EVALUATION

BA (Hons.) GRAPHIC DESIGN		LEVEL	05
Module Code	OUGD201
Module Title	DESIGN PRODUCTION - PRINT

END OF MODULE SELF-EVALUATION

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BLOG. ADDRESS

1.  What skills have you developed through this module and how effectively do you think you have applied them?
My researching skills have definitely been improved after this module. I wouldn’t say that I applied this as effectively as I could have, given the time that we had and so improved time management would definitely benefit my design. After the type workshops, my knowledge of the application of type has been improved. It was helpful in the sense that I have a better understanding when it comes to using type in my designs. I feel a lot more comfortable, however, it also showed that there’s still a lot more I need to know. The key skill that I’ve developed through this module is the ability to use print to aid the appearance of my designs. I feel a lot more comfortable having the knowledge that I do, however, I need to apply this knowledge more in order to take it to it’s full potential.
2. What approaches to/methods of design production have you developed and how have they informed your design development process?
Design sheets really helped me develop my ideas within this module. A problem I’ve had in the past is that I try jumping straight into my designs without actually illustrating ideas on design sheets, in particular with the 150 logo designs. I found a simple ‘to do’ list really useful within this module as it helped me organise my time that bit better throughout the design process. I tried not to dwell on ideas/designs that weren’t working and instead took a change of direction or developed them into something else that would be more appropriate.
3. What strengths can you identify in your work and how have/will you capitalise on these?
I’d say my main strength within this design process would be how my ideas developed as I found I had a wider range of designs because of it. Another strength would be the application of type & layout as I’ve been more experimental with my designs compared to previous modules. I definitely experimented with colour more then I have before in other briefs and after looking at the poster designs I think it benefited me.
4. What weaknesses can you identify in your work and how will you address these in the future?
Although I feel like I made my research more specific to the brief compared to before, I still feel like I could have done more of it because it would benefit my design process that bit more. With the time I had, I definitely think I should have been more experimental with stock as it would’ve been beneficial to my designs, especially with an improved knowledge of print. After looking back at the module I think my application of image could be improved but that’s something that will get better with the Image module next term.
5. Identify five things that you will do differently next time and what do you expect to gain from doing these?
Using the studio space to it’s full potential is something that I need to work on as it will definitely aid my design process. My time management needs improving. If I can use the time available in a more effective way then the modules and briefs can be taken to a better standard. Organising myself is something I’m continuously trying to improve. I need to use the facilities available to me in the college. This module I used the laminator to experiment with foiling and it made me think about all the different finishes/print methods there are to play with. Next time I aim to have a lot more hand-drawn design ideas, so keeping a sketchbook on me will hopefully help me to achieve this. Developing my design context as I go along would prove to be really helpful to me and my designs as I’d be more aware of the designs that are out there.
6.How would you grade yourself on the following areas: (please indicate using an ‘x’)  5= excellent, 4 = very good, 3 = good, 2 = average, 1 = poor
	1	2	3	4	5
Attendance			x
Punctuality			x
Motivation	x
Commitment		x
Quantity of work produced		x
Quality of work produced		x
Contribution to the group			x
The evaluation of your work is an important part of the assessment criteria and represents a percentage of the overall grade. It is essential that you give yourself enough time to complete your written evaluation fully and with appropriate depth and level of self-reflection. If you have any questions relating to the self evaluation process speak to a member of staff as soon as possible.

Final Designs

 

 

 < I'm pretty happy with how the new designs turned out, however, I'm still unsure whether there's too much white space on the labels

 < After looking at the print I think the design could be improved by using a gloss finish in the logo rather then a full satin print.




















< I'm happy with how the design looks on satin stock. I'd be curious to see how some of the other poster designs would look like on maybe a gloss stock or with a foil finish

PPD task

Identify and explain 5 reasons why you chose to study on this programme

 

- the course will help me develop the professionalism I will need to be a successful graphic designer

- leeds college of art offers a wide range of facilities that will aid my development

- the course has a wide range of industrial links

- the city has a great atmosphere 

- the main reason I chose to study on the course is because of the quality and depth of the course content

Identify and explain 5 things that you want to learn during your time on the programme

 

- I aim to havre a wide knowledge of the application of type and image

- I'd like to be able to consistently manage my time. This will help me develop the professionalism that I need.

