End of module self evaluation OUGD102...

Time management...

When becoming a proffesional Graphic Designer, the mastery of time management will be a very important skill. To succeed in life you need to have the perfect balance between work and play.

We had a time management talk, and had to write down what we spend our time doing, the results were a bit shocking and i realised i need to learn how to manage my time effectively in order to gain the most out of my degree program and life in general.

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Activities:

College activities:

- coursework
- essay writing
- updating blog

Domestic activities:

- washing
- cleaning
- cooking
- re-organising my room
- sleep
- getting ready in the mornings or nights out
- food shopping

Social activities:

- shopping
- cinema
- gym
- going on nights out
- TGI Fridays
- free bus
- facebook
- texting
- phone calls
- bbm
- watching TV

Other:

- Argos part time job

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General activities in percentages: on a weekly basis

- drinking 15%
- practical coursework 5%
- computer based coursework 10%
- social networking 25%
- self TLC 10%
- organising 2.5%
- personal care (gym) 2.5%
- boring jobs (cleaning ect) 15%
- Argos 15%

College activities in percentages: on a weekly basis

- blogging 15%
- mac room 15%
- CTS 2.5%
- eating 2.5%
- taught sessions 20%
- self directed study 25%
- lectures/ seminars 5%
- talking with friends 10%
- using the lift 5%

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After reviewing my own 'time spent' i found that i spend a bit too much time on things like facebook or texting when i could be doing uni work, im not very good at time management but i always get my work done. Its a case sorting your priorities out first (which dont include checking facebook updates) and then relaxing, theres no point trying to relax when really you know you have work to do.

I now have to do a week planner recording everything i do with my time... could be interesting.

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Week diary of my time:

Friday (following the time management session):

- 2 hours spent doing nothing at all!
- Went home and done literally nothing, just sat there and listened to music.
- Went to sleep for an hour at 5.
- Woke up and rang my mum for 20 minutes.
- Made dinner took 30 minutes.
- Friend came round and watched films for about 4 hours.
- Went ot bed.

Saturday:

- Woke up at 08:30.
- Got ready for work took an hour and a half.
- Left for work at half 10.
- Jumped on the free bus took 10 minutes.
- Before work i ordered my mum some stuff took 15 minutes.
- Worked at Argos 11:15 till 4.
- After work caught the free bus and went home took 20 minutes.
- Got home and made dinner took 30 minutes.
- Went to the shop for a few bits took 40 minutes.
- Went to the cinema with flat mate for 2 and a half hours.
- Got in and went to bed about half 1.

Sunday:

- Got a day off work for some reason, so went shopping.
- Got up at 10 and took an hour and a half to get ready.
- Went shopping all day till 5!
- Had dinner which took 30 minutes.
- Friend came round and watched a film for 2 and a half hours.
- Went to bed at 10:30.

Monday:

- Woke up at 07:00 for uni.
- Got ready 7 till 8.
- Had breakfast took 15 minutes.
- Pottered around till 08:40 and then left for uni.
- Got to uni at 09:00.
- Sat and chatted with friends till 09:30.
- Had a talk by Fred which was very inspiring!
- Had a lesson with Amber all afternoon.
- Got home at 4.
- Chilled out for an hour.
- Made dinner took 30 minutes.
- Rang mum which took 20 minutes.
- Rang friend which took 30 minutes.
- Watched TV for a few hours whilst doing uni work.
- Went to bed at 10:30.

Tuesday:

- Got up at 08:30.
- Got ready which took 2 hours including having breakfast too.
- Left for uni at 10:45.
- Got to uni at 11:05.
- Worked in mac room till 1 (brief: collection 100).
- Afternoon workshop looking at grids.
- Went home at 4.
- Made dinner which took 30 minutes.
- Rang mum for 20 minutes.
- Went for a run for 20 minutes.
- Came back and had a shower for 20 minutes.
- Made card glasses for collection 100 brief for 1 hour and a half.
- Friend came round and we went to the cinema for 3 hours.
- Came in at 10:30.
- Done uni work till 12.
- Went to bed at 12:15.

