No News is good News: Message and delivery- Final Crit

From this crit the feedback on my mailing shot was very positive, I thought that my group liked my final solution for the project. The only issues raised were that on the envelopes the flaps on the back of the envelope covered the instructions. I went about solving this problem by assembling the the envelope with the back of the envelope on top of the flaps so that the instructions were clearly visible.

The other issue that was raised was that the supporting leaflet that I included in the envelope, when folded out had a large blank space on the reverse side. When designing the leaflet I came up with other suitable alternatives to the leaflet, but because of printing on stock I had to make it a limited size. On suggestion was to fold the leaflet differently so that the images were on one side of the fold and the text on the other. I took this into account and altered the rest leaflets.

Overall I was pleased with the outcome to the brief, I thought that it was quite hard to work with the 2 colours plus stock restriction. Using the yellow stock was something I hadn't tried before, I thought it turned out to reasonable standard but it lacked the quality I was looking for.

End of Module- Self Evaluation

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

I have found that as I have gone through from project to project that the process of generating ideas and coming up with solutions to them has become more expansive. Before I used to come up with an idea that I thought was strong and just developed on it but the various concept building processes that I have picked up have allowed me to explore multiple ways that I can develop concepts but at the same time choosing and choosing a solution to it.

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

I have been able to utilise the various concept building excises and tutorials to my advantage as they help me concentrate on what ideas I am going to focus on rather than not know what I am doing, which in affect reduces the amount of work I would produce. I have also started to use worksheets/layout pad more as I prefer all my ideas and visuals to be handy and not tidied down by being in a sketchbook, so in case I need to refer to an idea quickly it is there.

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

I feel that I am most comfortable working with type. I also feel capable of using the computers and software to a standard that helps me benefit my work. I feel that as I learn to use new software and improve my practical skills, this will help me to become more competent.

What weaknesses can you identify in your work and how will you address these more fully?

I feel that some of my work is to simple and that some of the final solutions are of a similar style, which I would hope that I could add more variety to. I feel that I also lack the mixture of mixed media, I would like to be able to incorporate more of it into my final solutions as well as my concept building and development stages of my projects. I could also become more involved larger group discussions and crits as I think it will help to build up my communication skills and I could benefit from taking more on board if I was more involved.

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

1) Manage my time more efficiently so that I don't let all the various tasks get on top of me and so that I can produce good quality work with the time available to me.

2) Spend more time developing and exploring concepts and ideas but a the same time being able to make an efficient informed decision on the direction I am taking my work.

3) Take more of the feedback given in from the crits and work with some of the suggestions and ideas that people put forward

4) I would like to explore more areas of Graphic design such as image which I feel that I am not as strong/confident at using

5) I would like to improve my punctuality, this will help my general work ethos

Are there any things we could have done differently that would have benefited your progress?

Generally the feedback that I have received from the progress and final crits has been beneficial to me and will help me understand the certain areas if the design or project that I might need to work on.

How Would You Grade yourself in the following areas: (5=excellent- 1=poor)

Attendance: 4

Punctuality: 3

Motivation: 4

Commitment:

Quantity of work produced: 3

Quality of work produced: 3

Contribution to the group: 4

No News is Good News. Delivery -Student Lead Crit

In the middle of the project we had a student lead crit, where each person in the chosen crit groups had the chance to explain what they were doing while the others in the group wrote down feedback on there work. After everyone had finished talking about their work we all fed back our views on each others work. Here is what my group had to say about what I had so far.

No News is Good News. Delivery - Concept Building

What?

• Informing the audience of referees mistakes and if they think more technology should be used in football.

Why?

• To inform and get people feedback
• To provide a visual alternative to questionnaires and informative leaflets

How?

• Keeping within the constraints of the envelope, producing a small booklet of visuals as well as a simple question or questionnaire

Who?

• Fans and supporters of the sport

Inform/Instruct/Persuade/Promote?

• Inform

Format:

• Foldable booklet fitting within the envelope given

Colour/stock:

• Stock= Yellow
• Other colours include red and black

No News is Good News

Two people in the class evaluated my work and this is what they had to say about it...

What statement/fact/question is being communicated to you?

1. The fact that a referee booked a player with 3 yellow cards before booking him with a red.

2. That an English referee has paid the price for making a mistake: giving a player 3 yellow cards

Is this being communicated in a clear and focused way? Yes No Unsure

What could be developed further?

1. YES. The image only could be made more fluent in its communication, people may look at it and just think 3 yellows and not think of the error that is being visualised.

2. YES. More information... or perhaps laying out the information in a more eye-catching way.

Have the posters been kept "simple and to the point?" Yes No Unsure

Is a statement, fact or question being posed?

