Visiting Professional - Saul Studio

Dan - Graphic Design studio in Leeds

Yorkshire Boast
Each page was like a swatch
Worked with an illustrator to develop a character

Typeface

http://www.velvetyne.fr/

Dan offered a type foundry called Velvetyne which offers free contemporary typefaces to download. This is a really useful source because typefaces are very expensive and this allows me to branch away from traditional typefaces.

These typefaces inspired a lot of Dan's projects which he demonstrated with project examples. Dan's justification for using the typeface was well informed by his research and concept.


Previous Projects:

Coffee Shop North

Dan showed his drive and determination to make it into the industry by self initiating projects and collaborating with professionals from different disciplines. Coffee Shop North is a publication that documents, explores and showcases the independent coffee scene in north England. The project was funded through a crowd funding site which shows how useful these sites can be for independent designers. Collaborating with a photographer allowed Dan to concentrate on the design and get high quality, professional visuals.

Dan used the typeface Fugue Headline because of the unique qualities to characters such as R and T and the linked double F:

ISBN No:

Dan made the decision to have an ISBM No. created for the book which ultimately keeps a timeless record of it. The reason for this was because he was concerned that some bigger stores such as Waterstones wouldn't take his book without it. Dan explained that ISBM numbers are very expensive however it gives the publication authority and professionalism.


The Hubbards Identity
Indie rock band from Hull

Used Druck for the identity - Extra wide and heavy weight
Minimalist
Black and white

Dan has introduced me to a new typeface that I would like to imbed into my practice due to its contemporary  presence. After further research into the typeface, I discovered that it comes in a range of styles from narrow to wide:

Transferrable into a range of contexts


Salvation

Fashion based project
Used Resistance for the type - Reflected the architecture of the building, particularly the 'i'.
Took quotes from the new testament
Minimalist spread

I really like how Dan has made the type 3D by setting it an angle to create the perspective of looking at a building:

Dan provided his main considerations when creating a solution:

Typeface
Material
Colour

By establishing these considerations in relation to the concept and context will create an appropriate solution.

Advice:

• Your attitude is important to make it work
• Get yourself in the right position
• Find people that understand you - Create contacts
• Collect graphic design
• Find your niche
• It's not as pretty as it looks
• Do / don't move to London

Dan provided some really beneficial advice which has inspired me to work in a contemporary context because the visual style and conceptual approach compliments my method of working. It was a really inspiring talk because the studios work aesthetically appealed to me and he demonstrated how this can be imbed into commercial design successfully.

Dan's talk made me more aware of type foundries which will be really useful in the future. He has also introduced me to modern and contemporary typefaces such as Druk.