Reflective Practice - Speaking From Experience 1.0

Creating Brief

Created my own brief  in order to define my own aims, outcomes and processes.. I don't want to be too specific with my brief because I am still in the early stage of the project and I want to leave room to develop my concepts.

Studio Brief

Reflecting on my year on the course, I aim to produce an ambitious piece of graphic design with the purpose to inform and inspire first year graphic design students to approach briefs using analogue techniques and processes. 

Background / Considerations 

Think about my experiences on the first year - What did I struggle with? What did I like/dislike? 

What processes did I enjoy? How did they benefit me?

Consider creative processes I have used this year in development and outcome

Primary and secondary research

Mandatory Requirements

Blogging throughout the brief, reflecting on my practice and creative journey. 

Evidence experimentation 

Use a range of media

Professional outcome

Deliverables

Blog

Final outcome

Experiments/mockups

Supporting Resources/Information

Village Bookstore 

People of Print
Library sources

In response to my first year on the course, I intend to create a piece of graphic design that makes a statement, comment, observation or gives advice about my experience on your first year of the course, as well as living in the city of Leeds.

Calendar

Due to the amount of briefs that we have going on at the same time, a calendar would benefit organisational skills as the deadlines can be written in, along with any other events going on around Leeds, academic or social. This could be pinned on the student's new halls as a friendly reminder of the college.  It will also be practical.

Avoiding Digital

Looking back at my PPP blog, I have identified an interest in contemporary graphics but combining it with traditional and analogue techniques. When I first started the course, I pushed my artistic and expressive background away by focusing on digital outcomes. I found my concepts and outcomes were limited as I only had a basic understanding of the software and I was limiting myself. As the year progressed, I started to be more proactive by booking myself into inductions and using the printing facilities available at the college. As a result, my outcomes became more expressive and professional compared to how they were when I was limiting myself to digital. I found my concepts started to grow when I let myself make mistakes and I have a much better understanding of these techniques.

Galleries

Obviously first year graphic design students will have an interest and understanding in art and design so I could create a map/guide to the best ones in the Leeds area. This was influenced by our visit to YSP because it was really inspirational and I have been back to see other shows. I can even add design studios that are based in Leeds so that I encourage first years to go and visit them.

Map of Leeds

Being new to the city was tricky at the start of the year because I had no idea where anything was. A map/guide to where the supermarkets and shopping areas are in relation to college would be really beneficial. I can also include the halls of residence that are most likely to be used by the students such as Liberty Park and IQ. I can also recommend places.

Guide to pubs, bars and clubs

Before I came to Leeds I researched a lot into the nightlife, specifically live music venues. I found this really beneficial for recognising places around Leeds. As a student, going out and socialising is a big part of university so a guide to the best places would help create friendships and memorable nights.

Map/Guide of Leeds College of Art

Finding my way around the college was difficult so could produce a map to give out to first years when they arrive at the college. This would provide opportunity to be more contemporary and engaging and show examples of graphic design:

Decision:

I have decided to create a piece of graphic design that encourages first year students to move away from the computer, especially at the start of the brief, and explore expressive and new techniques and processes. This will help make their concepts more engaging. These processes include:

• Screen printing
• Monoprinting
• Linoprinting
• Laser cutting
• Typesetting
• Sketchbook 

Critique/Feedback

Do you think a zine is appropriate for displaying the content or should I create a series of posters?

The majority of people thought that a zine was appropriate because it allows me to showcase a range of techniques and processes. Using examples of work created by the technique was also suggested so I have confidence to move forward and start creating an engaging publication. It was suggested that I should use manual letterpress to emphasise my concept which would be appropriate, however I will need to consider how much time I have to produce it as letterpress can be a time consuming process. I will definitely include some letterpress in the publication however.

It will be predominantly visual to act as inspiration, is this appropriate?

Everyone said that this would be appropriate because the purpose of the publication is to inspire creatives. However it was suggested that I should include a step-by-step guide to each of the processes. This is something I am willing to consider but again I will have to consider the amount of time I have to complete the project for hand in.

Avoid using the word 'stressful' - It is important that I don't reflect the course in a bad light, although it can be stressful due to the amount of deadlines the course is designed to push us to our limits in order for us to develop. 'It is for our own good'.