OUGD406 - Communication is A Virus: Evaluation

As a group what problem did you identify and why (In response to 5-A-Day / 10,000 Steps / Drink Tea)?

Our group was give 5-A-Day. We decided that we didn't want to go with the typical meaning of 5-A-Day with healthy eating & lifestyle, we wanted to focus on something that was more exciting & contemporary.
We looked into activities that we did 5 times a day, and concluded that a good route to go down would be looking into social media and networking, such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram etc. These have been integrated into our every day lives and is something that we do without even realising how many times we are doing it/have done it.
We felt this was a good problem to try and find a solution to, doing something which would make people aware of this and consciously make an effort to use it less.

What methods did you use to gather your evidence to prove this was a problem and what forms did it take? (Categorise, your research using the terms primary, secondary, quantitative and qualitative)

Primary research - As a group we decided that we should all carry out the same quantitative primary research in the form of a tally of how many times we went on social media including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Online gossip/news, texting, WhatsApp etc. We then pooled this research together and found that we were all at very similar levels of using these sites, confirming that it is a problem in our age group.

Secondary research - Original secondary research was relating to the app idea, so in pairs we each researched into a different area relating to this. I looked into App & Website Layout. Although after the first crit most of the research wasn't really that relevant, I still found it useful and important. When we had a solid idea and concept secondary research became individual work. I looked into Branding & Identity, and then Twitter do's & Don'ts.

What methods of research did you find useful and why?

In terms of our concept, the primary quantitive research was the most useful. It enabled us to get an accurate representation of social media and the addiction to it. Creating a tally made us all very self aware of how much we actually use these sites, and has given me that conscious effort to stop.

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

I think the primary research definitely could have been expanded and we could have asked an audience to carry out the tally themselves so we would have a more accurate and reliable response than just the six of us.

How did you manage the workload as part of a group?

As a group, I feel we managed the workload well and effectively. I do feel that perhaps a couple of the designs produced should have been done faster than they were, but overall we did a good job as a group. When it came to designing the logo, posters & stickers, we found it was effective if the majority of us came up with design ideas/mock ups, and then we pooled them all together as one and decided on the best course of action.
Group communication was good throughout this brief as we had a Facebook group and were constantly updating each other with ideas & mock ups of work, gaining feedback and criticism before actually finishing something off. This had a very positive effect on the group as a whole as it felt like we were moving as a unit to get everything done. 
This was shown while working on the logo design. Originally Adam had a couple of designs, which Joe edited and made a few variations, from there we added my wording designs, and created the logo like that. The same with the stickers, where Grace, Adam and Anna had original designs and they were pooled together to create the stickers.
On the individual side of things, I think we all managed the work well, all having an individual task as well as contributing to the group tasks we did. Adam and Grace created the posters together from feedback given in crits and from the group. Grace also created a flier. Anna created masks to add a comical and more informal element to the concept. Ant created desktops & a video. Joe did work into how we would further the concept, coming up with an app design. I created the book on twitter do's & don'ts, along with this, I used work from Grace's flier and turned it into a leaflet.
I think I personally managed the workload well, contributed to the group and got everything done with a decent amount of time remaining. I took time to create designs which were effective, but didn't take too long as to put the whole group behind.

OUGD402 - Study Task 8: If You Were A...

Session

We got into our groups for the 'Communication Is A Virus' brief, got into pairs and swapped our 10 visuals from our statements from the task.
We then had to go away in the pair, sort the visuals into Personal & Professional and then write a statement for each summing up exactly what the five pictures for each represent & put across about them as people.
Me and Anna got Adam & Grace's images.

Adam
Personal
Adam is a tea drinker, particularly Earl Grey. He obviously cares about animals and we are presuming he owns a dog. Along with this he has a large film collection, which means that he enjoys to watch them. He also likes technology.

Professional
The images given are all different, but have a few similar aspects, meaning he appreciates different kinds of design, but there are certain aesthetics he likes more than others. He clearly likes illustration and textured work, along with Russian Constructivism and simple design. He also likes bold, colourful design.

