module evaluation

1. What skills have you developed through this module and how effectively do you think you have applied them?

This module has allowed me to focus on the areas I am most interested in within graphic design. Therefore the skills I have developed and evolved will be key to my future work and focus for 3rd year.
I believe the skills I have utilised and grown include drawing, screen-printing, layout design, my computer skills and how I record my thought processes and development. I had an understanding of all these elements, however I now feel much more comfortable with them and have a greater knowledge of each. Screen-printing has become a real interest to me, and on future projects I would like to experiment with more than one colour as I believe the results can be better than when printed. The layout design came into play when I was re-arranging the Wagamama menu information. I had to grid it up so each side was the same as the previous one.
However, overall I believe my biggest improvement and skill was the recording of my thoughts, trials and development. This is best reflected in my Wagamama brief. I now realise how important it is to show how I came to my final outcome. I will definitely record my thoughts more in the future as I think it allowed me to analyse and evaluate my work and progress more.

2. What strengths can you identify in your work and how have/will you capitalise on these?

Overall I am pleased with this module. However, as always there are areas I could developed more. I believe my strengths for this module include, the back-up work, organisation, commitment and determination. I realise these last 3 ‘strengths’ are not directly work base, but I feel that without these qualities I would have struggled with the last 5 weeks.
My organisation led to me being on top of everything by the final week and gave me time to focus on each brief. I also became more organised in my life; more time efficient at home, whether it was cooking or allowing myself time to see my housemates.
I really enjoyed this module and am pleased with some of the results and I think this fed directly into my commitment. I realised from an early stage that if I wanted to be successful I had to work hardly than the first term, and I learnt this could be achieved by arriving at college early and not leaving until I had finished that day’s to-do list. Yes my social time with my housemates was cut down, however I have the whole of summer to catch-up with them. The last ‘strength’, deermination, came from realising that a good grade and portfolio is what I want to get out of this course.

3. What weaknesses can you identify in your work and how have/will you capitalise on these?

My main weakness is not taking risks. I seem to develop existing skills instead of acquiring new one. This is not a bad thing, however, as I mention in the next question, if I do not experiment now, when will I?
I also found it quite hard to juggle 3 briefs at one go. I definitely became better at this towards the end of the module and I believe I will be better equipped in the future to deal with multiple briefs. However, I did prefer working on one brief per day. (You can see my timetable on this blog)

4. Identity 4 things that you will do differently next time and what do you expect to gain from doing these?

1. I know recognise that working in the college environment is more beneficial to my development as a designer. Therefore, in the future I will work from the studio and computer rooms more. I started to do this at the end of this module and really noticed the quality and quantity step up a level.
2. I will use lists a lot more for the next module as I found this a very effective way of keeping track of what I had to do. For the last week of this module I had a different list each day and I found I was much more efficient.
3. Be more adventurous. I realise that this year and the next is about focusing on the key areas of graphic design I will use in the future, however I still believe I should experiment and try new things (if I do not do it now I never will).
4. Alex, Sara and I had an impromptu crit with John one day and we all found this very useful. It was at a point where we all needed other people’s opinions on our work and it was beneficial to hear other people’s views. Therefore, in the future I will make more of the people around me.

5. Please rate yourself on the following areas.
5=excellent, 4=very good, 3=good, 2=average, 1=poor.

Attendance = 5
Punctuality = 5
Motivation = 4
Commitment = 4
Quantity of work produced = 4
Quality of work produced = 3
Contribution to the group = 4

length of time on each brief...

Wagamama's = 4 weeks
Sainsbury's = 3 weeks
Lastminute.com = 1 week

new timetable

New, updated timetable. Having doing some initial research into each brief and deciding what direction I want to take it in I have made some changes to the timetable. Below, is the new version I am going to be working to.

existing submissions for the YCN wagamama brief....

existing submissions for the YCN sainsbury's brief....

For some initial research I am looking at existing YCN submissions for the Sainsbury's brief. There are a number of strong pieces in this post and it has definitely helped me think about what direction I want to go in. 

Simple slogan, easy to understand and true. A very stylized way of drawing, which works for Sainsbury's I think. I also think the colour palette is a success and could work well on bags. 
An interesting and fun design. Think the limited colour palette (just using shades or same tone) works really well at linking the piece together and making it more 'Sainsbury's-like'. Am unsure on the illustrations however, as I am unsure which category he is fulfilling. But is light-hearted and fun. 
This design is made out of old batteries. Works well and once you realise how it is created you are drawn in even more. A very strong piece, and definitely answers the brief. My only question is whether or not it is in keeping with the rest of Sainsburys' brand? 
Unique and fun. I have seen other bag designs where the bag handle has been used, but those designs used other bags, instead of watering cans and buckets! 

Think these simple designs, are fresh, interesting and fit the brief really well. The faded, pastel palette works well at linking in with the organic feel and is definitely one of the best pieces I have seen. 

From looking at this pieces I have realised that I want to combine type and image together. Perhaps more image led, but definitely need to link the type in well and I feel a slogan is needed. I also think a more limited palette works better. 

other YCN submissions for lastminute.com

For some initial research I wanted to look at work other people had submitted for this brief. 

A gorilla style advertising campaign, focusing on getting the logo and brand colour out there. Effective and eye-catching, will definitely make more people aware of the brand.  

I do not think this is the final piece from what I have read on her blog, however, you still understand the concept and the general feel of the piece. I think the hand drawn aspect of this poster works well, and is very striking. However, I think this concept could have been pushed further. Perhaps by making a large scale drawings on card, that could stand in different situations and fit in with the local surroundings. 


