Design Practice III//Re-Written, Finalised Briefs.

My finalised re-written briefs for the four significant and one additional brief put together for the OUGD301 Design Practice III module, including briefs written for:

Jessie Leong Photography

UK Greetings / YCN 2013

Leeds University Union Ballet Society

James Maxwell Architectural Design

+ Leeds College of Art Christmas Card 2012

Design Practice III//Bibliography.

My completed bibliography submission form for the OUGD301 Design Practice III module.

Ideally, throughout the module I would have kept a continuous written list of all of my sources to help ease the writing up process, (something which I will ensure I do during the final major project module) so, as a result, not ALL of my sources are listed, but perhaps the most significant ones. All other sources can be found on my Design Context blog, here.

Design Practice III//Module Submission Form.

The finalised written document for the module submission form, to hand in tomorrow with the body of work presented in wallets and branded folder, with an overview of my briefs and outcomes, as well as a rationale for a brief summary and overview of the work executed throughout the OUGD301 Design Practice III module.

Design Practice III//OUGD301 Evaluation.

The finalised written evaluation for the OUGD301 Design Practice III module, in which I have evaluated my progress throughout the module, my design processes and outcomes, as well as my particular strengths and weaknesses, with elements to improve upon for the next (and final!) module... the final major project.

Design Practice III//Brief Five: Leeds College of Art Christmas Card 2012 Submission Boards.

The finalised submission for the additional, two-day brief for the live competition Leeds College of Art Christmas Card 2012 design, as viewed and judged by marketing (results of the contest are yet to be published).

Again, overall I'm quite happy with the design outcomes of the project, particularly considering the turnaround times, however, I wish that I could have produced a high enough quality print and photographic image to feel happy to represent it on my boards as opposed to a vector-based design, which would have ensured more consistency across my boards, as well as being able to apply it directly to my personal and professional design portfolio.

Design Practice III//Brief Four: James Maxwell Architectural Design Submission Boards.

The finalised design/submission boards for the James Maxwell Architectural Design brief.

Again, like the Leeds University Union Ballet Society brief, I'm a little disappointed with the outcome of both the products and the boards (in regards to the photography), as, by comparison,  I feel that they look particularly rushed and not to the standard I was hoping to achieve- particularly considering that in the Architecture range none of the single-shot photos were of good enough quality, so had to use a group shot again. Hopefully this won't effect the outcome in regards to professionalism/marking of the brief too greatly, and hopefully the concepts and design outcomes can still be successfully conveyed.

Design Practice III//Brief Three: Leeds University Union Ballet Society Submission Boards.

Final boards for submission for the Leeds University Ballet Society brief, developing both the printed stationary range for networking, communication and brand and product outcome professionalism, as well as designing the branded hoodies for existing members of the society.

Overall, I had quite a lot of difficulties with the photo editing, as the pictures were very over-exposed I had to edit out a lot of vignette, and was purely a technical error on my point (but I've definitely learnt from this now). As a result, I couldn't avoid having a real mix of colours on my design boards, so the brand spot colour isn't very distinct, and will, therefore, go on to add artwork files for my CD/module submission.

Design Practice III//Brief Two: UK Greetings / YCN 2013 Submission Boards.

The finalised module submission boards for the UK Greetings / YCN 2013 brief, in which I created my own brand of greetings card and range of gift products to accompany them.

In terms of the scope of my briefs for the module submission, strangely, considering the short time frame and quick development of the brief, this is probably the one I am most proud of, as I took a step out of my comfort zone to work on packaging design (albeit simple packaging) and a really quick turnaround with production values that have impressed others during crits.

Doing a quick competition brief like this one with successful results has definitely given me a confidence boost in regards to what I can achieve, and hope that I can carry this on through to FMP and later on in my personal and professional design practice and career.

Design Practice III//Brief One: Jessie Leong Photography Submission Boards.

The final boards (now printed and presented in A2 wallets) for module submission for the Jessie Leong Photography branding brief, with an overview of work, concept and deliverables produced throughout the duration of the collaborative brief along with potential design development and working towards a focus on digital design together in the New Year.

On the whole, I'm pretty pleased with the outcomes of this brief. I feel that I've been given some great and really supportive feedback from both Jessie and my peers, and believe that the product outcome range is extensive and well considered, and hope that the presentation and delivery on the boards does the project and the time exude on it, fair justice.

Professional Development III//Design Trip to Manchester.