Wednesday:

- Got up at 09:00.
- Done uni work literally non stop all day till half 3.
- Got showered and went to staples to buy card which took 15 minutes.
- Came back and made dinner which took 40 minutes.
- Went to Morrisons which took 1 and a half hours.
- Unpacked shopping and had a drink for 20 minutes.
- Done uni work for a few hours.
- Went ot bed at half 10.

Thursday:

- Got up at 07:00.
- Got ready for uni for an hour.
- Had breakfast and pottered around till around 08:40.
- Went to uni.
- Arrived at 09:00 and chatted with friends till half past 9.
- Had a moving image workshop all morning.
- Went homne at lunch time.
- Done uni work for 2 hours.
- Cleaned flat for an hour.
- Had a shower and done my hair which took about an hour.
- Done some more uni work for an hour.
- Made dinner which took 40 minutes.
- Went to staples for 20 minutes.
- Sat in my flat mates room and watched her TV for 40 minutes.
- Friend came over to watch a film and chill for 3 and a half hours.
- Went to bed at half 11.

Friday (up till second time management session):

- Woke up at 06:00 to text friend.
- Slept again till 07:00.
- Got up at 07:00.
- Got ready and had breakfast till 08:40.
- Went to uni and worked till half 11 for TM session.


After reviewing how id spent my time during the last week i found that i do a lot of faffing around and procrastinating, but i always get my work done on time, so its okay. I guess everyone has their own way of doing things and managing their time. I did used to write a to do list nearly everyday but since coming back after christmas i think ive become a bit lazy. After this session and talks with Fred and Amber i think its about time i got my ass in gear!

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Long term Goals:

- What do you want to achieve by the end of the course?

I hope that i will get a good grade for my degree and that i gain a wide knowledge of Graphic Design and just enjoy my time here at uni.

- Do you want to own your own business?

Yes i would like to one day have my own business, not really sure what i want to do after uni exaclty yet, but that is one thing i would love to do at some point in my life.

- What is your ideal job?

To be honest i havent got a clue right now, maybe something relating to my degree or maybe something within Art Therapy, who knows.

- Do you want to work in this country or abroad?

After uni i would love to go to Spain to do an internship, im going to take Spanish lessons at uni. After this and some point in the future i want to go to America to work and see how it goes. To be honest i want to travel everywhere!

- What special interests are important to you?

I think im the sort of person that finds almost everything interesting, but in terms of my career i would like to in some way do something that helps other people, like from different backgrounds and stuff. I really enjoy Graphic Design obviously, but i just dont know what i want to do yet!

What if... Self evaluation...

What problem did you identify?

Our problem was how can we promote the entertainment in Leeds to prospective students.

What evidence did you find to support your decisions?

I created an online questionnaire which was sent to everyone in uni. I had 97 responses which gave me a more accurate result. The 3 questions i asked were:

- Do you live in Leeds?
- Do you like Leeds?
- What do you think are the most important aspects of Leeds?

Shopping
Nightlife
Education
Business
Entertainment

We found that entertainment had the least support, so we knew we had to focus on this aspect of Leeds to attract prospective students.

What methods did you use to gather your evidence and what forms did it take?

The majority of my research was primary quantative, this is because the questioonaire i created was based upon numerical results.

I did have some secondary research, this was to find out the student population in Leeds and also information about the entertainment in Leeds found on websites and flyers. I also asked people their opinions about the entertainment in Leeds (current students) which is primary qualitive source material.

What methods of research did you find useful and why?

I found using a primary quantative and qualititive way of research the most useful and relevant. By asking first hand what current students allowed me to understand what students thought and liked. It would be no good if i gathered the opinions from the website as sometimes the reviews could be not be from students. In this case aswell it was interesting to first hand ask people thier honest opinions. Its a more hands on approach.

How did these inform your response to the problem?

From learning about current students opinions on Leeds entertainment we could write up reviews and begin to communicate to prospective students where the best places to go are. We created a website, blog and posters to communicate entertainment. It was written by students by students.
The purpose of gathering current studenst opinions was to make it easier for new students to find the best places to go out, where as alot of the booklets and flyers new students recieve only really show the typical and well known places to go, which isnt what Leeds entertainment is about.

What methods did you encounter as problematic?

