OUGD603 Submission Boards Tutorial

We were able to sign up for tutorials to be prepared for the submission that was coming up so that we could see how much work we needed to do and how prepared we were.

To be prepared for the crit, alongside the briefs that I had already produced design boards for, I made some quick boards to show how far I had got with the rest of the briefs that I had been doing or been involved with.

I presented the design boards that I had produced so far alongside these boards so that I could get some feedback.

Design Board Feedback

I was really disappointed to be told that my design boards for the briefs I had done were completely wrong and I would have to re-do them. It was annoying to me because we had to go back to doing design boards like we had been in first year when in second year we had been told that was wrong and had learnt to make them more professional. Now I was being told that being taught that was wrong as well and I was incredibly frustrated. having said that, I know that my tutors were only saying that because they wanted me to get the most out of my boards. From this, I asked if I could have a follow up tutorial so that I could have a go at implementing all of the changes necessary, which included development and research pages and consistent layouts for all boards, and make sure that I had fulfilled the criteria necessary of my boards.

The following week, I went to the tutorial with boards done for two briefs, the first being my Parish Pub brief and the second some new boards for the Luxury Chocolate collaborative brief. I was told that these boards were much better as they showed the development of the work and how it became what it is. I was relieved to find that I was now presenting them in the way that was needed and I will be continuing to do this for the rest of my briefs.

Design Context Publication Crits/ Tony Broomhead Crit

We had sign up crits to be able to get some feedback on the design publication that we have to produce for Extended Practice.  I thought that it would be really beneficial for me to get some feedback on my ideas as I had ben struggling to come up with some ideas for the book.

Ideas for Book and Feedback Notes

In the crit, I discussed the ideas that I had but how I was struggling to be able to come up with the content for them. I was told that all of my ideas would make sense and that they would answer the brief well as it ties into what my interests are and what I do. 

The brand guidelines idea was well received but I discussed how I knew that I would struggle presenting myself in this way. The interactive book idea was very similar to this one yet gave it an easier approach to produce content for. The most successful idea was the storybook idea as I had just completed the YCN submission and this idea was very similar so this would allow the idea to apply to an actual brief I've done so it would be contextualised.

Examples of Previous Students Design Publications

During this crit, we were able to have a look at examples of publications done by previous students and they were all very different. Some had just images from other designers about what influenced them, some had took a conceptual approach to it whilst others included some of their own work and experiences in there. I wasn't completely impressed by the books because I wouldn't want to just have images of others work seen as it is suppose to be about my practice. Saying that, I liked to be able to have a concept to work towards as this is similar to how I work.

Having had this crit, I was glad that I had some re-assurance on my ideas and that I had been answering the brief correctly. Despite this, I was still struggling because I just couldn't think of any way in which I could approach these ideas. 

Following on from this, we were able to sign up to another crit were we would be able to get feedback from visiting professional Tony Broomhead, who is an architecture lecturer at Sheffield University.

Feedback Notes from Tony Broomhead Crit

I discussed the problem I had with Tony and the other people who were in my crit and they liked the idea that I was trying to put myself into the book. One remark that was made was that I should do a little componant piece about what makes me me because apparently my personality influences my design. I had never thought about this before but having someone else notice this about my work and telling me this, it made me want to include my personality as part of this publication.

Having said that, this then brought about the idea of a cookbook where I could present a recipe of how to make me. I would be able to have myself as a person and how it reflects in my design and how it goes into my work. For the content, I would be able to talk about individual ingredients that are personality traits and have separate chapters showing how I work towards a brief. This would allow for me to be able to have my own work as content and have a concept towards the book, which is how I work as well thereby reflecting my methodology.

I found the crit very helpful as by having this conversation, I now have some direction as to where this can go and I felt like I wanted to get onto working towards the book straight away, having found a renewed sense of enthusiasm.

Progress Crits

For these Crits, we had to show what we had done on briefs so far this semester. We were given sheets where we were to write down three questions that we had for each project so far so that we could get focused feedback on the areas that we need help with.

So far, the briefs I have done this semester are DBA and YCN (apart from the design boards) and I have worked on my Kitty Collateral brief and my Luxury Chocolate Collaborative brief. As I have already finished those other briefs, I didn't feel that it was necessary to get feedback on those so I focused on writing questions on my Kitty Collateral brief and my Luxury Chocolate Collaborative briefs.

Questions for my Briefs

After an hour, we met back up and had to present the work that we had done before asking the questions that we had and getting feedback on them.

Presented Book for YCN

To show that I had done some physical work, I presented my YCN storybook showing all of the pages and talking about the concept and the content of the book. I got great feedback in regards to the amount of work that I had put into the book and how it was clear that I had put a lot of thought into the book as I had come up with all the content as well as the visuals and how it works in regards to answering the brief.

