Speaking from experience (self evaluation)

What problem did you identify?
Over the last year I have learnt alot and had a large selection of topics I could address, however I choose to inform the new first year Graphic Design students of 'the unwritten rules'. These are things which the new students will learn for themselves but this humorous 'heads up' should forma  bit of an ice breaker for them.

What evidence did you find to support your decisions?
I knew that I did not know these unwritten rules before I came and there is no way that the new first years will expect some of the things which are include in the list of rules. I also asked around the class and on Facebook and Moodle about what funny unwritten rules they have learnt since being here on the course... about the tutors/studio and course itself.

Grab of Facebook group use for collecting primary qualitative information on what students think the unwritten rules of Graphic Design at Leeds College of Art are. 

















What methods did you use to gather your evidence and what forms did it take?
I mostly used primary research and asked people directly. I collected both qualitative and quantitative data this way. I received some primary quantitative data from the students on the Foundation course at Vernon Street as these are people who are looking into going onto degree level art and design. I found out how they were feeling about going to a university and what areas of design they are most interested in. I then asked current students on my course what they thought the unwritten rules were... I added quite a few of my own but this formed the basis of my primary qualitative research. Once I had collected this primary data I could look into some secondary research. I looked into design styles and researched quite alot into illustrative type as from my primary quantitative data I had found out that the Foundation students liked illustration, however I wanted to show off the area of study I wish to develop further next year which is type. Illustrative type seemed to be the best of both worlds.

Sex issue typeface for Wallpaper, Malika Favre.





















What methods of research did you find useful and why?
I found all of my methods of research useful and believe they all helped with different aspects of my project. I think my qualitative research collected from the Foundation students would have been more helpful if the questionnaire had been filled out by a larger sample. The research collected form my peers on the unwritten rules was invaluable and really made the project come to life, without this input and research my project would have been more applicable just to me as it would have only been the things which I remembered and found funny, but everybody is different and I think that from all the rules collected, the 10 used in the project and diverse and funny for different reasons to different people. Hopefully this should attract a larger audience that if I just wrote down the rules which I found humorous.

How did these inform your response to your problem?
My methods of research informed everything of my process in this brief. One batch of research lead the way for my next collection of data. For example... my secondary research help me greatly with me design ideas. Each of my 10 products have a different type or style to them and this has all come about through my research into how to effectively portray that particular rule. Typeface is massively important and I hope that I have used them effectively in this piece of work. I have learnt how important research is... there is no point in making or designing something if there is no need for it or it will not work.

Selected page from Never Use White Type on a Black Background and 50 other Ridiculous Design Rules. Used as part of my secondary qualitative research.













What research could you have carried out that would have proved more useful?
It may have been quite useful and good use of my time if I had questioned current students and received some more primary quantitative data on where they normally look around college to identify other possible locations for some of my products, or maybe find out if they found them funny or informative.

Five things you have learnt about the design process over the last five weeks

1. Time management is key.
2. Do not be afriad of change... my idea progressed after I developed my idea further, I was worried I was going too far and I was giving myself too much work but it has definatley paid off when I think about what I was going to produce. 
3. A range of products do not have to all look the same.
4. I did not use a computer until the last 2 weeks of this brief... and loved it!
5. I cannot describe anything... so mock-ups are brilliant! 

TIME MANAGEMENT SCAN

Five things you would do differently next time

1. Develop a clearer brand for all my pieces.
2. Experiment with colour a little bit more.
3. Expand upon my ideas sooner on in the design process and push them even further.
4. Have a back up plan if I cannot print on the stock that I want to! I could not print on transparent stock or anything larger than A3... even though I booked a print slot in the digital dungeon. Luckily my head was working and I could think of alternative solutions to my issues. 
5. FInd out some more Design Context stuff on humorous rules and how to design for a funny but informative message. 

Rule #01 Fred time. 

Rule #02 There is never enough print credit.

Rule #03 Never pull a face at Amber.

Rule #04 A break is not a holiday. 

Rule #06 Posters don't always work. 

Rule #08 9:30 means 9:15.

Rule #10 Green and orange make Amber see red.

Speaking from experience (final crit)

Speaking from experience (design direction boards)

I had John again in this crit and found some of his feedback useful, I am going to work on some of the suggestions from this crit, but not all of them. I don't want to go too far make people uncomfortable by using rules which are offensive, overwhelming the new students or create a giant sticker, just because.

Issues raised

• Lack of colour
• Location of products
• Could be more humerous
• Stickers could be developed further

Action to be taken

• Experiement with colour such as using orange and green for rule #11. Green and orange make Amber see red. Not too sure about this as it defeat the object, but I will experiment with this style and could possibly use the design as a hypocrite for the rule.
• Walk around college and think of the places where people may look without meaning to. Floor... ceiling... places you wouldn't expect to see informative design. 
• Think about the message and John believed some of he rules I did not include in my final selection would have been good. I am not sure about this and am going to stick with the 12 I have chosen. 
• I am going to sketch out some more ideas and see if I can develop the sticker idea on further... stickers may not be the answer and appropriate medium for all the rules. 