I think with our problem it was harder to use secondary source material in any form because we couldnt be sure if the opinions online for example, would be those of current students in Leeds, so we had to be sure we had accurate results.

How did you overcome this?

I went out and did my own primary research, both quantitive and qualititive.

What research could you have carried out that would have proved more useful?

I think that i could have asked more students about their opinions on the entertainment in Leeds and also gone to a few of the places they said they enjoyed to be able to write first hand reviews.

List five things that you have learnt about the design process over the last two weeks:

- Gather as much source material as you can, whether it be primary, secondary, qualititive or quantitive.

- Dont invent a problem, focus on one that already exists or you just make it hard for yourself.

- Make sure your a pro at time management, because you need to allow yourself to go back and research again and again before you even get close to a solution.

- When you get your problem, pretend you know nothing about it, it gives you more scope when it comes to research, dont assume you know everything, because you dont.

- RESEARCH IS EVERYTHING!

List five things you would do different next time:

- Gather more source material.

- Create a more specific questionnaire.

- Manage my time more appropriatly.

- Group the research i gather into the four terms (primary, secondary, quantitive and qualititive)

- Do more and more research, because it never ends.

What if... Rationale

What if rationale:

Group members:

Kirsty
Niall
Chris L
Alex S
Sophie W

The problem:

How do we convince/persuade people to come/live in Leeds?

The evidence:

Research gathered, primary source material, photographs, facts, opinions, words and statistics.

We intend to...

We intend to gather market research, compose a questionnaires and interact with the public to define what it is that makes Leeds so desirable. This will involve approaching businesses and pedestrians.

The only way in which we can produce a final outcome/solution (s), is to extensively research into why people like Leeds, we will directly approach people for primary source material. Ways in which we could deliver our solution are broad, such as a website/page, mailshot, t-shirts, posters, flyers, a video. We need to try and persuade people to come to Leeds.

End of Module OUGD101 Self-Evaluation...

Kirsty Hardingham

www.K-hardingham1013.blogspot.com

1.       What skills have you developed through this module and how effectively do you think you have applied them?

I have learned a lot during this module, i think the main thing is that the generating of ideas are endless and there is so many ideas and solutions you can generate from one brief. I found this out during the design a typeface brief, i had so many ideas and didn’t know which one to draw up as a whole alphabet and glyphs, i asked a tutor what they thought and they said i should draw them all up. Once i had drawn up about 7 versions i just kept designing. I really enjoyed this brief and pushed myself to the limit and since then i have been doing the same thing in present briefs. I have also learnt how to use illustrator, at start i hated it because i got frustrated but now i do a lot of work on it.

2.       What approaches to/ methods of research have you developed and how have they informed your design development process?

With my design context blog i have gathered pieces of design that i find inspiring, which helps when i need some ideas. Im not really sure how i research to be honest, i just do it. With the research week brief of researching a headline i gathered information about tattoos and the history of them which helped me gain an understanding of what tattoos were used for and how they were recognised, this impacted my design and i developed my ideas from there.

3.       What strengths can you identify in your work and how/ will you capitalise on these?

I have now got to the point where i will experiment constantly with ideas, good or bad ideas is still an idea and ive learnt to take criticism as a learning curve.

4.       What weaknesses can you identify in your work and how will you address these more fully?

I think that i could improve my digital skills, because throughout this module i have had the chance to develop work digitally but didn’t always do it because i wasn’t confident enough so i may have lost a few good or maybe bad digitised versions of ideas. I try hard to use illustrator but often get frustrated so i guess that is something i can work on.

5.       Identify five things that you will do differently next time and what do you expect to gain from doing these?

-          The first thing is to push my digital skills to the next level to ensure i can experiment fully with a wider range of media.

-          Generate more ideas in a brief to have a wider choice in what to develop onto the final processes of a final solution as i felt with some briefs i didn’t push myself enough with my ideas and when you realise its the deadline for the brief and there was other things you could of done it makes you feel like you could have done better when actually its too late now.

-          Learn how to manage my time properly and effectively, i am quite good at this but some days i get lazy and just go home and do nothing when really i could have thought up several more ideas in college that could of made a big difference to a brief.

