SCROLL TO BOTTOM TO START
CLICK ON PART 2 FOR CONTINUED BIT
I've Collated some more fine-tuned designs to help me get started with designing my first section - I've added some notes as to what I think is effective.
https://www.itsnicethat.com/articles/niklas-sagebiel-graphic-designer-060919 https://www.itsnicethat.com/articles/melville-brand-design-the-history-of-samsonite-publication-graphic-design-200219. https://www.itsnicethat.com/articles/yevgeniy-anfalov-rotary-history-of-the-studio-for-electronic-music-wdr-090118. https://www.itsnicethat.com/features/ulm-model-inge-scholl-otil-aicher-essay-230117 https://www.pentagram.com/work/pentagram-remixed?rel=search&query=timel&page=1. https://www.pentagram.com/work/activist-new-york?rel=search&query=timel&page=1. https://www.pentagram.com/work/archtober-2012?rel=search&query=timel&page=1. https://www.pentagram.com/work/closed-worlds?rel=search&query=timel&page=1
These are some fonts I've had a look at that I think could work for the style I am going for. I'm going to start designing and may mix up some fonts
In terms of keeping all the designs consistent I am going to do the Timeline first as here I will be able to find an 'identity' for the rest of the mini exhibition. I think colour and type are an important area to start off with.
On the left are some examples of existing timeline/exhibition/infographic type things.
I measured out and fine tuned my maquettes and have set up an indesign document for me to start designing to scale.
These are some styles I'm thinking could work. I'm going to try making the first one as it's the most interesting one for me.
LEFT TO RIGHT NUMBERING
1, 2. A4 poster when folded out with booklet - could be good option for the music section or extra section?
3, 4. concertina? style cross which folds into a flat book - could be a good option for photography section
5, 6. fold out cross which folds into a flat book - could be a good option for photography section
7. simple one sheet of paper folded in three - could be a good option for photography section
8. Simple one sheet of paper folded in 8 - could be a good option for the extra section
9. Continuous folded A4 sheet - could be a good option for extra section
10. Simple one sheet of paper folded in four - could be a good option for photography section or extra section
This is a visual concept I have after having looked at other work for inspiration.
1. It would be a timeline of the history of angola, with key dates and as an overall piece will include a bit of what all the other assets will be covering.
2. music is what for me is the basis of this project - in this fold out poster I will have information on early in the mornin and the impact of music esp plantation songs - I want to give a voice to the singers. Will include names/artwork.
3. What started me of was the photography - I think do a concertina in the shape of the prison houses bodes well and will hopefully have an impactful effect where I can show the vast similarities of angola's 100+ year history.
4. There are certain thing's I have found out that don't fit in a certain category like statistics and facts about the prison. Here is where they would be housed in a little booklet.
6. all pieces would then be house in a fold out box/sleeve which the inside will explain how and why i've linked this to early in the mornin'
My original thinking was that this could work well as an exhibition and that whilst I could do mock ups for possible installations or make videos.
A little of what I had in mind is sketched up on the right. Different areas covering different bits about the prison.
Second best thing where I could actually make something was making a publication to accompany said exhibition I had in my mind.
Maybe if I had the time I thought I could make a poster, tickets etc for it.
I then thought I like the idea of a portable exhibition! In COVID times there is no certainty as to when we will next be able to go to a exhibition and for many it's something that is missed.
SO - as I go on to explain how I would do it above ^ I would do a mind exhibition which in theory (or ideally) could be posted around to whoever is interested - then maybe it would be it's own stand alone piece or if we are able to go back to exhibitions soon it would just be a really in depth publication to accompany it!
TALK ABOUT HOW YOU WANT TO DO AN EXHIBITION BUT TO FIT WITH CORONA TIMES I LIKE THE IDEA OF MAKING A PORTABLE EXHIBITION - Gives something people to do in the comfort of their own homes. Things like QR code to get the music.
