What roles did you take on in the group?
In the group, I recorded and produced the ideas and came up with possible solutions. Also, I contributed to producing the Powerpoint Presentation that we gave at the end of the brief. Primarily, we produced stuff mainly as a group, with group decisions and imput rather than working individually or assigning tasks to people.
How well do you think you performed in the role?
I think I did well in the role as the Presentation was succinct, successful and clear to read.
How well do you think you worked as a group?
I think we worked well as a group as there was no arguments within the group and we managed to produce a solution to the brief.
What were the positives of working in a group?
The positive of working in a group was that it was a great ice breaker in regards to meeting people in the year and getting to meet new people. Learning the ways in which people worked and thier appproach to work was eye-opening as it was very different to mine so it was great to see thier own styles.
What were the negatives of working in a group?
Trying to get people to take on board what you are saying is a negative of working in a group as people have thier own way of working and thier own style so its difficult for them to accommodate for other people in thier working style. Communication was a negative to a degree in terms of meeting up and finding each other in college to work but in regards to the brief itself wasn't as much of a problem as it could have been.
What will you do differently next time?
I would personally take a different approach to producing a solution. Not enough time was spent on producing initial ideas and brainstorming them. The short time amount given on the brief may have contributed to this but it's still no excuse. It's from this that I think is what caused the solution to be (albeit successful but) slightly weak.
Where can you have improved your resolution?
If I had another week and longer time to produce thier brief, I would produce more cards so that there was a larger series of accents, regions and characters so it was alot more comprehensive of the student population as a whole. I would also have a front cover as it would seem quite random to other people without a context of thier purpose when they would first get them in a student pack to get them without knowing thier purpose. I would have a detachable back page that would be used to get feedback from the student population and I would design a container (like a letterbox) where they could be put in anonymously.
What were the strengths of your presentation?
The strength of our presentation was that everyone in the group said something which meant that we showed the unity and cohesion that we had created during the brief as a group. Plus, we practised several times before we presented it so it was well rehearsed but the downside was that, because it was that well rehearsed, it meant we presented quite fast and came under the 5 minute timing.
Sunday 30 September 2012
PPP1: Study Task 1- Why Am I Here? What Do I Want To Learn?
For the First PPP session, we were given questions that we had to answer in lists (see picture below)
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| Lists Produced In PPP Session |
5 Reasons why I chose this programme:
I chose to study on this program because it's a specialist course in a specialist college that has a reputation for having a hard-work ethic and has like-minded people who want to learn about Graphic Design.
5 Things I would like to learn during my time here:
During my time on the course, I want to learn how to use computer software as I'm hopeless when it comes to technical matters. Also, I want to understand the technicalities about Typography as I can appreciate the aesthetic but I dont understand the processes behind it. I want to learn how to enjoy crits as I want to learn how I can become a better designer and one of the ways I can do it is from crits. Not just on the practical side, I want to learn about the history of Graphic Design and what has influenced it over the years to what it embodies today.
5 skills I consider to be Strengths:
The skills I consider to be strengths include my work ethic as I'm very work-orientated and put as much time and effort as I can spare into my work. This is influenced by my passion and drive to succeed in all that I do as I dont give up. I'm a good listener and incredibly organised in regards to projects but the main thing I consider as a strength is that I'm constantly trying to improve in all areas because it is the only way that you can grow and learn in life.
5 things I want to Improve:
There are areas that I need to improve on include the practical ( I want to learn to be able to use computer software so I dont always have to rely on non-digital methods of production) and the general, such as my overall understanding of Graphic Design. I need to improve on my ability to work under pressure as I get stressed when I know something needs to be done, especially when it comes to deadlines so I need to improve on my deadline anxiety. Plus, I need to improve my communication with other people as sometimes I don't think I explain myself well enough in discussion- I know what I'm on about but no one else does!
5 ways I can Evaluate my Progress:
I can evaluate my progress through crit participation (discussion of my work as well as others), plus, individually evaluating myself in my Blog and reflecting on my work- just continuing to practise in order to improve.
5 Questions I want to find the Answer to:
The main question I wish to find the answer to while I'm at LCA is 'What is my calling/purpose within Graphic Design' as it is the answer to that which will determine my direction in life and where I go within Graphic Design. I dont expect an answer to it right away but it is the question that drives me to work hard and find my place in life. From this attitude, other questions I want answered will be fulfilled from learning new skills, ('How does Photoshop work?' and 'How do I make my Blog work?') as well as from personal growth ('How can I effectively communicate?' and 'How can I improve?').
From all these answers, we had to select 5 that were the main reasons why we were here at LCA doing this course. Mine are those circled in Green Highlighter pen and I chose all of them for the same reason: They are the most important answers to me.
We were then assigned 2 other questions to follow on from these;
Identify and Explain 5 things that inspire you?
1. Music- It's one of the things that has been a constant in my life and I take inspiration from lyrics as well as the music itself.
2. My Pet Hates- From most projects that I have done, they usually start from something that I find really annoying and wish to improve for the better. It can't just be me who has these problems so they become the focus of my work so that I can find a solution/improvement.
3.My Cat- My Cat is called Bandit and she is adorable. The little things she does make her so unique and she doesn't half make me laugh. It's like finding myself in a different form because all the things she does reminds me of me!
4. Literature/ Fiction Novels- I send a lot of my time reading books, either at home, college, on holiday or on my commute. I love stories and the imagination that goes into producing a tale. I am quite happy to just sit by myself and immerse myself into a book. I don't have a favourite however because there are several that I cannot chose from.
