Botanical Identification; Research and writing up the brief

Brief

Create the first in a series of editorial publications to introduce an amateur target audience to the discipline of botany. Look to create two synthesised outcomes, one in print and the other a complimentary interactive app both using visuals created collaboratively. Make the most of both designers strengths, Jess illustrating, and Beth typographic element.

Background and Considerations
- Establish ongoing dialogue throughout the design process even when working in separate outcomes (print and digital.)
- The content should direct the design decisions but the content must also be limited and carefully considered as it suits the target audience.
- Research the functional aspects of botanical identification and consider how this can be communicated in a clearly and effectively.
- It is impossible to cover all the plants that are out there, consider practical ways to limit the content in a war that aids communication and full fills the informative purpose of the design outcomes
- Consider the production processes and ensure an aesthetic synthesises achieved in both print and digital outcomes.
- The practical uses of the publication must be considered imperative, ensure the illustrations work in terms of identification, and the type functions in terms of usability and legibility.

Mandatory Requirements
- Documentation of development individually and collaboratively so that it is clear what is done individually relates to the brief in a collaborative sense.
- Be aware of the different styles of each designer and play to these as strengths when synthesised in the aesthetics.

Deliverables 
- Publication (size will be determined by content.)
- Complimentary application to act as on the move identification and archive for the publication.
- Possible extension into promotional pieces.


Initial research and inspiration:

Pinterest board created by Beth and I:

Ideas:

The idea originated the interests of floral illustration combined with the interests in typography.

For the first stages of this project, research into botanical plants and existing wildflower identification is necessary. Creating mood boards on pinterest is a good way to gather visual research, as the visual identity of this publication is a significant factor. 

Existing publications that serve this purpose are not aesthetically pleasing, the concept for the new publication is to still inform the audience, yet also provide them with a visually pleasing publication that acts as a collectors edition aswell as a general informative book. 

Content:

The publication is to be designed and used as a botanical handbook, providing information about individual blooms presented with both an illustrative and typographical  element. 

For the content, it will be limited to a certain number of blooms per season, as the purpose of the book is to be an introduction so the best way to choose the content would be to use the most common plants in each season. 

Layout considerations must also inform the design process, working out how the illustrative element will combine with the typographical element, both being key features to this publication.

For the content of the publication 16 illustrations of the blooms are needed, after reviewing the research collected on floral illustrations, it was decided that the medium to be used will be watercolour, as the soft loose visuals combined with an elegant structured type will compliment each other when side by side. 

Using watercolour will allow the publication to have a unique styling for the purpose it is being made for.