OUGD603 Final Evaluation

OUGD603 Final Evaluation

What Skills have I developed through this module and how effectively did I apply them?
The main skills I developed through this module are the merging of technological and traditional print process's as a reference to my context of practice. Something I have really pushed this year was the application of a methodology that derived from initial and post investigations within COP. Mainly relating to the distribution of information from the typographic too the visual through traditional and cyberspace technologies. 

I have continued to push my approach to typography application, bringing in the idea of repurposing typefaces to suit the brief be it to add further communicative values or to enhance a concept. I have also began too look at the distribution of type a little more, paying attention to origins to again strengthen an overall informed delivery. 

Problem solving skills have been the most key development this year, fully analysing the brief to understand the possible problems I need to solve before applying an in-depth ideas generation stage that goes through a number of stages that allowed me to successfully refine an idea before I even started to visually develop it. I feel this approach to my process has advanced a lot from the first year where I just went in with the visuals, now the idea has real meaning resulting in the visual outcome having a very specific direction.

Collaboration skills have developed, not only in a sense of working with another creative but working as part of something. The GF Smith archive was a collaboration in a sense we work with what limitations they give us to create an overall outcome that shows the best elements of both parties. This idea of limitations is something else I have fully developed this year, its important to have restrictions be them self set or from my own analysis of a problem so a design outcome doesn't lose its focus. 

The presentation of work has really developed, considering how the photographing of work and how its presented within print delivery or online delivery has really helped carry a concept further, theres room for improvement in some areas like adding context to photography shoots but with some examples I have really shown the details and defined a stronger outcome within how the finals are presented.

My use of language and how I write about work has allowed me to create a very professional tone of voice within my work, showing my approach to deep concepts in a way that shows I have knowledge and understanding. Rather than just presenting false knowledge, my overall outcomes support this too. 

What approaches & methods of design principles, production and concepts have I developed and how have they informed my development process?

In terms of production I have really pushed the idea of experimental print, arriving at a final resolution as part of one of my substantial projects that encompasses process's from the traditional too the contemporary fully making use of facilities like the laser cutter to create letterpress blocks that reference traditionally and modernity within principles, productions and concept delivery. 

When it come to conceptual thinking this year I have carried on to apply very strong concepts too an idea before beginning to consider the relevant process's to carry this concept in the best possible delivery. Its ok having a good idea but if the material and process choice doesn't carry the same considerations the whole look and feel would be off, this was evidenced perfect within the use of stock choice showing a contemporary and traditional aesthetic within the Stott & Atkinson branding. 

Production skills have developed, producing very professional outcomes through the use of mockups and development of different production techniques and ways of approaching a process that fully make use of the high quality facilities at hand allowing me to produce a portfolio of work I'm proud of. For example combining a laser cut stencil as a form of creating a traditional link too stencil screen printing but adding even more accuracy too the process.
Weaknesses and what would I do differently next time and what can I gain from doing this?Sticking too my COP methodology was good in terms of a very strong conceptual application of theory but there wasn't many briefs where this wasn't applied so I couldn't explore other creative outputs, there was a lot of opportunity when it came too applying different elements from my COP from typography too image application but it still limited me a little when doing client led briefs where they directed the outcome. 

Design board, I still find it difficult to refine all my ideas down into concise deliveries of a brief. I need too focus on picking out key points of a brief to show a more concise journey.

Time management as per usual, I seem to think I work better under pressure but doing this I miss out on key points that I want to portray within a design itself and the delivery of the idea. 

Attendance = 5
Punctuality = 5
Motivation = 4
Commitment = 5
Quantity of work produced = 4
Quality of work produced = 4
Contribution to the group = 4

Briefs Not Undertaken & Why

Briefs Not Undertaken & Why

I mentioned in my original intentions briefs would change over the year but I wasn't expecting the majority bar 1 or 2 of my intended briefs too be scrapped, the introduction of more suited competition brides that relate too my practice are one of the key reasons for change. That and its the last opportunity to do these kind of briefs.

Due too workload on both mine and Joes part and seeing how much effort Goat put in for there exhibition with a group of 8 we decided it wouldn't be a good use of our time too do this, especially as we planned the show near COP hand in. Its something we will do though through EQUIP.

The requirement wasn't needed for a website anymore as they has chosen to put more money into the pushing of there eBay store before considering a website, theres still good relationships with the client with this still on the horizon. Its a good job though really as my focus on print based outcomes meant I didn't really look at learning coding like I should have, something I will develop on over the summer though as its an important aspect for freelance work. 

Due to pushing other avenues within EQUIP the idea of the photography publication was set back, this and time limitations. We wanted to focus on screen printing this year so revolved a lot of time around this. 

After starting the brief on my side and contacting Erin a few times things where going smoothly and we had some good concepts to go on, but the time zone difference meant it was difficult to communicate and her doing art in her free time after work meant we just couldn't maintain the required dialogue to carry this brief on. 

This is one of the briefs I'm most disappointed about I felt it had real direction in developing my thought process as a designer, due too huge work load throughout the year I just didn't have the time to fulfil full briefs in 48 hours even if they where small, this was mainly due too how I go way too in-depth within the process and the idea of a quick turn around resolution would be lost.