BA (Hons.) GRAPHIC DESIGN
LEVEL
Module Code
OUGD303
Module Title
FINAL MAJOR PROJECT
06
Outcomes 1
FINAL MAJOR PROJECT STATEMENT OF INTENT Name: Kirsty Hair Blog Address: http://k-hair0912fmp.blogspot.com/
Rationale
- I intend to explore in great depth the relationship between type, image and layout, across a range of various formats and contexts, and how it can be utilised to effectively and creatively communicate a message. - I want to explore how print based design can be adapted to screen and web, and the creative possibilities that this can bring. - I want to gain an understanding of designing for low and high budgets, and their different limitations. I want my design work to maintain an aesthetically pleasing, well finished appearance no matter what budget it has. - I want to develop my understand of branding, taking into consideration the personality of the brand, and consumer culture. - I intend to integrate myself into the industry through developing my design presence. I will do this through creating an identity and promoting myself through various methods, such as a a business card, website, stationary, portfolio, mail-out, to help get my name out there. I would like to do a live brief, to gain some more experience working with a client. - I want to identify studios and designers who inspire me and who are doing what I want to do. I also want to extend my knowledge of the industry through visiting their studio, and through trying to secure placements. This will also allow me to establish contacts and relationships within the industry.
Subjects / Themes THEMES: - Contemporary Culture - Branding - Communication Theory - minimalism, simplicity - Aesthetics - Luxury - Fashion SUBJECTS: - The grid system - rules, methods - The relationship between type, image and layout. - Modern living, lifestyle - Retail - clothing, cosmetics - Boutique - independent, unique - Events
Design Disciplines / Creative Development DISCIPLINES: Primary Concerns: - Branding & Identity - Promotion - Layout - Typography - bespoke for brands, type as image - Publication - Editorial DISTRIBUTION: Mainly print based deliverables but also an exploration into how they can be effectively adapted to web/screen.
Practical Skills / Workshops – what, why and when? - Software skills - I want to make sure I have complete confidence in using the Adobe Suite with programmes such as InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop. These skills are essential for working in the industry and I need to make sure mine are up to scratch. I will use the help of my piers, workshops and online resources, to help me progress throughout the briefs. - Working with a client - In the last module I had a short experience of working with a client, and I want to further develop my knowledge of a client relationship. This will require working on a live brief, where I can be in direct contact with a client. This will help to prepare me for working in the industry. - Time Management - I need to plan my time more efficiently so I can push my briefs are far as possible. I will need to make decisions early to allow me to develop the briefs to their full potentials. - Layout and Grid - I need to look into using the grid system and the different methods of applying grids to various formats, to communicate to the audience in the most effective way. A publication would be an ideal brief to develop this skill. - Branding & Identity - how to represent a brand through developing its own personality and identity. And methods of developing logos that will be used as a way of recognising a brand. I will be looking for a live branding brief for this. - Web Design - I am going to create my own online presence through a bespoke website, of which I am going to give myself a deadline for by the end of reading week. The bespoke element of the design will come from finding out the latest trends and unique ways of presenting work and making the website interactive. - Print Production - I want my work to be designed for high print finishes. This includes correctly setting up artwork, preflighting, setting up work that specifies embossing/ foiling/spot colours, using pantone, specifying page quantity. Selection the appropriate stock will also be something to consider whilst creating work that is aesthetically pleasing and of high quality. This will be addressed when relevant in the briefs. - Photography - I need to improve this skill, mainly for photographing my final resolutions for portfolio. I need to look into using the right studio, lighting, and also manipulating my images across in Photoshop. To help me improve this skill I will be using workshops, personal practice, help from my piers, and online resources. This skill will also benefit me through the research and development stages, as I may be able to source my own content, however if this takes up to much time, I will ask the help of a photography student.
Brief 1: Year Book proposal (Fine Art)
Deadline
Rationale: Publication design - An opportunity to work collaboratively on a live brief, directly for a client. This brief will help me to improve my type, layout and grid skills. The collaboration will give me experience of communicating with a group of designers, where we will have to time manage, compromise and make decisions and work to set deadlines, ensuring the designs go beyond the expectations of the client. The work will be sent to print, we will be considering stock, finishes and binding. Brief 2: Fashion Identity - Collaboration
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Rationale: Identity design - The is an opportunity to work on a live brief, collaborating with a fashion student who requires an identity design/promotional material. I will further develop my understanding of creating an identity that represent the personality of the designer. I will be working with type, image and layout for the publication of a lookbook, and considering stock and production methods. There is also the opportunity of working with a photographer and contributing to the concept of the photo-shoot, of which the images will be used within the look-book. Brief 3:
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Other Briefs: Design Context - Publication Photography look-book Brand Identity design Stationary
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Contextual references / Designers / Studios / Companies (specific) FOUR IV B&W Pentagram Egel Nick and Webb Turn Key Team Impression - printers
RESEARCH ACTIVITY: Collaboration
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Details Contacting courses to find fashion/photography students who want to collaborate on branding/identity/look-book project - meet up with students and discuss what they require, and then writing a brief that suits us both. RESEARCH ACTIVITY: Interview/Questionnaire
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Details Contacting studios/designers/visiting professionals to gain an insight into how their studios/practice work, certain roles, collaboration, what they see as the future. I will also be able to get feedback from them regarding my own design work, which will help me to improve and develop. RESEARCH ACTIVITY: Printer Visit Details
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I want to visit a printer,s to ask about preflighting, setting up artwork, print finishes, stock, conventions, and to get an idea of cost, that will give me an idea of what can be produced for high/low budgets. Comparing prices at different printers. RESEARCH ACTIVITY: Retail Details
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Observing the retail environment, collecting promotional/marketing materials. Exploring consumer culture, how people are attracted into a shop, why they shop in certain places, the personality of a brand, the atmosphere created for consumers. RESEARCH ACTIVITY Details
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BIBLIOGRAPHY BOOKS / TEXTS - (Harvard Referenced) Graphic Design as Communication Visual Methodologies Graphic Design - Pocket Essentials
MAGAZINES / JOURNALS / ARTICLES – (include publication date and details) Eye
ON LINE REFERENCES / WEBSITES / ARTICLES (include specific urls) www.thegridsystem.org
OTHER REFERENCE MATERIAL (Films, events, exhibitions, conferences) Print Festival
ACTION PLAN – use this section to identify specific tasks that you need to complete in order to resolve the brief. Brief What do you need to do? 1
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