are kept simple and obvious, again to support and complement the title and add to the distinctiveness of each theme.

Icons in use

Features illustrations

2010-02-01T08:49:00.000-08:00

Sometimes when appropriate photographs cannot be found due to time or licensing issues, there is a need for a quick illustration! These are three which I completed in the space of a few hours for drinks spiking/fad diets features.

A drink 'spikey'- a plastic stopper with hole for a straw which helps prevent spiking.

Don't just put a napkin over your drink!

It might be a cliched image, but some fad diets may literally consist of this!

Facebook graffiti

2010-01-25T05:16:00.000-08:00

Pre-pen tablet times, accuracy might not have been so easy when carrying out digital illustration, however that wasn't enough to stop me! While not done for any other purpose than to experiment, I thought these images merited some mention in my portfolio. They were done using a mouse and my imagination alone on Facebook's graffiti application...

And just to prove I'm not cheating, here's a screenshot of another:

Easy, tiger...

2010-01-01T05:36:00.000-08:00

Client: Foldees greetings card company (www.foldees.com)

Brief: "Zodiac Zoo" The Chinese New Year and Valentines day coincide in 2010. Design a card which commemorates either or both of these events, using the zodiac calendar animals.

Constraints: Must refer to the zodiac in some way. Images must be vector only, with no live trace, transparencies or effects.

Response: I began by researching which symbols and charms are associated with the Chinese New Year, which in 2010 is the year of the tiger. I discovered that intricately cut paper designs, usually in red, are hung in doorways and windows for good luck. The flowers water narcissus and plum blossom are also associated with this time of year.

I based my design on the 2-fold paper cut (they're usually folded in groups of 2, 4, 8 etc.) as the card is for a couple. The two tigers are nuzzling and making a heart with their tails, thereby combining the theme of Valentines day with the symbols of the New Year! I kept the message simple so that it could be used for either or both purposes.

http://www.foldees.com/designs/artful-craner/with-each-passing-year

Cover design

Interior design- simple message 'with love'

NVIRO brochure

2009-12-10T03:02:00.000-08:00

Client: Second year university project

Brief: Design a brochure about print. You may approach this in any way you see fit.

Constraints: Must be designed in InDesign

Response: A hypothetical print company called NVIRO was invented which is as environmentally friendly as possible. This brochure explains how they work and what materials they use as an opening to explain environmentally friendly printing techniques, cutting edge technology in this area, the problems surrounding paper use and recycling, which finishing techniques are best for the environment and finally how NVIRO balances all of these to create a great-looking piece of work without costing the earth.

The format is A5 used in a creative way (since standard size paper does not have to be cut, meaning no waste and less energy use). Each page is A4 but not folded exactly in half; each fold is shifted up a few mm to create an offset which is used as navigation. The paper is 75% recycled.

With thanks to PDC Copyprint who answered loads of my questions even though I only popped in for 2 print-outs!

(click on photos for full-size images)

Package design brief (toilet roll)

2009-12-10T02:29:00.000-08:00

Client: Second year university project

Brief: Design original packaging for a well-established product. I was allocated toilet roll.

Constraints: None

Response: I created a new novelty brand called 'Toilet Humour' to market the toilet roll under (tagline: "Put a smile on your faeces"), with a logo that resembles a smile.

The packaging is designed to emulate a can, which holds two extra-wide loo rolls. The top would pop off and the cardboard is quite thick so the packaging may be kept as a container. I developed two varieties: scented toilet paper in a beans can ("The Musical Fruit") and paper with soothing aloe vera in a can of curry ("The Ring of Fire"). The nutritional information contains %RDA of smell/fire-fighting points!

Target audience: 16-35, with a (puerile!) sense of humour. Readers of magazines such as Viz (see marketing campaign), and people who may want to make a bit of a point if they bought it for their friends!

I also developed a marketing campaign to launch this new product, centred around a comic character called Vindaloo Stu.

[click on images for larger versions]

Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto!

2009-12-09T06:34:00.001-08:00

Client: Foldees

Brief: Since robots appear to be in fashion with the release of Wall-E and Robots, design a greetings card which contains a robot

Constraints: Must be vector. No gradients or live trace.

Response: A leaving card with a twist. Chose a Japanese theme since the title of the contest is Japanese. A robot geisha hands the leaver a drink, but as he takes it another employee drops the plug into his beer, giving him an electric shock! (close-up provided)

The animation style is a little different from my normal one as I wanted to achieve a Japanese cartoon kind of feel.

Jazz

2009-12-09T06:30:00.001-08:00

The first of hopefully more of my paintings I hope to put up here. As they're all in my parents' house I need to wait until Christmas to get more (and better) photographs!

Acrylic on card, 2007

'Jazz'

Leeds Student wins Guardian student newspaper of the year!

2009-12-09T03:54:00.001-08:00

I'm delighted to say that Leeds Student has won Student Newspaper of the Year at the Guardian Media Awards 09. See the website for more details!

Elmwood final

2009-12-09T02:40:00.000-08:00

Client: Elmwood

Brief: "Make us remember your name."

Constraints: None, but keep it legal!

Response: As part of the final selection of 24 students, I created this stop motion animation.

The crane not only represents my surname, but also my ideas and work ethos. The newspaper begins with (ridiculously!) miserable news, and is dull in black and white. The crane takes this dullness and negativity, works its magic on it, and at the end reveals a positive and more colourful message. This is designed to represent my approach to design and life in general; to take something that is boring or not working, then change, develop and work on it until it is transformed into something much better!