1. A fact is being posed, more so in the type and type/image posters due to the phrase 'the English referee has paid the price'

2. Fact- this is clear due to the information including, names and numbers. There is no question mark, nor quotation marks.

Has the restriction of two colours plus stock been met? Yes No

Are the two colours plus stock appropriate to the solution? Yes No Unsure

Why are the two colours plus stock appropriate/inappropriate?

1. The two colours are required to make the design work without red and yellow, it wouldn't make sense. They are are 3 colours and stock so the black stock should be used.

2. The colours illustrate the concept well, (i.e. yellow and red cards). I especially like the way that , in the image/ type poster, 'yellow car' is in red, making a subtle joke about the mistake.

Do the posters work as a set or series? Yes No Unsure

Why do they work/don't work as part of a set or series and could this be developed further?

1. They work as a set because they use the same colour in two and the same phrase in two so easily relate maybe the 'type only' could be developed so that red is incorporated.

2. The consistency in the colours, the layout of the imagery (e.g yellow, yellow, yellow, red) and the fact that the same message has been used throughout.

Is it clearly evident which poster is TYPE, IMAGE and TYPE & IMAGE?

1. Yes, it's very clear which poster is which.

2. It is clear, however in the image/type poster, I think the type is to small, making it hard to read (if read from a distance)

Are the posters "memorable, immediate high impact and clear"?

1. The posters are memorable because they use simple colours and images nothing to eccentric which may have spoiled the idea. The image only poster stands out the most with immediate high impact as the simple images work well with the yellow and red (compliment each other). The posters are clear to a certain point, but what was the price paid? The image only poster may not make sense to people not familiar with the rules of football.

2. The posters are certainly high impact the bright, strong colours are extremely eye-catching, especially against the black background. The imagery is clear and memorable, but I think the wording could be more concise. I think however it would be difficult to get the message across in less words. Perhaps find a way of emphasising the main points other than the 'yellow card'.

Do you feel the brief has been fulfilled to it's full potential? Yes No Unsure

Further feedback....

1. The 'type only' could be pushed more creatively in a visual perspective and more exciting not just simple text and colour. The image is good and captures the eye but could be more understandable.

2. I think the brief has been fulfilled really well. My only comment would be with regards to the colours, there are in fact 4 colours used, but i don't know whether the intended stock is black...?

Alphabet Soup-Partner Feedback

We were split into small groups of 6 and paired up with someone in the group, with this person we reviewed two people work other than our own. We wrote down what we thought about there work on the feedback forms then fed back to each other in a small group discussion.

Strengths:

1)

• Focused on idea raised at the start- childish at heart
• Colourful
• Playful font and layout
• Looks like fridge magnets

2)

• Focused on the theme of childhood from the questionnaire (spider diagram)
• Colourful
• Playful font/ layout
• Good initial Ideas

Weaknesses:

1)

• More use of media
• Develop typeface more
• Finish Product- fashion items added look a bit confusing and out of context

2)

• More use of media
• Not much evidence of ideas being explored

Actions:

1)

• More initial ideas and experimentation/exploration of available out comes
• Revert back to initial interview for relative ideas

2)

• Explore initial ideas (e.g fashion/phone/ idea of mixed media)
• Go back to the interview, add more of a theme to final piece

Alphabet Soup-Final Crit

Partners Name: Rebecca Tipping

Referring the typeface you designed:

Which Personality traits did you choose to respond to and apply to the typeface?

• Childish
• Fashion
• Phone
• Orange

What are the reasons behind the design decisions you have maid for the typeface?

I wanted to portray Becky as a happy, outgoing person as when interviewing her she came across as that when speaking to me. She said that she liked watching children's TV programs which brought me onto childish, this got me thinking of fridge magnets and stencils that you often get as a child.

In what ways are the results effective?

I am pleased with the outcome to my final solution, although the colour of the letters wasn't as I had anticipated it didn't affect the final design to much. I feel that each letter in my typeface is legible and they all seem to work well together as a set. I feel that it is hard to make out the letters that I have manipulated into objects of fashion from a distance.

Referring to the typeface that has been designed for you:

What personality traits do you interpret from the typeface designed to represent you?

Looking at the typeface designed for me I feel that I cant really interpret any traits that represent me. The typeface expresses one of my favourite subject areas of design but not necessarily me as a person.

Describe what you think of the typeface:

The typeface designed for me is very clear and legible, with a a good use of bold colour. I think that it has been manipulated well to the style of the Bauhaus which is what the universe typeface is based on.

In what ways is it effective, and in what way is it ineffective of representing you?

