Some drafts for business cards, I really struggled with this but am starting to progress in a direction that I'm a bit happier with.
Some initial ideas for compliment slips:
Friday, 12 March 2010
Saturday, 6 March 2010
http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/drum
This animation works really well in co-ordination with the sound. The structure of the movement of the characters is quite simple, but the combination of all the different figures and the sound is really effective. I'd really like to try and produce something like this myself.
This animation works really well in co-ordination with the sound. The structure of the movement of the characters is quite simple, but the combination of all the different figures and the sound is really effective. I'd really like to try and produce something like this myself.
Tuesday, 23 February 2010
ougd202 evaluation
1. What skills have you developed through this module and how effectively do you think you have applied them?
Most of the skills I have learnt this module are technical, due to needing to use software I hadn't used before. Learning how to use After Effects is something that I have really enjoyed, and although I didn't delve deeply into all the different tools it offered I managed to communicate what I wanted effectively.
Storyboarding and planning in general has been the most useful skill to have developed. Actually visualising everything that is going to happen ensured that I knew what I needed to produce/collect ahead of prodution.
The same goes for producing schematics and using DVD pro. Having planned all the structure and content of the DVD meant that actually building it didn't take as long as it would otherwise.
Thinking about design that changes over time has helped me understand more about myself as a designer. I have always enjoyed creating design that can be adapted, or interacted with. Personally, I much prefer to design knowing that it's not going to stay like that and that something will happen to it. This is probably why the production of the animation was something I was happy to spend a lot of time on.
I am pleased with the motion graphics I have produced for this module, in particular the silent movie brief. I am unhappy with my actual DVD. The menu's are very static and after flicking through a couple of time become boring. I should have experimented more with how I could alter the same design on different menu's to keep it interesting, rather than it appearing to be the same screen with different buttons. I would have liked to consider using motion within my DVD menu's but with the time I allowed for my DVD this seemed too big of a task.
2. What approaches to/methods of research have you developed and how have they informed your design development process?
Research played a dominant part of my work during this module. I researched a lot into the label and their identity. I based the majority of my design directions on the identity of the label. I also learnt a lot about society in Britain during the era of 2-Tone which I believe gave my design more substance and more of a context.
When it comes to contextual research the majority of it was looking at material from the label, which was useful to learn about my subject, but I think I should have looked more at actual TV titles. I looked at a few to begin with but didn't continue throughout the brief which was a mistake. I should have researched into these more to learn the conventions of TV titles, and study how a narrative evolves over time. If I had done this I would probably have had more confidence in my design and worried less about it becoming boring and stale over time.
Although initially I got in touch with fans of 2-Tone, I almost forgot about their real opinion and instead probably made some assumtions about what would work and what wouldn't.
3. What strengths can you identify in your work and how have/will you capitalise on these?
Using appropriate research to help develop the design process. I need to continue to do this but more than I do currently and to ensure I'm actually looking at existing examples. Paying attention to small details which I want to continue to do.
Motion graphics is something I have enjoyed and been committed to, so I want to try and produce more work like this.
4. What weaknesses can you identify in your work and how will you address these more fully?
I need to come up with more initial ideas rather than different ways I can do one thing. For example on this brief I focussed on the idea of a timeline to communicate the label because I wanted to show the history of the label alongside the developments in society. I then considered different ways that a timeline could be represented. What I should have done was think of alternatives to timelines before deciding that was the best way to do it. I also need to explore more with composition and layout. My work definitely lacks impact and isn't attention grabbing. I need to learn how to make something stand out. I also haven't used colour much in my work recently and perhaps this is something I need to address.
Possibly my biggest weakness as a designer is a lack of confidence in myself. Because of this I think I opt for safer idea's and don't test myself as much as I should. This is probably also the reason for why my work doesn't have impact and stand out. My main priority over the next module and year is to try and regain some confidence in my work, particualarly visually and stop worrying so much. If I can do this I am likely to enjoy the work more and learn a lot more too.
5. Identify five things that you will do differently next time and what do you expect to gain from doing these?
- Think of more initial idea's before developing them, in the hope that I get out all the obvious idea's first and I can begin to think more laterally.
