Crit 1

27/10/14

First Crit of the Year

For this first crit, I had a mock of my brief that I had being working on. 

Which is a newspaper publication, for the printing I had had to scale down the size to be able to print it out double-sided in college digital print. 

I had mixed feelings about my work before I printed it. I think that in printing it I felt a lot more positive, I felt that it looked good, and the blue worked really well, it was a strong colour, and I could see how it worked and flowed. I was also happy with the front cover. 

For the crit we decided as a group that we would give each other ten minutes to present and get feedback. I was happy that I was prepared for the crit, and I could see that I'd got enough to show. 

Comments

• That the info graphics should connect and they shouldn't be on to sides where the paper can separate in the centre of the publication, (as they are loose sheets) 
• But then others said that this was fine and they aligned when the paper was put together and I didn't need to worry about it, however it was suggested that (for the spread involving the info graphic of the carbon footprint) I create a fold out piece that would mean there was no separate sheets (however if I am going to send this off to print this won't be possible) 

• Whether the size is already appropriate, a tabloid size rather than a broadsheet as a broadsheet can be daunting (which I understand, but I have to consider that I chose a broadsheet to challenge myself and for the fact a broadsheet is associated with being more academic and a tabloid has connotations of celebrity culture etc.) 
• To consider the size of the publication in terms of its energy used to produce it, and I should look into recycled stock and printing with sustainable ink like vegetable inks. (I understand the recycled paper aspect as that is what I would ideally like to use but sourcing it for a reasonable price is another thing, I've had a brief look so I am going to look into it again, but I feel that the ink would be hard to produce to a good standard and I like the colour of blue I have as well as this I have used opacities which I'm not sure about how it would look if I used vegetable inks. And as for the energy used to reproduce the piece I think that it wouldn't take a lot of energy as it is only 4 sheets of A2 and I have done this purposefully for this reason and the reason of keeping it short and attention capturing. And I have only used two colours plus stock again less energy and ink to print, and so I feel it's quite justified already.) 
• The colour blue is very striking, gives the piece flow and is obvious for 'blue planet' and natural, it also makes the info graphics easy to follow. 
• I could include a pack instead of a fold out (however as stated I am trying to reduce the amount of paper and packaging) 

Reflection of Presentation

Today was our Design Strategy Presentations, I feel that mine went quite well, in comparison to any other presentation I have done like this I think that I was a lot less nervous, and more confident, which I think could be due to the fact we've had experience of these presentations now, and the fact I was confident in what I was talking about in general, I felt like I had the work there and it was evident in what I was saying that I had reflected upon why I had made the decisions for this year, and I think that I conveyed my overall practice well. 

I feel that I covered and answered all the questions, and in doing the presentation I have an overall plan of the year including which studios I want to get in contact with and why. I have a deeper understanding of my personal and professional practice, and I feel quite confident with what I have planned. 

Next time I think that I just need to keep building my confidence with presenting and speaking in front of others, but even though I had notes present with me, I didn't look at them and because of this I think it would be beneficial for me to practice my presentation, at least once or twice, instead of just knowing an overall idea of what I want to say for each slide. 

PPP3 Design Strategy Presentation

My design strategy presentation, outline my personal objectives in my personal, professional and practice, for the following final year.

I think that this presentation, (visually) is the best that I have produced since I began the course, and I feel that my presentation design skills have come along way since even the end of last year. 

Design Strategy Presentation Notes

Presentation Notes

Slide 1: My Statement of intent for the year "I am a graphic designer whose focus is design for print. My main area of print is publishing and editorial, but I also like brand identity and promotion. I like to experiment with different formats and print techniques/finishes." Basically explains my desire to work with design for print, but I am not limited by format or production, I like both digital and screen print, and I feel that my preference lies within publishing and editorial, but I also find identity (+branding) interesting and I tend to create a lot of promotional work, work that supports other pieces. 

Slide 2: What I plan to learn and what I feel that I need to learn, and how I intend to do this...
I feel that it would be inappropriate to try really new techniques, or avenues of design that I never have done just for the sake of trying something new especially when it seems clear to me that I am not interested in that kind of work, for instance app design and UI work. I felt that it would be better to use my time to refine skills related to my field of interest.

To
Refine my traditional printing techniques, such as foiling and screen printing
Learn more ways of/ refine bookbinding skills
Refine packaging skills

Find and use more ethical stocks

By
Doing and using techniques within briefs, throughout development
Talking to screen print technicians and printers
Finding and visiting specialised stock shops, via looking online 

and reading up on technical books in the library

Slide 3: The Briefs

Slide 4: Brief 1; The 1920's Stationary Set
Will allow me to experiment with formats,binding and foiling.
Inspired by the film 'The Great Gatsby"(stemmed from my avid interest in films), and my overall interest in history.
And also inspired by my interest in stationary sets, but the feeling that they are sometimes overly cute not particular to my own tastes.
It will be aimed at young adult- late twenty year old females, that are either students or professional, that feel the need for organisation and note-taking materials. 

Slide 5: Brief 2; Travel Company (Brochure)
Focussing on the wonders of the world (my interest again on travel, culture, and history)
I wanted to create a brochure format and see the conventions of a brochure as I never have done before.
It will give me the opportunity to look into alternative stocks.
I want to aim it at a young adult audience, who don't necessarily have the funds and aren't looking for a luxury experience.

