Studio Brief 1 - To Kill a Mockingbird - Using shapes to represent adjectives

Visualising themes and adjectives through shapes

The top design represents the courtroom scene from eye level perspective. The thick black line represents the black community sitting above in the stands which is represented by the thinner line. Below this the defense and prosecution are situated with the circles reflecting the white people in the scene, Mayella, her father and Atticus. Tom is represented by the square to show how most white people see black people as a different to them. By placing a circle with the square this represents Atticus standing for Tom. The line in between the two pairs of shapes act a way of separating the prosecution from the defense creating a sense of sides.

The bottom design reflects a similar idea however reduces the focus to the two sides. By overlapping the shapes this creates a greater impression of support between the elements in the two sides. The squares emphasis a sense of  separation between the two sides.

The top left design reflects how Atticus (the circle) protects Tom (the square). By placing the square within the circle, the circle acts as a barrier against other elements. The arrows create the impression of aggression through their sharp direction. By using multiple arrows this reflects the sense that there is pressure from the white community all around.

In the bottom left design the use of overlapping circles creates the sense of a crowd of people close together surrounding Tom (the square). The contrast in circles (white community) and square creates a clear visual difference between the two groups and emphasises how outnumbered the square (Tom) was.  

The top right design represents the protection of Atticus (the smaller circle) over Tom (the square). The larger circle represents the white community who are supporting Mayella (the small circle). By using a larger circle for the white community this suggests how Atticus is outnumbered in comparison and the overlapping of the circles reflects the pressure being put on him by the opposition. 

The bottom right design is a reflection of the scene where the black community stand for Atticus despite Tom being found guilty. Using a thick black line represents the black community up in the stands which wrapped around the court on three sides. The thinner lines are used to signify the ground below with a gap for an 'exit'. Atticus is represented with a circle as he 'walks' towards the door.

  

The top left design uses the idea of protection with Atticus as the circle with a larger circle enveloping Tom creating a sense of a protective shied or bubble against outside forces.

The bottom left design again plays with the scene where the black community stand for Atticus. By using parallel lines on either side of the circle with open ends this creates the sense of movement through the space.

The top right design simplifies the courtroom scene by just having the prosecution and defence. This creates balance within the design and further emphasises the idea of two sides against each other.

The bottom right design represents the scene where Atticus waits outside the jail with his lamp to protect Tom from the Lynchmob. The semi circle acts as the light with the lines reflecting the light beam with Atticus sat underneath. The design, however, looks a little like a spaceship beaming the circle up, so this idea could be shown in a different way. 

Studio Brief 1 - To Kill a Mockingbird - Thumbnails

Layout Thumbnails 

Using the hierarchy discussed, general themes and concepts in the book and basic grid layouts , elements were able to be placed roughly for back and front covers.

Thoughts on Layouts

-  Having the written elements so they take up approximately a third of the grid means that a large image can can be used. This makes the image the most dominant thing within the design playing on the feeling of power over the other elements. It also has a similar layout to 1960's book design e.g. Marber's Penguin 

- The title could be broken down into singular words or phrases to allow for better typographic flexibility. This would allow for the words to be much larger and fit on the page.

- Having a larger title creates impact in the design and will stand out against imagery

 The main front cover thumbnail themes are:

- Large typographic elements with full bleed image behind 

- Title and author bunched together with the image taking up roughly three quarters of the cover design

- Placing the image within a box with the title and author above / below means that a background colour could surround all the elements.

- Splitting the page into halves either horizontally or vertically could play with the idea of contrasting elements such as in the book with race, inequality etc

The back cover has quite a large blurb, quote and a recommendation which will take up a considerable amount of the back cover. Any design that is chosen should reflect layout elements of the front cover to create consistency across the design.

The main back cover thumbnail themes are:

- Having all the elements in a block following the hierarchy set out could be aligned centrally, to the left or right with the barcode. This creates space around the text which will create balance between text and background. 

- Having a large staggered quote at the top of the back cover with the blurb and recommendation in a block creates unbalance within the grid structure.

- Breaking the back cover into two halves so that the quote and recommendation are on one side and the blurb on the other in a column grid format.

Study Task 2 - To Kill a Mockingbird - Typeface Choices

Typeface Choices

Adjectives such as Innocence, Oppression and Intolerance were key words used to choose the typefaces for the book cover.