Another hand drawn example. Really like the slogan, and believe this is backed up by the imagery. Lots of famous, striking buildings all together, as one place. Strong work, and my favourite is the second one down. 

I understand the concept - fly away with lastminute.com. However, I do not think this piece is the strongest out of the other examples I have found. It does fit with the brands style and is simple and effective. But, for me, it is not very adventurous and exciting. It is not something that sticks in your memory, you will forget it. 

Do not fully understand this advert. Perhaps, that you can get from a to b quickly/easily? I do not really know if I am honest. Think the single colour worlds well at drawing your attention to the line. 

A unique and different approach to spreading the word about lastminute.com. Would be memorable, bold and would definitely catch the eye of the local papers - therefore the story would reach even more people. 

From looking at these examples, I have a few clearer ideas in my mind that I intend to push and develop. I definitely know I want something unique, creative and different. I also know I do not want to limit myself to paper-based work. Make it more interactive and exciting. 

initial, detailed timetable

Rationale for lastminute.com....

Background

Lastminute.com wants to “turn the whole world pink”. Basically, they want to make the whole world understand their brand proposition and what they do. Lastminute.com regard themselves as a company that “exists to help people make the most of their free time with new, creative and unexpected ideas for every single day”.

 

Concept & Proposition

I want to encourage and introduce more people to lastminute.com, therefore I have decided to use a promotional pack as my tool of reaching people. I will look at lastminute.com’s target audience and decide which segments I need to get. I want to produce a range of work that will be suitable for providing individuals with information, and motivate them to visit the website. As a result I intend to distribute the literature and visuals in a mailshot type promotion. This mailshot will have a slight twist as I intend to disguise it as a sunglass’s case, and inside along with the reading material will be a pair of rose-tinted glasses, which will along you to see only the good parts of the world.

 

The main element of this brief is educating people about the brand and persuading them to visit the website. Therefore, we need to come up with strong design solutions that can be implemented across arrange of formats and media.

 

Considerations

The brief has dictated our target audience of “adventurous, wealthy urbanites”.  The tone of voice is SAM (savvy, adventurous and matey).

The lasminute.com pink os 100% magenta.

 

Deliverables

College – Deadline 29^th May 2009

• 3-5 A2 boards demonstrating the research, development and resolution of the brief

• Additional support work must also be submitted

• All individual blog addresses must be provided

Rationale for Sainsbury's....

Background

Sainsbury’s is looking for a piece of design or illustration for a limited edition range of Sainsbury’s reusable shopping bags. The artwork must be based on one of three key themes that are central to Sainsbury’s business. The themes include, ‘show respect for our environment’, ‘be the best for food and health’ and, the one I am going to focus on ‘source with integrity’.

 

Concept & Proposition

I want to promote the work Sainsbury’s does to source excellent food. I want to make the customers more aware of where their food has come from and what kind of supplier was involved. Therefore, as well as the bag designs, I intend to produce recipe cards which use these ‘sourced foods’. Develop a point-of-sale for these bags, which will have leaflets on the specific topic and introduce the customer to how much sourcing and work Sainsbury’s do. Obviously this work will be within the stores, I may also look at re-packaging some of the key produce that Sainsbury’s has sourced.

 

From reading the brief I have found that the implementation of our work is going to be the main element of education. Therefore, I need to come up with strong design solutions that can be implemented across arrange of formats and media that allow for easy interpretation.

 

Considerations

The brief has dictated our target audience is every single Sainsbury’s customer. Therefore, my designs need to work to a large age range as well as males and females.

 

Deliverables

College – Deadline 29^th May 2009

*      Bag dimensions are 390mm high and 450mm wide.

*      No colour limitations

*      3-5 A2 boards demonstrating the research, development and resolution of the brief?

*      Additional support work must also be submitted

*      All individual blog addresses must be provided

Rationale for Wagamama....

Background

Wagamama is a branded chain of Asian inspired noodle restaurants, with 51 sites in the UK. They are looking for design material that will promote ‘eat out’ sales to wagamama customers in the hope of increasing their revenue.

 

Concept & Proposition

I want to encourage more people to use the ‘eat out’ service provided by Wagamama. I intend to do this by communicating with the customers whilst they are in and around the restaurant. I feel that taking advantage of the advertising opportunities that are readily available in and around the restaurant is the best way to reach the target audience. I want to produce a range of work that would be suitable for inside the restaurant environment. I believe a piece of literature that would fit within the existing menus, an extra slip if you like, would work well. Also, a mini booklet about the food and service, this could be located in the central table stand. As well as,a extra piece of literature when your bill comes, so that the customer could read this whilst waiting to pay. Posters are also a key element to this campaign. From looking at this brief I have decided that my work is going to be the main element of persuasion, therefore I need to come up with a strong design solution that could be implemented across a range of formats and media. I believe this design solution will take the form on typography.

 

Considerations

The brief has dictated the target audience can be split into two segments, those who may be walking past the restaurant at lunchtime or on their way or when working late. These people are picking up a take-away with the intention of eating it at a desk, in the park, or at home. They are called ‘grab ‘n’ go’, the other segment are the ‘Saturday night in’ people, who may not want to cook dinner, therefore order a take-away for delivery or collection.

 

Deliverables

College – Deadline Tuesday 29^th May

• 3-5 A2 boards demonstrating the research, development and resolution of the brief?

• Additional support work must also be submitted

• All individual blog addresses must be provided

welcome!

My latest blog is for my Design Practice Module, Part 2. 

We have to select 3 briefs and work with them until the deadline of 29th May 2009. Each brief can vary in time and the 3 I have selected are:

1. Wagamama

2. Sainsbury's

3. Lastminute.com

Wish me luck!

Thought process over Easter....