12.15.2010
What if ...finals.
12.13.2010
What if... self evaluation.
What problem did you identify?
How do you direct students to interesting and unseen urban areas of Leeds?
What evidence did you find to support your decisions?
Graffiti etc is seen as vandalism and we collected a huge amount of images to suggest that it can be art when done in the right way and in the right place. Also images of derelict buildings, again usually seen as an eyesaw that may be a really good place for urban exploration.
What methods did you use to gather your evidence and what forms did it take?
Made use of a variety of research methods. Quantitative primary in the form of graphs of data that we collected from summarising primary Qualitative questionnaires. And a large amount of secondary quantitative facts, statistics and qualitative opinions collected from the internet etc.
What methods of research did you find useful and why?
I found the questionnaries and information collected from them very useful as it gave us a real view of what peoples views were on our ideas and generally Leeds, but also the form in which they thought it would best be delivered.
How did these inform your response to the problem?
They gave us information on the forms that our outcome should take shape, such as a map for directing... straight from the mouth of the audience (students)
What methods did you encounter as problematic?
It can be quite problematic collecting facts and locations about unknown areas of Leeds, as they are not well known, so are not widely publicised.
How did you ovecome this?
Thorough trawling of internet and also going out into Leeds to find the desired locations was a good way of collecting such data.
What research could you have carried out that would have proved more useful?
Possibly trying to contact Leeds city council in order to find out more detailed history of buildings and locations of interest for an alternative student guide.
Five things I've learnt about the design process.
-Letting research inform every decision within the process is a good way to work.
-opinions and qualitative research from peers etc, can often prove just as useful, if not more so than anything sourced from the internet.
-the various terms used to categorize methods of research.
-The internet is not the only source of research
-When working as a group it is very important to keep in contact in order to discuss decisions made and research collected to inform the outcomes.
Five things I'll do differently.
-Try to work more effectively as a group, communicating with them more.
-Use my research as a tool for my projects development more effectively.
-Try to collate a larger amount of research and of different types to inform my projects.
-Try to use the internet less and look for alternative sources of research as they proved very useful this time round.
-Try to manage my time when in a group more effectively so as to fulfill the brief to the best of my abilities.
How do you direct students to interesting and unseen urban areas of Leeds?
What evidence did you find to support your decisions?
Graffiti etc is seen as vandalism and we collected a huge amount of images to suggest that it can be art when done in the right way and in the right place. Also images of derelict buildings, again usually seen as an eyesaw that may be a really good place for urban exploration.
What methods did you use to gather your evidence and what forms did it take?
Made use of a variety of research methods. Quantitative primary in the form of graphs of data that we collected from summarising primary Qualitative questionnaires. And a large amount of secondary quantitative facts, statistics and qualitative opinions collected from the internet etc.
What methods of research did you find useful and why?
I found the questionnaries and information collected from them very useful as it gave us a real view of what peoples views were on our ideas and generally Leeds, but also the form in which they thought it would best be delivered.
How did these inform your response to the problem?
They gave us information on the forms that our outcome should take shape, such as a map for directing... straight from the mouth of the audience (students)
What methods did you encounter as problematic?
It can be quite problematic collecting facts and locations about unknown areas of Leeds, as they are not well known, so are not widely publicised.
How did you ovecome this?
Thorough trawling of internet and also going out into Leeds to find the desired locations was a good way of collecting such data.
What research could you have carried out that would have proved more useful?
Possibly trying to contact Leeds city council in order to find out more detailed history of buildings and locations of interest for an alternative student guide.
Five things I've learnt about the design process.
-Letting research inform every decision within the process is a good way to work.
-opinions and qualitative research from peers etc, can often prove just as useful, if not more so than anything sourced from the internet.
-the various terms used to categorize methods of research.
-The internet is not the only source of research
-When working as a group it is very important to keep in contact in order to discuss decisions made and research collected to inform the outcomes.
Five things I'll do differently.
-Try to work more effectively as a group, communicating with them more.
-Use my research as a tool for my projects development more effectively.
-Try to collate a larger amount of research and of different types to inform my projects.
-Try to use the internet less and look for alternative sources of research as they proved very useful this time round.
