1. What skills have you developed through this module and how effectively do you think you have applied them?
Through my induction and also through my own experimentation, I have learnt to use Illustrator. Before, I did not understand how Illustrator could be a useful tool and instead always hand drew my images or used Photo shop. I think I have effectively applied my new skills, as they were used not only in the Illustrator brief, but both of the No News is Good News briefs which I created after my Illustrator inductions. Through the group work I also learnt more about Photo shop through my peers.
I have now developed typography skills through this module. In my previous education I had not been taught about typography, so I have found this fascinating as well as extremely useful and have tried to apply what I have learnt about typography in all my briefs. I learnt about the rules of letter forms, but found it quite difficult to apply these when creating my own typeface by hand, and as a result, some letters were out of proportion.
Through this module I have developed visual communication skills. At first I found this difficult, such as with the visual thinking brief, where there is a good idea behind my work but it is not obvious to the viewer. But I believe I have improved these skills, especially after my research for What is Graphic Design, and I think this can be shown through my Alphabet Soup typeface, which I believe is understandable by itself.
2. What approaches to/methods of research have you developed and how have they informed your design development process?
I have used the Internet, books from the college library as well as relevant existing examples of Graphic Design that I have collected for research. They have informed my design process by showing me what works well, but also in some cases bad examples show me what not to do, such as colours which don't work together. As well as this, research is useful for me to know my competition, so I don't create something which is identical to something which has already been made. Research has been the starting point for each brief, especially important for the mail shot brief, as I had never created a mail shot before, or experimented with unique foldings, so research helped me to understand what a mail shot is and how useful it can be.
I haven't done much primary research, but to improve in further modules I think this important.
3. What strengths can you identify in your work and how have/will you capitalise on these?
I am quite critical of my own work and so find it difficult to identify strengths. One strength that stands out in my work is that I am always continuing to develop it after receiving feedback. I regularly discussed my work with tutors to ensure improvements could be made.
Another strength is that I believe I have always created work that is relevant for the target audience. I have always listed considerations such as target audience before planning a piece, and I believe this is how I have capitalised on making my work relevant.
4. What weaknesses can you identify in your work and how will you address these more fully?
Although I am creating many design ideas at the start by hand, I tend to stick with one idea from the start, and not attempt to create the others.
Colour is something which I felt I didn't understand well previously, so a lot of the colour I have used seems to be quite irrelevant, more to make a piece look attractive than having a purpose.
I don't think I have focused on presentation as much as I should have, I would address this weakness by using relevant stock and being more careful with folds and cutting in future.
5. Identify five things that you will do differently next time and what do you expect to gain from doing these?
Next time I will try different ideas instead of just rushing in with my first idea. Making mock ups of an idea and developing it may lead me to a better quality piece of design.
I will think about stock, experimenting with different stock which may make my pieces stand out, such as the use of stickers. I will try unusual sizes and shapes as well instead of choosing the safe option so that my pieces are unique.
I will evaluate my work as I go instead of just reflecting at the end of a brief, as I feel evaluating has been a really useful process with I never previously used. This reflection will hopefully help me to stop making mistakes and realise what is working well.
Now that I am beginning to understand colour, I will be more careful about picking colours with relevance, rather than just choosing colours I think look good. I think this will help to share my message through visual communication.
I will spend more time considering layout. Some of my designs didn't work too well because of their layout. I will try both horizontal and vertical orientation, and consider how folds can effect a layout. By doing this I can choose a layout which makes the most sense and therefore make my work easier to understand and so more effective.
6. How would you grade yourself on the following areas
(5= excellent 4=very good 3=good 2=average 1=poor)
Attendance = 4
Punctuality = 5
Motivation = 3
Commitment = 4
Quantity of work produced = 3
Quality of work produced = 3
Contribution to the group = 3
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