What skills have you developed through this module and how effectively do you think you have applied them?
I think my theoretical and essay writing skills have really developed throughout this module. From the lectures, seminars and tasks, I have gained a clear understanding within many parts of art history and key elements to graphic design, such as Modernism, Post-modernism, Advertising and the History of Type to name a few. Although, essay writing has never been my strong point, I feel that by researching appropriately and knowing what your writing about makes it a lot easier than I first expected. Also, the knowledge I received from lectures and seminars and the help I received from Richard really helped to push my writing skills and although it may not be the greatest essay, I feel that I have really improved in this area and hope to carry on doing so.
I feel I have learned how to critique work appropriately and constructively with the sessions we had with Jo. They really helped me to pin point myself as a designer as well as learning to give and receive vital feedback from peers and fellow designers. By researching into manifesto’s and creating my own personal manifesto, I feel that this has given me some confidence an ambition to achieve key goals throughout my time here at uni and further into my career as a designer.
As for the Theory into Practise, I feel that I have really improved my skills using Indesign. As i had to create a full sized 44 page publication, Indesign really helped me for layout design and also sticking to a strict type and grid layout, basing the style on modernism.
What approaches to/methods of design production have you developed and how have they informed your design development process?
I feel that by creating a publication, this has given me more knowledge and experience in this area. I have made smaller publication before, but none at this level. I would never have believed I could have created a 44 page newspaper before this module but this particular brief has give me the time and planning to plan out a full publication in order to achieve the full 44 pages.
I feel that by focussing so much on the content of the publication, this makes it so much easier to plan out your publication. It has to make sense, be interesting and keep the readers engaged. I have realised that the content is the most important part; Form Follows Function. Also by keeping a consistent theme throughout the publication helps to keep it simple and less confusing and Indesign is a great tool that my skills are developing, the more i use it.
Lastly, design sheets are essential. This is something that I have only really picked up on this year but realised that theres no point designing onto a screen and wasting time in Indesign when i can plan all my ideas out through design sheets before I start.
What weaknesses can you identify in your work and how will you address these in the future?
I think that i could improve on my time management. I spent quite a long time getting my content right for the publication before actually designing it, which resulted in a stressful couple of weeks towards the end of the deadline, In which i had to design and send off my newspaper. I don’t really want to be doing this regularly so next time, i will plan dates and certain times when certain parts need to be finished, such as the content for the publication and the actual layout designs.
Identify five things that you will do differently next time and what do you expect to gain from doing these?
One
Planning my time efficiently will help me be organised and not cause stress towards deadlines.
Two
Re-visit my essay as soon as i get feedback while it is still fresh in my mind. This way it will give me the best opportunity to add to and make better.
Three
Write more detailed lecture notes. Instead of using a notepad, I’ll take my mac into the lecture in future so it will be quicker for me to type up words as the lecturer is speaking which will result in better information.
Four
Carry on experimenting with different techniques. whether this is digital or manual. Printing processes and the software I use for different tasks. This will just give me more variety in my work and a better understanding and technical skill.
Five
Make sure that I keep and equal amount of time spend on collecting and perfecting content and the visual quality of whatever brief i am working on. It’s no use looking good if it makes no sense. Form Follows Function.
How would you grade yourself on the following areas:
5= excellent, 4 = very good, 3 = good, 2 = average, 1 = poor
Attendance - 4
Punctuality - 5
Motivation - 4
Commitment - 5
Quantity of Work produced - 4
Quality of work produced - 4
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