-Try to manage my time when in a group more effectively so as to fulfill the brief to the best of my abilities.
11.22.2010
End of module self evaluation.
1. What skills have you developed through this module and how effectively do you think you have applied them?
I think the main skills I have developed up to this point have been software knowledge and in the initial stages of a brief surrounding ideas generation. Being able to put my ideas onto paper clearly so that I can work with them effectively. I have gained a good grounding in illustrator, a program I had never previously used and this has been really beneficial in terms of taking my ideas through from paper to digital outcome, and should really help with the onward development of my digital outcomes.
2. What approaches to/methods of research have you developed and how have they informed your design development process?
Research is one area in which I don't feel particularly confident as I find it is sometimes a process that almost becomes overlooked as I try to get into my design work as quickly as possible. Although throughout the continued use of the internet for blogging etc, I have been able to source and document a huge amount of what I would consider to be really effective and influential design which has informed and inspired my design practice. An example would be my type illustration for "No News is Good News" which was a technique I saw and wanted to try myself.
3. What strengths can you identify in your work and how have/will you capitalise on these?
I think the strengths of my work lie in using the software to bring together my ideas and illustrations digitally without taking away from the designs effectiveness. I plan to look a lot more into the process of vectoring hand rendered experiments as this has given me a really strong base to work on my ideas digitally in conjunction with my illustrated development.
4. What weaknesses can you identify in your work and how will you address these more fully?
The weaknesses in my work are definitely based around time management. Keeping up to date with my blogging can sometimes be a bit of an issue and also creating what I feel to be an adequate amount of development , that I am pleased with for a project. I think this just proves that you will always take the most critical view on your own work, and also that there is always improvements to be made. In terms of keeping up to date I will try to set myself amounts of work to complete each day so that I do not have to rush to complete something towards the end, as this can only be detrimental.
5. Identify five things that you will do differently next time and what do you expect to gain from doing these.
- Try to work in a range of media to hopefully give me a greater range of diversity in my outcomes and to maybe find techniques that I really enjoy working with.
- Use research on the internet and from the library etc as a tool to inform my practice much more, rather than something I often find becomes an afterthought.
- Try to make clearer connections between research and practice so that it is more obvious where my ideas may be coming from.
- Keep blogger up to date and stay on top of projects by setting a minimum amount of work so that I do not end up getting bogged down by briefs.
-Try to work initially by hand, developing a range of ideas, which I can then take forward digitally. As opposed to focusing on single ideas which often don't give much scope for further development.
Attendance- 4
Punctuality- 4
Motivation- 4
Commitment- 3
Quantity of work produced- 2
Quality of work produced- 3
Contribution to the group- 3
I think the main skills I have developed up to this point have been software knowledge and in the initial stages of a brief surrounding ideas generation. Being able to put my ideas onto paper clearly so that I can work with them effectively. I have gained a good grounding in illustrator, a program I had never previously used and this has been really beneficial in terms of taking my ideas through from paper to digital outcome, and should really help with the onward development of my digital outcomes.
2. What approaches to/methods of research have you developed and how have they informed your design development process?
Research is one area in which I don't feel particularly confident as I find it is sometimes a process that almost becomes overlooked as I try to get into my design work as quickly as possible. Although throughout the continued use of the internet for blogging etc, I have been able to source and document a huge amount of what I would consider to be really effective and influential design which has informed and inspired my design practice. An example would be my type illustration for "No News is Good News" which was a technique I saw and wanted to try myself.
3. What strengths can you identify in your work and how have/will you capitalise on these?
I think the strengths of my work lie in using the software to bring together my ideas and illustrations digitally without taking away from the designs effectiveness. I plan to look a lot more into the process of vectoring hand rendered experiments as this has given me a really strong base to work on my ideas digitally in conjunction with my illustrated development.
4. What weaknesses can you identify in your work and how will you address these more fully?
The weaknesses in my work are definitely based around time management. Keeping up to date with my blogging can sometimes be a bit of an issue and also creating what I feel to be an adequate amount of development , that I am pleased with for a project. I think this just proves that you will always take the most critical view on your own work, and also that there is always improvements to be made. In terms of keeping up to date I will try to set myself amounts of work to complete each day so that I do not have to rush to complete something towards the end, as this can only be detrimental.
