OUGD203 Evaluation

Throughout this module, my design practice has been affirmed and I know more firmly what area of design I am most interested in and wish to aim for in my career. Design for print, specifically publications using type as a focus are primarily what I want to do.

During the YCN brief it was difficult at times as both me and Ailsa were quite undecisive and I don't think either of us wanted to take control, as there was only 2 of us. In a larger group I work better as I feel I can talk more openly, but when the number in the group decreases, there is more chance of offending someone.  I like to work in a team of 4 ideally.

Packaging was a big part of the YCN brief also and I have decided that is an area of print design which interests me very little anymore.

I realised, when I was printing my publication for 'Hate Week' just how happy I was and got excited when it paginated correctly, and trimmed down to size. I want this feeling when I work and it drives me to keep going.

During all projects, past and present, I can see that I manage my time well towards the end, but find it hard to get my teeth into something at the start. What I need to focus on is getting as many initial ideas down right at the beginning and deciding... rather than half going with an idea when its not really working.

I am so pleased with the result of 'Hate Week'. The juxtaposition works and it is definately a piece I can put in my portfolio and be happy with for both the reasons that it works as a piece of design and secondly that it reflects the context, content and media I wish to work with in the future.

One thing I would add would be include real articles in the publication rather than lorem ipsom, as that would show more type technical ability with layout restricted by word count, paragraphs etc.

This module has been the best so far and my aim to to continue doing mini projects over summer to build my portfolio even further.

Final boards

Open publication - Free publishing - More design

Final images

Open publication - Free publishing - More design

Final proposals

Final coffee

Final cupcake

Final invitation

Final Twitter

This works well on the computer as you can see the design, however iphone capabilities do not allow the user to see any individual design elements. I am a bit dissapointed with this but there is nothing I can do. If I did make the app I am proposing it would show more of the design and style.

Final publication

Since the crit I got straight on and finished my publication. It is full of subjects most people think negatively about. Each article (currently lorem ipsum) will based on the positive aspects of each topic. Such as the deadline article will be on how deadlines are good as they are a finishing point of something and the beginning of another and change is a positive thing to keep us progressing forward.

Open publication - Free publishing - More design

Final Crit

Open publication - Free publishing - More crit

I got some really good feedback from my final crit and I think alot of it is achievable in the time available. Some things I will take on board are:

• Spell checking!
• Re-photographing
• Small design changes on the boards and the text
• Complete publication
• Photoshop 'half full' and 'Hate Week' onto coffee cup
• Proposal for publication stand and big coffee cup as point of interest

Cupcake

The design for the cupcake packaging is pretty simple and if I have time, I will look into the design of the actual cupcake, however for the minute I am using a plain white one with red spinkles, which I think goes with the design of my range anyway.

Twitter

I am creating a Twitter account and proposing an App. The Twotter account will reach a wider audience and will also be a place to promote 'Hate Week', whereas with the App, it will have as much promotion.

I have signed up a new profile @Hate_Week and hope to create a background and Tweet, I am also hoping to get an example of people Tweeting with a mention of @Hate_Week.

I will show this on an iPhone as this is the technology which will be used to Tweet, as hopefully they do it on the move as soon as they pick up a coffee and cupcake!

Below shows the development of my profile... including colour decisions, first tweet and profile info.

Colour variations

Using a pre-existing swatch book on Illustrator I have altered my design so my 'client' has a choice if they see the green and red as an issue with colour blind audiences or if it maybe looks too feminine...

Mock-ups

Decided to print off what I have designed so far to see if the scales were right and the concept worked across the products. I am really happy with how they sit together and think they are recognisable as part of a set. Hopefully people will be tempted to grab coffee and cupcake from the station on their way through and the packaging of this can reinforce the positive message through the city.

I still need to make the cupcake casings and twitter background... I am proposing a twitter page, also considering an app which you can type in a 'hate' of yours and it will tell you a positive.

Coffee

Coffee is bad, but in Hate Week I will be giving this away as a positive message to keep you alert. I want it branded the same as the invitation and minimag to be seen as part of a set.

Pick-up

Inspiration came from magaizines in the college library but I am aware that it needs to be readable and interesting... The magazine is going to contain articles about things people typically hate and show them in a positive light. Playing on the half empty/half full idea.

Revised invitation

I have alteres the size of the invitation so it is now 12cm instead of 21! I have also adjusted they point size and message. Also incorporated the flower design onto the back of the invite to be more consistent with the 'cup half full' approach which will be across more of my range.

Colour blind issues!

Lorraine bought up a good point which I had not even considered... 10 % of males are colour blind and if they are red/green they may have trouble reading this. I asked 2 of my peers who are colour blind if they thought it would be an issue and they both agreed that it would be ok as there is not enough red of the eyes to get confused... SCORE!

Half full or half empty?

I got some brilliant help and feedback from my crit for how I could make Hate Week more of an event. I want to give away coffee and cupcakes, but I need something to enhance this message. A glass half full would work really nicely. I hope to carry this across my coffee card holders.

Crit me!

Hey guys! I am promoting and informing the nations 'grumpy old men and women' of Hate Week. Hate Week is an event held all over the country with an aim of getting people to see the positives in negatives. For example, instead of hating the rain because it soaks you, like it because it makes the flowers grow. All printed material (except the minimag) will be on seed paper, which can be planted and flowers grow from this. Positive longevity through recycling!

Products
Invitation to the free event with free cupcakes and coffee - inform
Coffe cup cardboard sleeve - promote
Cupcake paper cases - promote
Twitter page - promote
Leaflet/minimag - inform

Proposals
Website - inform
TV advert/animation - promote

Feedback
My feedback was better than I expected and I am going to raise my game and think of more of an event for Hate Week. As I don't want people to go out of their way, I need to bring Hate Week to them. The best thing for this would be in stations or in professional sectors of the city rather than a square which in most towns/cities is located in shopping sectors.

Invitation

Now I have an understanding of what the general look will have I can start pulling everything together and making my first product.

The invitation will be printed on seed paper and I think a circular invite will be nice as this has no sharp edges... also I am concerned that with this postcard size below as it looks like a club night. However, by putting the pattern in a circle and having the text slightly over hanging, it makes it more readable and comfortable.

With this circular invitation, the information would appear on the back. I think the circle enhances the positive feel to this piece.