Slide 6: Brief 3; Harry Potter Film Festival
I think the content of this brief will allow me a lot of creative freedom with interesting, innovative formats and printing, I can really try push myself.
(from my interest in film)
A male and female audience, they will probably already be fans in the Harry Potter films, they are probably around 14/15 + due to the more adult content in the last few films. 

Slide7: Brief 4; The Healthier Cake Company
From my interest in food, but another alternative interest in healthier and informed eating, which is also a developing interest in the majority, especially with the ever increasing obesity problem. 
Predominately female audience, probably 18+ with a real interest in health. 
I will be focussing on the use of stock and colour (in particular the use of neon screen printing) (from my interest in neon colours) (and I have never used neon)
I will also be enabled to look over my package design and crafting skills.

Slide 8: Brief 5; Alternative Minds Publication
Derived from my desire to explore content more scientific.
Stemmed from an interest in fantasy/sci-fi (e.g. Fringe a tv-series)
Again like the Harry Potter film festival the content will allow more creative freedom, I was thinking of exploring light reactive inks etc.

Slide 9: Brief 6; Calendar Brief
Looking to complete over the New Year, about the New Year
From my interest in other culture, looking into and at the Chinese Zodiac
Also a calendar again is a format I haven't looked into as of yet and I wanted to try it.

Slide 10: Brief 7; Origami Exhibition
A brief where I would look into origami artists, who do amazing paper craft, and collate these into a proposed exhibition.
I would be able to explore stock and format, and actual materials to produce that relate to an exhibition.

Slide 11: Brief 8; WWF Annual Report Re-Design (design for print)
From the recently published Living Planet Report 2014
My interest in animals and conservation
Never had a report to work with, a lot of quantitive data to layout which I have never had the opportunity to work with, 
I was also going to look into a broadsheet format
I feel that the online report is a huge amount of information in big chunks of text which would be easier to read on print and in a more interesting layout, I also feel that the content is important to all of us

Slide 12: Briefs Overview
A review of how all my briefs will help me develop, and how they relate to my manifesto.
Outcomes reflect my personal manifesto, my interest in print and my main interest in publishing and editorial.
My production methods will help me learn and refine print skills.
I will be able to experiment with stocks and formats.
I have learnt throughout the course and through my briefs that my preferred target audience are young adults (16+) and adults, both genders. 

My briefs content and production also reflect my personal interest in design responsibility, the focus of my context of practice piece.

Slide 13: Collaboration
I plan to do the year book, I think that this brief is highly appropriate for me, and through my development in my other briefs I will be able to provide some interesting ideas.
I also plan to do a collaboration with Lizzy Gosney, we both like travel and other cultures different to our own, I also feel that she has a different aesthetic to me and we have slightly different graphical intentions but still both focus on print.

Slide 14: Context of Practice 3 Introduction
"I have interest in Social and Cultural issues, as well as Environmental"
Is the statement that I think will help everyone understand where my CoP piece is coming from.

Slide 15: What I've looking into 

Responsibility within Graphic Design- is the overall theme 
and then sub-topics I have already looked into...
"Social/Cultural (Mainly) 
Environmental
Looking at_
The Role of the Designer
The Role of Big Business and Consumerism, Altruism or Exploitation ?
Significant Designers in design responsibility

Moral and Ethical Issues"

Slide 16: Current Research
The three mentioned books have been my main sources of information, I think they are perhaps essential to my research
I have also looked into other sources online such as articles published on AIGA
I've also emailed relevant studios, although I have received 2/11 responses back.
And currently giving everyone questionnaires, as they are questions aimed at the thoughts of the general majority.

"Related books and essays:
(Do Good: How Design Can Change the World, David B. Berman)
(Looking Closer 4: Critical Writings in Graphic Design, Micheal Bierut, William Drenttel and Steven Heller)
(Citizen Designer: Perspectives on Design Responsibility, Steven Heller and Veronique Vienne)
Related Internet Sources 
Emailed questions to appropriate studios

Questionnaires about business and critical causes"

Slide 17: The Practical Piece
I did intend before the summer to create a blood drive event or organ donation awareness campaign I do feel that this is an example of work considered to be responsible and 'good' but from further researching over the summer I think that my practical might be more aimed at the questions I have been looking into. 

Slide 18: PPP
I am really looking forward to re-branding myself, I feel last years was rushed and my design interests and aesthetics aren't reflected appropriately, or to my taste. 

Slide 19: Studios I've looked into contacting
I've mentioned three on the slide but there are more but I feel these are my favourite ones that are realistic to reach, and I actually like, and feel are alike to me. 

Slide 20: B&W
Although the website isn't up properly at the minute, I searched their name and found some examples of the work they have created, in particular one piece featured on various sights, the St Georges Crypt report, which I feel has a strong social interest, a desire to help, it also has an interesting concept and I personally like the visual aesthetics of the piece, photography and type. As well as this its print. And seems to be a print based studio.

Slide 21: Passport

On the site they claim 'to be influenced by certain destinations and international design culture' I feel that this inspires me too and this interests me in them, I like that they explore different with different stocks and print finishes. I especially like the Garth Edwards Portfolio.

Slide 22: Design Project
Again are a print based studio
They seem to explore different print formats which I am interested in and they seem to experiment with stock.


I think that in these notes I have tried to show that everything I am trying to do and achieve this year is relative, I think that I have achieved well-rounded objectives, and I think its clear where they have come from.