Jeff Banks Talk: Networking

Jeff Banks visited Leeds Arts University and made a talk about his practice and how he progressed in the fashion industry. I found this talk really insightful and encouraging for creating my own company in the future. Jeff Banks is the founder of warehouse and his own brand Jeff banks. He studied textiles at Central Saint Martin. The talk allowed us to gain advice for setting up our own company.

Images of his work for editorial magazines and catwalk shows, Jeff Banks was the first shoot for Naomi Cambell. 

Self Branding

6C2 + 6D2

Brief: To create your own personal brand for your practice.

Research

Paradise Girl

"Paradise Girl" is Jasmin Sehra's personal brand identity. Jasmin Sehra focuses on design in the fashion industry. Her logo uses a visual and type aesthetics. The use of the visual is influenced from Edward Said (1978) theory of exotic nature. The flower is an Eastern flower, Sehra has played with the visuals by implicating a palm tree in the middle. This works effectively as it is subtle yet effective. The words 'Paradise Girl' are in a hand written typeface to convey Sehra's illustrative style. I feel my practice is similar to hers as it supports diversity and uses cultural heritage to lead projects. Overall, this was the most successful research for steering the project further. 

Beyonce 2013 Album, "Beyonce"

The "Beyonce" branding uses a slim san serif. This works effectively by creating a more feminine approach towards the brand. The use of colour helps identify this. The brand supports diversity and explores the black community. The designer has incorporated the use of monochrome to suggest the concept of race. I could apply this aesthetic towards my logo design. 

Azeema Mag

"Azeema" is an arabic name. The use of this creates more meaning towards the brand. I could apply this idea by the name, "NYLA" as this means winner. The typeface is a condensed san serif. This has created a western twist towards the design aesthetic. Azeema celebrates cultures from the East migrating to the West. I could perhaps explore a san-serif to create this similar trait. The use of colour is dated relating to Edward Said's (1978)  theory of backwardness. The role of colour is minimal but creates more familiarity towards the brand. 

NAYVA logo 

"Nayva" is a brand which specialises in fashion and beauty videos. The brand helps empower women of colour. In my opinion, I feel this logo is very strong as the colours are contemporary but innovative. The designs have also used a san-serif typeface. For my initial ideas I will test serif and san serif typefaces to see which aesthetics fit the best with the visual outcome. 

Surf is an Instagram page which followed me on instagram. I really loved the aesthetic of the page. The logo stood out to me by the use of colour, and the handwritten typeface. I could perhaps test colour ways with a similar contrast. 

Initial Ideas

Existing Logos Design for my practice

These were my past designs in second year. The type logo was to complex and the typeface was too thick which conveyed more of an intimidating feel. In my opinion, the typeface Univers did not work with the name. Therefore I will explore different typefaces. 

I downloaded the typeface Stilson as this typeface was a serif but condensed. I experimented with this type on Illustrator. 

The first ideas were influenced by the ZARA logo, to create something more high-end and sophisticated. However I felt this did not go well with the visual logo as this aesthetic looked too mature.

This experimentation applied the visual content form the existing logo. The elements were influenced through military clothing. This idea came from the idea of migration. However, I felt this design looked too young and overbearing at times. 

Experimenting 3-D effect on Illustrator. 

These designs were successful in my opinion as they had a trip aesthetic to them. However, some people may find the designs hard to read and overbearing. People could perceive it as bad design. I personally feel this design is you either love it or hate it design. 

This colour way made the type more clearer. This worked more effectively with fitting with a brand identity. 

It was stated these designs may look too overbearing as it incorporates too many colours. This design was influenced by the Jaden Smith album, ERYS IS COMING. To develop this design further I could experiment with a san serif to make the type more easily read. 

Prototypes

These prototypes tested different colour ways taken from the visual logo of the palm tree in the existing logo section. At first, I really loved the aesthetic of the logo. However, during the critique it was stated to use a san serif as this will fit better with the visual illustration. I decided to test a condensed san-serif typeface, Helvetica condensed. 

I found these designs more successful as they looked more contemporary and fresh. It also has a western twist towards the design which works effectively with the concept East meets West. The fill type was more successful as the type was more clear and effective. This colour way allowed me to keep my brand consistent. 

