Handy little excerpt in Computer Arts this month. 'Create a Stunning Print Portfolio'.
Monday, 21 December 2009
Tuesday, 24 November 2009
End of Module Evaluation OUGD201
For my 'What is Good?' brief I chose the statement 'pyjamas are good' and quickly did some surveys and questionnaires to get some primary research to get me going, as well as looking into the history of pyjamas both in books and on the internet. Through doing this, I quickly discovered that pyjamas are definitely more of a female thing, and this helped me to move foreward in my project.
I really got into this project and quickly through myself into experimentations and investigations, including fashion illustration, where it was quickly discovered, that I'm not very good at it. I chose to look moreso into information graphics and pictograms, using books such as 'Neubau Welt' as inspiration.
The idea of having a blank product for the individual to customize came to me quite quickly, and while I looked into making packaging that would pursuade men to wear pyjamas, I decided that the 'diy pyjamas' were a better idea to go along with, as surveys suggested that this would be fun and exciting to our age group.
This project allowed me to try out new techniques that I had wanted to before, but hadn't the time nor the need for, such as foil blocking and screen printing. I have been wanting to do more screen printing and this project certainly allowed me to do so. Had I been a little better organised, I would have also tried my hand at embossing properly, though I did have a go at doing it by hand.
I am incredibly pleased by the outcome of this module and feel that I have done well. For documentation, I produced almost 3 whole folders of design sheets, though obviously this has been whittled down for the PDF, while the majority remain on the blog to go into a little more detail. While I did not have to create the mock up of my packaging, I am very pleased that I did and I think that it looks very professional.
My final product related to the brief in the 'Packages and Instructs' section because within the product there is an intstructional guide that tells the owner how to use the product and how to care for it. Also, in a way, the fact that the cover is a visual representation of what's inside, it relates to the 'packages and informs' option. I believe I have utilised my time well.
On the other hand, while I thoroughly enjoyed working on 'What is Good?' I let my 16 page print booklet slide and only completed it once I had finished the other project to the best of my ability. I wanted to keep my 16 page booklet quite simple, and I feel that I have employed the used of layout quite well as well as the information within it being quite helpful. Several of the processes covered were personal to me as they are techniques that I have discovered a taste for, such as foil blocking and screen printing.
In the future I know that I need to:
-Give equal attention to all of my projects.
-Turn up prepared for any workshops.
-Read the brief properly and realise I didn't need to get carried away with design sheets.
-Not ignore other modules happening alongside.
-Not forget to change images from RGB to CMYK when designing for print.
I really got into this project and quickly through myself into experimentations and investigations, including fashion illustration, where it was quickly discovered, that I'm not very good at it. I chose to look moreso into information graphics and pictograms, using books such as 'Neubau Welt' as inspiration.
The idea of having a blank product for the individual to customize came to me quite quickly, and while I looked into making packaging that would pursuade men to wear pyjamas, I decided that the 'diy pyjamas' were a better idea to go along with, as surveys suggested that this would be fun and exciting to our age group.
This project allowed me to try out new techniques that I had wanted to before, but hadn't the time nor the need for, such as foil blocking and screen printing. I have been wanting to do more screen printing and this project certainly allowed me to do so. Had I been a little better organised, I would have also tried my hand at embossing properly, though I did have a go at doing it by hand.
I am incredibly pleased by the outcome of this module and feel that I have done well. For documentation, I produced almost 3 whole folders of design sheets, though obviously this has been whittled down for the PDF, while the majority remain on the blog to go into a little more detail. While I did not have to create the mock up of my packaging, I am very pleased that I did and I think that it looks very professional.
My final product related to the brief in the 'Packages and Instructs' section because within the product there is an intstructional guide that tells the owner how to use the product and how to care for it. Also, in a way, the fact that the cover is a visual representation of what's inside, it relates to the 'packages and informs' option. I believe I have utilised my time well.
On the other hand, while I thoroughly enjoyed working on 'What is Good?' I let my 16 page print booklet slide and only completed it once I had finished the other project to the best of my ability. I wanted to keep my 16 page booklet quite simple, and I feel that I have employed the used of layout quite well as well as the information within it being quite helpful. Several of the processes covered were personal to me as they are techniques that I have discovered a taste for, such as foil blocking and screen printing.
In the future I know that I need to:
-Give equal attention to all of my projects.
-Turn up prepared for any workshops.
-Read the brief properly and realise I didn't need to get carried away with design sheets.
-Not ignore other modules happening alongside.
-Not forget to change images from RGB to CMYK when designing for print.
Monday, 2 November 2009
Industrial Experience
These are two commissions that I've done recently and my client was the Xtreme radio station in Swansea. They chose to use me as their designer because I have done some work for the University of Sansea student union in the past and my name was passed along to them.
The first design that they wanted from me was to design for a hoodie using one colour ink. This was the design that they chose out of the selection that I offered to them.
I count this as my first pice of real industrial experience because this is the first that I've been paid for and it was a proper discussion between client and designer as to what was required of me.
