Throughout this module I have learnt a great amount about what it takes to pursue a career within graphic design practice and the creative industry, whilst in turn learning more about myself as an individual person, learner and designer. Through visiting professionals and workshops, I have gained some valuable advice from experienced designers which will stick with me throughout the rest of this course. Studio Brief 01 helped me to reflect on such ideas, allowing me to convey what I have learnt in a creative poster format, which used elements of what I have learnt within the actual design, such as grid systems and typography.
This module has also taught me to have more confidence in myself as a designer. Upon starting this course, I had doubts as to whether this was the right course for me, however through set tasks it was found that many other course-mates were feeling the exact same way and that none of us would have been accepted onto the course if we were not good enough. This task was quite reassuring and various PPP sessions have allowed me to build upon these issues since. Through ongoing reflection and presentations of work, these have helped me to better talk about my work and who I am or want to be as a designer. In addition to these presentations, I have also learnt appropriate layouts for presenting information which will overall help to better communicate my work and ideas. For instance, less text and more imagery - you know your ideas, just explain them and make notes if needed.
Other sessions have taught me various other skills and techniques, which will help me throughout many aspects of my life and not just my creative career. For instance, stress and time management. I have learnt the importance of these, since if they are not controlled or managed in an appropriate way this can inhibit your creative processes. To avoid this it is important to plan your time amongst and around briefs, focusing on what is most important for specific weeks, but also allowing yourself to have breaks and down-time to refresh creativity.
The course trip to Barcelona and various studios based out there was a real turning point. Although visiting professionals explaining their creative practices and how their studios work, Barcelona was a great opportunity to physically see inside graphic design studios and show how/where I could potentially be working in the next 5 or so years. It allowed me to see more of their processes and has been a big source of inspiration for myself as a designer.
Overall, this module has ultimately allowed me to reflect on myself as a designer in terms of style, perception to clients, etc, and newly improved skills will help with the continuation of my journey through the 2 years of this course and hopefully also into a career within graphic design.
Thursday, 30 March 2017
Wednesday, 29 March 2017
Barcelona - Thursday 23rd February 2017 - Toormix
Created in 2000, Toormix is a Barcelona based design studio founded by Ferran Mitjans and Oriol Armengou. The studio specialises in branding, art direction, printed and digital graphic design, however aims to take on many different kinds of project in order to gain valuable experience whilst also helping clients. The main value at Toormix is that design is something a lot more than just aesthetic value, which allows them to deliver new solutions to clients and companies through creative thinking, as well as design and communication.
Similar to Brosmind, it was considered upon this studio visit that Toormix also took on an interactive approach towards a large proportion of their work. For instance, the images above show Toormix's branding for the Bicnic company. The project aims to link gastronomy and design to create a new street food culture. Through their proposed identity, Toormix created packaging and merchandise which allows customers to engage with the company and products, such as the use of stickers to place on certain dishes, as well as pin badges, t-shirts and tote bags.
One piece of valuable advice the studio gave us all was in regards to work. It was said that, when possible, to never work for free and they are a big believer in this. They believe that designers should not be taken advantage of and should be allowed to gain something for each of their provided services. This is a point to consider when eventually searching for work within the graphic design practice upon finishing the course and has ultimately made me think about my role as a designer and visual communicator.
One piece of valuable advice the studio gave us all was in regards to work. It was said that, when possible, to never work for free and they are a big believer in this. They believe that designers should not be taken advantage of and should be allowed to gain something for each of their provided services. This is a point to consider when eventually searching for work within the graphic design practice upon finishing the course and has ultimately made me think about my role as a designer and visual communicator.
Barcelona - Friday 24th February 2017 - Lo Siento
Lo Siento is a graphic design studio based in Barcelona, which takes on a more experimental and handmade approach to work. Their main body of work consists of physical handmade type from paper and other materials, such as fibre and prints using wine stains.
This studio visit taught me the importance of being experimental in working and to be open-minded to new methods and techniques, even if these may question the notion of graphic design as a creative discipline. Through experimentation, this ensures work is not 'too obvious' in approach, gives strength to the meaning and ultimately engages the client more with the work.
Another strength of Lo Siento's discipline is photography, which has been used in conjunction with a lot of their handmade work. This also taught me the importance of photography within graphic design, as the way in which work is photographed has as much of an impact as the work itself. If the work is not photographed in an appropriate way or in a way which best showcases the work, this can limit the meaning and overall communication of the work. An aim for Level 5 is to therefore get better at photography in order to enhance the communication of my own work for the sake of portfolios and blog work.
