Evaluation of OUGD202dvd

This module gave me the opportunity to focus on something I really enjoyed and also the chance to get to know some new software.

I chose the spaghetti westerns of Sergio Leone for my DVD project. The westerns have so many elements of iconic imagery and design solutions that the range of material for me to consider and evaluate was fairly vast.The print based designs for the western filmsspecifically, were varied, and gave me the opportunity to consider a range of possible aesthetics for my idents. The title sequences for the films also impacted heavily on my design decisions; the colours, the timing, the sound and the typography.

I feel that almost for the first time I have been able to fully focus on and understand the direction I was going in throughout the project. With the help of crits and tutorials I made confident and justified design decisions and also more importantly was confident enough to begin creating the idents early in the brief, to give me as much chance to develop the visuals as possible. Because of my confidence and greater connection with my project than I might have had previously, I had time to relax and sit back from my work and self evaluate it. I did not get behind on work or even feel rushed at any point to get back on track, it gave me the time to consider all the elements of the brief fairly equally.

Since the beginning of level 5 I have made a real effort to stay on top of my work, I feel I have done better this module than with the last, and as a result I have had more time to design, but also to do things other than design. My hobby is rock climbing and it is a part of my life that I am determined will not be pushed into the background and out of my weekly routine. I strongly believe that if anything is done too much, no matter how much you enjoy it, it eventually becomes a chore. This module I have found a balance that work well for me and as a result have enjoyed both the graphic designing and the climbing. This is something I hope to continue throughout the next couple of years and indeed into the further future.

The PPD sessions have made the reality of becoming a professional much more present day to day. It has made me think more about who I am as a designer, what makes me tick, and what possible futures do they hold for me.At present it is fairly obvious to me that my speciality areas of interest are in editorial, typography and photography as a part of my designs. However this is something that up until now I have not used in my designs, I will be keen to try it soon.

Also, looking through examples of portfolios and CVs I have now got an idea of where I would like my career to head. I am looking for a placement in or around London as that is where I would ideally like to be based once I have graduated. I would like to appeal to a high end, possibly corporate market to fit in with the London scene. I think there will be plenty of chance to for interesting projects with interesting companies this way.

The software I have learned this module was eye opening. I have only touched on motion graphics in the past, but I have found that I really enjoyed it, and in fact am possibly quite proficient with it. However I do not think it will shape the path I choose to take concerning my future career. I would like to progress my skills with it though, so that if I was every offered a job using it I would be capable of creating something great.

DVD Studio Pro was very exciting to use because it has now opened up a whole new possibility for a design solution. It has also taught me to keep track of all my files and be neatly organised. This is just as important if not more so when applied to a print based brief.

Overall I am happy with my work and myself this module. However in hindsight there are specific things that I would like to have changed or even just tested. The continuity of my idents bothered me in the last couple of days of the brief. I was not sure whether they would be recognized as a series when viewed in context on TV. The feedback on the other hand did put my mind as ease as it was good in that area.

I think one or two of my idents were stronger visually than the others, but I was constantly aware of my audience and the connection they have with the films.This informed the vast majority of my decisions. The films were varied, no two had the same character.Therefore I wanted each ident to reflect those characteristics.

Another thing I would have liked to change certainly is the DVD menus. I like the design I came up with and the general style of the DVD, but I feel the menus are a bit repetitive, especially with the loud gun-shot every time another menu is opened. Some variety such as a gun shot when moving forward to a new menu, and then a reload sound when stepping back to a previous menu, or even some background music could have worked. I should have tested these things, but eventually I had to finalise them and submit.

Overall I think this was a successful brief, as I have been able to apply everything I was hoping to get better at from last module. I also feel I reached a competent level of skill with the new software and was able to create some good work.

Things to consider doing differently:

• If the brief requires more than one element to be designed (such as the idents, the DVD and the packaging) considering them all as one will help clarify continuity and a clearer design direction.

• Organising files clearly and logically throughout a brief is integral to the success of the project as well as essential practice for the future.

• I think I need to ask more questions to myself about my brief at hand. Rather than waiting for a crit or a tutorial to guide me. I have said that I did this well, but there is always room for improvement.

• Although it didn’t turn out to be an issue, I did have some apprehension when coming into college to compile my DVD in DVD Studio Pro. This is because I had not spent enough time familiarising myself with it. So getting to know the software to a confident level before needing to use it would be good practice.

• We were told to bring questions to our crits so that we had something we could ask of that was directly relevant to that stage of thee brief. This was very useful, therefore from now on I will bring at least 4 questions to each crit, focusing on specific design decisions I am making at that time.

Good Portfolio Example pt3

http://www.hellomonday.net/

Hello Monday. If you go to their website I guarantee you will be extremely satisfied with the flowing movements of the menus and the scrolling of the work. They have cunningly programmed their page to appear as though it is 2 colour, but then as you roll over the images they spring into colour and increase in size.