General thoughts

A bold typeface would be larger and more dominant, allowing visible overbearing over other elements, which would better reflect the intolerance and oppression within the book.
Harper Lee was a tomboy but quite shy (e.g. she didn't like doing interviews) and saw herself as Scout in the novel . With this in mind a typeface that was quite strong but thin would best reflect this idea. A sans serif would be more boisterous in comparison to a serif typeface which could be seen as quite feminine. A thinner typeface will create a sense of fragility which evokes a softer more innocent feel allowing the authors type to also reflect the age of Scout, who the author identifies with. Using the same type of typeface, in this case sans serif ,will make reference to the concept of people. This is supposed to imply that we are all people (sans serif) but within the book groups are seen differently , with whites more dominant and blacks and people like Boo Radley are belittled by society. 

Franklin Gothic

- Grotesque Sans Serif 

- used in advertisements and newspapers

- contrast in stroke weight  

- enlarged x height makes the characters look more open and larger

- traditional double storey g 

- can be used at small and large point sizes because of spacing

- tapering strokes near junctions

- ear on g

Trebuchet MS 

- Humanist Sans Serif

- based on proportions of Roman inscriptional letters

- more legible than other sans serif typefaces - make it better in text 

- similar characteristics and proportions to serif typefaces - calligraphic influence - traditional feel

- M has 10 degree angle - similar but thinner version of M in Univers

Berthold Akzidenz - Grotesk

- Grotesque Sans Serif  

- squared quality 

- thick strokes make it bold even in its regular form - almost equal horizontal and vertical strokes

- single storey g 

- display type

- small x height makes it much squarer looking - blocky 
- Personality - Cool form, clear, legible, practical, neutral

Trebuchet MS is a sans serif typeface but has calligraphic qualities giving it a more human written feel which could provide a good contrast between the other more blocky sans serif typefaces.

Franklin Gothic has a thin but sturdy form when compared with Berthold Akzidenz -  Grotesk making it useful in creating contrast between the solidity of the two typefaces. 

Berthold Akzidenz has a similar feel to typography used in the opening sequence of the film. Its bold structure will be effective in standing out against both black and white backgrounds. As sometimes white text can be lost on a black background.

Berthold Akzidenz Grotesk has a straight leg on the R which is similar to that in Franklin Gothic Book creating consistency across the two typefaces. Both typefaces also share square tittles.

Franklin Gothic Book is effective in smaller point sizes which will make it useful for body text especially for the blurb on the back.

Study Task 2 - To Kill a Mockingbird - Book Cover Analysis

Existing Book Covers

The book cover makes reference to the children's swing in their back yard which was the main focus of their discussions and plans for adventures. It reflects the innocence of their play and provides a symbol for childhood. The use of black typography on a cream background could possibly make reference to race but cream rather than white better reflects a natural skin tone. The typography fits around the imagery allowing for the smaller words to fit alongside the image and providing enough space at the bottom of the cover for 'Mockingbird'. Having typography below the image creates a sense of elevation , making it seem like the swing is raised off the ground with the 'Mockingbird' acting the floor, helping with perspective. The typography is brush like with the ends of the strokes being quite feather like which could reference the Mockingbird. 

Sarah Jane Coleman

This cover is much more illustrative in its approach and uses the whole cover as a means of placing the imagery, which allows the image to wrap around the cover. The book makes reference to Boo Radleys tree, where he leaves objects for the children to find. Placing the tree trunk along the spine with the hole in the middle of it creates balance and symmetry in the design whilst allowing space for typographic elements on the front and back covers. Having a child on both sides of the tree also balances the design graphically. Scout is looking directly up at the Mockingbird which draws the viewers attention up along her line of sight, however for me this stopped at the title as the bird was not as obvious in the top right corner.There are four different typefaces used in the cover which is possibly too many. The type in yellow may be too ornate and clashes with the main illustrated title on the cover, also the contrast between the two types of typography on the spine, is too much with one being very angular and the other being curved and script. However the yellow typography works well in reflecting the whimsical nature of the title illustration, with this in mind potentially the authors name should be changed to a typeface that is less severe. Using the serif typeface on the front cover for the yellow typography would have been better matched creating similarities in the design rather than a mix match.

When the children get rifles Atticus tells them to never shoot a mockingbird because

 '...its a sin to kill a mockingbird' ..... 'Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy.... but sing there hearts out for us'. On the book cover the bird is circled similarly to when a guns line of sight is trained on its target, also the fact that the bird is perched on a branch in its natural surroundings tends to suggest it is being hunted.

Frutiger suggests that a circle provides protection from outside influences and is a life preserving form. In this case the circle may represent the idea, that because it is a sin to kill a mockingbird, it is protected or should be protected, however the use of a thin line suggests the protection is quite fragile. 

