Production process

For this unit, we had to produce a series of logos and a poster to represent a documentary show
according to a brief that our client had prepared for us. Before making the logo and poster, I had
to research and plan what the TV show was going to be, in order for the design to fit the genre
of the show. The first research I did, I decided to look at existing logos for the TV shows that I
watch for inspiration so I can see how they use different types of fonts, colours and layouts to
brand the show. I also looked at other graphic artists logo designs on Behance
(https://www.behance.net/) which is a website used for professional artists to upload their work. I
selected a few logos which I personally found very aesthetically pleasing to look at and
annotated them, analysing the unique aspects of the logos and why it was so effective. After
researching existing logos, I went on to brainstorming for a TV show idea, which I chose to go
with a crime genre and I brainstormed different aspects I could portray the crime genre through
the design of the logo. One of the words that I had included in my brainstorm was court and
law & order which really helped me choose what kind of graphics to use for my logo (such as
balancing scales and a gavel). After researching and coming up with ideas I began to
experiment on Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop. For the logo, I mainly worked in Adobe
Illustrator as working with vectors is a lot easier when it comes to illustrations, but I switched to
Adobe Photoshop when working on a TV show poster as photographs are easier to work on in a
raster based programme.
Using the process of researching and developing ideas, it allowed me to experiment with the
different ways I could achieve my outcome, looking at the successes and fails. As I screenshot
the different drafts that I had created, I could compare them with each other to see which
aspects of the logo worked and failed which is an easy way for me to improve and achieve the
outcome that I want. I used the research to understand the basic layouts of logos, and how the
graphic, colours and font mix together to produce something suitable for the show. Since I am
doing a crime show, I looked at the logo of How To Get Away With Murder which is also a crime
genre show. Based off that logo I could immediately tell (besides from the title) that it would be a
suspense crime show with the use of colour and font, and inspired me to also input the same
aspects to my logo as well. For example, the title was dramatising the word Murder by putting
the rest of the words in a light grey and lower case font. This made it stand out less against the
word Murder which was made bigger and a different colour, red, which can symbolise crime or
danger. Based off the existing logo, I mainly experimented with the colour of my title as I
changed the colour from black to red. Black could connote mystery and bad omen which can be
common themes in a crime genre show, however I felt that it was too basic so I changed it to
red. I experimented different shades of red. I thought that a darker red represents the danger
element more than a vibrant red, which is also commonly associated with crime (blood). The red
also matches the blood splatters that I incorporated within the 1st and 3rd logo, so that the reds
don't overpower each other.
It wasnt very hard to come up with ideas for the logos as the research and analysing existing
logos, helped me with basic layouts and visual elements, and experimentations helped me
realise what kind of outcome I would like. To create the logos I used Adobe Illustrator which I am

accustomed to using, and it helped me enhance the graphics. For example, I used stock photos
of a balancing scale and blood splatters, and used a Live Paint tool to make it seem as if it
were an illustration, which would be more pleasing to look at rather than a real life photo. I also
generated ideas based on the tools that Adobe Illustrator had, for example: using geometric
shapes in the background for the experimentation of logo 2 because there are premade tools
that could easily produce different shapes. For Photoshop, it was slightly trickier to use.
Although I had the basic layout and composition in my head, it was the making of it which was
slightly difficult. Based off posters that I have already seen, I thought that Id go with a classic
composition and focused on the prop (the handcuffs) in the portrait poster, and the location on
the billboard poster. As seen in the video that I had taken in the process of making the poster, I
had to Photoshop handcuffs on the model and remove some of her bracelets to make it seem
more realistic however the removing of the bracelet was very long and quite tedious to do.
However, in the end I had achieved the outcome that I had wanted. The billboard poster was
slightly easier to do as I had used .PNG pictures (that were already transparent) so I didnt have
to get rid of the white background which made my task a little easier. In the billboard poster I
had also played around with artistic filters to enhance the atmosphere of the billboard poster.
I received feedback for each experimented logo from my teacher who had advised me to create
more experimentations with the fonts. For my first logo, he had told me to experiment with using
two fonts for each word, such as Law in a bold and straight font and Disorder in a messier
type font. Although it was an interesting insight, I chose to keep to one font as I wanted the fonts
to be the same, so the logo doesn't look messy and cluttered. For the second logo, he wanted
more experimentations however I didnt feel that it was necessary as I didnt like the use of the
hand drawn gavel and geometric shapes for the logo, as I felt that it didnt carry out the mood
that I was looking for that best represents a crime genre. For the third feedback of the third logo
my teacher suggested that I had also done more experimentation. I did so by playing around
with the gavel graphic. Before the final outcome of the third logo, I had played around with the
balancing scale graphic and the gavel graphic, however after the feedback I thought that I would
like to focus more on the gavel as I havent produced any logo that I liked with only the gavel. I
experimented on the composition of how I could use the gavel and also used the idea of blood
splatters from my first logo. The experimentation process involved me playing around with
different type of blood splatters and where to place them, either on the title/font or on the
graphic itself. In the end I liked the third logo the best.