https://www.behance.net/gallery/69169291/vol1?tracking_source=search_projects_recommended%7Ccreative%20book%20design
https://www.behance.net/gallery/107298097/Amorim?tracking_source=search_projects_recommended%7Cdata%20book&state=%7B%22ac%22%3A%22behance.net%22,%22csrf%22%3A%2273b36b08-1f91-488f-9a04-af90d44c0d7b%22,%22intent%22%3A%22signIn%22,%22version%22%3A1%7D
https://www.behance.net/gallery/277562/Artefactum-Human?tracking_source=search_projects_recommended%7Ccreative%20book%20designhttps://w
https://www.behance.net/gallery/27656637/Yearbook-Architectural-School-MARCH-20122013?tracking_source=search_projects_recommended%7Cdata%20book&state=%7B%22ac%22%3A%22behance.net%22,%22csrf%22%3A%2273b36b08-1f91-488f-9a04-af90d44c0d7b%22,%22intent%22%3A%22signIn%22,%22version%22%3A1%7D
https://www.behance.net/gallery/99820351/Paper-Work?tracking_source=search_projects_recommended%7Cdata%20book
https://www.behance.net/gallery/19741733/DESCONSTROI?tracking_source=search_projects_recommended%7Cdata%20book&
https://www.behance.net/gallery/57112411/Nichtsein?tracking_source=search_projects_recommended%7Cdata%20book&state=%7B%22ac%22%3A%22behance.net%22,%22csrf%22%3A%2273b36b08-1f91-488f-9a04-af90d44c0d7b%22,%22intent%22%3A%22signIn%22,%22version%22%3A1%7D
https://www.behance.net/gallery/66374093/Deface-book?tracking_source=search_projects_recommended%7Cdata%20book&state=%7B%22ac%22%3A%22behance.net%22,%22csrf%22%3A%2273b36b08-1f91-488f-9a04-af90d44c0d7b%22,%22intent%22%3A%22signIn%22,%22version%22%3A1%7D
https://www.behance.net/gallery/98775243/QUARANTINE-PORTFOLIO?tracking_source=search_projects_recommended%7Cb%26w%20publication
https://www.behance.net/gallery/89370149/Samsung-Fire-Marine-Insurance-Annual-Report-Design?tracking_source=search_projects_recommended%7Csleeve%20publications%20
https://www.itsnicethat.com/articles/studio-es-graphic-design-200820
https://www.itsnicethat.com/articles/meter-serviceplan-moby-digg-made-in-fukushima-graphic-design-publication-sponsored-content-120619
Publication styles:
Above I am going to insert some styles that I want to take inspiration from for my final piece.
NEXT STEPS
My initial idea was to do one long publication which would somehow include all of what is below. One issue I came across is how I would pieces lots of information together. I've been looking at different publication styles and I think the idea of have lots of different sections my suit me best.
My initial idea which I now want to develop is have separate leaflets, posters, booklets etc within a sleeve fold out publications. I am thinking of having:
A long poster which will be a dated timeline for the prison.
A poster for the music - With a focus on Earling in the mornin.
A fold out consatina which will house the photographs of the prison over the years - Designed to look like the prison buildings.
Then other notable information which will be a little booklet where I go into more detail about certain things which have/do happen at the prison - with a focus of data visualisation and typography.
The idea would be this would be a publication that would accompany a exhibition or basically your own mini exhibition which is transportable! Esp since now galleries and museums are closed so could be something that could easily be posted.
plantation originally
prison is traced back to 1880
plantation was named Angola after the homeland of its former slaves. thus nickname of prison is angola
became state owned in 1901 after reports of brutality against inmates. was previously run by a private firm.
The Flood of 1922
1951 “Hell on Angola” and The Heel String Gang
31 inmates sliced their achilles tendons to publicise their objections to hard labor and brutality - great depression conditions terrible poor shape and budget cuts
alan lomax did recordings in the prision
names of the singers for early in the morning
1950s new governor called in to clean up angola
1960s christened ‘the bloodiest prison in the south’
1972 Reform and the Reformers
1976 Decentralization of Angola
1980s photographs by Keith Calhoun and Chandra McCormick
rodeo since 1965
other facts:
largest maximum security prison in the us - larger than Manhattan
self sustainable - ‘the farm’ - inmates grow their own food
nicknamed modern day plantaion
guarded by wolf dogs
inmates make coffins - before they were cardboxe boxes - body fell through
angola three
onsite prison
inadequate medical care
unsafe temperatures
solitary confinement record
introduction the photographs collected by the couple
introduction to the other photos - library of congress
basically - it’s a publication which informs the prison and the climate
The images will run be used through out
the timeline will of history will pop in and out
the random facts will also run through out
I linked it to the song as music for many and for the original plantation workers got people carrying on
On the left are my notes for stats/fact I want to have in the publication.
A rough plan:
Intro explaining the piece - link it to the music
- highlight the similarities of the prison in the past and now
Possible sections:
-> timeline sections - key dates etc
-> photography similarities section
-> breaking down song/early in the mornin singers and history of importance of plantation songs
-> other important stats and facts
This is a documentary I came across about a man who is in angola - I will try to watch it if I have time. What was striking to me as this is also in black and white and I imagine for a similar reason as to why I want my publication to predominantly be in black & white.
