Saturday 26 November 2011

OUGD403 Module Evaluation


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

I have developed lots of thinking skills with this module. The way the briefs go about has been completely alien to me where as before I was give a brief where I had to design a poster or some packaging and everything was handed to you on a plate. The briefs we have been given with the help of the randomiser has made everyone in the class individuals because we all have the same brief but completely different problems. I feel that this made me step out of my comfort zone because I only had me to count on when it came to thinking about ideas and how those ideas could work. I have learnt a few new Adobe Illustrator skills that I have applied to my work as well as new knowledge of colour theory and alphabet design. Overall I think I have applied them quite effectively because I am here to learn and I want to get better and better so the briefs have pushed me.

2. What approaches to/ methods of idea generation have you developed and how have they informed your design development process?

I have developed a few new idea generating methods ranging from working on large scale design sheets to sketchbooks. The quick doodle tasks were a good exercise too because it made you think on your feet and the ideas had to come out fast and thin, this may have meant that I got a few rubbish ideas but at least it counted them out. The group of people I sit with are very good to work with too because we all discuss the briefs that have been set and we help each other out and give peer feedback. I have also done a lot of online research and blogging to help generate ideas and directions to my work. To inform my design development process I have scanned a lot of design sheets on to the computer and I have uploaded them on to my blog. I have also taken screen shots of my designs as they develop in time, I then blog them onto my blog and annotate and write notes to myself on how I got to a certain stage. I think its important that you keep a record of your development because sometimes ideas that you are working on may not work with the brief you are working on however they may come useful in the near future.

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

The strengths I can identify in my work is the design process behind them and the way they have been crafted due to my experience and knowledge of the software. I feel that I can experiment more freely because I have studied the Adobe software before and I am glad that I dont have many set backs when trying to design something that I want to look professional. I will capitalise these strengths by drawing up some more design sheets to add to my design process as well as learn some new skills in Illustrator by looking at Computer Arts magazine etc. Another strength to add to this is that I like to discuss my work and play around with new ideas. I am very interested in current issues and I feel that I have taken an interest in information graphics recently. I also know how to put my design into context and I love to think about how my target audience will interact with what I have designed. 

4.What weaknesses can you identify in your work and how will you address them in the future?

The weaknesses I can see is that I go through stages where I draw very little. I think I should sometimes stop leaping on to the computer and sit back and think about what I am trying to achieve. The reason why I think I do this is because the deadlines are always very short and despite getting used to that idea I still find myself rushing into ideas sometimes.

I feel that I dont use the Libary resources enough and maybe rely heavily on the internet for information and inspiration. This again comes back to me rushing some of my ideas, and I feel that I dont have the time to look through books in the libary where as the internet is a touch of a button. This sometimes makes me take for granted my research and I dont always read or consider articles properly because it was easy to gain access to. I think if I stay an hour after college and look in the libary then I may look into things in more detail because it takes effort to look. This will be good for me because I may stumble across other findings.

5. Identify five things you will do differently next time and what you expect to gain from doing these?

1. Blog more design context and use different resources ranging from the internet to the libary.

2. Stay behind some evenings instead of rushing home, this gives me extra time to research and design in an environment with no distractions.

3. Draw more! I need to do more design sheets.

4. Type up lecture notes. I have a fantastic lecture and I come out buzzing but I never have the motivation to type them up. I need these notes as reference points and its good to scroll through your blog and see what you have learnt.

5. Develop more software skills.


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


Wednesday 23 November 2011

I had a lazer induction the other day and I want to make a stamp!





Beautiful Custom Stationary stamps, perfect for invites, programs, save the dates and favors. From Rock My Wedding




Eco business cards

Fischer Portugal recently had the challenge of designing an ecological business card for an environmental consultant, Andrea Romani. Business cards are usually made of paper. But using paper, even recycled, is not good for the environment. To avoid this issue, the advertising agency decided not to print any cards at all. Instead they created a rubber stamp to turn re-usable material into business cards.





These are my self designed, self produced business cards to promote my profile as a freelance designer/illustrator. Drawing much inspiration from European matchbox designs, I really like old 1950s style print and advertising, for its bold use of colour and simplified design. Combined with some retro typefaces, I came up with this rugged design for a business card. Made into two rubber stamps by a local stamp company, they are now easy to reproduce at home on demand, but also capture some of that roughed up and unpredictable print texture reminiscent of screen and lithography prints.


Great use of a custom rubber stamp by Motherbird











Tuesday 22 November 2011

Crit feedback




Sunday 20 November 2011

Personal Illustrations

I want to get back into doing more personal work because I feel it makes you more diverse and helps you practise your skills. I want to make some prints or stickers so I have drawn up some sugar skull vectors. I am quite pleased with what I have done!


Wednesday 2 November 2011

Colour theory 1/ Colour Wheel of Objects Research

A cute little video that is about learning and trying new things