INDESIGN - My final design - Evaluation

After looking through all of my designs, this is my final outcome. I'm really proud of this design, feeling it has a few interesting quirky elements but keeps to a formal magazine like structure. Using the word 'Epidemic' as a title is in keeping with the content and is quite humorous, after reading it, to then read the article, it will sound very sarcastic. I have kept a low tone on colour, the image hugely desaturated and type in just black. When printing out my designs, it gave me a real insight into the size type needs to be; a lot smaller than previously thought. I have chose point size 8, as its readable and fitting to the page size and amount of content. I chose the type face 'Times' as its quite contemporary and classic, it gives a formality to what is quite an unserious article, which gives it yet more depth and a humorous element.

Overall I feel I have made a real progression in using InDesign, I was very dubious about it at first, feeling it would limit me very much, in only being able to work to a grid system, but its so much more than that. After the InDesign workshops it certainly opened my eyes to the possibilities. My first initial designs, when critted I realised how much I had limited myself, after looking at some design online I realised how magazine spreads can be considered a piece graphic design on their own, some really works of art. I really inspired me that it's not all about content, but how you place it, use it and design around it. 

I feel for my final design I have really experimented and been through a creative process to achieve my outcome.

I have worked with a some what more complex grid system and series of image and type then I would have done, at first approaching this brief. I am very pleased with my design, as I can see how I've grown as a designer from start to finish with this piece.

As always, improvements can be made, some designs can be preferred to some more than others. I perhaps could have used more content, which would give me more to work with.

I am glad I was able to use photography within this piece, as found in previous briefs, I have taken a real interest to it, although my subject matter was quite hard to work with!

This brief has been a real interest to me, I've almost been more motivated to this over other briefs, which was nice, when I wanted to take a break from another brief, I would refer to this one, due to the fact its enjoyable more than a task. I did find research a main contributor to this, the want to re-create and have the ability to design something similar to those amazing designs out there was a real spur on.

SPEAKING FROM EXPERIENCE - Self Evaluation

BA (Hons.) GRAPHIC DESIGN	LEVEL	04
Module Code	OUGD103
Module Title	DESIGN PRINCIPLES

END OF MODULE SELF-EVALUATION

NAME

Stephanie Lawson

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 feel I have defiantly explored a range of approaches and mediums in responding to briefs. Since hearing from the last module grading that this let me down, I feel I have really pushed in forward, learning a range of new techniques too; this includes learning how to produce a stop animation, using photography and mixed media. I have also really learnt on the importance on reflection and evaluating yourself, not only does it let other know of your approaches, but helps yourself realise what needs to be done next. Every alteration and change I make to a design, I find myself progressing and writing about this progression.
2. What approaches to/methods of research have you developed and how have they informed your design development process? I have found researching pretty difficult within this module, I'm not too sure why, but have a feeling it was due to identifying primary methods quite difficult, sometimes it simply couldn't be done, and I do find primary research the most helpful.
I believe I have been quite conventional in methods of research, Using the library for inspiration and resource, internet when necessary and conducting questionnaires and posting onto forums in order to gain primary research.
3. What strengths can you identify in your work and how have/will you capitalise on these?
Regarding exploration and development I feel I have really pushed myself, area's in which I had previously stayed away from, i've embraced and used what available to me. For instance, I created a stop motion, something I've always wanted to do, but knowing the images would have to be digital, had stayed clear of. Photography, another element I hadn't used to it full advantage. I also feel time management has been on my side, I have stuck to using my diary and 'to do' list book, its a method which works for me.
4. What weaknesses can you identify in your work and how will you address these more fully?
I don't think I have addressed the issue or actually answered the brief with some of my responses, some within a group, other by myself. I have only really been aware when being critted right towards the end of the brief. I need to ask peers for opinions and advice towards the beginning of my designing and responding to the brief, and to always go back and look at the brief.
5. Identify five things that you will do differently next time and what do you expect to gain from doing these?
- To always look back at the brief, this will give me a better understanding of whats expected, and a clearer idea on how to respond to it. - Ask peers and tutors for advice and opinions before its too late, in regard to whether I have answered the brief. - Embrace a whole new range of mediums, to try something new for every brief. - Research more before going ahead with designing, this will really help me get an understanding of content and context. - Have fun, If I don't enjoy what i'm doing, it will show.
6.How would you grade yourself on the following areas:  (please indicate using an ‘x’)   5= excellent, 4 = very good, 3 = good, 2 = average, 1 = poor
	1	2	3	4	5
Attendance		X
Punctuality		X
Motivation			X
Commitment			X
Quantity of work produced			X
Quality of work produced				X
Contribution to the group				X
The evaluation of your work is an important part of the assessment criteria and represents a percentage of the overall grade. It is essential that you give yourself enough time to complete your written evaluation fully and with appropriate depth and level of self-reflection. If you have any questions relating to the self evaluation process speak to a member of staff as soon as possible.