Grace
Personal
These images show off a broad range of personality. Swimming is obviously important to Grace, along with reading. Alternative/Rock music is clearly a favourite of hers. By the book about species, we are assuming she also has an interest in science of some sort. The image of the forest is obviously important to her, and could be somewhere she visits regularly.

Professional
On a professional level, all visuals suggest Grace likes simple design, but also likes loose, hand drawn illustrations. There is clearly an interest in editorial and packaging work, and perhaps infographics as well, though this is not clear enough to say for definite. A lot of the work seems to contain green, whether this is a coincidence or a preference, it is not clear.

We then got back together as a group and shared what we all said, and told each other the proper statements to see how close we all were. In general Anna and I were quite close to what Adam and Grace's Professional & personal preferences were.
Joe & Ant did mine, and I found that they were quite close, though their knowledge on the designers I chose did deter their answers a little, but they still had the main point of the images.

Task

If you were a book, what would your subject be and who would read you?

If I was a book, the subject would be on up and coming graphic design as I feel that these people aren't paid much attention until they do something recognisable and considered big. People to read it would be those of graphic design students as it would give them a broad range of designers to use.

If you were a package what would you contain and who would open you?

If I was a package I would be a very bespoke design, designed specifically for the person it is for. I would contain something that is generally easy to come across, but can be personalised for a persons traits and needs, done at their own hand. So anyone could open it, but each would be designed specifically for them.

If you were a shop what would you sell and who would buy it?

If I was a shop I would be selling something that never gets old and continually reinvents itself to fit in with contemporary times. Vans for example, they are a brand that have been around for fifty years, but is still very current and is widely recognised and worn. For that reason, I would sell Vans shoes and other shoes which are the same, like Converse or Nike shoes. The people who would buy them are people who aren't just buying them because they're in trend at the minute, it would be people who recognise the value in the company and shoe.

If you were a poster what would you promote and to whom?

If I was a poster I would promote typography and the value of it as I feel this is a subject that is largely overlooked by the general public, and certainly not appreciated unless you are someone who works with it on a day to day basis as a graphic designer does.

If you were a brand what would your values be and why would they be important?

If I was a brand, my values would be that everything created under the brand would have to be of a high standard and as consistent as the last, whatever the products were. A high standard of work and finish is important because if it doesn’t look good enough, people aren’t going to want anything to do with it, the products wouldn’t catch their eye like high quality products do. Like Apple, the creative team is in control of advertising and showing the quality of the products produced in a way which appeals to the audience. Creative control is important as I feel this would be the best way to continually improve the brand name and reputation.

If you were an exhibition what would you show and where would you show it?

If I was an exhibition I would be a collection of large scale, colourful and bright Art & Design work. There would be something for everyone, but all in the same aesthetic style of work, as my own work is like this. I would show works from the likes of Warhol to those of Mike Perry and Pentagram. A mixture of work, which is ultimately commercial and recognised by the general public. I would show in a place which is easy accessible and easy to get around. A large open space gallery which is easy to navigate around.

If you were a leaflet what information would you contain and who would read it?

If I was a leaflet I would be a mini self help for digital design programs, such as Illustrator and Photoshop as I feel I have enough experience in these programs to help someone who has little or none.

If you were a sign what would you show, to whom and where?

If I was a sign I would be a 'straight ahead' road sign as it is straight to the point and doesn't give any nonsense. It tells you exactly what you need to know, when you need to know it with no unnecessary information at inconvenient times. It would be on a motorway, or where signage was complicated and confusing the viewer as they would see it and know exactly what it entails.

If you were an App what would you do and who would use you?

If I was an App I would be something to do with organisation, like iCalendar or iPlanner, as I feel an organised approach to work is the only way to get the best out of the work, and have enough time to fulfil everything on the criteria. I would best be suited to someone who isn't organised and needs to make a note of what to do.

If you were a blog, what would you be about and who would follow you?

If I was a blog I would be a collection of Editorial design work, primarily in book work, showing all the various ways of how content and images can be displayed on pages, ranging from Post modernist approaches like Carson, to very straight laced displays like Experimental Jetset. It would show the variety that is out there and why each is appropriate to the content.

