OUGD502: Pupila Studio

I've recently been looking at a few studios abroad that I may consider to visit this Summer.  Ideally I would like to get an internship or work placement even if only for a week, so I should start thinking about contacting some of these studios soon.


Pupila Estudio

This multidisciplinary design studio is based in Costa Rica, with their main focus being graphic design and branding.  A couple of their projects that I am attracted to showcase some really well drawn lettering, which is incorporated into the brand identities they create.

This project was included in the first design on decks in Costa Rica, designed by Marcelo Jiménez and Matti Vandersee.  This kind of design is something I aspire to create, the tight calligraphy style has interested me for a while now and although the illustrations don't interest me as much, this could be an idea for opportunity to collaborate with illustrators or other designers on similar projects.

The project below shows how a hand lettered logo can work at different scales and for branding as well as on several branding circumstances.  This is something I need to bear in mind when finishing my own self branding project and any other projects for clients that I want to complete well.  This also shows how the design works in reverse in opposite colours.

Activistas project:

All lettering styles show a variation in the skill and ability of the designers that work for Pupila.  This is only one element of their design that I like, as they also produce work within art direction and packaging design.  The latter is something I would like to learn more about as I haven't researched much in to that area.

OUGD502: Primary research for essay

While researching for my context of practice I came across several lettering artist's work, including Sarah Dayan's. I looked to her and a few other artists to gather information about their opinion on hand drawing type to use in my essay.  From their responses I also gained more knowledge which I can apply to my own practice, and it was nice to hear the opinions of artists that inspire me.

OUGD502: Jose Dominguez

I recently contacted a lettering artist I follow on Behance after looking at one of his projects which includes a display of brush lettering work. The natural flow of the letterforms is what appealed most including the paintbrush texture of the strokes.  I received some useful tips from him which I think will help me to develop my lettering skills enormously.  I have also been inspired to use different surfaces and tools to create authentic styles.

OUGD502: Study Task 01 - Review your identity

In groups in today's workshop we analysed our existing brand identity we came up with before the summer break.  We discussed that this image may change and there is no definite solution at this stage. Over the next few years, as we develop our skills and processes, our interests may change and evolve as we learn and progress more in a specific area.




I feel that my identity from last year doesn't represent myself as a designer and the disciplines I want to produce work within, so I've had a few ideas as to what I could change my brand image to that shows a more clear direction of practice.

Although I don't think the break over summer has particularly changed anything directly, having the time to reflect and expand on any personal work has led me to become more focused on areas I'd like to specialise in.

OUGD502: Studio Brief 1 - My Brand

Over the past few months I have become more aware of graphic design around me and the nature of pattern and composition in every day life.  I've continued to update my Tumblr photo blog as a side project, as well as pursuing my interest in analogue photography.  I plan to keep up with this posting online to archive my phone photographs on a public site.  I will also be posting all my end of module evaluations on my PPP blog, along with smaller self evaluations when I feel as if I have learned something through an experience.

For this brief we have to create a promotional pack containing our self branding image, as well as the structure and content for a website.  I've already started to think about the logo for my brand, and have a small online portfolio on different platforms.  Having a few different areas of interest, including photography, lettering, and graphic design, I have different accounts and websites, such as Behance, Tumblr, and Instagram, which is more of a personal media platform.