Studio Brief 1 - To Kill a Mockingbird - Photocopied Designs

Photocopied Designs 

Using photocopies as shapes was heavily influence by the work created for the PPP Reflective Practice brief that was set, in which basic shapes were cut from a variety of materials. Using the photocopier as a technique meant that a range of tones could be created through moving the lid of the photocopier up and down when it was scanning. This allowed different shades of a monochrome palette to be created, which also would fit with the race issues in the book. The use of the same material throughout the designs allowed for a consistent aesthetic which also stood out when placed over a background black cover. 

   

To represent the different characters within the book circles of different tonal value were used based on their race. The white community were pictured as white circle and Tom as a black, Atticus however is shown with a gradient from black to white. This is supposed to signify the fact that Atticus is supportive of the black community despite being part of the white community. Using the same visual language for the different characters allowed for them to be arranged in different ways to tell a variety of stories / ideas.

In the top left design, when trying to visualise Atticus outside the jail, the light was the main focus for showing the concept. In previous experimentation from other projects it was found that if the photocopier lid was raised up while scanning a 'beam' of light was produced on the final image. With this in mind and through experimentation with the speed tat which the bed was raised different thicknesses of 'beams' were created. Placing Tom inside the beam with Atticus on the cusp of the light is supposed to suggest Atticus moving to meet the lynchmob (white circle who came from the darkness) in protection of Tom. 

In the bottom left design this visualises the idea that Tom and Atticus are surrounded and outnumbered by the white community suggesting that they are fighting a losing battle despite Tom being innocent. It also reflects the sense that the white community are closing in around Tom even though Atticus is there to protect him.

In the top right design oppression is shown and is reflected through the use of a a larger white circle pressing down on Tom which suggests Tom is far outnumbered. Atticus is placed within the white circle to show how he takes much of the brunt of the white communities dislike for Tom , however the closeness of the circles suggests they are not far from reaching him.  

In the bottom right design Atticus is overlapping Tom to suggest physical protection, however the white communities circle is larger suggesting he is struggling to keep them at bay. This could be further emphasised if the white circle overlapped onto Atticus to show the pressure they are putting on him. 


   

This series of designs focuses on the concept of Atticus waiting outside the jail, under a lamp, to protect tom from the lynchmob. 

The top left design shows Tom behind bars in the jail, however this feels to obvious and does not visualise the idea of the light.

The bottom left design creates the beam of light out of a white photocopy which creates contrast between the background jail bar elements. Atticus is position within the beam of light to reflect him sitting underneath it.

The top right design uses a photocopy with more gradient which portrays a light better as the light becomes dimmer the further away from the light source. This creates a more realistic visualisation of the lamp when compared with the bottom left design which looks more like a strong beam of light. 

The bottom right design suggests Tom behind bars with the lamp shining around and infront of him. This could be improved by placing the bars on a photocopy that has more gradient, to suggest you are looking through the light to Tom behind. At the moment the jail part stands out too much and looks infront of the light. 

Experimenting with a bird using photocopied elements behind bars was going to be another idea, so it looked like a caged bird trying to escape. However in the brief it states that they were looking for designs that did not use previous iconography associated with the book.