5. Identify five things that you will do differently next time and what do you expect to gain from doing these.
- Try to work in a range of media to hopefully give me a greater range of diversity in my outcomes and to maybe find techniques that I really enjoy working with.
- Use research on the internet and from the library etc as a tool to inform my practice much more, rather than something I often find becomes an afterthought.
- Try to make clearer connections between research and practice so that it is more obvious where my ideas may be coming from.
- Keep blogger up to date and stay on top of projects by setting a minimum amount of work so that I do not end up getting bogged down by briefs.
-Try to work initially by hand, developing a range of ideas, which I can then take forward digitally. As opposed to focusing on single ideas which often don't give much scope for further development.
Attendance- 4
Punctuality- 4
Motivation- 4
Commitment- 3
Quantity of work produced- 2
Quality of work produced- 3
Contribution to the group- 3
11.21.2010
Mailshot Feedback 2.
What is being communicated & how?
Haiti suffering because of lack of clean water.
How well does this answer the brief?
Really quite well.
colours nice.
Typography quite nice but not overly readable.
Who is the audience and how well does the resolution communicate its message/content to them?
Everyone
What are the strengths of the resolution?
Colour
Image
How could it be improved?
A few ways.
General comments.
Flannegan & Moonpig
Haiti suffering because of lack of clean water.
How well does this answer the brief?
Really quite well.
colours nice.
Typography quite nice but not overly readable.
Who is the audience and how well does the resolution communicate its message/content to them?
Everyone
What are the strengths of the resolution?
Colour
Image
How could it be improved?
A few ways.
General comments.
Flannegan & Moonpig
Mailshot Feedback 1.
What is being communicated & how?
3rd world countries (Haiti) need help after the earthquake.
How well does this answer the brief?
Very well
Colour scheme is great & stuck to 2 colours + stock
Very informative & interesting.
Who is the audience and how well does the resolution communicate its message/content to them?
People who can donate money, its message is well communicated & the colour scheme helps.
What are the strengths of the resolution?
The image and text work really well together visually. The blue colour is clear as it represents water.
How could it be improved?
Maybe a little more organic, and simple. Although it looks good, try to think about the subject rather than aesthetics.
General comments.
Overall its a successful piece of design. But again, think about the subject ( suffering, despare and organicness.)
Oli Cassell & Olivia Chapman
3rd world countries (Haiti) need help after the earthquake.
How well does this answer the brief?
Very well
Colour scheme is great & stuck to 2 colours + stock
Very informative & interesting.
Who is the audience and how well does the resolution communicate its message/content to them?
People who can donate money, its message is well communicated & the colour scheme helps.
What are the strengths of the resolution?
The image and text work really well together visually. The blue colour is clear as it represents water.
How could it be improved?
Maybe a little more organic, and simple. Although it looks good, try to think about the subject rather than aesthetics.
General comments.
Overall its a successful piece of design. But again, think about the subject ( suffering, despare and organicness.)
Oli Cassell & Olivia Chapman
Message&delivery
FACT
142 killed & 1500 infected in Haitis cholera epedemic.
OPINION
Haiti is a country that needs aid/help
QUESTION
Will you help a country in need?
Who?
People with disposable income & people with the money to make a significant difference
What?
Item of direct mail that will inform them of Haitis situation... 142 killed&1500 infected in cholera epedemic.
Why?
In order to gain donations and aid for the country and also to meet the requirements of the brief.
How?
Mail shot making clear facts and figures of suffering in haiti.
142 killed & 1500 infected in Haitis cholera epedemic.
OPINION
Haiti is a country that needs aid/help
QUESTION
Will you help a country in need?
Who?
People with disposable income & people with the money to make a significant difference
What?
Item of direct mail that will inform them of Haitis situation... 142 killed&1500 infected in cholera epedemic.
Why?
In order to gain donations and aid for the country and also to meet the requirements of the brief.
How?
Mail shot making clear facts and figures of suffering in haiti.
11.19.2010
Third feedback for Posters.