On Saturday 27th, myself, Kirsty Alderson, Claudia Griffin, and Bethany Yates (my friends and fellow BAGDers) took a day trip to Manchester to visit both The Manchester Print Fair and the 'Paper at the Cutting Edge' Exhibition at the Manchester Art Gallery.

Having never been to Manchester before (only passing through in the past), it was great to visit the city and find out a little bit more about the retail environment and development of the area. 

Based in NQ22 (at The Northern Quarter), the Print Fair was located in a small, intimate venue with a range of printed design from Graphic and Illustrative designers (with a bit of a business card pillage for me!), and then moved on to the paper craft exhibition, which was really innovative and exciting to see a different design form in the context of a gallery.

A great day out, and wonderful to do something a little different, whilst still absorbing some design inspiration.

Personal & Professional Development//LCA SU NEST Magazine Launch.

flickr.com/people/crashbangsnap

Yesterday saw the launch of the Leeds College of Art Student Union Magazine, 'NEST', at the Whitecloth Gallery and Bar Exhibition Space in Leeds, having been lucky enough to be the first issue's cover designer and featured artist, I was also lucky enough to have been offered a table to sell my work at, and to have my work up for sale in the gallery.

All in all, it was a really great night, and we (myself and the Student Union team) were really delighted to see so many people, not only visiting, but staying the whole evening, and as well as selling work, and got to speak to a lot of industry people, as well as students from other courses and disciplines, and found it really interesting to hear what everyone's up to, and the potential for collaborations.

All images taken by the wonderfully talented, Jessie Leong Photography.

Design Practice III//Negotiated Briefs//Finalised Briefs.

The finalised collection of my written initial ten briefs for Design Practice III, to review with tutors and discuss as I go on to Level 06 to develop both my personal and professional design portfolio.

For more evidence of contextual research, see my Design Context blog for more details and information about each individual brief.

Professional Practice III//Industry//Reply from Supa Naught

supanaught.com

This afternoon, Simon Canaway of Supa Naught, a design studio in Newcastle-upon-Tyne I had originally contacted a couple of months ago, was kind enough to send a reply in regards to me sending along a copy of my portfolio and CV, as well as noting that I was looking to develop my industry experience through placements and studio visits throughout the summer.

Although, as stated in the email, Supa Naught aren't currently offering placements, he was kind enough to send through an extensive and very complimentary reply to my portfolio, which, of course, I greatly appreciate, and hope I can still keep in contact with him for any potential work or opportunities to meet again in the future.

Summer 2012//Studio Visit//Precept.

www.studioprecept.co.uk

On Wednesday of last week, I spent my lunch break from my work placement at Precept, a multi-disciplinary design studio just outside of Newcastle city centre, having kindly been dropped off and picked up by Rachel at Founded.

After previously contacting the Creative Director, Nick, about the potential of a studio visit or working placement, I was put in touch with Studio Manager, Adam, who was covering for Nick, who was on holiday (lucky, lucky!) in Florida. I also met with Andy, who is currently running the internship scheme, and had the opportunity to see their wonderful studio in the converted Kingsland Church Studios (originally renovated by Photographer Alex Telfer), and to show them a brief portfolio of my work, as well as some of the work I had been doing whilst at my two placements in Newcastle/Gateshead.

I was really delighted that Adam and Andy seemed keen about my work, and I later received an email asking me to go up to Newcastle for an initial two-week placement with the possibility of extending, as well as working on some long-distance briefs with them before this time, which could be a really new, and exciting experience, as I dip my toe into the working design world. 

After a chat with the tutors when I return to Uni, and finding out what my working timetable is, hopefully I'll be able to give Adam a few more details and arrange something a little more solid and structured in terms of which time of the year would be most appropriate.

Studio Visit//Print Visit//Pressision.

www.pressision.co.uk

When visiting Joe Gilmore at his home studio, Qubik, a couple of weeks ago, one of the main topics we discussed, of course, was printing, and Joe told me about the local printer he uses, Pressision, and the printer he works closely with, Richard.

Joe was kind enough to give me the contact details, and show me some examples of the print work produced, and suggested, as BAGD students have in the past, contacting him with a group of fellow students about a print visit, and to potentially create a close contact for print projects and promotional material throughout the year. As a local facility, this would, of course, be ideal, and something that I'm now discussing and planning with a group of my close friends from within the course. Something to really look forward to, and to plan once the timetables for our working week have become a little more defined.