OUGD103 Evaluation

BA (Hons.) GRAPHIC DESIGN		LEVEL	04
Module Code	OUGD103
Module Title	A DESIGNER’S VOICE

END OF MODULE SELF-EVALUATION

NAME

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What skills have you developed through this module and how effectively do you think you have applied them? On the whole I am fairly good at planning my time however I have thought in a more structured manor about time management on this module.  I have been reasonably successful.  I am just disappointed I got so swept away with the After Effects that I let the What is brief slip.  Learning After Effects has been a revelation.  I am keen to extend this over the summer through tutorials.  I understand we do this in the second year however I have found with Illustrator and Indesign that it has been a massive learning curve just to catch up with the younger people on the course.  I am pleased with the final moving image piece particularly as I only started using this on the 10th of May! I have thoroughly enjoyed the screen-printing workshops at Vernon Street and at Blenheim Walk.  I am growing in confidence using the facilities and look forward to using them next year.  The outcomes for Do Day were effective and fit for purpose
What approaches to/methods of research have you developed and how have they informed your design development process? For all the briefs in this module I have performed some form of primary research.  The Speaking from experience design development changed as a direct result of the survey I did of year 1,2 and 3 students.  This really focussed my secondary research on ‘comfort zones’, which fed directly into the final outcome. Using online tutorials and also Mike has really informed the software I used to produce the final outcome for Speaking from experience. I was going to use Final Cut or learn Flash however Mike said After Effects was the tool of choice with typographic moving images.  Much easier than producing 700 frames! I have also done extensive research on various approaches to Typographic moving images which gave me some ideas about the possibilities and moving from frame to frame The Indesign and type and grid were definitely made stronger when I started looking at other editorial layouts and the Design basics Grid book helped with terminology and rules.
What strengths can you identify in your work and how have/will you capitalise on these? When I get a good idea I really run with it and pour my energy into it.  This is great to keep the momentum of a brief going.  I will continue to carry out the high level of varied research I carry out for each brief.  This definitely strengthens outcomes and also can lead you down surprising paths.
What weaknesses can you identify in your work and how will you address these more fully? I feel uncomfortable with my level of ability to do thumbnails and come up with innovative layouts.  This is definitely an area I need to keep researching and practise to gain confidence in. I also feel the type layout say on the Moving image or in the hot dog fold book comes secondary to the content.  This again is something I need to keep looking at other peoples work, reading about and practising.
Identify five things that you will do differently next time and what do you expect to gain from doing these? ·       Not get side tracked doing competition briefs when college work is to be done. ·       Think of different approaches to group work when people are not pulling their weight, may avoid tension later in the brief ·       Think through apparent opportunities more carefully.  Although it was good to do the Do Day it was a lot of effort for little return on the day.  Focussing on this meant I got behind with other briefs. ·        Know when to stop with an outcome.  I spent too long perfecting the outcome from speaking from experience which meant I put off the ‘what if ‘brief.  More balance across briefs
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.

Indesign - Final design for Chris Lawson

I am pleased with the final layout in Indesign.  Researching innovative editorial definitely strengthened the outcome.  As did he crits we had with Lorenzo. In preparation for the type and grid work with Lorenzo I also read through Design basics Grids which helped with terminology.  This is a new skill to me and I know I have a lot to learn. Practise, practise, practise!

Speaking from experience - Final outcome and evaluation

The final outcome is the USB lanyard with the laminates and a copy of the MP4 saved on the USB stick.  I have also made a hotdog fold book which could be used to promote the link on Vimeo.

Step out of your Comfort zone from Lisa Whitaker on Vimeo.

Evaluation


First of all I am thrilled that I have mastered After Effects so quickly. Reviewing how much I have learnt in just two weeks as really surprised me. This has really given me the impetus to improve my illustrator skills because I can see how powerful the two tools are together.


One aspect I am happy about is that I am stepping out of my own comfort zone to promote the message which feels appropriate.  


The final piece is built on the primary research from students which proves how important this is.  The research actually changed my direction from Ego to comfort zones and I think it is more appealing to students because of this.


I am also pleased that I have been able to used Indesign to do the layouts for the hotdog books.  The first time I used this was for the Indesign workshop and I am growing in confidence with this now.


Before I went to the Final Crit Mike actually had a look at my Moving Image and his face was a picture.  He almost could not believe I had done it!  after his positive response I actually did not mind about the Final Crit.  As it happened this was fairly positive and useful in terms of further actions.


Given the time I am pleased with the final result however I know I have a long way to go thinking about the actual layout of the type in the Moving image and on the laminates.  I am still working quite intuitively at the moment.

Communication is a virus -revised Concept, Content and method of delivery

Final crit -Speaking from experience

At the final crit we were put in pairs and had the opportunity to informally discuss our work with each other .  Joe was my partner.  I though Joe's website was really strong and had a professional edge, although a little 'corporate' looking and lacking in personality.
In pairs we then went on to crit another pairs work using a form as detailed below.  We crited Chris and Sarah's work.  I liked the personality that Chris gets across on his work from his notes to his final outcome. By using quotes and personal experiences he managed to inject humour and a down to  earth  tone.


The volume of Sarah's work was awesome.  I liked the 'because' statements on each piece and the simplity of the white with black type.  the only negatives we could come up with was perhaps she was lacking in primary research and also the pack itself maybe slightly intimidating and feel 'too much' as we get so much in the first couple of weeks.


Emily and Ben carried out my feedback and overall the feedback was positive although I don't think they picked up from my design context that I had done some primary research.  It certainly has made me think how I can improve or extend the concept.

Speaking from experience - progress crit

The feedback was with Jo and a small group which were Sarah P, Sophie, Franke, Kirsty F.  At this stage I only had my storyboard and the early development on After Effects ( I had only been using three days).


Initially Sarah suggested as she had not understood the 'comfort zone' message that I could maybe represent the comfort zone as a box.  Jo said she thought the circles were representative of zones and on reflection the 'think outside the box' is a different message to mine of stepping out of your comfort zone.  Jo also recommended I needed to decide whether to keep the symbolism or go literally with 'ballon with strings'.  She also said there was too much white space and suggested maybe using a background colour.  I immediately liked the suggestion of starting with the 'comfort' bars.  Also was really useful to really think about how the story would begin and end.  I think as I was just learning After Effects I had focused on the 'meat' of the story and not thought it through enough. 


Following the crit I felt more focussed and was able to direct me After Effects learning to the outcome I wanted to my Moving Image ie I looked for a special effect to reflect the 'magic' This translated itself to finding the 3d effects.  I liked the idea that the 'comfort zone' is in 2d and the design magic is in 3d.

Speaking from experience - Progress Crit

We delivered our  2 minute presentations Amber, Jo and ten members of the group.  really cross with myself as I out really nervous again.  The feedback was positive.  Jo felt I should try to stay open minded about the outcome at this stage (although I reminded them we only had two weeks left!) The group liked the song choice. 


General feedback was to trying to focus on Graphic designers and first years. Also ensure you develop your concept if it is too general.


Sophie received praise for finding what is currently refreshing and original. 

I suggested Kirsty make a Graphic Design specific Club crawl focussing on the days you can go out rather than a general map.


It was interesting to see that everybody had come up with something unique to them.  Also I thought my boards were boring compared to other people in the group.  I liked the fact Luke had hand done all his.  Also Beth had put some interesting images and relevant patterns.