If you were an event, what would it be and how would you promote it?

If I was an event I would be an All Day movie day, and I would promote it with a series of printed posters and leaflets, distributing them in the area where the event would be taking place. It would be open to everyone, showing films that are widely known, but are maybe only properly appreciated by few.

OUGD406 - Communication is A Virus Crit 1.3.13

This crit was with Simon and two other groups, each with a different topic to us so we could get some decent feedback which would be beneficial. We discussed our concept, initial ideas, how far we had gotten with it all and what our problems were.

Our main problem was interaction from the audience it is aimed at. We have found it difficult to get feedback and get people involved in it. To address this, feedback given was that maybe we should go down the route of doing bold, shocking posters/leaflets which would catch people's eyes, and put them around the university.

All feedback was positive and helpful to us, and we found it will definitely help us get a solution. They all liked the concept and our method of delivery, but agreed that it needed some work to get it to reach the audience and for them to interact with it.

From the feedback we have decided to create a series of posters which are bright and catching, and get the point across very easily.

OUGD406 - Communication is A Virus Crit 25.2.13

This was out second crit of the project, where we had ten minutes to explain the concept and development to Amber, and discuss how it will work and could be developed further. We also handed in our completed brief.

Completed brief form

Overall the feedback was positive on the new concept we have made - getting people to tweet only five times a day with tweets that aren't pointless, and have a reason. However our method of delivery still needs some working on as we are trying to make it viral.
Our ideas of putting up stickers where people are waiting and tweet a lot, is a good one, but is flawed in the fact that it might not really be effective in making people take note and actually visit our twitter page.
Tweeting people directly with photos of the sticker in places they've been is a bit too personal and could be considered creepy - I agree.
So perhaps stickers should be used in a different, more creative way.
It was suggested that creating everything digitally and sending out E-leaflets/posters etc would be a better idea as people are already on the computer and internet, and would be more likely to go onto our page.
Also suggested was the idea of making a desktop background for computer and phones that perhaps reminds people of our message and makes them think more consciously about it. I think this is definitely something to explore as it could end up being quite effective. (Also the use of an E-book which is printable).
It was also said that using a twitter page to counter the amount of twitter page is a little bit contradictory of itself and had to be done carefully. This is true, but twitter is an easy way to get the message out and get to the mass audience.

OUGD402 - Study Task 7: Personality Vs Professionalism

Session

Ads created:

What are the 5 words you used last week to describe your Design Practice?

1. Clean
2. Colourful
3. Professional
4. Bold
5. To the point

What are the 5 words you used to describe your personality?

1. Honest
2. Motivated
3. Blunt
4. Kind
5. Not too serious

Then list 5 words to describe what we were trying to communicate through our ads about us and the 2 others:
Me:

1. Colourful
2. Clean
3. Layered
4. Adaptable
5. Bold

Barney:

1. Clean
2. Professional
3. Digital
4. Simple
5. Effective

J'nae:

1. Creative
2. Emotive
3. Illustrative
4. Adaptable
5. Fashion Inspired

We then presented the ads to each other. From this, fro the ads given, we had to write down what 5 things we thought the ads reflected about us, and the 5 things in the ads that we felt did not fit or reflect us.

5 things the ads do reflect about me:

1. Colourful
2. Layout
3. Clean
4. To the point design
5. Use of geometric shapes

5 things the ads don't reflect about me:

1. Straight - modernist typeface
2. Modernist
3. Use of white as a background
4. Typefaces used

We then moved to another groups ads. With their ads we had to compare the differences in each ad and see how they communicated each person.

We then went back to our ads and saw what the other group had written about our ads. We then had to make a note of thing the other group had mentioned in their notes, and if anything matched the initial list we had made about our personalities and design practices.

1. Geometric shapes
2. Different layouts
3. Tone of voice
4. Reflect different styles
5. Colour schemes different

We went on to discuss how our personalities and professional practise sometimes effect each other. From this, we produced a list of Pros & Cons based on the idea of your professional practise reflecting your personality.

