Possible assets to help?
http://arsenal.gomedia.us/index.php?target=products&product_id=29821
Friday, 11 November 2011
Hair and Fur
I think what appealed most to be about the owl image in the previous post on existing merchandise was the level on detail and flowing lines. I've put up this example to talk about the use of hair and how creating something with this should add a really cool focus point. Works so much better in black and white as well mainly down to that clear contrast.
Possible assets to help?
http://arsenal.gomedia.us/index.php?target=products&product_id=29821
Possible assets to help?
http://arsenal.gomedia.us/index.php?target=products&product_id=29821
Same Idea with the use of Colour
This, almost stained glass window effect adds a nice age to the style to to be honest it doesnt really appeal to me. The characters them selves but in my opinion the use of background is too weak put alongside the illustrations.
Signs of the Zodiac
Loved looking through these on behance. Really well drawn with excellent detail. Really influencial to the style of work I'm currently finding appropraite. The issue when getting into levels of detail like this wether it will show through on prints. Something I've had problems with in the past with loss of detail.
What I do really like about these is that even though they are so detailed it doesnt put any sense of strain of the viewer in the sense that it's easy to pick out the image without all the focus being on the details. The symetry of these works really well in adding a slight simplicity to something that's essentially quite complex.
Most striking images for me are the two carpe fish, the lion head and the symetrial faces. Tonal quality in these is really well executed making them stand out the most, for me anyway.
What I do really like about these is that even though they are so detailed it doesnt put any sense of strain of the viewer in the sense that it's easy to pick out the image without all the focus being on the details. The symetry of these works really well in adding a slight simplicity to something that's essentially quite complex.
Most striking images for me are the two carpe fish, the lion head and the symetrial faces. Tonal quality in these is really well executed making them stand out the most, for me anyway.
Photoshop Painting
A cool method of painting. Similar to the hundred percent style we were previously discussing. No opacticies of blending over just shape dynamics. Gives off a really simple, clean effect. For me their is maybe a little too much detail that what I'd want just because it makes it seem a little busy to me.
Methods of Production
Following on some of style of work I was commenting on below I've done a little research into woodblock printing. It's probably not relevant as the style I was commenting appeared to be a moden PS version of the style but I'll include it anyway. Not just for the sake of it but because it's a really interesting method of working and gives up some great effects. Realisticly what with time and everything if this was something I'd consider using as a style, I'd much prefer to mock it up in PS because of speed and the ease of making alterations and scaling etc.
A quick video first and then some bits of info. Not the best video and a tad creepy the way the guy wispers "action" but still, enjoy:
Linocut is a printmaking technique, a variant of woodcut in which a sheet of linoleum (sometimes mounted on a wooden block) is used for the relief surface. A design is cut into the linoleum surface with a sharp knife, V-shaped chisel or gouge, with the raised (uncarved) areas representing a reversal (mirror image) of the parts to show printed. The linoleum sheet is inked with a roller (called a brayer), and then impressed onto paper or fabric. The actual printing can be done by hand or with a press.
Although linoleum as a floor covering dates to the 1860s, the linocut printing technique was used first by the artists of Die Brücke in Germany between 1905-13 where it had been similarly used for wallpaper printing. They initially described their prints as woodcuts however, which sounded more respectable.
As the material being carved has no particular direction to its grain and does not tend to split, it is easier to obtain certain artistic effects with Lino than with most woods, although the resultant prints can lack the often angular grainy character of woodcuts and engravings. Lino is much easier to cut than wood; especially when heated, but the pressure of the printing process degrades the plate faster and it is difficult to create larger works due to the material's fragility.
Linocuts can also be achieved by the careful application of Sodium hydroxide in a paste to parts of the surface of the Lino. This creates a surface similar to a soft ground etching and these Caustic-Lino plates can be printed in either a relief, intaglio or a viscosity printing manner.
A quick video first and then some bits of info. Not the best video and a tad creepy the way the guy wispers "action" but still, enjoy:
Linocut is a printmaking technique, a variant of woodcut in which a sheet of linoleum (sometimes mounted on a wooden block) is used for the relief surface. A design is cut into the linoleum surface with a sharp knife, V-shaped chisel or gouge, with the raised (uncarved) areas representing a reversal (mirror image) of the parts to show printed. The linoleum sheet is inked with a roller (called a brayer), and then impressed onto paper or fabric. The actual printing can be done by hand or with a press.
