Sunday, 5 May 2019

OUGD603 - Module Evaluation

Overall, I felt the module as a whole went well, in terms of all of my deadlines were met with concise precision, and no extensions were needed in terms of final deadline.
I believe the positives of this module is that I have successfully learned to manage my time effectively, preparing me for industry in the way that I will be handling multiple briefs running at the same time a different light in different deadlines and therefore need to be able to prioritise to ensure that every part of the briefest met to the correct specification.
This module is also help me learn to work with industry professionals I have not had the experience to work with before, such as specialised printers within briefs where unusual outcomes were needed to be produced such as a van wrap. This allowed me to investigate into different communication methods and also show me the importance of communication throughout each aspect of the design process, in terms of with the people who are producing the final outcome. Intensive communication I've also learnt the way in which communication should be handled with a client, this inspired by both my brace and industry engagement where I have experienced and engaged with client management techniques. By showing a client too much too early it lacks the ability for them to understand the development stages, therefore I have processed techniques to be able to present development stages to someone who doesn't understand design in simple terms; enabling them to understand my process as a whole.
Throughout the process the briefs I initially proposed at completing changed drastically, some of the brief side confirmed with clients and therefore were carried ahead, whereas others were changed out for briefs that was more appropriate as and when new opportunities arose. For example, as I got more into looking at branding as a designer and opportunity came up to it brand both an external event, and also look at personal branding for a surface print designer. Both of which are very different to the initial brace proposed which were swapped out these, although through doing so it allowed me to explore two new aspects of branding in which is highly influenced my practice as my aspirations for the future.
Aspects of this module such as studio engagement and competitions have allowed me to get my name out into the industry. Collaboration was key within multiple briefs which I completed, which allowed me to work with specialists such as animators and photographers in capacities is that I have not worked with before. Therefore, allowing me to broaden my horizons and take into new considerations when producing outcomes, the way in which something could be brought together through the benefit of collaboration.

Although I do believe this module has shown me the way in which handling 10 briefs alongside two other modules, can be challenging due to the considerations that need to be taken into account. Challenges can be found in terms of being able to meet collaboration deadlines, and therefore having to make changes in priorities around other brace which also may require your attention. This was combated within my submission by completing nine briefs instead of 10, allowing me to have more time to focus on creating polished and finished outcomes for the nine completed briefs rather than rushing and not meeting the brief to its full potential. I also believe there's been a sense of miscommunication between some aspects of the module itself, for example being at the end of second year to find work experience over summer, which I did in order to avoid having to take time out of this extremely busy period of my university career. Once it has been completed and I returned to university I was then told this did not count as it was not in the second term of the University time, yet when this was questioned due to struggles with time management we were told that we should have done over summer completely contradicting had previous information. Although I do believe this really pushed me to learn to work efficiently in order to balance the number of presales completing and also complete a satisfactory amount of industry engagement.
I also believe that challenges were met with this brief in terms of lack of access to facilities within the University building, due to new regulations printing is only available two weeks before the actual slot you wish to book, this lot cannot be booked unless you inform the print room of what exactly will be printed. Due to the fact that some collaborations don't allow the time to be able to have the final outcome finalised, due to waiting on aspects from other collaborators, it makes it difficult to be able to work to this timescale and therefore some production aspects need to be taken externally. Not only does this incur a higher cost towards the module as a whole, but also can incur complications with printing, which in the turnaround time cannot be redone due to the limitations.
It was evident to me within this module as well due to the number of briefs that were being completed and the way in which we have been taught to approach each brief, the amount of theoretical writing needed to be up to justify design was hard to handle. The way in which we've been taught to approach design with a large amount of theoretical basis I also believe takes away from the creative process, this is something that was highlighted to me during my engagement to industry where both studios noted to myself that I was over explaining creative decisions rather than moving forward in a creative manner. Once again I think this could been combated by being notified of the fact that 10 briefs actually were not necessary, as we were told at the beginning of the brief, allowing me more time on briefs to be able to extend my creative practice rather than worrying about whether or not it would affect another.
Overall it went back and redid the module I would stick tight at a time plans, with the knowledge that 10 briefs were not needed from the beginning, rather a smaller amount of higher quality briefs which was not made evident until nearer towards the time of submission, when majority of the briefs had already began.


Overarchingly I am pleased with this mission and the standard of all of the outcomes of which I have created, I believe each of them have met the brief and any complications which they met along the way have been dealt with in a professional manner. Therefore, helping me develop as a designer and a professional ready to be able to enter the industry at a level of confidence and belief in the skill sets that I have developed over my time not only with this module but also my time as a whole completing studio practice development. I believe that my statement of intent has been met in terms of allowing me to explore a multitude of branding techniques within a live brief environment. I was also able to explore new specialisms within design itself through the use of collaborations such as animation, allowing me to gain an understanding of where my strengths lie in the way in which I can use them to be able to give myself the best opportunity present my work within the best light. Through the use of industry experience and also the studio briefs completed it is influenced my decision to move away from agency work as a designer, I feel as if my design is more suited within a commercial setting. This is due to the fact that the briefs I completed, the ones I more enjoyed creating an engaged with on a deeper level with those setting the style as if they were presented to me on a commercial basis from a client, due to the creative exploration that I can have within the needs of a brief.

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OUGD603 - Statement of Intent

I am a graphic designer with a great interest into branding and visual identity, using a mix of modern and traditional styles in a sophisti...