Self Evaluation

This module, for me, has been a really interesting and eye opening. It has included a lot of techniques and process in which I enjoy and have a particular interest in. Although I do not enjoy packaging briefs, I managed to slip in logo design, something I find fascinating and enjoyable. Considering I have never enjoyed producing packaging, I am reasonably pleased with what I managed to produce. As usual, the concept and idea behind it is so much stronger than the final outcome, however, I still feel as though I did fairly well even though I didn't include everything I said I would.
My favourite part of the module has to be the 16 paged booklet. I love working with type and layout. I definitely think it could be improved, however, I'm pleased with what I managed to produce.
I thoroughly enjoyed the workshops also. They for me, were extremely useful, and I learnt an awful lot. I plan to use this knowledge I now have, in future pieces of work. Hopefully they'll come to great use!
I feel as though I could have done so much more during this module. I had various techniques in mind which I wanted to put into practise but failed to do so, which I find very disappointing. This also affects my research. I feel as though it wasn't as strong as it could have been. I will definately make sure I push myself in the next module.
In the way of the amount of work we have had, I've aways known I need to manage my time better, and again, I somehow failed at this even though I just about managed to get everything finished. Perhaps this is why I felt as though there was so much to do. Time organisation is something I need to work on if I want to make the most of it properly.

5 things I will do differently during the next module:

*I will manage my time better. Although I put a lot of time and effort in to working much longer hours, I failed to put it to good use. I found myself lost at some points, and somehow managed to loose interest in my work.
*I will ensure I put more effort into researching my subject. This is probably why my work feels dry at some points. I haven't got as much as I should to go on.
*I need to calm down. I have never stressed so much in my life as much as I did during this module... to the point where it made me sick. I just couldn't stop stressing.
*Using the staff to gain advice and professional opinions is something I should take advantage more of.
*I should prepare action plans, especially nearer the end of a brief/module. I reckon this would help me a lot more, and will keep me focused.

End of Module Self Evaluation

BA (Hons.) GRAPHIC DESIGN

END OF MODULE SELF-EVALUATION

1. The content of the module was relevant to my development as a designer.

I really enjoyed this module, although I found it extremely challenging.

I'm very interested in type and layout, so this was something great for me to have a go at.

I'm reasonably pleased with what I've produced in the way of type and layout, although I know it could definitely be improved.

2. The projects that we were asked to do were too hard (5), about right (3) too easy (1)

The projects were definitely challenging, and there was a fair amount to do to get everything finished.

3. The amount of work expected in the time available was challenging but fair.

I've always known I need to manage my time better, and again, I managed to fail, even though I just about managed to get everything done. Perhaps this is why I felt as though there was so much to do.

4. I feel that I have learnt a lot during the module and that it has helped/will help me progress.

I've learnt a fair amount during this module. I made sure I would try my hardest to take on board everything that would be taught. I aim to use my knowledge in my projects from now on.

5. The staff support during this module was useful and offered appropriate feedback and opportunity to discuss my progress.

There was more of less always someone around if I needed someone for advice or a general opinion.

I really used the crits to my advantage as well. They were extremely helpful.

6. The timetabled crits were useful and helped me move forward with my work.

As much as I hate talking about my work, I found the crits really useful. They make things seem so much clearer, and it's great to get other people's opinions on your own work. It really opens your eyes to what else you can do.

7. The assessment criteria was made clear throughout the module and I knew what I was supposed to be doing.

I'd say that criteria we needed for assessment was continuously made clear to us throughout the module. Speaking to lectures about our work was great so they could make sure we were on the right path.

Finally!

My final logo. :)
Whilst designing on Illustrator, I've been using the peach colour as it's a fairly calm colour. However, as I'll be heat transfering it onto my material teabag, I'll most probably use the black as it's a simple yet effective colour for a logo. It'll also stand out on the final product.

Logo developed..

I like! ...probably won't use it though! Can't say it's got much to do with tea. :/ DOH!

Brand logo

So I've been playing around with typefaces for the logo of my product which will appear on the product itself as well as the packaging.
I have used two exising fonts which I foundon dafont.com. I joined the 'C' to 'almers' as I wasn't happy with how it looked completely in one of the two fonts.
As this will be used for four seasons, I wanted to change each, subtly. By doing this you would be able to tell they each belong to a set. The way in which I have chosen to do it, is by changing the font of the name of each season. I have been trying to find a decent font which represents each, and so far I've come up with what's below.

These are the originals. For both 'winter' and 'spring', I have used Myriad Pro.


Below I have used Footlight MT Light, and Harrington. I'm still debating whether to use other fonts, but these are my first thoughts.

I chose to use a Serif font for Winter as the serifs look like icecicles and looks to be quite chilly due to it's thin stems.