Although linoleum as a floor covering dates to the 1860s, the linocut printing technique was used first by the artists of Die Brücke in Germany between 1905-13 where it had been similarly used for wallpaper printing. They initially described their prints as woodcuts however, which sounded more respectable.
As the material being carved has no particular direction to its grain and does not tend to split, it is easier to obtain certain artistic effects with Lino than with most woods, although the resultant prints can lack the often angular grainy character of woodcuts and engravings. Lino is much easier to cut than wood; especially when heated, but the pressure of the printing process degrades the plate faster and it is difficult to create larger works due to the material's fragility.
Linocuts can also be achieved by the careful application of Sodium hydroxide in a paste to parts of the surface of the Lino. This creates a surface similar to a soft ground etching and these Caustic-Lino plates can be printed in either a relief, intaglio or a viscosity printing manner.
Thursday, 10 November 2011
Existing Merchandise From HOAC and Others
Heart of a Cowards current range of Merch;
It's not that I don't like the design but what get's me most with the entire range is the lack of context. I mean, what is this pattern, how is it relevant to the music? Maybe its just me and these wiered shapes do share something with the music but I kinda see that to be unlikely.
The riots shirt has to be the shirt that stands out the most. What is this all about? It seems that it's almost a standardised product with the bands name sneakily added beneath the image. I dont really know which riot this is, the recent ones? Still irrelevant to anything and confuses the hell out of me. Never the less, I have no doubt this is currently selling regardless.
Put this piece of work together below. Essential bit of research here as it's going to let me see what kind of work is being produced by other bands of the same/similar genre. This will then go towards informing my own studies of what currently exists and the style of art being produced. Most of the shirts are print screens taken from www.impericon.com/uk
Favourite Styles taken from research above;
With these two I really love the simpe colour pallete of white on black and just the nice use of detailing that's been applied to the illustration. I think when you've got something that's simple in colour and really well produced in style it reflects on the image of the band a lot better than say having a shit that looks like a mess; because that could almost suggest that the bands a mess. Just in the way that you kind of see a shirt as a walking advertisment for your product and if it's giving off a bad image it can directly affect the image of the product, in this case the band.
Got to say this is by far the best merchandise based T-shirt I came across on the web and I've been through hundreds of shirts to get this list. What I really love is the sense of flow how it looks like a wood block carving I used to do back at school. The style is almost tattoo themed as well. The problem with this is that theres an owl on an architects shirt but I'm going to have to look past that for now and just concentrate on the style. I'm going to try and get hold of some more examples similar to this because it's really jumping out to me right now. Maybe wood carvings might be the place to start?
Similar to what was said above but with colour. Obviously a photoshop paint, hundred percent opacities with shape dynamics. I've tried a style of painting like this before an what I've found is that the main sucess works on the quality and simplicity of the colour palete. More colour you use it starts to look like a paint by numbers but this image really pulls it off. As said above, some tutorials and other examples should fuel some concepts with this.
This is something I really like. I actually know of a tattoo artist, Gre Hale. The work itself just feels well composited with some really nice colour decisions and blending. The image as a whole I think works really nice and is strong at grabbing a viewers attention.
http://www.facebook.com/graemehale
Completely different style, reminds me Robyn Makinson's work which I've always liked. I think it's the use of type that appeals to me in this example though. Just the way everythings being shaped to work as an almost badge shape format.
It's not that I don't like the design but what get's me most with the entire range is the lack of context. I mean, what is this pattern, how is it relevant to the music? Maybe its just me and these wiered shapes do share something with the music but I kinda see that to be unlikely.
The riots shirt has to be the shirt that stands out the most. What is this all about? It seems that it's almost a standardised product with the bands name sneakily added beneath the image. I dont really know which riot this is, the recent ones? Still irrelevant to anything and confuses the hell out of me. Never the less, I have no doubt this is currently selling regardless.
