Caleb Horn

ALKEK LIBRARY REDESIGN PROJECT

Caleb — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 21:43:16 +0000

This is an environmental graphic design project created for the Alkek Library on the campus of Texas State University. The purpose was to create navigation and wayfinding systems that engage visitors on multiple levels as they make their way through the library. It was designed to be both pragmatic and poetic in its execution. The objective was to research, develop, and design a cohesive visual system through typographic design for wayfinding signage, interior signage, and installation design.

The book begins with an audit of the Library and its visitors in order to define the most prominent shortcomings of the current design and form focused solutions to known problems. After the visual audit, the information collected was compiled and discussed in order to bring common themes to light. This helped to break the problem down into simple terms which I used to craft my objective statement and design principles.

My overall concept for the library redesign project began with the lyric from Paul McCartney quoted on the first page of the book, “Everyone has a sense of childlike wonder.” Next, I titled the project “Childlike Wonder” and began to get into the head space of a young child discovering that learning can be fun. I noticed that the spark of discovery was nowhere to be found inside the Alkek Library and I wanted to help create one.

This led to the development of my two design principles; Recreate a love for learning, and Reconnect to childhood wonder. These principles helped me navigate through a sea of ideas and find ones that furthered the message. Each of the three treatments have a diagram explaining without words why the treatment works along with a detailed description of the execution of the design.

This was the solution for the lobby. Large wooden letters are reminiscent of mature alphabet blocks. These multi-functional pieces serve as velvet ropes for where lines should form as well as designate space and point out key features such as rest rooms and checkout stations.

Design principles focus the message while crafting the ideas and also serve as dividers to pace the presentation book.

Designed to inspire thought and encourage camaraderie, these window installations bring like minds together. Different floors and sections feature scholars from their respective fields. For example, William Shakespeare would be located in the Modern Literature section. They are created exclusively out of type printed on transparent vinyl and applied to the windows. The words are selected Shakespeare quotes.

The type is set at ten points with solid leading in all upper-case to provide a more uniform color from which we deduce the image in the negative space. This solution allows us to draw people into a space from a distance and take further meaning from it upon closer inspection. It is inspirational without being too demanding or blocking the beautiful view of our campus, our city and our state.

Alkek Library color, materials, and type palette are all included in the presentation book.

Partial sketches and notes are included to show the process of how I came up with the ideas.

BLACK KIDS GIG POSTER

Caleb — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 21:42:04 +0000

This project was created as a study of current trends in poster design. The assignment was to create a gig poster promoting an appearance for an independent touring band. I was assigned a band from Jacksonville Florida known as the Black Kids. They are an indie synthpop dance band with a young audience of people mostly in their early twenties. One of the requirements of this project was that students keep in mind that gig posters are first and foremost a do-it-yourself movement, largely limited to hand-driven, low tech processes such as silk-screening. Therefore, colors were kept to a minimum.

ACQUISITION CORPS ID

Caleb — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 21:40:56 +0000

The 1936th Army Acquisition Corp identity is a highly conceptual and symbolic mark. The arrowhead that it sits on is reminiscent of the 36th Infantry Division’s “T-Patch.” The greek “Alpha” and “Omega” symbolize the intricate and continuous acquisition process and the Corps’ mission. The stars and wreath are representative of the Texas State seal and the eagle is our National Symbol. It represents vigilance and military preparedness. The laurel symbolizes honor and achievement.

Acquisition Corps Identity

YOGA SCHEDULE HANDOUT

Caleb — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 19:54:34 +0000

Kerry Wills is a yoga instructor bases out of St. Petersburg Florida. She teaches moderately paced asana practice with an emphasis on the meditative aspect of Yoga. She is inspired by both Buddhist and Classical Yogic philosophy as well as the Sciences. The challenge with this project was finding a look and feel that was true to the traditional practice of yoga yet still inviting to beginners.

Kerry Wills Yoga Handout

WEDDING INVITATIONS

Caleb — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 19:53:26 +0000

Wedding Invitations Front

These wedding invitations were created to be simple and inexpensive to reproduce. They are printed on French Parchtone Aged paper and hand cut to give them the informal and untraditional feel that the bride and groom requested.

Wedding Invitations Back

The back of the invitations provide all the required information in a straight forward and intelligible hierarchy.

UNIVERS TYPE SPECIMEN BOOK

Caleb — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 19:50:45 +0000

Type Specimen Book Cover

The purpose of this project was to create an informative and conceptual type specimen book which communicates and demonstrates knowledge of the assigned typeface as well as typographic terms, grids, hierarchy of type, typesetting, and typographic expression.

