Personal study

Rankin & Nick Knight

For my personal study I will be looking and comparing the work of creative directors, photographers and graphics designers Rankin and Nick Knight. Using these popular and similar works as my final piece I am able to assess the creation, techniques and overall appeal of the final outcome. When looking at Rankin’s work, displayed on the cover of i-D magazine, the simple yet effective design of the cover denotes that the content and beauty of the magazine lies beneath this plain and striking cover. The second image features Dazed & Confused magazine and the works of Nick Knight. This image is altogether busier and a lighter frame. By comparing the two products I am able to identify the common factors and traits of a contemporary high fashion magazine, as well as establishing design and brand identity within the context of its presentation and final aesthetics. Looking at image 1, we can firstly see that the look of the cover is a very contrasted and dark photograph that captures the eye of the audience. The netted hair piece, floating over model and actress, Noomi Rapace's face disguises her character, but the audience looks closer and starts to recognize her defined and interesting face. As she stares sultrily into the camera, a tattooed shoulder standing tall just below her chin she denotes grace and elegance in a fashion forward and passionate way. She poses with one eye closed, representing i-D in all its glory. Image 2, the cover of Dazed & confused features M.I.A, a London born singer and songwriter, her upturned head and flowing materials that surround her also denote a personality of power, with one arm she holds herself around her stomach and the other hiking her camouflaged dress down which could also represent a self consciousness or insecurity, but also works great as a high fashion editorial pose. The photographs on each cover vary widely, the use of a black and white effect of i-D represents a classic and timeless idea of fashion, featuring only one item of the stylists wardrobe, this is also a very bold and effective move, as i-D is a fashion magazine it works purely on minimalism, with regards putting forward looks that people ‘should be’ wearing as well as representing the people rather then the clothes they wear, and appreciating talent for whatever its style of choice. For Dazed & confused the shoot aims very much on the clothes that Mia wears, depending highly on her cosmetics, prints and cuts of the clothing itself. With no use of black and white effect to emphasise and bring out the colour in the classic and rarely seen camouflage print that contrasts against the khaki green of the hood she wears. The contemporary, urban look interests the personality and style of M.I.A herself, representing clearly who it is and the sort of character she portrays. This works well as the subject is much easier for audiences to identify, as well as perceiving an image of acceptance and plays on characters when it comes to creative direction. The photograph very much depends on subtle editing, a slight saturation of colour, emphasis on her red lips and golden tones of her skin, this works well as the photo would lose character and vibrancy in a similar black and white effect to that of i-D. When looking at the use of text, logos and layout the magazine covers also differ in various ways, As Dazed & confused uses a plain white text for all its texts including the classic logo, headings and subheadings. He magazine features much more text then i-D, in a retro but bold and enticing typewriter print. This contrasts well against the green and grey toned feature photograph and also has a minimal approach to design. Compared to i-D using a bold, peachy red tone for its famous winking logo and single one word headline, with a fine printed subheading, taking up little of the page. Another thing to look at is the placement and editing of the logo itself. As an important part of the brand and magazine the logo must be easy to recognise and usually featured in the same position of the magazine. As Dazed & confused usually lies at the top of the magazines border, depending on the photograph or featured can be obstructed by the figure or subject in the photograph, many other famous magazines such as Vogue also do this. This is usually put into action once the magazine is an established brand with a wide target audience, as the title is obstructed and must be easily identifiable in order for audiences to buy, i-D however never features a photograph laying over or obstructing the logo this is because the logo is much smaller and takes up less space of the layout in the top left hand corner. Another difference between the covers is that i-D always features its barcode on the front of the magazine, this could be so that it is easier to scan but could also be so that the audience does not have to search the layout of the magazine for a visible price, a small but interesting detail to make the lives of those readers more efficient and just that little bit easier. Overall both magazine covers are very effective and were both very inspiring when creating my final piece, both the creative direction, graphic design, intricacy and attention to detail in each feature denotes a passionate and beautiful outcome for the target audience to enjoy and come back to buy, again and again. The work of Rankin and Nick Knight are both very interesting and identifiably different influences and pieces that work very well individually and when comparing. I think that personally I favour the work of Rankin in this comparison, this is because of its commercial and interesting style. The use of such a fashion drained photograph for a huge fashion publication, as well as a great contrasting and eye capturing photo using merely things such as lighting, a simple contrast effect and minimal text creates the perfect outcome for a high fashion and contemporary magazine.

Miranda Almond

These individual pieces by Miranda Almond contain a series of similarities and differences. For the first image the use of illustration and amazing graphic design makes for a simple image created into a work of art. Image 2, denotes a rebellious and fashion fuelled play on words, emphasising a trend of contrasting lengths and heights in fashion. Image 1 uses a variety of techniques such as breaking the boundaries with an interesting and likable swirled star pattern featured on the models face. This look is both innovative and interesting to be featured in a copy of Vogue UK. The look of the models themselves is a plain and generic, tall, slim blonde with perfect features and a solemn looking expression. The use of great styling and photography can easily bring out the beauty and interest in a models face such as these. Image 1 is a great piece, the use of text reading ‘seeing stars’ relates to the photography used as well as being a great representation of the graphic design and typography that is pushed in editorial these days. This intricate and futuristic, line structured text is a very fine and subtle piece of art featured at the bottom of the page, it is interesting and beautiful and captures the readers eye as it is detailed and easy for the eyes to follow. The second image features a wide but fine printed text, featured in a large print, taking up the majority of the page when compared to the headlines of the likes of i-D and Dazed & confused magazine. The black text contrasts against an off white background and suits the black of the floor length thigh cut dress that the model hikes up herself, head strong and dominant the photograph interests the reader into her mind set, and intrigues them. The use of text and layout in both these images is an identifiably similar theme and prospect for each feature. By using images that dominate half of the page creates space for text, typeface and illustration, commonly used by graphic designer Miranda Almond. When looking at both images the audience can even tell that the work is that of someone of similar themes, tastes or even the same person altogether. The use of dominant and powerful poses, bright lighting and golden tones are both similar creative directions and visibly the same feature magazine. This is identified by the same use of italic subheading text. Both images and editorials work very well for a chic and fashionable magazine such as vogue. The simple and demure style design is great for such an established and well known magazine.