At this stage in the first year of the programme we get the opportunity to evaluate our progress so far on the course. I will include examples of my work along the way.
Evaluate the problems that you identified and had to resolve within each brief.
Alphabet Soup was our first brief. We were each given a 'word' from the randomiser and had to interpret this word with typography. Creating 10 versions of a letterform of our choice with our word. My allocated word was 'layer' and my chosen letterform 'F', I chose F as I could be more creative because the uppercase and lowercase forms worked well together with similar appearances. I created my letterforms on acetate using one layer for the uppercase form and one ayer for the lowercase, when these two pieces of acetate were layered upon one another it then created a new letterform from the combination of the first two. I think these looked really effective and will possibly look at this at a later date and consider created full typefaces using this format, as I enjoyed this brief and working with the word 'layer'.
Alphabet soup part 2 was where we each paired up with a random partner from the group. We then undertook mini questionnaires to find a little bit about each other out, these questions that we asked had very bizarre questions, however I decided to take purely the words given to me on the sheet and create inspiration from there. I found gaining inspiration for this brief very difficult as my partner (Sam Hoh) had given me very vague answers that I found difficult to gain visual inspiration from. However, deciding to take just a random word in the end I went with Dinosaur. Once I had my idea I thoroughly enjoyed exploring and experimenting with different visual interpretations. It was nice to go back to hand-drawn imagery and take myself away form vector styles which is what I feel most comfortable creating.
The Illustrator brief was also linked to our previous typography briefs. I really enjoyed this, and used inspiration from my first brief with the word 'layer' to create a digital typeface this time. I think visually this is strong as I went for a basic approach to my designs, however my most difficult challenge with this brief was time management. Because our Illustrator brief was a response to our Adobe Illustrator workshops with Simon, and was to be completed in our own time I found myself putting it off and not prioritising my time effectively.
Proverbally Yours was our second big brief and we were each given individual proverbs as a basis for our designs. We then had to create a series of 3 posters, one using solely type, one image and one a combination of the two. I was really excited about this brief as my proverb was 'out of sight, out of mind' and initially I thought I could be really creative with this. However, when it came to producing my initial idea's I really struggled to create imagery that communicated by proverb effectively. However I did manage to come to a resolution even though I was not pleased with the final outcome, my time limitations meant that I had to go with the basic idea's and create something visual that did communicate my prover in a small space of time.
I really enjoyed the second part of our proverbally yours brief, to create a mailshot using our previous proverb linked with a 'career' that we were each given from the randomiser. My career was a fisherman and so I created mailshots based around the phrase 'No more fish in the Sea' linking fisherman the 'out of sight, out of mind', I used a current campaign within this brief as my research. I really enjoyed this aspect of the proverbally yours brief.
'How to...' was the first brief I completed for my OUGD405 module. This was a group brief and we seemed to have a lot going on at this time as we found it very difficult to find time where we were all available, just before christmas as well, and most of the group members were off ill making working together a real challenge. However we did manage to create some visual solutions before the deadline. However time management and team work were clear weaknesses within the group for this brief.
The photoshop brief was in many ways very similar to our earlier Illustrator brief. However, learning from my earlier mistakes I was much more time efficient this time around. I produced the 5 postcards based on the colour green using my own photographs. I also produced another 5 postcards with my spare time following the same theme as the initial five. I really enjoyed this brief and taking photographs was enjoyable.
'100 Things...' was a really enjoyable brief looking at information graphics based around our chosen topic. However, I did come across one major problem. My chosen topic was information graphics and being too late in the process to go back and re-do all my research I had to create an information graphics based on facts around information graphics. Despite having problems along the way I found this brief one of the more enjoyable ones, however If I was to go back and re-do my designs I would choose a different colour theme, as looking back I have realised I use a lot of green and yellow and I know feel that red and blue are more suited to this brief.
Finally, we recently moved on to our latest module: OUGD406. I feel at this stage you can really see my work developing from the first pieces I produced at the beginning of the year. We initially completed the live D&AD brief by Erik Kessels based around rain. In this brief I came across one major problem, on the day of the crit I realised I had mis-read the brief and not completed the requirement effectively. After my crit feedback I decided to go back to my initial idea's and inspirations and re-design my series of three posters. I am now much happier with the series as they meet the correct requirements of the brief.
Communication is a Virus was our most recent group brief, and although there were a few hiccups along the way I feel that the group really pulled together by the end. Again finding time to get together as a group when we all have other things going on is always difficult, however staying late in the evening and working over social networking sites to communicate allowed us to produce a body of work that was visually strong. After our crit we realised our promotional items were not as visually strong as the tumblr design itself and so after a quick re-design we managed to get everything to work better as a brand and the idea was received well in our presentation at the end of the two weeks.
Our most recent brief was the 'Stamp It' brief, based on a previous live brief by RSA. I was really quite ill for a large chunk of this brief, and had a bit of time off university. However, because this was an individual brief I managed to control my time effectively and get all the requirements completed in time for the final crit last Friday. The stamps were very effective as I had aimed it at an up and coming event in the UK. There are a few alterations still to make; however overall the designs were received well.
