OUGD503 - Studio Brief 1 - Noughts and Crosses (4 Days) - Initial Ideas and Sketches

Initial Ideas and Sketches

Using some of the direct quotes from the book made it easier to start visualising concepts and covers for the book in an original way. From the initial mindmap these were then explored through sketches.

'All our lives criss - crossing but never really touching.' pg 116

To visualise this quote it was considered that two different lines could be used to reflect the noughts and crosses. One of the lines would reflect the noughts, this one would stop and start whenever it came into contact with a cross path to show how people avoid one another. This would suggest that noughts were the minority. Originally it was considered that the lines could be quite random however it was considered that this could look quite loose. Using straight lies instead it was thought would look more like deliberate paths where people would cross. Using a dashed line for the noughts would allow the line to be broken up and mean that the two lines would never overlap. The crosses line could be solid to suggest they are seen as the more important. Alternatively using thick and thin lines to reflect the paths, could also create contrast reflecting the difference between the noughts and crosses.

''We don't need to mix with them'

'What's wrong with mixing?'' pg 35

Using the concept of oil and water and how these congeal rather than mix, it was considered this effect could be shown through the use of combining noughts and crosses into groups that are separate from one another . When the crosses join they would form a cross hatch pattern, whilst the noughts would float within this, however a gap would form around them so they aren't touching. To mix the noughts and crosses it was considered that these could be overlapped to create a new sign, however it was thought this looked a like a battery / electrical symbol.

'The Crosses were meant to be closer to God. The Good Book said so.' pg 78 - 79

Within the quote it suggests crosses are close to God. Crosses are also known as Daggers within the book. When researching dagger symbols it was found that these also have elements of a cross reflecting a religious aspect. 

This symbol therefore worked well in tying religious symbology with the crosses which were considered Holy. It was considered that the books cover could reflect that of 'the Good Book' and become bible like with the use of the dagger symbol on the front. Either the cover of 'The Good Book' could become the cover or the cover of the book could show the book open on its first page with the symbol and a blank page for the blurb on the back. 


'Callum and I were two sides of the same coin' pg 231

This could be reflected by photographing physical coins or in a more illustrative way. The front cover could have two different types of coins to reflect noughts and crosses, whilst a completely different coin would reflect Sephy and Callum, showing how they are different to everyone else. A two pound coin could work well because this has two sections which would reflect the combination of Sephy and Callum. On the reverse the image would be the same however the coin representing Sephy and Callum would be turned over to show the other side of the coin. On the spine of the cover the coin could be put on its side so when the book lays flat the coin looks like it is also flat. Having just one coin on the cover but colouring the different sides would reflect that Sephy and Callum are part of the same coin however are still noughts and crosses in the eyes of everyone else. A singular coin could be used in a similar way, however when the book is turned over the reverse will be a different coin e.g. a 2p becomes a 1p. Having changing values could also be used to suggest that crosses are more important. Blank coins could be used as a way of not labeling the noughts and crosses, instead colours can be used.

Family Tree Visuals within the book 

These could show the relationship between Sephy and Callum. This could just show how they were together but also could show how Callum is deceased, adding the baby could also be done, however this may give away the plot line within the book. Rather than using the names of the people within the families this can just be represented using noughts and crosses. The different families could extend over the the whole cover with the focus of Callum, Sephy and the baby being on the front. Using a dashed line could reflect how Callum and Sephy were never considered as being together by anyone else.

The Game of Noughts and Crosses 

Notes from the author: She highlights the artificial divides that are between ourselves and others.
Use a noughts and crosses board, zoom in so only a nought, cross and line between is shown reflecting the divide between the two. 

Crosses more powerful than the noughts in the book 
The noughts could be losing the game of noughts and crosses. The 'board' could be spread across the cover.

'when you're floating up and up in your bubble,  that bubbles have a habit of bursting. The higher you climb, the further you have to fall.' pg 151

Bubbles could be floating up, reflecting the noughts, whilst daggers try to pop them. This could also be shown by a cross over the bubble like its zeroing in on the nought. Popped bubbles could be represented using dashed lines to show how the bubble is broken and dissipating. This could also be visualised by breaking up the circle into bits to show it is broken.  Having multiple daggers looking like the noughts are under attack. Colouring the bubbles in different colours could reflect the noughts and crosses, this would suggest both noughts and crosses are floating up however crosses make it to the top more. 


ID Cards 

Confrontation on the train between Callum and the Police Officer

Train incident with the ID Card shows the distrust between noughts and crosses. The police man wanted to check every detail of the ID card because he didn't trust what Callum was saying. The ID could be rewritten to reflect Callums thoughts about the situation. A version of the ID Card could be put on the back and front with the altered one on the front. A magnifying glass could be shown over Callums hand on one side of the book, whilst on the other side the ID card is magnified. 

Fingerprint link between the can in the shopping centre and ID card in the hospital  

Having a crushed and broken can on the ground then layering the silhouette of the ID card over the scene so the finger print on the can aligns with the one on the ID card will create a link between the two and suggest that they are from the same person.