Even though I didn't want any feedback, I stated that I hadn't done the design boards yet for the submission and this is what I was working on today having been working on the photography. I was given great feedback in regards to what I should include within my boards and should talk about on my blog. I should show the character development and how I have come to the stage I have and why I chose these particular characters and representations. Alongside this, the narrative is the unique selling point of the product and should be reinforced, particularly the synecdoche within the story and its relevance. 

One fantastic suggestion I was also given was to apply my book to an iPad if I had the time so that you would be able to see it in a digital realm and allow it to reach a larger audience range. I knew straight away that this would give a more integrated product and be able to use the story on many platforms.

Display of Kitty Collateral Brief

Next, I went onto talking about my Kitty Collateral Brief and I had three questions that I wanted answering.

I wanted to know about my font choices and their relevance, ect. The comment I got back was quite unnerving as there was mis-understanding of my brand name due to the font with the name all in capitals. I am going to have to think about how I can address this problem.

I asked about the time restrictions that we have at the moment and whether I should continue with wanting to make all the products or should I mock the project up. I was given positive feedback ascertaining to both but ultimately, after the discussion, it was decided that I should continue to make stuff but I should be selective as to what I choose to produce and what I can mock up.

Finally, I wanted to talk about the idea of producing a web proposal for the brief as this would add to my portfolio through the feedback that I had been getting as well as handing itself to the subject matter. I was told that I shouldn't try and code a website (which was never my intention int he first place) and that I shouldn't worry about it but if I have the time I should show a proposal for a web site.

Display of Collaborative

Lastly, I had some questions about my collaborative work with Emily as we so far have determined the visual identity for the brand but I wanted to get some feedback on the decisions that we had to make.

Saying that, I didn't have a lot of time left to speak about it so I only asked the first question which was about which colour foiling would be best for the colour scheme. Emily and I had been torn between silver and gold and the feedback I got was to go for gold based on the tone working with the brown and cream scheme better.

I will be working from this straight away and taking a lot of this feedback on board as I felt that it was quality and constructive thoughts that can push my work further.

Student- Led Crit

This student-led Crit was run by just a small group of us as we felt that we get the best quality feedback from just a small group of people being fully engaged within the Crit.

We went around the table and discussed the problems or indecisions that we had with the projects that we were currently working on and asked questions of the group in relating to the feedback that we specifically wanted.

Idea Development for YCN 

The main thing that I asked about for my crit was the idea that I have for the YCN Save the Children brief. I had briefly spoken to Amber in a progress tutorial about my idea but I wanted some feedback from my peers as well.

I wanted to know if I was justified in answering the brief in the way that I was in the sense that I am not using the branding guidelines provided at all. Those in the crit felt that my idea was very strong and it was a different approach to answering the brief backed up by the research undertaken and provided by Save the Children.

Initial Character Development

Also, I showed the characters that I had started developing at this point and asked about where I should go with them. The group stated that the father and son needed development as they don't come across as friendly, relatable or believable which I agreed with and asked for their opinion in what I could improve on. They said that I needed to get rid of the beard and change the hair of the boy so that they are softer and less serious or cold.

In regards to my Kitty Collateral brief, I asked about the colour scheme that I had selected as I wanted to know that it was appropriate, I was worried that, because it is mainly beige and neutral colours, it would come across as boring or too pale. The feedback I got was that it was about right as it was warm, inviting and, most importantly, homely as well as being a reminder of the cats fur coating.

This crit came at a good time because I needed this reassurance and reference in order to build on my briefs and continue to develop them which the feedback that I have got has really helped in allowing me to move forward.

Tutorial Crit

I had a one to one tutorial with Nick where I had the chance to discuss the briefs that I had been working on so far.

I started off by talking about the brief that I had recently started and was currently working on which is my Kitty Collateral Brief. I showed him what I had been working on, with it being a work in progress with me just experimenting with imagery and type for a logo and that I am undecided with what to choose for a logo.

Logo Possibility

He asked me what it would be producing for the brief in regards to printed work and suggested that it would be a good idea to add more of a context to it, such as making the work for a Cat Hotel due to the handwritten script font that I had experimented with was reminiscent of a traditional American motel. This way, I could produce work for something as well as to sell for a brand. I loved the idea of a Cat Hotel as it was unique and a lot more imaginative.

Illustrations

Alongside the more imaginative side of the Cat Hotel concept, Nick felt that I should keep going with the illustrations that I had produced rather than the logo and develop them because they had more of a fun element and could produce a really nice pattern for the brand. Not only that but they had more of a personality than having a cat shape within the logo.

I went onto talking about my Parish brief as I had got a bit stuck with it. I discussed some of the reasons for my design decisions and he felt that I should narrow down the scope and scale of the brief, sticking to what I had already done for it and leaving it at that. He felt that I was starting to get a bit lost in it and that the brief could become continuous therefore I need to narrow down what I need to do and leave it. The only thing that I could consider doing was some identification for staff.

I am going to work on the comments that he made, particularly those made about my Kitty Collateral brief so that I can move forward and quickly progress with it.

For the next time I speak to Nick, he would like to see both of the briefs having progressed and developed as well as speaking about the DSM Brief.