Dirty Dozen: Art

1.     What is the project suppose to achieve?

The Visuals of Visions are what people will come to know the festival by. They are the distinct look and tone of the festival, unique to each year; that will ultimately strengthen the festival’s brand recognition over time.

2.     Who is the customer?

The customer is anyone in viewing distance of the Visions visuals. They are designed to appeal to the greatest number of people possible, enticing attendance or participation with the festival. Being that the festival is hosted by college students, and held on campus, the visuals tend to be tailored towards this younger demographic. However, through proper marketing the festival will reach far beyond this scope, to audiences of all ages.

3.     What are the deliverables of the project?

The purpose of the art department’s existence, and the final product of their numerous projects will be a highly visual and eye-pleasing theme for Visions, one that coordinates among all elements (i.e. logo, posters, badges, etc.), and attracts a large audience.

4.     What is the budget?

The budget for all designs is determined through coordination with the development and fundraising department. The costs include printing for posters and fliers – color specific, as well as costs for the design on badges, stickers, ads, t-shirts, etc. The previous year’s budget will serve as a reference for this year.

5.     How long will it take?

The process of creating multiple designs is a long one. However, it cannot be long enough that the due dates are superseded. With the logo approaching finalization, this will serve as the framework for all other designs. Each additional design will have to meet specifications for the purpose in which it is being requested. Each new design should take no more than a week, having already established a logo and theme.

6.     What specific skills are needed?

The skills needed for the at department consist of first and foremost, creativity/artistic ability, drawing or sketching, experience with online design/editing programs such as Adobe Photoshop, Aftereffects, Premiere (perhaps Maya). For Michelle, an understanding of web design. And an ability to sound mix and design, as well as scan, convert, and export online files.

7.     What special resources are needed?

These resources include the editing programs mentioned above, Adobe Photoshop, Premiere, Aftereffects, and these are on the University’s film lab mac computers. A scanner is used to import drawings into the programs. Non-technological resources include contacts such as Evonne who works with us to help print all our materials.

8.     Who is working the project? What is each person’s job?

I, Devin Brady, am designing the logo and font for Visions. I am also the sketch artist for themes and animations. Tyler Scheffler is the animator, and designer of the Visions icon, this year a robot. Tyler and I collaborate on all designs. Michelle Glahn is the art director, she oversees all designs and creative decisions made; she is also the website designer.

9.     What is the schedule?

The key due dates for the art department are the ones where the visuals are being distributed. The first major date is October 6th: the Call for entries design as well as party fliers must be ready (designs sent in for approval on the 5^th) – prior to this, the logo and font will be finalized, and all designs as well as animations will be in progress. October 15^th: posters will be printed. October 23^rd: Bake Sale handout designs are due, and Facebook backsplash & icon are due. Meanwhile, animations will be coming together, as well as designs for instagram and snapchat.

10. What are the risks? (Small vs. large impact, likely vs. unlikely)

The logo and designs could not be easily identifiable, or they are not as pleasing as desired. à Unidentifiable is unlikely since the logo has been work-shopped for several weeks, it is ultimately decided on by the Visions class. The likability factor already exists in the class vote.  

The logo and designs do not reach the number of people desired à This is potentially likely; to prevent this, constant coordination with the marketing department is crucial.

11.  How will you communicate with your team?

Communication between the art department members is through face-to-face interaction such as administrative meetings, design sessions and lab time, but also through mobile communication. This consists of updates and explanations on assignments, coordinating meetings, as well as receptive feedback on designs. All feedback is welcomed; open communication crucial.

12. How will you determine if the project is successful?

The success of the many artistic projects will best be determined through the audience attendance – how many people the visuals reached and appealed to. On top of this, positive feedback from those outside of the art department, students, faculty, and hopefully audience members and guests at the festival – who either simply enjoyed the visuals, or perhaps shared them with others, or recommended the style to other designers. Positive feedback from other artists is probably the highest praise an artist can receive.