Summer Critique

During the Summer a few people from the class met in order to present and feedback on our research. Some of this was about how we could order and layout the guidebooks but there was also suggestions about research.

Magdalen Street Research Feedback:

• The book could be ordered in accordance to the location of features along the street, so that the guidebook can be followed whilst walking down.
• Another suggestion was to do a timeline in the front of the book to surmise the history of the street and how this lead to the current features there today.
• In order to attract young people to the book I could also include cartoons. In particular there could be a particular person exploring the locations as the book goes along. There could even be illustrations of the regular characters on the street.
• The book could be purposefully tacky (pastiche) which might reflect the feeling of the street. However this could cause problems with the aesthetic as it may be perceived as 'bad design.'
• Look up Discovering Scarfolk by Richard Littler, which is a story about a fictional Northern England town, which might inspire ways to emphasis the creepy parts of the street.
• Could use Where's Wally as a reference.
• Could include a fold our map with coordinates. 
• Or make a map that the reader has to fill in themselves along the rout.
• Could do some pictograms for the different themes, 'charity shops', 'take away shops'.

Example Guides

How To See by George Nelson

This book was written by George Nelson who is a trained designer trying to educate people on how to view the world with sharper visual skills. Because of this the images in the book are beautifully done and resemble a style that I want to replicate in my own guidebook. The mature yet exciting designs would be a perfect style for my target audience. To replicate this bold style the images for the guidebook could be edited to be monotone with higher contrast.

The Inner Life of Martin Frost by Paul Auster and Glenn Thomas

This book contains a selection of typographic configurations and graphic illustrations which I hope to take inspiration from for the guidebook. One of its key features is that the pages alternate with opaque tracing paper. This means that the images behind can be viewed on another level before they are fully seen. This works well as a concept in relation to the project as it has an 'eerie' feeling, and connotes the layers to the content. The guidebook needs to truly capture the creepy, yet stylised feeling of the street and this technique could help with that.

Something that also makes this book effective is the way the type has been arranged. It isn't conventional and the shapes they make have almost become a part of the illustrations. This relationship between image and type is unique and could be something that is also taken forward in the project. The guidebook needs to be intriguing and random, like the street itself; maybe the text and map should also break rules like this.

New York Wallpaper City Guide

This is a classic contemporary guide to New York, which encompasses functionality and clean design. The indents along the right of the pages allows for quick and easy access, this simplicity adds to the minimalist aesthetic. The images in particular are crisp, balanced and fill the page nicely. Something I have had trouble with in the past is a tendency to over-fill pages so I hope to take on board this simple style that uses images concisely.

Tokyo Style Guide by Jane Lawson

The final guide I looked at was a stylised guide to Tokyo, this focused heavily on the aesthetic of the images and the type. Rather than going completely minimal, it has a far more exciting, bright design that fills the pages. This is also an important feature to consider as the colourful, consist designs immediately attract the viewers attention. I especially think the stylish initials really make the paragraphs rise off the page, it is important it isn't just a block of text in order for the guide to be continually interesting. Especially if its orientated towards younger people, it needs to capture attention and keep it throughout.  

Target Audience

For my guidebook I have chosen to aim it at Norwich residents who are interested in the art scene, more commonly young adults but not exclusively. This is because many of the shops are frequented by young adults down the street, and are particular regulars at vegan shops, vintage shops and the 'indie' cafes.

• Creative/'indie.'
• Interested in history.
• Millennials. 
• Tourists or residents looking for more information.
• Both sexes.  

They're more likely to relate to quirky design and 'left wing' ideologies, for this reason it could have funny illustrations and odd references. It doesn't have to look too simple or obvious in its lay out and can be more unique amongst a range of guidebooks.  

Because the guidebook will only be for a street in Norwich, it will be treated as a one trip experience. This means that it needs to have low production costs and should be bound minimally but professionally. If it were to be successful it could be made into a set of several areas in Norwich, or similarly interesting streets in other cities- called something like 'the street guide' or 'streetwise.'

