evaluation

BA (Hons.) GRAPHIC DESIGN

LEVEL

Module Code

OUGD303

Module Title

FINAL MAJOR PROJECT

06

END OF MODULE SELF-EVALUATION NAME

Sadie Thompson

BLOG. http://s-thompson1013ADDRESS fmp.blogspot.co.uk/

1. What skills have you developed through this module and how effectively do you think you have applied them?

The main thing I have learnt this module is how to deal with clients. Working on the Art & Design (Interdisciplinary) yearbook meant not only working with three other people, but also working with marketing and the programme tutors to produce a design that we were all happy with. This brief was also a valuable learning experience in the respect of designing for commercial use, although we have been taught how to prepare designs for commercial print this was the first time that I actually put it into practice. I also worked on a branding project for a surface pattern student. This was difficult at times, but it gave me a feel for what it is like working to someone else始s requirements and expectations. I had to put my own design preferences aside at times and cater for the client, which is something that I feel is a valuable skill to have when working in the design industry professionally.

This module I also had a chance to work on more illustration briefs, which is a discipline I can see myself concentrating on. It was difficult at times to find a way to incorporate both illustration and design, and I felt that the briefs that worked best were the ones where I kept the two separate.

2. What approaches to/methods of research have you developed and how have they informed your design development process?

Working on the design context brief gave me a chance to contact studios for content, which was frustrating at times because I found that I had to chase people up a lot, but it did get me talking to some studios that I admire. I have concentrated a lot of my research on looking into different print processes; the best way to do this I found was actually putting them into practice. I spent a lot of my time at Vernon street print room learning more about screen printing, intaglio printing, copper etching (both by hand and photo etched) and aquatint. The research I found most interesting was for the Japanese proverbs brief. I enjoyed learning more about a different culture in depth, but found it hard to gather primary research, as I found mainly secondary research from books and online.

3. What strengths can you identify in your work and how have/will you capitalise on these?

My strengths lie mainly in illustration and print. I started pursuing print quite early on whilst on this course, but I only started to concentrate on illustration this module and I now feel that this is a discipline that I am going to concentrate on. After receiving feedback from tutors and fellow students, and seeing the results myself I am a lot more confident in my ability to illustrate. This module also have me the chance to incorporate illustration into my design work, which is something that I feel will be a valuable skill to have when pursuing an illustration and design career.

I also found that I am at my best when working in collaboration. In past modules I have mainly worked on collaborative projects, but this term I only worked in one which was the design for the Art & Design

yearbook. I enjoy being part of a team and am better at organising a group than just myself. Working on the yearbook and also designing the branding for a surface pattern student made me realise that I am more comfortable working to a given brief as opposed to writing my own.

4. What weaknesses can you identify in your work and how will you address these more fully?

I feel that I struggle to write my own briefs and lose direction quite easily. I feel that this wonʼt be a problem post-graduation, as when working professionally I will be working to given briefs with guidelines and limitations. I found it hard this module when trying to merge my illustrations with my design work, but have learnt that they donʼt necessarily have to become one practice and it makes more sense for me to keep them separate. I was more successful working on the briefs that were for real clients and to existing deadlines, as I find it hard at times to motivate myself when working on a long running project with a far off deadline.

5. Identify five things that you will do differently next time and what do you expect to gain from doing these?

Keep my design and illustration work as separate practices and stop trying to force them together, unless I am working on a brief that is specifically for applied illustration.

Work on more collaborative projects, as working with others motivates me to get things done and meet deadlines.

Work on smaller projects to push myself to produce more. I found that writing briefs that were intended to run for a long time meant that I lost interest at times.

Do more primary research, this is normally one of my strengths but I feel that it something that I have neglected this module.

Do more client based work, I feel that I have more motivation to meet deadlines when it is a real brief with the potential to let someone else down of the work doesnʼt get done in time.

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 Punctuality × Motivation × Commitment × Quantity of work produced × Quality of work produced × 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.