PPD//OUGD203 Module Feedback 2012.

Module Feedback and grade outlines from the last studio module, OUGD203 (Design Practice II), from which I gained a 2:1 at 67%.


Although this is, disappointingly, my lowest grade of the year so far, it was almost expected, to be honest. The first half of the module, with the YCN collaboration, I particularly didn't enjoy, and throughout the entirety of the module I found myself tired and feeling half-hearted about the work that I was creating.


In hindsight, I should have experimented a great deal more with processes and print finishes, and concept development. Certainly from this module I've learnt a lot for preparation for next year, and, hopefully, it won't effect my overall grade for the year too much, and, hopefully, I'll still be able to achieved an overall first. 

Design Practice II//Product/Range/Distribution//OUGD203 Self Evaluation.

My finalised, written self evaluation for the OUGD203 Design Practice II module, reflecting upon my design experience throughout the past months, my strengths, weaknesses and things to improve upon for my future modules and project concepts and design outcomes.

Design Practice II//Product/Range/Distribution//Finalised design boards.

The finalised design boards for my Product/Range/Distribution brief, with completed images, notation and explanation of the brief.

Design Practice II//YCN/Graze//My Responsibilities//Design Boards.

Again, re-publishing the design boards I produced at the end of the Design Practice II/YCN Collaborative brief which demonstrate my own personal responsibilities throughout the live brief project.

Design Practice II//Product/Range/Distribution//Final Revisited Brief.

The finalised, revised and written brief for my submission of the Product/Range/Distribution project within the OUGD203 Design Practice II module, taking my current product outcomes into consideration and reviewing what I have achieved throughout the project.

BRIEF

Create a reading scheme to be promoted and run by schools throughout the United Kingdom entitled '200 Books 200 Schools', (from the Puffin publishing house) whereupon 200 selected schools receive books and reading packs to be given to 9-11 years old (for each month of the academic year) to encourage and promote classic children's books and encouraging independent reading.

BACKGROUND//CONSIDERATIONS

Consider my target audience and the appropriateness of designs and communication for both this age group (schoolchildren aged 9-11) and their parents, who are encouraged to support the reading scheme.

Research the history and visual communication of Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimms (the story selected for the first month, and for which promotional media will be produced), and what will most effectively engage the chosen audience.

Research existing Graphic Design and Illustrative designs for children in a variety of contexts to find the most appropriate style, methods, and design outcomes.

MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS

Produce an extensive body of research into the history of The Fairy Tales of the Brother's Grimm, and the illustrative communication of their work throughout the past 200 years (of which the reading scheme '200 Books 200 Schools' was inspired).

Produce an extensive range of design developments, potential outcomes and experimentation with various forms of design media such as packaging, illustration and typographic design.

Produce a range of design outcomes to inform and persuade and encourage the target audience to keep reading with fun incentives (such as free gifts through printed media) and the fundamental encouragement to let their knowledge and capabilities grow. 

DELIVERABLES

Produce a range of printed media to be presented within a reading progress pack such as a printed publication, audio book (for the visually impaired), progress planner and free bookmark. I will propose that for each academic month a new series of printed media is produced and distributed, but in the case of this project, only producing the range for 'Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm', which will be proposed as the first book within the range, distributed to schoolchildren (in the selected 200 schools throughout the United Kingdom) in September 2012.

Produce promotional advertising design for the reading scheme in both print-based and screen-based formats.

STUDIO DEADLINE

OUGD203 FINAL CRIT// Wednesday 16th May

MODULE DEADLINE

Friday 25th May 2012, 1-2PM

Design Practice II//Product/Range/Distribution Self Evaluation.

A full, written evaluation for the Product/Range/Distribution project within the OUGD203 Design Practice II brief, reflecting upon my strengths, weakness, and things to improve upon in the future.

Design Practice II//YCN/Graze//End of project self evaluation.

Written response and self evaluation for the YCN/Graze collaborative brief, undertaken with design partner Charlie Crosby.

Design Practice II//YCN/Graze/Final Crit Feedback.

Final Crit Feedback and information from today's session. Working in groups of three (with the two members of each group- Charlie and I, Simon and Will, Oli and James), we each went around viewing the final design boards that we had created to present, writing on the feedback sheets about our initial thoughts and opinions before then openly discussing our design intentions and plans for the future of the project before Tuesday's final submission. 

Before the crits began, Charlie and I wrote a list of five specific questions that we felt would be important to address in the crit and get feedback from:

1/ Is our colour scheme appropriate for the brand and/or product?
2/ Is the branding suitable for our target audience?
3/ What do you think about the idea of a miniature box for mailshot deliverables?
4/ Aesthetically and physically, is there enough balance between print and digital design outcomes?
5/ Is the box and branding eye catching and engaging enough?

The crit, as ever, was really useful, and I can speak for both Charlie and myself when I say it was really useful to get the opinions of our peers, and maybe to realise that we were doing okay for the moment (and not to be too worried about getting it finished on time!). 

One particular topic that was bought up by James and Oli was the notion that the knife and fork logo wasn't very appropriate because of the "nibble" nature of Graze. This is something that I had worried about when creating the design, but without being overly conceptual (and therefore not very visually communicative) I found it quite difficult to come up with any other ideas that were contemporary and suited our campaign.

After discussing the integration of the spork/spoons to the Graze box to suit the more formal working environment, as a group, we came to a mutual agreement that, although not ideal in terms of visual communication, we would keep the logo (for now at very least) as it is- a good lesson in branding for me!