How effectively did I carry out the tasks

As mentioned earlier, we had to follow a brief that was given to from our client. The brief follows,
You work for a Graphic Design company and have been given a brief to design a portfolio of
Digital Graphics in order to win a lucrative contract. You have been asked to make a series of
Graphic Design products to promote a new documentary.
The final products will consist of:
a series of Brand Logos in Illustrator (minimum of 3)

a series of Posters - Billboard (landscape) and magazine/bus stop (portrait) in

Photoshop (minimum of 2)
one simple Motion Graphic advert, to be displayed in tube/railway stations
(portrait) in After Effects or Flash
You will need to show the evolving design process and to present the initial ideas as a formal
proposal in order to get client feedback before embarking on the final designs.
I feel that I have understood the brief and had mostly successfully carried out what the brief had
asked me to do. This is evident from the final outcomes that I had achieved: 3 logos which all of
them consist of experimentations and drafts and two posters (portrait and landscape) with
process videos. The only outcome that I had failed to achieve was creating a motion graphic
advert, which meant that I did not fully stick to the intentions of the brief.
In Adobe Illustrator I feel that I have utilised the tools and functions to help me achieve my logo
outcomes. As mentioned before, I had chose to create the logos on Adobe Illustrator because
its easier to use vectors when illustrating, and the quality of the logos are higher as the details
dont blur and pixelate as rasters do. Specifically on Illustrator, it is easier to trace and draw
illustrations because I can edit them through the different pathways that are generated each
stroke I put. The main function that I used for the balancing scale graphic and the blood
splatters was the Live Paint tool which is an easy way to convert photographs into drawings,
and it also makes it easy to colour as well. I used the Live Paint bucket tool to also change the
colour of the balancing scale drawing to yellow, and experimented with different shades of red
for the blood splatters. Colours are easily selected by either selecting colours premade on their
default colour swatches, or on a painters wheel. Other tools that I have used, mainly for the
second logo, were the shapes tools. The programme had different shapes to use, to easily
create shapes like rectangles, rounded rectangles, ellipses, polygons, stars and flares. Using
the shapes tool alone, I had created many experimentations for my second logo. In Illustrator,
there is a function where you can use symbols which are default to the programme. You can
either create your own symbol or use made symbols provided by Illustrator. In my case, for the
third logo, I used premade symbols from the packs that they have and experimented with them,
also using Symbol sprayer and Symbol sizer tool to adjust and edit the symbols.
For the posters I used Adobe Photoshop as photographs work better with raster based
programmes. On Photoshop I had learned how to alter photos using the Free Transform tool to
increase or decrease the size, flipping the image or rotating it. As I had compiled pictures
together from different sources, I used different layers to keep track of which photo I am editing,
and I could also merge them later on. A difference between the use of layers on Photoshop and
Illustrator is that editing on layers is harder on Photoshop as there are no pathways to edit.
Another difference is that it is easier to undo on Illustrator with CMD + Z/CTRL + Z, but on
Photoshop the shortcut to undo is restricted to one. To undo more, I had to go to the history
panel but that is also very limited. I had to set the programmes preferences so that the history
panel can undo 1000 times (max). I also used the Lasso Tool to cut out unwanted parts of an
image. As seen from my video process, I cut out the background of the original image of the
model (in the portrait poster) and placed it onto a new background, which was on a different
layer. I also utilised the function to change the hue, saturation, brightness and contrast to make
the colours blend well together, so that its more pleasing to view. Another function that I have
used on Photoshop (mainly on the billboard poster), were Artistic Filters. In my video process, I
experimented and played around with different filters to see which one I liked the best, and
thought would help me enhance the mood and atmosphere of a crime show. I also used a text
layer on Photoshop to type out the title of the show, and enhanced the title using the Blending

