Before starting this module, my web skills were very minimal. I had never fully coded a website before and I was not aware of the vast majority of web terminology. I usually pick up on new things quite quickly, however, I admittedly found it quite difficult to both listen to instructions whilst applying this to my own website. As I began to learn simple code, things became a lot clearer, and I am extremely glad that I blogged all of the workshops as I was able to refer back to this when needed. Once I had the basic skills and knowledge of web, I was able to apply these to my own designs after putting together scamps and looking at quite detailed measurements. From using what I had picked up on, I managed to include linking pages, rollover images and text within my websites. Once I had this basic knowledge, it almost seemed a lot easier to work my way around Dreamweaver, and I found myself including fixed headers and even looking at z-index.
In addition to this, as this module was all about print processes, I took this as an opportunity to have a go at some processes that I hadn't managed to do yet. I didn't want to try and force processes into my projects for the sake of doing them, so I made sure that everything was relevant and reflective of my content. Foiling was one of the processes I was most surprised about. It was very time efficient and the results were extremely fascinating despite how little time it took to do it. The foiling really added an extra dimension to my ISTD brief, and made my publication covers very distinct.
I also had a go at some screen printing onto textiles, so that I could build up a range of products. Not only were the results extremely satisfying, but I also found that the tote bags I produced were appropriate to my audience of fashion enthusiasts.
What approaches to/methods of design production have you developed and how have they informed your design development process?
During all of my briefs, I found that talking to my peers allowed for faster idea generation as we were able to bounce possible ideas and solutions off of each other. When I was particularly stuck during where to begin for design for print, talking to a peer really helped me and spurred me onto into creating a possible grid, which then became the basis of my entire layout.
During all of my briefs, I found that talking to my peers allowed for faster idea generation as we were able to bounce possible ideas and solutions off of each other. When I was particularly stuck during where to begin for design for print, talking to a peer really helped me and spurred me onto into creating a possible grid, which then became the basis of my entire layout.
Looking at past feedback, and considering the opinions of my peers was also an extremely helpful way of informing my development process. It gave me the opportunity to go back and re-consider what it was that I could improve on. The best way to find out was to look at previous comments given to me about my work. I was able to find feedback about a particular brief and work on it through the use of design sheets.
As well as this, putting together design direction boards were beneficial, where you could display your ideas, concepts and responses in a clear and suitable form.
What strengths can you identify in your work and how have/will you capitalise on these?
I believe that throughout, one of my main strengths has been my illustrative work. From this, I have enjoyed focusing my work more, and looking at different ways of using colour and line within it. During crits, my peers recognised my illustrations as a strength, describing them as a main focal point to my work. As well as this, during the ISTD brief, I was able to expand on my illustrations and mix them with digital image. As I wasn't fully comfortable working with just digital, I found a way of making the two come together, which was extremely successful.
In addition to this, I feel that one of my strengths is researching and knowing a lot about my subject areas. When I am comfortable with the chosen subject, I am able to make my content appropriate to my audience and make sure I know what it is I should be doing in order for it to appeal.
What weaknesses can you identify in your work and how will you address these in the future?
I still feel that my development process and idea generation isn't up to scratch just yet. I find that all my ideas just stick in my head, and I can't get them down on paper. I need to make sure that I get everything down on a page before I start working, and that I continue to produce a large ranging amount of layouts and practices. By doing this, I will be able to get the best out of a brief, and I will know the direction I should be going in beforehand. I found it particularly difficult during design for print to come up with an appropriate layout. Sometimes working digitally and then working something out on paper helps, however I need to stop making a habit of this. Once I had my grid, however, everything just came to me. In future, I will make sure that all ideas are written down, and I will try not to worry about whether or not it looks 'good'.
Although I wouldn't say it is a weakness as such, I feel I still need to push my print processes. Whilst I did explore a few processes, I should have done this much sooner as I really enjoyed the whole experience and was very impressed with the results. I need to get over my confidence issues and understand that there are people there to help with my ideas.
Although I wouldn't say it is a weakness as such, I feel I still need to push my print processes. Whilst I did explore a few processes, I should have done this much sooner as I really enjoyed the whole experience and was very impressed with the results. I need to get over my confidence issues and understand that there are people there to help with my ideas.
Identify five things that you will do differently next time and what do you expect to change from doing these?
1. Make sure I experiment with more print processes, and sooner within the brief. By doing this, my work will develop further and I will be able to get a range of different results. I love hands on processes so this should be an ideal situation for me.
2. Make sure my idea generation and design development is down on paper. This way, I have a visual of what I need to be doing, and how it is going to look. The best ideas come when you try and get them all out of your head.
3. Make sure I blog as I go along. I'm quite bad when it comes to seeing something and just sticking it on my blog with the hope that I will go back to it and write about it at a later date. If I do this, I am bound to forget why I have put it there, and it will leave me with a lot of work towards the end of the module. By blogging as I go along, everything is done and I can be much more organised.
4. Making sure I spend the right amount of time on each brief. I felt that some got more attention than others, but I feel that this was mainly down to my lack of experience with web at the beginning. Design for web had to be revisited towards the end when I was much more aware of different elements. Although this worked out ok, I just need to make sure I don't fall behind by leaving things hanging.
5. I feel I possibly should have done some more first hand research when it came to me ISTD brief. Although I spoke to my housemates, who are fashion students, I failed to put together any form of survey or questionnaire which may have benefited my practical work. Next time, I will cover all research possibilities so that everything is as informed as possible.
How would you grade yourself in the following areas (5 - excellent to 1 - poor):
- Attendance: 4
- Punctuality: 5
- Motivation: 3
- Commitment: 4
- Quantity of work: 3
- Quality of work: 3
- Commitment to the group: 4
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