Put this piece of work together below. Essential bit of research here as it's going to let me see what kind of work is being produced by other bands of the same/similar genre. This will then go towards informing my own studies of what currently exists and the style of art being produced. Most of the shirts are print screens taken from www.impericon.com/uk
Favourite Styles taken from research above;
With these two I really love the simpe colour pallete of white on black and just the nice use of detailing that's been applied to the illustration. I think when you've got something that's simple in colour and really well produced in style it reflects on the image of the band a lot better than say having a shit that looks like a mess; because that could almost suggest that the bands a mess. Just in the way that you kind of see a shirt as a walking advertisment for your product and if it's giving off a bad image it can directly affect the image of the product, in this case the band.
Got to say this is by far the best merchandise based T-shirt I came across on the web and I've been through hundreds of shirts to get this list. What I really love is the sense of flow how it looks like a wood block carving I used to do back at school. The style is almost tattoo themed as well. The problem with this is that theres an owl on an architects shirt but I'm going to have to look past that for now and just concentrate on the style. I'm going to try and get hold of some more examples similar to this because it's really jumping out to me right now. Maybe wood carvings might be the place to start?
Similar to what was said above but with colour. Obviously a photoshop paint, hundred percent opacities with shape dynamics. I've tried a style of painting like this before an what I've found is that the main sucess works on the quality and simplicity of the colour palete. More colour you use it starts to look like a paint by numbers but this image really pulls it off. As said above, some tutorials and other examples should fuel some concepts with this.
This is something I really like. I actually know of a tattoo artist, Gre Hale. The work itself just feels well composited with some really nice colour decisions and blending. The image as a whole I think works really nice and is strong at grabbing a viewers attention.
http://www.facebook.com/graemehale
Completely different style, reminds me Robyn Makinson's work which I've always liked. I think it's the use of type that appeals to me in this example though. Just the way everythings being shaped to work as an almost badge shape format.
Heart Of A Coward - Lyric Analysis
Lyrics to Shade:
So where are you now?
Hiding behind another masquerade
Your deception stripped you of all you ever loved
You lie awake at night afraid to even dream
Cos when you close your eyes, all you see is me
There's no disguising your true nature
You're nothing but a fucking traitor
Suffer bitch!
Drown in waters of depression
Your pain is purification
This hatred's building up
Take one last look above
The pressure's all too much
Say goodbye to all that you love
You know I bore you no ill will
And that you brought this upon yourself
You know I meant you no harm at all
But now I'll bring you hell
What have you become?
You're fading
What have you become?
You're nothing
I will rise up to tear you down
And no-one will stand in my way
I will bring you to your knees
Our dreams were one and the same
But no more
No more!
This is nothing but a waste of emotion
You are nothing but an insect I stamp on
Vindication through an onslaught of violence
Living manifestation of nightmares
My take on the song-
Your deception took away everything you ever loved. Afraid to sleep because all you’ll see is me. You can’t pretend no more, you are a traitor, so suffer. Drown in your depression; know you brought it on yourself. I’ll tear you down and no one will care. Our dreams were once the same but not anymore, writing about this whole thing is just a waste of emotion.
Obviously betrayed by someone close, ex girlfriend maybe from ‘Our dreams were one and the same’? Who knows but that’s not what I need to know anyway, just looking at the themes of the writing. Clearly using a lot of anger to fuel the writing, resentment and all that. Wanting the subject to suffer as a means of punishment for what they did... kind of’ want to know the full story. Back on track though, to me it seems what drives this is lots of emotion and resentment which brings across a dark style to their work. Shifts power in the favour to the band. They’re the ones that have the power of speech and they use it to prove a point against the listener. It lacks in portraying any real source of imagery reading through, which a shame is because I was hoping for some illustrative guidance through the songs. What I do know however is that the story is based on real life events, realistic ideas so no weird fantasy art thank god.
Lyrics to We Stand as One:
We're the ones that chase the sky,
take everything from this life.
We're the one's that'll never die,
Nothing's closer, to our hearts.
We're the ones that sacrifice,
everything for this one life.
We will never fall apart,
I know this will last.
We've come this far, we'll not let go.
We've built this world on hollow ground.
