Time Management

 SFE timetable

Weekly detailed timetable -Final week of SFE

OUGD103 -Evaluation

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

My computer skills have improved on such programs as Illustrator, Photoshop and Indesign. i have spent a lot of time getting to grips with the programs as it was essential to use them on the projects in this module, even learning shortcuts has made designing easier. For the SFE project i used design sheets instead if sketchbooks and it really helped with my thought process i find it a lot easier and clearer to show my ideas process. The skills learnt in the Type & Grid sessions allowed me to understand layouts and really helped with the Indesign brief. 

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

I have done a lot more primary research in the form of questionnaires directed at the target audience which has helped to focus my work and make it more specific to them. I have started using stumbleupon.com which has found some really interesting artists and designers for my design context and also loaned out many books from the library specific to my projects.

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

I think i have quite good ideas but seem to be able to come up with better ideas for others projects in crits than my own. I think my crafting skills are quite strong, i have a delicate style when it comes to crafting and like to produce quality handmade pieces that express time and care. I think that i am definately getting better at image as i am constantly experimenting with new ways of creating image such as photography, drawing and collage. I love books too, i've always had a passion for making them.

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

My weaknesses are mainly down to poor time management, i always seem to be rushed at the end of the project and i think this shows with some of the final pieces as i don't think i always do them justice. I am constantly trying to improve my drawing skills, it is a weakness of mine but it is definately improving. 

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

1 - Time management, be prepared by planning ahead! it will mean i have more time to develop my ideas and produce better quality final pieces

2 - Experiment more, with everything! Colours, layout, stock, image, type, packaging, idea generation. i want to push my design work as far as i can

3  - Produce work of an industry standard, not just quality wise but looking at what would actually work out in the real world. This will make me a more professional designer

4 - Use print methods more effectively, i'm sometimes scared to do complex work with print but if i experiment, plan my time better then i'm sure i could achieve some amazing work as i love old printing techniques.

5 - Keep upto date with whats going on in the design world.

6. How would you grade yourself on the following areas:

5=Excellent , 4=Very good , 3=Good, 2=Average, 1=Poor

Attendance : 4

Punctuality : 3

Motivation : 4

Commitment : 4

Quality of work produced : 3

Quantity of work produced : 4

Contribution to a group : 5


Additional Comments:
a couple of friends of mine are graphic designers in leeds and i've spent a lot of time talking to them about the industry, how they got there, their work, my work and ideas etc. its helped me focus so much on what i want to achieve from my degree and where i want to be i can't wait to start year 2 more focused and motivated i'm excited for the year ahead and i'm looking forward to seeing my work and skills improve.

OUGD103 SFE- evaluation

What problem did you identify?
Where students find their inspiration? i wanted to help students of graphic design course yr 1 with the design context side of the course as it really helps with idea generation. i wanted them to understand that you shouldn't just look at books and the internet, that it is all around us and we should be constantly looking closer at our surroundings

What evidence did you find to support your decision?
questionnaires, asking people where they got their research from. also i have seen us all experience it on the course this year

What methods did you use to gather your evidence and what form did it take?
primary- photos and questionnaires
secondary- exploring the city, books and internet
What methods of research did you find useful and why?

seeing peoples responses to the photographs i had collected, selecting the ones that were found to be the most inspiring
How did these inform your response to your problem?
showed that the product would work and helped me be more selective with my photographs
What research could you have carried out that would have proved more useful?

OUGD103 SFE- Show work

I had to present my final pieces infront of a group of students aswell as Amber and John and talk about my project. Everyone really liked the idea and the pieces that i had made, amber said i had designed a large and varied range of products and she liked the delicate nature of the packaging. John mentioned about getting in touch with the art council in Leeds as he thinks they would be interested in publishing my images in a book!

Through the summer i aim to continue taking photographs exploring leeds more and develop design ideas for a book with the intention of sending it to Leeds Council.


My own thoughts

-unfortunately i don't have the funds at the moment to get all the postcards printed so i have showed all the images on my blog and printed out a selection to show what they would look like
-i planned on screen printing the small book to make it better quality i was on time with the making of the book but then i messed up my screen erasing the image so had to print in digitally instead. if i have time next week i will go back and finish it.

i love the photographs i have taken and think they work really well together and are great for inspiration. i like the packaging but feel it could be improved ..would it work on a mass scale? i think i have answered the brief and all of the criteria and that this would really help first years.

OUGD103 SFE- Feedback on work

Another student had to look at my work and assess it without any support from me, my products and design sheets had to speak for theirself. I got really good feedback, my sheets were very self explanatory so it was clear to see my though process.

Feedback:

-i like the idea of making a little book of inspiration
-look at 'wreck this journal' for ideas
-poster is strong and fits better with the inspiration of exploring leeds
-look at other ways of securing the box packaging, a lock idea?
-i really like the postcard idea i think making it into a competition was a good idea as it will attract more students

PPD Presentation

Which of these words describes you as an individual?
I find myself to be a very open person, i also chose vocal as i can talk about my ideas and designs quite well. Unfortunately i am very critical, mainly of my own work but i try to turn this into something positive as it pushes me further.

Which of these words best describe your approach to life?
I have chosen reflective as i look back on things i have done or things that have happened and try to learn from them.

What do you want to be?
I'd love to be more organised, i always start of the project well and somehow get lost in the middle.

Which of the following qualities do you look for in others?
Honesty is a must, creativity goes without saying and please please be focused!

10 things i have learnt:
1. Illustrator
2. Indesign
3. Colour Theory
4. Type & Grid
5. the importance of time management
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

10 things i want to learn:
1. not necessarily learn but i want to push myself as far as i can next yr and make the most out of the course
2. to write and record more
3. to be more aware of the design practise now
4. to make my work more professional
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Which of these words describes you as a designer?
Effective

I want my work to promote, attract and package.

I associate the word 'Process' with my work as my ideas and designs show a clear thought process.

I have developed my skills in composition, idea generation, print, research and problem solving.

I would like to develop my skills further in colour, print, image and drawing. I want to make my work a lot more creative next year.

I am interested in developing skills in typography, photography although i have already a basic understanding, pushing myself further with printing techniques, illustration- by drawing more and playing with images.

OUGD103 SFE -Crit 2 with John

I brought to the crit further images i had collected of inspirational points in Leeds aswell as an initial poster design and my final logo design. 

They really liked how my idea had progressed and that i was on track with my project. Sean thought that stickers would be very relative for my project and john approached me with the idea of making the book into postcards instead that could be torn out and used. i really like this idea and i think it would be more interactive and engaging for the students.

Instead of showing a description of what the image is and where you can find it, they have to find it themselves and then fill in the location.. this could work with the sticker idea, they put a sticker on the postcard like a stamp, when it is found.

Over the weekend i plan to collect images of buildings in leeds to use for the 3d poster as well as finishing my collection of 100 inspiring photos. This will allow me to proceed with design investigations for the book, website, cup, posters and stickers.

OUGD103 SFE- Progress crit

This crit was focused on idea generation, John was really impressed with my concept and thought it was a great idea and would actually be something that could be used in Leeds. We talked about the product range and i'm thinking of making a book of images of Leeds, posters, a cup, t-shirts and stickers.