Keeping the design simple with a clear idea being represented is effective.The design is clever in juxtaposing the two ideas of protecting the bird , whilst also possibly showing it being targeted through the use of a simple circle. 

The image of the mockingbird in this cover has a similar aesthetic to the children's drawing in the opening sequence of the film. Using the drawing reflects the innocence of the children and their main role in the story. By colouring the bird red this evokes a sense of danger or blood which could preempt the outcome of the story with Toms death as he was seen as a representation of the mockingbird. The use of black for the background and white for the typography suggests reference to the topic of race in the book. 

Breaking 'Mockingbird' into two words makes sense in allowing the typography to all be the same point size however it could be seen to be a little clumsy particularly because of the dash which signals the continuation of the word on the next line.

Study Task 1 - To Kill a Mockingbird - Word Associations and Meanings

Word definitions 

Opression

- prolonged cruel or unjust treatment or exercise of authority.
- the state of being subject to oppressive treatment.
- mental pressure or distress.

Protection

- the action of protecting, or the state of being protected.
- a person or thing that protects someone or something.
- a legal or other formal measure intended to preserve civil liberties and rights.
Middle English: from Old French, from late Latin protectio(n- ), from protegere ‘cover in front’ 

Hardship 

- severe suffering or privation.

Prejudice

- preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience.
- harm or injury that results or may result from some action or judgement.
- give rise to prejudice in (someone); make biased.

Courage 

- the ability to do something that frightens one; bravery.
- strength in the face of pain or grief.
Middle English (denoting the heart, as the seat of feelings): from Old French corage, from Latin cor ‘heart’.

Innocence

- the state, quality, or fact of being innocent of a crime or offence.
- lack of guile or corruption; purity.
Middle English: from Old French, from Latin innocentia, from innocent- ‘not harming’ (based on nocere ‘injure’).

Respect 

- a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements.
- due regard for the feelings, wishes, or rights of others.
- admire (someone or something) deeply, as a result of their abilities, qualities, or achievements.
- have due regard for (someone's feelings, wishes, or rights).
late Middle English: from Latin respectus, from the verb respicere ‘look back at, regard’, from re- ‘back’ + specere ‘look at’.

Intolerance

- unwillingness to accept views, beliefs, or behaviour that differ from one's own.

Kindness

- the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.
- a kind act.

Unity 

- the state of being united or joined as a whole.
- the state of forming a complete and harmonious whole, especially in an artistic context.
a thing forming a complex whole.
Middle English: from Old French unite, from Latin unitas, from unus ‘one’.

Study Task 3 - To Kill a Mockingbird - Typographic Treatments

Typographic Treatments

Hierarchy

To reflect the theme of oppression within the book, the title will be the most dominant typography and will overshadow the authors name. The author identified with Scout in the book so the use of a smaller typeface for the authors name will reflect the age of the character. To create consistency across front and back covers the reviews and comments could be the same size as the authors name on the front. By connecting covers through text size this will allow the design to flow more. The blurb will be the smallest text size as it has the most words, which if any bigger will take up most of the back cover. On the spine the title and authors name could be the same size with  a contrast in weight to show the dominance over the authors name. The spine could also reflect the typography of the front cover to create consistency.

Grid systems

The grid system should allow for contrasting text sizes by having larger and smaller boxes for the title and authors name. These could be placed directly beneath each other to further emphasise the dominance of the title over the authors name. The title could be split into 'To Kill' and 'a Mockingbird' underneath with the authors name below. This may allow for greater layout options and more balance within the typography, in terms of sentence lengths. The grid arrangements allow for left, right or central alignment allowing flexibility. The grid also allows for up to three quarters of the space to be used for an image. The grid could be flipped and overlapped so that both the top and bottom of the cover had the same grid system. This would allow for symmetry in the grid system and allow for positioning of the authors name at the bottom. It will be useful for the back cover design as the information will take up much of the area so a grid that covers both the top and bottom halves will allow for better placement.

Study Task 1 - To Kill a Mockingbird - Research on the Author

Harper Lee

Her full name was Nelle Harper Lee and she was born in 1926. Her name orginated form her grandmothers with the letters spelt backwards. When she published she dropped it from the book because she didn't want people pronouncing it Nellie which she hated.

She came from the same town as Truman Capote who wrote In Cold Blood, they were both close childhood friends.

Her first book To Kill a Mockingbird became an instant classic making it difficult to follow on from.