What statement / fact / question is being communicated to you?
142 killed due to spread of unclean water.
Is this being communicated in a clear and focused way? [ Unsure ]
The fact being communicated is too small? It's not clear enough and not the main focus which I believe it should be...if not a bit bigger.
Have the posters been kept simple and to the point?, also is this a Fact, Question or statement? [ Yes ]
I do like the images - however the type & image one perhaps does not need the words 'Most are dying from...' as it is obvious from the fact. Slightly complicated message. losing impact.
Has the restrictions of the two colours plus stock been met? [ Yes ]
Are the two colours plus stock appropriate for the solution? [ Yes ]
Why are the two colours plus stock appropriate/inappropriate?
Appropriate. Maybe try black stock, white hands and text and blue water.
Do the posters work as a set or series? [ Yes ]
Why do they work / dont work as a part of a set series and could this be developed further?
The only one that doesn't work as effectively is the image one. Lacks something. Drops of water might be something you progress?
Is it clearly evident which poster is TYPE, IMAGE and TYPE & IMAGE?
Not as clear as it could be. the type only is confusing as to me... it looks like you've created image by manipulating the type.
Are the posters "memorable, immediate high impact and clear"?
Great impact from the image and strong use of colour. Think it works well - size of fact - could help too. and a smaller image
Do you feel the brief fulfilled to its full potential ? [ No ]
You have created a good set however with a few changes I think it could be even better.
Second feedback for Posters.
What statement / fact / question is being communicated to you?
About the lack of safe water.
Is this being communicated in a clear and focused way? [ Yes ]
But the text takes too much time to understand and read personally.
Have the posters been kept simple and to the point?, also is this a Fact, Question or statement? [ Yes ]
The posters are simple and keep to the point of the quote.
Has the restrictions of the two colours plus stock been met? [ Yes ]
Are the two colours plus stock appropriate for the solution? [ Yes ]
Why are the two colours plus stock appropriate/inappropriate?
I really like the colours used and instantly knew it ws water related which is good.
Do the posters work as a set or series? [ Yes ]
Why do they work / dont work as a part of a set series and could this be developed further?
They work well as a series. All keep the same colour and all stand out just as much so one doesn't over power the rest.
Is it clearly evident which poster is TYPE, IMAGE and TYPE & IMAGE?
Yes it's clear although the water droplets are becoming borderline image.
Are the posters "memorable, immediate high impact and clear"?
I feel the images are attractive and clear. But need to be more high impact as the seriousness of the issue isn't clear. I think it needs harsher images to relate to the quote.
Do you feel the brief fulfilled to its full potential ? [ Unsure ]
There is too much water in the posters sending the message that it's plentiful opposed to in lack of.
I do like the posters a lot and think they are attractive to look at, just the message needs to be clearer.
First feedback for Posters.
What statement / fact / question is being communicated to you?
142 killed & 1500 infected in haitis cholera epedemic
Is this being communicated in a clear and focused way? [ Yes ]
Interesting combination of type & image although I found it difficult to read the blue text - pouring into the hands.
Have the posters been kept simple and to the point?, also is this a Fact, Question or statement? [ Yes ]
There is a clear relation to the subject through both type and image.
Have the restrictions of two colours plus stock been met? [ Yes ]
Are the two colours plus stock appropriate for the solution? [ Yes ]
Why are the colours appropriate/inappropriate?
Black symbolising infection & blue - clear relation to water. Do the posters work as a set or series? [ Yes ]
Why do they work / don't work as a part of a set series and could this be developed further?
I think they do work as as a set, colour is kept consistent aswell as style. Is it clearly evident which poster is TYPE, IMAGE and TYPE & IMAGE?
It is quite clear although the type poster could also be seen as an image aswell ?
Are the posters "memorable, immediate high impact and clear"?
The combination of type and image reminds me of some posters advertising places to visit in London . I think that the message is being clearly conveyed throughout all three posters.
Do you feel the brief fulfilled to its full potential ? [ Yes ]
The only thing I would consider changing would be the type in the water, maybe make the first letter of each word slightly larger or play around with lowercase.
Statements of fact&image opinion
Statement of fact.
