INDESIGN - Photoshoot thumbnails

My first idea is to create a photobooth esque selection of photos where Matt shoulders and head are the subject in shot, for him to produce a range of facial expressions, the funnier the better. Using his hands to cover his face, to reveal a new expression everytime his hands are lowered.

Another idea was to take image whilst conducting an interview capturing expressions, hand gestures, and to have friends join in to get upto some antics whether it be a dog pile or what not, to try and attempt to add humour.

My idea came from this image I found, A variety of black and white images, each different in expressions. I want to attempt to mimic something like this.

THE TO DO BOOK SAYS ... - Saturday 30th April

Starting a new way of working, blogging my lists written with my 'to do list' book, to then comment on whether or not I've completed the tasks and to what extent.


SPEAKING FROM EXPERIENCE BRIEF:
- Produce Design Sheets
- Update the context blog with inspiration for it


INDESIGN BRIEF:
- Contact Matt, asking interview Questions
- Produce thumbnails of photoshoot I intend to conduct


Look at the module brief, remember to experiment, reflect and evaluate.

RESEARCH - A Freshers way to uni

Sticking to the plan of conducting research in regard to finding out what route people within my class took within freshers. I intend on giving a few people maps in which they can highlight the route they take.


Posted on an online forum:


Research!

How long did it take you as a fresher to find the quickest route to uni?

Is the route quite complex or easy?

Did you plan a route, for instance look at a map before making your way to your first day on uni?

What is the route you take now? - From which halls, which road, landmarks to you take/pass along the way?




Answers:


Charlie: I took the first day i was just wondering around and it happened to be the right way

.....

Here I took a screen shot from google maps, this is to be printed and given to students within my class, in which I am going to ask them to highlight the route they currently take to university. On of the maps is from Liberty park, the other from Royal Park flats, As I have come to understand the majority of students live in these two halls. From this research I will gain an understanding of the most popular routes; I will be able to conduct a route in which to place my 'markers' for freshers to take.

When I received an appointment letter for a session of physio I received a map in order to find the physio centre, the place of which I needed to go was highlighted for me. Showing this sort of idea is already used.

.....

Here I have printed several of each map out and highlighted the university and the halls on each one. I will give these out asking students to highlight the route they currently take to university.

IN DESIGN - Getting to know you, getting to know all about you...

When I first interviewed Matt I simply took took little nicks of information, leaving me with lots of little bits of info about him. I have since decided I want my magazine to present an interview like structure, meaning I either have to conduct another interview with him, or to turn the information gathered into paragraphs. I decided to do both.


Here I have applied question and answer formatting to the information gathered:




So Matt, firstly, how do you like your brew?
"Just not tea, coffee all the way, frothy, 2 sugars, but if it's coffee, it's gotta be brown sugar!"


Frothy Coffee it is then. So what is it? Matt? Matthew? 
"Matthew Stephen Frank Sia Chattfield, you can call me Matt."


A little bit of a mouthful there. We've heard you a brumz born lad...
"Yeah I guess I am, but I moved to Lancaster so it's not too bad really! And obviously now live in Leeds so all is well."


I suppose we can forgive you then...miss much of Lancaster life?
"Well me mums lasagna really is the dogs bollocks, so yeah, I miss that."


I see you have your priorities right! 
"Well yeah, I miss people too! But I can't get enough of that cheesy pasta deliciousness."


Moving on from lasagna, whats makes the perfect night?
"If it's a night in, it's a case of monging out, sour skittles in one hand, Cobra beer in the other with a serious sesh of COD with the guys. If it's a night out, a prelash, bit of Lupe Fiasco - I began to jot, tap the world and listen, it drop,.. then on out to either a Mint Tuesday or Hospitality.


Lovely voice there... So what did you do before attending University?
"I did A levels; Graphics, art, media and psychology, got quite good grades, did a foundation...failed that so yeah.."


Oh dear, but now you doing a Graphic Design degree so it didn't go too badly for you!
" Yeah it's good, really glad I managed to get a place, I really enjoy the work. I really like this graphic design group called 123Klan, Their French, it's like graffiti work."




