Collection 100 Research Proposal

My subject matter is:

Christmas, specifically Christmas in the U.K.

Possible categories will include:

Traditions, Religions, commercialism, Santa, Christmas shopping and gifts.

Research process will include:

gathering objects over the christmas holiday, photographing family and friends, christmas day, christmas events, opinions on christmas and people's family traditions.

How will you research?

Primary methods:

Photographs, collections, questionnaires and interviews, observations and journals.

Secondary methods:

Books, (christmas books), the internet.

Who/where/will you research?

Primary sources:

Family, friends, shop workers, in the home, shopping centres, Leeds, Newcastle.

Secondary sources:

Research process will include:

Primary material:

Christmas cards, wrapping paper, traditions, photographs, decorations, food.

Secondary material:

Christmas traditions, Santa, Religions.

What If... Self Evaluation

The problem we investigated was that there was too much vandalism in and around Leeds, looking specifically at graffiti and it's affects on community.

Looking on the internet for information about graffiti, whether it is seen as art or vandalism, prevention of graffiti and most affected areas within Leeds. Also gathered photographic evidence of offensive and obscene graffiti which looked unpleasant and unattractive.

In terms of primary research I took photographs to document areas in Little London where graffiti was a problem, also produced a questionnaire to ask residents and people in and around Little London and Leeds to find out their opinions and views on graffiti and whether or not they think something could be done.Secondary research included internet research into Little London and graffiti in general.

It was useful taking photographs because we were able to gain first hand evidence that there is a problem occuring and that something could be done to try and stop it. Also questionnaires were of use as we gained personal opinions on people's views of graffiti and if they think there is a problem.

These helped because with the photographs were able to identify bad, offensive graffiti and also creative, more attractive in order to show people what they could achieve with the workshop we planned to put on.

Some problems included people being uncooperative when approaching people to fill in the questionnaire, also as a group it was very difficult to work together and make joint decisions. There wasn't really any structure to our group. Another problem was trying to put all of our ideas together and time management was difficult also. We tried to overcome this by splitting up to do some research and then gathering our finddings but it was hard to overcome.

We could have possible looked into other ways to prevent graffiti and vandalism, other events that have worked. Also I think if we looked into promoting the event better we could have came up with a better result.

Five things that I have learned about the deisgn process is that it is it is not always easy working in a group, the importance of primary research, different research methods, when working in a group it is best to have a leader to deligate the group and also how much research can inform the decision you later make.

Five things that I would do next time would be to allocate a team leader to take charge, make sure everyone knows what they are doing and what their role is, I would work harder at working as a group and spend more time experimenting with ideas.

End of Module Self-Evaluation

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

I have learned basic new skills on illustrator which I have never used before I started this course, also constructing and designing nets for the mail shot and the how to briefs.

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

I've learned to brainstorm initial starting points to help me start off a project. Also if I'm not happy with an idea I have learned to go back and resolve it looking at what is wrong and what can be improved.

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

In some briefs I think I have explored different variations of my ideas like alphabets soup. also if I have been given feedback I have gone back into my work and re-worked it in order to improve

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

One weakness I can identify is my knowledge and skills on photoshop and illustrator which I think holds me back from producing work to a certain level. In order to improve this I need to practise at any opportunity. Another weakness of mine is primary research in my projects, I ned to look more at books and other sources to help with my own ideas.

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

• Spend more time on my blog, especially design context, looking at other peoples work to inform my own.
• Time managements, organise time for research and development and printing etc.
• Ask for help if struggling with work or ideas.
• Annotate all work as I go.

6. How would you grade yourself on the following areas:

Attendance: 5

Punctuality: 5

Motivation: 4

Commitment: 3

Quantity of work produced: 3

Quality of work produced: 3

Contribution to the group: 3

No News Is Good News Crit Feedback

Issues Raised:

• What stock to use to make a jigsaw but to also be suitable for the envelope.
• Where will the stamp and the address go, will they be printed or stuck on.
• What visuals are going to be put onto the jigsaw, do they have to go together to make an image.
• Message has to be clear that it is about child abuse.
• What colours would best represent this theme.

No News Is Good News message & delivery

Concept Building

What?
Child abuse, "one quater or children experience one or more forms of physical violence during childhood."

Why?
To inform people of how common child abuse actually is so people are aware of the facts.

How?
Possibly posters, something which includes the facts, shocks people and makes them think, something emotional and hard hitting.

Who?
Schools- teachers and student, school corridors and classrooms.

Inform/instruct/persuade/promote?
Inform- to make people aware of the fraction of children that suffer from abuse, so children who are abused know they're not alone and so teachers and other professionals can look out for children.

Format?
Posters, informations/facts card.

