OUGD205// Image: End of module self evaluation..

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

If I am being completely honest I dont feel like I have gained anything from this module. I havent developed any drawing skills or learnt anything.

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

I think I may have developed my illustration skills and different methods of delivery. In one brief I made a pack of postcards to sell, it was good to try something different.

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

My illustration skills have developed well throughout this module which will help in any future digital or print based briefs. I can now further develop my skills to push and challenge myself.

4// What weaknesses can you identify in your work and how will you address these in the future?

The whole module has been a weakness for me. I have really let myself down, from the start I didnt put any effort in and it continued this way throughout. I am disappointed in myself that I didnt try harder as I know that I am not going to do well. My time management has been terrible, as I have tried to complete near enough the whole module in the last three weeks, where I have been faced with a back log of all the briefs. This means that I have rushed briefs and not taken the time to experiment, analyise and improve any of my designs.

I have not met any of the module criteria and I am now dreading recieving my grade as I do fear I may fail. I never want to have this attitude towards a module again and I will address this by learning from this module.

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

1. Be more punctual, I have missed at least two sessions. The reasoning is because I coudlnt be bothered. I need to remember why I am on the course and why I was chosen. I am wasting an opportunity.

2. Do the work when I get it and dont leave it till hand in day. The biggest mistake I have made in this module was letting myself get behind. The past 3 weeks I feel like I have been drowning. All I managed to do was stress myself out when it was not necessary.

3. Research more and try out different design processes. I have not done any where near enough research for this module, some briefs I did not complete any research and for the ones that I have, I could have done so much more.

4. Try harder. I know that I have not tried in this module and I do not even have a valid reason for why I havent. All I can do next time is make sure I put in the effort. I will only get out of it what I out into it!

5. Make sure I do everything that I need to do. Part of this module was to keep a visual diary, which I havent done.

Attendance: 3

Punctuality: 2

Motivation: 1

Commitment: 1

Quantity of work produced: 2

Quality of work produced: 2

Contribution to the group: 1

Image// Rationale: 2D to 3D to 2D..

Brief// (What is the problem you intend to solve?)

Use the 2D image I have drawn and turn it into 3D using photography to record the final piece.

Who needs to know?// (Who is your audience? Be concise no more than ten words)

Fashion or textile students (knitting students).

What do they need to know?// (Be clear and specific)

They will need to know what the object is conveying and be able to see what the object is.

Why do they need to know?// (The concept for your problem)

They will need to know and understand what I am communicating.

What will they respond to?// (How will they connect/ understand the outcome?)

They will respond to the recorded 3D object.

What research is required?// (What do you need to know in order to complete this brief to the fullest potential?)

- How to unravel a glove, but still know what it is.
- Take pictures of gloves.

Creative CV workshop// 6/3/12..

Today we had a workshop where we started to discuss creative CV's. We spoke about what a creative CV is and what should be included in a creative CV.

Creative CV's are a very important part of my practice because I will be sending my own creative CV out to studios that I either want to visit or I would like to gain a placement with them.

We were given a brief for the creative CV and a task to identify things about ourselves as designers and people that we could potentially add to our CV.

After the workshop we were told to start thinking about the things that we would include in our own creative CV. Here is what we had to do:

1// Identify 5 practical skills I have
2// Identify 5 creative skills I have
3// Identify 5 personal qualities I have
4// Identify 5 facts about myself
5// Write 5 statements about myself

I decided to tackle this task by first brain storming some ideas, I find it hard sometimes to think on the spot so it has taken a while for me to identify all of the things above. I also find it hard to 'big myself up', but I guess I have to have confidence in myself if I want to get a placement at an amazing studio!

