Evaluations

OUGD504- Evaluation

Final Evaluation

The module aims to develop practical and conceptual understanding of design techniques and processes which are involved in the production of design for print and screen based media. The module helps resolve design problems through conceptualism. The module explores principles such as type, layout for print and screen based media. 

The investigation will explore primary and secondary research. Primary being through prototypes, photography, and wireframes. The research will identify target market and client’s needs which has been researched. The content gathered will show applications which explore practical, technical, and conceptual design development for the print and digital media. The practical side is shown through the development of the final outcomes, which is the publication and app design. Technical programmes such as Illustrator, Photoshop and In-design are used to help design and structure the final outcome to a high level. 

The module has introduced technologies which are used in industry, such as print presser, laser cutter machine, gelatine, print room facilities, and book binding facilities. 

The projects will include appropriate design principles such as developing personas, wireframes, task flows for studio brief 2. For studio brief 1 this has explored contextual understanding towards printing in industry and creating prototypes for sizing and binding methods. 

A visual language has been used through type, image, layout, composition and animation. This is a key factor in communicating the final idea. The appropriate typeface will be used with reason. For instance, for studio brief 1, a Helvetica typeface was used to address a more contemporary approach. For studio brief 2, Univers typeface was used to signify unity and relates to contextual research of interface design produced by Day 6. 

An exploration of colour management across print and screen. Approaches to colour management such as CMYK and RGB have been explored. Contextual research into formats and printing facilities were explored, some formats work better than others. 

The module introduced group work. Group work was difficult as we are both different designers. However, I took this on as a challenge and explored a different aspect to design of editorial design. The task was difficult, however I managed my time effectively through going through a process to achieve the final outcome. This has helped developed my practise, on gaining more research and help me think conceptually. 

OUDG505

Final Evaluation

This module overall has developed me as a designer, first of all, conceptually. Developing concepts has been a struggle for me in the past, however focusing on a political or social aspect has opened up more interesting themes which I have not explored before in my designs. I feel the outcomes were string because the topics were personal to me, as well as being interested in the topics. Design wise, I have developed as a designer through binding. Creating prototypes and watching tutorials has developed my making skills as this has been a struggle in the past. The first module, the bind went wrong, however I have grown from that by experimenting with prototypes as well as identifying how and why I went wrong. Precising and accuracy is key when it comes to design. Technology has been another struggle, however, aiming high with more pages has allowed me to explore layouts and use different software such as Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. Format has been a key point by investing and printing with a high-quality finish to ensure the final outcome functions to best of its ability. To develop this further, I will explore different scales and sizes and perhaps explore different formats. 

OUGD503

Evaluation 

The collaborative was the most successful: this is perhaps due to past experiences working with publications and layouts. The bind worked effectively the use for an open spine allowed the publication to flow nicely and complimented the designs accurately. The focus of empowering woman of colour was personal to myself, therefore I felt more connected towards the designs. To improve this, I could have collected more primary research as the publication was mainly secondary research.

The least successful design was the wellbeing, sleep matters brief. The initial ideas were strong however, the idea I picked could’ve been developed a lot further. Therefore, in the future, I will allow more time for prototypes to help initiate an outcome which is created to the best of its ability. The concept was there, however the design needed refinement and improving. 

The Penguin book cover design was the main brief for individual practise. In this brief I explored new techniques of Illustration using a drawing pad. In the future I will develop this skill by incorporating illustrations into my work. From previous experience with working with penguin books, I preferred this design brief as it was aimed at a more young, contemporary audience. Issues were explored about racism and love which was interesting and which I am interested in. As this was a book of issue, this has helped me develop as a designer of thinking of issues from a political aspect and how to create concepts through that. 

Working for Infintra360 was challenging as the client was very particular. When I originally got the brief, I found this more of a challenge as it was something outside my comfort zone. However, I was able to create the brief into my interpretation and gained new skills on Illustrator for logo design and Gif design. This will help me to develop my practise further by creating my own branding and identity. 

Overall, I found this module exciting as we were able to explore designs in our own way rather than being directed. I have gained new skills from there being many briefs which all three have been diverse. To develop my skills in the future, perhaps explore into game design and product packaging design in the near future. I enjoyed working with fashion photography and will be creating my own photography pieces in the next brief. This has helped me identify my interests in graphic design which I wouldn’t have expected and opened other opportunities such as photography. 

Time management was a key factor within this module. As a designer, I could’ve managed my time more effectively as there was a lot to cover and it was open to do as much as we can. I aimed to achieve 6 briefs however I did not have enough time to achieve this. 

OUGD501

This module has helped me gain understanding and theories for branding. The key aspects explored is logo design, branding, and advertisement. The theory behind logo has 

developed me as a designer by exploring techniques on Illustrator as well as creating logos which are more aesthetically pleasing, this is perhaps through geometric design and theory and meaning. Contextual information of designers and existing typefaces was more relevant compared to the secondary information gathered. To develop the design further, perhaps exploring formats and printing qualities would have been more appropriate. For the future, I will explore animation as well as applying the logo onto context, this will be through Photoshop. Due to time management, perhaps exploring app designs and animation would have answered the brief of digital marketing. The logo could also have been developed further through animation inspired by the MTV logo. I will strengthen my weakness of animation through watching tutorials.