Within this interview I have had to give Matt a voice, which I don't feel is to accurate. I feel I will need to have a face to face conservation in order for that to be achievable really. I'll be sure to get onto that though!

Conducting some research using an online forum:

1. - How long do you spend shopping?

2. - Do you tend to just visit the one store or look around for better deals?

3. - Did you find the adaption of luxury branded foods back home to cheap basics here hard? Do you notice the saving?

Sophie Wilson: 

'I tend to try and get the shopping done as quickly as possible! as i tend to buy food which is on deals, im often quite lucky for getting great quality food and luxury brands often as cheap as economy brands (BOGOF offers and the like :])...plus, it keeps my diet varied!'

Luke Obrien:

'I spent like almost 30 mins every day in mozzas, i only go to mozzas cuz its close and im lazy and yess its awful i miss helmans and heinz and tescos finest!'

Kirsty Cave:

'i still buy branded food thats why im always skint lol juice and freezer food il get some morrisons own make....but when i shop i buy everything thats on special offer x'

Kirsty Alderson:

'i still buy branded food thats why im always skint lol juice and freezer food il get some morrisons own make....but when i shop i buy everything thats on special offer x'

Sarah Pritchard:

'i still buy branded food thats why im always skint lol juice and freezer food il get some morrisons own make....but when i shop i buy everything thats on special offer x'

Lisa Whitasker:

'Since starting Uni David and I take it in turns going to supermarket every other week. Probs two hours to shop then unload all stuff (family of 4!). I decided to try Aldi other week to save money most things ok but kids didnt like the crisps! I like shopping at Sainsburys and its one area I really need to start cutting back.Still buy brands especially Yorkshire tea, Coffee, washing powder and lurpak butter.x'

.....

This research was conducted to find out whether it was a financial problem, not being able to go from luxsurys brands to basics. From this research I have found that shopping is seen as a chore, many of the people asked want to get their shopping done as quickly as possible thus don't shop around for deals.

Some people buy both basic and branded items, some dependant on how 'skint' they are. I found a mature student (The lovely Lisa), does shop arround and spends over 2 hours shopping, she buys basics but has small, high branded as a treat, which I feel is a good way to go about it. I will take this into consideration when producing my stop motion - that to save shopping from becoming a chore, allowing yourself a treat every now and again is worthwhile.

SPEAKING FROM EXPERIENCE - Thinking 3d structural landmark

As my dad lives in Newcastle, and I used to live in Leicester, it used to take several hours in a car to visit him. As a child I would relate landmarks with time, for instance, when we got to scotch corner services, it was an hour longer to his house, from the angel of the north, it was about half an hour. These sort of connections are used by all of us. Theme parks tend to do this to, but by informing us of how much longer a queue will take to get on a ride.

I wanted to produce a similar product in approaching my brief, but rather than a structural building or statue, a constructed 3dimentional product which students would use to follow as a guide to the quickest route to university. A constructed 'landmark' which can be followed, and even used as a guide for time.

With this idea I have to take many considerations to hand. For instance:
-  What information will this 3d product hold, if any?
- What shape / design will make it relevant to students?
- How can I make it so it can be sturdy and stay in place for a few days before a vandal destroys it?
- Can the shape / design be something everyone can relate to as being a 'guide' or 'pinpoint' to follow?

I feel a bit of research is in order...

SPEAKING FROM EXPERIENCE - A new brief, with plenty of idea's

From the workshop I gained a lot of idea's and thoughts about my approach to the brief. After highlighting a few words on the brief itself:

- Entertaining
- Humour
- Consideration of media

I felt I could take a humorous approach to the problem related question of : 'How does shopping around save you money?'. In that I have been wanting to produce a stop motion for some time now, I could use this media as it's new to me, and I feel learning how to produce it will give me a further range of what I can work in. Before the workshop, I had this idea to produce a typography collage, making words from packaging of high a low brands of items. This in an attempt to persuade students that making that transition saves you a lot of money in the long run. The stop motion will be a series of sentences, which relate to informing students this; an idea given to me within the workshop by Sam was to make the items used to make the type, relevant to students and humorous. For instance condoms, toilet roll etc.

