Revisiting Digbeth

So we went  back down to Digbeth to find the wasted spaces on the map. However we could not find all of them and some of them had now been transferred into car parks. We did however find a few of them and many other wasted spaces which we took pictures of.

What was important when taking these photos where to take as many as possible from different angles and also to think about the composition of the photos, so that we would be able to import the images of building into the empty spaces. we also took a few pictures of the area again for the montage sequence.

Styles and Infographics

Kinetic typography

Kinetic typography was one of the first styles we looked at. Created in after-effects kinetic typography is a simple way of creating an intro to a film and presenting information to the audience, It is easy to follow as the camera is constantly moving to keep up with the text that is being written. This keeps the audience engaged but there is normally also a narration which helps the audience follow. We thought we could possibly use it, as it is a simple technique we would more likely implement this technique with another style. Here are some good examples of kinetic typography.

The second thought I had was for the words to create the building. So as we asked people what they thought was about the wasted space and what they would want to see their. We would use what they say being their words to create the buildings.

I also looked at work from Rob Chiu and how he use typography in his videos this is from his show reel.

Narrative structure

Narrative structure is generally described as the structural framework that underlies the order and manner in which a narrative is presented to a reader, listener, or viewer. The narrative text structures are the plot and the setting. Generally, the narrative structure of any work (be it film, play, or novel) can be divided into three sections, which is referred to as the three-act structure: setup, conflict, resolution.

There are two main types of narrative structure; a non-linear narrative structure and linear narrative structure. A non-linear structure  is one that does not proceed in a straight-line, step-by-step fashion, examples of these would be Pulp fiction, Memento and more recently  The Social Network. Linear is the opposite, when narrative runs smoothly in a straight line, when it is not broken up.

The Narrative Structure for our animation would be a linear narrative. As our animation would be similar to a documentary we thought it would be best to have a linear narrative as we did not want to confuse the audience.

Narrative Structure Digbeth

Act 1 Introduction - Here we introduced the audience to Digbeth, the town, community and environment.

Act 2 Problem - Here we introduce the problem their are empty wasted and forgotten sites.

Act 3 Conclusion - Finally we summarise the film with our visions of what could have been and what is planned now for the area.

Digbeth Architecture research

I researched into the architecture of Digbeth, however we have now changed our idea to wasted/empty space. Although I thought could still be useful.

Digbeth is full of wonderful buildings, but there is a common idea that you have to go into the backstreets and hidden alleyways to really discover them. There are relatively few buildings on Digbeth High Street that really stand out as you past them; the Custard Factory is the main one. The buildings I research are some of Digbeth oldest ones.

The Bonser Warehouse (1860) is on Digbeth High Street. It is a tall narrow building with a pyramidal slate roof that was built in brick with stone dressings for the iron merchants Bonser & Co. Their name is inscribed on the door lintel beneath an iron-framed fanlight whose arch is enclosed by a keystone inscribed "warehouse".

The Digbeth Institute is on Digbeth High Street. Designed by Arthur Harrison, it was built in red-brick with grey terracotta dressings in 1907 as an institutional church attached to the Carr Lane Congregational Church.

Devonshire House is on High Street Deritend, Digbeth. It was built in the 1890's as offices for the Bird Custard factory which occupied an adjoining 3-acre site. Devonshire House became semi-derelict after Birds transferred production to Banbury in 1963, but was recently converted into 110 studios and offices for creative and media entrepreneurs.

Blakesley Hall Is a tutor  it is one of the oldest buildings in Birmingham and is a typical example of tutor architecture. The hall is a timber framed farmhouse built in 1950.

source:http://www.brumagem.co.uk/Architecture_Digbeth_Birmingham.shtm

Digbeth Concept and Idea 2

To me all, I knew about Digbeth was the Custard factory, it was the pinnacle of Digbeth. Other then that. I felt Digbeth had nothing else to offer. I was right but also wrong, what I mean is that Digbeth is largely known for its huge scene in the arts and media field from the Custard factory. However wrong in that it has nothing else to offer.