- this year I'd like to find my personal direction as a graphic designer

- I'd aim to have some crucial links into the industry

- printing methods is an area in which I hope to be more knowledgable

Identify and explain 5 skills that you think are your strengths

- I've always had an eye for composition and balance within design and i hope to be more playful with this at level 05

- Visually developing an idea throughout the design process

- I'm keen on the traditional printing methods and after both foundation and my elective I'd say I've developed a strong understanding of the process

- Application of colour in my design

 

Identify and explain 5 things that you want to improve

- My annotating skills need improving and i would like to broaden my vocabulary in graphic design

- I would still like to further my knowledge with illustrator 

- I am interested in typography and would like to explore it in more detail this year

- Time management, this is an area i feel i need to grasp as it would aid my work efficiency

-I would like to be more experimental with the print process as there are many areas of print that I'm keen to learn more about.

Identify and explain 5 ways that you will evaluate your work

- By using progress crits I can use my feedback to aid my development with my designs

- I will upload and discuss my work and look at the progress made

- By picking out the weak/strong areas in my project, eg research etc I will improve the efficiency of my work

 

Identify 5 questions that you want to find the answer to

- How cheap is it to incorporate foiling into my designs?

- What are the different areas of graphic design are there?

- How can I get myself out there through self promotion?

- How /quickly easily can I send off designs to be printed professionally?

- Is it better to begin freelance work or go straight into a business?

 

Level 04 Report (OUPD101resubmission)

OUPD101 RESUBMISSION

LEVEL 04 REPORT

In order to really look at what I’ve learnt at level 04, I must first look at the skills I had when I began the course. I’ve always been determined to study on a creative, art-based course. It was only after my BTEC Foundation Diploma at UCA (University of the Creative Arts, Maidstone) that I discovered my suitability for Graphic Design. Balance, composition and layout have always been of high importance to me and I this most likely came from my interest of photography. I wanted to take photographs further in order to communicate. Graphic Design allowed me to do so, as well as using both illustration and type which for me was ideal. I gained the basic skills in the appropriate software and felt comfortable starting the course at level 04.

I did, however, have a lot more learn and looking back at first year I can see that I have achieved a great deal with developing my skills as a designer. Although I did a bit of screenprinting on my foundation course, the time I had during my elective really improved my skills in print. I was introduced to a wide range of printing methods such as letterpress and monoprint and I now feel confident enough to use the printing facilities that are provided at Leeds college of Art. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I aim to continue to develop these skills at level 05, as I personally love the finish that is achieved with a good quality screenprint.

Blogging has been a weak area of level 04 for me. Documenting each stage of development through a given brief has been something that I’ve found hard to stay on top of. However, I’ve learnt it’s a vital part of the design process and I will be allocating time in order to get it done. Doing so will help me to improve my time management and allow me to stay organised.

Another weak part of level 04 for me was time management. I’ve had to pay a lot of attention to it over the year and it’s had a significant effect on my time on the course. The professionalism of the course has truly taught me the importance of time management in the world of graphic design. Although it took some persistence, I eventually learnt to stay on top of things with ordered work and punctuality and I felt so much better for it. Efficiency is the most important thing I’ve taken from level 04 as it’s really opened my eyes to how crucial it is in the design industry

Something I’ve found really helpful is the side projects that got set during first year, from book-making to colour theory. These things have massively helped me to develop as a designer. I truly enjoyed applying these skills in my designs, such as the hotdog-fold books. It’s nice to have that new knowledge when it comes to design as not only does it broaden my skills as a designer but also it helped me gain an appreciation of the different skills required in design. I’d really like to take my colour theory knowledge further at level 05.