Another idea I came up with was to be 3dimentional in relation to the problem related question of: 'Whats the quickest route to university?'. This will be visually engaging in informing students on the quickest routes. I would produce 3d structures which represent icons and points found on websites and other such medias which students are familiar with, and place them along the route. For instance the google icon used to pin point a place, I would make a 3d structure and place on a place in which you pass en route. A good point which was made is the workshop was to think of signage - how I could manipulate it (without offence) to help freshers along the way.

The plan of action.

1st week:

- I intend on as finding as much inspiration as possible, packing up my context blog. I'll look through the library, the Internet, keep an eye out for notices and signs which also aid people in finding there way to a particular place, which is already out in the environment.

- Do primary research; finding out what luxuries people have had to make the transition from, how long they take to do their shopping, and whether they shop around at all. Ask how long it took people, as a fresher, to figure out the quickest route.

- Take the information I have gathered, research further into products mentioned (price) and produce phrases and information which I could use within the stop motion.
- Start asking students what their route is to uni, giving them a map to highlight the way.
- Collect packaging or items of high and basic brands, begin manipulating and experimenting with type. (Think of what typeface to use, if at all?)
- Story board a stop motion, do a small mock up (ask tech guys for help!)


I feel this is as far as I should take it, considering I have two idea's, and need to concentrate on just the one. I feel after doing this research and work I will have a clearer idea of which is stronger.

DESIGN IS ABOUT DOING - EVALUATION

I am really proud of my outcome of this brief, I do feel my final pieces could work a lot better if the opacity was lowered so I could overlap the images to create a montage. I feel my idea was strong, I tried to make it dramatic in colour choice and by adjusting the levels in my photos to have a contrast of dark and light. I really enjoyed working with photography, it gave a whole new look and real element to my designs. My body part were positioned on the body, so the messages within them could be related to a body itself.

My chosen colour palette for the body parts were simple, legible and effective. I really seemed to enjoy and be motivated within this brief, there was so many options I could take with it and felt the need to explore each thoroughly. 

I tried a range of media, working with hand crafting, illustrator, photography and hand drawn to be edited on the computer. I am pretty gutted I didn't hear back from the book producer which set up the competition !

SPEAKING FROM EXPERIENCE - Rationale

My to chosen problems:

My peer feedback:

Written response to 'How do you find the quickest way to university?'

'This idea would be useful...think about signage...on the way to uni for example.'

This proved useful, I was wanting to produce large scale 3d object representing landmarks along the way to university, but attaching such objects to existing signs which are relevant would be a great idea. The pieces could be made 2d or if 3d, made to be really quite flat.

Written response to 'How does shopping around save you money?'

'Its a strong idea in what it is trying to say, however there is a risk that it could become quite heavy and dull - find a way of making it as interesting as possible. For example products that are unusual...but necessary (toilet paper, condoms) etc.'

This is very useful feedback, I did want to make the stop motion humorous but wasn't sure how to approach it. Here Sam subjects using the actual objects in which my typography will be made of, as the humorous element.

DESIGN IS ABOUT DOING - EVALUATION

I am really proud of my outcome of this brief, I do feel my final pieces could work a lot better if the opacity was lowered so I could overlap the images to create a montage. I feel my idea was strong, I tried to make it dramatic in colour choice and by adjusting the levels in my photos to have a contrast of dark and light. I really enjoyed working with photography, it gave a whole new look and real element to my designs. My body part were positioned on the body, so the messages within them could be related to a body itself.

My chosen colour palette for the body parts were simple, legible and effective. I really seemed to enjoy and be motivated within this brief, there was so many options I could take with it and felt the need to explore each thoroughly. 

I tried a range of media, working with hand crafting, illustrator, photography and hand drawn to be edited on the computer. I am pretty gutted I didn't hear back from the book producer which set up the competition !

COMMUNICATION IS A VIRUS - Evaluation

I found this brief quite difficult to get a grasp of. Particularly by working within a group, I felt it took a lot to actually be able to be working along side with the same idea's, we found ourselves working independently for the majority of our work, which I feel let us down in answering the brief. 

I was most surprised with how the designs came along with my group, I did begin to think some of the idea's and designs were not working, and in any sense being motivational but we really came together at the end.

