End of Module Self-Evaluation OUGD403

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

I started off using new improved skills when I used Illustrator to create my three posters. I traced images directly using the pen tool instead of hand tracing images and digitally rendering them. The effect looked a lot better for what I wanted to do. 

I'm really glad I have taken advantage of the laser cutter. Luckily I decided to get involved and have an induction which meant I was able to use it in my proverbally yours brief and made a set of stamps.

Having a specialised printing room on the bottom floor has made me more aware of the stocks that work well with my work and I think this skill of selecting different stocks has improved. I now think carefully with an open mind about what I am going to print on before I print it.

My typography skill has really improved. Before I came here I had not done any work related to creating typography and even though I think my typeface briefs could be improved I am still satisfied with what I have produced. 

• What approaches to methods of idea generation have you developed and how have they informed your design development process?

I think using design sheets and creating a grid with quick ideas works really well as you are able to select your favourite designs and develop them further instead of just focusing on a few designs and creating them to a final piece. I also think working on paper and blogs works well for me as sketchbooks feel restricting.

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

I think my work is all different, meaning I have experimented with different styles, colours, formats, media and stocks. I have tried to do new things creatively. I will capitalise by continuing to create new things and explore new ideas.

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

Usually once I have developed something further from a set of idea's I find it hard to re-visit work and re-design. I think this is a mixture of being slightly lazy and also not wanting to change the design because I personally might like it. 

I am going to force myself to re do work if it is not to the best standard along with not jumping into an idea without knowing I have exhausted my design sheets.

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

I will do more design sheets, development and experimentation which I think will make my design more dynamic, creative and generally more interesting.

  I will do more contextual research when I am designing so that I am more informed in design. So far I have been blogging lots of different design I like but not utilising it when doing my own practice. I think this will make my work more professional. 

I am also going to try and interpret the briefs differently in a way which will allow me to be more creative. Trying to read between the lines I guess. When I read the brief sometimes I panic without reading it properly without understanding what potentially I could do.

I will re design different pieces of work I create in the future to see if they can be improved. I think this will improve my design as developing ideas will create better design and if it doesn't then I will not have lost anything.

I will organise my time more efficiently. I think this will allow me to create more work to a higher standard; example, booking printing slots in the prints rooms so that I am not panicking about printing my work.