1. What skills have you developed through this module and how effectively do you think you have applied them?
Throughout this module, I have pushed my creativity further than any other previous brief. During the design for print initial idea process, I was adamant that I wanted to push myself into new process areas, exploring techniques I was less confident with. The result of this has been great! Over the course of this module, I have begun to understand the basics of flocking, foiling, screen-printing and laser-cutting in this one project alone. In addition, I have surprised myself by completing a four-page website in Dreamweaver. After no previous experience in Dreamweaver, and only being given three Web Design Sessions with Simon, I was convinced I would stand no chance of understanding code. Although I was not pleased with the final outcome of my website (aesthetically), I was pleased that I was able to prove to myself I was capable of mastering the basics of coding, linking and managing a website. This is a skill I would like to improve, as it would be a large bonus for self-promotion and broadening my design capabilities.
2. What approaches to/methods of design production have you developed and how have they informed your design development process?
I have taken a much more hands-on approach throughout this module. I have developed skills within InDesign, Illustrator and Dreamweaver. I am still reasonably new to all of these programmes, but I have tried to push myself to overcome new design challenges, such as designing my print publication without seeking help from others. This has really helped me to understand the fundamentals of each programme. Although at times I was unsure how to resolve certain problems, I tried to remain patient and figure out the most logical and reasonable solution. From tackling these briefs as independently as possible, I now feel less inclined to depend on others. This definitely helps to save time and speed up my design development process.
3. What strengths can you identify in your work and how have/will you capitalise on these?
I am beginning to take a lot more pride in my own work. Whereas before, I would usually feel shy or reluctant to present my work to other people, I currently feel more inclined to share my ideas and development. Any form of response towards my work, whether it is positive or negative is usually constructive and I have been really pleased with most of my recent feedback. The confidence in my ideas has definitely started to have a noticeable effect on my work. I have become more organised, although I still need to improve my time management.
4. What weaknesses can you identify in your work and how will you address these in the future?
Due to poor planning, I was not able to produce as many outcomes as I would have liked for the 'Design for Print and Web' brief. I wanted to print and produce a lot more physical outcomes such as napkins, order pads, name badges and posters. However, as I did not allow enough time for these, I was only able to create menus and invitations to an opening night. As I was aware of this from halfway through my development, I decided to focus my attention on producing the menus and invitations to their best potential as opposed to rushing the production of everything else to a standard I was not pleased with. Another reason for running out of time on Brief 3 was dedicating the majority of my time to Brief 1 (Design for Print). On the plus side, I was really pleased with that outcome. My print publication was probably my favourite outcome of the three and received a lot of positive feedback from my peers.
5. Identify five things that you will do differently next time and what do you expect to gain from doing these?
1. Manage my time more carefully to produce an even balance of successful outcomes.
2. Seek more advice from my peers to better justify my design decisions.
3. Develop my ideas more concisely through design boards, thumbnails and mockups.
4. Speak to people outside of the course to get a broader range of feedback.
5. Generally work at a faster pace.
6.How would you grade yourself on the following areas:
5= excellent, 4 = very good, 3 = good, 2 = average, 1 = poor
Attendance
5
Punctuality
4
Motivation
3
Commitment
4
Quantity of work produced
3
Quality of work produced
3
Contribution to the group
3
.jpg)
