This document summarizes Liberty Whitehorn's progress on their final major project focusing on graphic design and typography inspired by poet Rupi Kaur. In the first few weeks, Liberty struggled to come up with an idea but decided to focus on Rupi Kaur's style of typography and illustration in poetry. They researched Kaur's works as well as other artists. In later weeks, Liberty conducted experiments with typography and illustrations. They created draft designs for the front and back covers and began selecting poems and planning graphics. Liberty started production by correcting previous work and creating illustrations and typography for the front and back covers, focusing on a hand-drawn style inspired by Kaur's aesthetic.

1. Development Diary
By Liberty Whitehorn

2. Research/Proposal Week One
This week in our FMP, we began with our proposal and research. Whilst writing
my proposal I found it hard to come up with a idea for my project. This is
because I wasn’t sure what medium I wanted to specialise in. Eventually, I
decided to do the medium in graphic design and typography because it felt like
it was more relevant for the career path I am wanting to go down. This will
allow me to gain more valuable skills in this specialist area. Writing the
proposal was exciting because it was putting my idea for my project on paper. I
feel like once I have done more research, I will be able to proceed with the
project more in-depth. This will allow my work to become more effective in the
long run. The research I have completed this week has been background
information on three different designers/artists. These people are: Rupi Kaur,
David Carson and Salvador Dali. My background information is vital with the
whole process, this is because I discovered why Rupi Kaur structured her font
for the poems the way she did. This is because she wants all the letters to be
equal so that it represents equality. This is information I need to take aboard
when it comes to production. I feel like I need to research more into existing
products because it will help me decide what style would be best to approach
Rupi Kaurs work with. It will also help see how she has placed her fonts in the
poetry and why its significant to her. I will carry on researching into her target
audience and existing products so that I can make my work effective when it
comes to production. This is so I research into relevant content.

3. Research Week Two/Three
The second week of my FMP, I carried on with my research. This week I concentrated on
existing products and audience research. For existing product I looked into random
illustrations for poetry and also looked into Rupi kaurs work. I discovered that a lot of the
styles of illustration were hand drawn and delicate looking. This theme seems to be
continuous, which shows me that the most effective way to present illustrations on poetry
is to use delicate hand drawn designs. From researching into Rupi Kaur, i discovered she
uses instagram to advertise her work a lot. This encouraged me to look into the target
audience for this media platform. From this i discovered that people who use instagram
tend to be female and millennials. This is the audience i need to be targeted. From
knowing this and knowing the style Rupi Kaur and other poets go with, i need to have a
more delicate style and approach to my work. One issue i may come across is keeping
the style very similar through out. This is one thing i didn’t want to do because i am
wanting to experiment with different styles that appeal to the same target audience. This
is because i want to be more experimental with my work. I feel like my most successful
aspect of my research so far is my background research. This is because i discovered
information that will be vital when it comes to my production work. l also looked more into
production techniques and how researching into tutorials would help make my production
become more effective. From this i have began to learn how to use illustrator more as i
will be experimenting with typography and different styles. I feel like i will have a few
issues with creating different styles because it means i will have to learn so much and i
have limited amount of time for production. However, i will try my best to achieve the best
results i can by trying to use my time more effectively. I feel like by watching youtube
tutorials, it has helped me learn new techniques which will help with my production.

4. Problem Solving/Experiments Week 4/5
Within week 4 and 5 of this FMP project I have been completing experiments and
problem solving tasks. In week 4 I was absent for the majority of the week due to
having the flu. However, I completed a mind map for potential issues that may occur
through out production. From this I discovered I need to keep refreshed and
hydrated to improve my productivity. After completing safety procedures I carried
out experiments. To start with I concentrated on typography. For this I wanted to
combined font and graphics together. As you can see from the image to your left I
did this with a car illustration. For this, I inserted a text box over the graphics and
erased any excess font around the graphics. This allowed me to have a crisp image
that combines two skills. I feel like I could work on this by warping the text to fit the
graphics rather than use it as a masque over it. Another experiment I carried out
was an portrait from text. For this i found a photo of Rupi Kaur and darkened the
photo so that when the font was inserted it didn’t look out of place. From here I
placed a square over half her fact and inserted text over this. This allowed me to cut
the font out of the shape which allowed the image to poke through. This was
effective however, I feel like I could of used
a better photo so that the font was made clearer. I have also been experimenting with the graphics tablet. This has allowed me to
practice my drawing skills and to come to terms with how to use the tools. This is because I am wanting to do hand drawn style
graphics for some of my poetry interpretations. This is so it keeps Rupi Kaurs original style in some of them which makes it easier
to identify it as her work. From this I learnt how to add different colours and what patterns different brushes make. This allowed me
to discover which brushes are chunky and thin. I feel like I could improve my drawing skills with the tablet as they are beginners
level. However, I feel like the work I produced with the graphics tablet has allowed me to expand my knowledge and skills on the
subject. Overall, I feel like this week has been productive. I feel like I have learnt and developed a lot of skills which will come
useful in production for my FMP.

