OUGD103 - End of Module Self-Evaluation

1.  What skills have you developed through this module and how effectively do you think you have applied them?

This module has allowed me to explore a diverse range of media outcomes for an assortment of set projects. For the Communication is a virus brief, for example, we created an installation piece in Leeds consisting of bunting, posters, 3D boxes and leaflets that kept a consistent identity but applied in an unusual way. It allowed me to experiment with an approach I was unfamiliar with, giving insight into what can actually be achieved and how.

Ongoing self-analysis was key. Unlike other modules, I wanted to evaluate and review my work consistently and this was evident especially in the Speaking from Experience brief. Typically, I set on one idea during the initials stages of the development process, forcing myself not to explore and develop other concepts. However, the suggestions noted in the progress crit influenced my designs significantly as I changed my initial concept in order to coincide with the feedback I received.


2. What approaches to/methods of research have you developed and how have they informed your design development process?

As this was the last module, I wanted to apply everything I have learnt in the first year in order to gather a diverse range of information from a variety of sources, both primary and secondary. Throughout the set time scale, research was ongoing and it was constantly affecting my design choices – whether this be a change in user activity on a website or simply a choice of colour; it was all affected by ongoing research. However, the forms of this aforementioned research were relatively generic; I used the internet, for the most part, to gather secondary research whereas the primary research was in the form of questionnaires and surveys. In the past year, I have collected and resourced many design-orientated sites and blogs, which I believe, has influenced my approach to graphic design for the best. It has provided a mass resource of design applied in various media.


3. What strengths can you identify in your work and how have/will you capitalise on these?

I constantly strive to create an aesthetically pleasing design, which not only answers the brief effectively, but gives my design work on a whole, a sense of identity and personality.  However, I am still not sure whether this is evident in my designs.


4. What weaknesses can you identify in your work and how will you address these more fully?

As the first year on this course is centered on experimentation and trying new ideas, I should have tried to apply my design work to multiple forms of media and not stick solely with digital/web. Although familiar with these processes, other deliverables, techniques and processes would provide me with a range of design choices. In future assignments, although now graded and more focused, I will try to address other possible outcomes and create a thorough body of work to show I have explored all aspects.


5. Identify five things that you will do differently next time and what do you expect to gain from doing these?

Constantly review my work in reference to the brief. Simply re-reading the brief and making sure what it outlines is applied to my work will be the difference between a pass and a fail.

Always ask for feedback – whether it be off the tutors or my peers and no matter what form of response I get, it will always prove beneficial.

Don’t leave things to the last minute. In the Speaking from Experience brief, I intended to create a fully functioning, interactive website but this was not feasible in the time scale I set. Although I am able to create a design interface and user interaction for a website, I have limited knowledge of coding and transforming a still design into a functioning site. I therefore had to ask a friend to help me out. I hope to research more into this field, however, so I can apply the technique to future design outcomes.

Explore a range of concepts. Don’t just stick with the initial idea as this will probably not be the best answer to the brief. I need to devise a thorough project plan so I don’t become too ahead of myself and begin designing during the initial stages where I should still be exploring new ideas.

Use different media. Don’t just use what I familiar with – think outside the box.

InDesign DPS Development

I created a document the same size in which the brief outlines and decided to use a 7 column grid. I took various photos of Flanagan as I was still unsure as to how the image will be used. I cut the subject from the background and experimented with different backgrounds, similar to the designs found here. Due to his character, I wanted to make the design light hearted and for the most part, humorous, hence the 'inside the mind of...' title and the slightly hidden imagery.

Despite a lack of organisation, I really enjoyed this brief, especially experimenting with primary sourced photographic imagery and text using InDesign. Although I used the program during my last course, I was able to develop my skills even more through the software workshop and simply through experimentation and manipulation. Although the context aspect was evident - through thorough research etc, I wish I looked at more possible design outcomes though this is probably due to the lack of initial designs.

Final design - However, when it came to printing there were a couple of transparency issues - even when exported as a print ready pdf. To rectify this, I had to print in black and white and although this wasn't what I had in mind, I was happy with the outcome nonetheless.

InDesign - New Questions & Responses

Rather than asking Flanagan questions such as 'what is your favourite colour', I decided to devise a set of unusual and thought provoking questions to get a set of creative responses which would portray his personality. Few of these were genuine interview questions from big corporations such as Google.


If you had the chance to go back in time for 24 hours, where would you go? 
I’d watch the England win the World Cup in 1966 - definitely. It’s never gonna happen again.

Have you ever had an imaginary friend?
No I don’t think I had one but my brother had one called Gary. I enjoy my own company, I could amuse myself for hours. I wish I did have an imaginary friend though.

Who would play you in a film of your life?
I reckon... I don’t know, it’s really difficult. They gotta be a bit lanky. Jim Carrey. He’s got a bad haircut like me.

You have been offered a free plane ticket to go anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Amsterdam, definitely.

What is your current desktop wallpaper?
I did have a Vikki Blows (FHM) one but my girlfriend came round and got the hump so I had to change it. Now I’ve got the default Mac one.

What would your strategy plan be in the event of a zombie epidemic?
I was actually talking about this the other day. It’s tricky because you couldn’t fight a zombie in a fist fight because they’d end up infecting you. I’d probably get a golf club, go to a building and try to fight them off one by one.

