A design presence - Initial ideas

To produce a visual identity for 'Brand you' I thought a good way of generating some ideas would be to make a few lists which are associated with myself, I believe collecting data on me ill make it easier to express myself in a creative way to others.

Themes of things that I like

Graphic design:

Illustration
Photography
Packaging
Pattern design
Typography
Set design
Installation

Art and design:

Painting
Drawing
Sculpture

Vintage:

Shoes
Dresses
Tops
Jewellery
Pocket watches
Makeup
Belts
Mirrors
Boxes
Scarfs
Perfume
Cameras
Bags
Teacups

Patterns:

Polka dots
Stripes
Paisley
Abstract
Leopard
Zebra
Mosaic
Floral

Design strategy - Secret7: Responsive

Entering competition briefs is a great way of letting others see my work and I have enjoyed all the briefs I have taken part in, in particular the Secret 7 briefs to design vinyl sleeves for musicians. This is one of my favourite designs of the year mainly because of the photography work I did, the image is simple yet effective and was perfect to use for the sleeve. I intend on doing more quick turn around briefs as some of them are the most enjoyable. Here are a few presentation boards to show the concept development.

Design strategy - Evaluation: OUGD503

1. What skills have you developed through this module and how effectively do you think you have applied them?

The responsive module has thought me that I can work collaboratively really well, the skills I have developed in doing so are being more organised, producing more work than usual and making a lot more effort in a brief as someone else is counting on my efforts. I believe my software skills have improved, such as photoshop given that I edited a lot of photography work for the briefs I chose to do. Another is my communications skills, when working on the Dazed & Confused brief Emily and I had to share ideas and work separately sometimes, but good communication payed off as the final result of the work was well produced by the pair of us. 

2. What approaches to/ methods of design production have you developed and how have they informed your design development process?

I feel I have enhanced my photography skills, and using imagery in my work has been different to the usual vector based work, this is something I would like to take further as I want to learn more in photoshop and how to manipulate photographs to a high standard. A lot of my primary research has helped me throughout the briefs, just taking a few hours a week to go out and take photographs or gather products which will inspire me for later work has been worth while. 

3. What strengths can you identify in your work and how have/will you capitalise on these?

When I was approached to do the logo for Copper Beech Acoustic, which I later fully branded I realised that branding and identity is a sector within design which I really enjoy and that I actually grasp. Doing smaller briefs such as Secret 7 and Threadless were the ones I most enjoyed as I took the photographic and illustrative approach for both, both are strengths of mine which I want to pursue further. 

4. What weaknesses can you identify in your work and how will you address these in the future?

Any work wish has been rushed too quickly shows lack of creativity, this was shown in the Creative Networks brief, the work I produced wasn't great nor of a decent standard. Making more effort and taking time on designs needs to be addressed more in 'quick turn around briefs'.  I believe I could have done more briefs throughout the module if I'd of used my time wisely.

5. Identify 5 things that you will do differently next time and what do you expect to gain from doing these?

Use my time more effectively to be able to produce a better standard of work, and work that I am more pleased with. 

I wish I had produced print based work as apposed to proposal work, if I had of managed my time better I might of changed my designs after printing and mocking up first. 

I would have looked at a wider range of briefs, although there was a lot to choose from on YCN and D&AD, unfortunately I wasn't awfully keen on the many of then, I should have broadened my ideas by looking at different briefs, and  this may of resulted in me producing more satisfactory work. 

Perhaps exploring more with illustration would of been good as it is what I like to do most, for example in the Secret 7 briefs, this is something i will consider next time. 

When collecting secondary research I should look at a wider range of websites, as exploring through design work can seem a little repetitive, I will also use library more to look for inspiration designers and artists.

6. How would you grade yourself on the following areas:

Attendance: 3

Punctuality: 4

Motivation: 4

Commitment: 4

Quantity of work produced: 3

Quality of work produced: 4

Contribution to the group: 5

Design strategy - Threadless: Responsive

I believe during the responsive module I produced work that I was happy with most since being on the course, the module allowed me to enter competitions and and experience designing work which was more my style, The Threadless brief to design a t-shirt was a great way of me getting my illustrations onto products as this is something I would like to set up over the summer, a clothing line, perhaps collaboratively. The theme of the illustrations is Crystal Castles.

Design strategy - Copper Beech Acoustic: Responsive

During the responsive module I was approached by two musicians who wanted some help branding and promotion a music project they were setting up in the Lake District Cumbria. The aim was to generate a logo which reflected 'Copper Beech Acoustic' and apply it to a range of products to promote the project.  The brief was great to do and the clients were very friendly and easy to work with, I was thrilled to be asked to do the branding as I had not done professional work until then. Below are some presentation boards I put together to show the design development of the brand Copper Beech Acoustic.