OUGD104 - End of Module Evaluation

Submission form is on my PPD blog


Module Code: OUGD102 

Module Title: Visual Language

Name: Joe Warburton

Blog Address: http://www.j-warburton1013-dp.blogspot.com

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

Throughout this module, we have looked at how to reduce design to its bare necessities, showing how something can be portrayed in the most simplest form. Design should be self-explanatory and should not need an additional description to explain why you decided to do something in particular. I have learnt not to over complicate things and experiment with a range of different outcomes. For the book fair brief, I took something which was extremely vague (the colour red) and created something which was fairly informative. I enjoyed creating the hot dog fold books and was pleased to sell a couple on the day.

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

Although the book fair brief was for the most part, online secondary research, I made sure to collect primary research for the majority of my 'What is a Line' project therefore making the outcome much more personal. This primary research and data collection formed the basis of my final outcome - a book based on my own famous connections. Another addition to this brief was a poster showcasing the six degrees theory being practiced in the film industry. This consisted of extensive online research to find out who was a film with who. 

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

My designs have taken on a minimalist and concise style which have originated from extensive (although monotonous and mundane) research - for the 'what is a line' movie poster especially. I am most familiar with digital print therefore I want to expand my knowledge even more by hopefully producing more inventive outcomes in the future. However, I still want to experiment with hand rendered techniques as I rarely use this in my designs.

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

Although I have stated this in an earlier evaluation, I tend to decide what outcome I intend to produce in the initial stages of design development therefore reducing the range of work I could possible reduce. In future projects, I will try to experiment with a range of media, look at different sizes and scale and create initial designs ideas focusing on all possible outcomes.

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

- Much more drawing, whether this be initial sketches or even form the basis of my final outcome. 

- Development and experimentation throughout, avoiding using a single idea

- Look at all forms of research, even if it is not directly linked as it may influence the final design

- Evaluate my work throughout, find out where I've gone wrong and rectify problems

- Experiment with a range of media and possible outcomes

Attendance - 5
Punctuality - 5
Motivation - 3
Commitment - 4
Quantity of work produced  3
Quality of work produced - 3
Contribution to the group - 2

What is a Line? - Movie Poster Development

Aswell as the book full of my own six degrees of separation, I wanted to showcase the theory practiced in the film industry. As shown briefly in my first post, I wanted to create a large scale infographic in the style of a mind map. I began with one actress (in this case, Angelina Jolie), looked at the majority her films and noted down prominent actors and actresses in which she has starred in a film with. Some more were added during the design process.

The lines were hard to follow therefore I ended the stroke with small circles to define the two linking actors more clearly.

Final layout & composition:

Visual Language - Photography Brief

Rather than using the images from the initial induction, I decided to practice what I learnt by photographing green tissue paper in an abstract form, looking at frame, composition and lighting. I chose the 10 most effective out of the images I took.

What is a Line? - Initial prints

Using some cartridge stock, I decided to print out my designs and incorporate them into a book. As my printer is ultimately useless, the block colour prints i.e. the front cover had faint vertical lines running across them. I will rectify this by getting it printed at digital print aswell as using an improved stock. The inside pages, however, were adequate enough therefore I will keep these as they are. I will use a staple bind as it is a small publication.

These are some images showcasing the 'do-it-yourself' six degrees form. The faint text on the two initial lines were almost illegible therefore this needs to be altered for the final print. However, I am pleased with the overall aesthetic, especially on the chosen stock.

What is a Line? - Purpose

Aswell as producing a book based on my own six degrees of separation, I wanted to create a card/form for people to fill in for themselves. This could form a part of the book itself or as an additional deliverable. I used the same logo used throughout along with a brief description, suggesting they ask as many people as possible to discover whether they have any famous connections.