OUGD503 - final evaluation

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

One of the skills I believe that I have effectively developed is my research. My weakness within my last module was my research, as I tended to focus on products that linked directly to my briefs, and did not allow other aspects to inform my practice. However, I have really taken note of this this time and have made sure to broaden my scope of research in order to get the most out of my designs and to gain a better understanding of the brief and how it could be approached. For example, it was suggested by my tutor that when researching dry shampoo products, I also look at wet shampoos to see how this could effect my development of ideas. I feel I tried really hard to build on this, and I found that it was extremely useful when it came to developing my artwork. By looking at it from a different angle, I was able to think differently about the final product. 

In previous modules, I struggled to mock-up professional looking prototypes. However, as the briefs within this module were mainly screen based, and not printed, I really had to build on these skills, and look into producing some effective mock-ups. A lot of this included the application of pattern, so I also had to work with clipping masks and defining patterns. Towards the end of the module, I became much more confident with this, which allowed me to create a range of products. This can be seen in the UK Greetings brief.

In addition to the above skills, I have also become much more confident in the production of presentation boards. During the Ted Baker collaborative brief, I worked with my partner as she produced the boards, which allowed me to see how she created simple and effective visuals, that allowed for a layout that could be applied across all of my briefs. This is therefore a skill that I learned from my partner, which is definitely one of the positives that have came out of working as a team. Our collaboration allowed us teach each other new skills, whilst boosting our confidence in the process. I have a much better understanding now of how the balance between image and text should be in order for it to be effective, and how a layout can draw your attention in on certain aspects. 

  

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

At the beginning of our module, after we had picked the first brief to work on, we had a workshop where we unpicked the brief as much as we could. This was done by answering a series of questions, that allowed us to really examine why we had chosen that particular brief, what they were looking for and what we could produce as an end product. This provided me with a better connection to the brief, and the brand in question. I could also really understand what they were looking for, and who the deliverables were intended for. By doing this at the beginning of each brief, I had much better focus, and I was able to develop my ideas and possible concepts.  

From this, I could then go on to generate ideas through the use of boards. By getting all possibilities down on a page, I could see what the best route to go down was. This could then be expanded and developed on through the use of appropriate visuals.

In addition to this, I also made sure to include a mini evaluation at the end of each brief. By doing this, I could reflect upon what went right and what went wrong during that brief, and how this could then be used and applied within the next. It was also vital in helping me pick what brief I was going to work on next.

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

During all of my briefs, I created a pattern as part of the end product, which allowed me to explore it in a lot of detail. This practice was also informed by research into pattern design, and how it can be used to create effective end results. Throughout the module, I really built upon these skills, and I became more confident each time. I feel that I am capable of applying pattern to a product successfully, and was able to explore both linear and block pattern. As I have continued to expand my illustrative skills, these were put to use during the development of pattern work, which also allowed me to explore use of colour.

When undergoing the collaborative project, I found that I really enjoyed this way of working and I gained a lot from it. Not only did it allow us to bounce ideas off of each other, but we were also able to get the most out of the brief. We worked harmoniously, and weren't afraid of creative compromise. Throughout it, we were able to manage our time well, I made sure that we gained feedback and criticism from each other at each stage, either through face to face contact and through the use of social networking and dropbox. I am able to speak my mind when it comes to working as part of a team, however, I also know when to back down. I was extremely motivated during this project, and we didn't encounter any problems. In the future, I hope to work with others, capitalising on these strengths mentioned, using the confidence I gained to produce bigger and better ideas. I now know that I capable with working with someone that I am quite close to, whilst not compromising our friendship. 

What weaknesses can you identify in your work and how will you address these in the future?

During this module, I completed six briefs, all of which I spent quite a long period of time on. In one sense this could be seen as a weakness as I could have spent time on a larger number of briefs so that I really explored my practice. I attempted to try and spend a short amount of time on a few of the briefs towards the end of the module, however, I found myself continuously going back to them and developing them further. This wasn't just because I wasn't content with them, but also because I was enjoying the process. In the future, I hope to work on short, quick briefs as this is something I will experience in the industry.

In addition to this, I would have liked to have pushed a range of products as far as I could for each brief. This could have included web based deliverables, as this is something we looked into within a previous module. It would have been nice to have built on these new skills within this module. In the future, I will make sure to explore all areas and possibilities, taking web into consideration. 