I really experimented with media within this brief, beginning with just pen, to move onto the computer, to then screen print both hand drawn and computer designs. Again exploring the use of materials, creating doilies, magnets and 2:1 scale posters, which were drawn and printed onto coloured card. I really enjoyed doing something different, avoiding the digital dungeon, it certainly gave a range to my work.

I'm gutted I wasn't able to attend the presentation given my the rest of my group, but I looked at some of the feedback and felt I should have pushed with a comment I made. I mentioned that we need to get our products out into the environment, but was overheard due to everyone being ever so busy so I tried myself, put up poster with detachable information. 

I have learnt that time management is KEY when working within a group, we should have worked together more to create consistency within designs. Creating designs which you have all had an input in doing I feel is a better way to go about things. 

SPEAKING FROM EXPERIENCE - Rationale

My to chosen problems:

My peer feedback:

Written response to 'How do you find the quickest way to university?'

'This idea would be useful...think about signage...on the way to uni for example.'

This proved useful, I was wanting to produce large scale 3d object representing landmarks along the way to university, but attaching such objects to existing signs which are relevant would be a great idea. The pieces could be made 2d or if 3d, made to be really quite flat.

Written response to 'How does shopping around save you money?'

'Its a strong idea in what it is trying to say, however there is a risk that it could become quite heavy and dull - find a way of making it as interesting as possible. For example products that are unusual...but necessary (toilet paper, condoms) etc.'

This is very useful feedback, I did want to make the stop motion humorous but wasn't sure how to approach it. Here Sam subjects using the actual objects in which my typography will be made of, as the humorous element.

SPEAKING FROM EXPERIENCE - WORKSHOP

To help us get going with this shiny new brief, we had a visitor run a workshop in which we made a series of list and mind-maps exploring and delving into our idea's.


Previous to the workshop we were asked to come up with:


Problem's I've encountered since I was offered a place:

• Organising a way to get all my belongings up to leeds
• Running out of money
• Finding the quickest route to uni
• Finding my real priorities
• Being able to fit / organise all my stuff into the room and storage provided

Subjects interested in dealing with:

• Tickets, receipts
• Tea
• Currency, weight info-graphics
• Sewings
• Painting
• Architecture
• Records
• Scrapbooking
• 50' fashion
• Lists
• Time
• Collage
• Maps - walking

Things I want to make

• Stop motion
• Series of books
• 3d Handcrafted product
• Instore branding / window display
• Collage
• Typeface

We then mind mapped these, to find outcomes and resolutions to each of the subjects

From this we were to pick two of the problems and state in a form of a question as to start researching and developing from, mine are:

' How does shopping around save you money? '

' How to find the quickest route to university '

EVALUATION - What is a line?

Evaluation for 'What is a line?'

From starting this project I had an idea for my direction but found my focus changing and growing throughout. Starting with trees, and how age is determined by lines within the trunk, I began looking at E.H Shepard and her approach to illustrative designs and producing my own studies in her style first my drawing one of her illustrations from a 'Winnie the Pooh' novel, then by finding an image of a tree and doing the same. I soon felt at a loose end, my line drawings were just that, I didn't particularly relate to my initial idea of lines determining age, but I did enjoy producing the line drawings I did. I felt this could be a new direction, but keeping a main focus on nature and plants within it.

I began taking trimmings from a relatives garden, to set my self up on a table with pencil, pen and paint and producing a range of studies in the style of E.H Shepard, which had my own distinctive style within. I had a vast majority of observation and began to categorise them into shrubs and border plants.

After speaking to a few relative, my grandparents soon enough gave me much information about each of the plants I was drawings, noting these down I soon felt it would be appropriate to really use this information to my advantage, my making my final outcome some kind of educational, informative item.

I drew up a few idea's. initially mocking up a poster, but found the information needed to be individualised to be made useful. I soon came up with the idea of creating playing card designs, and from that simple informative cards. With two sets of cards I felt another gardening element would make my final product that bit more useful. I started drawing gardening equipment, in a different format, giving a range to my designs. I produced very simple line drawings, paired with information about the equipment and how to use it.

With three sets of cards, I felt packaging would benefit the presentation and use of my product; I created a simple, yet sophisticated packaging to hold my cards.

