I decided to gather visual inspiration to help guide me in determining the visuals I may want to incorporate into my final outcome. To achieve this, I created mood boards encompassing imagery, colours, art, and typography.
Typography in the Apollo program embraced a clean and modern aesthetic, mirroring the design trends of its era. Sans-serif fonts were prevalent, chosen for their clarity and readability. Mission patches further emphasised this trend with bold, stylised fonts complementing symbolic imagery, effectively encapsulating each mission's essence. This typography was instrumental in conveying the program's values and achievements, contributing significantly to its iconic visual identity.
Inspired by this historical context, I aim to utilise similar typography for my project to ensure accessibility and readability. Additionally, I've drawn inspiration from typography in film, particularly admiring the type used in "Dune," a recommendation from my lecturer. This fusion of historical and cinematic influences will shape the visual identity of my project, creating an engaging and immersive experience for its audience.
In addition to their scientific and historical significance, the photographs of the Apollo program also have aesthetic value. The black-and-white and colour images captured by astronauts using Hasselblad cameras possess a timeless quality, with their stark contrasts, vivid colours, and striking compositions. These photographs are not only technically impressive but also artistically compelling, inviting viewers to contemplate the beauty and majesty of the cosmos.
The colours tied to the Apollo program embody a blend of technological prowess and cosmic fascination. Metallic shades like silver and gray symbolise the program's engineering feats, while vibrant reds or blues inject energy and anticipation. Mission images exhibit Earth's rich hues contrasting with the moon's barren landscape, emphasising our planet's allure and the endless expanse of space.
Inspired by these visuals, I explored creating potential colour palettes by extracting colours directly from images. Surprisingly, detailed lunar photos unveiled deep blues and blush pinks, unconventional choices for space imagery. However, I believe incorporating these hues into my website's palette could set it apart, adding a unique touch that distinguishes it from others.
The art linked to the Apollo program offers a captivating blend of creativity and scientific storytelling. Mission patches and posters brilliantly symbolise missions' goals and evoke the era's cultural sensibilities. Their futuristic designs reflect the optimism of the Space Age, while bold colours and symbols resonate with 1960s and 1970s aesthetics. Today, these artworks remain iconic, celebrated for their historical significance and artistic value. They continue to inspire both space enthusiasts and contemporary artists, serving as enduring symbols of human exploration and achievement.
I explored several immersive websites and while some are beyond my current capabilities, I found certain elements from each intriguing and potentially effective in my own design.
I took the opportunity to explore various illustration styles with the intention of incorporating an illustrative aesthetic into my website design. Delving into different illustration styles allowed me to broaden my creative horizons and consider various visual approaches that could enhance the overall look and feel of my website.
During my exploration, I encountered a diverse range of illustration styles, each with its own unique characteristics and appeal. From minimalist line drawings to vibrant watercolour paintings, I was intrigued by the myriad ways in which illustrations could be used to convey mood, tone, and narrative.