End of module self-evaluation

BA (Hons.) GRAPHIC DESIGN		LEVEL	04
Module Code	OUGD102
Module Title	DESIGN PROCESS

END OF MODULE SELF-EVALUATION

NAME

Lisa Whitaker

BLOG. ADDRESS

l-whitaker1013.blogspot.com/

1.  What skills have you developed through this module and how effectively do you think you have applied them?
A practical skill is learning how to create the Moving image in Quick Player and Final Cut.  The final piece of Barney Bubbles could have been slicker however I think the rough edges lend it a certain charm, which is in keeping with the subject matter.  The workshop with Mike was actually the most useful and easily understood to date in terms of the instructions he gave us about actions and batch processing in Photoshop.  I have been able to use this skill several times since, saving precious time. Thinking how to categorise data and then how to communicate this imaginatively.  The Bubbles poster is both aesthetically pleasing and informative. How to upload video to Vimeo, burn DVD and upload to my Blog.  This is a really practical skill, which I have been able to apply effectively.
2. What approaches to/methods of research have you developed and how have they informed your design development process?
Looking beyond the Internet to research as primary research can inform better outcomes.  By doing online polls I have made an attempt at primary research however given more time I could have registered with more sites.  Also I could have done some live polls in Record shops, which would have given me local data. I also used online forums to ask find out more links with album covers which proved fruitful and provided new lines of enquiry. The problem with research being able to stop.  I eventually had to set myself some rules as the whole album cover/graphic design research mushroomed (in the most interesting of ways!). Both categorising data on spreadsheet and mapping the research visually are useful techniques.  By mapping all the links I realised the data was becoming too complex.
3. What strengths can you identify in your work and how have/will you capitalise on these?
I am naturally analytical because of my accounting background and the first day back after Christmas I had a head start as I had already used a spreadsheet to list and categorise the 100 albums. This same approach helped me develop the Bubble poster. I enjoyed the what if group brief as although the whole team contributed to the project I felt my organisation and Power point skills led to an engaging presentation.  Another strength is tenacity; I keep going until the right ‘idea’ clicks.  This was particularly important with the Album research as I did not chose to go with the first idea but kept developing the research.
4. What weaknesses can you identify in your work and how will you address these more fully?
The finish of my Final outcomes is not perfect in terms of centring images for final print for example (James told me).  Also as I did not know how to use In-design I mocked up my templates in Photoshop, this made making the sleeves harder.  I need to ask for some help from the Technical team next time. I have found it difficult to keep up with blogging and other tasks as the Collection 100 as been so absorbing.  I need to set aside time (as I did in the first module) to keep up with other tasks as I have found it difficult to catch up.
5. Identify five things that you will do differently next time and what do you expect to gain from doing these?
1.    Blog each day, after a task and before starting the research so I keep on top of all the work. 2.    Not cutting corners with software by finding the best technique so the finished result is more effective (and I know how to do next time) 3.    Start research at the library rather than on Google.  I could have saved a lot of time if I had found the Paul Gorman book sooner. 4.    Use more live primary research techniques to make the research and outcome more informed and innovative. 5.    When criting and evaluating work try to put some context to it i.e. form, typeface, colour, audience.  The final crit for collection 100 was really difficult both giving feedback but also the feedback received back did not seem well thought through.
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.