DESIGN IS ABOUT DOING - EVALUATION

I am really proud of my outcome of this brief, I do feel my final pieces could work a lot better if the opacity was lowered so I could overlap the images to create a montage. I feel my idea was strong, I tried to make it dramatic in colour choice and by adjusting the levels in my photos to have a contrast of dark and light. I really enjoyed working with photography, it gave a whole new look and real element to my designs. My body part were positioned on the body, so the messages within them could be related to a body itself.


My chosen colour palette for the body parts were simple, legible and effective. I really seemed to enjoy and be motivated within this brief, there was so many options I could take with it and felt the need to explore each thoroughly. 


I tried a range of media, working with hand crafting, illustrator, photography and hand drawn to be edited on the computer. I am pretty gutted I didn't hear back from the book producer which set up the competition !

COMMUNICATION IS A VIRUS - Evaluation

I found this brief quite difficult to get a grasp of. Particularly by working within a group, I felt it took a lot to actually be able to be working along side with the same idea's, we found ourselves working independently for the majority of our work, which I feel let us down in answering the brief. 


I was most surprised with how the designs came along with my group, I did begin to think some of the idea's and designs were not working, and in any sense being motivational but we really came together at the end.


I really experimented with media within this brief, beginning with just pen, to move onto the computer, to then screen print both hand drawn and computer designs. Again exploring the use of materials, creating doilies, magnets and 2:1 scale posters, which were drawn and printed onto coloured card. I really enjoyed doing something different, avoiding the digital dungeon, it certainly gave a range to my work.


I'm gutted I wasn't able to attend the presentation given my the rest of my group, but I looked at some of the feedback and felt I should have pushed with a comment I made. I mentioned that we need to get our products out into the environment, but was overheard due to everyone being ever so busy so I tried myself, put up poster with detachable information. 


I have learnt that time management is KEY when working within a group, we should have worked together more to create consistency within designs. Creating designs which you have all had an input in doing I feel is a better way to go about things. 

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

INTERIM SELF EVALUATION

List 5 practical skills that you have developed. When have they proved useful?

1. Software skills - Now able to transfer idea's from paper to screen.
2. Printing - A range of different process's, more range and freedom within work.
3. Book Making - Making a book is now a design option
4. Photography - I can now use good quality, primary images, with subject matter, lighting and effect controlled by myself.
5. Colour Theory - I can apply it to practise

List 5 transferable skills that you have developed. What have you used them for?

1. Effective time management - meeting deadlines
2. How to work well within a group - Able to get on with peers and work better with communication skills gained.
3. Organisation - Of work in general and important files at home.
4. Presentation skills - More confident and understand concept - now know whats expected of a presentation and can produce one.
5. Confident in talking about an idea - helps with pitching.

List 5 things that you have achieved. How have they helped your progress?

1. To learn how to use illustrator
2. To be confident enough to present work
3. An ability to produce professional quality work
4. An understanding of whats expected from you to get a good grade.
5. An ability to understand how to blog.

List 5 problems that you have had to face. How have you over come them?

1. Lack of communication and understanding within group work - organise group meetings.
2. Not knowing how to use elements of software. Ask peers and staff for help.
3. Not knowing how to set up printer and printing settings - Ask peers and staff.
4. Losing work - Eject memory sticks always!
5. Not knowing how to critically evaluate and analyse self - following given sheets gave me an understanding on how to do it myself.

List 5 facts that your have learned. When have they been useful?

1. Work can be just as good without hand drawn elements - A broader range of work
2. Primary research is essential and most useful for inspiration.
3. Plenty of design development makes a better outcome.
4. Staying at uni afterwards is the most productive time.
5. Sleep at least 8 hours in order to be at your best.

List 5 things that you will never do again. Why?

1. Work from your hard drive - Freezes computer
2. Work only by hand, it can never be perfected.
3. Not turn up to a briefing no matter how ill, tired or hungover - you miss out on important info
4. Do double sided in a mac room by guessing the settings. I ALWAYS do it wrong and waste print credit.
5. Get to a stage where i don't know what to do. I end up unmotivated and lost.

Which of these words describes the way you work as part of a group?

Confident

Vocal

Decisive

Which of these qualities do you most appreciate about yourself?

Honesty

Organised

Critical

Which of these attributes best describes the way you worked at the start of the brief group?

Focused

Direct

Critical

Which of these attitudes best describes the way you work now

Objective

Committed

Focused

List 5 things a first year needs to know?

1. To freeze bread
2. Pre - drink (it's the cheapest way!)
3. Keep a camera on you at all times
4. Work out a healthy balance between work and play
5. Never, ever, ever, miss a briefing.

List 5 problems a first year will encounter?

1. Finances - Get to know what you get and how to spend it
2. Flat mates - You don't always get on with the people you live with
3. Cooking - The inability to do so
4. Motivation to get to uni with a hangover.
5. Finding out what your real priorities are

List 5 rules a first year needs to learn

1. Blog everyday
2. Sometimes it's just not worth going out the previous night
3. Buy frozen food - It lasts so much longer!
4. Attend everything - You never know when you could be missing out on vital info
5. Visit home - Keep's you happy =]

COMMUNICATION IS A VIRUS - Presentation Feedback

Was the concept clearly defined? 

The concept, was clear . 

Was the context clearly defined?

There was a slight difficulty in understanding the process of giving back to you? Would it make a difference?

Was the method of delivery clearly defined?

The method of delivery needed to be more focused, would you necessarily use the bag, with the designated job(caring healthy food).

What methods were used to gather information? 

There was a lot of primary research, questionnaires etc. a range of secondary research.

What methods were used to evaluate the information?

The final pieces reflect the information obtained, and show a successful understanding of research.

What methods were used to distribute the info?

Bags,t-shirts etc. there was a broad range of methods

How was the problem resolved?

Motivational quotes and information.

How could the problem be resolved more effectively?

Different style of design? Was it appropriate? Also will it really encourage you to get healthy etc? 

Was the problem delivered in the correct context?

Perhaps to aimed at women. 

Did the problem communicate with an audience? 

It would appeal to student, as there was free stuff involved. 
• there was not a real test of distributing it ion the public domain, so we don’t know if would of worked?
• Typography on posters, to feminine? Not suitable. 

• The inspirational quotes, weren’t enough to make to you change your life style. Perhaps uses statistics, make people scared.