OUGD505: Studio Brief 1 - Initial Experimentation

OUGD505: Studio Brief 1/ Licence to print money   

Initial Experimentation

Based on the initial feedback I started experimenting with different aesthetics for my bank house inspired banknote. I took inspiration from my research into Icon magazine and found art-inspired imagery of the exhibition venue that was more aesthetically engaging that standard landscape shots. Experimenting digitally I overlaid squares over the imagery to create a 2D digital pattern correlating to the form of the building. 

Developing this further I experimented with a 3D perspective and started to build up layers similar to the structure of Bank House. However this further development was later refined to a single layer as this would complement the dimensions of the physical bank note and not overcomplicate the structural pattern. The pattern is clearly representative of Bank House creating clear links to the exhibition and identifying it as a celebrated brutalist building. 

Placing this within the physical note dimensions for the first time I started to build up a picture of how the individual elements would work together cohesively within the available space. Creating the text 'five pounds sterling' further enforcing the celebration of British culture using 'sterling' within the language, this typography complements the form of the bank house inspired pattern through the similar long and thin arrangement of the text. This is accompanied by a small description 'in celebration of renowned Brutalist architecture' to simple contextualise the design for the purpose of the exhibition. 

I developed quite an analogue process for development in response to this brief printing test pieces and physically drawing on details and design developments to see how these looked on a scale model before trailing this digitally. This process aided the development of the design as it allowed more creative freedom than being restricted to digital processes. I added lines protruding from the geometric pattern and felt spot varnish would be an appropriate finishing method for these to not distract from the text but to create more refined detailing on the note that could double up as security features to prevent forgery. 

Another analogue development I made was inspired by my travel to Australia over the summer, their banknotes are produced from a plastic composite that features clear panels that adds an extra layer of depth to the design. This use of clear panels would be effective within this concept as the building is covered in large windows which would be reflected through these clear plastic elements. This would further create aesthetic detailing within my design allowing it to stand out within the exhibition however it falls back on contextual inspiration taken from the form of the exhibition venue. These panels could be etched into to add refined details too small to screen print and would act as further security to prevent any forgery from a more commercial perspective.