Overall I feel I am gaining experience along the way and learning from my previous mistakes. I feel my time management is gradually improving and overall my designs are slowely getting better. I have learnt a lot from my previous crit sessions and workshops so far and feel that I am constantly expanding and learning new skills along the way.
Evaluate the key considerations that you had to take into account for each brief
For brief 1 (Alphabet Soup 1) there were a few key considerations that we had to take into account. We had a limited colour palette of black and white and another limitation was that our final design must be hand rendered. I actually found this really enjoyable, as I am so used to replying on programmes like photoshop and illustrator going back to basics was really nice.
Within Alphabet Soup part 2 we again had to hand render our final designs. Again we had a limited colour palette of black and white, and also had to produce our designs onto layout paper.
Our illustrator brief was limited to black and one other colour which must be from the CMYK colour palette. I chose to use yellow and black as they created a high contrast and the letters stood out well and were easily legible.
Moving on to our 'proverbally yours' brief we were again limited to two colours and one stock, which was to allow us to take into account printing costs if our designs were to be mass produced. We also had limitations that included three posters; one using type, one image and finally the third must have been image and type.
Proverbally yours 2 maintained the same criteria, however this time we had to send our designs through the post to Leeds College of Art to gain the royal mails date stamps.
Moving onto OUGD405, with the 'How to...' group brief, we had to consider team work and how the two week brief was going to run. We also had to consider the format in which our app would be presented as well as the structure of our final presentation.
Next was our 100 things brief, in which we had a limited colour palette, and a strict research process, researching things in groups of 100. We had to consider our final products in relationship to our chosen topic and how they relate effectively.
Our photoshop brief was limited to one colour plus stock, as well as photography. I found this really enjoyable whilst designing the postcards.
Our next module was OUGD406 and with the D&AD 'Erik Kessels' brief we had a lot of flexibility and there was no colour restrictions however, we had to submit in a high quality pdf format and also our deadline was very strict with this being a live brief format. For the course aspect we had to create a series of posters and so therefore this created more key considerations as he posters had to work both individually and as a series.
For our group brief We had to consider the format in which our idea would be presented, we also had to consider the colour formats and branding as well as how we could effectively make this a 'live' brief that was tested within our 2 week brief deadline. This brief was really successful and although we got off to a slow start the team really pulled together in the end and the brief was a success.
Finally, we had our 'Stamp It' brief. Because we used the RSA regulations for this brief there was a lot of criteria to follow by. It had to be specific sizes, it must include the price and the queen's head in one of the four corners facing inwards. Despite this criteria being very specific I really enjoyed this brief and made the most of it aside from being quite ill throughout.
Evaluate the research activities that you had to undertake in order to resolve the brief.
Throughout our first module OUGD403 we had to research extensively into type and different type formations for our alphabet soup brief series. For our proverbially yours briefs I researched heavily into different meaning of my chosen proverbs. For each brief I also had to consider the set criteria before beginning my research. For example if I had a limited colour palette, my research would be based around finding one colour to suit my theme and target audience.
In OUGD405 I again had key research activities; for example our extensive '100 things...' brief consisted of a large research project into our chosen topic. As I had chosen the topic 'information graphics' I initially looked into different meanings and understandings of the term before finding secondary research of different shapes and symbols and finally spending a 3 week period finding different signs and symbols in everyday society. I visited 4 different cities in England collecting visual imagery for the brief.
For the photoshop brief I had to research different meanings and associations with the colour 'green' and then find my own primary imagery relating to my theme 'recycling'. For our 'How to..' group brief. We spent a lot of time researching into airplanes and lost the group focus of 'paper' despite this our research into planes allowed us to refocus our brief onto an iPhone application based around a paper airplane mess ending service.
Finally in our most recent brief my research appears to have extended and developed. First I undertook research into Erik Kessels to understand his working process and styles which influence his own work. This allowed me to understand my own brief better. I then researched extensively into rain, britain's, why Britain had so much rain and the benefits of rain etc which allowed me to gain inspiration for the D&AD brief submission, however by not re-reading the brief, I took my designs down the wrong route and had to re-work after the crit before final submission.
The second brief for OUGD406 was another group brief where we looked at creating a social area online for design students to give and gain feedback. This concept was really strong and we researched into other similar websites that have been a success, as well as the different ways in which we could present or get our ideas across.
Our most recent brief was the 'stamp it' brief where I researched heavily into the format of stamps, I also bought a set of stamps from the post office to see the current styles and formats. I then researched into what commonly occurs on stamps and came across future national events as one lead, I then took this further and researched into the London 2012 Olympics as this is a key event occurring later this year in britain. I maintained a simple colour theme which would mean that printing costs for mass print would be reduced. Obviously undertaking research into Britain, British transport and the London 2012 Olympics allowed me to select a suitable colour theme.
