What skills have you developed through this module and how effectively do you think you have applied them?
Finding a key skill that I have found is hard for me to say. Considering I had to make many icons and illustrations for my What Is Good book I have been able to get on illustrator much more and I need all the practise I can get in that field considering it is a program I have only been using since late last year in First Year. I am beginning to get to grips with the laser cutting machine which is very useful also, I still need a few more goes on that however but it's nice to know I am learning. The main skill, and this might seen odd, but it's looking for typos in my work. I can't say you won't find one because the chances are you will but at least it's at the top of mind when I finish any deign. This is always a problem with my work because it will most probably always have typos in it. Asking somebody to look is always tricky because they are usually working hard and don't have the time to look through a whole publication on what camping is good! However, I took it in my hands to scan my publication very thoroughly for mistakes, and spotted many which I corrected.
What approaches to methods of design production have you developed and how have they informed your design development process?
Considering What Is Good was split into 2 different sections, I feel I had a lot of time to think about design development. The first research publication we had to make was really useful in giving me a good idea of what I wanted to run with. Other techniques consisted of looking online for deign that inspired me to go out and design. Nothing fills you with more confidence after seeing a design you love the look of and want to replicate. Of course when ever I get any sort of feedback from peers in a group crit this always enhances my way of thinking and will always improve a design I am working on. This is the best way of getting a design developed to a high standard; considering we are at a stage of our practice where a professional standard of work is expected, peers are being very honest with what they think. We no longer lie and say theres nothing wrong with it to avoid offending someone, we say what we think because they will know all we are trying to do is help.
What strengths can you identify in your work and how have/will you capitalise on these?
I suppose during this brief I, for the first time, decided to think of different ways to execute my work. For example with my wooden cover that, annoying, didn't work in the end. I am keen and interested to learn new techniques of producing work. Before I very much wanted to stay in my comfort zone as this was the best way to get work done quickly. I will in the future go out to seek new and more interesting ways of developing work. It's these different ways of developing work that will get me more marks but more importantly will give me more experience.
What weaknesses can you identify in your work and how will you address these in the future?
Time management has been a massive weakness in this module as well as a whole load of other things.
This module has been the first module I have not got on with very well. I blame this on the COP module which I was very much bogged down by. Before I knew it I had this module on my hands and it all became rushed. For example, my wooden cover, I didn't book laser cutting sessions so I had to keep on visiting to so if it was free which lost me time and then in the end it didn't work and I never got to user my wooden cover, which can I say was a massive disappointment as that was the heart of my book.
Again, you will notice that my exhibition poster is A3 instead of the recommended size of A2. I didn't think ahead and book print downstairs, I could have queued outside and eventually printed but with everything else on my plate I decided it risky. I should have produced more products, if I had more time I would defiantly make more. Unfortunately, I am not happy with this module and I fear the worst will come and I will get a grade I am not satisfied with. All I can say is I have learnt a hell of a lot. I am grateful it happened before 3rd year began however.
Identify five things that you will do differently next time and what do you expect to gain from doing these?
- MANAGE MY TIME. This will be the main thing I do next time. Make frequent to do lists so I know what is happening all the time.
- Be ready for crits, its most embarrassing not having the work to show.
- Make much more products. Make more design sheets and discover what products are possible.
- Show my work to my peers more often, this way I will get a better final product.
- Book laser cut and print slots in advance. Especially this time of the year as it is crazy in digital print. It is so important to get a final piece that looks professionally printed.
Out of FIVE
Attendance : 5
Punctuality : 3
Motivation : 3
Commitment : 4
Quality of Work Produced : 3
Quantity of Work Produced : 3
Contribution to the Group : 5