I think it makes it more serious and emotional and that's what I feel when I see black and white. Another reason for my reason is that it's harder to spot the time the videos/photos were taken as the quality seems the same and there are less factors which separate the times.
This is an example adam linked me to - I think it's a really effective way of just piecing a project together and stepping it up a noch. The photographers images are all of concrete so makes sense to house the photographs in said material. To me it's really effective and a professional finish.
I also spoke to Adam to get a different perspective. He spoke about liking my idea with the timeline and making a publication. I mentioned my concerns about making another publication as I seem to have a history of making them in past projects.
He suggested considering rather than focusing on making the publication 'out side of the box' that maybe consider the housing for it could be more creative. We spoke about different sleeve options like a cause of concrete or it housed in wood or something. Or even look at bellybands and other ways of housing a publication.
Whilst i'm still deciding how I am going to make my final piece I will also look at possible options on how it will be housed.
This was a very quick idea where I thought the images/contents could be housed with a corner pattern it wasn't a very thought out thing and once i got to this stage i felt it had no relevance and didn't look good.
I spoke with Fern to get a bit of feedback - I hadn't progressed a lot but spoke about doing something more interesting than just a landscape publication.
Also how it seems I have a little much possibly information going in with the mix of the song and facts about the prison. Fern suggested doing the facts/stats about the prison and then having hints about the song throughout or using certain colours or shapes. For examples cast iron gates, barbed wire, gunmetal pantone.
I spoke about how I designed a concertina that is like a cross which could represent the prison buildings or the similarities with the wood being chopped in the song.
These are a collection of different book styles i've collected - some from last year which i made but most from the Internet to help me see different ways I may experiment further down the line.
This is a quick mock of a layout idea I have - I think it gives you.a good idea for what it may end up looking like.
I think the photographs are powerful, but also like the idea of including data from the prison, analysing the song lyrics and just other relevant information.
These are three different ways I was thinking I could visualise this circle idea or timeline idea.
I feel like all could work and if I did have the time it would work well as an exhibition branding.
These are some events that have happened at Angola over the year.
I want to do a timeline represent all these events - I want to also focus on the photography over the years to document the history of angola.
Hoping to represent how whilst there have been reforms it's still know as a difficult place.
Some other facts:
at one point 10% of inmates would be stabbed
corona epidemic effects
Possible publication layout - initial tests
What stands out to me the most is the similarities between photos which are 70 years apart. It is something I want to hone in on and what I'm trying to work out is how exactly.
There are still deep ties with the prisons history with plantations and it's pretty clear with how the prison is run.
1900 - 1980 - 2004
1934 - 1980 - 2004
This is a quick edit of all the photos as a sequence in order of the dates the photographs were taken.
An initial idea would be having the transitions of the photos go with the beat of the song and then potentially have writing or colour over the top if the images.
I would be cautious about taking away from the great photographs so it's something I would have to test out beforehand
I've been seeping through photographs I've found of angola and looking at the similarities between them all and noting on the fact that many of them you would think are from the early 20th century rather than early 21st.
https://www.peoplesworld.org/article/louisianas-angola-proving-ground-for-racialized-capitalism/
https://prisonphotography.org/tag/angola/
https://prisonphotography.org/2015/03/09/they-didnt-want-us-to-show-the-reality-the-gore-a-chat-with-photojournalist-giles-clarke/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Tyler
I like the idea of a continuous circle - it's not to say that is history is repeating itself but it is clear there is similarities spanning over 100 years. I want to celebrate the singers but also all the people who have been at the prison as I believe they can all relate to one another and that the song can be a signifier for the hardships they have all faced.
I
https://www.theverge.com/2020/7/5/21304985/black-lives-matter-murals-round-up-artists
What is the data / info you have highlighted around your track?
How are you taking this on a visual journey?
Visual tests / experiments / works in progress / rough edits
Any proposed ideas / thoughts of how these might progress towards an outcome.
WHAT IS THE SONG ABOUT? WHAT ARE THE THEMES?
