OUGD603 - Extended Practice - LCA 170 Years - Final Design

Composition

Due to the fact that the purpose of the final design was to act as a form of artwork, concentrating on form solely over the function of the design the illsutrations of the different trains were aligned and composed using a simple grid system that allowed the print to work as a complete pattern with each of the trains distributed evenly throughout the composition. This helped create harmony between the pattern due to the ratio of illustrations to negative/white space.

Illustrations

Finally due to the fact that decision was made that there was no necessity to create contextual link between design and content through the colour of the final design instead the colour decision was made due to a solely aesthetic reason.

Because of the fact that the final artwork was going to be housed in a public location, bright and vibrant colours were implemented in order to ensure that it attracts the eye of anyone passing by.

OUGD603 - Extended Practice - LCA 170 Years - Train Preparation

To prepare for the commencing of the designing stage a number of the train classes of which were used popularly within the last 170 were illsutrated so they could be included as graphic elements within the final design.

Each of the trains were illustrated as simply they could so that the illustrations work well within the final deisgn while ensuring that they wee illustrated in enough detail so that they remain easily recognisable.

These different train illustrations were then digitialised within illustrator for use within the final design.

OUGD603 - Extended Practice - LCA 170 Years - Research - Visual Research - Sony Xplore

The first area of visual design research that was partaken in was a look at the sproject shown here by Justyna Sastik called Xplore City. This examples of visual research perfectly show cases how simple yet effective monoline illustrations can be used to convey a sence over familiarity to a certain place through a small illustration.

Each of the illustrations relating to a different global city with only small graphic element to signify the location of the city.

The mono line illustration is combines with an aestheticallt pleaing choice of colour to create an overall deisgn treatment that is not only informative through imagery alone but it also striking and eyecatching.

The example shown also clearly conveys how a small illustrative design canbe both information and creative visually. This will be crucial for me to take on from this section of the research as the illustrations within my final deisgn will have to do exactly this, it wil need to be accuarate enough in illustration to be recognisable while ensuring it still remains visually pleasing.

OUGD603 - Extended Practice - Leeds 170 Years - Visual Research - Porto Identity

For the final aspect of visual research now that there has already been a look at the visual style in which the final designs could manifest the next stage was to look at some visual examples of research where the illustratins hold equal precedent to the contextual backing.

The show example was used as the brand identity for the city ‘Porto’. The comnbination of aesthetically pleasing illustrations with geographically linked symbolism combinds to create a simple yet effective brand identity for the city of ‘Porto’. With the illustration picking up on the visual identity of the city itself, by replication of the buildings found within the city.

This example of visual research perfectly depicts how symbolist illustrations that link contextually to a city; in this case Porto can be used with striking detailed illsutration to create a brand identity that represents both the historical and contemporary side of the city contectually.

OUGD603 - Extended Practice - LCA 170 Years - Content Research - BR Class 43 HST

"The British Rail Class 43 (HST) is the TOPS classification used for the InterCity 125 High Speed Train (formerly classes 253 and 254) power cars, built by British Rail Engineering Limited from 1975 to 1982. The class is officially the fastest diesel locomotive in the world, with an absolute maximum speed of 148 mph (238 km/h), and a regular service speed of 125 mph (201 km/h). In the early 1970s, the British Railways Board made the decision to replace its main-line express diesel traction. Financial limitations were tight, so mass electrification was not possible. As a result, a new generation of high-speed diesel trains had to be developed. Experience with the high-speed Class 55 Deltic locomotives had shown that a low axle weight was essential to avoid damage to the track at sustained high speed, and that high-speed engines were the only way to provide a good enough power/weight ratio for diesels. To power the HST at up to 125 mph (201 km/h), each power car had a new diesel engine, the 12-cylinder Paxman Valenta, running at 1,500 rpm and developing 2,250 bhp (1,680 kW). The 70-tonne weight of the power car gave it a 17.5-tonne axle loading."

OUGD603 - Extended Practice - LCA 170 Years - Content Research - BR Class 97

British Rail reserved the TOPS Class 97 designation for departmental locomotives, which were used for special or engineering duties. They were therefore of several different classes, lumped together for numbering purposes. Some locomotives were converted from redundant engines, whilst others were purpose built. In 2008, Network Rail once again used Class 97 for signalling test locomotives (Class 97/3). Built by Ruston & Hornsby in January 1957 with the serial number 408493, this 0-4-0 shunter was ordered specifically for departmental use by the Signalling & Telecommunications department of the Western region at Reading Signal Works. The transmission was diesel mechanical, although the wheels were chain driven from the gearbox and the loco was rated at 88 bhp (66 kW) for a weight of only 17 tons. Tractive effort was a maximum of 9,500 lbf (42,000 N). Delivered to the WR with the number 20 it was renumbered to 97020 in May 1980. However withdrawal came in April 1981 and it was scrapped on site in August 1982 by Cartwrights of Tipton. For refuelling, it had to go via the main line to the depot at Reading.

OUGD603 - Extended Practice - LCA 170 Years - Content Research - LNER Class A4 4468

"London and North Eastern Railway locomotive numbered 4468 Mallard is a Class A4 4-6-2 Pacific steam locomotivebuilt at Doncaster, England in 1938. It is historically significant as the holder of the world speed record for steam locomotives at 126 mph (203 km/h).

The A4 class was designed by Sir Nigel Gresley to power high-speed streamlined trains. The wind-tunnel-tested,aerodynamic body and high power allowed the class to reach speeds of over 100 miles per hour (160 km/h), although in everyday service it rarely attained this speed. While in British Railways days regular steam-hauled rail services in the UK were officially limited to a 90 mph 'line speed', pre-war, the A4s had to run way above 90 mph just to keep schedule on trains such as the Silver Jubilee and Coronation,^[3] with the engines reaching the magic three figures on many occasions.^[4][5] Mallard covered almost one and a half million miles (2.4 million km) before it was retired in 1963."