This module has been very hard but also very rewarding. I have
learnt lots through being in the studio everyday, discussing, showing and
evaluating my work and the work of others. Having this constant discussion makes
briefs come to life through other peoples enthusiasm and encouragement. The
yearbook was a bit of a learning curve in the way of organising, photographing
and getting the book ready for the printers. But I am very happy with how the
collaboration went. The people in the group all had elements of their
personalities and design skills which blended well together. It was a real eye
opener into how a design group can make a project really successful. Before
this experience I was never 100% happy with collaboration projects so this has
made the future seem brighter as colloborations are how most studios work. The
yearbook made me realise that design is more to do with people than you
anticipate. The yearbook proved hard as you had to please the tutors, the
students, the design team and your self. But through discussion and
perseverance I think everyone is happy with the result. Organising content for
the yearbook was a difficult as you were forever chasing up people for
different files, copy and information.
Other projects that have gone successfully in this module that have
furthered my understanding and passion for packaging / branding design were the
Papa Loko rum brief and the Quentin Tarantino brief. I think I enjoyed them
because they both had strong concepts behind the design. They were different
concepts, but having one there brings out better ideas which create more interesting
resolutions. Both of them have pushed my understanding of materials and
techniques to create interesting design. In this module I found that through my
DC publication and development on my own work I have decided I want to design
more for high end, high spec, concept led and bespoke work. This rather than
boring commercial stuff really excites me and when you have passion for
something you try harder so you get better design at the end of it. Doing the
Ocean Giants project, Yearbook and DC publication I have definitely got a
better understanding of layout. I hadn’t really touched on this area of design
before FMP but I think the skills I have learnt about type, grids and layout
are invaluable. Although this part of graphic design isn’t my strongest I feel
that the skills I have learnt are sufficient enough to get me by. For some of
the briefs I felt if I had more time I could of expanded them further, pushing
ideas and resolutions but sometimes there can never be enough time for a
project and deadlines can be a good thing. As for the time management side of
things I think I organised my time well enough considering I had a 2 week
placement. Overall this module has built my confidence and competence as a
designer which is good as this is what I came here to do.
