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