BA (Hons.) GRAPHIC DESIGN Module Code
OUGD504
Module Title
Design Production
LEVEL
05
END OF MODULE SELF-EVALUATION NAME Ellen Setterfield
1. What skills have you developed through this module and how effectively do you think you have applied them? This module has been a real eye opener. Not only was I introduced to web design but I also realised how much I didn’t know about print. Having researched each process in detail and visited print companies I now have a clear understanding of how a design goes from screen to print. I think that by going to commercial printers for primary research has really helped me to grasp what kind of experience I will go through when I complete my degree and it has helped me to understand what a commercial printer needs from a designer to have a harmonious print run. I chose to look at commercial print for my final publication rather than hands on print and this is because I have more of an interest in it. Commercial print also fit the guidelines for my target audience more so than more traditional print processes such as letterpress and lino print. The print brief helped me to understand and appreciate design for print though it also made it clear that I am more inclined to digital design. I really enjoyed the web brief and the ISTD brief. At the start of the year I knew I would enjoy web design and I looked forward to experimenting with it. I was slightly lost after the web sessions because I felt like I had been thrown in at the deep end and asked to do things which we had not covered in the session (specific parts of coding) I had to take initiative and look for tutorials and ask working professionals for help. In the end I worked out how to achieve what I wanted to and I knew that for ISTD I would focus on web instead of print. One of the reasons why I enjoyed web more than print is topic. I chose to focus my web on the London Underground, which is an interest of mine, the topic choice helped me to engage more with the brief whereas the print I found slightly restricted. The ISTD brief was a welcome change after working on print and web for such a long time. I found it easy to choose a brief that I wanted to work on and enjoyed working on it very much. I saw this as an opportunity to try out some more in-depth coding and grids, as this is something I enjoy. I feel that my web design skills have developed the most out of the module though my knowledge of print has improved significantly.
2. What approaches to/methods of design production have you developed and how have they informed your design development process?
In this module I tired out lots of different processes though I know from previous experience that hands on processes like screen-printing is not something I am good at or enjoy. I included my screen print sessions from first year but I did not experiment with it for this brief. Part of this was due to the content of my publication. I did however, use the laser cutter quite a lot within this brief which I was really interested in, I also tried out embossing and debossing which I really enjoyed. I think that overall my physical skills have improved but I feel that my awareness and knowledge has helped me to make informed decisions when it comes to my development. I have first hand experience with talking to printers and I feel that I can confidently approach any print company with any job.
3. What strengths can you identify in your work and how have/will you capitalise on these? I think that the strengths within my work lie with web design. Having only just learnt about the Dreamweaver and CSS I feel that I have a good understanding of how to use it and also that I can develop a website from scratch by myself. I think that throughout the rest of this year and my third year I will use these skills and also put them into use with placements throughout the summer. I also think that my print skills have developed massively though not within hands on printing. I have spent a lot of time during this project learning about commercial print and what printers need from a designer to be able to complete a job. I have spoken to industry professional within both print and web and I think this will help me the most in the future.
4. What weaknesses can you identify in your work and how will you address these in the future? I think my weaknesses within this project have been time management. I am a perfectionist, which is both a blessing and a curse. The final brief I found very hard to manage, as I didn’t feel that there was enough time for me to produce something that met the standards that were expected. I am very happy with what I managed to produce in the time but I would have liked to develop it further.
5. Identify five things that you will do differently next time and what do you expect to gain from doing these? 1. Experimented with different layouts and grid systems. (PRINT) 2. Booked into book binding at Vernon Street and looked into ways I could have bound my book myself (PRINT) 3. Manage my time more and be realistic about what can be achieved (ISTD) 4. Take more time to understand the target audience to make sure that any work will appeal to them directly. (WEB) 5. Continue to take initiative and get answers for myself (PRINT, WEB, ISTD)
6.How would you grade yourself on the following areas: (please indicate using an ‘x’) 5= excellent, 4 = very good, 3 = good, 2 = average, 1 = poor 1
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5 X X
Attendance Punctuality X Motivation X Commitment X Quantity of work produced X Quality of work produced X Contribution to the group The evaluation of your work is an important part of the assessment criteria and represents a percentage of the overall grade. It is essential that you give yourself enough time to complete your written evaluation fully and with appropriate depth and level of self-reflection. If you have any questions relating to the self evaluation process speak to a member of staff as soon as possible.