Progress Evaluation 05 / 06

Second year I started with a different array of ambitions and wants than that I've gone into third year with. I had an idea that I wanted to direct myself into retail graphics, along with that, packaging design and advertisement. I've come to realise, through doing various briefs that although I enjoy these areas I've come to realise where my skills lie best, how they can be transferred across a series of medias and products, and as a result, I've been able to identify the skills I lack and thus need to improve.

My hand rendered typography and illustrative material became the main content within many of the briefs I've done across second year and my work became identifiable as being mine through this. Another strength within my work has been the crafting and execution of my image / illustration work. A problem I did identify was the presentation of my image work, my type and layout skills are poor, as a result, using texts within my work would takeaway from my design; spoiling the end result. Photographing my final products, I have come to realise is so important. Over the summer, while applying for apprenticeships showing my portfolio, I have almost felt embarrassed by the standard of the photographs I've been showing, they don't show the high standard of my work.

Within third year I hope to choose briefs which will enable me present the skills I have, and to improve existing and gain new skills. I want to concentrate on my type and layout skills, creating publication material pushing my weakness with an intent to improve. Another area I'm interested in pushing forward in third year is homeware and stationary, as I hope to one day, focus on opening a retail store, expanding my Etsy store into a shop front. 

For my chosen ten briefs I will be looking at creating and adapting briefs in accordance to the skills I have, the skills I need to improve on and challenging myself by concentrating on areas I feel least comfortable in. I intend on looking at companies like Tigerprint, M&S and Hallmark to gain a better understanding on deisgn within stationary, homeward and retail. I will also be looking at obligation and type companies, collecting a resource of beautifully composed design to inspire me to push my type and layout skills forward.

How would you grade yourself in the following areas:

STUDY SKILLS

Attendance - 4
Library - 3
Punctuality - 4
Magazines - 1
Motivation - 4
Internet - 5
Commitment - 5
Study Visits - 5
Quantity of work produced - 4
Online Content - 4
Quality of work produced - 4
Contextual Research - 3
Contribution to the group - 4
Documentation (Blogs) - 5

PERSONAL SKILLS

Communication - Verbal - 4
Problem Analysis - 3
Communication - Written - 4
Problem solving - 3
Communication - Visual - 4
Content Development (Research) - 3
Organisation - Time - 5
Conceptual Development (Research) - 4


DESIGN SKILLS

Organisation - Project - 4
Visual Development (Visual Skills) - 3
Organisation - Personal - 5
Media / Material Experimentation - 5
Presentation - Crits - 3
Evaluation and Selection - 3
Presentation - assessment - 3
Finishing skills - 3
Presentation - Blogs - 4
Production Skills - 4


Identify 5 ways in which you aim to extend your strengths and / or address areas for improvement

1. Choose briefs I both enjoy and find challenging
2. Draw more
3. Read into the skills I wish to improve
4. Do more self initiated research experimenting and documenting what I've found, and how it will help me (e.g grids)
5. Visiting studios / doing placements

Grade the level to which you will prioritise developing your skills and understanding of the following:

5= highest, 4 = high, 3 = necessary, 2 = unsure, 1 = low

PRACTICAL SKILLS

Typography - Font Design - 4
Typography - Layout/Grid - 5
Screen Print - 2
Bookbinding / Paper Craft - 4
Letterpress / Printed Type - 1
3D Materials & Media - 1
Photography & Studio lighting - 4

DESIGN FOR PRINT
Packaging - 4
Editorial (Magazine) - 4
Publishing (Book) - 5
Retail - 4
Promotion - 3
Branding/Identity - 3
Information graphics - 1
Signage/Wayfinding - 1

PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

Music publishing & Promotion - 1
Fashion Branding & Promotion - 3
Corporate Identity - 3
Exhibition Design - 2
Retail Branding & Interiors - 4
Design for Social Change - 4
Product, Promotion, Packaging -  4
Self Publication & Print - 5
Others (please list on your blog.)

SOFTWARE

Photoshop - 2
Illustrator - 4
Indesign - 5
Dreamweaver (web) - 4
After Effects (Motion Graphics) - 1
Fontographer (font design) - 4

DESIGN FOR SCREEN

Design for Web - 5
Design for Mobile Technology - 3
Interface design (DVD, Mobile tech.) - 2
Moving Type (TV ,Film) - 4
Motion Graphics (TV, Film) - 1

CREATIVE PRACTICE/CONCERNS

Ethical Design - 4
Sustainable Design - 4
Digital Innovation - 2
Print Production -Paper/Format/Finish - 4
Handmade to Digital - 5
Designer Led Practice - 4
Client Led Design - 3
Commercial Design - 4
Independent Practice - 3


Identify 10 things that you aim to achieve during level 6, explain why you want to achieve them and how you intend to
go about achieving them. Grade them in terms of level of priority.

To gain a finalised signature style - 4

To gain moderate layout skills - 5

To create my own hand rendered - to digital working typeface - 4

To improve my type skills - 5

To create several publication materials created on topics of my interests - 4

To have a strong branding and identity for myself - 3

To have a fully functioning website for myself - 5

To create a website for a client / brief using html coding - 3

To utilise my hand rendered type and illustration across homeware and stationary - 5

To deal with my first client / successfully sell some of work on Etsy - 5