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.