What is in your fridge right now?
A fillet of beef, half a tin of sweetcorn and some butter. I’m having sweetcorn steak later.

Most embarassing experience?
I got really drunk one night and I passed out on this bus and my mate had to carry me home. My dad also had to dress me when I got home. Sort of embarassing when you’re 19 years old.

Do stairs go up or down?
Good question. I say they go up before they go down.

If you were shrunk to the size of a pencil and put in a blender, how would you get out?
Sharpen my head against the blade and drill my way out. Can’t see any other way.

One person you would never want to meet?
I’ve got so much hatred. I hate so many people. It’d probably be anyone from The Only Way is Essex.

You discover an island upon which you may build your own society. You make the rules. What is the first rule you put into place?
No one is allowed to fight with anyone else. Everyone has to be friends.

Speaking from Experience - Printed Signage

FunShop Workshop

The Brief
A summer 2012 event in Leeds that will recreate the perceived harmony and social interaction that was seen in the 60's USA (ignore political areas please) and the associated cultural experimentation and 'Summer' feelings. Emulation? Furturization? Consider the experience of a summer event in Leeds and how you communicate this, and to whom?

Our response
The brief required us to work as a large group and devise a large scale event which would take place in Leeds next year. Scale, budgeting and practicality was ignored as we were asked to 'think big' - something which would capture peoples imagination and an event which would bring people together.

After discussing potential concepts, we soon settled on the idea of having a multi-cultural food fayre where cuisines from all around the world will be on display throughout Leeds city centre - the Headrow being the ideal place setting to organise a mass street party. To give the event some form of identity, we also discussed potential names, one of which being 'meat feast'. However, due to its.. connotations.. we decided to go with 'Füd Festival' after a suggestion from a classmate. This not only encompasses the multicultural/language aspect of our event, but the name is also pronounced 'food'.

Unfortunately, I wasn't in for the presentation but I was told the presentation went very well.

Speaking from Experience - Website Introductory page

In my original live website (found here) the home page was the 1st floor map. Evidently this is an unusual splash/starter page therefore I decided to add an introductory page which would inform the visitor how the site works in terms of navigation and give a brief introduction to the concept/idea behind the interactive map. I have now added this to the live site found here.

As I had used the Leeds College of Art logo, I wanted to give the impression the site was part of the main LCA website therefore I used copy from this to reinforce the amount the college has to offer. As you can see, I kept the design basic to keep the aesthetics similar throughout using Helvetica Neue in varied shades of grey.

About Leeds College of Art

Over the last 160 years, Leeds College of Art has contributed significantly to the development of art education in Britain, having pioneered new ways to teach and to structure qualifications.

Leeds College of Art offers state-of-the art equipment, and plenty of it: you’ll find it much easier to access what you need, when you need it, than at many other colleges. The Library & Learning Resource Centre offers you access to over 30,000 books and 140 national and international magazines, as well as a vast range of multi-media resources.

An Interactive Map

This interactive map allows you to explore all areas of college which may prove useful during your first year at university - from the studios you work in to the Library and Mac Suites.

You can choose what floor you wish to view by using the links in the header. Once the map has loaded, hover over certain areas and click to find out more. Note: Not all areas provide further information.

InDesign Layout Feedback

In Lorenzo's type and grid workshop, we were required to bring in the 12 designs in relation to an existing magazine layout. We were also told to bring any work for this InDesign brief so far (the designs featured on this post). I haven't, however, explored many possibilities and have only used a limited amount of images. From the feedback I receive, I will work more-so on a range of different compositions, type and image choices.

As my deigns will ultimately feature a humorous story (Flanagan reciting the worst day of his life when he was bit by a goose), I wanted the layout itself to be the opposite - in order to reinforce the humour and treat it as if it was a serious account. Those in my group seemed to like the minimal approach but thought the designs which featured a purple background gave the impression it was a front cover and an inside page rather than a double page spread. They liked the text placement however, as it was easy to read, especially the text which was justified and on a slight angle.

Speaking from Experience - Final Crit Feedback

Very helpful feedback - they suggested I needed some brief insturctions, however, into how the site can be navigated (though this was hindered by the fact I had only one page fully interactive) therefore I will make sure I incorporate this into the home page.

Speaking from Experience - Final crit

 

The following are some mock up mobile website designs using the same aesthetics as the main website but in a more concise and simplistic form. The map is the same, however, yet the blue rollover appears only when tapped and the information is loaded on a new page.

Speaking from Experience - Completed front/home pages

These are the designs so for the main page of each floor (except the pop up information):

Speaking from Experience - Possible signage ideas

I've changed the colours once again but these are some initial design ideas for the signage I place around the college. I have looked at using the icons or simply restricting it to just text (using the font 'Nevis bold' which I have used throughout) alongside arrows.

Text only (colour)

2nd preference

Text and/or icons (dark grey)

Text and icons on white circle

1st preference

Text and icons in white

Speaking from Experience - 1st floor site live

My friend offered to code my designs in order to get them live. The lightbox script (pop ups) are just temporary at the moment (they have been added by me so might be a bit dodgy) as he was unable to complete it due to time restraints - hopefully it will be up and working by tonight.

These are the files which form the site:

Although I have only one section of the first floor coded and fully functioning, I think it will be enough to give people insight into my chosen concept and how the site will function as a whole.

You can view it here.

Speaking from Experience - 1st floor completed

1st section (studios)

Second section (screen printing)