Video Exploring Sovereign House

Norfolk Undiscovered: Sovereign House (Click link to video)

This building is just off Magdalen street's Anglia Square and was originally built for her majesty's stationary office in the 1960s. HMSO moved most of its offices from London to Norwich because of the construction.

It was built by Alan Cook Associates and consists of 7 story office block, 3 wings of glass and concrete topped by a brick tower. Its design is famous for its brutalism and modernist aspects, the spiral staircases are a particular feature.

Unfortunately the building had critical design flaws and after 25 years it became too expensive to maintain. In 1996 the building was closed down and eventually became derelict. In fact it has been home to occasional police training exercises and mindless acts of vandalism.

In this video an original worker from the offices explores the building and explains where everything used to be. The interesting elements about the place could be put on a page of the guidebook as it is located just off Magdalen Street.

 

Norwich: A Changing City

For some of the research I've also investigated the history of the street in a book called 'Norwich: A Changing City', which had pictures of the street from the 1900s. Having such a vast perspective of street's past means that the guidebook could be arranged chronologically.

With this historic element to the street, the guide could include illustrations of people that would have walked the street in the past. An issue with using photographs would be that it is difficult to gain primary research.

Magpie Road and Magdalen Street junction, 1961.
A historic gate to the city once stood here, the street holds much significance.

The Construction of Anglia Square in 1971.
Many historic building were destroyed to make way for this,
does it's significance surpass the buildings that have existed before it?

Magdalen Street from Colegate Corner, 1959.
Looking the 'best it ever did int he 20th century' due to it's regeneration.
Making it world famous at the time.

Fye Bridge Street 1899. Magdalen street is just beyond the church in view at the back.

Photographs of the Street's Architecture

Many of the images I took initially explore how run down Magdalen Street is and the quirks that could be used to create decorative elements for the book. This little details could even be a treasure hunt aspect where the reader has to find them along their trip down the street.

The colours that have appeared most common along the street are greys, whites, washed out reds and light blues. I hope to include these colours inside the guidebook. Or even have a pure black and white style with illustrations overlaid.

One of the most interesting parts is the abandoned office buildings, as shown below. Perhaps I could include a cartoon of the insides of the building being explored. Several people have documented exploring them on Youtube so this is something I'll also research.

Paint peeling of the walls, shapes appear like clouds.

Some buildings empty, have a ghostly aesthetic.

Iconic Anglia Square logo,
the type for the book could follow this 60s/70s style.

Sovereign House in Anglia Square.

Markings found on chipboard in the area.

Initial Ideas

The initial guidebook ideas included a walk-through of Norwich churches, with colourful designs linked to stained glass windows. However this wasn't taken forward as the guidebook might be quite repetitive and difficult to research under a short period of time. It's important for the guidebook to have layers of content, and not just be a set of simple remarks about the location's appearance.

Another two ideas were to do themed guide books on cats or tea. Although I found both of these ideas intriguing there is already much content on both and plenty of guidebooks on them all over the world. This means that there would be much reference material yet this makes it harder to conceive of an original concept. Both of these are incredibly broad concepts so in order to do a thorough guide I would need a vast range of reference material, which again would be difficult to come by. 

The final idea was to do a guide for Magdalen Street in Norwich which, although fairly small, has many layers that could be tied together into a guide. It has a vast range of independent shops, including charity shops, vintage shops, vegan shops and cafes. There is also a shopping square built in the 60s/70s over an area that had been bombed in ww2. This area has become quite desolate and many of the buildings are abandoned so it's quite interesting to explore and learn about. The area is an eclectic mix of old and new, with a slightly rough reputation and intriguing residents. This seemed like the perfect thing to study for a guidebook as it has a variety of interesting elements and also could do with revamping. If this area became more popular and recognised for its individuality then it would bring more custom to the area. Therefore it has much potential for a guidebook and would benefit the area too, unlike the other ideas which was undeveloped.

OUGD504 Brief

For the first brief of the year we are studying guide book research. This will involve undertaking a body of research to create content for the final guide book. This will be done in order to gain understanding of content, audience and context within design practice.