Adobe Illustrator Technical Workshop

In our illustrator technical workshop we worked on basic skills for Illustrator which was a good introduction to using the software. In the beginning we had to make shapes and patterns before moving on to making self portraits. I think where I went wrong in the session is not grasping the idea of the pen tool, this slowed me down for the rest of the session and eventually lead me to fail the final task. This is probably the first big problem that I have encountered on the course, and it was up to me to practice and perfect this skill in order to overcome it.


For the final task, we had to create a self portrait of ourselves using what we had learned in the lesson in the style of Julian Opie:

At the time, I did not use images to refer to when designing, which is also why I think my attempt went wrong. As I said before, the main reason my attempt did not work out was that I wasn't able to use the pen tool correctly so I had to use the paintbrush. Here is the attempt I made:

As you can see, It is obvious that I did not refer to any images as everything about it is wrong! The eyes are way too big and close together, the nose line is one big one instead of two little dots and the eye brows are too close together. It reminds me of one of those drawings the child who couldn't draw or paint would do, which is not good to say I'm doing a graphic design course! The only good thing about it is the lips, although they are done in the paintbrush they still have the shape that is used on the Julian Opie portraits.

So after this session, and a quick look on the internet on how to use the pen tool and found a good website that showed me how to use it which was useful when I made my second attempt. Here is my second attempt:

I feel like this attempt went a lot better than before, when doing the illustration I was constantly looking at how Julian Opie had done specific parts of the face and the thickness of lines he used. I also took into consideration my face shape by drawing my face when I was looking in the mirror.

Even though in the session I did not do very well, at least I came away and researched why I was going wrong then made a second attempt. It shows that even if I fail the first time i'm not going to give up and say that's it. I will try again.

The Black Country Museum

In Mid-October we went to the Black Country Museum to aid our packaging project in the Visual Communication module.

On the day, we could look round all the old fashioned shops including the bakery and sweet shops. These were interesting to see and photograph as the design is so different to now. During the day, after bumping into the tutors a remark was made that, "these photographs will be worth a lot in your third year!"

Made me think that these photographs will not only aid the packaging project, but help to put other designs into context.

Whilst there we also went in the mines underground, had to wear some very fetching hats:

As you can see we had lots of fun!

All in all it was an interesting day where I did learn about Victorian times and how they used to live. It was also a very good bonding activity with my new friends on the course.

New Ryvita Packaging

Well... I thought it was new anyway!
After researching the new packaging I realised it was just the new advertising campaign they've put on TV, originally, the new packaging came out in July 2009 but I've only just started noticing it now. Which I suppose is good because they're bringing in new customers slowly but it can also be a bad thing as people are only starting to be attracted to it a year later.

This is the old style of packaging used in adverts along with Fern Britton, the idea being that Ryvita was 'Simple but Honest'. The brand is the first thing you see on the packaging, along with the colours representing the different flavours.

This is the new packaging designed by William Murray Hamm. He was asked not to use product shot but show the different ways in which it can be eaten. I love the way a little message replaces the Ryvita as it is already a well known brand and this design definitely pushes the boundaries on it. The advert along with the packaging reinforces the idea of 'lady lunches' showing a variety of ways they can be eaten - reflecting the packaging. It's one of those ideas that makes me think wow, that is such a clever and unique idea - I wonder how they thought of it. Maybe I should start looking at ideas like this and apply them to my own work?

Previous Projects

In previous projects I find myself looking at more childish and fun projects.

FANTASY COLLIDING WITH REALITY

How children's toys contrast with different scenery and backgrounds

PERFORMANCE

The idea that we are all doing a performance because everyone is watching - Whether it is through a window or watching you walk past in town.

 Although it can be said that certain ideas and concepts added depth to my work. I just want to push myself a bit further and become more sophisticated in my design.

Perhaps looking at more traditional design or sensible design will help me to achieve this?

When opportunities arise, you have to take them!

In A-Level Art, I had opportunities to visit places of inspiration for projects. I felt this benefited me for the work I was doing at the time, and for the future. I visited Barcelona in October 2008 where I went to the famous galleries and saw Gaudi's work. I found The Picasso Gallery particularly interesting because it allowed me to see all the aspects of his life and see how he grew as an artist. I believe this was inspiring visit that will influenced my future design.