5. Stationary- It's a bit of an odd one but I love Stationary. I can't walk into a stationers without buying something. There's something about the first page of a new sketchbook where you can't bring yourself to ruin the perfection of the clean paper which inspires you to do something worthwhile with it. I'm a stationary nerd!
Identify 10 examples of design that illustrate your fields of creative interest?
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| 'My Chemical Romance' Atticus SXSW Showcase Poster (2006) by Brian Ewing Reference- Ewing, B.'My Chemical Romance' (2006) Available from http://www.brianewing.com/portfolio/Rock-Posters/my-chemical-romance-copy (Accessed 26th Sept 2012) |
1. Brian Ewing- Illustrator/ Graphic Designer who produces posters for alternative bands. His posters are very graphic, visually provocative and I like his style, using bold colour and thick linework drawing on his comic book influences. The 'My Chemical Romance' poster shown is one I have had up on my wall for years as I always go back to it for inspiration.
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| 'Roman Bust' (1960) by Abram Games Reference- Games, N. and Moriarty, C. and Rose, J. (2003) 'Abram Games Graphic Designer: Maximum Meaning, Minimum Means' 1st Ed., Hampshire: Lund Humphries |
2. Abram Games- Graphic design legend who's 'Maximum Meaning, Minimum Means' ethos is something that I try to adhere to when I create work. His posters are simplistic and minimal yet convay a powerful message thats instantly recognisable and communicative both in his post-war and pre-war works. I have seen his 'Maximum Meaning, Minimum Means' Exhibition and his posters are very visually striking. His imagery in 'Roman Bust' highlights his clever advertising ploy of making The Times newspaper seem regal and powerful by his presentation of the pawn, appealing to a new reading audience.
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| Signage In Chicago |
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| "Deadline" (2005) by Noma Bar Reference- Bar, N. (2009) "Negative Space", 1st Ed., London: Thames & Hudson Ltd |
4. Noma Bar- Graphic designer Bar is a creative influence of mine as I like how simple and minimalist his work is, not needing to overcomplicate the imagery whilst getting the message of the work across instantly. In 'Deadline', the lack of decoration allows for the block colours to have the most attention and for the message to have center stage, making it all the more dominating, confrontational and powerful.
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| "My Passion" (2010) by Paul Harries Reference- Harries, P. "My Passion" (2010) Available from http://www.paulharries.com/photo_8673451.html (Accessed 26th Sept 2012) |
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| "Umbrella Academy Apocalypse Suite #1" *(2007) by Gerard Way & Gabriel Ba Reference- Way, G. and Ba, G. (2007) "Umbrella Academy Apocalypse Suite #1" 19th September, Dark Horse Comics |
6. Gerard Way, Gabriel Ba & James Jean- Following on from the previous inspiration, I like the work within the Unmbrella Academy comic due to the character development and the large amount of detail which makes it very believable within the artwork. The contribution and collaboration between the artists has made for a solid identity and unity within the artwork as shown in the cover art, highlighting a strong understanding and clean communication within the artists.
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| "Alphabet Blocks" (2006) by Alexander Girard Reference- Boardley, J. (2009) "Chelsea, Darling" [weblog post] ilovetypography.com blog (8th Feb) Available from http://ilovetypography.com/2009/02/08/alexander-girard-type/ |
7. Alexander Girard- I chose to feature Alexander Girard due to the fact that I find it very interesting when someone can take aspects of Graphic Design, which would normally be something considered to be 2D and computer based, and apply it to make somethng physical. His 'Alphabet Blocks' are a perfect example of this as they are crafted beautifully, are very distinct in thier identity and draw you into wanting to use them for yourself. More examples can be found on the website http://girard.houseind.com/blocks.html
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| "Beautiful Malice" by Seb Lester Reference- Lester, S. "Beautiful Malice" Available from http://www.seblester.co.uk/type_lettering.php |
8. Seb Lester- I'll be honest and say that I have no experience or understanding of typography yet that doesnt mean that I cannot appreciate the aesthetic beauty of type and Seb Lester is a designer who's type I feel is always considered and thoroughly thought-through. I like the decoration and flair he puts into his lettering (as shown in 'Beautiful Malice') even when it is a simple, plain, capitalised word he is presenting. His typography is easily accessible and stunning in appearance but that doesn't take away from the crafting he has put into it.
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| "Straight Edge" by Dan Smith Reference- Smith, D "Straight Edge"Available from http://www.dansmithtattoos.com/art.html |
9. Dan Smith- I like mainly old school traditional tattoo art because it is iconic, powerful and strong I particularly like the style of work that Dan Smith does as it is usually striking and very graphic, not just in tattoo's but in his art designs as well. Plus, tattoo art is the main way as to how lettering opened up to me and how image and type should flow and work together
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| "1972 Munich Olympic Games Pictograms" (1972) by Otl Aicher Reference- "1972 Munich Olymic Games Pictograms Coaster- Front" Available from http://www.1972municholympics.co.uk/Miscellaneous/Miscellaneous_Section.php |
10. Otl Aicher- I like the concept of infographics and signage systems: Things that influence the ease of our day- to- day lifestyles so I felt it important to include Otl Aicher based on his influence on signage as it is today. The basic yet integral make-up of out information today is based solely upon his symbols and his way of presenting information that can be understood universally which I personally find inspiring and incredibly interesting. Something I would like to try out for myself one day.
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