I was given the task to produce the branding for the Sheffield Documentary Festival. I was asked to create a variety of mock ups that could be used during the festival. This was to include a marque, commemorative programme, festival programme, a call for entries poster and any environmental applications in which my posters can be displayed.
To enable me to get the best possible outcome for this brief, I first had to research into existing documentary festivals to see how they market themselves. I also had to watch three very different film documentaries to see how I could produce a programme for one of these films. The films included: Senna, Hell and Back Again and The Interrupters. The film I felt that stood out most to me was Hell and Back Again as it gave me a real idea on what the war is really like in Afganistan and how it effects those who are sent to fight. I felt this was the film that could create the biggest impact on the audience.
However, before I could think about creating my programme, I firstly needed to produce a marque and Call for Entries poster. I wanted my marque to symbolise or have some reference to film and media and I feel that it could also be more recognisable if the symbol is to be used alone. I came up with a series of ideas that I feel could represent the festival well. This ranged from film cameras to film reels even to type that was in the style of a typewriter. I eventually chose the idea of using three different sized film reels to incorporate the idea of a film camera. It then included the words Doc/Fest Sheffield underneath.
After finalising my marque, it was then time for me to create my Call For Entries poster. I wanted something that was quite typographical but also simple and easy to recognise. I came up with the idea to use the words Sheff Doc/Fest 2012, 13 - 17 June in a box shape so that it would become justified and all on separate lines. I then changed the word 'Doc' to a pink colour to give the design a more unique and sophisticated look. I originally included all the text that was given to me in my poster, but I found that there was too much information for the audience to read. So instead I chose to leave the key areas such as how to apply and when. The poster was also made at A1 size and used the font Avant Garde with 22pt type.
I could now finally produce my commemorative programme for my chosen documentary, Hell and Back again. I wanted to continue with the design concept that I used for my poster throughout the whole of my products. I also wanted to keep a simple layout using lots of colour/images to keep the audience interested in what information I am providing. My aim was to provide a series of images from the film itself to give the reader an insight to what the film will be about. I also chose to include film reviews and a film bio. To give the brochure have a more typographical style, I decided to select key phrases from the information provided and highlight these on the opposing page. These would then be changed into a army based font and the font size would be increased. I chose to make my brochure at 210x210.
The same concept was done to produce my festival programme. At first I found it hard to fit all the content onto one page or in a way that it would be fun to read. So I chose to only include sections I thought would be of interest to people. However, I felt that this didnt really provide enough information about the festival and eventually chose to include all the information. This meant that I had to produce the font at 8pt type and split this between five columns on two pages. I also thought it would be a great idea to include small thumbnails of some of the films that are being shown at the festival.
Now that I had completed my programmes and poster. I could now move onto producing enviornmental applications. This included adshels and lamp-post banners.
Overall I am pleased with how my final concept has turned out. I feel that the simple and colourful design is easily recognisable and will appeal to people of all ages. During this brief, I find that it has not only developed my skills in illustrator and indesign but also helped me to realise how different companies and clients market themselves towards an audience.
