OUGD101 Self Evaluation

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

I have learnt more about the printroom and how to effectively use my time in response to a brief. I have learnt how to develop my ideas better and get a better final piece because of this. I think I applied these best in the "No News Is Good News" brief.

What approaches to/methods of problem solving have you developed and how have they informed your design development process?

I have developed my research methods by using books and internet. Also through crits I have learnt that hearing responses is helpful, but sometimes it is better to go with your gut feeling, but take constructive critism.

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

I think my strength lies in digital design and I enjoy it the most. In future I would like to try and get bette at hand drawn designs but I'm sure I will always resolve to use digital where appropriate.

What weaknesses can you identify in your work and how will you address these more fully?

I need to think of more ideas and develop these to find the best one. Also to think more simply and develop what will deliver a message most effectively.

Identify 5 things that you will do differently next time and what do you exoect to gain from doing these?

1. Generate more initial ideas as the final resolution may be better
2. Think about colour usage as my message will appear clearer if I use appropriate colours.
3. Make more effort in group work and not get so frustrated, we may produce something better with more co-operation.
4. Research more thoroughly, who, what, why and how?
5. Never use a pencil again and begin to love black tips =(

Are there any things we could have done differently that would have benefitted your progress?

Maybe tell us why we were doing some tasks so we could get more out of them, such as on the coloured paper tasks for no news is good news. But saying that, I have learn alot from this short time of being on this course so I can really say anything bad!

OUGD101 No News Is Good News "Mailshot" (Evaluation)

In this evaluation I wasn't showing my work to Fred or Amber, but to an industry professional. This was good to get someone elses views on our work. He was very positive about everyones work which was nice to hear as it was a bit too late to make many changes if we had of done loads wrong anyway!

The only things he mentioned with mine is that there was no return address which was a good point. To be honest, I wish that there was some points to work on as 'm sure there are some other things I have missed which would make it better. I am very happy with what I have produced however. It is the first piece on this course that I would be happy to put my name to!

OUGD101 No News Is Good News "Mailshot" (Group Crit)

We had a group crit on how we were getting on with out Mailshots. I found the group crit very positive and some good points were made.

ISSUES RAISED

• Good how its for teachers to show children and the way it pulls out of the envelope is fun so its very appealing, yet facts about Titanic children wont be able to relate to so its about target audience.
• What materials are you using? What will happen to the envelope when it is opened?
• Colours? Other ideas on envelope format.
• Works well. Like the way in which it folds out. Good that you're including written info too to give it some context. Front of envelope?

ACTION

• Look and choose facts to be used.
• Develop envelope (front)
• Colours the same as used in poster.
• Inner "sea" ill stay in envelope... this pulls out and is attached to the inside of the envelope.

OUGD101 No News Is Good News "Poster" (Evaluation)

3 people in my class evaluated my 3 No News Is Good News posters. Here is their feedback...

What statement/fact/question is being communicated to you?

1. What else is underwater? More than 1%, grammar isn't very good.

2. I don't know. I think it is saying only 1% of ocean floors have been surveyed, but the sentance on the poster doesn't read correctly. My first thought was maybe a spelling mistake "ever" instead of "never".

3. I am unsure if the symbol is less than or more than! So not everyone will understand this. From the statement do you mean "never" been explored or have we only explored 1% of the ocean?

Response

Yep, after checking I did get the symbol wrong! But the spelling of ever is correct, going from the article is states "Less than 1% of the world's ocean floors have ever been surveyed".

Is this being communicated in a clear and focused way? What could be developed further?

1. No. Strength of wording and research into correct symbol use.

2. No. Just the sentence structure. Visually I think it looks really good' the layout is good, simple but eye-catching. I also like the large use of type.

3. No. The wording on the statement. Also "What else is undiscovered underwater? What was the first thing? Very confusing mixed messages.

Response

To me it is quite clear, however I know the background to the posters and they must work without the background to be effective. I should possibly get rid of the question "What else is undiscovered?" as this is causing confusion.

Have the posters been kept "simple and to the point"? Is a statement, fact or question being posed?

1. Yes. Fact - use of figures suggests use of a fact.

2. Yes. A question which is followed by a fact. This is because there is a statistic written (%).

3. No. Very simple but not grasping the point. It isn't clear what the article was about. I think they are getting a statement across yet confused with what it is.

Response

My posters weren't really about the story of the article which was about a lost city and was more about the fact we don't know what is really underwater, a quote from my article. I don't really understand what 3. means.

Has the restriction of two colours plus stock been met? Are the two colours plus stock appropriate? Why?

1. Yes. Yes. Black and white has high impact upon suitable colour for subject.

2. Yes. Yes. The blue "stock" is appropriate ti the ocean and the black and white keeps it simple and bold. I think any other colour would have been too busy and made it uneasy to read.

3. Yes. Yes. Appropriate colour blue for the ocean. The white % sign is very clear which is effective. I believe the black in blue also looks clear.

Response

Yay.

Do the posters work as a set or series? Why and could they be developed further?

1. Yes. Similar consistent images work well, with subtle variations yet effective. The alignment to the stroke of the 1 is a nice detail. I think the >1% should be in the same place.

2. Yes. Same illustration and typography also colour scene makes it obvious they belong together.

3. Yes. They defiantly work as a series. Yet the image along doesn't say anything about the statement very unclear what the message is of a fish in the ocean is meant to reflect. It looks lonely, maybe they have all dies? Pollution from the boat?

Response

I will develop using the >1% in the same place if I keep it in and am happy 1. picked up on the alignment. Think I need to make it clear that the small fish in the large space of ocean seen represents the statement of "Less than 1% of the world's ocean floors have ever been surveyed". Possibly need to think about making it more about this and less about the city/boat.

Is it clearly evident which poster is type, image and type/image?

1. Yes.

2. This is clear however I think the type only poster the >1% could be slightly smaller as it looks almost image like as it takes over most of the space.

3. Yes.

Response

I will experiment with making the >1% smaller and see what works best.

Are the posters "memorable, immediate high impact and clear"?

1. Text has main impact and then imagery and layout support.

2. I think the colour scheme makes them memorable and also they illustration. If you were to see them all in separate places, you would recognise them as a set. The simplicity makes them clear and stand out. I think they are fairly high impact in the way the colours are sharp and bold.

3. The posters are memorable and have effective visuals the colours work just a pity I am unsure of the article and what the posters are trying to display. The image poster alone gives mixed messages and I don't know you begin to think of ideas from the high rise buildings which would lead you to believe the pollution from the busy city and one lonely fish.

Response

I will try taking out the buildings as these were in to show the distinction between sea and land. I thought I needed the city in to show the sea was sea! However I think the waves are enough of a trigger and the city may be giving the wrong message.

Do you feel the brief has been fulfilled to its full potential?

1. N/A

2. Unsure. I do really like these! Its just because I couldn't make sense of the message. This is the only thing I would change, just so it makes sense to a wider audience. I really like the little fish too!

3. No.

Response

Now looking back I don't think it fulfills the brief! I am definitely going to do some tweeking and makes them communicate my fact better.

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FURTHER DEVELOPMENT

After this crit I thought more about how I could make my design better and communicate the message more effectively. I took on board the comments made and thought more from the perspective of my audience. Here is my final design...