Options function on the text layer. Using Blending options helps me enhance that specific layer
by adding shadows, highlights, contour (which makes it look 3D), strokes etc.
In my opinion, I feel that the portrait poster looked the most professional, because I felt that I
followed a very classic film/show poster composition with everything being in the centre. I feel
that the use of a real life model also helps with the level of professionalism and makes it look
more legitimate, unlike the billboard poster where I had used illustrations of peoples silhouettes.
Besides from the illustration, I also feel that the billboard poster looked quite professional as the
filter that I had used on it enhanced the atmosphere of the poster. Again, I also used a basic
composition of placing the text in the centre to give it a more simplistic and classic feel. The
least professional outcomes are the logos as I feel that the live painted graphics seemed too
simplistic, and perhaps even childish. I feel that I couldve improved the logos more if I had even
more experimentation, especially with the graphics, so that it didnt look too simplistic. I couldve
used realistic pictures instead, and edited them using the adjustments setting on Photoshop
(hue, brightness, contrast etc.), rather than live painting them on Illustrator and giving it a plain,
blocky feel. I wouldve also liked to have experimented more with the posters by perhaps giving
it a more quirky composition, rather than a basic one however I lacked the time to do so, which I
shouldve also improved on my time management. I wouldve liked to have experimented with
the composition because I feel that it would have intrigued the audience more as it would be eye
catching, although I do think that the classic composition contributed to the professionalism.

The finished product

Intentions
My intentions of creating the logos and posters, was to create them suitable for my client who
would be able to use and print them to promote a new documentary. I had based the designs
around crime (courts, law etc.) and incorporated elements which I feel that the audience would
be able to understand immediately that it is a crime show. I feel that I have realised my
intentions as I feel that the logos and posters clearly do represent a crime genre show, with the
use of courts and court items (balancing scale representing justice, handcuffs, gavel), and for
the posters I had also used neutral, dark colours with a misty atmosphere. For the logos I had
specifically used items to show the crime genre as I wanted a focus point, since logos are of a
smaller size so I would need to catch the audiences eyes with that. For posters I utilised the
background, and bigger objects to catch the audiences eye since posters have more canvas
space to work with.
Content
Before the final outcome of the logos, I had received feedback from the client in aspects that I
could improve the logo. For example for the third logo, he had wanted to see more
experimentations. This made me realise that I did not like the second logo very much, and
wanted to continue focusing on the gavel graphic to improve it even further onto the third logo. I
experimented on the composition of how I could use the gavel and also used the idea of blood
splatters from my first logo. This resulted in the logo looking as if the gavel had hit the font and

induced blood splatters from it, which I thought looked clever. The experimentation process
involved me playing around with different type of blood splatters sourced from Google or
premade symbol packs on Illustrator, and where to place them either on the title/font or on the
graphic itself.
Although I feel that the professionalism and quality of the poster could be improved, I do feel
that I had used images which were appropriate for the crime genre. For example, in both of the
posters I had specifically used a court background to point out the obvious, that it is a crime
show. However in the portrait poster, the most blatant aspect was the model in the handcuff. To
draw attention, I photographed and edited the model so that it the focus is her arms behind her
back (usual stance for handcuffed criminals) so I can edit the handcuffs on her so that the
audience knows immediately what is going on. On the billboard poster I used silhouettes
because I wanted the people figures to be anonymous (which also induces mystery), and they
represent the lawyer (man in suit) and perhaps suspect. However I feel that I couldve improved
on that by using the backs of people, to make it more professional and to keep it anonymous.
The title of the show is Law & Disorder, which already suggests chaos in addition to the blood
splatters and red font that I had used in the logo. Based off that I wanted to keep the title on the
poster red as well, to maintain the murderous and chaotic feel that the title already suggests. I
kept it a dark red, as the rest of the poster is a dark and neutral colour with a dark, cloudy
atmosphere around the borders, so that it connotes mystery and suspense even further. I feel
that the title and the images work well together, because the title gives the images the suspense
feeling that could be induced from a crime show. The audience could clearly understand this
based on the fact that the title is Law & Disorder and that it very clearly links with a court,
however the dull dark colours and red (from the title) enhances the connection with a feeling of
mystery and suspense. I feel that my skill in graphic design can be seen very well in the
products, and it is quite evident that I understand the basics of Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.
On Illustrator I used the basic tools and functions such as Live Paint, shapes tools and text
tools. On Photoshop I feel that I had displayed my skills more advanced than Illustrator because
I am very well versed with cutting up and editing separate images together to make one whole
picture, using Lasso Tools and layers. The only thing that I feel that I didnt excel in showing my
skill in was the use of composition. For my posters I didnt try to experiment more on the
composition and settled with a basic (everything in the centre) layout. In that aspect I felt that I
couldve increased my skills in compositing if I had experimented more and applied the
experiments in the final outcome.
Aesthetic qualities and Style
The overall style that I was going for was a dark and grumpy atmosphere. Although I aimed for
it to be dark it was mainly to represent a heavy atmosphere which is present when it comes to
laws and courts, I didnt want it too dark so that it looked paranormal. I wanted a seriousness to
the poster to suggest to the audience that this documentary is definitely not light-hearted, and
the red tone of the font to induce a suspenseful thriller that the audience could anticipate from
the show. I feel that I had achieved the style very well based on the colours and lighting that I
had used. The colours, dull and neutral, and the lighting, dark and dingy, suggests a suspense

