OUGD503 - Previous Winning D&AD & YCN Projects Analysis

The book below has directly addressed a problem within the brief to create a solution. Their production methods of using wooden block print was directly informed by the authenticity and characterful content of drinks recipes interlinked with personal stories. This personality and uniqueness was reflected within the prints of the book, the single colour choice also helped to solve the problem of production costs put forward by the client. The cover of the book was completely typographic however, its simplicity singles out the concept behind the red bubble design. Its playful use of offset type gives the impression of being drunk whilst abiding to the positioning of the bubbles within the text.

The second project is the branding and personal identity of a wine brand. The brief was interpreted by  trying to showcase the history and authenticity of the wine company, this was done by adapting past hand letters from around WW1 and imprinting them onto each bottle to create an alphabet. Nothing is open to interpretation with the showcasing of this packaging, this resulted in there being little explanation needed alongside the photography.

The last design represents the company so appropriately by successfully incorporating braille into the branding of their design. This innovative design has been produced for a company for the blind and disabled, this branding not only looks visually pleasing, but is effective for creating purpose and an user interface within the design.

All of the D&AD books all resinate a clean and image heavy layout to keep the focus on celebrating the winning projects. The structured and systematic composition can become slightly serious and commercial towards the viewer. On the other hand the YCN annuals seem more playful and tactile in their designs using different block text orientations and paper stocks. This can make their brand seem more approachable as a student designer which makes them the more desirable option as a student.