I think that the typeface that was designed to represent me works well as a typeface, it is based on one of my favourite fonts Univers. I feel that although the typeface works well as a set when it comes to certain words then there could be some issues with how they will visually work together. The typeface doesn't necessarily show who I am as a person but more of what I like.

Alphabet Soup-Progress Crit

Partners Name: Rebecca Tipping

How are the four words selected to represent the typeface being explored?

• Fashion
• Orange
• Phone
• Childish

Why is the existing typeface that has been selected to manipulate an inappropriate/appropriate choice?

Chalkboard is the typeface that I have selected to manipulate, it is a suitable font because it is bold and rounded. Usually these properties are associated with children, which links into one of the four words I am using to represent Rebecca. As the form of the typeface is bold and rounded the letters will be easy to manipulate.

What are the reasons behind the design decisions you have made for typeface so far?

Through generating initial ideas and concepts I was sketching letters freehand and many of my ideas were based around a bold rounded typeface. I decided to base my choice of font on these characteristics, so I went about looking for a suitable font that I could use and came across Chalkboard. Although having closely looked at the font I can see that it looks very similar to Comic Sans. I have looked into other fonts and another font that I thought would work well would be Porkies as it is based on the alphabet fridge magnets, which you would commonly associate with children.

Other issues raised:

• Name badge could be produced in different colours, maybe digitalised
• Could produce a sister font (further experimentation)

Action to be Taken?

1. Produce each letter form and glyphs on the A1 piece of tracing paper to a high standard
2. Use the information gathered from the feedback from the group to further experiment on my existing idea
3. Produce Becky's printed name badge (45mm x 90mm)
4. Experiment with different colour palettes
5. Use the remaining time left productively, making sure everything set in the brief is answered correctly

Alphabet Soup Part 1

Chris Anderson evaluated my Compress piece of work and the evidence backing it up and this is what was said:

What is being communicated and how?

The uppercase letters are taking up the majority of the space and forcing the lowercase letters into the edges.

How well does this answer the brief?

Visually you can see how the lowercase letters are more rougher and jagged along the edges to express 'compress'. This shows a well designed layout to communicate the word.

How well has the idea been visually explored?

There are a lot of different initial ideas that would all have a variety of design outcomes. A few first development drawings and computer generated drawings that show a good approach and look into how the final outcome was put together.

What are the strengths of the resolution?

Good set of work that link well together and shows how the idea started.

How could it be improved?

More experimentation with the first ideas and development to give him a choice of styles. Look into different colour palettes.

These were my final 10 letterforms for 'Compress':

How to...-self evaluation

What Role(s) did you take on in the group?
I felt that my role in the group was to help produce illustrations for the final resolution. I also participated in providing my input to the ideas when we were in group sessions in the studio. I feel that everyone in our group had an equal opportunity to put their ideas forward for discussion.

How well do you think you performed in the role(s)?
I felt that I worked productively in the group performing my role as one of the illustrators. Although illustration isn't one of my strong areas I was willing to help in any means necessary to complete the brief set.

How well do you think you worked as a group?
My group was able to collaborate together very well. All the members of our group were able to work with each other, with everyone in the group being able to bounce ideas back and forth between us. Within the group we split into pairs, each pair working on a different aspect for the final solution. I think this worked well because we all went away and were focused on what aspect we had to work on. Most of the time we were always in a group situation where we could design and develop our ideas.

What were the positives of working in a group?
Working as a group has a lot of positives, I found that everyone in our group had a range of different skills that we were able to use to our advantage. One main advantage was that the amount of work we produced was more than I would have been able to produce on my own to a high standard. I also thought that it was good working in a group as I was able to get to know more people from within the course.

What were the negatives in working in a group?
Unlike working on your own, it is harder to decide on a direction to take, as everyone has different styles and methods of working, although I thought we managed to find something we all agreed on. It was also hard to gauge the amount of work different members put into the project and what ideas will be used and wont be.

What will you do differently next time?
I would have liked to have had a wider range of ideas and conceptual images to work with, maybe each person trying out more than one aspect of the final solution and then developing the ideas from there.

Where could you have improved your resolution?
Could have extended the project by expanding the campaign of 'Home in a box'. Things that we could have included were examples of websites that could be used to order the product. We could have included more of a range of posters and put these into visuals like bus stops and billboards to give an idea of what they would look like out and about in they surrounding environment.

What are the Strengths of you presentation?
Our presentation was good, it clearly showed our product and examples of the posters that would support our campaign to raise awareness for 'Home in a box'. It also explained how we went about our project, giving a general summary of all our roles in the designing of the final solution.