Only a year before her death did she publish another book called Go Set A Watchman which followed the characters years later, although there were questions as to whether this was her choice or the publishers to print the book.

She mostly kept to herself after the publication of To Kill a Mockingbird and did not do an interview after the early 1960s.

After her death in February 2016, her will stated that there was no longer to be a mass market copy of To Kill a Mockingbird, only trade copies.

Comparisons between Harper Lee and Scout Finch 

Both:  
- were tomboys 
- had fathers that were lawyers
- had friends that were practically abandoned by their parents (Dill represents Truman Capote)
- were interested in reading 

Study Task 1 - To Kill a Mockingbird - Book Genre

Genres that include To Kill A Mockingbird

Southern Gothic Literature

It is a genre of southern writing that focuses on grotesque themes, with possible supernatural elements. The characters are often damaged or perhaps delusional. This genre was influenced by Gothic Writing which was popular in the 18th Century. Southern Gothic was at its most popular during the 1940s and 1960s. The genre uses dark humor and aims to expose problems in society through the use of complex characters. The behaviour of people and social order in the South are explored and moral issues are highlighted. The stories explore a range of problems from racism, disability, poverty and violence.

Coming of Age story 

In this genre the main character develops from youth to adulthood through a series of experiences in the world.

Study Task 1 - To Kill a Mockingbird - The Film

Opening Sequence

The title sequence provided a lot of visual elements that could be used as reference points for the book cover. The items included in the beginning part of the sequence refer to the things left by Boo Radley in the tree for the children to find.

Also the drawing sequence refers to the importance of the children's role in the film. Although the film could only be produced in black and white at the time this also supports the overarching problems of racial intolerance. It also evoke a sense of seeing only 'in black or white' like only one is right, creating a sense of narrowmindeness. The titles use sanserif typeface in white that is bold enough to contrast against the black and white imagery.

 A large part of the sequence was filmed so that the camera was tracking the objects horizontally which allowed for the objects to contrast against the black background and white foreground. 

The use of black crayon on white paper meant that the white page was always more dominant than the black drawing with the white paper surrounding the marks much like in life in the 1930s.  The marbles were quite interesting in black and white as some were purely white while others had black marks through them where the colour should have been. When the marble with a black stripe through it rolled into the black marble this could symbolise how Atticus who is understanding of black people, stands side by side with Tom to prove his innocence. 

By tearing the mockingbird this could reference it being killed such as how Tom was, the force that it was torn at shows aggression, pointing to the idea that it was wrong to do so in the eyes of the child. 

Study Task 1 - To Kill a Mockingbird - Key Themes and Adjectives

Themes in the Book

Prejudice

- Many people in Maycomb are racist and prejudice against black people
- Tom is accused of a crime because he is black even though it is obvious he is innocent, but by feeling sorry for Mayella the verdict is more likely
- Atticus is tolerant and believe in equality which he wants to pass onto his children
- Aunt Alexandra does not share this as she gets Calpurnia to take her luggage upstairs. During her missionary tea the ladies feel sorry for the tribe but condemn black people in her own community, which shows hypocrisy
- Dolphus Raymond pretend to be drunk to avoid questions about his relationship with a black woman
- Many people in the town are narrow minded about people who do not conform to their expectations.
- Boo Radley is gossiped about because he has not been seen outside his house

Family Life 

- The Finch family are described as something to aspire to, with Atticus as a role model, being fair and tolerant. He treats the children as equals and values their opinions. Atticus does not gossip and spends a lot of time with the children. He also treats Calpurnia as one of the family.
- Aunt Alexandra traces peoples heritage so does not judges a person on their ancestry. This way of thinking makes it difficult for people to break away from their family connections. It shows how the residents are narrow minded and prejudiced, which is passed on through the generations because know one leaves the town.
- The Ewell family are seen as white trash which refers to white people in Southern states who are very poor. This was originally used by black slaves but was later used by rich white people who saw them as inferior to them. The Ewell's live on handouts but this is spent on alcohol by Bob.
- Dill is well looked after but not wanted by his family when his mother remarries this is why he stays with his Aunt Rachael.
- Calpurnia's church work together and help Helen Robinson during Toms trial showing how the prejudices are untrue

Courage

Atticus 

- Atticus is courageous when he defends Tom at trial even when there will be backlash against his family and there is not much hope of winning
- He guards Toms cell against the lynchmob
- Throughout the story he stands up to racism and encourages his children to do so
- By shooting the dog when he hasn't shot in years although he does not want his children to think that shooting makes someone courageous

Miss Maudie

- refuses to be upset when her house is burnt down 

Boo Radley 

- is brave when he stops the children being harmed by Bob Ewell when this means leaving his house

Mrs Dubose 

- was addicted to morphine but wanted to become addiction free before she died even when there was no need 
- she did this privately so no one knew
- Atticus wanted the children to understand that being courageous can mean doing hard things that others do not understand or may criticise you for 

Adjectives to describe aspects of the book

Protection
Atticus is protective of Tom when he stands up for him against the lynchmob  at the jail and when he agrees to represent him. Boo also protects the children from Tom Ewell. 