PICTURE OF DESIGN DIRECTION BOARDS

Speaking from experience (progress crit)

Has a problem been clearly identified?
1. Yes clearly designed - the unwritten rules of graphic design. Not a genuine problem but light hearted fun. Certain parts useful but not entirely.
2. 'The unwritten rules', its genuinly quite fun, not necessarily a problem but still appropriate.
Me.  The brief does not say that my concept must be based on solving a problem. I am trying to design and produce some products wish will inform the new first years on the unwritten rules me and my classmates have learnt over over first year on the course.

Is the audience being taken into consideration?
1. Yes, in terms of preparing students for what is to come but unless they understand the course and tutors they may not understand all of the rules.
2. Yes definitely, injection of humour is always appreciated. Subject could be quite intimidating, but when approached in a fun way it works. Information being presented is useful and will become more useful over time. Not sure about foundation students section, why?
Me. Getting the balance right with the rules and wording is key, I need to reword the rules so they are not intimidating but fun aswell as informative. I asked foundation students about their likes and interest in terms of design as these are some of the hopeful applicants to become the new first year students, and as they are my audience... i thought it would be best to see what they like... and not base it on what we used to like as design and teaching changes rapidly.

What further research is required/would be benificial?
1. Speaking to students. Possible other products. What students feel they would have benifited from.
2. Look at use of colour and type to catch your eye, the yellow works well. Is hand drawn typeface appropriate? think about legibility and clarity. Positioning of stickers, different environments.
Me. Legibility is a huge point to be addressed when I consider whether or not to creat a typeface for this. I hope to keep it quite simple, so not to overclutter or detract from the message.

What methods are being used to document the research/development?
1. Work sheets but could do with more drawings.
2. Photographs of proposed product. Questionnaire used to find unwritten rules from actual students. Mock-ups, design context for different typefaces.
Me. I will do more drawings and sketches of my ideas as these help move the brief along.

PICTURE OF INFORMATION BOARD

PPD Presentation (starting points)

Determined and objective describe me as an individual.

My approach to life is reflective, objective and confident.

I want to be organised, decisive and punctual.

I look for ambition, commitment and focus in others.

Ten things I have learnt this year are;

1. Colour theory
2. How to use a sketchbook
3. Blogging has taken over
4. I know other designers
5. Inspiration can com from anywhere
6. Illustration isn't as bad as I thought
7. I am a geek
8. Staying late is more productive than watching Holby City
9. Research is so important
10. No news is good news

Ten things I want to learn are;

1. What is a line...?
2. Embossing
3. How to go about making my own typeface
4. Where is there a rehab for pink and grey users and abusers?
5. Time management

Effective and creative describe my ambitions as a designer.

I want to instruct, inform and document.

Message, research and type are words which I would associate with my work.

I have developed skills in idea generation, research, and video.

I am interested in developing my skills in typography, book design, print and information graphics.

Speaking From Experience (Rationale)

This brief came from alot of initial concepts which can be seen in my sketchbook.

Brief

To produce a range of graphic products which inform others about my experience of the first year.

Who needs to know?
The new first year Graphic Design students.

What do they need to know?
The rules of Fred and Amber such as 'Fred time', breaks are not holidays and personalised lonely coke cans.

Why do they need to know?
All the unwritten rules are funny to a degree but the new students will soon learn that Fred and Amber mean what they say. The new students may find this to be an ice-breaker.

What will they respond to?
As they are new to the course they should respond to the humerous rules. Also I hope to use illustrations and good layout which will be appealling to the students. It would also be nice to use a printing process such as screen-printing which will demonstrate the facilities available through-out the College.

What research is required?
Primary Collect together all the rules of the course/studio from all three years.
Secondary Research illustration styles and printing processes which I could use effectively for a large number of prints at a inexpensive rate.

Communication is a Virus (Contract)

Chosen partner

Jonny Finch

Why have you chosen to work with your creative partner? What are your aims?

Jonny I have chosen to collaborate with Hazel because I feel we have differing creative strengths, but we also think in a similar way and are both very committed towards our work. I think having this similar attitude will help us absorb new skills from each other over the course of the brief.

Hazel We have similar ways of approaching work and we are both very dedicated. Jonny has an illustrative side to his work which I would really like to use in some projects.

What are your specific areas of creative interest in this brief?

Jonny My specific areas of creative interest lie within hand drawn illustration and type, or producing any original artwork which can then be scanned in and digitally manipulated. Other interests are digital typography and photography.

Hazel I like illustration but am not fond of my own drawings. I think my area of expertise would be more on the computer based side of things - digitalising artwork and possibly creating a website.

What design skills do you have to offer in relation to your chosen brief? How do you intend to use them?

Jonny Hand drawn illustration and type, digital type and layout, Photoshop.

Hazel Layout, Type, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign.

What specific non-design skills do you have to offer in relation to your chosen brief? How do you intend to use them?

Jonny Idea generation and development, research.

Hazel Research, blogging and documentation, evaluation.

What will your specific roles be in the collaboration in relation to your brief?

Jonny Illustration/hand drawn imagery, Photoshop.

Hazel Digitalising artwork, Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign.

What will your individual responsibilities be in relation to the brief?

Jonny Producing original artwork, researching, idea generation, aiding production of finished pieces, good communication, compromising with my partner.

Hazel Researching paper manipulation for the mail shot, sourcing locations to place the finished product, digitalising artwork.

Joint responsibilities?

Developing product, idea generation, researching, questionnaire, testing different practices and techniques.