Graphic Design 2.1: Professional Practice, Project 4: Tutor Feedback and Reflection
LO1: Use the main visual elements of design in solving creative problems, using a clearly defined process Your digital versus film photography project identifies your design process clearly. You have identified the visual associations with each and used this as part of your design idea. Ass4 has a clear design process and we can see how you have moved from research to ideas and to visual/digital experimentation. There is a good experimental base to your approach but you could show more layout options at the final development stage of the design process. This would then iron out more of the detailing and final visual refinements.
I have added further experiments/developments and also more final design iterations here.
LO2: Select and apply a range of research methods, and use evaluation in the process of developing design strategies and outcomes In the digital versus film photography project you have applied research methods well. You have evaluated your design process as you progressed through your layouts and implemented relevant changes. Where you have the word DIGITAL in your layout it is very dominant. This means that any letter spacing issues stand out. If you look at the word the letters DIGI and AL fit quite snugly together. The distances between ITA are all drifting apart. These letters could do with tightening up to each other. If you find it hard to see this, print out the word and look at it upside down. You can also try squinting at it as this helps too. In terms of your body text you could try it in two columns to help with the legibility.
I made improvements to my design in order to improve legibility of both the ‘Digital’ and text here.
LO3: Apply a range of image-making, design, and technical skills across a broad range of disciplines Across the body of work you have demonstrated plenty of technical digital skills. The outcome for Ex2 Ten Year Plan shows an integration of analogue and digital skills. These have been used to good effect. The colour scheme works well but just be careful that some of the type doesn’t disappear on the darker background. Your design process for ass4 shows a very good integration of hand scans, mark-making and digital developments. You have used this approach in an experimental and creative way to generate a solid base of ideas. Where you have applied the final G to your CV you could look at the size of it in relation to the other elements. You could test smaller sizes, other tones of black, an outline, a filled outline (using the brush stroke texture) and then you wouldn’t need the textures running under the text. Where the G is used on your website it is much smaller so it integrates within the overall design successfully. With your type on the CV it all looks bold and heavy. You could keep this for the headings but use a normal/light type for the contents. This would help to bring more type ‘texture’ to the layout and lead the eye across it. With the online G could you try some simple digital animation to make it move in some way?
I have gone back to assignment 4 and experimented further with text weight, sizing and even earlier iterations of logo design here.
LO4: Reference your practice within professional, economic and social contexts, and show an ability to comment and reflect on the theory of graphic design You have identified your aims and goals, in relation to the graphic design profession, very well in Ex2. This has resulted in a targeted plan that has been broken down into relevant personal and professional sections. Your research tasks have shown a very engaged approach to your investigation into design practitioners and your own skills and branding. You have written an effective personal commentary – just make sure that where you are using sourced text (as summaries or as quotes) that you Harvard Reference this within (and without of) the text. The professional research for Ass4 shows a thorough, and relevant, research approach. The information about the link to a digital business card is interesting – how does this differ to having a QR code on your business card? Is it simpler to use?
Digital business card is even easier to use as theres no scanning involved, using NFC technology you can ‘tap’ your phone and the information/link will appear as if it has been ‘airdropped’ or ‘bluetoothed’.