Developing the Visual Logo further by the use of colour 

I developed the colour by creating a more dated feel influenced from the Azeema branding colour way. The use of the pink leaves creates a sense of uniqueness which I had the idea of incorporating pink palm tree leaves on my cover letter. This will create a more quirky feel towards the brand. I also feel the use of colour creates a more character towards the brand. 

I then applied the typefaces together for the final outcome. The San-serif typeface worked more effectively. 

Final Outcome

I applied the logo into context, the CV with the serif typeface is a prototype. I updated this with the new logo, a rebrand. 

Business Cards 

 Prototype of the developed logo. I decided not to go with this design as the san-serif is a rebrand identity. 

Applying the Logos onto CV

Online Presence 

Instagram

My instagram has become more known and at one point gained 200 followers. For my Tell a Lie brief I reached 200 likes. I also received messages for collaborative briefs from fashion photography students.

My personal blog is: https://naaila21.wixsite.com/fashion-blog-1 

Overall, I found instagram more beneficial as I was able to network with students from different courses such as fashion photography. Many students reached out to my practice. I also feel my work has developed and is becoming more known mainstream, as I would tend to get 10 likes and now it has increased to 200 likes on Instagram. For the future, I will develop a blog for my photography as this is something which has progressed later on this year. I have also been asked to be a photographer for a company. I feel this will be great experience to put on my CV. 

Final Evaluation

Final Evaluation

Personal practice has been very useful in preparing me for the industry. At the beginning of the year I knew I wanted to focus on graphic design within the fashion industry. However, PP allowed me to investigate the link between fashion and graphic design by networking. I reached out to many designers who work in the fashion industry. They gave me some really insightful advice which helped steer personal practice further. For instance, Holly Powell, graphic designer at Pretty Little Thing, gave me some fantastic advice in creating a portfolio and developing a visually exciting CV. This helped me develop as I will now apply to better placements. 

My work experience was still insightful in the investigation of deliverables. The use of what fashion companies demand from graphic designers. Even though the company was not ethically right, I noticed this. My course has taught me about ethic checks and ensuring a company is run right. This will prepare me for other internships to ensure I always aim high. 

My self-branding was developed further. I enjoyed this brief as it brought together my portfolio work relating my logo design back to theory. Edward Said (1978) has been a huge influence for my brand identity. I will continue to create work with this idea of the East meeting the West. 

I found Creative Convo week incredibly insightful, as I was able to interact with people in the industry. Their job roles were very diverse considering they came from a graphic design background. This encouraged me further to continue with the link between fashion and graphic design. I also gathered a variety of designers throughout my year of my studies. This allowed me to develop my practice further by creating projects which were influenced by these designs. 

In level 5 I struggled with what to create in a graphics content. However, visiting galleries made me understand and direct me to projects which have a sense of a function. This also gained my knowledge in contemporary designers. 

I enjoyed evaluating my group work of what worked well and what didn’t. I tend to struggle in group work as I don’t feel as confident with my designs. However, this year I have gained confidence in this, and will not be afraid to contribute in a work force. The live brief was the most beneficial, as this made my practice known by fashion photographers. I also enjoyed working in a team with people who have a similar practice to mine. 

Work Experience Evaluation

6B2

Evaluation on work experience

I received an internship for an emerging fashion company. They offered me the role of head of creative. I worked with the company for one month. I designed website banners which I have attached in the PDF. This experience was not as beneficial as they would ask me to do stuff which was not graphic design related, for instance write description of clothing and alter the pricing. They also gave me photography which had copyright issues. Ethically I did not feel comfortable working for a company which used secondary images and did not state the source. I have attached these designs in the work experience PDF folder. The company were not punctual and would attend meetings one hour late. I would travel from Leeds to Birmingham and would make the meeting on time. Overall, I learnt from this experience, that for my own business I will make sure ethically things are correct and images will be my own images. I will also make sure I am punctual. 

This experience has encouraged me to aim higher, at more well-known brands such as Boohoo and ISAWITFIRST. I will work hard this year in creating my CV and Portfolio. I have also made a fashion look-book to send off to agencies. 

I have also had a placement at INFINTRA360. This company is an engineering company who I worked with in my second year. They asked me to rebrand their logo. I felt this work experience was more beneficial as the company was ethically right. There was no copyright issues and the company were well organised.

Collection of Graphic Designers

6A2

This collection was articulated through out the year. I have investigated mainly into branding. I have explored commercial and popular culture and graphic design within this sector.