We've come this far, we'll not let go.
Awaiting a better tomorrow.
Nothing can touch us, we stand as one.
Nothing can touch us, we stand as one.
We're the ones that chase the sky,
take everything from this life.
We're the ones that will not die,
Nothings closer to our hearts.
I will stand by you forever,
With this smile, I'll walk on.
And I'll stand by you forever,
With this smile I won't turn back.
My take on the song-
Really easy to digest is this song. It’s about what we all do really, chase our dreams in the sense of ‘chasing the sky’. Take everything from this life; never stop because it’s in our hearts. Built from nothing (hollow ground – like this term) and they sacrificed everything to live the gig life. They know they won’t split and they’re in it to last.
Pretty obvious really but it just seems they’re stating their intentions to the fans. Really does feel like an introduction song really, especially as it’s track one of the demo album.
So, so far we’re looking at a band that’s got big hopes, it’s strong and they don’t take shit from people that mess them around. Looking good so far. In terms of painting a picture I think once I’ve gone through a few more tracks, should be able to start sparking off some ideas.
Lyrics to Nightmare:
Our lives will flash before our eyes. Stripped of all absolution, predestined to worship what we should despise, only then to have our senses arrested. An endless cycle of the same old mistakes. Living hand to mouth and counting the days, when surrounded by such negativity, it's impossible for us to break free from degradation of all sanity. To live and die with the world laid at our feet. We must rise, realise, purify. We're born to die. Next in line. Born to die. End of life. Is it to late to start again? Or is this just the start of the end.
Newest song uploaded just 2 weeks ago. Productions getting really good and the writings definitely more complex. Feels like it’s losing any real meaning now as well and they’re just writing ‘epic’ sounding stuff. ‘End of life, is it too late to start again or is this the start of the end.. :/ Does it mean that we’re all trapped by this false idea of religion, a lie which we’re forced not to question? We must realise there is no greater life, we are born to die and would we have lived life fuller if we weren’t trapped by the rulings that come with being a part of a religious group? Maybe I’m getting too deep into it but it’s all I can really read from it. I always dislike how much religion’s thrown around in the genre really so I really hope I’m wrong about it being that. The style of writing’s gotten like two different bands compared to the previous work though.
Anyway, in summary what I’ll take from this analysis is that we are looking at ideas of big hopes, a dream that they’ll pursuit to the end. Use of dark emotions, themes of resentment and anger. The idea of breaking the preconceptions of what we should believe in. I THINK the point they’re making is that we can make our decisions, walk your own path and not someone elses.
Band Research
Heart of a Coward
Genre Metal
Members
Jamie Graham (Vocals)
Carl Ayers (Guitars)
Vishal "V" Khetia (Bass)
Christopher "Noddy" Mansbridge (Drums)
Hometown
Milton Keynes
Record label
Unsigned
Biography
Fuelled by passion and a jaw dropping live experience Heart Of A Coward force open the boundaries and push the modern era of hardcore and metal to a refreshing climax resulting in what can only be described as a unique and exciting raw power.
Current Location
Milton Keynes
Contact Details
General Manager
Carl Sewell - carl.sewell@thelegacyagency.co.uk
Websites
http://www.myspace.com/heartofacoward
http://www.facebook.com/heartofacoward
http://www.twitter.com/heartofacoward
http://www.youtube.com/user/Heartofacowa...
Press contact
The Legacy Agency - carl.sewell@thelegacyagency.co.uk
Booking agent
Beckie Sugden - beckiesugden@theagencygroup.com
Images from Searches and offical sites;
Genre Metal
Members
Jamie Graham (Vocals)
Carl Ayers (Guitars)
Vishal "V" Khetia (Bass)
Christopher "Noddy" Mansbridge (Drums)
Hometown
Milton Keynes
Record label
Unsigned
Biography
Fuelled by passion and a jaw dropping live experience Heart Of A Coward force open the boundaries and push the modern era of hardcore and metal to a refreshing climax resulting in what can only be described as a unique and exciting raw power.