I chose to use Harrington for Spring mainly because of it's 'spring' look. It's all curly and fun, and looks quite natural. I think it suits the season, although I'm not sure if it's wavering away from how it's supposed to look? These are supposed to be aimed at a higher market and be limited edition.

Packaging

I've been thinking about what packaging to use for my product.
I flicked through a packaging book I found from the library which came with a cd. I used a few of the examples in the book, so printed out the nets and made them to see what they look like in 3D.
Here are a few I made.


I don't want to have anything too complicated. I want simple. I've always wanted simple. I much prefer the third and last image. Sooo.. here's what I've settled for...

Seasonal?

If you type seasonal gifts into google, you're most likely to see everything based around Christmas.
I want to design a product for each season, just so Summer, Autumn and Spring don't feel left out. :)

The Concept.
'Tea is good because it helps relieve stress.'
My product will help relieve stress through scent. Research shows that tea helps, so, I will produce a product containing tea. You cannot drink it. Only smell it. It is extremely compact, and is something which can easily carried around with you.

The Idea.
I will produce a leaf or flower representing each season. I plan to use material which will contain tea with, perhaps, a hint of a scent which also symbolizes the season.
I will ''invent'' a name for my product and design a logo which will appear on the packaging as well as the product.
I want the ''tea bags'' to be packaged individually so they can only be purchased during each season. They all won't be available throughtout the entire year, so I guess you could say they're limited edition.

Some more paper folding

Trying to further my origami skills, I had another go. Again, it went a little wrong. Oh welllllll.

Ow :(

I've just had my first origami experience. It wasn't good. In fact, I can't say I enjoyed it too much. Very frustrating indeed.

This is what I was trying to make. I followed a simple step by step youtube video (which I'll upload in my DC blog)........

.... and I somehow managed to make this..

DISASTER!

The crit..

..was a success! :)

I got some really good feedback and suggestions as to what I can do. I was also told to pick ONE idea NOW and to just stick with it.. which is what I was expecting to be honest, hahahah! And it's fair enough really. So yay! :)

Before I totally commit to just one idea, I'm gonna have a quick play around with the suggests that we're given to me. These weren't for the idea I was leaning more towards, but I'm willing to give anything a go really! I wanna try and make this as good as I can. So yeah, I'll have a play, and if I see it as something I'm really enjoying doing then I'll commit. Oh yes I will. If it all goes to pot however, I'll go with the idea I was leaning towards in the first place. Success!

A little unclear

I'm starting to come up with ideas that doesn't connect to my concept. :/ Thing is, I kinda like them. Uhm.. I'm not sure whether changing my concept would be alryte. I guess the crit in a bit will straighten things out for me.
Just needed to get that off my chest. I feel a little better nowwww.

One step ahead?

I dived straight into the whole designing stage, which is badddddd. BAD Lindsey!
There I was, just playing around with material, when it popped into my head.. the idea of making up the alphabet with the contents of teabags! :O Now, I REALLY like this idea, however, I haven't actually designed anything to put this on or use this for. So I'ma have to put this on hold for the time being whilst I get my act together and actually get down to designing a product and its packaging!

A bit of sans serif there!

...and for all you serif lovers, these are for you. ;)


Obviously these are only mess arounds. They were made very quickly as you can probably tell from the excess tea around the letters. I didn't use any form of stencils either, so they're not precise. This would be something to consider if I were to include them in the final outcome.
The photography is also very weak, so I'd have to take this into consideration also. But as I say, these were just initial ideas, quick off the mark playing. :)

Personally I prefer the serifs as it gives it more of a professional quality and is more visually pleasing.

HELLLP!

I need some opinions!

I've got the basic layout I'm gonna stick with for this 16 page booklet, but I can't decide which works better visually.

As it stands, I've been using a tint of the header shape thing, but after getting someone elses opinion, it's been brought to my attention that perhaps just using the same colour for the header and footer would look better?
I can't decide.
COMMENTS WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED!!
Thanks. :)

16 page booklet

Well I've been working on this booklet thing over the weekend. I've tried to keep it nice and simple, and I've also tried to put what I've learnt from the mac and type workshops into practice.

Here's a few pages I've done. They still need tweaking, but this generally what they'll look like.

So far I'm quite pleased with the look. I think I've got a nice and simple layout which will carry on through the booklet to make it have the same feel.

Design sheeeeets

Concept statement

Find it hard waking up in the morning? Feel like you have no energy during the day? Or are you about to pull an all-nighter to get all your work done for the hand-in date tomorrow morning? Tea is good because it has the caffiene to give you that extra bit of energy you need. Just one cuppa can help refresh you for a demanding and tiring afternoon ahead. Research shows that it increases alertness, stimulates metabolism and contributes to an increase in dopamine levels in the blood, which improves mood. Good huh?

What is good?

Tea Pot, Circa 1947 by Tava, Eugene

So, following on from the summer work comes the postcard brief. A rather fun brief actually. :)

Here are my finals!