Colours/Stock?
Black and white, possibly red. Dark and serious mood to be conveyed.

No News Is Good News Posters

Peer evaluation 1

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

Child abuse, how common it is (1 in 4)

Is this being communicated in a clear and focused way? Yes

What could be developed further?

Perhaps try and make more of a link between the photographic posters and the text poster

Have the posters been kept "simple and to the point?" Yes

Is a statement, fact or question being posed?

Fact, statistic, 1 in 4 children experienced 1 or more forms of physical violence during childhood.

Has the restriction of two colours been met? No

Are the two colours plus stock appropriate to the solution? No

Why are the two colours plus stock/appropriate/inappropriate?

I love he overall look, but this isn't really 2 colours plus stock as there are lots of tonal variations.

While I think that the black and white photos are fitting and convey the right message, it does not fit the brief requirements.

The use of dark colours shows the seriousness and darkness of the problem.

Do the posters work as a set or series? Yes

Why do they work/don't work as a part of a set or series and could this be developed further?

The two cake pictures work particularly well together. There isn't really much of a link to the text poster though apart from that it says the same thing as the text and image poster- perhaps the same typeface should be used on both.

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

Yes

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

• Memorable, effective, high impact (particularly when seen next to each other)
• Like how the text takes up one quarter of the poster on the text poster, the typeface is fitting for child abuse/violence.
• Like the child-like typeface used on the cake (but maybe make these last two points work together as they are very different)
• Destruction of cake makes you see some of what a child may be put through, it plays on your emotions.

2

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

Information about child abuse (one quarter of children experience one or more forms of physical violence during childhood)

Is this being communicated in a clear and focused way? Yes

What could be developed further?

• The type poster can be developed further to fit better with the other two posters a s a set.
• The composition of the two cakes can maybe be more similar.

Have the posters been kept "simple and to the point?" Yes

Is a statement, fact or question being posed?

Yes, the poster contains one fact which has a high impact on the readers.

Has the restriction of two colours been met? No

Are the two colours plus stock appropriate to the solution? No

Why are the two colours plus stock/appropriate/inappropriate?

I think this works really well as it is even though the photograph contains different greys.

The posters would not be as effective if it was in block colours. I like that bright colours associate people to children and that has been eliminated from the posters/pictures of the cake.

Do the posters work as a set or series? Yes

Why do they work/don't work as a part of a set or series and could this be developed further?

They work up to a certain point, the two posters of the cake work really well together. For the type one, although the writing states the fact, I don't think the style fits that well with the others.

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

Yes

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

I think they definitely draw your attention straight away, especially the image posters and you quickly want to read what it is about. The message is clearly communicated and straight to the point. They create a feeling of sympathy for the viewers.

Do you feel the brief has been fulfilled to it's full potential? Yes

I think the letter on the cake can be made clearer by increasing the contrast. Also the relationship between the type poster and the other two could be reconsidered.

Alphabet Soup Evaluation

Partner's name: Sai Uennataornwaranggoon

Referring to the typeface you have designed answer the following:

Which personality traits did you choose to respon to nd apply the typeface?

I responded to one of the initial questions, 'what is your earliest memory,' I took the answer 'christmas in Hong Kong' and used a cityscape style with my letterforms. I also took the fact that Sai is very selfless and warm hearted and used colours which represent this.

What are the reasons behind the design decisions you have made for the typeface?

My reasons are that is is a childhood memory, something very specific and a very significant memory.

In what ways are the results effecive?

The letters use an existing typeface which has been maipulated which was part of the brief and also the colours reflect the personality.


Sai's evaluation on my typeface
What personality traits do you interpet from the typeface designed to represent you?
Colourful, playful, bold

Describe what you think of the typeface?
I think as a whole typeface it is effective in the ways that it represents a part of who i am (I think it is very difficult to say everything about a person in one typeface) I think that the two colours work well together against the black.

In what way is it effective, and in what way is it ineffective of representing you?
I think generally as an idea it represents well, the use of the colours against the black. I also like the style of the typeface that has been chosen. The letterforms work well as part of a skyline.

From the final crit I can see myself how my letterforms would need to be altered in order to work well as a typeface. Each letter has too much unnecessary extra building surrounding it and would look better as an individual building so that when put together they would work as a skyline.With the extra building surrounding the letterforms at the moment it can be rather difficult to interprut what letter it is. Also the colours would work better with blocks of colour like black as a traditional skyline would look.

Formative Feedback
Matthew Khan
Strengths:
Strong body of work, including brainstorming,visual investigation,trying different was of poducing her final idea. Taken away feedback from group crit on friday and improved the legibility of her letters.
Weaknessess:
It is quite difficult to see how Sophie's gone from her idea brainstorming stage to the investigation of her final ideas.
Actions:
To show why shes chosen the skyline to create the letterformss and the reason behind her chosen colours.

