OUGD406 | Studio brief 01 - Interim Crit

For todays critique, I asked the following questions about my designs. Below is the feedback I received.


HUMAN ILLUSTRATION COVERS

Which do you think is best? Why?

I like the simple background and colours which you have used throughout. It's uniformed and works well.

Has the best composition and lighting too. I like the crisp white background.

Simple idea but intriguing design. 

I feel that its more balanced and expressive in composition with a well composed frame. Also, colour and contrast is most effective here.

I like the simplicity of it. The colour on the shirt is really nice with the plain background.

The song is summery and this is reflected in the yellow.

Best - but all figure designs are effective. 

I feel the motion of the lines suit the song best and there is a nice variation of colours.

The positioning of colour is good. Lines coming out of his head makes me feel like its emotion exploding, leaving his body.

I like how it looks like a heartbeat

Its the best personally because I love the contrast between covers.

Makes you think about the boy in the middle and why he is there.
Does the yellow represent the Maccabees?

Mentioned as a favourite. 

Which Colours are most appropriate?

Probably yellow as it represents the colours of The Maccabees.
The purples and blues for me as they are where I'd place the song on the colour wheel.


Is it too simple? If yes, why? 

No, as it works well together and if there was any more illustration added it would become too busy.
No, the abstract approach means you add it to yourself.
No, there are many interesting and successful designs which are simple.
No, looks ace and lots of variation.
No, it works for me.
No, not too simple but not too over complicated.

Be honest, what is bad about the designs? Why? 

It feels like St Vincent because it feels like you are telling about the mind and how it is controlling.
I feel that the designs towards the bottom with the horizontal lines are not necessarily too plain but the black space could be more filled up or perhaps a texture used in the background?
I didn't realise it was The Maccabees track at first glance, I thought it was St Vincent and you were expressing mind control.
Scribble on 2. is not as strong - doesn't quite look right.
I feel the pose of the silhouette is far too basic and ridged, it feels dull.
I don't know how it relates to the song.




PHOTOGRAPHIC COVERS

Do you prefer these to the first set of designs? Why?

No, not as effective and eye catching.
No, I prefer the first set because it interacts with the viewer more and questions the reason as to why the boys is there with things coming out of his mind.
Yes, I feel as if the neon represents the music better. It has a cooler and edgier look.
Yes, appeals more to me out of the simplicity however the previous designs offer more diversity. If I had to choose I would go for the second half as the lighting would be more representative of its "Light on the window sill"
No, I don't although I think they are still really interesting, my faves are the more simple ones.
No although I do prefer the second one (image below) The background is not solid and more space is taken up...

Which composition works the best? Why?

The simplicity works so well, and love the contrast of colours. It looks cool and reminds me of basements/undergrounds.

Favourite - to suit The Maccabees more maybe use yellow and blue instead of pink and black? 

Its balanced yet off set which is hard to do, well when working with straight lines!

Looks modern and fashionable

The last one is amazing! Inspired by joy division?

Wiggle design is great. Looks like a chalk board.  

ANY OTHER FEEDBACK/SUGGESTIONS?

 I like the designs with the human silhouette most - a simple idea but very intriguing designs.
Not enough ideas to look at.

Love the choice of colours for all.

Come up with a few other concepts.

The colour choice for the blue and yellow splash one is very intricate and draws your attention to the boy in the middle. It also makes the boy more subtle.

Overall, well polished designs.

I think the photographic ones look strong and interesting however for The Maccabees I think their look is more illustrative like the first ones.



MY THOUGHTS

My feedback was extremely varied which makes it difficult to know how to move on. If I were to do the crit again, I would have broken my designs down more so there was less to select from.
A main point I received from the feedback is that the designs, particularly colour wise, do not represent the band or the song. Many were suggesting to use yellows and oranges. I disagree with this as this is my own interpretation of the music and band. I do not want to be influenced by what already exists, and I feel that many entries will go down this obvious route. I many of the suggestions from my feedback pointed me towards to obvious design options.
I agree that my design may appear to relate to St. Vincent and I plan to try and make this more obviously related to the effect of music on the mind and body. However, I do not feel it is crucial to my design, as in a way the music controls my mind as it influences how I feel.
I have made the difficult decision to take my illustrated designs forward rather than my photographic designs as I personally feel more interested in these.