OUGD405: End of Module Self Evaluation

by Roxxie Blackham on Wednesday 30 January 2013

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

I think that my InDesign skills have developed through this module, because I used the software a lot more than I usually do, and used some tools on InDesign that I haven’t previously used before or much. I think I have applied these skills effectively, as I wouldn’t have been able to produce a book that worked as well as my final book did, if it weren’t for using InDesign. I also feel that my skills whilst working in groups have improved, due to the briefs at the beginning of the module.
My general design skills have also improved through practising using the different software and I feel that I have applied my designing skills well with my final products, as I have been happy with each final piece that I have produced.

2. What approaches to/methods of design production have you developed and how have they informed your design development process?
I have produced various design sheets for this module and feel that the way I go about designing these sheets has definitely developed. I think that I now understand how to produce a variety of design sheets, however I definitely still need to practice this, as they can tend to come out quite rubbish. I’ve also developed my production skills when using the software available, through making my final pieces and practising using them throughout the development process.

3. What strengths can you identify in your work and how have/will you capitalise on these?
I definitely find my final pieces to be the strongest parts in my work. I tend to find that they always end up going according to or better than planned, and I feel as though I have quite a good eye for detail and subtle qualities for final pieces, for example I always choose good paper stock when it comes to printing. I will capitalise on these strengths, by keeping it up with the rest of my modules and making sure that I pay attention to detail all the time. I have also found that my researching abilities (mainly primary researching abilities) have strengthened over the course of this project, and hope to keep this going through the upcoming modules.

4. What weaknesses can you identify in your work and how will you address these in the future?
I always find that my development processes for my projects are the weakest points. When it comes to designing my pieces, I tend to get carried away with the final piece and forget to screen shoot the design as I go along so that I can document the development process. I also find that I get bored when doing design sheets, as I want to get stuck in with designing my final piece on the computer. I will address these weak points in the future by being more attentive with the development processes and will try to spend more time on it rather than just getting on with my final piece.

5. Identify five things that you will do differently next time and what do you expect to gain from doing these?
1- I will spend more time on the development process by producing more design sheets for future projects. From doing this, I think it will probably help me to design my final product as I would have come up with more ideas previously that I can work from.
2- When designing the final design on software, I will screen shoot the design as it develops so that I can document my development process. From doing this, it will help to show the tutors how my design developed and the ideas that were going through my head at that point of designing. This will also help to back up my final design.
3- Work on my time management skills. By keeping up with time management and organising my life a bit better, I will be able to make sure that I keep up to date with my work as I go along, rather than falling slightly behind and having work to do in the last week before hand in.
4- Make sure that I’m keeping fit and healthy so that I have less days absent from uni. By doing this, I won’t fall behind on studio sessions and catching up with work won’t be so difficult.
5- Blog studio sessions as soon as possible rather than waiting until last minute. By doing this, I will keep up to date with my blog and will feel less stressed about it when it comes to hand in.
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
2
3
4
5
Attendance



x

Punctuality




x
Motivation




x
Commitment




x
Quantity of work produced



x

Quality of work produced




x
Contribution to the group




x
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.

OUGD402: Where Am I Now? Notes & Guidelines...

by Roxxie Blackham on Monday 28 January 2013

11th February is the start of a new semester, so make sure that you are completely up to date with PPP!

STUDY TASK 5
"Where Am I Now?"

Identify 10 things that you have learned about yourself as an individual and a learner.
- You as a person, not a designer
- Be specific and explain what you identify

Identify 10 things that you have learned about yourself as a designer. These should reflect your own growing awareness of own interests within Graphic Design.
- Not just practising, but areas of interest, audiences, retail, etc
- Could be driven by something you don't like doing

All 20 statements need visual references to the industry and studios. Any images you find that you like needs info about the designers, studios and what it was used for etc to back up the image. For what you learned about yourself as an individual, you could use your own work to show what you need to improve on or what you're proud of.

Fill in the Interim Evaluation Form found on estudio.

OUGD405: Rationale & Feedback - Research, Collect, Communicate: Product

by Roxxie Blackham on Monday 14 January 2013

Product & Publication

Why have you made this decision?
I decided on product and publication, because I thought that all my research could be turned into a publication effectively. I also quite liked the idea of possibly redesigning the IKEA catalogue or making a book, as I've always enjoyed book design.

Who is the audience and how do you intend to engage with them?
The audience would be anyone interested in cooking and learning new recipes. Probably aimed more at couple or young adults. I would engage with the audience by designing it in a sophisticated manner that would attract IKEA homeowners' attention.

What is the function of the product - is it supposed to inform/educate/document/entertain/instruct? What has informed this decision?
The product's function is to inform, instruct and entertain. This decision has been informed by the fact that recipe books instruct and inform you on how to cook, but are also a form of entertainment.

How will the audience interact with the product?
The audience will interact with the product by reading the recipe book and following the recipes.

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Feedback & Suggestions

→ Could produce the recipe book so it can be sold in IKEA
or even give them out for free at the beginning of each store (like how you can collect a catalogue or a map), then have the availability to purchase the recipe ingredients in store. Good way of selling their products..

→ Think about possibly packaging some food products to go with the recipe book

→ Think about relevant ways of binding that will both look nice, and be durable

→ Think about stock.
look at the paper IKEA use in their instruction books etc..

→ Each recipe should take up 2 pages at least to make sure that the book is around 20+ pages long

→ Use the little people that IKEA use in their instruction booklets

→ Could translate into Swedish so that you have a book consisting of both Swedish and English