- Look more at contextual research which is appropriate, so I have more of an understanding of what works
- Explore visually different solutions, not only coming up with idea's but how different media can aid communication
- Produce something with more impact, instead of relying on someone actively looking at it I need to produce something that takes their attention
- Have more confidence in myself, so that I will try different things and not worry too much about how succesfful they'll be. Do it, and then evaluate.
6.How would you grade yourself on the following areas:
(please indicate using an ʻxʼ)
5= excellent, 4 = very good, 3 = good, 2 = average, 1 = poor
1 2 3 4 5
Attendance - 4
Punctuality - 4
Motivation - at some points 1 and at others 4
Commitment - 3
Quantity of work produced - 3
Quality of work produced - 3
Contribution to the group - 2
Most of the skills I have learnt this module are technical, due to needing to use software I hadn't used before. Learning how to use After Effects is something that I have really enjoyed, and although I didn't delve deeply into all the different tools it offered I managed to communicate what I wanted effectively.
Storyboarding and planning in general has been the most useful skill to have developed. Actually visualising everything that is going to happen ensured that I knew what I needed to produce/collect ahead of prodution.
The same goes for producing schematics and using DVD pro. Having planned all the structure and content of the DVD meant that actually building it didn't take as long as it would otherwise.
Thinking about design that changes over time has helped me understand more about myself as a designer. I have always enjoyed creating design that can be adapted, or interacted with. Personally, I much prefer to design knowing that it's not going to stay like that and that something will happen to it. This is probably why the production of the animation was something I was happy to spend a lot of time on.
I am pleased with the motion graphics I have produced for this module, in particular the silent movie brief. I am unhappy with my actual DVD. The menu's are very static and after flicking through a couple of time become boring. I should have experimented more with how I could alter the same design on different menu's to keep it interesting, rather than it appearing to be the same screen with different buttons. I would have liked to consider using motion within my DVD menu's but with the time I allowed for my DVD this seemed too big of a task.
2. What approaches to/methods of research have you developed and how have they informed your design development process?
Research played a dominant part of my work during this module. I researched a lot into the label and their identity. I based the majority of my design directions on the identity of the label. I also learnt a lot about society in Britain during the era of 2-Tone which I believe gave my design more substance and more of a context.
When it comes to contextual research the majority of it was looking at material from the label, which was useful to learn about my subject, but I think I should have looked more at actual TV titles. I looked at a few to begin with but didn't continue throughout the brief which was a mistake. I should have researched into these more to learn the conventions of TV titles, and study how a narrative evolves over time. If I had done this I would probably have had more confidence in my design and worried less about it becoming boring and stale over time.
Although initially I got in touch with fans of 2-Tone, I almost forgot about their real opinion and instead probably made some assumtions about what would work and what wouldn't.
3. What strengths can you identify in your work and how have/will you capitalise on these?
Using appropriate research to help develop the design process. I need to continue to do this but more than I do currently and to ensure I'm actually looking at existing examples. Paying attention to small details which I want to continue to do.
Motion graphics is something I have enjoyed and been committed to, so I want to try and produce more work like this.
4. What weaknesses can you identify in your work and how will you address these more fully?
I need to come up with more initial ideas rather than different ways I can do one thing. For example on this brief I focussed on the idea of a timeline to communicate the label because I wanted to show the history of the label alongside the developments in society. I then considered different ways that a timeline could be represented. What I should have done was think of alternatives to timelines before deciding that was the best way to do it. I also need to explore more with composition and layout. My work definitely lacks impact and isn't attention grabbing. I need to learn how to make something stand out. I also haven't used colour much in my work recently and perhaps this is something I need to address.
Possibly my biggest weakness as a designer is a lack of confidence in myself. Because of this I think I opt for safer idea's and don't test myself as much as I should. This is probably also the reason for why my work doesn't have impact and stand out. My main priority over the next module and year is to try and regain some confidence in my work, particualarly visually and stop worrying so much. If I can do this I am likely to enjoy the work more and learn a lot more too.
5. Identify five things that you will do differently next time and what do you expect to gain from doing these?
- Think of more initial idea's before developing them, in the hope that I get out all the obvious idea's first and I can begin to think more laterally.
