Responsive: TAG Zine

Robyn Shaw TAG Zine Brief

Brief Title: TAG Zine Illustrations

Brief: Create a set of illustrations based on two separate photo shoots for the new zine; TAG; created by Robyn Shaw, based on the theme of identity.

Product: Illustrations for TAG Zine.

Tone of Voice:

• Concept is identity. 
• Simple and bold so that it is easy to read. 
• Roughly sticking to a monochrome theme. 
• Minimalist approach.

Audience: young creatives, fashion conscious adults, or adults intrigued by the concept of identity.

Context:

• The fashion industry.
• Editorial- magazine. 

Additional Information/Considerations:

• CYMK for print
• RGB for digital
• Blank space - fit in the page format aka white back ground. 
• Brand colour - mauve/grey. 

Mandatory Requirements:

• Amount of illustrations is open. Enough to choose from but limited space in magazine pages. 
• Size will be altered by Magazine designer to fit in specific arrangements.
• Reflect the mood of the magazine and the look of the models chosen. 

Deliverables:

• A set of illustrations from a behind-the-scenes shoot, capturing the model, photographer/stylist and set. 
• A set of illustrations using the Harvey Nichols shoot for reference; depicting the models and their looks. 

About TAG: 

The initial research began with a strong concept which could be applied throughout the zine. The concept of 'identity' was chosen as there was a wide range of avenues to explore. The magazine focuses on identity within fashion consisting of photography, interviews, illustrations and a look book insert. Robyn Shaw wanted to incorporate as many different creative techniques to show diversity throughout and attract an audience who can appreciate the content. The mauve/grey chosen colour scheme runs throughout alongside a linear concept to connect all the pages of the magazine. The name TAG was chosen for its simplistic, bold and easy to read appearance. It also makes the concept of identity clear to the audience; referring to the process of people being 'tagged' or labelled by society. 

About the Harvey Nichols shoot: 

This shoot followed the theme of personal identity by using two models reflecting diversity in appearances and identity. Outwardly they have juxtaposing characteristics, for instance curly hair vs straight hair, which works really effectively visually. Identity through race was a focal point of the shoot. As there were two models the styling was crucial in order to get each outfit to compliment the other; to link them but by using different items. A monochromatic scheme was chosen in order to work most effective visually within the minimalistic theme of the zine. The models poses were used as another technique to connect them; Robyn Shaw wanted to convey that even though they may be opposites by visual identity, they are still connected together with internal identity. 

About the 4 Trends shoot: 

The model was styled in 4 different trends to reflect how people show identity through fashion. I chose trends to reflect how people show identity through fashion. The trends chosen were ones easily spotted in Leeds and which many people reflect; Androgynous, swag, grunge and vintage. These trends were shown alongside their stereotypical characteristics and past times in the zine. The details were essential to convey these dimensional characters; the accessories, hair, makeup and poses, all coming together to reflect the 4 separate personas identity. 

Working on the project:

I absolutely loved working on this project as it focused on a lot of elements that I naturally gravitate towards in my personal work. Colours, flow/direction of line, pattern, and people; are all key aspects in fashion illustration. It was also really cool as I got to work on two separate projects within the zine. 

The first, for the Harvey Nichols shoot, a more formal and professional final outcome was produced; a small set of illustrations which I took a lot of time over in order to create the appropriate feel for the zine. These illustrations combined analogue and digital. I first focussing on creating a flow of line and colour pops, as well as a rough outline in water colour and then more detailed work drawn on top using black pen. I love this part of my process as I feel its when I can be most creative and expressive. I then used Photoshop to enhance the image and make it work better visually, for example by making the background clear white and by enhancing colours and levels. I also added a few details on the face to give a more realistic complexion.

For the second I actually went along on the shoot to help with hair and other small jobs but mainly to get a vibe of Robyn's work from a behind-the-scenes view. I used this opportunity to draw her and her model in action; these were vastly opposite to the previous illustrations as they were drawing from life; quick bold line drawings, with some colour pops. I also took some of my own images of the set and the stylist/photographer and model away from the camera, preparing and posing, to work from as reference. Using these I then went back to my original drawings and worked into them, I also created some more illustrations using a combination of memory and reference images. I created a much larger set of illustrations for this project than the last as they were a lot quicker to create and on a smaller scale. I then used photoshop to 'clean up' any unwanted parts and adjust levels and colour.

After insuring all work was suitable for print and/or digital (CYMK/RGB) I sent over the images, which she then arranged within her magazine accordingly.

I think this was great experience in both creating fashion illustrations and getting to experience a young professionals photo-shoot and thought process in the fashion industry. The importance of format and arrangement was also a huge part of the project and it has been really interesting to see how she has used and adapted my illustrations to work for her creative practice - creating the zine.
I can definitely see myself heading towards this route of illustration and I will definitely be experimenting with taking other briefs into a fashion illustration direction in future. I think overall some of my second project sketches could have been better or more effective within the context of a sketch book rather than in print however I am really happy with the overall outcome for the Harvey Nichols illustrations as I think the combination of analogue media with the professional digital editing worked really well to express the feel of the shoot. I could have made the faces look more close to life if I had spent longer on them however I feel overall I managed my time well and fulfilled the brief to the best of my ability.

Below is the ISSUU collection of images and illustrations for TAG zine with a few sample pages from roughs of the zine itself near the back of the document.

ISSUU: