Making A Show

Books

We've done something different with the books. We believe that in order to learn the process, you have to deconstruct it, which is exactly what we did with the books. We took it apart examined the integral functions of the book, which is why we made them individual books, as opposed to the previous years 'door stopper' catalogue. We learned that potential employers weren't taking the 400 page catalogue, as the majority of the content wasn't applicable to them, it was redundant. Industry engagement was a very important aim for our team and when you break up the book, people have the content that they want, it's more portable and ultimately, better.

We Chose to use DIN as our typeface because it is big, bold and blocky. It is not afraid to take up space. It's very abrasive and it embodies everything Making a Show stands for. The slipcase will essentially act as a special edition for students. First and foremost, the show is for us, and our priority after that is to be noticed by future employers. The books lifespan is ephemeral, possibly obsolete for next year, but it will go on to become a nostalgic item, reminding us of our time in DIT.

Spreads

We decided to create a dynamic grid that could be adaptable to numerous different layouts. We believed this important in order to highlight the individual's own work, because each individual's work is unique and deserved its own unique spread. Every DIT graduate show book has followed the same traditional catalogue layout, and one of our core communication value is that we are bold, we are making a show and we are not afraid to try something different. These unique layouts complimented the student's work as opposed to fitting their work into a prescribed layout.

Each layout allows the viewer a snapshot of the student's work, this lends itself to the process. Of course we have our final products, but there's so much thought and consideration that goes into them, into that finished design, but there's more to the work than the finished product. Our books are just a glimpse into a larger picture, a larger concept, a larger world.

Website

This is the first time that a graduate show has had a video introduction page that ties into our brand identity and the concept of process. It was designed to be simple, and always automatically updated with the use of Instagram. Its function is to be a quick and easy way to find out times, dates and location of the show.

Social Media

Breaking away from existing graduate shows, we used Instagram to promote our videos and the student's work from each course. We found Instagram to be more successful social media site. We saw this as a great opportunity for design companies to see our show and for everyone to keep up to date with all the behind the scenes and process videos of setting up for the show. Instagram is a tool for showing off, and it compliments our concept of being not afraid to put ourselves out there and let people see our process and our journey to our finished pieces and to show graduate show.

Videos

The videos are an extension of the design process, the beginning is playful and when developed it is more refined. We wanted to take the idea of fun (elements of parties–cakes, balloons, games) and add elements of the the aspects of college (found objects in the college). The behind the scenes aspects of our videos parallel with our concept of creative arts being a process, it's not just the finished beautiful piece. A lot of work goes into every project and we wanted to reveal some of the behind the scenes aspects most students in college would have been through, whether you are a fine artist or a visual communicator or a photographer. We all share the same college experiences, they are different in some ways, but we have all made it here.

Don't lose your patience!!

Do you think it's too late to ask for an extension?

Making a show of ideas!

"Opening Night Video" – Great opening night! Thank you to everyone who came and celebrated with us!

Making a show of 3D printing!

Behind the scenes – Photos taken by Gillian Buckley for the new 2017 Grad Show books

Wayfinding and Advertising

We wanted to incorporate the wayfinding with the brand identity, eye-catching, bold, intriguing, like something that's not afraid to put themselves out there.