Pros:

1. Makes work more individual
2. Emotive
3. More entertaining
4. Reflecting
5. Honest

Cons:

1. Might not be what the client is looking for
2. Lack of professionalism
3. Could put across the wrong tone of voice
4. Could be biased
5. Deceptive

Class List:

Pros:

1. Recognisably your own signature work
2. Humanises work - more approachable
3. Shared Value
4. Suitability to client (They know what they are going to get)

Cons:

1. Only being define by one thing or what you like - narrow field of vision
2. Personality conflicts with professionalism
3. All about yourself - no team work
4. Become comfortable in what you have

From this we were given a task:

Task

5 statements that clearly state things about you as an individual and your personality:

1. Drums

I have played drums for quite a while now and it is something I always look forward to going back to. It is a stress release and also a good skill to have, I think. It allows me to sit and play along to favourite songs and see how something that sounds complicated is really very simple.

2. Music

Music has always been important to me and I don't go long without listening to it. For some it is distracting, but for me it helps me concentrate and think, and is a key part of my life.

3. Films

I usually watch at least one film every couple of days. I find it opens my mind up to all of the imagination and stories that are out in the world, and helps give me ideas for my work.

4. Celebrity Culture

 Celebrity culture has always fascinated me. The way 'the other half live' has always been something I have read about and continue to read about.

 5. Winter sports

 I was never very keen on sports until the point where I learnt to ski & snowboard, and since then I have taken an interest in winter sports. The sort of things some people can do in this area really amazes me and I would much rather watch this over any other sport.

5 statement thats clearly express you as a practitioner:

1. Influence - Mike Perry

Mike Perry was one of the first graphic designers I discovered and since then has continued to be an influence in my work. It may not be noticeable sometimes, but I always keep him and his individual way of working in mind.

2. Screen Printing - Alan Kitching

Screen printing is something I have been doing for many years, and is something I love to do. Although I don't do much anymore, I still try emulate the way screen printing looks when doing digital work. Work by Alan Kitching and other screen printers have played key parts in the development of my skills and design work.

3. Pop Art

Pop Art is, and always will be the reason I love art & design, and the designers that I take influence from. The bright colours and bold statements has always drawn me to this kind of work, and is something I have always used in my work.

4. Post Modernism & Commercialisation

I like colour and busy a lot more than a modernist and minimalist look to design. I prefer something to be visually catching instead of something that gets the message across in a simple and boring way. It is not necessarily how my work looks, but it definitely plays a key part in my development as a designer.

5. Editorial work

Editorial work is where I think I fit into the design world the most. It is something I find very easy to be creative, a lot more than infographics or packaging. Experimentations with layout, colour and typefaces is exactly what I have always done, and continue to do. It is where I feel the most at ease and successful.

OUGD406 - Communication is A Virus Crit 22.2.13

Initial ideas
Initial Ideas Development

Our first crit is going through our initial ideas and the concept with Amber & Simon. Our initial idea was to make people use twitter/social networking sites 5 less every day/week. For this we wanted to make a twitter account & an App which people could use to track their progress.

Initial reaction was that the concept was a good one - trying to get people to use social networking more effectively/5 times less a day/week, however the main issue was with our method of delivery. As we have to physically make the App and see if it has worked, it is something which we wouldn't be able to do given the idea. It is probably not possible to create an App that does what we want it to do. So because of this we have to rethink our method of delivery to something that is more possible and easier to do over a short space of time.

OUGD406 - Design is About Doing Evaluation

Overall I wasn't so keen on this brief, due to the fact that the songs were limited and I didn't really like any of them, which I found to be an issue when it came to designing appropriate artwork.
I chose to do the song by Jessie Ware, and because of its repetitive nature I decided upon using geometric shapes and patterns.
I think my ideas generation and concept was better than how I produced it. I don't feel my final outcome was very strong or visually what I wanted to create. I think in the future I will not sacrifice elements of design because I like one certain element and want to include it. In this case it was the spirograph pattern. When using it, I thought it was a good idea, but now looking back at it I do feel it did deter my final outcome and I should have perhaps worked on some of the other variations of the cover I came up with.