What do you want to achieve...

...This academic year?
Design more professionally on a wide variety of Media.
Be able to balance all areas of the course and make the most out of all them.
Build up a range of contacts and an idea of where I would like to work.
To feel like I am good enough to eventually be a professional.

...By the end of the year?
Have a large portfolio of professional, high standard design.
Know and have in place where I want to work.
Specialise somehow and stand out from other designers.
Still love graphic design at the end of it all.

...In your career?
I want to Enjoy it and for it to make me happy.
Have something I will still be excited about after 20 years!
I would love to be pushed to keep learning new skills.
Work with loads of different people on many different types of projects.
Hopefully eventually be self employed and in a position where people come to me to do work for them. FREELANCE would be great.

Progress tutorial

Group tutorial Prep.

What is Industrial experience?
What can I learn from Industry?
What form/format could industrial experience take?
What areas of Industry are you interested in?
What are your concerns about Industrial experience?

What skills have you developed through this module and how effectively do you think you have applied them?
I think throughout this module I have again developed my skills in the various programmes, through set tasks(indesign and type and Grid) and through larger projects (Illustrator and Photoshop). Although I still see that there is a lot more to learn in them I am glad I am slowly becoming a lot more comfortable and so quicker using them. I have also learnt a lot about Type and Layout- both of which I have enjoyed a lot. In the majority of the projects in this module I have had to chose a suitable font which, in most cases, went wrong to start with and then once I could see the problem I was able to test out various fonts and find the most suitable. Although blogging is not so much as a skill, I do feel like I have definitely developed my confidence in using my Blog and in fact have found it very helpful in working through my ideas and showing the work I have produced.

What mistakes have you made?

I have made many mistakes throughout the module. Non too drastic but all have taught me something about my work and how I work. I have realised that I need to start mixing hand rendered work with digital more in my work as hand rendered is something I feel I am strong at. I have felt that now and again I have tried to learn more skills and so have left behind those I initially started with. Of course Learning new things is important but I don't want to forget what I enjoy doing. Also this links with work I like. I think I have found it hard to create something which I like and focussed majorly on the brief and its audience.. this is what we are meant to do but the products need to hold there own individuality and show that it is my work and no one elses. I feel I have let my self down when it comes to design context. I have found a lot of work that I like and I know exactly why I like it but I have failed to explain why this is the case on my blog. I think this is due to a lack of time management when it came to my blog. I think I need to start setting myself targets with my blog and realise just how long it would take to analyse the work.

What have you enjoyed the most?

I think I really enjoyed the second part of speaking from experience as I really started to connect with it and learnt a lot about layout and different fonts that can be used. Also I appreciated the teaching we had on type and grid as it made me realise that this is a subject I would like to look further into.

What now?

I think I have realised that I am definitely a designer who wants to keep learning, someone who wants to be passionate about the project in hand and someone who wants to have fun with their work. It is easy to forget the latter when deadlines are approaching and there seems to be heaps of work to be done but I think it is possible by making sure a good amount of work is done every single day. I think this module has helped me prepare for what is to come next year and has really made me think a lot as to why I am here and what I want to be doing.

Evaluation for Speaking from Experience.

