Visual Recipe
The task set in hand was to create a visual recipe without any words or numbers. Communication through visual instructions were the main objective for this brief. For my recipe I made Turkish Delight Brownies. It was a different challenge one that you don't often think about in Graphic Design as Typography can be such a big part to play in communication, however this task was a great demonstration that communication does not have to be through words and numbers always, as pictures communicate as clearly if done correctly.
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This are my notes I took whilst baking my brownies, I have also attached images I took whilst baking. It was incredibly useful to draw and write the process that actually happened when baking as I came back to my notes on several occasions to remind myself of the process and if anything significant happened.
One of the methods that I thought would help with trying to display the weights of the ingredients was to measure everything out again in objects that were around the house and could be visually obvious.
The easiest thing was through glasses such as pint, prosecco, whisky and shot glasses.
The easiest thing was through glasses such as pint, prosecco, whisky and shot glasses.
I was having a creative block and didn't feel inspiration from any of the ideas that I had down and was struggling to think of something that just clicked. I then went back over my notes that I took during baking and instead decided to re-draw all my notes and the whole recipe in a clear manner which made sense to me from what I had written down.
This then led me down a route of adding a 'cheeky' character to help explain what to do and not do.
I am hoping to develop this idea further and may even come back to one or two of my other thumbnails and see if I can do the same with them to keep my options open.
I am hoping to develop this idea further and may even come back to one or two of my other thumbnails and see if I can do the same with them to keep my options open.
I bought Noma Bar's book Bittersweet, as I was drawn to his simplistic ideas with bold colour choices.
I find my idea's and way of working creatively can be all over the spot and a bit chaotic as I am still trying to find my 'style' of design.
I admire Bar's ability to communicate visually in such a no-frills way, yet his clever use of imagery and negative space creates interesting and clear designs.
I would like to try and incorporate a similar approach to my work rather than feel the viewer needs all the information in lots of snippets to create my visual recipe but instead a paired down simplistic view but with a bold twist.
I find my idea's and way of working creatively can be all over the spot and a bit chaotic as I am still trying to find my 'style' of design.
I admire Bar's ability to communicate visually in such a no-frills way, yet his clever use of imagery and negative space creates interesting and clear designs.
I would like to try and incorporate a similar approach to my work rather than feel the viewer needs all the information in lots of snippets to create my visual recipe but instead a paired down simplistic view but with a bold twist.
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I did like the initial idea of this 'comic' set up, however I did not want to just be set on one idea as I was not 100% about this route as comic themes are not really my interest. Therefore I went back to my thumbnails and developed them further hoping to get an idea that I felt was more 'me'.
I tried to develop the cocktail idea however again I was not enthusiastic about this idea, instead I kept coming back to a simplified recipe consisting of geometric shapes and bold colours, I couldn't really get this idea out of my head.
I was struggling to figure out the right way to approach this idea and how I envisioned it, so I went to my artists books of Noma Bar and Saul Bass and then just started drawing different variations of the same object to get that desired look.
I tried to develop the cocktail idea however again I was not enthusiastic about this idea, instead I kept coming back to a simplified recipe consisting of geometric shapes and bold colours, I couldn't really get this idea out of my head.
I was struggling to figure out the right way to approach this idea and how I envisioned it, so I went to my artists books of Noma Bar and Saul Bass and then just started drawing different variations of the same object to get that desired look.
Radim Malinic's Book of Ideas has been great for when I am needing a bit of inspiration. I love how the work he has created varies from eccentric, loud advertising for alcohol to minimalist logo designs and moody typographic work. I do enjoy creating colourful work however I do love a moody feel to some designers work as well.
This book has been useful to get a glimpse into the industry and also has helpful tips for creating designs to working with clients which is useful for future endeavors.
I am also beginning to look through Saul Bass's book A Life in Film and Design, as you can never go wrong with classic designers. I will divulge my thoughts and any inspiration once I have properly read through it.
This book has been useful to get a glimpse into the industry and also has helpful tips for creating designs to working with clients which is useful for future endeavors.
I am also beginning to look through Saul Bass's book A Life in Film and Design, as you can never go wrong with classic designers. I will divulge my thoughts and any inspiration once I have properly read through it.
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I believe these pieces of work from Saul Bass and Noma Bar (Bottom Right) were the images that helped me towards my desired outcome.
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Links to websites which have been useful:
https://layersmagazine.com/13-artists-with-a-beautiful-and-unique-approach-to-minimalist-design.html
https://www.wearecollins.com/work/
https://www.shillingtoneducation.com/blog/minimalist-graphic-design/
https://layersmagazine.com/13-artists-with-a-beautiful-and-unique-approach-to-minimalist-design.html
https://www.wearecollins.com/work/
https://www.shillingtoneducation.com/blog/minimalist-graphic-design/
Once I had figured out the style I needed to figure out the layout. I wanted my work to be a bit different from your typical recipe, Fun and bold but a bit more simplistic. I got the urge to display it as if it were a pin ball machine a little bit, incorporating the bold and neon colours and having parts of the recipe bounce off the angled arms. I just wanted to have fun with this brief and not worry if it was as accurate as it could have been!
Digital Developments
As soon as I knew exactly what I needed to do and had everything planned out it was time to build digitally. I used Adobe Illustrator as I believe it's the easiest and best way to build shapes and met the needs for my idea.
I tried a few variations of colour and styles of objects I was going to use to give myself options to play around with when it came to putting it all together.
I tried a few variations of colour and styles of objects I was going to use to give myself options to play around with when it came to putting it all together.
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Final Design
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Finished Recipe
Overall I am happy with the outcome, I managed to get my drawn ideas onto the computer and communicated clearly I believe. I wasn't sure on the colour however I am partial to pink and I love the pop it gives to the ultra blue tones which give off a playful effect.
It may not be accurate in regards to the weight of the ingredients although I believe I met the visual communication outcome to be able to clearly follow the steps.
It may not be accurate in regards to the weight of the ingredients although I believe I met the visual communication outcome to be able to clearly follow the steps.