I also feel that I have explored range and distribution more fully than I have in previous modules. I have not limited myself to what I think is achievable, but instead let my ideas drive the work, figuring out how best to execute or propose them later on. This in tern has forced me to explore areas of research, such as specific print processes, that I had not previously explored in this amount of detail. I think that overall this has resulted in some much more interesting work than I have previously created.
On reflecting on my statement of intent from the start of the module, I have actually met the majority of intentions that I outlined in my rationale, such as a more thorough investigation of print processes, print visits, engaging in live briefs, securing placements, developing stronger concepts within my very visually based work, continuing with illustration in order to strengthen my skills, designing for surface application rather than packaging itself, exploring identity but not branding, exploring colour and pattern and designing for a range of budgets. Another intention I outlined was to contact a range of studio's that I am interested in, in order to develop a better understanding of how image driven design, custom typography and applied illustration fit in a commercial environment. I think that I have explored this through both my ppd and my research for my design context publication. One intention from my statement of intent was that my work would mainly be intended for print, but has the potential to be applied to screen based media. I think that throughout this module my interest in design for digital application has grown and this is now an area that I would very much like to develop in. I would say that the themes and audiences that I outlined in my statement of intend remain very much the same, along with the design diciplines that I outlined. However, I would add design for digital application to my secondary concerns, including design for motion graphics as well as design for icons as I feel that these are two areas that I have only just scratched the surface of, but would like to continue to develop my skills in this area after I leave.
In terms of skills which I outlined as wanting to further throughout my FMP, I think that I have developed most of them. In particular developing my knowledge of industrial production, developing my research skills, drawing more regularly in order to improve, improving my skills involved with working with clients such as communication, pricing and negotiating deadlines, and developing my software skills including learning how to use Fontographer which I had previously not used. Time management has been something that I have constantly been trying to work on ever since first year. I think that the issue is not to do with my dedication of time to the course, but more to do with how I spend the time that I have. I think that the last module really highlighted this and I feel that there has been a genuine improvement in this area. My action plans and timetables have been far more detailed and updated more regularly, outlining specific tasks rather than general projects. I made sure that I was spending a more equal amount of time on each brief rather than getting carried away with one or two and neglecting the others. I reflected on how the brief would work as a whole rather than focusing on specific, sometimes irrelevant deliverables. I think that this massively improved the quality of the ranges within my briefs. As a result I think that my skills at fully resolving a brief have improved. Last module I altered my briefs a lot in order to resolve them which is not a very realistic way of working. This module I have stuck to my main briefs, the only alteration being that I have expanded them further than I had initially outlined in my statement of intent.
One skill I wanted to improve was screen printing, which I have only used in one brief. In hindsight I wish I had tried out some more adventurous printing and made use of this facility, however I intend to do some recreational printing after hand in. Other skills that I have developed in this module include writing my own copy, and visualising large scale ideas such as interior and exterior settings, installations and displays.
After a tutorial half way through the module I identified that I wanted to develop an ability to produce a range of differing type styles, to strengthen my portfolio and to provide more opportunities for freelance work in the future as trends and demands change. Once this was brought to my attention I actively set out to ensure that I explored as many styles as possible through my briefs which I feel I did successfully. On coming third at the Sh awards I was commended on my broad range of type styes which made me feel that I have definitely improved this ability, however I need to ensure that I continue developing fresh styles when I leave, even if it has to be through self- initiated work.
Strengths I have identified from this module :
- The most successful briefs and most interesting visual solutions are the ones that started with a strong concept and were initially fulled by in depth research.
- I have explored a range of differing type styles.
- I have considered application of type to a range of different mediums.
- I covered a range of subjects/themes/audiences in my briefs.
- All research activites outlined in statement of intent were met.
- I have made contact a broad range of professionals.
- Completed two placements which have significantly informed my practice and helped me with my briefs.
- Had successful experience working on live briefs.
- As a result of this, I have built a network of clients and contacts.
- I have started to visualise and embrace larger scale ideas.
- I have managed to use illustration as a relevant and useful part of my practice as well as for live briefs.
- I have developed confidence in proposing work for digital application.
- I have developed a systematic approach to developing type work which I can continue to use when I leave and potentially work on freelance briefs where I will be required to answer the brief independently.
- My blogs have been constantly up to date and my work process thoroughly documented.
- I have employed more thorough and relevant research strategies.
- My dedication to the course is consistent to the previous module, but I have improved my time management skills which I feel has impacted my work significantly.
- I have improved my ability to work through a brief effectively and consider a more adventurous and more considered range.
Weaknesses/Areas of improvement I have identified from this module :
- Photography skills have not improved from the last module.
- Photo-editing skills have not improved significantly.
- While I think that my software skills have improved this module, particularly in Photoshop and inDesign, I think that I need to bring myself up to speed with Illustrator.
- I don't feel that I have made use of the screen printing facilities as much as I could have.
- I don't feel that I made use of the web design sessions as much as I could have done as I feel like it is a really useful skill to have especially in terms of obtaining freelance work.
- My crafting skills have not improved very much and my mock ups are not of as high quality as I had intended.
- I think that achieving a first for my last two modules of second year might have made me loose sight of the areas I need to work hard at and perhaps not recognising my weaknesses. I think that under-achieving in the last module has given me the drive to evaluate my weaknesses and overcome them as much as possible this module. This informs me that I need to not become over-confident and need to continue to evaluate my practice critically and objectively when I go into the industry.
- While I think I have improved my time management and ability to be more focussed, I think it is within my nature to be a bit scatty so I need to continue to enforce organisation on myself when I leave the course, especially if I am to go freelance in the future.
I feel that the FMP has really helped me to establish where I see myself fitting within the industry. It has also enabled me to develop a range of skills that will be integral to my practice when I leave. A combination of placements, my own development lead by the course structure and a genuine interest in the subject have given me the confident to produce work that I would never have imagined at the start of this course. My position statement was 'Applied custom lettering and illustration with a focus on surface application and promotion'. Interestingly I feel that this really has not really changed, and is more relevant now than it was when I wrote it. My final position statement as I leave the course is;
'Applied custom lettering and illustration with a focus on surface application and identity.'
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