I think this project (speaking from experience) has definitely tested my thought process and skills. I did actually struggle to get started and had to force myself to do the work but as soon as I got into it I really became focused and in fact learnt a lot and worked really hard to make up for the slow start. I realised this was due to my ideas being mainly computer based as opposed to hand rendered. I think I definitely prefer hand rendered work and in fact I think I am a lot better at it. But I did want to attempt to learn more on the various programmes and did feel that I did that.
The concept for my project started off as being ‘how to have a life outside of Graphic Design’. In considering the outcomes I came to realise that we had been taught that this should not be the case and as you learn more and develop more in Graphic Design you realise that this is impossible. It is a subject that you can’t stop thinking about because it is everywhere. I have had many sleepless nights thinking about ideas and what I should do next. Therefore, instead of making this a negative concept I wanted to show how this is a really good thing and something to take hold of.
To do this I decided to turn the three years in to an exclusive club. Clubs are something to be proud of, to get excited about and usually consist of a hobby. There for it seemed fitting to do this. I found it difficult to then think outside the box and not just consider the classic welcome banner and membership card. After various group crits and chatting about my work with colleagues I had the idea of keeping to one consistent theme, keeping it really simple but interactive. This is when I decided to create the stickers and blog. I think this idea worked really well, and if put into practice I think it would be successful. Sadly when I had the stickers printed there was a black line around them which was not intended but if they were to be printed properly that would not be there. The circular theme created from the stickers was then transferred to the main banner, which is a double sided hanging board. This was to welcome the year group, to let them know about the blog and for it to link directly to the small packs they received on entry. I think I did well in keeping the design consistent throughout the different products. Looking at the side of the banner which says the blog address I would do this differently. Once I had started the design I found it hard to change but it may have been worth completely starting from scratch. I felt it looked quite boring and the blog address was hidden due to its colour. Also It could be that the blog should have been larger. Overall it did hold all the information needed and made the audience want to know more.

Speaking from experience.

Crit feedback

I think the main thing that was addressed throughout my feedback sheets was the idea of whether I was actually answering the brief. My concept is that Graphic design is a lifestyle. This on first glance, does not seem like a problem, but looking into the concept and pulling out ideas from this I feel that it is a problem as it is hard to really make Graphic Design your life.

It came across on one feedback sheet that they did like the idea of taking this course and turning it into an exclusive club so as to make the student aware that this is something to be proud of and make the most of and also, that Graphic design in general is in fact something you hold on to for life.

So far within my research and written/drawn ideas I don't think I have clearly explained my ideas and the reason behind the different products I am hoping to create. This is obviously very important and something I need to address before I carry on this process further.

Which of there words describes you as an individual?

I chose Open and confident.

Which of these words best describe your approach to life?

I chose reflective and flexible.

What do you want to be?

I chose Organised, ethical and commited.

Which of the following qualities do you look for in others?

honesty and commitment.

List ten things that you have learned:-

1. illustrator
2. time management
3. layout
4. the importance of a font
5. colour theory
6. how to take on board criticism.
7. how to be critical and analytical of other works.
8. the importance of research.
9. how it is the entire body of work which creates a great final product.
10. how important it is to be completely commited.

List ten things that you want to learn:-

1. to be more organised
2. make lists and TICK THINGS OFF before making a new list.
3. would love to be better at photoshop as I really struggle with it.
4. more photography and linking that with typography.
5. more open minded illustration.

Which of these words describe your ambitions as a designer?

I chose Ethical, perceptive and effective

What do you want your work to do?

I chose promote, attract, change, Package

Which of the following words do you associate with your work?

message, clarity, audience, concept.

Which of the following areas have you developed skills in?

type, concept building, composition, problem solving, print.

Which of the following areas do you need to develop your skills in?

photography, image, drawing, research.

Which of the following are you interested in developing skills in?

typography, video, book design, illustration, motion graphics.

Communication is a Virus - feedback.

We placed all our work around the studio for people to interact with and give feedback.

Here are some comments that returned to us:-

I like the use of colour and style, this seems as though it would appeal to the 11-16 audience you were focusing on.

Great use of space- using the back for origami. this also links with the idea of getting rid of boredom.

I really love the illustration on the flyer and how that then corresponds to the website.

I think it works to an extent but you need more information on your website and you need to work out how to distribute this.

Looking at this project overall it is clear that there are places where we could improve and have done a little extra work. I think as a pair we worked really well and the work load was spread between us quite equally although I think I felt I may have let Rob down with my lack of knowledge on photoshop and so was unable to help as much as needed with the website although we both did talk through the layout etc. I have learnt for next time that it is important to consider HOW to distribute the product. With this point we fell short. Although the website did have an e invite the flyer did not have packaging or a mailing list. This is again something I should have researched into more.

