1. What skills have you developed through this
module and how effectively do you think you have applied them?
From
this module I have learnt that extensive research is essential. By
researching in depth I found it much easier to come up with ideas and
develop them, I found my self constantly revisiting websites and linking
from site to site with more research than I could blog. At first it was
difficult to find relevant information but the more I searched the
easier it became. My software skills have progressed substantially also.
In Photoshop I learnt to edit photos in a non-destructive way, I also
learnt how to change the hue, saturation contrast and other filters.
These skills allowed me to produce my 5 post cards, I think this worked
rather well and I am pleased with the end products. Using the marque
tool I was able to spin sections of the photos around to create
interesting shapes and patterns. My illustrator skills have also been
developed over the course of this module, I have learnt how to use
clipping masks and the pathfinder tool also which was a big part of my
100 things brief.
Time
management is something that has slowly got better over the course of
the module. This last project proved quite difficult as 5 weeks still
did not seem long enough, but I think I have managed to keep on top of
things the best I can. Ideally it could of gone a bit smoother but I
think I have managed my time to a good standard. Next time I will make
sure I book my print slots well in advance as this has been a problem
over this module.
2. What
approaches to/methods of design production have you developed and how have they
informed your design development process?
Research
has helped me allot through this module, finding exsiting work to
inspire me has been a big aspect of the module, its a good starting
point for ideas and has helped the develop,ment and production of my
ideas and products. I found that design Sheets have helped alot, they
are a good way of getting a clear indication of where the project is
going. Sketching out as many ideas as possible has really helped me too.
This has been a useful way of getting out all the not so good ideas and
helped to really focus on more inovative ideas.
In
terms of software development, my skills have improved greatly in both
photoshop and Illustrator. From extensive use of the programs I have
slowly learnt most of the short cut keys and a few effects I had not
used before. Before this module I had never used photoshop and after
hours of playing about with the filters and tools, I feel fairly
confident that I can edit photos to a good standard. I am really happy
with the outcome of my post cards, I feel I have produced some
interesting and quirky post cards that fit the brief. However If I had
more time I feel they could of been printed to a high quality as I was
only able to print them off in the mac suite.
3.
What
strengths can you identify in your work and how have/will you capitalise on
these?
Our
first project in the module was a group brief and I feel we all worked
rather well together, we all managed to pull our ideas together and
create a product of a runnng theme and style, this experience was tough
to start with but overall a very beneficial and helpful experience. I
feel that brief has given me the confidence to express and explain my
work and ideas.
Another
strength I feel I have gained over the course of this module is my
software skills, I am really impressed and happy with the progress I
have made. I have learnt to work alot quicker when designing digitally,
and seem to be picking up short cuts and tips on a daily basis. This
learning process has been very enjoyable and has been a real eye opener
to how complicated these software packages really are.
I
also feel I have produced some nice simple imagery which looks
interesting and is also informative. I have learnt that simple and
effective designs work best and to not over complicate things. Its good
to stick to a colour scheme also as this means that everything works in a
set or series. At first I used quite a range of colours and found that
this was not a good thing.
4. What
weaknesses can you identify in your work and how will you address these in the
future?
One
of my main weaknesses to start with was time management, I have found
it quite difficult juggling my time around as there is so much going on
in every module and I also have to go to work 3 nights a week. This has
been a really stressful period for me and I feel this may show in my
work. If I had more time I would of liked to improve the quality of my
final products. Originally I had planned to screen print my posters, but
due to the busy schedule and print slots I was not able to do this
which is a great shame. I screen printed quite allot last year and
really enjoyed it so this is something I will have to make time for in
the up and coming modules. I also did not
have time to double side print my post cards so because of this I had to
stick the images back to back on some card. This is not how I intended
them to look but at least this should give me an incentive to manage my
time better next time. Blogging has been a bit of a weakness as well but I think this links in with time management.
I
feel I could have had a wider range of products in the 100 things brief
as I ended up producing quite allot of posters. Although I am happy
with how they turned out I think it would of been nice to have other
outcomes. I would of liked to of produced a informative booklet with
more help on surviving the recession as I feel most of my products did
not hold as much information as I would of liked. They were generally
just single facts, so I feel the set of products as a whole were lacking
so in depth content. I feel this could of been due to my direction
change 3 weeks into the project as originally I was looking at Lost
Cities. I researched this topic extensively and pretty much exhausted
it. After a crit with amber I was persuaded to look at money, my
research was very broad and I couldn't find a clear direction so in the
end I just conveyed facts I found interesting.
5. Identify
five things that you will do differently next time and what do you expect to
gain from doing these?
- I will manage my time
more effecitvely - Hopefully this will give me more time to get some
blogging done and also give me more time to produce more indepth design
sheets
- I will book print slots well in advance - This will mean I will not be as stressed out when it comes to deadlines
- More testing - I didn't have much time for testing
and only had time to print out my final designs straight off so this
meant I did not spot a minor mistake which could be crucial.
- Experiment More - I will look at a wider range of products and possible outcomes next time steering away from A3 posters
- Clearer Research Direction - I need to be more focused and decisive with where and what I want to do.
6. How would you grade yourself
on the following areas:
Attendance = 4
Punctuality = 4
Motivation = 3
Commitment =4
Quantity of work produced = 3
Quality of work produced = 3
Contribution to the group =4