Since September I’ve found my ability to discover key sources has improved. I’ve really enjoyed looking at contemporary graphic designers, as a lot of their work has been inspiring. By the end of level 04 I had developed a far greater understanding of other designers and the different areas of graphic design I could aim towards. I’ve also developed a big interest in brand identity and graphic design for fashion, which I’m planning on looking into at level 05. My ability to gather research hasn’t been one of my strongest points, however, this course has taught me that it plays a key role in design development. For me, collection 100 played a big part in the development of my research skills as it was a long brief that really required background information that ended up being vital in order for my brief to get to where it was.

 

After the InDesign workshop I’m keen to learn more screen-based design. This will aid my briefs as well as allowing me to develop a wider knowledge with design possibilities. Moving image is something I’d like to learn as it’s a skill but more importantly I’d like to become familiar with web design. Both will prove to be very useful to me as a graphic designer and it will help me take a more self-directed role. Along with InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop are both vital pieces of software that I’d like to really like to master. Although my software skills have improved over the year, there’s clearly a lot that I still need to learn and by doing so I’ll be able to improve my work standard, as it’ll help to achieve that professional look.

 More specifically, there’s a few areas of graphic design that caught my interest nearer the end of level 04. Promotion and packaging is an area that I’d like to develop a greater understanding of. They’re both another area of graphic design that I’d like to improve on as it’s something that will aid my development as a designer. Not only will it improve my knowledge but my practical skills too. I will also pay more attention to my target audience. Upping both the quality and quantity of my primary research within my briefs will do this. It will ensure I have a solid understanding of the brief requirements and have a large impact on the final outcome of the design.

Before I take that more self-directed route, I aim to significantly develop my ideas for communication through type and image. I experimented with this in the 'Speaking from experience' brief but I've still got a lot to learn. 

The type and grid workshop really helped me with this. At level 05, for image, I’d maybe like to bring photography/illustration into my designs as I feel like I didn’t pay enough attention to either at level 04. I intend to massively improve my knowledge on the appropriate application of type. If I could achieve both these things then I’ll have sharper and more sophisticated design work. Alongside this I’d like to be a lot more playful with stock, as I don’t feel like I experimented enough with it during level 04. With this I want to look at the relationship between type, image and stock to really get that sophisticated feel to my designs.

My time at level 04 has been improved on the key skills I need to develop as a graphic designer and at level 05 I plan to make the most of my studio time. The quality and quantity of work being produced will definitely increase if I make the most out of the available workspaces provided. This way I can complete the briefs efficiently with a larger body of work behind them. Although I’ve learnt a lot in a creative sense, I’d say the main thing I’ve walked away with is an appreciation for professionalism. I’ve learnt to manage my time and work at a more efficient rate. Thanks to the tutors on (Ba Hons)Graphic Design I’ve massively developed as a designer and it’s really been an amazing experience. I’m so excited to begin level 05 and truly make to most out of the opportunities that are provided.

Contemporary Graphic Design (OUPD101resubmission)

Base Design - De Bijloke

Base Design wanted to bring classical music to life when creating an identity for De Bijloke, a Belgium music centre. Base design turned something that’s not necessarily considered young and contemporary into something current and appealing. 

I’ve always been interested in photography and I think this a good example of how type and image are used to visually communicate a message. I particularly like the use of vibrant yellow on the desaturated photograph as it sits well on the design. Its also a fresh colour which helps to keep the identity contemporary.

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Moving Brand - All About Tea

When looking at the work on ‘September Industry’ I came across Moving Brand’s work for All About Tea. The reason I chose to look at this identity design work is because it’s a perfect example of taking something every day, such as tea, and turning into a desired and a sophisticated product. 

The logo has clearly been given thought as, although is simple, it’s appropriate to the given brief. Its effectiveness comes through simplicity. The chosen use of metallic for the packaging creates a sophisticated looking product. Finally the type used on the posters are contemporary and compliment the designs. Overall I feel it’s a successfully delivered brief.