Over all I think the final designs look appealing to the target audience and the concept as a whole does work and is appropriate.

Considering our brief was to get people to try something new I do feel that we answered that in advertising new activities to do when bored. Trying something to fill the time that you have not done before.

In this project as a whole I feel I have learnt a lot about time management , especially as we were in pairs, this is more important as the other person may be let down by your lack of organisation. Also I feel I improved on my layout skills. In creating the flyer we looked into a variation of layouts and I realised I am quite a perfectionist when it comes down to it. Possibly doing a few thumb nails before hand would speed up the process and also would show proof of the decision making within that.

Communication is a Virus - final design

Here are the final flyer designs for our project 'how to get people to try something new.

The colours were chosen to appeal to 11-16- year olds (high school age). We found from our research that bright, vibrant colours and hand drawn illustration was one way of catching the eye of teenagers. We also included an origami task which corresponded to the final website and the ideas we put forward in curing their boredom. This meant that they are more likely to hold on to the flyer.

The website design linked directly to the flyer and so there was a good consistency throughout the work.

What skills have you developed through this module and how effectively do you think you have applied them?
I think the main skills developed from the module were; problem solving, different research methods, considered resolutions and time management. When in a group it was really great to bounce ideas off each other and so was a perfect setting for problem solving. Everyone had a different outlook on situations and so it was interesting to hear different views and was important to have an open mind. I feel that this proved to have really beneficial results. I think this module really changed the way I think about ideas and final resolutions and I really learnt how important and beneficial researching into a subject and your audience is. I have definitely improved my time management skills and feel I pushed myself to used every minute I could, especially in the collection 100 project as I really enjoyed it.
What approaches to/methods of research have you developed and how have they informed your design development process?
I feel like I have really learnt a lot about researching into subjects, what works with different types of subjects and how it doesnt just have to be internet print outs or lots of sheets of writing. The collection 100 brief was really interesting and I really found myself wanting to do more and find more about my subject, parks. After collecting 100 of one thing I had more ideas of collecting another 100 things. I learnt that it is really important to take small steps and not rush into a final idea. The best results seem to come from this as they are so much more considered. More specifically we looked further into qualitive, quantative and primary, secondary research. It is important to get a balance of each method this therefore really boosts your knowledge of the subject and not only do you gain facts you also get to know your audience and what they really think instead of going off your own thoughts.
What strengths can you identify in your work and how have/will you capitalise on these?
More specifically in the collection 100 project I feel that I really pushed myself to use the time I had as it was up to us to organise our time. This therefore turned out to be very positive as I was pleased with my final product and it wasnt a last minute thought or a first thought. It was a well thought out, considered idea which related directly to my theme and actually had a purpose. As well as time managemnt I feel I really listened to what people had to say about my work, positive or negative and then used this to improve my ideas and in turn the final product. I think these both work alongside research and making sure ideas are really considered and so If i perfect these strengths in the next module I should hopefully be able to exhaust ideas and possibilities for the projects.
What weaknesses can you identify in your work and how will you address these more fully?
In 'What if' as it was group work it was sometimes hard to remember to makesure you wrote down everything you talked about as a group. Also gathering the information other people had gathered was easy to forget and so, even though we did the research, it may not seem like it. The best way to deal with this would be to always have a notebook on me and so whatever we discuss can be written down. Another weakness is would be knowing my audience. Once you have started something, it is easy to forget that it has to be aimed at a certain group of people. in the collection 100 project, in my final crit I was told that it wasnt clear who the final product was for. It was just a case of making an information page explaining that it was to be sent to schools and what they were to do with it. I think also I could have explored more visual ways of solving the problems in all projects. Althought the research was done, it is important also to makesure research is done visually. I dont feel I did this extensively. In doing so I would definitely turn out with a better result as there would be more consideration.
Identify five things that you will do differently next time and what do you expect to gain from doing these?
Write down everything we talk about in a group.
Exhaust visual possibilities
Makesure Research methods are balanced in projects
Work more on worksheets as opposed to books.
Always work towards the audience and remember how they would see it, not me.