5. Planning Week 6
In week 5 of my final major project, I began to complete my planning. To begin
with I researched into different poems that Rupi Kaur has done so I’ve selected
10 different poems. From this I began to describe what graphics I would do for
each poem, so when it comes to production I have a clear idea of what
graphics I need to create. From this i will work my typography around it. I’ve
also began to look at what colours will be useful to include in my work. I’ve
included a bunch of different colours because each poem either has a different
theme or a similar tone. I’ve discussed that the dark colours will link more to
the dark and depressive themes and the light pastel colours will link to love.
These two are a common theme in the poems I have picked. Another thing I
have covered is the page lay out for the front and back cover. I’ve explained
next to the lay outs what graphics I will include in my work. This is so it gives
me a clear picture of where to start my graphics from. I’ve also included
information on what size each page will be. I’ve also looked into different font
styles. I find this difficult due to the font needing to be simple. This is because
Rupi Kaur uses simple fonts and lower case letters to create equality in the
words. This is one thing I am wanting to explore. I have selected a few hand
drawn fonts and simple fonts so that it links to Rupi Kaurs current work and
links to my style that I am wanting to achieve. Overall, I think my planning is
effective because it has helped plan what graphics I am using, which is the key
part to my work.

6. Production/Corrections Week 7
This week for my final major project, I began to correct some of my previous work and
began productions. I corrected my proposal, research and pre proposal. This is so I can
make sure I am achieving the best grade I possible can. This will be a consistent aspect I
concentrate on over the space of the project. This is because I will be editing and
changing my project consistently. For the first piece of production I began on the back
cover. To start with I began to construct the illustration of Rupi Kaur. I have done a hand
drawn style to her face. This is because it was an aspect I experimented with in my
fanzine and I found it interesting to work with. I also feel like this style goes with the style
of hand drawn illustrations. I have work with the typography as well to make it look more
interesting and link to David Carsons work. I tried to highlight key words which a
audience would relate to. ‘You’ and ‘I’ is a direct term which makes people believe the
text is speaking to them. This is why I highlighted these words, so that the audience is
instantly intrigued with what the back cover is trying to say.
This worked effectively. From this I began to fill in the background so that the back cover wasn’t basic and boring. I used the graphics tablet to draw some stars
because I feel like it links into being inspired which Is what I want people to take from this book. I also wanted to make the illustrations modern but old fashioned
which is why I included polaroid's. This is because it has recently come back in fashion again which makes it relevant to my target audience. The second piece
of production I have began to complete Is my front cover for my book. This is the image on the left hand side. I have tried to stick to my planned idea but I
ended up becoming inspired as I was illustrating. This lead for me to alter my design slightly. I have tried to portray peace and equality because that is Rupi
Kaurs main focus in work. This applies for woman, men and religion. I have used the graphics tablet again for this to get a hand drawn style. How I managed to
create this in more depth is by changing the brushes. This allowed me to explore a new hand drawn style which I have included in the peace symbols on the
hands. For the typography on the front I have gone basic and hand drawn. This is because I am wanting the title of the book to be clear and effective. This is so
the book is easily identified. I feel like to improve my front cover I need to add more colour so that it doesn’t look as basic. I also feel like I should include a few
more illustrations but not many due to not wanting to make the front cover look more busy. These will be illustrations on women more. I feel like for the back
cover I need to improve Rupi Kaurs illustration. This is because I feel like the hair is out of place which makes it a bit odd. It works well but I feel like the
illustration could flow better. I feel like I should change the front cover idea as it isnt a consitent pattern with the poems I have changed. I will try make them link
more to the themes, such as: feminism.

7. Production Week 8
This week in production, I have completed my front cover for my
final major project and have began to make my first poem
illustration. With the front cover, I began to create more symbols to
place so that it represents themes that will be shown in the poetry
book. This is why there is a lot of themes revolved around woman
and peace. I have also used a lot of pinks to symbolise the theme
of love too. All these themes are included inside the poetry book
which is why I feel like the front cover has been achieved well. I
have used a combined skills of the graphics tablet and Photoshop
which has allowed different styles to be seen on the front cover.
When I reflect back on my work I may consider making some of
the graphics neater, but I do feel like these symbols and
illustrations display my own individuality.
In the second piece of production work, I began to complete my first poem for my book. I found creating the illustrations
simple and effective for this poem, but I do feel like I could make the graphics look more unique and individual to my style.
This is something I will work on. However, overall the graphics are neat and display what I am wanting to portray. I do feel
like I need to include more colour in this poem. This is because I want my book to be colourful and vibrant because this will
link the front cover into the whole book style and tone. I feel like I could change this in the footprint sections and I can play
around with making the silhouettes colourful. This will help set a more upbeat tone which is what I am wanting for this poem.
I have also began to experiment with typography. I have placed the footprints near the line ‘next generation’ because I feel
like this is symbolic to a journey. This has allowed me to continue my inspiration with David Carsons work and incorporate it
into my own.