Here are some of my initial ideas (it was hard to put some of them into the above categories):

- Self motivator (I can motivate myself and others)
- A laugh
- People person (I am good at talking with new people)
- Punctual (I am always on time)
- Helpful (I enjoy helping people)
- Friendly (I am easy to get on with)
- Approachable
- Love hand crafted design
- Good at paper crafting (I made 100 pairs of card glasses in first year)
- Comfortable with using Adobe Creative Suite
- I am conceptual
- I am good at idea generation
- I enjoy image based design (I enjoy photography, doodling, creating illustrative characters)
- Organised (Most of the time)
- I enjoy researching (If it is something that I am interested in)

These are my first initial ideas when we were set the task. Since then I have had the chance to really think about what I would want and need to put on my creative CV. There are really obvious things that would need to go onto my CV, like contact details including email, phone number and address.

We were told that it would be wise to make a new email address that is solely for design purposes, as this is more professional.

Enterprise and Innovation// END OF MODULE SELF EVALUATION..

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

I have learnt many new skills throughout this module, the main thing that I have learnt is that starting your own business is hard work but achievable! After doing the business plan brief I feel like I now have a better understanding of what it takes to start up a business and for that business to be successful. Like researching, it has been so helpful to research within that particular brief, I found out how much things cost and all of the overhead costs which I wouldnt have thought of. Something that I have also developed which has been a good learning experience was working in a 3. We had a lot of ups and downs due to differences, but in the end we pulled it off. Working as a team has helped me to understand that not only cant you do things on your own when starting a business but also that differences arent a bad thing but instead a positive thing.

There was then all of the PEST and SWOT analysis's that we learnt which has been interesting, we used these in our business plan, along with all of the other things we learnt.

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

I think that the main things that I actually designed through this module was the actual business plan and its folder and I also had a go at designing a brand identity for our business. This was all an important part of the business plan as everything had to work together even though we were all designing things seperately as a group. We did have disagreements as a group on the logo for our business but soon came to realise that it didnt matter who actually designed it as long as it communicated the right message. During this module I have also designed business cards and invoice designs for my dad who is a plasterer, this module made me think of aspects of his business card design that would effect the communication of his business.

My dad was really pleased with his business cards, and I just need to get them printed out now.

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

I think that my main strength throughout this module would have been writing up the business plan for the group brief. I wrote it on my own and presented it in a creative way which engaged with our target audience. I think this has been helpful because it goes to show that a Graphic Designer can make boring things look interesting through design.

4// What weaknesses can you identify in your work and how will you address these in the future?

My biggest downfall to begin with was working in a group of three. They say three is a crowd, and it was at the start. We found it hard to communicate with each other which lead to us all getting stressed and frustrated, which we then took out on one another and made the situation even worse. In the future during group briefs, I will set aside any differences I have and focus fully on the matter at hand which will be the brief. That is the most important thing I will take away from this module.

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

1. Be more punctual, I did miss one lecture when I shouldnt have.

2. Work harder when I am in a group, sometimes I find it frustrating when everyone is trying to do loads of different things. I need to stay focused and enjoy designing!

3. Generate more ideas: Every time I get an idea I should be jotting it down and I know I didnt always do this in this module. This will give me more choice when deciding on final outcomes and it also pushes me to think outside of the box.

4. Do more research, I feel like I did a lot during the business plan brief but not so much for the rest of the module. I will always benefit from researching as much as I can.

5. Engage more, at some points during this module I felt as though it were all pointless so I didnt engage as much as I could or should of. But this module has made me so excited for the future and what is possible!

Attendance: 3

Punctuality: 3

Motivation: 3

Commitment: 3

Quantity of work produced: 3

Quality of work produced: 3

Contribution to the group: 3

Enterprise// Business: Business Plan..

Here is the business plan for our business. I have written the business plan using the groups research.

Enterprise// Business: How much money?..

After researching into all the costs we would need to consider each month, year and for starting up the business, I have worked out (approximately) how much we would need to borrow, how long it would take to repay it, the monthly costs of running out business and how much we would charge an hour.

