Progress Updates

Updating the timeline adding in some more color and playing around with the type

Rough Poster design, without the event information on it.

Poster detail

some brochure work

brochure work

Defining the Exhibition

Some thoughts on what kind of exhibition I want this to be:

• The concept of having the exhibition traveling around the coastal regions ties in with the common theme of a journey in Steinbeck's novels. I like the idea of having the exhibit seem even more temporary by placing it outside and touring around. It seems to fit in well with Steinbeck's characters who are always searching for something more and always on the move.
• The idea of having it on the beach came from Steinbeck's home of Monterey Bay, California, which is a beautiful beach town. I am also drawing upon Steinbeck's unique ability to paint a picture of a place in time. I think that having the exhibition indoors just wouldn't do justice to Steinbeck's work.
• Ideally the exhibition would take place in the spring or early summer season, so that the beaches would not be too cold, but also would not be too crowded. 
• The primary audience for the exhibition would be older students and any fans of Steinbeck's work. The goal being to excite and inform visitors about the man behind so many great works as well as providing information on the works themselves.
• The exhibit would create a near complete environment, with people dressed in period clothing available for talks and readings. There would be a few activities available in order to encourage whole families to come out.
• The overall atmosphere of the exhibition will be a temporary place. It will feel like the whole exhibition will be able to just get up and go at a moments notice (because it will be). 

Brochure Mock-up/Idea

opening the brochure...

Front cover that will feature
the ident with event title

The pop-up slit seen above will have a pull-out accordion style time-line that you take out and of course put back. This will allow for some fun interaction with the brochure as well as providing for a larger/different format for the timeline. 

This is the back side, which will feature the majority of the information provided in the brochure.

Fully unfold-ed brochure, shown here to demonstrate that the entire thing is one singular piece of paper. 

Location

Roker Beach

The location I chose for the exhibit is Roker Beach. The idea is to draw upon Steinbeck's California background in the mind of the visitor. I also liked the idea of the exhibit feeling temporary and transportable.

Timeline & Brochure

some thoughts on timeline

Initial Idea for brochure format, a sleeve that has a pull out accordion style booklet

glimpse of timeline in progress work

brochure in progress

Ident Process

I dabbled with several ideas about how to approach an ident for Steinbeck, the main goal being to stay away from any imagery that would be associated with any specific novel. I thought a great deal about themes in his work and came around to the idea of a traveler, someone on a journey. This seemed to me to be a very common element in Steinbeck's work, be it literally or metaphorically. It was then that I came across Steinbeck's 'motto' which is Ad Astra Per Alia (to the stars on the wings of a pig).

Initial concept, with a road and the winged pig with stars.
Decided the road could be too easily mistaken as a river.

Straightened the road and added the  traveler.
Having an actual human included was important as Steinbeck's work
focuses so greatly on the human condition and their struggles.
Simplified the number of stars for readability.

Didn't like the horizon line, but felt the road couldn't lead to nothing.

Briefly played with switching the orientation.

Went to a square shape added in a texture.
I usually try to design logos/idents in black and white since I believe all logos need to work in such. 

adjusted the road to give a better sense of movement. Added in the type. 

Final Ident Design

Steinbeck

Steinbeck is one of my favourite authors. He was an author of twenty-seven books, including sixteen novels, six non-fiction books and five collections of short stories. He won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1962 and his novel The Grapes of Wrath received a Pulitzer Prize. I love the themes he focuses on in his work and how he captures America in the Great Depression and the surrounding times. A truly great author whose work remains relevant and influential to people today and across generations. His novels explore common themes relating to human nature such as loneliness, friendship, conflict and development.