SPEAKING FROM EXPERIENCE - Crit - Take three

Again, we had a different crit, set into pairs we were to evaluate another pair of work to a high degree. Using a form used within 2nd years, we had to spend 20 minutes on each making sure we gave a thorough response. Baljeet and Niall evaluated mine.

I found this crit very useful in that it is brutally honest. The problems which were notified were:

- Not clear it is course specific, Perhaps focus on finance about printing / course and specific costs.

- Hand rendered typography would possibly be more appropriate.

- Posters were prefered to stop animation - Should have used colour and sound

- Posters would be better on a bigger scale

I think from this I may steer away from my stop motion and focus more on the poster designs, attempting to make them larger and more specific to the course.

SPEAKING FROM EXPERIENCE - Second crit

Showing my stop motion and 3 poster designs.


Comments made:

• Make the message clearer "It's ok to have some luxury brands.."
• Make it subject related "Save on these things because graphic design course is a lot to fund."
• Less condom, it's too prude
• More intricate detail, less words
• Think about colour
• Think about dealing with three different categorises - Health, course and back home.
• Possibly create three different stop motions dealing with the different categories. 

Action to take:

1. Write some more things to say within my stop motion, thinking about making it clear that the saving hints made, are so you can afford the luxury items on the course, since it's quite an expensive course to undertake.
2. Research what luxury graphic design related items peers save money for.
3. Start illustrating these items.
4. Give more detail to typography, less writing.
5. Perhaps change the condom aspect element to be less prude.
6. Research colour - Perhaps relating to graphic design course, eg. White and Silver - Macbooks
7. Think about how I could categorise the elements of the stop motion.

A bit of a reflection...

Throughout this course I have felt a little behind in skills and knowledge, due to my lack of experience within graphic design, feeling slightly young and naive with my peers. I came straight from A-level, very few did. I was warned, when interviewed my first few months would be a little difficult, Lorenzo was too right! I didn't feel I was good enough for the course, looking over others works thinking "Jesus Christ, I could never do something like that." I trundled through the first module feeling I lacked in skill and imagination, but when I got my first module grading of a 2:1, it was a much needed uplift. Instead of envying my peers, i've gained much advice, opinion and skill. Everyone comes from a different background, in that people have come from all over Britain, a wide range of courses, and a variation of age within our course too. 


I do somewhat feel I have learned more from my peers than the tutors and course could ever give me, due to the 'closeness' you have with people within your course. The size factor of students within our course is a main contributor to this too, everyone knows everyones.


I do sometimes have my beginners lows, especially when my 2nd module grading was a 2:2, everyone around me seemed to be getting a 1st. But i feel I took the initiative in arranging a little chat with Amber dearest who helped break down my grade, showing me I didn't do too badly. She pointed out my weaknesses, which weren't so obvious to be at the time. This really helped understand what I needed to do next time, I simply wasn't writing enough, reflecting and experimenting with scale. I certainly feel I have worked on these weaknesses for the last module, wanting to learn from my mistakes!


I feel I have improved so much within this year; more than I could imagine. By asking the right questions, using facilities available within the college to your advantage, asking 'why?' to everything you do! But speaking to my peers has been the most useful tool, they give you an honest opinion on your work...no matter how harsh.


It's pretty exciting thinking i'm a 3rd through my degree and I've learnt this much, I really look forward to broadening my skills even more within my 2nd year.

SPEAKING FROM EXPERIENCE - Crit

Overall my crit went quite well, considering my ill health and inability to speak I managed to get my point across of the direction i'm taking with the help from my boards.

 One crucial point which was made was it's relation back to the brief, I was targeting all freshers, when it needs to be specifically graphic design. But this can easily be adapted, items and subjects used within my stop motion will be more graphic design based to the course. This will be the next stage.

After listening to several students crit I did come to realise how easily distracted from the brief you can become, it is super important to keep referring back to the brief to keep things going!

SPEAKING FROM EXPERIENCE - PROBLEM ANALYSIS - Rationale

The brief:

How does shopping around save you money?

What do you need to communicate?:

That is is worthwhile looking around a range of stores to find the cheapest product. You need to make the transition from luxury brands to basic and cheaper brands.

What will they respond to?:

A stop motion created using packaging to manipulate typography which will attempt to convince students to shop around.

Where do they go?:

Viral Advert

COMMENTS MADE:

-"It's a strong idea in terms of what it is trying to say"

- "How ever there is a risk it could become quite heavy and dull, find a way of making it as interesting as possible."

- " For example products that are unusual but necessary (toilet paper, condoms) etc"

The brief:

How do you find the quickest way to university?

What do you need to communicate?:

The route in which students (freshers) from particular halls, is the quickest way to get to university. They will need to know of any landmarks, road names and buildings.

What will they respond to?:

Following a route produced, seeing 3d crafted landmarks along the way recognisable to students.

Where do they go?:

Recieve a pack from their university to their halls to be used as directions to it.

COMMENTS MADE:

"It would be useful...think about signage on the way to uni.."