IS THE SONG PRE-WRITTEN DID THEY MAKE IT UP AS THEY GO ALONG
LOOK AT THE PRISONERS WHO ARE SINGING
https://www.angolamuseum.org/history-of-angola
https://ccnmtl.columbia.edu/projects/caseconsortium/casestudies/54/casestudy/www/layout/case_id_54_id_547.html
https://listverse.com/2019/02/04/10-shocking-facts-about-angola-prison-and-its-violent-past/
https://unbelievable-facts.com/2018/04/angola-prison.html
LOOK AT THE PRISION - WHAT WAS IT LIKE - WHAT WERE THE CONDITIONS - WHY DID PEOPLE GO THERE - WAS IT PREDOMENTLY SLAVES?
The singers of Early in the Mornin' were part of a chain gang. Being chained together made their work even more inhumane and cruel but it was a widely practiced punishment at the time.
Plantation Songs
https://www.themeister.co.uk/dixie/plantation_songs.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Work_song
This website had a lot of information on the song and a bit on the work Lomax did. It was really interesting to see the detail put in to explaining how the axes work with the music. To me it's astounding to think that it's just the voice of the men and the chopping of the axes that make this incredibly powerful song.
http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/06/early-in-morning-prison-work-song-1947.html
I was looking for more information with lomax works and looking for an isight into the album of 'negro blues'
I think this journal entry does a good job at highlighting what he did during his career whether he was aware of it or not. It exonerates my point to want to put the focus on the singers and not alan lomax himself I feel like he has had enough celebration for the work he has done so he doesn't need another.
Whilst I am in awe of the work Lomax did throughout his lifetime I am more interested in putting the singers of the songs and the history behind it and it's singers culture/history is what in my eyes needs to be put on a pedestal.
I'm not exactly sure how I will do this I don't want to cancel out Lomax but I do what look more at how the singers came to be and maybe look at raising the issue of the atrocities of the convict era and how at the end of the day the system failed many people but how music was many people's joy and optimism during tough times.
https://search-proquest-com.mmu.idm.oclc.org/docview/1357485242?pq-origsite=summon
It has been really insightful watching these interviews - I get a real insight into why he did what he did and how important his career was for so many communities. I love that thanks to him so much music has been conserved.
It's also interesting to know that he 'discovered' the likes of Woody Guthrie, Lead Belly, Muddy Waters and Jelly Roll Morton. He recordings gave lots of songs and singers a voice and I think the preservation of culture through music is incredibly important.
After the first tutor group - We discussed what I could look more into. On the left are some of the things we talked about.
I'm interested into how Alan Lomax got to record the music he did so I will look for some interviews to see his perspective on it and a bit about why he did and was seen as a conservationist of folk music around the world.
One thing that speaks out initial is why he got the credit for the work that is so clearly not his - so I would like to find out more about the people singing and in general about the deep south and it's African American chain gang prisoners.
I'm going to look at colours, senses, the workers, how he recorded it, what they sing about in the song (e.g. faith), why he is seen as an important figure within folklore.
I will also look at possible ways I can start using data to start coming up with ideas of how I will visualise this song.
I've also found out Lomax wasn't the only one to record songs at Angola. It was clearly a prison rich in music culture so I will have a see later on if I can add reference to the other songs at one point.
This is the track list for the album early in the mornin is on - I also found some information on the designer for the albums sleeve. I'm recorded this incase I want to go back and reference it later.
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2011/jan/08/alan-lomax-john-szwed-review#comments
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/feb/01/folk
https://www.theguardian.com/uk/shortcuts/2012/mar/05/alan-lomax-hebrides-recordings
I wanted to learn about Lomax and why he was credited as the artist when it was clear he wasn't singing. It's interesting to see that he recored so much music and accountable for preserving so much music especially folk music from all around the world.
Click on images above for annotations
LYRICS: EARLY IN THE MORNING (1947-1948 Parchman Farm version)
(sung by “22”, Little Red, Tangle Eye, and Hard Hair, accompanied by double cutting axes)
(1st Verse)
Well, it’s early in the morn –in the morning, baby
When I rise, Lordy mama
Well, it’s early every morning a-baby
When I rise well-a well-a
It’s early in the morning, baby
When I rise, Lordy baby
You have-, it’s I have misery, Berta,
Wa, in my right side
Well-a, in a my right side, Lordy baby-
R-in-a my right side,Lordy, sugar.
Well, it´s I have a misery, Berta,
R-in-a my right side, well-a.
(Chorus)
Well-a, it's-a, Lordy,
Ro-Lordy-Berta,
Well, it's Lord (you keep a-talkin'), babe,
Well, it's Lord, Ro-Lordy-Rosie,
Well, it's, o Lord, Gal, well-a.