This studio visit taught me the importance of being experimental in working and to be open-minded to new methods and techniques, even if these may question the notion of graphic design as a creative discipline. Through experimentation, this ensures work is not 'too obvious' in approach, gives strength to the meaning and ultimately engages the client more with the work.
Another strength of Lo Siento's discipline is photography, which has been used in conjunction with a lot of their handmade work. This also taught me the importance of photography within graphic design, as the way in which work is photographed has as much of an impact as the work itself. If the work is not photographed in an appropriate way or in a way which best showcases the work, this can limit the meaning and overall communication of the work. An aim for Level 5 is to therefore get better at photography in order to enhance the communication of my own work for the sake of portfolios and blog work.
Barcelona - Tuesday 21st February 2017 - Brosmind
Brosmind are an illustration studio, founded in 2006 and based in Barcelona. The studio is made up of a team of brothers, Juan and Alejandro Mingarro, who both studied graphic and product design courses at university. Although primarily illustration, they take on a multidisciplinary approach to most projects, incorporating elements of sculpture, music and video.
One of the things I learnt from the visit was the importance of teamwork. Brosmind were fortunate enough that both brothers had a similar style of drawing and working which allowed their creative process to work a lot smoother and produce ultimate consistency within their body of work. Each brother takes on a different part of the creative process, such as detail, outline and colour. Taking on different roles allows the work to be split up evenly and plays on each of their strengths to result in a strong and engaging piece of work. Their distinctive style also sets them apart from other designers and illustrators.
Their multidisciplinary approach to working allowed for their product design background to also come into play. I feel this is an important piece of information which I should use within my own practice - for instance using other interests and what I have previously learnt at school in other disciplines to inform my work. This allows to create more meaning and engagement within work. Much of Brosmind's physical product work allows the audience to interact with their work in this way, such as their fussball table, video game and 'motoguias' which were built to transport visitors around their 'Working With a Brother' exhibition and included a built-in audio guide.
One of the things I learnt from the visit was the importance of teamwork. Brosmind were fortunate enough that both brothers had a similar style of drawing and working which allowed their creative process to work a lot smoother and produce ultimate consistency within their body of work. Each brother takes on a different part of the creative process, such as detail, outline and colour. Taking on different roles allows the work to be split up evenly and plays on each of their strengths to result in a strong and engaging piece of work. Their distinctive style also sets them apart from other designers and illustrators.
Their multidisciplinary approach to working allowed for their product design background to also come into play. I feel this is an important piece of information which I should use within my own practice - for instance using other interests and what I have previously learnt at school in other disciplines to inform my work. This allows to create more meaning and engagement within work. Much of Brosmind's physical product work allows the audience to interact with their work in this way, such as their fussball table, video game and 'motoguias' which were built to transport visitors around their 'Working With a Brother' exhibition and included a built-in audio guide.
OUGD402 - Studio Brief 03 - Presentation Feedback
Verbal feedback on my presentation suggested that the overall layout of my design strategy presentation could have been better, which ultimately would have made the presentation more engaging. It was considered that there was too much text on each page which limited the space for appropriate images of my own work. As a result the text was slightly confusing, as it was not clear whether to read what was on the current slide or to listen to what I was saying verbally. To improve, the text should have been cut out completely so to make the presentation purely image based. This would have allowed a better understanding of how my work and images linked directly to each point.
In terms of content, I perhaps focused too much on the negative side of things. It has been suggested through research that people tend to remember negative aspects of something more than positive points, and this was evident through the two questions which I received at the end of the presentation. Therefore, to improve I should have explained a point and clearly stated how I would overcome this or how it could potentially also be seen as positive. This links back to one of my aims for level 5 which said "to worry less about things". As a result, I should be more proud of my studio brief outcomes which would then have people also engage with them more.
OUGD402 - Studio Brief 03 - Design Strategy Presentation
What have I learnt?
One of the main things I have learnt since the start of this course is new skills in certain adobe softwares, such as illustrator and indesign, which I previously had little knowledge of. This has been incredibly useful for each studio brief, allowing me to produce work which could not be produced effectively through simply handmade methods, such as book layouts and typeface design. Not only have I learnt new skills in such softwares, the ongoing use of these have allowed me to develop existing skills in photoshop.