and serious mood which is linked to crime genre shows. For the font of the first logo I wanted to
go for something quite chaotic looking (based on the title) but also clear and readable for the
audience to understand. I tried to experiment with my logo to see how I could incorporate
elements together to create a logo which the audience would easily understand. For my first
logo I decided to use a balancing scale which made me experiment with the different ways I
could place the title around the graphic. For example, the title Law & Disorder which I had
made up for the show, each word was placed on each side of the scale as I wanted to balance
out the composition. However that changed to a more basic layout in the final outcome as I felt
that the first layout was too cluttered.
In the end for the logo I used a bold and capitalised font, so that it was clear and understable for
the audiences to read, but the font also has a messiness to it to give it a more chaotic feeling,
as the word Disorder suggests. For the font of the poster, I had the same idea with the logos
font, but this time I had gone for something thinner. Much like the How To Get Away With
Murder logo (from my research), the word Murder was red and had a thriller type suspense
feeling to it which I incorporated in the font of the poster title.
I feel that the composition is well balanced, as the information and content of the poster is very
easy to comprehend, however I wouldve liked to go for a more quirky composition to really
bring out the disorder of what the title suggests.
Communication of ideas
For my final outcomes, I feel that what I had made would communicate to the viewers very well
what the documentary is about. For example, it clearly is a crime show based on the use of
props that is commonly used in courts such as a gavel and balancing scale, or the use of a prop
used for crime such as a handcuff. The title itself also suggests the genre as law is very clearly
associated with crime when broken, and the use of an oxymoron (disorder) could suggest to the
audience that the crimes are probably very severe. The mood and style is conveyed through the
lighting and colours of the poster with the use of dark browns and grey mists around the borders
of the posters, however the logo doesnt really convey the dark and dull mood/style because the
graphic (especially the balancing scale) is too vibrant. The graphic style also looks too childish
due to the vibrancy and the blockiness which completely differs to the serious mood that is
trying to be conveyed, however when the logo is on the poster it vibrancy helps it stand out.
Looking at the logo itself, it may be confusing for the audience because the title and props, used
for the graphic, suggests a serious topic but the colours and vibrancy suggests a happier mood.
It is evident that the posters are documentaries as I had added a Netflix logo at the bottom, to
suggest that it is a show to be watched and Netflix airs documentary shows.
Printing issues
After creating the poster, the final stage would be printing them out in order to properly advertise
the documentary show. Although I did not print it out, this was made for the purpose of printing
out so I would need to save the posters in a better file type for printing and a high resolution so
that when it prints out, it doesnt lose quality. Firstly I would change the resolution to about 300
dpi, or 600 dpi, to really make sure that when it gets blown up into billboard size, the quality

does not deteriorate. Since the posters are raster images, I would need to save it in a format
which supports rasters (which there should be a lot of options for because rasters are more
commonly used). TIFs could be a good idea as a file type to print off the posters since they can
maintain a high quality to the posters, however TIFs are not very commonly used which may not
work. JPEGs seems like the most common file type for rasters, however JPEGs also compress
the quality of the file, which wouldnt be very good for printing. However, the good thing about
Photoshop is that you have an option to choose whether or not you want to lower (compress)
the quality of the image. As long as the option to keep the posters in high quality is chosen, I
feel that JPEGs would be the best file type to print from.