Current Location
Milton Keynes
Contact Details
General Manager
Carl Sewell - carl.sewell@thelegacyagency.co.uk
Websites
http://www.myspace.com/heartofacoward
http://www.facebook.com/heartofacoward
http://www.twitter.com/heartofacoward
http://www.youtube.com/user/Heartofacowa...
Press contact
The Legacy Agency - carl.sewell@thelegacyagency.co.uk
Booking agent
Beckie Sugden - beckiesugden@theagencygroup.com
Images from Searches and offical sites;
Album Art Research
This piece of research is mainly looking at the style of covers within the same genre as Heart of a Coward. What I'm trying to find by looking at these is the similarity of style, how the covers are made and how the title reflects the cover.
In most examples there is a clear symbolic nature representing the title which is what I think works best as it gives the design purpose rather than just being a piece of abstract random art.
I've collected just over 150 album covers within the genre of metalcore and the other cores similar to that style. I've then broken them down into 3 catergories, 'illustrated' 'photomanipulation' and 'basic text driven'. To make it easier to view I've put these into PDF issuu files below;
The Illustration Bundle
The Photomanipulation Bundle
Type Driven Covers
Favourite Illustration Covers
These are the covers I've picked out as my favoured images. The reason I've chose these reflects the style of the band relevant to the brief and my own personal aspirations for what I'd like to produce for this brief. Been trying to track down the designers for these covers which is an absolute nightmare. Ever website leaves no mention of the designers name which is a real shame as I'd love to be able to see some other work and get in touch..
Favourite PhotoManipulation Covers
In most examples there is a clear symbolic nature representing the title which is what I think works best as it gives the design purpose rather than just being a piece of abstract random art.
I've collected just over 150 album covers within the genre of metalcore and the other cores similar to that style. I've then broken them down into 3 catergories, 'illustrated' 'photomanipulation' and 'basic text driven'. To make it easier to view I've put these into PDF issuu files below;
The Illustration Bundle
The Photomanipulation Bundle
Type Driven Covers
Favourite Illustration Covers
These are the covers I've picked out as my favoured images. The reason I've chose these reflects the style of the band relevant to the brief and my own personal aspirations for what I'd like to produce for this brief. Been trying to track down the designers for these covers which is an absolute nightmare. Ever website leaves no mention of the designers name which is a real shame as I'd love to be able to see some other work and get in touch..
Favourite PhotoManipulation Covers
Wednesday, 9 November 2011
Short list of SOME Deathcore Bands
The following list was taken as reference from wikipedia. Pretty much all the bands featured here were the ones I've already gone through and found the relevant album art for analysis in the posts below anyway; so this ISNT just copy and paste. The list itself is useful because it allows me to quikly look through and check out a small portion of the other well known bands within the genre and find patterns within the trends of metal. Patterns like the themes and style of music, how this relates to the image of bands and ultimately how it transpires over the album artwork and merchandise. What do the listeners of that band find appealing for instanse.
List of deathcore bands
The following is a list of deathcore bands.
A very quick intro to the Genre
Deathcore is an extreme metal music genre that combines elements of death metal with elements of metalcore or hardcore punk, or both. It is defined by an "excehttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifssive" use of death metal riffs, blast beats and use of hardcore punk breakdowns.
Deathcore seems to have most prominence within the southwestern United States, especially Arizona and California (most notably the Coachella Valley), which are home to many notable bands and various festivals.
Traditional growls and screaming are common, while clean vocals are very rare and only present in certain occasions of select songs. Deathcore is defined by breakdowns, blast beats and death metal riffs. Bands also incorporate guitar solos and melodic riffs similar to those in metalcore.
Link to a virtual tour of th Coachella CLICK ME
Deathcore seems to have most prominence within the southwestern United States, especially Arizona and California (most notably the Coachella Valley), which are home to many notable bands and various festivals.
Traditional growls and screaming are common, while clean vocals are very rare and only present in certain occasions of select songs. Deathcore is defined by breakdowns, blast beats and death metal riffs. Bands also incorporate guitar solos and melodic riffs similar to those in metalcore.
Link to a virtual tour of th Coachella CLICK ME
Tuesday, 8 November 2011
Email To HOAC Management
Hey Carl,
As part of my final year studying Graphic Design at Leeds I’m aiming to run a project based around producing album art and merchandise. My work is mainly concentrated on illustration and I’d love to produce some work for you guys as part of my studies because I love the band.