I have also learn that research is one of the most important things when starting a brief. An extensive knowledge of the themes and concepts behind your work helps it to become more informed and thought out, which normally produces the best outcomes. The more obscure the information the better. This area has been accompanied by various study tasks which have helped me learn new graphic design techniques and processes, such as ascii art and book-binding, and ultimately produce more experimental work.
New knowledge of typographic terminology and grid systems will now allow me to talk about my work in a more informed manner and explain the small, individual elements of type design and the importance of grids within layouts.
Non-work related, I have also learnt how to cook decent meals for myself which has come from independence and living away from family in a new city.
How will these affect my future development?
- A range of new skills to develop my creative practice.
- A range of new processes allows experimentation and better informed work and concepts - this creates clear links between work, research and ideas.
- New knowledge of typographic terms allow me to correctly talk about my work typographically in the correct and a more informed manner.
- Grid systems are important in creating a hierarchy and consistency in work.
Strengths and how I will develop these?
- Handmade processes, such as printmaking - will be developed further through being more experimental and combining different processes, such as analog and digital, which I have done for specific studio briefs and study tasks - blacklettering and wayfindings, in particular.
- Research and study tasks - experimentation with processes and ideas - develop further by going to more exhibitions, research trips and library visits to better inform my ideas and concepts.
Weaknesses and how I will address these?
- Still not the best at adobe - this can be overcome through the natural progression on the course whereby I will use various different softwares for set studio briefs and tasks. Working on more self-led projects will also allow me to develop these skills.
- Presentations have never been a strong point, however the ongoing presentation of work and group critiques will allow me to practice talking publicly to the class about my work and ideas.
What have I enjoyed and why?
- Independence - felt like it was needed to help myself grow as a person/ helped each me things I would not have known otherwise, such as how to cook and work a washing machine.
- Meeting new people - being surrounded by many like-minded people who all wish to pursue a career within the creative industry.
- Living in a new city - has allowed me to explore new things and become more open-minded.
- Exhibitions and workshops - gained valuable new skills, knowledge and inspiration.
- Studio talks, visiting professionals and trips - valuable advice about what it takes to become a graphic designer, set up your own studio, put yourself out there and ultimately pursue a career in the creative industry.
What have I disliked and why?
- The workload has been slightly overwhelming at times, however this is how it would potentially be working in a studio setting, as studio visits and talks have taught me that you will constantly be working on a variety of different briefs at one time - preparation for finishing the course/time management.
Aims and ambitions for Level 5?
- Get better at time management - create lists of things to get done in a day/prioritise those more important/start things as soon as possible.
- Work on more self-led briefs in my spare time - valuable to inform creative practice and build a portfolio of work which does not just consist of module briefs, but one which also conveys more personal interests.
- Pay more visits to the library - do more research through text, books and visits for primary research, rather than relying on the internet the majority of the time - accuracy of information.
OUGD402 - Studio Brief 02 - Business Card Inspiration
In order to make my brand memorable and stand out amongst others, I did some initial research into creative ways to produce a business card. For this, I decided to stick with the handmade, printed route, therefore looking for similar style business cards that could be used as the main source of inspiration for my own.
This particular business card by Rush Talent, a talent agency and management company, was the main source of inspiration for the layout of my own business cards. I uses a clear hierarchy of information, with the image/logo at the top of the card and the contact information clearly stated at the bottom. The template for my business cards uses a similar hierarchy, which meant my logo could easily be stamped at the top of the card.
One initial idea for business cards was to screen print a different design onto each of them. This could be done using simple geometric shapes, creating a different form through the manoeuvring and manipulation of these shape templates. Another idea was to screen print or letterpress a different caption or phrase onto each of the cards which would represent one part of my personality which people described as 'quotable' due to my tendency to say unexpected words or phrases in certain situations. This would give a comedic touch to my business cards that could potentially make them stand out amongst more serious ones.
Lo Siento Studio's business cards, produced by Mucho, acted as another source of inspiration when exploring ideas. For this, a custom stencil was made of their logotype which could then be stenciled onto each business card in a different way each time with different materials and mediums. This would appeal to a lot of other studios and clients, as people enjoy to receive something unique. Using a stamp would potentially have a similar impact as each print would not necessarily be exactly the same, for instance depending on the amount of ink applied to the stamp.