In the past I've designed posters, and the clients seemed ready to accept what I first offered them. This client and I had to work together properly in order to produce something that both parties were happy with.
This is the design put onto a hoodie template to give a good idea of where the designs were to be placed. The boombox on the pocket never made it onto the hoodie and I'm glad because I look at this design now and wish I'd never put it there. It looks ridiculously out of place. Good call, client.
These are two photographs of what the product looked like in use when it had been mass produced. Apparently they sold out very quickly because they were in such high demand. That makes me feel pretty good because I got some very good feedback for the design.
He seems pretty happy with his. Mine is in the post.
This is the second design that I hav done for the same company a little more recently. The wanted t-shirts to wear and to sell while taking the radio station on a bit of a tour. These haven't yet been produced but I'm loking foreward to seeing them in action.
Again, this design required a bit of negotiation between client and designer. I've already been old that the next time they need something doing, they're going to come to me because of how popular the hoodies seemed to be.
The first design that they wanted from me was to design for a hoodie using one colour ink. This was the design that they chose out of the selection that I offered to them.
I count this as my first pice of real industrial experience because this is the first that I've been paid for and it was a proper discussion between client and designer as to what was required of me.
In the past I've designed posters, and the clients seemed ready to accept what I first offered them. This client and I had to work together properly in order to produce something that both parties were happy with.
This is the design put onto a hoodie template to give a good idea of where the designs were to be placed. The boombox on the pocket never made it onto the hoodie and I'm glad because I look at this design now and wish I'd never put it there. It looks ridiculously out of place. Good call, client.
These are two photographs of what the product looked like in use when it had been mass produced. Apparently they sold out very quickly because they were in such high demand. That makes me feel pretty good because I got some very good feedback for the design.
He seems pretty happy with his. Mine is in the post.
This is the second design that I hav done for the same company a little more recently. The wanted t-shirts to wear and to sell while taking the radio station on a bit of a tour. These haven't yet been produced but I'm loking foreward to seeing them in action.
Again, this design required a bit of negotiation between client and designer. I've already been old that the next time they need something doing, they're going to come to me because of how popular the hoodies seemed to be.
Thursday, 29 October 2009
Professional / Industrial Experience
What is professional / industrial experience?
-Experience/skills gained outside of the college environment.
-Being more aware of how business really works.
-Knowing how to handle the pace of working in the industry.
-Knowing how to deal with working with people in other industries, such as printers.
-Knowing how to professionally deal with clients
Why is professional / industrial experience important as part of PPD?
-It helps me to prepare myself for finishing the course and heading out into the industry.
-Knowing what awaits me will help me be ready for anything the industry throws at me.
-It shows me how the skills I have learned throughout the course are applicable to working in the industry.
-It will give me a better understanding of the Graphic Design industry and what is wanted from me as well as what employers are looking for in possible employees.
-It opens up possibilities for more work placements and possible jobs at the end f them as well as building up a good selecton of contacts within the industry.
How do you gain professional / industrial experience and what form does it take?
-Developing a good, strong portfolio. How can you expect to get a good job if you don't have a strong portfolio?
-Work placements. Quality over quantity. By this I mean I would far rather have a few really good placements rather than a lot of ones that I don't really get a lot out of.
-Gaining contacts in the industry.
-Ask questions! Deal with companies and visiting lecturers and the like.
-Branch out. Give yourself a variety of different types of placements.
What should you aim to gain from professional / industrial experience?
-A more professional attitude.
-A wider skillsbase.
-A knowlege of the business side of things.
-Contacts within the industry.
-Confidence and the chance to build a name for yourself.
-Experience/skills gained outside of the college environment.
-Being more aware of how business really works.
-Knowing how to handle the pace of working in the industry.
-Knowing how to deal with working with people in other industries, such as printers.
-Knowing how to professionally deal with clients
Why is professional / industrial experience important as part of PPD?
-It helps me to prepare myself for finishing the course and heading out into the industry.
-Knowing what awaits me will help me be ready for anything the industry throws at me.
-It shows me how the skills I have learned throughout the course are applicable to working in the industry.
-It will give me a better understanding of the Graphic Design industry and what is wanted from me as well as what employers are looking for in possible employees.
-It opens up possibilities for more work placements and possible jobs at the end f them as well as building up a good selecton of contacts within the industry.
How do you gain professional / industrial experience and what form does it take?
-Developing a good, strong portfolio. How can you expect to get a good job if you don't have a strong portfolio?
-Work placements. Quality over quantity. By this I mean I would far rather have a few really good placements rather than a lot of ones that I don't really get a lot out of.
-Gaining contacts in the industry.
-Ask questions! Deal with companies and visiting lecturers and the like.
-Branch out. Give yourself a variety of different types of placements.
What should you aim to gain from professional / industrial experience?
-A more professional attitude.
-A wider skillsbase.
-A knowlege of the business side of things.
-Contacts within the industry.
-Confidence and the chance to build a name for yourself.
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