Sunday, 26 September 2010

Workshop 24th, my 5 wants & dont wants, and questions I recieved.

Here are my five wants:
  • I want to produce a publication which explores the relationship between subject matter, type, image and layout. I want to do this because it is something I havent done properly or to a standard which is to the best of my ability in terms of my design practise on the course. I have explored these principles in various combinations in projects throughout second year, but a project with this as the soul focus has not happened yet. I think I would benefit and also learn alot from doing so. It would also be a great thing to have as a portfolio piece. Something Fred said in the session also made me think that I could produce a print based publication version of my portfolio using these ideas and principles well, and use this idea as almost a showcase for my work.
  • I want to build a portfolio of work that relfects my abilities, strong points and interests as a designer.  I want to do this with the understanding that a first impression is vital within the design industry, because I am effectively saying to any given employer, here look, I have skills that you could use, Im hirable. I do have some agencies in mind in regards to where and who I would ideally send off work to, and these places definately reflect my interests as a designer. Making sure I have a portfolio with strong briefs and outcomes within it is very important.
  • I want to be busy. What I mean by this is, I want to be completing mini briefs alongside the larger briefs, just to prevent me from stagnating and keep the workflow constant. If I do this I will be able to generate work with the greater range to pick from for my portfolio. Will also help me establish a stronger base to work from in the future because I will be constantly defining and refining my practise as a designer/ illustrator.
  • I want to be informed in all areas of relevant research which would help underpin a strong grounding for my design practise throughout this year and beyond.  This involves research visits and placements to get experience in industry. It also involves attending every possible chance to attain more experience, for example visiting professionals will be important this year. Contextual research is going to become crucial this year also in terms of how I carry on defining myself and where I fit within industry. I also want to do this because I have been ignorant to information that could help me greatly over the past two years, and because I aim to make the most of this year, I cant afford to design with my eyes, ears and brain shut to the world around me.
  • I want to do more illustration and print. I want to do this because it is one of my strongest abilities so it would be a bit of a waste to ignore it. I also think that I have alot more to learn about illustration, well, its a constant learning curve just like anything else, but the more you know the better it gets right?
5 Dont Wants:


  • (I bet you've read this a fair few times...) I dont want to do web design or motion graphics. Or, at least, as little as possible - I might have to look into web design for my own website, but apart from this I dont want to touch it. This is just because they are design principles which I dont feel altogether confident with, and I feel that generally I cant communicate my ideas through these approaches well either because of my limited ability, and this year aint about limitations.

  • I dont want to be unorganised like I have been for the past two years. Because it will totally ruin my chances of having a really successful third year. I want to make the most of the time I have left!

  • I dont want to work in a bubble. I'll be looking for excuses to collaborate with others on the course ( and maybe people on other courses) just to broaden my experience and the range of contacts I have. Feedback is also really important to me this year, as it should have been for the past two years!

  • I dont want to think about what I dont want to do. I think I got a bit confused last year, but salvaged it for the last module. As a result of this, I'm not thrilled with alot of the work I did. What I need now is focus, I need to feel the fear, and do it anyway!

  • I dont  want to over conceptualise. It muddies the clarity of the message in a project and often bewilders a project which can ruin the outcome. I had a few Frankenstein projects last year, I dont want that this year, no thanks.


 Current Umberella Statement: 

"Illustration + Design, Creative + Commercial Industries, driven by print, promotion, publication + Editorial."




Feedback Questions. 

Some good questions from my group, and something I can definately use to help keep defining myself as a designer & Illustrator.




- Who's my audience?
- If I am aiming my design at people, how can I do this effectively?
- Is it time to decide if I am an illustrator or a designer, is there a middle ground?
- Where do I want to go? ( I think this means in terms of industrial experience)
- How can I be more specific when it comes to research?
- Do I have/ need to have two portfolios, one aimed at design and one aimed at illustration?
- How can I adapt my illustration into design? Where does the synthesis start?


A really good session which cleared alot of problems up for me, I came away from the session with alot to think about and alot more to talk about in my presentation than I thought I would have.

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