Overall I am quite please with my outcome, although I felt I could have pushed forward and explored the idea of creating playing cards further. My research was most helpful and relevant to what I wanted to achieve. I feel there is defiantly an audience and use for my product. To take this forward, I could produce more species to add to my collection, and perhaps more area's within gardening, perhaps a hide on how to plant and maintain your garden. 

MODULE SUBMISSION FORM - What is a line

MODULE SUBMISSION FORM

Steohanie Lawson

OUGD104

VISUAL LANGUAGE

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: TUESDAY 26^TH APRIL 2011- 1PM

THEMES/SUBJECT & RATIONALE

For my 'What is a line?' project I began by exploring the theme of lines within nature, focusing of how lines depict age within tree's. I felt the ideas of producing line drawings of trees to be a good focus but soon began to district myself in subject matter focusing on plants in general rather than just tree's. I began collecting trimmings of plants and shrubs from a relatives garden of which I started producing many observational studies, finding much inspiration for my style and approach to these through my research; the illustration artist of 'Winnie the Pooh' and 'Wind and the Willows' was a main resource for me. I became comfortable using watercolour paints and pen, using a series of lines to create shape, texture and shadow within my studies.

After doing a series of observational studies I found my direction to be relating to gardens and gardening. I had noted down the species and information about the characterises of plants and shrubs I had drawn, dividing the plants into two area's, shrubs and border plants. I soon decided to create some kind of gardening kit, which would hold a plant identity pack. Feeling this wasn't quite enough to be considered a 'pack' I drew some gardening tools, taking on a different drawing style; simpler line drawings. I also noted down what the equipment was to be used for and how.

From this I had 3 sets of observational drawings, that of common border shrubs, common garden shrubs, and gardening equipment, each with useful information. I decided on creating informative cards to be placed inside a packaging sleeve to create a 'your garden' pack. A basic kit on getting to know and identify elements within your garden.

Blogs up to date: COMPLETE

Work labelled as briefed: COMPLETE

Work submitted in appropriate format: COMPLETE 

Self-Evaluation Completed and posted to blogs as briefed: COMPLETE

I confirm that all work submitted is my own and am aware of the colleges Plagiarism Policy and that all work submitted has been appropriately labelled, formatted and tested.

STUDENT SIGNATURE

Stephanie Lawson

DATE

25/04/11

END OF MODULE SELF EVALUATION - OUGD104 - Visual language

End of Module Self-Evaluation

Stephanie Lawson

OUGD104

VISUAL LANGUAGE

BLOG ADDRESS: www.sl-lawson1013.blogspot.com

1.    What skills have you developed through this module and how effectively do you think you have applied them?

I believe I have really experimented within scale and size within this module, being shown how to produce a hot dog fold book I did find most useful, I was able to develop the design into my own when creating designs for the book fair.

2.    What approaches to/methods of research have you developed and how have they informed your design development process?

Throughout this module I have found myself doing more and more primary research, as It has been the most useful resource to me when producing designs. By going out and actually doing something in direct relation to work really gives me more motivation and drive and a variation to my work. 

3.    What strengths can you identify in your work and how have/will you capitalise on these?

I feel my work has a strong personal and useful element ;each of my products have had a precise and direct audience. I use a range of materials throughout my work, sometimes combining many along with a mixed approach to materials used. It gives a real mix and range to my work.

4.    What weakness can you identify in your work and how will you address these more fully?

I tend to use a lot of hand drawn elements throughout all of my designs, I feel I need to experiment more with media and materials in order to find other approaches in which I enjoy. 

5.    Identify five things you will do differently next time and what do you expect to gain from doing these?

1.   Experiment more with media and materials

2.    Be more abstract and unexpecting in my deliverables

3.    To write and analyse more along the way

4.    Try to stick with my idea, don't step away from it right at the end

5.    Work more digitally

7.    How would you grade yourself on the following areas?

5 - excellent     4- very good    3- good            2 - average       1 - poor

Attendance                                                      5

Punctuality                                                      5

Motivation                                                       3

Commitment                                                   4

Quantity of work produced                             4

Quality of work produced                               4

Contribution to the group                                4