This website is 'the bomb', something I would have to pay a lot of money to be produced for me. I literally don't think I have the potential to learn how to design something like this. However if the money comes my way, I might splash out on having a web designer layout and script it for me.

Good Portfolio Example pt2

http://allday.cc/

There is something about this portfolio that simply does not sit well with me. Firstly he is a creative thinker, not a designer, so the only thing I can take away from this is the tone of voice and the design.

Ok, I literally hate this guy, I think he is incredibly pretentious and full of himself. He is a creative thinker, fair enough, but look how young he is. He probably finished a flashy degree in business marketing or strategic thinking and now thinks he is Alan Sugar.

However saying all this, the actual design of the portfolio is great, which is what caught my eye. Edited photography and some classy type, perhaps not me, but still effective.

Good Portfolio Example pt1

http://alexarts.ru/en/index.html

I like the feel of this website. However the blog does not visually tie in with the website. I get the impression that this is a very passionate designer who really wants to appear professional. To a company looking for work this is effective, as it seems high end and approachable. However the blog lets it down a bit. The tone of vice slacks off and the curtain is draw away.

He is just another guy sitting in his room like the rest of us. I am not sure whether this is a good thing. To an extent it is as it is clear that there is a passionate person behind it all, but it does uncover that this is not a design studio committed to producing the best results possible.

Considering CVs

I found this forum which was disguising how to write CV as a Graphic Designer.

There are a few useful points such as:

"make two different resumes, one traditional and one creative. Then you pick the style of resume you think is appropriate for each job you apply to."

"I have interviewed many to. I ended up deciding, after 8 horrible mismatched years at two companies that I would make the resume that matches my style and if it was a problem I didn’t want to work there."

5 Top Tips

1. Make it catchy not kitschy

You're trying to show your work to its best advantage, so don't distract from it with too many bells and whistles. While it can be a good idea to differentiate yourself from your competition with a clever layout, don't lose sight of your portfolio's purpose: to display the work you've done. Don't divert attention away from it.

2. Variety is the spice of your graphic design portfolio

It's hard to be objective about your own work. Find someone whose design judgment you trust and get their feedback. Sometimes a brutally honest critique can be the best thing that happens to you.

3. Get an expert opinion

It's hard to be objective about your own work. Find someone whose design judgment you trust and get their feedback. Sometimes a brutally honest critique can be the best thing that happens to you.

4. Simplify

Just because it was your favorite project ever, doesn't mean it should be in your portfolio. Hang it on your wall or frame it for your mom. If it's not your strongest work, keep it out of your portfolio. Learning to look at your work critically is essential for a graphic designer. Your portfolio should reflect both your ability to produce high quality design and your ability to discern what qualifies as high quality design.

5. Put it online

This is, after all, the 21st century. Why not make it easy for prospective employers and clients to view your work? While an online portfolio won't replace your hard copy, it's a convenient way to get your work out there for people to see.

From allartsschools.com

Yr 1 Portfolio

I am uploading my year 1 portfolio so I can discuss it with my PPD tutors.

/

End of Module Evaluation - OUGD201

Develop and evaluate a range of appropriate source material gathered through a breadth of appropriate research methods.

It is Important when undertaking a long brief such as ‘What is good…?’ to continuously evaluate what you are researching, developing and experimenting. In the first couple of weeks of the brief I came up against some key stages where I seriously had to consider the implications of where my project was going. My research into rock climbing trousers and magazine spreads was producing some good image treatments, but the concept was weak. In order to keep things on track I had to make bold decision whether to scrap the idea or find a way to make it work. From previous experience and guidance from tutors I knew that it was always better not to force a bad idea to be good. So I immediately started again, which consequently led me to a much better concept.

The new concept was light hearted and fun, therefore my research methods should reflect this to make the project work as a whole. I still used questionnaires, surveys, design sheets, books, magazines and the Internet. But the idea was always to keep an underlying tone of fun. I feel that everything I researched for the second concept was relevant and selected well. In the first part of the brief, looking back, it is clear to see that much of the research was almost irrelevant. It was a little harder at the stage because the concepts were constantly changing, but still it didn’t really seem to fit together.

Investigation and experimentation into appropriate production media, processes and technologies.

I wanted to use at least two new methods of print for this brief. I had not decided prior to it what they would be but the list was not very long. Foil blocking, embossing or spot varnishing. However if they did not fit the concept I would have not used them. I decided rather than designing everything and then simply selecting a couple of the methods, I would test each of them to see what results they could achieve.

I used my logo design to try out foil blocking. So I booked in a time for the print room and tried out three different foils, black white and gold; each on a variety of substrates. The results were good but inconsistent. The combinations of white on white and black on black looked professional and had the minimal and simple look I wanted to achieve. However because of the inconsistencies of the prints I was deterred away from this process. So I spent the next few days testing spot varnishing and embossing. These processes were much more reliable and controllable. The spot varnish did not quite have the same tactile effect that foil blocking can achieve, but I would rather that than a failed print. The embossing was beautiful, with just a 1mm proud emboss.