Oppression
Black people are segregated in society and do not have the same rights or freedoms as white people, this is particularly visible in the film when in the courtroom. 

Unity
The children stand together against the lynchmob and look out for one another. Most of the white residents form a group against Tom and are unwilling to see that he is innocent despite the evidence. The black community come together and support Toms wife while the trail is going on. 

Kindness
This is reflected in Atticus when he stands up for Tom when other people would not. Boo is kind when he saves the children from Tom Ewell and also when he leaves objects for the children.

Intolerance / Prejudice 
This is shown by the white community when they do not consider the evidence that shows Tom to clearly not be guilty. The potential violence and segregation in the community  strongly shows the racial intolerance of the community and culture at the time.
   

Respect
The black community stand for Atticus in the courtroom in respect for what he did for Tom . The children respect Atticus and call him by his first name.

Innocence 
Tom was innocent of the crime. The children were innocent in terms of age but grew up to understand the injustices that were around them. Boos disability meant he  was childlike despite his age and seen as innocent to the reader.  

Courage
Tom was courageous when he stood against the lynch mob outside the jail. Boo was courageous in protecting the children against Bob Ewell.

Hardship
The Great Depression meant that many of the characters in the book were suffering from its effects. Tom Ewell was very poor and spent most of his money on alcohol meaning his family had little to live on. Mr Cunningham was repaying Atticus through food parcels because he did not have enough money. The black community had to collect money for Helen Robinson in order to keep her going while Tom was in jail.

Study Task 1 - To Kill a Mockingbird - Social and Historical Context

Context

The book was published in 1960 and 1961 and won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction
It was adapted into a film in 1962.

Social Context and History

1930s America and Slavery

The book was set in the 1930s when white people were racist to black people. Slavery had recently been abolished in the 1890 but this did not change attitudes and segregation was introduced. During slavery black people were owned by white people and forced to work for them on plantations or farms. The slaves had no freedom and were often branded to show who owned them. Beatings were frequent and if they tried to escape they could be lynched. 

Segregation, voting and the justice system

Black people were separated from white people, which meant they went to different schools, churches (Calpurnia goes to a church like this) etc. Their housing was rundown and schools were poorly equipped. To vote you had to pass a literacy test, these were made more difficult for black people meaning they failed because of their lack of education. They were also threatened when they tried to register to vote. Often black people were charged for crimes they did not commit and fair trails were uncommon (Atticus is brave to stand up for Tom). Some white people took the law into their own hands and would form a lynchmob to try and kill a black person before they got to trial. The Ku Klux Klan were a group that were responsible for many of these killings.

1960s 

At the time the book was written, black people were trying to change things. Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat for a white person , which triggered a boycott of the buses. They were threatened until the Supreme Court ruled that there should not be segregation on the buses anymore. Martin Luther King was a major figure in campaigning for equal rights.