8. Production Week 9
This week in production i have continued to create graphics for my final
major project. I have also come across a few issues with changing a few
poems because my ideas of illustrations didn’t go to plan. This has allowed
me to change my order of poetry too. I have tried to stick with two different
styles due to finding these are how i express my own interpretation in my
own way. This included using nature and pastel colours as well as bold and
dominate colours. These both portray a sensitive and aggressive
interpretation which allows my opinion to get across better. However, it took
me experimenting with failed illustrations to realise what my image is for the
final product. This allowed me to explore using different tools like the brush
tool more as you can see from the screenshots i have inserted. This helped
me achieve hand drawn illustrations which also look professionally done.
From this it has allowed me to adapt my own individual style. The photos I
have inserted to the left are screenshots of the two styles I have gone for.
As you can see I have created a delicate, nature illustrations. This helps
achieve sensitivity. I have also achieved a more aggressive approach
which has made the words written more powerful. I feel like these two
styles work well but I feel like I could develop them more. I feel like in future
I need to experiment and plan more effective so that I will manage my time
better, causing my work to be better.

9. Production Week 10
This week in production, I developed my own individual style and
came across a few problems along the way. I decided to change
the style of the poems. I decided to change all the backgrounds to
white as I feel like I could experiment with colour a lot more. This
has allowed me to create two effective pieces of work which link
both to my own style but also the influence of David Carson and
Rupi Kaur. I feel like these two designs are effective and portray
the poetry rather well. I also feel like my colour choice for these
two pages is effective as they compliment each other nicely. The
colours also reflect the dominate colours nicely by complimenting
each other. This makes the main symbols for each poem stand out
but also highlights other key aspects. Another issue I came across
this week was changing a few more poems to fit my style. This has
postponed production time for me but I feel like the end results
will be better. I have also had to edit all of the black background
illustrations which has again postponed production time. Overall,
this week has allowed me to experiment more which has lead for
my production to be better. In the future I feel like I should
experiment more so that I find my individual style before starting
official production.

10. Production Week 11
This week in production I have gone back and improved my work. This is
because I knew I could develop and create designs that are more unique to
my individual design. As you can see to your left, I have developed one of
the poems, which has lead for my design to go with the theme of the other
styled poems. I have also began to carry these changes out with my other
illustration work so that my own individual style comes through. As you can
see this style adds delicacy to the overall poem, creating a meaningful
illustration. For the example you can see to your left, I have added my classic
dots to outline my shapes. I have decided I like this style because it gives the
illustrations a embroidered look making the illustrations. I did come across a
few issues with production, as my Photoshop file became 2GB. This was
because I had so many layers and hadn’t merged them. I know now for the
future to merge the layers so it doesn’t cause issues with Photoshop again. I
have also improved my illustration of Rupi Kaur herself for the back cover.
This is because my other illustration wasn’t very good. Also with this
illustration I have incorporated my own individual style which I have
discovered through out my production. This has delayed my time
management but I have still managed to keep on top of my work. Another
aspect I worked on this week was creating my own sticker tool. I did this by
watching Youtube tutorials. This has added that extra unique touch to my
work, making it even more unique as I have used my own tools.

11. Production Week 12
This week in production, I have made sure all my improvements have been
made. I have done my improvements by developing the pieces of illustrations I
had already done. I have done this by adding my own individual design into
them all. For example: for the image of Rupi Kaur, I have added more texture
to her hair. This little detail change has allowed my work to grow and develop
even further. This has allowed me to complete my illustrations before the
deadline leaving me with extra time to correct other pieces of work. This week
we have also received feedback from other peers in different class rooms. This
has allowed me to see what my strengths and weaknesses are. The strength of
my work are the colour scheme, the unique style and the well though out
illustrations. The negatives I received were: the doves on the front cover being
too thick in stroke and the font needing shifting to make it easier to read. I took
all this advice on board which has lead for my work to be more effective.
However, I didn’t do much to the font because I am trying to keep it David
Carson inspired.
After this I have gone back and improved my proposal, research, planning and
problem solving. For the proposal I have corrected my grammar as this is one
aspect I have struggled with in the past. I have also researched more existing
products so that my research is more effective which will lead to my production
being even better. I have also included a photography experiment I have done
and added more to my production schedule. Overall, this week has been about
improving my work which I feel like has really made my work more effective
and a higher standard.