Formative Feedback
Amy Leigh
Strengths:
A lot of visual investigation, trial and improvement. Research into Sai helped to develop designs.
Weaknesses:
Some of the initial ideas are clearer than the final designs. The colours chosen aren't related to skylines, could have gone for black and a colour?
Actions:
Reworking into the design on tracing paper proved effective, a new draft of the A1 sheet in this style might look better.

Alphabet Soup Part Two- Progress Crit

Module Code OUGD101

Module Title Design Principles

Your name: Sophie Partner's name: Sai

How are the four words selected to represent the typeface being explored?

Words:

Hong Kong

Selfless

Family

Hong Kong, looking at cityscapes, silhouettes, buildings, lights.

Selfless, looking at kind hearted, heart of gold, acts of kindness.

Family, looking at family members, siblings, what family means.

Why is the existing typeface that has been selected to manipulate an inappropriate/ appropriate choice?

The typeface 'blocks' is appropriate for my design because its blocked letters allow me to create a city scape, building like manipulated typeface from these in order to represent Hong Kong.

What are the reasons behind the design decisions you have made for the typeface so far?

When initially asking Sai a set of questions she answered Hong Kong to the question about her first memory. I therefore took this and came up with the idea of incorporating the city into the letter forms

Other issues raised:

Chinese Symbols

Colours, lights to highlight Hong Kong

Action to be taken?

• Experiment with colour
• Look into Hong Kong style colours
• Colours which represent Sai
• Experiment with every letter, incorporating cityscape
• Look at glyphs of the existing typeface 'blocks.'

Alphabet Soup. Part One Evaluation

Peer Assessed by Brady Miller

Module Code OUGD101
Module Title Desiign Principles

What is being communicated and how?
The word exaggerate is being communicated by large, over the top letters which use two bold colours, red and black. The colours work really well together and are extremely eye catching. The fact that the letters are so big and in your face communnicate the word exaggerate perfectly. I love the composition of the the letters too.

How well does this answer the brief?
A lot of different outcomes were looked at but the best one was chosen in my opinion as the idea was kept simple and based primarily on the the letterforms. As there is quite a few possible outcomes and research I think it fits the brief very well.

How well has the idea been visually explored?
The idea has been explored in depth as the single letters have been checked to see if they are illedgible and readable. Other ideas have also been explored, such as looking at letters through a magnifying glass.

What are the strengths of the resolution?

• Lots of possible outcomes
• Eyecatching
• Neat
• Lots of practice examples
• Plenty of annotations

How could it be improved?

Perhaps tried a few more colours together.

General comments...

Really good piece of work, done a lot in the short space of time we had, original idea.

How to... Self Evaluation

First group work project of the year


Module Code OUGD101

Module Title Design Principles

What role(s) did you take on in the group?
We all did some decision making, brainstorming

Area research- taxi firms

Production of some of the cards

Deconstructing and development of packaging

How well do you tihnk you performed in the role(s)?
I think I performed reasonably well, although found it difficult working in a group like this at times. We all listened to everyone's ideas and took them onboard. I voiced my own opinons and ideas and completed the research i was assigned.

How well do you think you worked as a group?
We all worked quite well, we allocated specific research to each member so we wernt gathering unnecessary information and collected efficient amounts of relevant research I also think we helped each other out well with different skills and knowledge. There were times however that we did struggle to keep everyone happy and agree.

What were the positives of working in a group?
We had a number of idea which we could develop, different skills and different knowledge which could help each other out and in turn help produce a better end product. We all agreed on a final idea, here were no major arguments and there was good communication.

What were the negatives of working in a group?
At times there was too many voices it was hard to hear everyones ideas, aslo our organisation was not the best especially during the production stage.

What will you do differently next time?
Organise the group better. Make clear decisions on what people are doing in the production stage so no-one is left sitting around with nothing to do.

Where could you have imporved your resolution?
We could have put it into action, gave it to people outside the classroom, photograph it in use maybe. We could have gathered more research on what to include in the bag. Also our presentation to the group could have been improved, including all members of the group and spending more time describing the thought processes behind it.

What are the strenghts of your presentation?
Our final product was quite strong we feel, we also included some light humour and an interactive powerpoint to show our bag in use.

Things I want to acheive this year

Things I would like to achieve this year relating to the course:

• Confidence


• Some direction on where I want to go/ /how I want to work


• Developed skills on photoshop


• Learn how to use illustrator


• Try out print and other new methods of working


• Improve drawing skills


• Develop photography skills


• Organisation/ time management skills


• A broad range of knowledge on design out there

• Type skills