This specimen book is highly conceptual and draws a correlation between the Universe as we know it, and the typeface Univers designed by Adrian Frutiger. It includes a short essay about the typeface and its designer and character sets as well as typesetting examples.

Type Specimen Book Milky Way

The book explores where we as humans are in relationship to the vast universe that surrounds us and tries to make sense of our role in it.

It starts at the vantage point of our galaxy, The Milky way, and the heaviest examples of the Univers family, ie. Univers 93 Extra Black Extended through Univers 65 Bold.

Type Specimen Book Example Page

It functions throughout as a standard type specimen book complete with character sets and type setting examples.

Type Specimen Book Illustration

The viewer then enters the level of the Solar System and explains a little bit about our sun and the family of planets, moons, asteroids and comets that comprise it.

This level explores the familiar 50s weights of the type family including Roman, Oblique, Condensed and Extended.

Type Specimen Book Solar System

One of the most challenging and unique aspects of this project came from a limitation that all illustrations had to be created solely from characters within the typeface.

Type Specimen Book Planet Earth

Lastly, the viewer arrives at Planet Earth where we explore the rare existence of life in such a vast universe and our limited knowledge of it. Here, we finally explore the lighter weights of the Univers family.

Type Specimen Book Closing

The viewer is left contemplating the harmony of life and the Univers type family. The final page reads:

“We are all connected. To each other, biologically; to the earth, chemically; to the rest of the univers aesthetically.”

PRAYER DAY FLYER

Caleb — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 19:39:08 +0000

Prayer Day Flyer

The Prayer Day event is held annually in conjunction with the National Day of Prayer. It is open to all faiths. It has a special focus on Soldiers and draws a crowd of more than 800 Soldiers, civilians and retirees from around the Austin area. This event raises money for non-profit Soldier family support systems around Texas.

JAZZ FEST BILLBOARD

Caleb — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 19:34:06 +0000

Ooh La La Billboard

This billboard was created to promote the 23rd annual Festival International de Louisiane in downtown Lafayette, LA. The festival is a community-based, non-profit arts organization celebrating the French cultural heritage of southern Louisiana – primarily a combination of French, African, Caribbean and Hispanic influences. It is a five day festival in conjunction with the New Orleans Jazz Fest.

This family-friendly festival appeals to both local residents as well as out of town/state visitors. The strong focus on music, including regional Louisiana genres, roots music, African/world music, as well as the region’s Cajun cuisine make for strong draws to a broad demographic.

OAK WILT BROCHURE

Caleb — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 19:22:00 +0000

Oak Wilt Cover

Oak Wilt Spread

Oak Wilt Back

This brochure serves as a guide to identification and prevention of the disease Oak Wilt. It is readily available to Soldiers and civilians on Texas Military Forces training sites as well as neighbors who have land adjacent to the training sites.

Oak wilt is a disease that can be detrimental to oak groves. It is a fungal virus that can be transmitted through the interconnecting root systems of oak groves or by contaminated arbor equipment as well as insects.

MUSIC LAB REBRAND

Caleb — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 19:16:50 +0000

Music Lab Cover

Music Lab Inc. is a multi-faceted company that does everything from recording studio albums to gear rental and repair. Their existing brand identity is dated and uninspired.

This proposal book was created as a class assignment to rebrand one of our favorite local businesses. The proposal book contains a company overview, brand audit and competitive audit, as well as an explanation of how the identity was concepted and created. It includes the new Music Lab identity, type and color palettes.

Music Lab This not This

Music Lab is a brand I know well after working there for two years. After leaving, I remained a loyal client utilizing their rehearsal space. I saw first-hand the diversity of the clientèle they serve. Everyone from gospel singers to heavy metal bands sing the praises of the Lab.

Music Lab Idea Diagram

This page gives a quick visual representation of how the new identity was pieced together.

Music Lab Logo

The Music Lab identity combines elements from music and science. It mixes the LED lights of a graphic equalizer found on recording equipment with test-tubes one would find in a science laboratory.

The bold weight display typeface shows that Music Lab is an established business and a leader in the music entertainment industry.

Music Lab Tee-shirts

Music Lab Road Cases

Music Lab Guitar Picks

Music Lab Paper System

Music Lab Color Palette

Eggplant purple and dark grey make up the Music Lab color palette .

Music Lab Type Palette