Study Task 1 - To Kill a Mockingbird - Research

Plot outline

- Dill visits Maycomb for the Summer and meets Jem and Scout Finch

- Dill becomes interested in Boo Riley who hasn't been outside for years

- The children wan to try and get him to come out

- Scout starts school although her teacher does not like her because she is already advanced in her reading and writing
- Scout gets into a fight with Walter Cunningham who's father owes money to Atticus for legal work, however pays for it in food
- Calpurnia is introduced, she is the black maid who is treated as part of the family
- Gifts are found in the Oak Tree outside Boo Radleys house
- Dill comes back and the children adventure up to Boos house
- Jem gets his trousers caught on wire, leaving him in just his underwear. He later goes to retrieve them
- Miss Maudice is introduced, who is a friend of Atticus and is similarly tolerant and doesn't like gossip
- When Jem retrieves his trousers he finds them stitched and folded up
- More gifts are found in the tree
- The tree hole is then filled with cement 
- Miss Maudie's hose catches fire
- Scout is teased at school about Atticus representing a black person
- The children get air rifles for Christmas and are embarrassed by their father who they think cannot shoot 
- Their father warns them not to kill mockingbirds who sing for everyone's pleasure. 'Shoot all the blue jays you want, if you can hit 'em, but remember its a sin to kill a mockingbird '
- A mad dog appears in the street and Atticus shoots it. It is found that he was once an expert marksman
- Mrs Dubose taunts them about Atticus defending a black man 
- Jem beheads Mrs Dubose's camellia bushes
- Jem has to read to Mrs Dubose as punishment, whilst Scout keeps him company. When she dies it is revealed that it was to help her with her morphine addiction
- Dill does not come back for the summer instead he stays with his mother and stepfather
- Atticus goes away and Calpurnia takes them to church where they see how difficult it is for black people in the area
- Whilst Atticus is doing the trail Aunt Alexandra looks after the children, who wants to turn Scout into a young lady
- Dill runs away and spends the summer with his Aunt Rachael
- Atticus is approached outside the jail by white men who want to lynch Tom Robinson
- Scout sees Walter Cunninghams father in the group and talks to him, then the group leave
- The trial starts and many come to watch. The children get seats in blacks only area and speak to Dolphus Raymond who is in a relationship with a black woman and uses his 'drunkeness' as an excuse for his behaviour.
- Bob Ewell's anger is revealed and he hates Atticus for humiliating him
- It is obvious that Tom Robinson is not guilty of raping Mayella. Instead she tried to lead him on but her father then beat her for trying to flirt with a black man.
- Tom is found guilty but the congregation stand for Atticus as he leaves, to respect how he stood up for Tom
- Jem begins to realise the injustice of the law and Scout is disgusted that women cannot be part of the jury. Jem realises that Boo stays inside because he wants to.
- Aunt Alexandra puts on a missionary tea 
- Atticus interrupts and says how Tom escaped from prison and was then killed
- Scout sees Aunt Alexandra's and Miss Maudies reaction and realises the strength that women show
- Bob Ewell makes threats against the family and Helen Robinson.
- There is a pageant at the school to celebrate Halloween 
- On the way home Scout and Jem are attacked,  but someone stops the attacker and carries Jem back to the house
- It was found to be Boo Radley (Arthur), Bob Ewell was found with a knife in him .
- Atticus believes Jem accidentally killed him , whilst Heck Tate realises it was Boo. Everyone is told that Bob Ewell fell on his knife as Boo would never cope with the publicity. 
- Scout helps Boo back to his house and he is never seen again 
- Atticus sits and waits for Jem to wake up the following morning. 

A1 Exhibition Poster - Sculpture

Sculpture Creation

After looking at Matt Shilans work it was found that a kite, square and hexagon were the most crystal like shapes, which seemed to reflect diamonds and cut gems.

To create these shapes the nets for each had to be worked out. To create the three dimensionality of the shapes and extra side had to be included in the net design. This would fold inside the shape and be glued to create the final shape.

Through trail and error of creating different variations of the nets was it possible to create the correct design. In order for the shapes to fit together as a design the sides had to be of the same length, with the exception of the kite in which only two sides were the this length. The nets were then digitalised so that the outline of the shape could be drawn onto different types of card. 

A rough design was also created for the overall layout of all the elements. This was created so that the final sculpture would cover most of the right side of the poster allowing space for text elements in the top and bottom left areas of the design.

The nets were drawn around, onto black and metallic blue card for accuracy and the fold lines were copied on to each piece. The use of these colours reflected the the idea of finding jewels within a rock, with the black pieces representing the stone and the metallic paper representing the shiny crystals. When assembled all the pieces were glued to another piece of card in a similar way to the Illustrator pattern that had been created.   

When photographing the piece a harsh light was used to create contrast on the different faces of the shapes as well as making the metallic card shine. When capturing the photographs it was found that where the pieces had been glued there were marks left around the shapes. Using Photoshop meant that these blemishes could be removed.

The design had to be able to fold down from A1 to A4. Bearing this in mind the logo of the museum and title of the exhibition were placed in the top left hand corner, this meant that when folded this important information would be visible for visitors. The exhibition was named Raw Earth to reflect the organic origins of crystals and where they are found. Using a combination of yellow and white text contrasted well against the dark background image.The use of clean sans serif typefaces compliment the geometric forms of the sculpture design.  Futura provides an angularity that mimics the shape of crystals , whilst Arial creates a blocky solid appearance used to reflect stone.