OUGD504 - Studio Brief 01 - Initial Ideas

Much of the architecture within the city of Barcelona is based on the movement known as Catalan Modernism or Modernisme, associated with the search for Catalan's national identity. Much of this architecture is also down to the work of architect, Antoni Gaudi, famous for a very distinctive style. Examples of his work can be seen throughout Barcelona in structures, such as the Sagrada Familia, Park Guell, and Casa Mila (La Pedrera). The design of these buildings are very distinctive featuring many curved features and have no uniformed or traditional structure.

In order to reflect the art movements of Barcelona, distinctive features of their architectural structures could be used within the layout of the guide. For example, the idea is to produce the guide in a more subjective way, such as through the lack of strict grid systems and structure in order to represent the lack of uniformed structure seen in Gaudi's work, as well as to be in keep with the author's intention that the guidebook have a more personal touch for the specified target audience to use to influence their travels and design work.

• Squared format - represent the traditional shape of tiles, which can be used within mosaic patterns - links to the design of Park Guell.
• Break up the images into (squared) sections to represent these tiles.
• Large areas of negative space to reflect the spaces between mosaic tiles, and the smaller segments of glass.
• Material consideration - mosaic tiles typically made from coloured glass or stone.
• In contrast, the images and text could be formatted into odd shapes to reflect the curved structures of Catalan Modernism.
• Use different sized pages within the guidebook to also reflect the varying structures of Gaudi.
• Add checklists, pockets, spaces to place collected material which can help the reader to produce a body of influential material for work - personal (mandatory requirement).
• Less written content, more imagery - potentially inside front and back covers only.
• Unstructured type.