Bronze Graphics, Illustration and Visual Communication Design · 2024
FNE Film Festival Design System
by Favie Chiu
- A' Design Award 2024 Bronze Winner in Graphics, Illustration and Visual Communication Design
- Awarded April 15, 2024
- CLIENT: Favie Chiu
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 16,456
- Verification code CECB17D6DC · Verify this award
About FNE Film Festival Design System
Inspired by the profound narratives within Miranda July's films, the Forever Never and Ever Film Festival is a conceptual and unpublished festival presenting a curated collection of her work, encapsulating her distinctive cinematic perspective. Drawing from July's narrative richness, the design seamlessly integrates eccentricity and nuanced melancholy, complemented by vibrant colors. Reflecting July's thematic exploration of transformation, the festival celebrates the diverse tapestry of life experiences.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- The Forever Never and Ever (FNE) Film Festival is a conceptual initiative that showcases a curated selection the films of Miranda July. July is an award-winning filmmaker and her style is frequently characterized as offbeat and unconventional. The film festival design is focused on the quirkiness to visually express the sadness as July would do in her films, combining with bright colors to address the common idea that is often shown in her work: Life is colorful when we are brave enough to change.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Posters: 76x100cm. Subway ads: digital horizontal ratio, can be scaled in any dimension, Schedule Brochure:11x14cm, DVD film collection set: 25x15x8cm, Catalog: 15x24cm, Soundtrack USB: 5x2.5cm, Website: Responsive, will scale according to the device and browser. Clock: 40 by 45cm.
- Tags
- Branding, Visual Design System, Graphic Design, Identity, Logo, Naming strategy, Brochure , Film, Event, Catalog, Packaging Design, Art direction
- Production Technology
- Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign and Figma were used. The product prototypes including: soundtrack, catalog, and clock were made with a clear matte acrylic laser cut. The visual elements were spray painted with Montana spray paints. Catalog prototypes printed with Epson premium matte paper. Hand glued and self-bound.
- Design Challenge
- Not every story provides a clear indication of what Miranda intended to tell her audiences. To elucidate, the name drew from a famous quote from the film Me and You…, the Back and forth poop sign >))((
- Project Duration
- This project was started in 2016 when I first saw Me and You and Everyone We Know film. The packaging and catalog was made in 2016-2017. Product photography was taken in 2021. Digital designs were finalized in 2024 in San Francisco, California.
- Operation Flow
- It is a visual design system for a film festival. The film festival is delicate to convey the common theme in her films. The social communication format are posters, subway ads and websites to majorly engage with people on how to attend the festival. Physical communication formats are the film festival brochure and film catalog. Products are festival soundtrack, pins and clock.
- Research
- The research was started from watching all films and books from Miranda July, and finding a common thread behind all of her work: Life is colorful as long as we are brave enough to change. The objective is to have a holistic design experience for the audience who are willing to attend the festival. With the knowledge of knowing her style better, the design phrase started from collecting some key moments in each film, the quirky unknown shapes and movements. After collecting the key frames in films, I analyzed them by grouping with colors and the main characters' age group.
- Inspiration
- Several years ago, I occasionally came across the film of Miranda July called Me and You and Everyone We Know. I was really impressed by each character’s story in this film. Since then, I started watching all her work from 1998. I found her work started from very approachable scenes but giving the idea of encouraging us to change as a viewer. Her films, books and performance really give me the courage to think about the meaning behind life. I am inspired by the stories from her work.
- Image Credits
- Image #1: Photographor, Unblast, Indoor Event Billboard Mockup, Unknown. / Designer Favie Chiu, FNE Event Ads, 2024.
Image #2: Photographer Favie Chiu, FNE Catalog Spreads, 2024 / Designer Favie Chiu, FNE Catalog Design, 2024.
Additional image in catalog:
1. Model Laurel Consuelo Broughton and Miranda July, Photographer, Courtesy of Welcome Companions, Vogue magazine, Unknown
2. Film, Me and You and Everyone We Know movie scene, 2005
3. Film, The Future film scene, 2011
4. Short Film, The Miranda film scene, 2018
5. Film, Atlanta film scene, 1996
6. Film, Nest of Tens film scene, 1999
Image #3: Photographer Mr. Mockup, Studio Poster Mockup, 2024 / Designer Favie Chiu, FNE Poster, 2024.
Image #4: Photographer Unblast, Macbook Air Mockup, Unknown. / Designer Favie Chiu, FNE Website Design, 2024.
Additional
Image in Website:
1. Profile picture, Miranda July on Bandcamp, Unknown
Image #5: Photographer Favie Chiu, FNE Film Collections, 2024. / Designer Favie Chiu, FNE Film Collections, 2024.
