OUGD102 - End of module self-evaluation

Module Code: OUGD102 

Module Title: Design Process

Name: Joe Warburton

Blog Address: http://www.j-warburton1013.blogspot.com


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

Before starting this module, I have never experimented with different book binding methods so this was an insightful workshop which I later incorporated into the Collection 100 brief. Although I could have explored different techniques and processes in more depth, I believe the specific process I used for the Collection 100 outcome worked effectively. I have been able to develop my skills in terms of research by gathering information from multiple sources to ultimately aid and influence my final outcome. Aforementioned, I gained insight into how books are formed through simple techniques and processes but aside from this, the photoshop workshop and especially the moving image workshop allowed me to explore other forms of media outcomes. 

2) What approaches to/methods of research have you developed and how have they informed your design development process?

Usually, I would see a project divided into 3 chronological areas: research, development and then final outcome. However, the first two intertwine, as evident in this particular module. Throughout the set time scale, research was ongoing and it was constantly affecting the desired outcome. The extensive research allowed me to look at all aspects of a particular topic or theme instead of focusing on what I believe would be the most successful. These aspects can then be explored in even more depth resulting in even more possible options to expand and develop.

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

Adobe Illustrator played a huge role in the Collection 100 brief as I had to create 100 vector illustrations using source imagery as references. My knowledge of the program has expanded massively as I am now more familiar with the tools, techniques and processes. I strive to create a clean, slick and professional outcome which could potentially be seen in the 'real world' which hopefully is evident in my final outcomes.

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

Time management is most probably my biggest weakness. For example, in the Collection 100 brief, I set myself a task of creating 100 illustrations which if I managed my time efficiently, could have been printed and bound with time to spare. However, I created the designs as the project progressed rather than deciding on the 100 rules beforehand. I completed the first half of the set well in advance but struggled thinking of the final 50 whilst still getting closer to the deadline. Throughout a given project, I need to devise certain 'to-do' lists so I can understand fully what needs to be completed and for when.

Aside from this, I need to re-read the brief throughout the developmental phase to gain a clear understanding of who my target audience is, what I/we will create and why I will create it.

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

1) Identify the target audience well in advance - I need to know who I will be designing for as this will affect the final outcome drastically. Instead I design what I believe will be the most effective and avoid focusing on whether it would exist in the 'real world'.

2) Explore possible media outcomes in more depth - rather than focusing on one specific route, I should have multiple options to explore and develop.

3) Blog work throughout the development process instead of having to catch up towards the end.

4) Note down design ideas and explore these on paper. I will then be able to visualise my idea more effectively.

5) Look at various forms of media – whether this be moving image, website design, screen-printing etc, I need to experiment with different outcomes to create a thorough and more diverse body of work.

6) How would you grade yourself on the following areas

Attendance - 4
Punctuality - 4
Motivation - 4
Commitment - 4
Quantity of work produced - 3
Quality of work produced - 4
Contribution to the group - 3

FINAL IMAGES

Collection 100 - Pin up

Issues raise/Action to be taken


How would you distribute it? Selling in shops. Very good.
How could you use less packaging?
Size of book could be adjusted.
How could you address a more themed pacakge?
Can you push humour? i.e. make it more quirky
Could each book be specifically themed?
Could put stuff on back of box - barcode, price, more info

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Although it would be too late/expensive to make each book centre around a certain theme, this would be a good idea if I were to do this project again. However, I will alter the box and add more information and/or imagery to improve the aesthetics and make it look more like an actual product.

Collection 100 - Final crit feedback

Issues Raised:

General issues
Re-read the brief and make sure all criteria is met
Does the outcome appeal to the desired target market?

Re-print cover of book using a different stock
Make sure the grid is consistent throughout as some lines seem longer than others
Possible enhance the 'secretive' nature of the product - cover up? TOP SECRET etc

Action to be taken:

Re-print front covers
Correct spelling mistakes and print these individual pages again
Think of possible changes to the packaging - How do the customers/recipients see the contents?Print additional insert (How to make a thought screen helmet) on thicker stock
Finish the other 2 books

What If... Group Assessment Form

What If.. Final Designs

Website

Twitter

Blog posts and updates.

Tumblr

Features many photographs of graffiti in Leeds, categorised by their location.

Image enlarged when clicked.

Interactive Google Maps showing its whereabouts.

Poster

Flyers

Presentation Boards

What If... Self Evaluation

What problem did you identify?
As a group, our collective theme was the visual landscape in Leeds. Graffiti is a problem all over the UK and most evidently, in Leeds. However, the majority of people ridicule this artform due to its negative associations - it is usually seen in areas where crime is rife, deters businesses from moving into the area etc. We therefore wanted to change the negative stigma into a positive one and try to make the artform more socially acceptable - though not to encourage it.

What evidence did you find to support your decisions?
As a group, we initially looked into graffiti individually to find any important articles, statistics or facts which would help support that this is a current problem which needs to be solved. You can find my research here. Alongside this, Chris and Yafet asked a diverse range of people from all ages their views on graffiti in Leeds to gain insight whether residents believe it is a true problem.

What methods did you use to gather your evidence and what forms did it take?
The majority of our research was secondary and that consisted of looking at news articles, statistics and facts. This originated from the Leeds government website and a wide range of other sites publishing their own findings. Yafet and Chris also asked for peoples views and opinions on graffiti - though no statistical date was involved; this formed our qualitative research. However, we realised that we lacked in primary quantitative research therefore, aforementioned, we devised further surveys and questionnaires to ask the residents on the graffiti what they thought of graffiti through yes or no questions. This enabled us to devise percentages, statistics and figures alongside a specific question which we could then present in an informative way. We also took photographs of graffiti around Leeds to show graffiti is evident and it therefore may be seen as a destructive or negative art form.

What methods of research did you find useful and why?
I believe the primary quantitative research most informative as we could display, effectively and concisely, the true views of people in Leeds and not just the odd, worded opinion we found in a news article from a few years ago. However, there were some facts and statistics which we would be unable to find therefore secondary research proved effective, also.

How did these inform your response to your problem?
We needed the primary research to gain insight into what people thought of graffiti in Leeds. If all the responses proved that no-one deemed it as a negative artform, there was no point trying to solve an unrealistic problem.

What methods did you encounter as problematic?
Although we asked a diverse range of people in Leeds, we could ask even more residents to obtain a more substancial amount of research - however, this was not necessary for this as it was evident that graffiti was deemed a problem. The secondary research was gathered from various sources therefore the content in another may be exaggerated due to the biased nature of the article or the complete opposite etc. We therefore did not know if it was 100% accurate hence why the primary research was the most effective.

How did you overcome this?
Aforementioned, we devised our own surveys and questionnaires and formulated these into charts to display in our presentation.

What research could you have carried out that would have proved more useful?
Although we sourced many worded opinions and factual data, all of this was proving that graffiti was deemed as socially unnaceptable and therefore formed the problem we needed to solve. However, we could have researched the positives in more depth to strengthen our ideas.

Five things that I have learnt about the design process:
1) You should not settle on one idea based on a limited amount of research but explore a range of possible design solutions instead.
2) Gather an extensive amount of research and target a more specific area suited to the problem rather than covering something far too broad and ultimately useless.
3) Research is as important as the final outcome - without proper knowledge, the outcome will not be as successful if you looked at the root of the problem in more depth.
4) Continue researching and gathering information throughout the design process instead of following a forumulated plan i.e. Research for 1 week, development for the next 2 and final outcome for the final week.
5) Gather research from all possible sources - don't rely on websites for information.