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.