Over head costs//

Business insurance: ~ £12pcm
Professional and product liability: ~ £34pcm
Public liability: ~ £12.50pcm

Premises costs:

Rent/ business rates/ electricity/ gas/ repair/ security

Rent: £750pcm/ £9000pa

Utility bills: ~ £130pcm

Total: ~ £10,560pa

Telephone: ~ £20pcm
Mobile phone: ~ £25pcm

IT costs:

Software: ~ £1810 (Adobe creative suite, one off) x2
Computer: ~ £1250 iMac x2 (two team members already have laptops with software)
Repair: ~ £300pa

Research costs:

Books and magazines/ materials for research/ travel for research

~ £1000pa

Professional advice/ accountant and solicitor: ~ £500pa

Promotional costs: ~ £2000pa

Studio equipment: ~ £600 (one off)


I worked out that in order to get the business up and running we would need to borrow around £25,000 from a bank. The bank we looked at was Barclays, they would charge a 5% interest rate over the amount we borrow over 5 years. Meaning that we would borrow £25,000 but pay back £30,000 over the 5 years. This means that our monthly repayments would be £500.

This makes our monthly payments for all of the above:

~ £1785pcm

Meaning each day we would need to make ~ £60 to break even

After working out how much we would need to make to break even, we decided on an amount of which we would like to be paid per day and our hourly rate as a business.

For example if we wanted to earn ~ £25,000pa each, we would need to charge £125 a day each. Making our hourly rate ~ £18.

Enterprise// Business: Our competition..

As part of my research for the business plan brief, I have been looking at local businesses that our business will be in competition with. I have completed a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis for each one. I have found 3 local businesses to analyise, one is part of a large company that is very well known, Paperchase, and the other two are smaller 'one off' businesses.



The Red Door Gallery//

- The Red Door Gallery is one of Edinburghs most distinctive boutique galleries.

- The best place to pick up artisan jewellery, prints, paintings, sculpture and completely individual greetings cards, all by local artists. Regularly changing exhibitions.

- Support the work of independant and emerging designers and are dedicated to presenting original, inspirational and affordable artwork.

- Also have a fantastic collection of artists books, accessories, affordable prints, jewellery, homewares, lomography cameras and cards which compliment not only the artwork but also our unique space.

- The Red Door Gallery is always keen to see new work and great products from both emerging and established artists and designers who are exploring fresh and contemporary styles and ideas.

- The review process can take up to a month. Work is assessed for its quality, craftsmanship and potential to enhance the collection exhibited by the gallery.

Address: 42 Victoria Street, Edinburgh
Website: reddoorgallery.blogspot.com

Information taken from reddoorgallery.blogspot.com


SWOT Analysis:

Strengths:

- Good location, close to the city centre and Edinburgh College of Art.
- Wide target audience, including students and local artists and designers.
- Offer good design and good value.

Weaknesses:

- Reviewing of work submitted can take up to a month.

Opportunities:

- Having such a wide target audience gives them the opportunity to make closer relationships with places like universities and graduate students.

Threats:

- With good location and a wide target audience, this shop is in the perfect position to steal business. Meaning we would need to come up with a unique selling point to attract customers.


Edinburgh Printmakers//

- Established in 1967 as the first open access studio in Britain, Edinburgh Printmakers (EP) is dedicated to the promotion of contemporary printmaking practice. It achieves this by providing, maintaining and staffing an entrance free gallery and inexpensive, open access print studio, where artists and members of the public can use equipment and source technical expertise in order to develop their hands on printmaking skills.

- Funding from the Scottish Arts Council.

- This funding enables the organisation to highly subsidise the cost of using the print studio, making access to creative facilities affordable to a wide range of people. This includes professional artists, students, community groups and members of the public, who wish to develop new or existing skills.

Addesss: 23 Union Street, Edinburgh EH1 3LR
Website: edinburgh-printmakers.co.uk

Information taken from edinburgh-printmakers.co.uk



Studio One//

- Studio One is a shop dedicated to good design with a sense of theatre. Our aim is to provide an exciting range of stylish accessories for your home and exciting gifts to give to others or yourself.

- Set in a series of basements in the heart of Georgian Edinburgh, each room tells its own story.

- Good design, good value.

Address: 10 Stafford Street, Edinburgh
Website: shopstudio1.com






Information taken from shopstudio1.com