MODULE SUBMISSION FORM - Visual language

MODULE SUBMISSION FORM

Steohanie Lawson

OUGD104

VISUAL LANGUAGE

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: TUESDAY 26^TH APRIL 2011- 1PM

THEMES/SUBJECT & RATIONALE

For my 'What is a line?' project I began by exploring the theme of lines within nature, focusing of how lines depict age within tree's. I felt the ideas of producing line drawings of trees to be a good focus but soon began to district myself in subject matter focusing on plants in general rather than just tree's. I began collecting trimmings of plants and shrubs from a relatives garden of which I started producing many observational studies, finding much inspiration for my style and approach to these through my research; the illustration artist of 'Winnie the Pooh' and 'Wind and the Willows' was a main resource for me. I became comfortable using watercolour paints and pen, using a series of lines to create shape, texture and shadow within my studies.

After doing a series of observational studies I found my direction to be relating to gardens and gardening. I had noted down the species and information about the characterises of plants and shrubs I had drawn, dividing the plants into two area's, shrubs and border plants. I soon decided to create some kind of gardening kit, which would hold a plant identity pack. Feeling this wasn't quite enough to be considered a 'pack' I drew some gardening tools, taking on a different drawing style; simpler line drawings. I also noted down what the equipment was to be used for and how.

From this I had 3 sets of observational drawings, that of common border shrubs, common garden shrubs, and gardening equipment, each with useful information. I decided on creating informative cards to be placed inside a packaging sleeve to create a 'your garden' pack. A basic kit on getting to know and identify elements within your garden.

Blogs up to date: COMPLETE

Work labelled as briefed: COMPLETE

Work submitted in appropriate format: COMPLETE 

Self-Evaluation Completed and posted to blogs as briefed: COMPLETE

I confirm that all work submitted is my own and am aware of the colleges Plagiarism Policy and that all work submitted has been appropriately labelled, formatted and tested.

STUDENT SIGNATURE

Stephanie Lawson 

DATE

25/04/11

Evaluation for 'What is a line?'

Evaluation for 'What is a line?'

From starting this project I had an idea for my direction but found my focus changing and growing throughout. Starting with trees, and how age is determined by lines within the trunk, I began looking at E.H Shepard and her approach to illustrative designs and producing my own studies in her style first my drawing one of her illustrations from a 'Winnie the Pooh' novel, then by finding an image of a tree and doing the same. I soon felt at a loose end, my line drawings were just that, I didn't particularly relate to my initial idea of lines determining age, but I did enjoy producing the line drawings I did. I felt this could be a new direction, but keeping a main focus on nature and plants within it.

I began taking trimmings from a relatives garden, to set my self up on a table with pencil, pen and paint and producing a range of studies in the style of E.H Shepard, which had my own distinctive style within. I had a vast majority of observation and began to categorise them into shrubs and border plants.

After speaking to a few relative, my grandparents soon enough gave me much information about each of the plants I was drawings, noting these down I soon felt it would be appropriate to really use this information to my advantage, my making my final outcome some kind of educational, informative item.

I drew up a few idea's. initially mocking up a poster, but found the information needed to be individualised to be made useful. I soon came up with the idea of creating playing card designs, and from that simple informative cards. With two sets of cards I felt another gardening element would make my final product that bit more useful. I started drawing gardening equipment, in a different format, giving a range to my designs. I produced very simple line drawings, paired with information about the equipment and how to use it.

With three sets of cards, I felt packaging would benefit the presentation and use of my product; I created a simple, yet sophisticated packaging to hold my cards.

Overall I am quite please with my outcome, although I felt I could have pushed forward and explored the idea of creating playing cards further. My research was most helpful and relevant to what I wanted to achieve. I feel there is defiantly an audience and use for my product. To take this forward, I could produce more species to add to my collection, and perhaps more area's within gardening, perhaps a hide on how to plant and maintain your garden. 

END OF MODULE SELF EVALUATION - OUGD104 - Visual language

End of Module Self-Evaluation

Stephanie Lawson

OUGD104

VISUAL LANGUAGE

BLOG ADDRESS: www.sl-lawson1013.blogspot.com

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

I believe I have really experimented within scale and size within this module, being shown how to produce a hot dog fold book I did find most useful, I was able to develop the design into my own when creating designs for the book fair. Research skills was also a main contributor to my work, I learnt the importance and usefulness of this during this module.