With the two main production methods figured out I was keen to use a printer for something. So I designed an insert for the product, which would have tailored type for the target demographic. I also designed some stickers that would indicate who the specific target market was for that particular product. These would have to be printed onto vinyl, was also new to me.

I was aware that there were a lot of processes going into a single product. Taking that into consideration I noted that if the product were to be batch produced on an industrial scale, the vinyl stickers could just as well be printed onto the product in NET form; this would save on stock costs. Also for the binding material on the packaging I had to use buckram, as it was the only available material that produced the finish I needed. Again if the product were to be batch produced, brown craft board would be perfect. It was actually my chosen material for the product, but no matter how hard I tried I could not find any. The insert for the product would be printed using offset lithography, as it can achieve high quality prints at not much cost. The reason for taking cost into consideration is that my product would not sell for a large price, due to its gimmicky nature. The company ‘POKIT’ that would produce them would need to keep costs as low as possible to turn over as much profit as possible. However this can be said for any company.

Breadth and quality of practical skills, ideas and design development.

My idea development and application of skills has been much more natural this module. Previously I have struggled to combine my ideas with realistic and plausible outcomes. My design sheets in particular have been much more rewarding. They seriously helped me consider and progress quickly through difficult stages of the design process. I also feel I had been able to evaluate more critically and therefore been able to clearly identify good ideas over bad ones. This is evident at several stages throughout the brief. In the beginning, with deciding to start over with a whole new concept; choosing a reliable print method over a more risky one and refining my concept so it was not overly ambitious.

Other than design and development skills I should mention my time management. A long as I can remember it has been my near downfall, but toward the end of last year I turned a corner and finished well on time and got my highest grade yet. I feel that I have used my time very well. Even though I had to start over at the end of the second week I managed to finish everything with a couple of days to space. My product was finished, photographed and edited onto presentation boards a week in advance, which gave my time to think about my evaluation.

Documentation, organisation and presentation of your work for this module.

My organisation was much the same as the end of last year also. Everything I looked at was either documented in Doc. Format or printed out and filed into one of three research folders. This made it easy for me to relate back to work and keep track of ideas and development. The whole project was tied together by orange stickers, which relate directly to my final product; a simple after thought, but it is visual and it works. The presentation of the work in its simplicity and minimalism also reflects back to the ideas behind the product. The coloured sticker on the product is the only colour that is seen on the exterior of the packaging. So all The design boards also have the same sticker on them. The same typeface was used throughout the whole brief, (Eurostyle) a fun font, but also very nice. It is fairly neutral and also implies simplicity. It can be see on the product, on the sticker, the insert, in the PDF and the presentation boards, always in a shade of grey so as not to be too bold.

Success of your final products in relation to the briefs.

I feel as though my final resolution was very successful. It promotes the product , which is baggy trousers in a good light. It is clear that they are meant to be fun but also functional. The website I mocked up has a relaxed and conversational tone of voice which would relate the target audiences. It also explains why the product exists very simply and does not force the audience to buy.

It has a general feel of applicability to the wide range of demographics that it may be aimed at, at the same time as having some clear audience identification with the icon. The sticker in the top left adds some flare and gives the product some character; and it is characters that I have aimed the product at. By characters I mean, specific cliché target audiences like builders, solders or hippies. My only regret is that I was not able to find some amazing hippie trousers to put inside the packaging for submission. I think that would have been a lot of fun.

5 things to do differently next time:

1. It is not easy sometimes to see when an idea is turning bad. This happened to me in the first couple of weeks as I have mentioned; but in the future I am going to critically evaluate even more to make sure I do not waste time on bad concepts.

2. I chose to include certain printing methods in this brief partially as a learning experience and also because I just wanted to give it a shot. This was part of the brief as it was about print methods and processes. So from now on the work will definitely determine the processes, not the other way around.

3. Although everything went well, I feel as though sometimes I relied on other people to remind me what was going on. Nothing serious but I think it comes down to not reading the brief thoroughly, regularly. I tend to read it twice at the start then not look at it again for a couple of weeks. Like I said it all went fine, but it could have gone wrong if I had miss-read it.

4. My blog as always was pushed aside in the mad rush of experimenting and developing ideas. It is hard though, because so much happens in the last couple of weeks that there isn’t much time to blog it all. Being selective is the key of course, but when you are working in college from 9 - 7.30 most days blogging is a bit of chore. So taking the other points into consideration, developing ideas more directly and critically evaluating the work more may give me more time to blog. Just an hour is enough to upload the necessary photos, scans and images.

5. That other brief…

I need to get out of the mentality that there is one main brief and ‘that other thing I have to do.’ It all counts. I am not saying it was a panicked rush to finish in time because that would be a lie. In fact I finished well in advance, but that mentality was till there. It seems silly really because the 16 page publication was briefed to us before the ‘What is Good’ brief, yet I did actually start the spreads until 12 days before hand in. So, basically, not to think about the two briefs as un-equal.