142 killed & 1500 infected in haitis cholera epedemic.
Statement of opinion.
Haiti is a country in need
A country that doesn't deserve such suffering.
142 killed & 1500 infected in haitis cholera epedemic.
Statement of opinion.
Haiti is a country in need
A country that doesn't deserve such suffering.
10.26.2010
Alphabet Soup- creatiing a typeface, final crit.
Issues raised
Letter spacing is often too small, meaning some letters may become illegible.
Look at creating a lowercase version of the font in the remaining time.
Action to be taken
Look into revising the letter spacing in some instances in order to make the letters more legible.
Also attempt a lower case alphabet to see how it will work visually and also whether it will still hold the same contextual meanings.
Letter spacing is often too small, meaning some letters may become illegible.
Look at creating a lowercase version of the font in the remaining time.
Action to be taken
Look into revising the letter spacing in some instances in order to make the letters more legible.
Also attempt a lower case alphabet to see how it will work visually and also whether it will still hold the same contextual meanings.
Creating a typeface final...
10.18.2010
creating a typeface... Self evaluation.
Partner: Sam Edwards.
Which personality traits did you choose to respond to and apply to your typeface?
the five personality traits that I chose initially were... Southern, confident, social, smoker & laid back. I worked around trying to fit them all to my typeface through development stages however I found that by trying to fit so many into one face, the message often became very confused. So the three that I chose to focus on and implement within the development of my final face were confident, laid back and social.
What are the reasons behind the design decisions you have made for the typeface?
First of all I looked at creating a hybrid face from two classic fonts, one sans serif and one serif, helvetica and baskerville respectively. Using the bold variation of both to get across that Sam is confident by creating a bold face. I then looked at how I could portray social within a typeface, and I wondered whether this could be done using the layout rather than the actual face. So I joined all the letters and also instead of using outline. I applied a diagonal line pattern which I think looks more at how all the letterforms could be joined. Finally I looked at laid back, and chose to portray this very literally by creating an italic face the wrong way. So by italicising the letters the wrong way it was in theory laid back.
In what ways are the results effective?
I think that results are effective in that they portray the characteristics I was trying to quite simply. Whether it is a face that is totally relevant to my partner I don't know, but I am very pleased with the outcome and think that I made decisions to alter the face effectively.
Which personality traits did you choose to respond to and apply to your typeface?
the five personality traits that I chose initially were... Southern, confident, social, smoker & laid back. I worked around trying to fit them all to my typeface through development stages however I found that by trying to fit so many into one face, the message often became very confused. So the three that I chose to focus on and implement within the development of my final face were confident, laid back and social.
What are the reasons behind the design decisions you have made for the typeface?
First of all I looked at creating a hybrid face from two classic fonts, one sans serif and one serif, helvetica and baskerville respectively. Using the bold variation of both to get across that Sam is confident by creating a bold face. I then looked at how I could portray social within a typeface, and I wondered whether this could be done using the layout rather than the actual face. So I joined all the letters and also instead of using outline. I applied a diagonal line pattern which I think looks more at how all the letterforms could be joined. Finally I looked at laid back, and chose to portray this very literally by creating an italic face the wrong way. So by italicising the letters the wrong way it was in theory laid back.
In what ways are the results effective?
I think that results are effective in that they portray the characteristics I was trying to quite simply. Whether it is a face that is totally relevant to my partner I don't know, but I am very pleased with the outcome and think that I made decisions to alter the face effectively.
10.11.2010
Creating a typeface... alphabet soup (Progress Crit)
Issues Raised
Current experiments with type lacked links to my partners characteristics
Action to be taken
Look back at the definitions from original questionnaire and try to experiment in ways thats will better portray the characteristics of my partner within the typeface.
Current experiments with type lacked links to my partners characteristics
Action to be taken
Look back at the definitions from original questionnaire and try to experiment in ways thats will better portray the characteristics of my partner within the typeface.
Rational - Alphabet soup... Creating a typeface.
What is the problem you intend to solve?
Designing a typeface that communicates my given partners characteristics
Who is the audience?
Sam Edwards/ assigned partner
What do they need to know?