Dromophobia

2009-11-29T06:48:00.000-08:00

Client: First year university project

Brief: Design an A3 poster which raises awareness of a phobia of your choice (from a list)

Constraints: Must contain typography giving at least the name of the phobia.

Response: My choice was dromophobia, which is a fear of crossing the road. Research revealed it often stems from anxiety about being hit by a car or a feeling of being dangerously exposed when stepping off the footpath. Therefore my image recreates the (much over-exaggerated) suggestion of a road accident as may be imagined by a sufferer of dromophobia. The shock and revulsion it may cause in the viewer aims to recreate the sensation the phobia sufferer feels at the prospect of crossing the road.

trivia: while taking the photos for this project (which involved a bag of the butcher's leftovers and copious amounts of tomato ketchup) I was stopped by the police, who demanded and explanation and then that I clear it up rightaway.

Drawing elective

2009-11-03T07:33:00.000-08:00

Some finished pieces from the drawing elective module I took in second year

The Origin of Halloween feature

2009-10-28T09:19:00.000-07:00

I quickly put this together for the background of this week's feature on the origins of Halloween, to illustrate the old Celtic custom of dancing around a fire wearing animal masks from which the tradition of costumes sprung.

In other news, I may be lucky enough to secure a place on a journalism training day in November which covers editing, law and ethics and most importantly for me: design and layout!

Student Newspaper

2009-10-20T11:27:00.000-07:00

Client: Leeds Student Newspaper

Brief: various (post as design editor)

Responses: Some page designs, illustrations and articles

The new masthead; collaborative effort of the design team

Some spreads and layouts designed by me

"The British Tourist" article for The Sanctuary

2009-10-15T07:22:00.001-07:00

Client: The Sanctuary Newspaper

Brief: Write a humorous/satirical article on the typical British tourist

Constraints: More a lack of!

Response: Can be found here

The typical British tourist is an oft-trodden subject by satirists and writers, and I wanted to tackle it from a slightly different angle. In this article I imagine myself as the typical British 18-30 holidaymaker who in trying to avoid being typical ends up being exactly that! Inspiration drawn from news stories, Nathan Barley, and life!

EDIT: (28.10.09) I just received the news that this article has made it to the national edition of The Sanctuary.

"Clarendon" typographic poster

2009-10-14T11:12:00.000-07:00

Client: First year university project

Brief: Design a typographic poster to advertise the benefits of an allocated typeface

Constraints: Must be purely typographic (no photos or illustrations) and use only 2 colours (transparencies allowed)

Response: Allocated font was Clarendon, and research revealed it was used in 'Old West' wanted posters. I created a parody which used puns to convey the benefits and characteristics of clarendon: eye-catching, useful for headings, has square serifs, looks bold, is commonly used in newspapers and works well with Roman typefaces.

Icon for 'The Dilemma' feature

2009-10-13T04:09:00.000-07:00

Client: Features section of the Leeds Student Newspaper

Brief: Design a logo or icon for the regular 'Dilemma' feature, preferably to have a 'magazine' look to it

Constraints: None, but should be simple enough to print well

Response: Simple icon using the question mark to make a confused-looking face. I managed to use an obvious symbol without being cliched!

The Sanctuary Newspaper Headers

2009-10-13T03:45:00.001-07:00

Client: The Sanctuary satirical student newspaper

Brief: To design a new national header that unites all 16 regional Sanctuary publications

Constraints: Must be B&W

Response: The old logo was rather serious and traditional-looking and didn't express the satirical nature of the content. I produced 6 very different headers that aimed to give the paper a new, modern feel. In several of the designs I replaced the old logo of a bird (very similar to the Independent) with an icon related in some way to the number 16 (having 16 sides or points), and used concentric circles to represent the idea of a sanctuary.

Christmas Card for Foldees

2009-10-12T10:22:00.001-07:00

Client: Greetings card company Foldees

Brief: Design a card that brings Christmas into the 21st century or even the future!

Constraints: Vector illustration only. No live trace, transparencies or gradient effects.

Response: In order to win the upcoming 'Slimmer of the Year' finals, Rudolph uses Twitter to encourage his followers to leave extra cookies for Santa this year. As a result he wins! Message: "See you at the gym in January"

FRONT

CENTRE

D&AD Student Awards 09

2009-10-10T09:34:00.000-07:00

Client: KPMG

Brief: Design an illustration for the 25-storey high wall in the new KPMG headquarters that reflects the company ethics

Response: Combination of traditional and digital media to create a semi-surreal depiction of KPMG’s good work. The activities they sponsor and support are symbolised by keys which origin from a single dandelion, each one containing a miniature image of the activity in question. They are passed back and forth, representing the collaborative effort of KPMG employees and the people they help, until the right key reaches the right person and they can unlock their potential.

The image is designed to work on different scales: as a whole when standing back in the lobby, and close-up when viewed from the balconies. Additionally, the theme is made clear in the bottom two sections which are the easiest to see on entering the building.

Close ups: Each key is different and contains something to support the activities KPMG sponsors, or a miniature of that activity.

Alternative: the roots of the dandelion may be extended across the floor of the lobby, indicating that as the employees cross it, all the activity stems from them.

Illustrations for Urstreams

2009-10-10T08:33:00.001-07:00

Client: Urstreams

Brief: Create illustrations to be used as section covers for various 'streams' (subjects)

Constraints: None

Response: Photoshop illustrations for Comedy, Food, Japan and Nights Out.