Frank Ocean Publication Branding  

The publication explores a scanning technique. I applied this technique into my "Tone it Down" brief. This technique is very expressive and allows to convey the message of diversity. This has helped me develop as a designer by exploring branding which supports diversity. 

Azeema Mag

Azeema Mag is a publication which empowers women of colour. I have collected every edition of this publication range. On the back page the designer has applied a visual of a palm tree. This gave me the idea for my logo for my brand. The publication explores issues such as otherness and the Nadia Murad case with the Genocide with Yazidis. This helped me find issues within the people of colour community. This helped me find an issue for the Alone Together competition brief. 

Ivy Park Logo 

Ivy Park is an activewear clothing line co-founded by American recording artist Beyoncé and London based fashion retailer Topshop, introduced in 2016.

The font used for the logotype of the clothing Brand is Aktiv Grotesk Black. Aktiv Grotesk is a contemporary grotesque sans-serif typeface released by Dalton Maag in 2010 (Dalton Maag, 2019). The san-serif typeface works effectively as it conveys a sense of strength, power, and assertion. 

The scale variation addresses the idea of diversity and hierarchy. Furthermore, the Monochrome scheme works effectively, as it is simple for a complex design. This design approach has created an urban aesthetic towards the brand. Also, the layout is centred which works effectively and acts as a focal point, it draws the audience's attention in. To improve this design further perhaps the gap between the two words could be spaced out more or joined together as the gap is very thin and in my opinion becomes too compacted. Overall, the branding is strong, conveying power and strength. The characteristics of strength establishes a sense of confidence which relates to the context of sports and fitness, as the brand sells activewear. Consequently, the colour scheme is successful as it is simple for a complex design but also helps address the message of diversity and black culture. 

This research will help develop my practice further by initiating a contemporary brand which explores the theme of diversity. The typeface being in capitals will help initiate a sense of confidence towards the brand, this will be considered when designing.The branding will address black culture through an urban aesthetic, this relates to the Ivy Park logo. I will further this research by exploring other graphic designers who have explored diversity.

This research has been the most beneficial in steering projects and designs to create a more urban feel towards my practice. The campaigns use photography. his research into the angle of how the camera has taken the photos has helped develop my skill as a photographer. 

Jasmin Sehra

Jasmin Sehra is an Alumna of London College of Communication in Graphic Design and Media Design. Sehra bases her work on identity, empowerment, self love, and positivity through er brand paradise girl. Sehra has incorporated her Punjabi heritage, fashion and arts by her illustrations , typography and design. 

Researching in Jasmin Sehra's online presence by her online website portfolio. 

Image from the Bollyhood series. 

Jade Laurice 

  

Jade Laurice has been one of my main inspirations. She creates cookbooks, designs clothes and paints. She has also collaborated with fashion and beauty brands and modelled for music videos. Her online portfolio is very active and I inspire to brand myself like this in the future. I will achieve this by creating look-book editorial posts and create my own paintings. 

Bare Vintage 

Bare vintage consisted of 24 pages, showcasing some of Lauren Sissons and Gus Walsh's 2016 photography for Bare Vintage. Launched first pop up shop in 2015. Laura Sissons also designed the IVY PARK campaign. 

I researched into her online website. The website was very clean and highlighted different projects which Lauren Sissons has worked on. She also has a photography website with her partner. The use of having two different websites allowed the websites to be focus and concise. 

Rashid Babiker 

Rashid Babiker designed the visual identity for Jorja Smith, a logo which can be used for screen, digital, print, stage and cloth. The aesthetic was between the gothic "Comic" as used in "Fire starter" by Stephen King and the more cubic, muted "Clarendon" which was used on Jazz Records through the 50's and 60's. Barbiker collected photo from books and online which inspired him. The designer used @Fontsquirrel to identify the fonts. There were 32 fonts experimented. 

Rashid Babiker shares his design process on Twitter. This helped me in structuring a design process for the branding for an emerging artist brief. 

https://twitter.com/rashidbabiker/status/1001192425870774272?lang=en

Only One Mono 

Only One Mono designed the IAMDDB logo. The designer started out emailing emerging artist and would ask to design their logo. The designer started this at the age of sixteen and would charge 20 pounds for each design. 

This research has encouraged me to reach out to emerging artists to gather work experience for my CV.