I came up with my second idea from an article I found on Digbeth is good called Wasted Digbeth. This article highlighted areas in Digbeth that were empty, abandon or wasted. I thought this was very interesting. The article talked about how Digbeth had a lot of potential for redevelopment and how these buildings and areas were waiting for something to happen.


I researched more into Digbeth as I wanted to find out more about this problem. As I research into this problem I found out about some of the proposed projects and facilities that were planned to be designed.

Wasted Digbeth

On the Digbeth is good website I found this map which highlighted the areas in Digbeth that where either abandoned, waste it or empty.

 As you can see the Map highlights a lots of area to have been wasted and abandon however with the would not be able to go to all these places so that the map below shows the eight places we plan to go. 

Attached to this map there was also a brief description of what had happened to these places. Why they are in this state and what they where previously used for.

Digital Animation (Collaborative project)

Along with our collaborative project with the landscape architecture department. We also have a second collaborative project with the Illustration, Graphics Design and Photography Department.

The Project - We have been given the task to develop a strategy for an integrated advertising campaign, including an animated TV AD based under the umbrella theme "Hydration".

Sounds challenging well it is, however as an animator my main contribution to the group will be making the the animated ad. However I would try to help as much as possible in the developing stages of getting a concept and a strategy for marketing.

I am partially excited about this module as I would be working with a range of other visual communication department. I am hoping to gain a lot from my peers as this practice will enhance my teamwork, negotiation and understanding of complimentary practices.

Digbeth Concept and Idea

Okay, so coming up with ideas for the Digbeth project. Well after going out there I came up with a number of ideas for what we could do, some good and some not so good. One idea I came up with was to show two sides of Digbeth. This idea was inspired by a few of the pictures we took. 

The concept was to show Digbeth in two different ways. The gritty, rough side of Digbeth and the new vibrant and lively side of Digbeth. What I wanted to highlight was the two contrast views of Digbeth being an old rundown district against it being a lively media hub.

I discussed this idea further with my group,and we worked on it to make it better and came up with a few more ideas, such as showing how Digbeth life is at night and day. Although we thought the best path to go with this idea was to explore the contrasting architecture in Digbeth, the old Victorian architecture in contrast to modern and contemporary architecture.

Two contrast architecture of the building

  Old building now a library.

 new building

 
 
Brief Plan
 
As we progressed with this idea we now started to discuss how we would structure this it. We had an idea what we wanted to be in our film such as graphics information and narrative.

How we would attempt to do this would be like a journey, first starting outside Digbeth we would travel into Digbeth  stopping at key landmarks and reviewing them with graphics and information about the place, a narrative would be guiding the viewer through. The old historic buildings would be shown drawn sketchy Oppose to the more new modern buildings which would be done with ones and zeros  symbolising  the growth in technology or tron like with lights and effects ( however we had not yet decided). What we hope to achieve from this film, is to have highlighted the different architecture in Digbeth giving the viewer some information about the place and how it makes it unique.

Reference images of style

 Drawing

 neon lights

 ones and zeros

Digbeath on the Map

After going to Digbeth I decided to do a quick search of Digbeath using Google maps. To find out some of the key places in the town.

The key places that were shown were the Custard factory, Bull ring, Market Tavern, Curzon Street Tunnel, The Rainbow (club), Birmingham coach station, Eastside Projects and South Birmingham College.

Digbeth in Pictures

After being given the brief, we decided that it would be good for us to go down to Digbeth and and get a look of what Digbeth was like. The walk from the BIAD campus to Digbeth was around 10 minutes. When we reached, the market and Cathedral (St Martins Church) I was told that we where in Digbeth. The Cathedral was the furthest I had been before.

We decided to go further into Digbeth before we would take any photos. Wondering around Digbeth we look for anything interesting that we could build an idea and a theme around. What we found was some really cool imagery of graffiti, buildings, cars and bridges. Below are some of the best pictures we took.