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

Throughout this module I have found myself doing more and more primary research, as It has been the most useful resource to me when producing designs. By going out and actually doing something in direct relation to work really gives me more motivation and drive and a variation to my work. 

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

I feel my work has a strong personal and useful element; each of my products has had a precise and direct audience. I use a range of materials throughout my work, sometimes combining many, using a mixed array. It gives a real mix and range to my work.

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

I tend to use a lot of hand drawn elements throughout all of my designs, I feel I need to experiment more with media and materials in order to find other approaches in which I enjoy.  Sometimes motivation can be an issue for me, thus I tend to approach briefs by hand rendering a lot of my work. This can be an issue because I feel I am restricting myself, I really need to branch out and find other forms of media and materials which I enjoy or can learn to enjoy, I don’t feel a want to do work unless I have a passion for it.

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

1.   Experiment more with media and materials

2.    Be more abstract and unexpecting in my deliverables

3.    To write and analyze more along the way

4.    Try to stick with my idea, don't step away from it right at the end

5.    Work more digitally

   How would you grade yourself on the following areas?

5 - excellent     4- very good    3- good            2 - average       1 - poor

Attendance                                                      5

Punctuality                                                      5

Motivation                                                       3

Commitment                                                   4

Quantity of work produced                             4

Quality of work produced                               4

Contribution to the group                                4

WHAT IS A LINE

Written by myself


Brief:
Exploring lines in accordance to nature, and the way in which lines within tree's are used to determine age.


Considerations:
What medium I want to work in, wether it be digital, or simple line drawings. What size am I working to?


Target Audience:
Depends on how I approach my tone of voice.


Tone of voice:
Playful or serious in factual Information


Background:
The science behind lines and makings within tree trunks, and how they define age.


Mandatory requirements:
Completed on time, visual investigation and research.


Deliverables:
Notes book / Sketchbooks
Visual Work

Written by Ben

Brief:

One can predict the age of tree's through lines. Explore this visually.

Considerations:

Hand crafted / Stitched method or a digital outcome should be considered.

Target Audience:

Maybe children learning about tree's?

Tone of voice:

Playful

Background:

Lines can be found in everything. Nature is an aspect of the world where lines are everywhere. In nature lines, it can be very informative, e.g trees, lines, show age.

Mandatory requirements:

Completed on time and to the best of you potential.

Visual investigation and research.

Deliverables:

Note / book / sketchbook

Visual work; photography?

This exercise really helped me to determine what approach I wanted to take. I decided Ben's idea of creating an educational children book was wonderful and achieve able. I thought using lines drawings of the life process of a tree, with short statements would be a a good idea, as it would be aesthetically pleasing to a child's eye, as well as providing an educational element.

Action Plan:

Action: 

Week 1: Research where and how lines contribute to nature. The science behind accurately ageing a tree. Start drawing.

Deadline : 29 / 03 / 11

Week 2 : Research life cycle of a tree. Start visually documenting the life of a tree.

Deadline: 03 / 04 / 11

Week 3:

Consider an appropriate medium, Experiment with sewing, drawing, and digital work. Mock up pages.

Dealine: 10 / 04 / 11

Week 4: Get going. Start producing final outcome.

Deadline: 10 / 04 / 11

Week 5: Final / print final outcome

Deadline : 24 / 04 / 11




This exercise really helped me to understand how to go about doing things, to plan my time and make the brief achievable. I could follow this plan very easily, and as it's broken down, it means I can really concentrate on the action at hand.

VISUAL LANGUAGE - What is a line - Idea feedback

VISUAL LANGUAGE - BOOK WORKS - STOCK - Evaluate

Issues

Still to much negative space

Am I cutting out window panes or not?

Looks messy and unprofessional

Is it cost worthy?

Red lines relevant?

Action to be taken

Needs to be crafted with more care

Use a bone to fold

Dont cut out window panes.

Do a few small illustrations to fill negative space

Use thinner red lines and cover more space - for aesthetic quality.

BOOK WORKS FEEDBACK

Issues Raised:

• Layout incorrect (upside down images)
• Poor quality stock, cuts and folds torn
• Too much negative space around designs

Action to be taken

• Use a good quality, matt stock which can still be folded
• Correct layout issues
• Use a bone fold to fold paper
• Increase design to fill space