They need to know and recognise when shown why the typeface is relevant to them.
Why do they need to know?
Because it is a brief created around using a persons characteristics to aid the development of a typeface. In order to answer the brief.
How will they understand the outcome?
It will hopefully be a clear and precise typeface that illustrates them in a letterform...
What research is required?
Primary- First hand information given to me by Sam via a questionnaire.
Secondary- Research into type, such as different possible base fonts and the various principles of type.
Designing a typeface that communicates my given partners characteristics
Who is the audience?
Sam Edwards/ assigned partner
What do they need to know?
They need to know and recognise when shown why the typeface is relevant to them.
Why do they need to know?
Because it is a brief created around using a persons characteristics to aid the development of a typeface. In order to answer the brief.
How will they understand the outcome?
It will hopefully be a clear and precise typeface that illustrates them in a letterform...
What research is required?
Primary- First hand information given to me by Sam via a questionnaire.
Secondary- Research into type, such as different possible base fonts and the various principles of type.
Alphabet soup...10 letterforms.
Self evaluation - alphabet soup... 10 letterforms.
What is being communicated & how?
The starting point for my ten letterforms was the word divide, and I wanted to take the simplest route possible as I have often found myself pondering over concept a week into a brief (a week brief not being a good one to do this on) and the simplest ideas often being the best option. Having the idea of breaking the letterforms up in as literal a sense as possible from the onset gave me much more time to work on my visuals. The face I developed from Myriad Pro, using a grid to divide the characters in illustrator and then breaking them up sequentially. I then added an offset stroke inspired by the selection tool in illustrator and giving another dimension in which the letterform could be broken up.
How well does this answer the brief? & why?
I think because of the simplicity of the concept it answered the brief fairly comprehensively, with the visuals deriving directly from the definition of divide itself.
How well has the idea been visually explored?
I think it was fairly thoroughly explored with a good range of initial starting points and experimentation. However I think I could have done more varied and thorough research to inform my outcomes despite that which I collected being very helpful.
What are the strengths of the resolution?
The main strength of the resolution I think is the consistency of visuals and the strength of the translation from initial ideas and work within my sketchbook to finished outcomes. Overall I am pleased with how the letterforms work as a series which I think could prove quite useful moving on in the module.
How could it be improved?
One way it could have been improved overall would have been to rely less on the computer and taken a more hand rendered approach to the outcomes. This in conjunction with the computer software may have led to more interesting outcomes.
The starting point for my ten letterforms was the word divide, and I wanted to take the simplest route possible as I have often found myself pondering over concept a week into a brief (a week brief not being a good one to do this on) and the simplest ideas often being the best option. Having the idea of breaking the letterforms up in as literal a sense as possible from the onset gave me much more time to work on my visuals. The face I developed from Myriad Pro, using a grid to divide the characters in illustrator and then breaking them up sequentially. I then added an offset stroke inspired by the selection tool in illustrator and giving another dimension in which the letterform could be broken up.
How well does this answer the brief? & why?
I think because of the simplicity of the concept it answered the brief fairly comprehensively, with the visuals deriving directly from the definition of divide itself.
How well has the idea been visually explored?
I think it was fairly thoroughly explored with a good range of initial starting points and experimentation. However I think I could have done more varied and thorough research to inform my outcomes despite that which I collected being very helpful.
What are the strengths of the resolution?
The main strength of the resolution I think is the consistency of visuals and the strength of the translation from initial ideas and work within my sketchbook to finished outcomes. Overall I am pleased with how the letterforms work as a series which I think could prove quite useful moving on in the module.
How could it be improved?
One way it could have been improved overall would have been to rely less on the computer and taken a more hand rendered approach to the outcomes. This in conjunction with the computer software may have led to more interesting outcomes.
10.10.2010
How to... final layouts.
Here are the final layouts we produced for How to... which would then be placed onto a USB stick at A5 size and can be viewed easily as jpeg images or as pdfs so viewing size doesn't really matter as zoom can be used on the computer. I was quite pleased with the final layouts and I think they work particularly nicely when printed as a series of A5 postcards which could then be given like fliers or placed in a freshers pack along with the USB drive.
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