-          I wish that i had asked people constantly for advice on my work as it does really help, especially with people who aren’t afraid to tell you what they think. I know we have regular crits which are really useful but constant feedback is an essential part of a developing brief.

-          I wish i was able to speak more clearly about my ideas as i felt sometimes during crits i didn’t explain my ideas enough which meant people didn’t understand where i was coming from and i sometimes received unhelpful feedback.

6.       How would you grade yourself on the following areas:

5= excellent

4= very good

3= good

2= average

1= poor

Attendance= 4

Punctuality= 5

Motivation= 4

Commitment= 4

Quantity of work produced= 3

Quality of work produced= 3

Contribution to the group= 3

Message and delivery final presentation evaluations...

Evaluation by Liam and Chris:

What is being communicated and how? (refer to final piece only)

it is trying to advertise a tattoo parlour called 'EXTREME NEEDLE' by stating a fact on tattoos, which leads you to the company name. There is also a business card for an easy reminder.

How well does this answer the brief? (why do you think this?)

it does answer the brief by using the statistic to persuade the viewer to get a tattoo. The black, white and red spot colour keep to the limited colour pattern.

Who is the audience and how well does the resolution communicate its message/content to them? (give reasons)

aimed mainly at students, looking at the mailing list. It communicates well by being straight to the point and having a clear call to action.

What are the strengths of the resolution? (refer to whole body of work)

the way it is presented is a big strength, unveiling different parts bit by bit. I found it enjoyable to interact with. The design is consistent and used throughout, which encourages people to recognise it if seen again.

How could it be improved?


You could experiment with the placement of the patterns or consider a pricing list to entice the viewer to go.

General comments

A very nice design overall, i love the use of spot colour and the simple logo is depicted well. the mailing list is effective and links to the target audience, but why mail it to the company?
Never the less, good job!

Evaluation by Liv and Oli:

What is being communicated and how? (refer to final piece only)

more people should get a tattoo, its like an advert for a tattoo parlour

How well does this answer the brief? (why do you think this?)

- 2 colours plus stock: YES

- size and format: YES

- explored an interesting net

Who is the audience and how well does the resolution communicate its message/content to them? (give reasons)

- anybody thats interested in tattoos (not really specific audience)

- at first glance you cant tell what it is.

What are the strengths of the resolution? (refer to whole body of work)

the text and image (symbol) are appropriate for the subject matter!

the gothic look makes you think of tattoos.

How could it be improved?

less complicated, its a little all over the place although it does fit the brief. I like the business card inside, good for promoting the concept.

General comments

maybe a little more simpler 

its very busy to the eye, i like the use of colour as it relates to tattoos.

My comment

In terms of the feedback given i think i did well to answer the brief and produce a visually engaging mail shot. I took a lot on board from previous crits which has helped me to produce my final outcome. I am glad that people understand what i am trying to communicate and enjoyed interacting with my design.

Image and Interpretation evaluations...

These are two evaluations from anonymous people about my 3 posters communicating the fact 'One in three Britons have a tattoo'.

What statement/fact/question is being communicated to you? (this might not be what is intended of course...)

That one in three Britons have a tattoo.

Is this being communicated in a clear and focused way?   YES  NO  UNSURE

What could be developed further?

The fact is clearly presented but im not sure if the image poster is clear in what it is communicating.

Have the posters been kept “simple and to the point?”  YES  NO  UNSURE

Is a statement, fact or question being posed? (how do you know this)

There is a clear fact being presented. Which is simple and to the point.

Has the restriction of two colours plus stock been met?  YES  NO

Are the two colours plus stock appropriated to the solution?  YES  NO  UNSURE

Why are the two colours plus stock appropriate/ inappropriate? (if inappropriate offer possible solutions)

I am unsure why the colours red and yellow have been chosen- not sure how they link with the fact. I also think that the colours chosen make the just image poster unclear- im not sure if i would know it was a tattoo without the other posters.

Do the posters work as a set or series?  YES  NO  UNSURE

Why do they work/ don’t work as part of a set or series and could this be developed further?

They do work as a set as the same typeface and image have been used- i also think its good how the text has changed between the posters but there is still a sense of a series.