Alongside these main design briefs we have also had others modules taking place in which research has had to be undertaken. One key research activity was an exhibition that I visited down in London for my context or practice module. Because of my passion for the subject I found this both really useful as well as really enjoyable.
Evaluate the examples of secondary research that informed your design decisions.
Throughout the first module (OUGD403) I researched different type designs by various different artists. I collected these in order to gain a wider understanding of the formations and characteristics of typography. I found these really useful and many of them inspired by later designs for the typography briefs within OUGD403.
For proverbally yours I did an extensive amount of research into decreasing numbers of fish in the sea, I also looked into current campaigns and charities run by famous world wide chef's as these names would make my designs appeal more to an audience if they have heard of the people it involves, because of this is decided to research 'Hugh's Fish Fight' and link my designs to this already up and running charity.
For OUGD405 I again undertook a wide range of secondary research that influenced my design. Initially we started the module with our group brief 'How to make a paper airplane' researching paper, games, airplanes, apps and folding patterns. I then went on and collected some research for my 'postcard' brief. I initially looked at how colours are grouped together and then looked at photography and how colour can be linked with photography.
I then furthered my secondary research focusing on the colour green (my chosen colour) and looked at how I could incorporate this into my own designs. Our final brief for this module was the largest; '100 things...' For this I collected a vast amount of secondary research into facts about my chosen topic 'Information Graphics', I then categorised and selected key aspects of my research that were necessary for my designs. I found this process of 'select and categorise' really useful and have used it in more recent briefs since.
For our most recent module OUGD406 my researching skills have advanced, and I have become more selective. I began my researching Erik Kessel and undergoing background research into the brief to gain greater knowledge. I then began to research the general topic for the brief. Rain, and why rain is good in britain. For our second brief I researched heavily into why people share knowledge and communication as a whole. Once we had decided as a group on our idea, I then went on to research student forums, and installations as this was our initial idea for advertising our forum.
Our most recent brief 'Stamp It' involved researching into various different limited edition stamps to gain some overall knowledge for the brief. Once I had some overall idea of the brief, I decided to undertake some more directed research. I looked into transport and after further research into stamps I decided to focus on one main event that was Key to Britain this year. With the Olympics coming up, I decided to use this as my focus looking at different ways in which people can travel to the olympics.
Evaluate the examples of practical research that informed your resolutions.
For OUGD403 I underwent primary research to help with my final designs. I experimented with type developments within this module and for the proverbally yours briefs I researched different mail shots in books from the library and in and around the studio. In the OUGD405 module I became more confident with my designs and working processes. As a group for 'How to make a paper airplane' we experimented with different different paper experiments and also downloaded similar applications to get used to the format and processes. For the second brief '100 things' I conducted a wide range of primary research travelling to large cities around the country including Manchester, London, and Leeds in order to take pictures that I would use as a primary source for my development.
I also undertook a questionnaire which I will use as a primary source for the brief. I also took my own primary images for the third brief, the 'photoshop' brief. Photography became quite a key aspect within my research for this module. In the most recent module, OUGD406, I undertook primary research for our group brief 'Communication is a virus' researching sites including tumblr, facebook, twitter etc in order to create awareness for our group. I also carried out primary research for the 'Stamp It' brief looking at different modes of transport in and around London and reading up on the plans for the transport based on the London 2012 olympics later this year.
Evaluate the breadth of initial ideas that you generated in response to the briefs.
I feel that in the first module, OUGD403, the breadth of my initial idea's for designs was limited. However as the course has progressed and I have become more familiar with working processes and more confident within myself. I now realise the importance of design sheets and how key they are to getting the most out of each brief.
In the second module, OUGD405 I began to develop my idea's using pen and paper before producing them digitally. This has helped me to get more out of my designs and to know exactly what I want my finished designs to look like. I produced designs sheets for all three briefs; '100 things', 'postcard brief' and 'How to make a paper airplane', however I found them most useful for my '100 tihngs' brief as I had more research allowing my design sheets to relate more directly to what I wanted to final design to look like.
Finally, in OUGD406, my idea's processes have become even stronger. I produced an extensive amount of design sheets for two of my briefs so far, 'Stamp It' and 'Erik Kessels: Rain'. The group brief was a collaborative brief and so we worked on designs together and individually bringing our own work to the group to decided which designs worked most successfully. My design sheets are becoming more and more useful in my working process. Design sheets have allowed me to jot down my thought processes quickly and collect all my idea's together in one place before making my thoughts digital.
Evaluate the breadth of visual investigation that you have explored before deciding on your design direction.
I have explored different techniques and processes as well as various different design idea's before finding a final solution. My blog documents my processes and development within my idea's and explorations. I have explored different idea's using pen and paper before making them digital and adding colour. I have also explored printing onto different stock materials.
However, I hope to explore new techniques primarily screen print as I have now had my induction in this. I also hope to look at foiling in more detail as I really like the effect that this produces. I would have like to explored this for my current Design principles brief, however I am rapidly running out of time and so may go back and explore the foiling technique later.