I know you’ve already got your existing product range in album art and merchandise; the brief I’m proposing would be purely fictional. The range I’d be looking to produce for this brief would be the album art itself, an art sleeve and insert. Merchandise spread across T’s, Hoodies and other formats. To aid the development of the work, feedback from you and the guys would be amazing. I’m really not looking to take up much of your time, it would just be extremely helpful to get a sense of direction in how you guys would want to see the work going.
Throughout my time studying I’ve taken part in numerous competition works and I’ve always being recognised for creating refined, professional work. I really hope you’d be interested in something like this and I’d love to hear back from you. If you’d like to see some examples of my work I’d be more than happy to show some examples. I’m also willing to offer any work that results from this brief licence free.
Thanks for your time and keep up the amazing work with the band!
Richard Robinson
rr88881@students.leeds-art.ac.uk
BA Honours Leeds Art & Design
As part of my final year studying Graphic Design at Leeds I’m aiming to run a project based around producing album art and merchandise. My work is mainly concentrated on illustration and I’d love to produce some work for you guys as part of my studies because I love the band.
I know you’ve already got your existing product range in album art and merchandise; the brief I’m proposing would be purely fictional. The range I’d be looking to produce for this brief would be the album art itself, an art sleeve and insert. Merchandise spread across T’s, Hoodies and other formats. To aid the development of the work, feedback from you and the guys would be amazing. I’m really not looking to take up much of your time, it would just be extremely helpful to get a sense of direction in how you guys would want to see the work going.
Throughout my time studying I’ve taken part in numerous competition works and I’ve always being recognised for creating refined, professional work. I really hope you’d be interested in something like this and I’d love to hear back from you. If you’d like to see some examples of my work I’d be more than happy to show some examples. I’m also willing to offer any work that results from this brief licence free.
Thanks for your time and keep up the amazing work with the band!
Richard Robinson
rr88881@students.leeds-art.ac.uk
BA Honours Leeds Art & Design
Tuesday, 18 October 2011
Poster Compilations
Just wanted to look at how other posters work when combining numerous characters onto one page. Hopefully it will help me identify ways in which I can lay out my characters without it looking tacky.
What I've found most useful from this is the Toy Story poster (the one with the pink bear.. always forget his name) because it uses multiple characters in a really well laid out way. Also most of the characters are dead on in scale and not to one side for example; which is good because most of my sketches are all in this same perspective. I'm going to try and pretty much use this poster as a base to try and get working with my layout and start to experiment ways in which I can use my 3D layering effect discussed previously.
What I've found most useful from this is the Toy Story poster (the one with the pink bear.. always forget his name) because it uses multiple characters in a really well laid out way. Also most of the characters are dead on in scale and not to one side for example; which is good because most of my sketches are all in this same perspective. I'm going to try and pretty much use this poster as a base to try and get working with my layout and start to experiment ways in which I can use my 3D layering effect discussed previously.
Monday, 17 October 2011
Product Research - Catalogs
Alongside looking at the products around me and on the net, I've been recently drawing ideas over product shot from Argos' catalog and also putting ideas to paper to test some ideas.
I've definitly found this a really useful reference and it's helping me get more focus to the range I'll include with my charactere.
I've definitly found this a really useful reference and it's helping me get more focus to the range I'll include with my charactere.
Saturday, 15 October 2011
Illustration Research - Books
Just to help me out and help work alongside the examples of work I have going on with drawing from other peoples work; I took a look at this book "The art of drawing". The book itself is one of those introductions to the theory of drawing etc but it had some pretty useful tips I've looked at in the past and it was a nice refresher to get some ideas going.
Friday, 14 October 2011
Argos
Something to consider, could create a small stationary range such as pens and pencils.
Quite like these handout carriers. Could use these as a way of houlding the offers leaflets.
Another thing I like to pop on the ends of the shelving.
I like this but I'm not keen on the fact that the top of the POS just has harsh edges. Much prefering the curved cutouts we've seen in other areas.
Thursday, 13 October 2011
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