Is it clearly evident which poster is TYPE, IMAGE and TYPE AND IMAGE? (if it is unclear offer possible solutions)

Yes, i think it is clear which is which but maybe the image in the image and text poster could stand otu more.

Are the posters “memorable, immediate high impact and clear”? (give as much feedback as possible)

-          I do think the type on the posters is clear and the text and image poster is high impact.

-          The image only poster needs to be clearer so you have more of a sense of what is being represented- maybe it needs to be more in context- the tattoo could be on a person.

-          I think the just text poster is memorable but would be improved if the colours were changed, im not sure if they worked.

Do you feel the brief has been fulfilled to its full potential?  YES  NO  UNSURE

Further feedback...

I think the text on the posters is working well and is effective but i think the image alone could be improved. I do think they all work as a set and there is a good continuity but im unsure why these colours have been used.

Evaluation 2...

What statement/fact/question is being communicated to you? (this might not be what is intended of course...)

“1 IN 3 BRITONS HAVE A TATTOO”

Is this being communicated in a clear and focused way?   YES  NO  UNSURE

What could be developed further?

IT IS CLEAR, CONCISE AND TO THE POINT.THEY HAVE NOT OVER COMPLICATED THE DESIGN AND HAVE KEPT IT TO MINIMAL.

Have the posters been kept “simple and to the point?”  YES  NO  UNSURE

Is a statement, fact or question being posed? (how do you know this)

STATEMENT- IT CLEARLY STATES THAT 1 IN 3 PEOPLE HAVE A TATTOO. THE TATTOO IS ABSTRACT BUT IT IS A CLEAR VISUAL REPRESENTATION AS TRIBAL DESIGNS ARE WHAT I THINK ARE THE MOST COMMON. REALLY LIKE THE TEXT IDEA HOW ONLY ONE WORD IS HIGHLIGHTED.

Has the restriction of two colours plus stock been met?  YES  NO

Are the two colours plus stock appropriated to the solution?  YES  NO  UNSURE

Why are the two colours plus stock appropriate/ inappropriate? (if inappropriate offer possible solutions)

RED AND WHITE RELATE TO THE ‘1 IN 3 BRITONS’ STATEMENT AS IT IS A TYPICAL COLOUR SCHEME TO REPRESENT THE UK. ALTHOUGH THE YELLOW WORKS WELL AGAINST THE RED, IT COULD BE CHANGED TO BLACK, FOR EXAMPLE AS THAT IS TYPICAL OF TRIBAL TATTOOS. ALSO, BLUE COULD BE USED TO FURTHER ENHANCE THE ‘BRITON’ STATEMENT.

Do the posters work as a set or series?  YES  NO  UNSURE

Why do they work/ don’t work as part of a set or series and could this be developed further?

SAME/ CONSISTENT COLOUR SCHEME THROUGHOUT AND SIMILAR COMPOSITION (TOWARDS THE TOP OF THE FRAME). TYPEFACE IS ALSO THE SAME BUT THERE IS A VARIATION- LOWERCASE ON ONE YET UPPERCASE ON ANOTHER. HOWEVER, I DONT HTINK THIS EFFECTS THE AESTHETICS.

Is it clearly evident which poster is TYPE, IMAGE and TYPE AND IMAGE? (if it is unclear offer possible solutions)

YES THEY HAVE COMBINED THE IMAGE AND TEXT DESIGN EFFECTIVELY.

Are the posters “memorable, immediate high impact and clear”? (give as much feedback as possible).

THE TEXT IMMEDIATLY STANDS OUT AGAINST THE RED BACKGROUND- VIBRANT, ENGAGING AND EYE- CATCHING. THE STATEMENT IS CLEAR, ESPECIALLY ON THE TYPE AND IMAGE DESIGN WHICH I THINK WORKS REALLY WELL.

Do you feel the brief has been fulfilled to its full potential?  YES  NO  UNSURE

Further feedback...

THE IDEA THAT 1 IN 3 PEOPLE HAVE A TATTOO COULD HAVE BEEN EXPANDED ON IN MORE DEPTH AS IT IS ONLY EVIDENT ON THE TEXT ONLY PIECE BUT I THINK OVERALL IT WORKS EXTREMLY WELL AND IS VISUALLY ENGAGING.