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Thomas Couderc & Clement Vauchez - Gaite Lryique 

I like how playful Thomas Couderc & Clement Vauchez are with their designs. I think contemporary graphic design is all about being playful, in a clear and visually pleasing way and Helmo designs definitely achieve this. Looking through Thomas Couderc & Clement Vauchez’s work for Gaite Lryique truly inspired me to venture out with my design work. 

Here they use a range of stock within the design, along with combining image and type that, although are visually unique, seem to compliment one another. I also find it interesting how the cover plays with depth and layout. 

During my time in level 5 I’d like to be more experimental in my designs, not only to improve my skills as a designer but to help find the area in graphic design in which im most interested. 

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Anagrama - El Vivero

Throughout level 4 I’ve been uncertain as to which area of graphic design I would like to focus on. However, I’ve developed a strong interest in brand identity. 

I really like Anagrama’s designs for El Vivero, mainly because I feel it’s a piece of contemporary design that was intended to reflect the new, young audience of the business. With the chosen vibrant colouring and the simplistic layout, they have created a sophisticated and modern piece of graphic design which ofcourse is something I aim to achieve in my work. They wanted to keep the designs 'fresh' and I'd say it's definitely achieved with the combination of the layout, text and blank space. 

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Modern Publicity

Modern Publicity is a London-based design consultancy. I find their work inspirational as they aim to produce functional and elegant design work. 

The work is straight to the point and as a result it effectively communicates the appropriate message. The designs display simplicity through layout, image and type and as a combination the work created is direct and clear which to me is a successful piece of contemporary graphic design.

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SIX

This limited edition boxed promotional piece shows a sophisticated example of contemporary design. I like the neutral colouring as it clearly works for the given brief and it makes the design easy on the eye. Its simple and it’s this that makes me feel like the design works so effectively as the message is delivered clearly. 

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SIX

This second piece of design by Six displays a professional way of visually thinking, which is something I really aim to become apparent in my work. After looking at grids & layout with Lorenzo, I've become much more aware of the composition of a page. Within this design work its clear that this contemporary way of layout creates a clear and ordered piece of visual communication.

I also like their matching of pantones in this work as the two colours definitely compliment each other. It makes the final outcome appear refined and thought through.

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JACK CROSSING

 

I really like Jack Crossing's vinyl work for Noir Blanc. I think it's the combination of the photographs/images with the triangular shaping that really appeals to me. All of the designs are crisp and visually engaging. The type fits in nicely with the finished look of the vinyls too and overall this work really inspires me. 

I find it really interesting looking at different identity briefs and how they mould and shape the individuals work. Jack Crossing seems to do this really well with this work. The final designs look expensive and sophisticated.

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Mark Brooks

 

These unique designs work in an effective yet simple way. Although it's a simplistic way of using line, it all comes together to create a strong set of posters. The washed-out orange ring in each design creates that subtle appearance of colour that compliments the images without taking the attention away from them. It also brings all posters together as a set.

 The illustrations really inspire me to get back into illustration. They create that unique touch of the designer into the work and if they're done well the final outcome looks professional. It also opens up the opportunity to do some prints which is something I'd really like to  try and master at level 5!

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Paul Boudens

 

Something that has recently found my interest is graphic design for fashion. I've always been fascinated by fashion and it's definitely an area I'd like to explore. Paul Boudens work for Yohji Yamamoto is an example of work that inspires me to go into this area. 

These A5 cards were delivered in translucent metalic envelopes showing that he invests alot of time and thought into the deliverable. The designs obviously relate alot to the given brief as it shows that Boudens looked into the particular fashion style.

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Donna Wearmouth

 

This simplistic design really stood out to me. Using the strong contrast of black and white, it really plays with space and depth. The contemporary solid shapes combined with the minimal type create an elegant and yet bold piece of graphic design. 

Each image represents the title of each poster which shows specificity to the given brief. This is an aspect of my design that I'd like to further look into. Overall, due to the appropriate application of image and type the final outcome is an example of an effective and pure piece of contemporary graphic design.

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