On this visit, we had to keep little sketchbooks about the galleries and our findings. At the end of the trip we handed these in for the teachers to look at and I won a sketchbook prize for having one of the best sketchbooks.

Outside the Joan Miro Gallery in Barcelona.

Fountains in Barcelona - Nice combination of music and lights.

I visited London twice with school, the first time in March 2008 and the second in July 2009. Whilst in London, on the way to Harrods i just came across an interesting window display.
Links into the lecture by Simon about nature and bringing it into design, discovering that all design can form from nature even if you do have to strip it down to it's barest roots.

I like the visual impact this window display creates, it gives a sense 
of the mannequins being tangled up in the curvy wood that represents 
wind. Perhaps this allows potential customers to imagine themselves 
being free in the clothes, much like the rest of the window display.

Recent Achievement..

..Being accepted into University.

To date, this has to be the biggest achievement of my life - Passing my A-Levels and attending University. I collected my results with friends who also got in to their choices.

This was a huge day for us all as we worked really hard to achieve this goal, boring lessons, long nights of revision and for me, long days crafting in the Graphics classroom. Sometimes I was there until 9 o'clock at night just to meet the deadline.

So we thought this achievement deserved a reward...

McDonalds Breakfast!

S.W.O.T Analysis

The S.W.O.T Analysis outlines the key strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats that I face at the moment. Hopefully at the end of the year I will be able to look back on these and think of how I have improved.

Strengths

1. Photography
2. Presentation
3. Willingness to learn
4. Passion for designing
5. Ideas
6. Using Sketchbooks
7. Reflecting on Ideas

Weaknesses

1. Detailed Drawing
2. Computer Programmes
3. History of Graphic Design
4. Proper Development
5. Explaining Designs

Opportunities

1. Degree
2. Live Projects
3. Student Life
4. Placement in Second Year
5. Add+Vantage Module

Threats

1. Other students
2. Confidence dropping
3. Over-Competitness 

My strengths all seem to come from learning through my A-Levels. Studying Fine Art and Graphics has allowed me to generate and develop ideas through sketchbooks. In these subjects I have used photography and photoshop to an beginner/intermediate standard, I also invested in a Canon SLR which I love. It takes such clear, crisp photographs that receive a lot of compliments. 

In Graphics, I have had to reflect on ideas so that I could meet the mark scheme. 

I think my passion for learning comes from my attitude in Primary School, I was brought up in a positive environment with lots of encouragement that helped me a lot with school. I may not have had the best grades, but I have always had an enthusiasm to learn and especially for art.

I used to love drawing, right up until AS Fine Art where we were forced to draw because we had to meet the mark scheme. At AS level I also did ICT which had a heavy workload, some weeks I would type 50 pages of assignments just to keep up. This meant little time for drawing and with constant pressure from my teacher it really put me off drawing. 

I think that my lack of knowledge in computer programmes is due to the environment I have been working in, I have not been exposed to these type of programmes before and to be honest, I had never heard of them (apart from Photoshop) until I came to University. I also do not have access to them on a regular basis, only in University. In development, I tend to skip quite a lot of it because I don't see the point in doing a lot. 

When I come up with an idea I don't really see any ways of improving them. This needs to change during the year, I need to learn to develop properly otherwise my ideas are not going to be fully realised.

In the next 3 years I am going to have a lot of opportunities, mostly set by the university and others I have to set up myself. Live projects are going to give me a good idea about how to deal with clients and what their feedback is going to be like. 

The same can be said for the placement I am going to undertake in the second year which will help prepare me for when I want a job. The Add+Vantage scheme is going to be an extra subject of my choice that is going to be extra on my CV. 

Student life is going to help me socially, might make me a bit more confident in myself which will then help my work.

I feel that maybe, if I let these threats get out of control, it will affect my performance when working. The idea is to recognise these threats or fears and control them in order to produce my best work.

Becoming a Blogger - Big Step

I am blogging.
Just to make a statement. 
It's not something I thought I would start doing, always thought i'd keep everything to myself rather than sharing.


I suppose I can see the benefits!


I am now in the first term of Graphic Design at degree level and I have to say I actually love it.
It seems that all these tasks that everyone around me seems to find boring and pointless are the ones that I can't wait to get into! I'm glad i'm enjoying it, I thought it would be hard coming from A-Levels at a Sixth Form but I feel my way of working and the ideas i'm thinking of are working quite well - I'm proud of myself!