#02
Name_ Ross Francis Student ID_ 102181 Level_ 06 Module Code_ OUG603
Brief Title Type Of Brief Skills Collaborators Nature of Collaboration
DR.ME
Brief
Work together to create your very own flag.
Studio Set Brief, Design as Art Graphic Design, Concept Generation Andy Foster, Nigel Dzavakwa The brief was conducted as part of a day workshop with design studio DR.ME. We were put into groups, and we were told to collaborate on the creation of a piece of art work that would be exhibited. The design direction was chosen by the group and we quickly create the artwork together until we were all happy with the result.
Background
Considerations
A flag is a piece of fabric (most often rectangular) with a distinctive design that is used as a symbol, as a signaling device or as decoration. The term flag is also used to refer to the graphic design employed by a flag, or to its depiction in another medium. DR.ME want us to re-evaluate the idea of the flag and create something that is a pure collaboration. Not being precious is key, and creating something you would not usually create is encouraged. Be experimental remember it doesn’t necessarily have to look like a traditional flag but keep in mind what makes a flag a flag. Figure out what each others strengths and weakenesses are. Don’t be too precious about your own work, that’s the fun in collaboration, with two people working together the results are always unexpected but there in lies the beauty.
Solution
Our solution to the brief was very simple. I urged the group to be open to the idea of the flag being an opportunity to explore something abstract, which is unusual for our working process. We chose a concept that would be an image of a waving hand. The concept not only provides a visual pun for a waving flag, but the art work itself juxtaposes the initial value and purpose of the flag, which was to be used in war. The waving hand sends the opposite message and is used as a greeting or welcome, more appropriate for today’s context.
Evaluation
The DR.ME brief was very worthwhile for me as a designer as it allowed me to implement design in a new way. Curating design has been something that has been on my radar for a while, and it seems to make for a visually diverse exhibition. I think that it has made me aware that I am not particularly interested in pursuing a career in curation, especially of design objects. The idea of exhibiting design is a practice that is absolutely fine for those dedicated to the cause. However, I feel that the insular nature (design for design sake) of this type of exhibition is not particularly for me to co-ordinate. Despite this, I very much enjoyed working on the brief itself as it allowed me to respond to instinct and work in a visceral and less pragmatic way. This is something I have not done in 4 years since my art A-Level. It came to me that I still would look for rules and restraints, as per graphic design education. I had never printed onto material before and this is something that I now know is a possibility at college. The colours were far more washed out than I had wanted, and I feel we picked the wrong material. If I was to do it again I would have liked to screen print the flag onto a heavier canvas. The design was highly process driven, which was a welcome change. The majority of my work comes from arduous concept stages, and I feel that conducting this brief may push me to work in a more organic and process led way. I enjoyed this working method and I will perhaps use this as a tool, depending on the brief in future.
Research
Ross Francis 102181
Extended Practice OUGD603
What did I do?
Why did I do it?
What more could I have done?
For this brief, I didn’t do any research at all. It was very refreshing. I think that a brief like this, where there is no particular problem set by the brief, allows for a more dynamic and liberating process. In order to answer a design problem, a designer must make themselves a professional in the anatomy of that problem. When a brief poses no genuine problem it is at the designer’s discretion whether or not there needs to be research done. In this case, the deadline was too short, and the process was too visceral to warrant accountable research.
The reason I did no research for this brief, is because the process did not call for it. As we discussed the brief and our own reaction to the theme of ‘flags’ it became apparent that we would find a point of reference from our prexisting notions of flags and how they can be applied. The lack of research has led to a more process driven and individual reseponse. The response comes from a collaboration between individual experiences, and has not had to rely on the generic availability of appropriate visual research.
I could not have done any more research for this. The research I called upon was made up of my individual experience and understanding of the context of this brief. The moment in time that this experience and research was called upon, happened to inform the ultimate direction of the brief.
DR.ME Brief #02
Design Direction
Ross Francis 102181
Extended Practice OUGD603
What direction did I take?
Why did I take this direction?
What influenced me?
The direction we took for this brief had the potential to be in multitude. From the get-go our direction seemed to take a humorous tone. Andy and I seemed to push for something that would be amusing, or make people smile. This was the direction that we ultimately decided to take.
I took this direction because my own personal experiences and personality led me toward this particular path. It helped that I was working with with people who had a certain level of common ground that I could be myself in front of.
Our influences were really from our own personalities. I enjoyed this particular brief, as it is the briefs like this that help you enquire into your sense of self. They allow you to tackle a problem with instinct and autonomy, which are rewarding healthy within a graphic design practice. I will carry out more briefs like this in future, in order to ensure that my day to day is inline with my personal lines of enquiry.
DR.ME Brief #02
Development
Ross Francis 102181
Extended Practice OUGD603
How did I develop the brief?
What problems did I have?
Was it successful?
After we determined a direction, the brief moved very quickly. We quickly determined the rationale and concept of our brief and started to create the imagery. Due to the design being very process led, and created through action, we were very engaged with the process of making and we quickly created a lot of possibilities based around the same concept.
There were no particular problems with the brief. However, I feel that we started to lose the humorous direction in favour of a more surreal and trippy aesthetic. I am not particular sure this is a bad thing, as this seemed to be a personal brief where the audience was not to be engaged with by the design, but the design was to be engaged with by the audience. I think that the empowerment and rich experience of the process outweighed the importance of the direction changing.
The process was very rewarding, and the natural progression from start to finish from the workshop environment made for a very enriching brief. In my eyes, this can be accounted as successful.
DR.ME Brief #03
Presentation
Ross Francis 102181
Extended Practice OUGD603
DR.ME Brief #02
Ross Francis 102181
Extended Practice OUGD603
DR.ME Brief #02