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

1. If I was to do these briefs again, with more time I would hope that I would be able to have some actual physical printed products. Although they are effective on screen, it is always nice to have something to interact with. Whilst I had this for the collaborative Ted Baker brief, I would have liked to have explored the use of the photography studio further, looking into how this can create professionalism within your work. 
2. When it came to picking briefs, although this module allowed us the opportunity to work on projects that we personally wanted to, I wish I had I looked at briefs that weren't entirely packaging based. Although I do not necessarily see this as a negative, as it helped inform my own personal practice, displaying an area of real interest, it would have broken up the way I worked slightly, allowing me to have a break from this type of end result. 
3. I feel that the briefs I picked were always quite gender specific. It was mentioned in a workshop that when given the choice, females normally pick projects where they get to design for other females, as they have a connection to the audience. Whilst the collaborative brief gave me the opportunity to work with a brief that I wouldn't have picked individually, I still feel that most of my chosen briefs were very female centric. By looking into a different audience, I would be able to broaden my perspective, and also my practice, it also stops me from pigeonholing myself as a designer. In the industry I may not have a choice whether or not I am just designing for a female audience. 
4. I could have explore photographic based design as opposed to focusing on my illustrative skills. This would have changed the overall visuals of the product, and would have allowed me to go down a different avenue to what I usually do. 
5. I feel that I could have looked at a broader range of websites in terms of where I got the briefs from. I did a few YCN and D&AD briefs and I believe I should have explored different avenues, and would have liked to have produced some work for Talenthouse. This is a different method of competition, and the winner is chosen depending on online votes. This is something I would have liked to have experienced as I feel it is less intense and it is also free.

How would you grade yourself in the following areas (5 - excellent to 1 - poor):

• Attendance: 4
• Punctuality: 5
• Motivation: 4
• Commitment: 4
• Quantity of work: 3
• Quality of work: 4
• Commitment to the group: 4

OUGD503 - mid evaluations

Batiste

Overall, I am happy with my end results in terms of pattern application and overall appearance. I feel that the products reflect the time spent on them, and the pattern has been effectively applied. I am glad that I explored point of sale, as this not only built upon my mocking up skills, but it also gave me the opportunity to get out into the environment and see how the product was currently working within a store. After this research, I felt that my graphic identities would definitely have shelf appeal, and would catch the customer's eye. Each scent had it's own individual personality, which reflected the concept, whilst being trend aware and appealing to Batiste's fashion-led and wide ranging audience.

If I was to develop this brief further, I would explore possible web based deliverables, as well as advertisement. This would strengthen my concept, making it a cohesive whole. I also would have liked to have been able to place my prototypes into an actual shop environment so that I could see how effectively they would have worked. This could have either have been digitally or through print.

Hellfire

As mentioned previously, I started to re-visit this brief towards the end of the module, as I wasn't fully content with my end product. I feel that this was probably one of the best decisions I made during OUGD503 as I developed it to a point that I was happy with, and feel that the end result is much more effective than the previous. The new design I came up with took aspects of the old design, and made it much more appropriate to it's content and audience, reflecting the title 'Hellfire'. In addition to this, the new design would be much more appealing to the younger, 'hip' audience Leeds Brewery mentioned in their brief.

Through the use of solid white shapes, I was able to create a stand out design, that was different to the usual beer bottle label designs you see on most brands. If I was to explore this further, I believe I should have looked at ways in which my label could have been printed on the bottle, as print processes are something we looked at during a previous model.

UK Greetings

Overall, I am extremely pleased with the overall appearance of my cards. I feel they have a light hearted tone, and have a humorous nature. The simple illustrations are made effective and stand out through the use of a restricted colour scheme, which has also allowed me to create a cohesive range of products. Each product would stand out as an individual design, as well as working well as part of a set.

My cards would definitely appeal to a younger, contemporary audience, who are looking for something different to what is usually sold within card stores. Valentine's Day cards are usually quite traditional, and take on quite a serious approach. Either this, or they are extremely cheesy, using words that do not appeal to any type of audience e.g. sexy, sex bomb, hunk.

My development of colour during this brief is something that really informed my way of working. This was majorly informed by my research, and it's always interesting to see how something completely different to the product you are designing for can have an effect on the way you think and design.

Feel Good

The final prototypes I produced for the Feel Good brief are extremely vivid and eye catching, which makes it appropriate for the audience and reflects the light hearted tone of voice that is expected of the brand. I am really happy with how the linear illustrations turned out, and how nicely they built up into a pattern. During this brief, I explored the application of pattern further, using different methods to what I had previously undertaken. I became much more familiar with defining patterns, and how Illustrator could be used to scale and move the pattern to a position that was just right for the product.

I explored use of colour quite a bit during this brief, and didn't stop until I had found something that truly reflected the brand. Usually, I am not overly confident with my use of colour, however, because of the topic I found myself enjoying the process. This is a project that I feel I would love to revisit as part of a self initiated project. I would develop it further by really focusing on the health benefits of the product.

The Wind in the Willows

Although I am pleased with the end results of my book cover template, I feel that I could have pushed the design further and even the range. I encountered a few struggles during this brief, which was mainly because I gave myself quite a short space of time to complete it in, which is not my usual way of working. Colour was one of the main issues I faced, and this stopped progression of development for a while. Once this hurdle was overcome, however, I was able to really get into the brief.

If I was to take this brief further, I would love to explore the possibility of an e-book, and I would also like to create a mock up prototype of the product. As this is a contemporary adaptation of the book, an electronic version would be appropriate, as Kindle's are becoming more and more popular and relevant in today's society.