Progress Evaluation
Week One 19/09/11
After being briefed on the module, it was clear to me that I'd misunderstood this being a print module for this to mean using print processes such as screen printing which we had learnt about last year. I had had ideas about up cycling old objects into new things through screen print, but now I understand what this module is about, I understand there is much more to learn and that I can really think bigger and more creatively with my ideas. As things like budget and scale are not a worry here, as I could mock-up a huge design, I want to eventually create something bigger and better than before. Commercial printing is not something I feel I know anything about yet, so I've taken books out of the library and started to read through these; I've found the print production manual the most useful. I'm glad I'm using initiative and learning things myself rather than struggling as I might have done last year.
Week Two 26/09/11
Crits and feedback from tutors and peers have given me a lot to think about, really helping me to define my audience and think of different print formats I can use. It has made me realise how important is to continually show others my work. Thinking back, I realise how my work suffered last year in the longer briefs from keeping my ideas to myself rather than showing them and asking for constructive criticism. I feel like I have learnt so much already about commercial printing, from the software workshop, Lorenzo's seminar and what I have read. However, I think I need to spend more time researching effective examples of design for print, and make sure they are relevant and can reflect back in to my work, as this is something I struggled with last year that I want to improve on.
Week Three 3/10/11
I've put a lot of thought in to what my good is after Fred's workshop. The tasks are now starting to pile up, as I have enterprise, PPD and critical studies to think about as well the workshops and design context tasks. I've found this week difficult as I've had so much to do, with the 150 logos to draw, so I need to concentrate on working on my time management, to make sure I'm getting the tasks done for when they are due in to save me from getting behind. Although it feels like very hard work, I'm aware of how much I have learnt, and know this knowledge of print will make me a better designer.
Week Four 10/10/11
The 150 logo task has proved very useful, not just to give me a starting point for creating a logo which could be used for my final product, but also to improve my hand drawing skills, which over summer haven't been used much at all, and my ability to think of new ideas quickly. As well as this, when I finally finished all 150 logos, I felt so proud of myself, as it didn't feel like something I could achieve. Although the feedback I received in the crit about my logo didn't seem to useful to me, after asking tutors and peers their opinions, I know now what I need to do to improve this logo, for use on the next workshop task, of creating packaging. A problem I did occur this week was panicking when I tried to create my logo as a vector on illustrator, as it has been such a long time since I have used illustrator, and I am not an expert in it at all. However, after asking others for help, and playing about with it, I now have a better idea of how to use it.
Week Five - 17/10/11
I found the packaging task fun, as it was the first time in a while I've got to just play around designing. I know my designs were no where near finished, as I was so busy with all the other tasks, so I would have liked some more constructive feedback in my crit to help my improve it when I have time. I will work on the things that have been mentioned though, and will hopefully develop my designs at some point when I have time.
This week I have been able to catch up on all the tasks we have been set, so I now feel a lot less stressed, and more pleased with my progress. Looking back over what I have learnt over this half of the module, I am very impressed, and realise how important the fast paced nature of this course is. The visit to the printers was so useful to see everything I have learnt in a real working business. It also gave me other things to think about, especially the importance of stock choices. After writing out my concept and explaining it so many times for our different crits, I'm now completely certain on my idea, and just want to put all I have learnt in to use. Its reassuring to be so confident with my concept, as last year, unresolved concept ideas, such as with my collection 100 brief, really slowed down the progress of my work.
Week Six - Reading Week 24/10/11
This week I've mainly been concentrating on finishing my print production manual. I've enjoyed this task, as I get to creatively show off my new found knowledge of print. As well as helping me to remember all the new things I have learnt about print, it has also refreshed my indesign skills and allowed me to learn new things. I've also been thinking of new ideas for my 'Good is...', based on the feedback I received in my crit, but I feel I could do with more feedback on my designs before I commit to an idea. This week I have also had my tutorial, which has made me feel confident about my progress, and brought forward a few things I can try to improve on the matters I said I needed to work on.
Week Seven - 31/10/11
I was happy with how my crit went this week, where I got confirmation from Lorenzo that my concept was a good one. I was also given some more ideas to think about. I'm not feeling as motivated this week with my work, which is worrying as the deadline draws nearer. This week I've been experimenting with different folds and shapes for the different formats I will be designing on, and now I just want to start designing the final product. The main thing that was stopping me was my lack of software skills, so I've started doing some tutorials every day to help me learn new things and in turn gain confidence. Im still finding it difficult to juggle everything that needs to be done, with PPD and enterprise sessions, as well as critical studies to work on, where ideally I would like to focus all my attention on this task.
Week Eight - 7/11/11
With another crit this week, I've felt a lot more motivated with my project, and a lot happier with my progress. I received some helpful comments which spurred on more ideas. I still don't know as a designer if I'll ever be happy with a piece of work, but things are definitely improving. At the beginning of this year, I wouldn't have been able to produce something like the print manual I have created, but now I feel confident using indesign and illustrator, and I feel like I know a lot about commercial printing. I don't think my designs for this project are as strong as they could be, but I know my concept is a good one. I have a lot of work to do but have done a lot this week so I can finally see everything being finished.
Week Nine - 14/11/11
I've done a lot of work this week and am quite happy with the quality of my printed information book. It was surprising how different the colours were on the print outs from different printers, also compared to how the design looked on different screens. This point just proved everything I have learnt so far in the module, about how important all the points I have made in my print manual are. I didn't manage to digitally print all of my products, as I wasn't completed happy with them at the stage. I think over the weekend I will work on them, and then propose them how I want them to look. I am starting to think that I should have covered less formats so I could have spent more time perfecting the design of just a few products, as I am not completely happy with the design. However, I know I have learnt a lot in this module to help me be a better graphic designer and that is the most important thing, as I can take on everything I have learnt into the next modules.
Module hand in - 22/11/11
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