Colors of FNE Film Festival Design System
Design Interview about FNE Film Festival Design System
The main principle and inspiration behind my design revolve around the visual narrative of a woman contemplating her life. She is depicted as feeling hesitant and apprehensive about making a change, yet surrounded by a vibrant and sparkling atmosphere filled with colorful possibilities. The key idea is to convey the message of courage and empowerment—to encourage the woman to be brave and embrace the unknown future ahead. The imagery of the woman pondering and gazing into the distance reflects the uncertainty of the future and the introspective nature of the journey she is undertaking.
My main focus in designing this work has been on developing a cohesive visual design system and crafting a compelling key art story. I aimed to create a design that could be applied across various mediums, platforms, and materials while maintaining its integrity and effectiveness. Specifically for the film festival deliverables, I wanted to demonstrate the flexibility of the design system. Each product was designed to serve a meaningful purpose for the audience, with the intention that they would collect and appreciate them as mementos of the festival experience.
I am planning on showing at Women in Design SF.
Initially, it took me about 6 months to develop this particular concept. However, due to work and personal commitments, I set it aside for a while. In 2023, I revisited the project, reorganized and rearranged some of the designs, and completed the process in approximately 3 months.
This is a self initiated conceptual project. I was inspired by Miranda July and really want to show my admiration of her film stories.
No, It is a conceptual project. I am not planning on selling the project, but I would love to collaborate within this concept.
What inspired me to design this particular type of work was my love for creating visual identities and key artwork for campaigns or events. When I watched Miranda's film "Me and You and Everyone We Know," I was instantly captivated by the story. It sparked the idea that it would be amazing if more people could discover and engage with her films, perhaps through a festival where film lovers could come together to share and discuss the meanings of the stories.
Yes, April Greiman. I was particularly inspired by her bold use of color and collage-style designs. Her work gave me the idea of using bright colors and unknown shapes to convey the quirky and uncertain feelings expressed in Miranda July's film. Greiman's innovative approach to design encouraged me to experiment with unconventional visual elements to capture the essence of the story in my own work.
Women in particular, and people who are interested in knowing Miranda July’s films.
What distinguishes this film festival design from other similar concepts is its quirky and playful aesthetic, which effectively captures the essence of Miranda's unique style. Unlike designs that may directly depict the main characters or scenes from the films featured in the festival, this design focuses on a summarized idea inspired by Miranda's films. This approach adds a layer of abstraction and intrigue, setting it apart and making it more memorable for festival attendees.
The name for this design, "Forever, Never, and Ever," was inspired by the key art story itself. It reflects the theme of uncertainty and contemplation, as the woman depicted in the design ponders her next move and considers her future. These three words encapsulate the range of emotions associated with such moments of decision-making. While "Never" may suggest hesitation or fear of change, "Forever" and "Ever" offer a sense of possibility and courage to embrace the present moment and seize opportunities. Ultimately, the name conveys the idea that the choice to act is transformative—it can lead to a life lived fully, where "Now" becomes both "Forever" and "Ever."
Adobe CC, Figma, laser cut machine for prototyping, spray paint for some small elements and book binding for catalog.
The most unique aspect of my design is its ability to encapsulate the essence of Miranda's style in a quirky and visually captivating manner. Instead of directly depicting the main characters or scenes from the films featured in the festival, the design offers a summarized representation inspired by Miranda's storytelling. This abstract approach adds a layer of intrigue and originality, setting it apart from more literal interpretations commonly found in similar festival designs.
I collaborated with the laser cut shop staff to learn techniques for intricate designs. I also consulted friends with industrial design backgrounds for advice on prototyping and spray painting methods.
Technology is integral to this design, particularly in prototyping and production. Laser cutting technology enabled intricate designs, while digital design software facilitated conceptualization and refinement.
My design process was primarily driven by visual research and exploration rather than data or analytical research. I focused on gathering inspiration from various sources, including art, film, and literature, to inform the direction of the key art. This involved collecting mood boards, studying visual trends, and immersing myself in the aesthetic elements that resonated with the storytelling style of Miranda's films.
Finding a common thread in Miranda's different films and getting the right materials for the prototype were big challenges. I had to do a lot of digging on materials and get creative to figure it all out.
I decided to submit my design based on a suggestion of a friend. She encouraged me, mentioning that it would be great to let more people know about my work.
During the designing of this work, I learned how to utilize various materials to create prototypes. Experimenting with different materials allowed me to effectively convey the mood and essence of the key art story. It was a journey of exploration to find the right physical materials and colors that complemented the digital designs. This experience not only improved my understanding of material properties but also enhanced my ability to translate digital concepts into tangible, tactile experiences.