- Look more at contextual research which is appropriate, so I have more of an understanding of what works
- Explore visually different solutions, not only coming up with idea's but how different media can aid communication
- Produce something with more impact, instead of relying on someone actively looking at it I need to produce something that takes their attention
- Have more confidence in myself, so that I will try different things and not worry too much about how succesfful they'll be. Do it, and then evaluate.
6.How would you grade yourself on the following areas:
(please indicate using an ʻxʼ)
5= excellent, 4 = very good, 3 = good, 2 = average, 1 = poor
1 2 3 4 5
Attendance - 4
Punctuality - 4
Motivation - at some points 1 and at others 4
Commitment - 3
Quantity of work produced - 3
Quality of work produced - 3
Contribution to the group - 2
Saturday, 30 January 2010
A friend of mine is conducting a participation project based on self portraits, so I decided it would be a good opportunity to do some drawing. Not sure how much it looks like me but thought I'd try a new way of drawing, which was pretty enjoyable but drained all my ink.
Had a go at vectorising it as well. Not really sure which I prefer...
Saturday, 16 January 2010
Progress Tutorial
Strengths that you have developed during Level 5.
Aesthetically my work is more professionally finished
My organizational skills have improved and I am managing my time better
I have been thinking more about what I want to do after the degree and am starting to make progress in decision making
I am more involved with other students and having more discussions regarding work/progress
Weaknesses that you have identified during Level 5.
The communication of the message is not as clear as it should be
The design development has not been explored enough
Secondary research into processes and existing examples isn’t vast enough
Letting thing’s affect my enthusiasm/motivation has slowed my progress, particularly during the print module
Issues that you want to discuss with regards to your current progress.
I think I need to find a way of releasing stress, as currently it is having a negative effect on my progress
Aesthetically my work is more professionally finished
My organizational skills have improved and I am managing my time better
I have been thinking more about what I want to do after the degree and am starting to make progress in decision making
I am more involved with other students and having more discussions regarding work/progress
Weaknesses that you have identified during Level 5.
The communication of the message is not as clear as it should be
The design development has not been explored enough
Secondary research into processes and existing examples isn’t vast enough
Letting thing’s affect my enthusiasm/motivation has slowed my progress, particularly during the print module
Issues that you want to discuss with regards to your current progress.
I think I need to find a way of releasing stress, as currently it is having a negative effect on my progress
Rationale 2-Tone
Top 10 2-Tone Records
Subject and Rationale (including themes, target audience, tone of voice)
My subject is records from the record label 2-Tone. 2-Tone had a big part in reviving Ska music in '79 and the music became a way of life for many, but the era was short lived. The TV programme proposed would be made in celebration of the record label, and aimed at original fan's of the music/label. The target audience therefor are likely to be aged in their 40's-50's. The tone of voice should be nostalgic, since it is a look back to that era, but it also needs to reflect the tone of the original label. Although the lyrics can be quite gritty in reflecting societies problems, the actual music and the 'skanking' often displayed adds an element of tongue in cheek humour. This sense of fun is also apparent in the labels artwork.
Things to include could be; the origin of the music, the beginning of the label, the artists included on the label, famous tours, society at that time/lifestyles.
The main themes are music and society.
Design Directions (Design concepts, tone of voice etc)
A hand made approach seems appropriate currently. This sort of production would suit and reflect the labels artwork well. In response to feedback I have had from my presentation I've decided that the narrative for the TV sequence should aim to communicate the history of the label, alongside events that were happening in British society at the same time. This way, not only is it a reminder to original fans, other demographics won't be excluded and should be able to understand what '2-Tone' is without the use of a voice over.
Black and white is the obvious colour choice, since this is predominately what the label makes use of. However, if I choose to use any other colours in combination it is likely to be red and blue, taken from the chequered clothing of Fred Perry.
Sound wise, I want to use music. Specifically 'Sea Cruise' performed by Rico. I chose an instrumental piece so that the lyrics of the song don't take over the meaning of the TV sequence. This particular song is a good representative of the sounds present in many of the records from 2-Tone.
Action Plan and Deadline,
Map out along a timeline the record releases alongside events in society Saturday
Collect appropriate images of the artists and start reproducing them (either paper crafted or drawn) Sunday
Create logo for the TV programme Monday
Plan narrative for the sequence Monday
Start storyboarding Tuesday
Decide on appropriate image for DVD menu Tuesday
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)