(2nd verse)
Well-a, whosonever told it, That he told a- he told a dirty lie, babe.
Well-a, whosonever told it, that he told a -he told a dirty lie, well-a.
Well-a, whosonever told it, that he told a -he told a dirty lie, babe.
Well the eagle on the dollar-quarter,
He gonna rise and fly, well-a.
He gonna rise and fly, sugar.
He gonna rise and fly, well-a.
Well the eagle on the dollar-quarter, He gonna rise and fly, well-a.
(Chorus)
(3rd verse)
Well-rocks ’n gravel make -a
Make a solid road
Well-a takes a-rock –a gravel make a
To make a solid road, well-a
It takes a good lookin woman to make a
To make a good lookin whore
Well-a It takes a good lookin woman, Lord, Baby
To make a good lookin whore, Lord sugar
It takes a good lookin woman to make-a
To make a good lookin whore, well-a
(Chorus)
(4th verse)
Boys, the peckerwood a-peckin' on the-
On the schoolhouse door, sugar.
Well, the peckerwood a-peckin' on the-
R-on the schoolhouse door, Well-a.
Well, the peckerwood a-peckin' on the-
On the schoolhouse door, sugar.
Well he pecks so hard, Lordy, baby,
Until his pecker got sore, well-a,
Until his pecker got sore, Lordy, baby,
Until his pecker got sore, Lord, sugar.
Well he pecks so hard, Lord, mama,
Until his pecker got sure, well-a.
(Chorus)
(5th verse)
Well, hain't been to Georgia, boys,
but, Well, it's I been told, sugar.
Well, hain't been to Georgia, Georgia.
But, it's I been told, well-a.
Well, haint been to Georgia, Georgia.
But, it's I been told, Lord, mama.
[End]
(sung by “22”, Little Red, Tangle Eye, and Hard Hair, accompanied by double cutting axes)
(1st Verse)
Well, it’s early in the morn –in the morning, baby
When I rise, Lordy mama
Well, it’s early every morning a-baby
When I rise well-a well-a
It’s early in the morning, baby
When I rise, Lordy baby
You have-, it’s I have misery, Berta,
Wa, in my right side
Well-a, in a my right side, Lordy baby-
R-in-a my right side,Lordy, sugar.
Well, it´s I have a misery, Berta,
R-in-a my right side, well-a.
(Chorus)
Well-a, it's-a, Lordy,
Ro-Lordy-Berta,
Well, it's Lord (you keep a-talkin'), babe,
Well, it's Lord, Ro-Lordy-Rosie,
Well, it's, o Lord, Gal, well-a.
(2nd verse)
Well-a, whosonever told it, That he told a- he told a dirty lie, babe.
Well-a, whosonever told it, that he told a -he told a dirty lie, well-a.
Well-a, whosonever told it, that he told a -he told a dirty lie, babe.
Well the eagle on the dollar-quarter,
He gonna rise and fly, well-a.
He gonna rise and fly, sugar.
He gonna rise and fly, well-a.
Well the eagle on the dollar-quarter, He gonna rise and fly, well-a.
(Chorus)
(3rd verse)
Well-rocks ’n gravel make -a
Make a solid road
Well-a takes a-rock –a gravel make a
To make a solid road, well-a
It takes a good lookin woman to make a
To make a good lookin whore
Well-a It takes a good lookin woman, Lord, Baby
To make a good lookin whore, Lord sugar
It takes a good lookin woman to make-a
To make a good lookin whore, well-a
(Chorus)
(4th verse)
Boys, the peckerwood a-peckin' on the-
On the schoolhouse door, sugar.
Well, the peckerwood a-peckin' on the-
R-on the schoolhouse door, Well-a.
Well, the peckerwood a-peckin' on the-
On the schoolhouse door, sugar.
Well he pecks so hard, Lordy, baby,
Until his pecker got sore, well-a,
Until his pecker got sore, Lordy, baby,
Until his pecker got sore, Lord, sugar.
Well he pecks so hard, Lord, mama,
Until his pecker got sure, well-a.
(Chorus)
(5th verse)
Well, hain't been to Georgia, boys,
but, Well, it's I been told, sugar.
Well, hain't been to Georgia, Georgia.
But, it's I been told, well-a.
Well, haint been to Georgia, Georgia.
But, it's I been told, Lord, mama.
[End]
Lomax was a Ethnomusicologist - I hadn't realised this was a thing but it's pretty amazing thing it seems
NEED TO ANNOTATE^^^