6.How would you grade yourself on the following areas:(please indicate using an ‘x’)5= excellent, 4 = very good, 3 = good, 2 = average, 1 = poor
Attendance 5
Punctuality 2
Motivation 4
Commitment 4
Quantity of work produced 3
Quality of work produced 3
Contribution to the group 4
The evaluation of your work is an important part of the assessment criteria and represents a percentage of the overall grade. It is essential that you give yourself enough time to complete your written evaluation fully and with appropriate depth and level of self-reflection. If you have any questions relating to the self evaluation process speak to a member of staff as soon as possible.

final product for collection 100

Collection 100... Rational

Product and packaging: I want the product to be more of a keepsake item. A collectable. Something which brings back memories and attempts to inspire. I think a lot of people know where their local parks are - they just don't visit them. By showing how they have inspired me... hopefully this will inspire them.

Who is the Audience and how do you intend to engage them?

This is a really hard question for my specific subject of Parks as, obviously parks are really for everyone who can get outside. I possibly want to aim it more towards those who have become more fearful of parks - those who no longer attend them regularly, so as to help them to see the positives still surrounding parks and how they can, infact, be quite inspiring.

I hope to produce something which captures what the heart of a park is. It is a place for everyone, a place to relax, excersize, for families and the older generation. Somehow capture this through memories.

What is the Function of the product?
Document and Entertain. I want this product to be quite light hearted, not something which instructs. To Entertain I am hoping to document attributes of parks.

How will the audience interact with the product?
I am actually considering making some flip books and a set of paper crafted objects from parks, (taking the park to the audience)all of which the audience can interact with. I am also considering illustration with natural materials, so as to explain the idea that in a park you become a part of it. You feel so much more free and open minded.

Collection 100 Research proposal

My Subject Matter is:
PARKS

Possible catergories will include:
- TREES
- PEOPLES JOURNEYS THROUGH PARKS
- WHAT ARE THEY USED FOR
- THINGS YOU FIND IN PARKS

Research Processes will include:
- PHOTOGRAPHY
- VISITING, WRITING DOWN WHAT IS THERE
- THE INTERNET, DO PEOPLE LIKE PARKS, DO THEY STILL VISIT THEM?
- PEOPLE - TALK TO PEOPLE WHO GO/DON'T GO TO PARKS. WHY? WHY NOT?

How will you research?
primary methods:
TALK TO PEOPLE ABOUT PARKS, VISIT THEM MYSELF, TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS, WRITE ABOUT THE PARKS I VISIT. COLLECT THINGS FROM THEM
secondary research:
THE INTERNET, BOOKS, ALREADY EXISTING IMAGERY

Who/Where will you research?
primary research:
WORCESTERSHIRE AND WEST YORKSHIRE PARKS IN AND AROUND THESE AREAS
RESEARCH AND TALK TO THE PEOPLE WHO ALREADY GO TO THESE PARKS.
secondary research:
READ UP ABOUT THE PARKS HISTORY, BOOKS/INTERNET
WHEN WERE THEY EXTABLISHED, WHAT TYPE OF PARK ARE THEY. PEOPLES OPINIONS AS WELL AS FACTS.

Research processes will include:
primary research:
COLLECTING FACTS, OPINIONS AND OBJECTS. PHOTOGRAPHY, QUESTIONS TO PEOPLE ABOUT PARKS, JOURNAL ON A JOURNAL THROUGH SOME PARKS.
secondary research:
HOW MANY PARKS ARE THERE IN ENGLAND IN SPECIFIC AREAS. INTERNET, BOOKS.