This particular business card by Rush Talent, a talent agency and management company, was the main source of inspiration for the layout of my own business cards. I uses a clear hierarchy of information, with the image/logo at the top of the card and the contact information clearly stated at the bottom. The template for my business cards uses a similar hierarchy, which meant my logo could easily be stamped at the top of the card.
One initial idea for business cards was to screen print a different design onto each of them. This could be done using simple geometric shapes, creating a different form through the manoeuvring and manipulation of these shape templates. Another idea was to screen print or letterpress a different caption or phrase onto each of the cards which would represent one part of my personality which people described as 'quotable' due to my tendency to say unexpected words or phrases in certain situations. This would give a comedic touch to my business cards that could potentially make them stand out amongst more serious ones.
Lo Siento Studio's business cards, produced by Mucho, acted as another source of inspiration when exploring ideas. For this, a custom stencil was made of their logotype which could then be stenciled onto each business card in a different way each time with different materials and mediums. This would appeal to a lot of other studios and clients, as people enjoy to receive something unique. Using a stamp would potentially have a similar impact as each print would not necessarily be exactly the same, for instance depending on the amount of ink applied to the stamp.
Tuesday, 28 March 2017
OUGD402 - Studio Brief 02 - Stamp Application
Another application in self-branding would be the stamp itself, as this can be used for a variety of different things, including the other two applications used for this project (notebooks and business cards). Although physically produced to use for my final logo, I decided to also mock-up this stamp to show how it would potentially be used in a more professional manner.
OUGD402 - Studio Brief 02 - Notebook Application and Production
In applying my logo to further applications, I decided to continue playing on the concept of analog techniques and processes, as well as using a process which I have learnt since the start of the course. Bookbinding was a very enjoyable process, which has helped me in producing more professional looking books and zines for various studio briefs and personal work. For this application, I decided to use my new knowledge of bookbinding to produce a set of two notebooks which could be used to promote my self-branding.
The two notebooks which I produced used saddle stitch and Japanese stab-stitch binding methods. Stab-stitch is a method which can be experimented with in creating new and interesting stitch patterns, therefore developing a continuation of unique touches to such application. Using the same stamp produced for my final logo and business cards, this was stamped onto the front of each notebook to promote my self-branding.
The two notebooks which I produced used saddle stitch and Japanese stab-stitch binding methods. Stab-stitch is a method which can be experimented with in creating new and interesting stitch patterns, therefore developing a continuation of unique touches to such application. Using the same stamp produced for my final logo and business cards, this was stamped onto the front of each notebook to promote my self-branding.
OUGD402 - Studio Brief 02 - Business Card Production
For my business cards, the decision was made to not use the digitalised version of my logo but instead use the logo stamp which I produced from lino. In doing so, I felt this would give my business cards a small personal touch which links back to the handmade concept and would mean each business card would be unique to each person.
Initially, I created a basic template for which my name, pay-off and contacts details would be situated in. These were then printed onto various coloured papers, which in this instance I experimented with white, pink and yellow. Using an ink pad, I then used my stamp to print my logo onto each business card. Due to the size of the business cards and the size of the stamp, this meant the logo went off the sides of the template slightly and in some cases over a small section of the information. If I were to develop this further for potential use, I would ensure the entire circular logo shape fit onto the business card template. However, for now this could be seen to communicate the handmade concept in the unique positioning of each logo on each business card.
Experimentation was also done using different coloured paints, however this was not as effective as black ink as the logo was not as detailed and did not create as much of an impact. This therefore produced the idea of printing onto coloured papers instead. For this reason, my business cards do not have a specific set colour palette in which would be standardised throughout all. The nature of the logo means that it can be stamped onto any material which would then become a business card in itself.
Initially, I created a basic template for which my name, pay-off and contacts details would be situated in. These were then printed onto various coloured papers, which in this instance I experimented with white, pink and yellow. Using an ink pad, I then used my stamp to print my logo onto each business card. Due to the size of the business cards and the size of the stamp, this meant the logo went off the sides of the template slightly and in some cases over a small section of the information. If I were to develop this further for potential use, I would ensure the entire circular logo shape fit onto the business card template. However, for now this could be seen to communicate the handmade concept in the unique positioning of each logo on each business card.
Experimentation was also done using different coloured paints, however this was not as effective as black ink as the logo was not as detailed and did not create as much of an impact. This therefore produced the idea of printing onto coloured papers instead. For this reason, my business cards do not have a specific set colour palette in which would be standardised throughout all. The nature of the logo means that it can be stamped onto any material which would then become a business card in itself.
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