Design for Print - Evaluation

BA (Hons.) GRAPHIC DESIGN – END OF MODULE SELF-EVALUATION.

Module Code – OUGD201 Module Title Design To Print.

Level 02 Semester 01

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

I have finally learned to screen print and have enjoyed all of it. My t-shirts are all hand screen-printed and I would have liked to design some posters and tissue paper for screen print but time wasn’t always on my side.
I have learned skills with managing money and space. I worked out how much money I could make if actually going through with a business plan for t-shirts. This kept me driven and enthused throughout the whole project.

2. What approaches to generating work and solutions to problems have you developed and how have they helped?

I have gone straight through with ideas, looked at them and changed them. I feel that working at a faster pace and a more intense approach helps me with my practice. I have also learned to calm down a bit and not stress out with work too much, as I can always enjoy it if I put my mind to it and keep focused on something that drives me.

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

I have realized that my strengths are in my idea generations and design sheets. I can do really well and achieve my goals if I just put my mind to it. My final finishes and touches made all the difference to my project, from the packaging and labeling, to setting up lighting and sorting out a model to maximize the photographic impact of my t-shirt designs.
I have learned that screen-printing really interests me and now that I have that skill, I can make it my strength and produce some really nice work in the future.

I have also been using the facilities to there full potential and staying longer and later than ever before.

4. What weaknesses can you identify in your work and how could you exploit these more fully?

Once again my weaknesses are in my research. I went down to gold shops, second hand shop etc, to look at prices and different types of jewelry. But never once documented it. I had ideas to go down to second hand jewelry stores in Leeds and ask to have a look at the certificates (when I was going to make them), but once again I didn’t pull through.
I really want to mature in my practice when it comes to research. The only the thing that I can call research that informed my ideas were pictures from the internet of different design processes and designs. Every time I produce a project I let myself down with my research and I have to make that stop.

Although I have been using the facilities a lot more, I think that I could use my free time to maximize the outcome of my projects.

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

Research – I want to maximize my radical research in order for it to inform my ideas fully.

Organization – My final hand in wasn’t too neat and I would like to change that next time so that my hand ins look more professional to the marker.

Tests – I should make more mock-ups, test, experiments etc to really exploit the full potential of my ideas.

Lack of consistency – In my work I skip around from idea to idea and don’t really explain that at the end of it. It’s all a bit muddles up and inconsistent which I think really let’s it down.

More idea generations – I tend to have an idea, not like it, have another, like it and go for it all the way too the end. If I explore more ideas I can really exploit my work to its fullest potential.

6.How would you grade yourself on the following areas:
5= excellent, 4 = very good, 3 = good, 2 = average, 1 = poor

Attendance

5

Punctuality

5

Motivation

3

Commitment

4 

Quantity of work produced

3

Quality of work produced

3

Contribution to the group

3 

T's

Final Packaging.

GF Smith - Adare Lexicon

These are the  two company's I tried to e-mail for some paper stock samples. GF Smith and Adare Lexicon where my Dad used to work. Neither replied to my e-mails.

Screen Prints

Screen print for one of the t-shirts. Just the gold for the first layer. It wouldn't upload the final image and all the colours on this are fucked up even though they are j-pegs. 

Studio Belly Timber LTD

These guys are a Leeds based Graphic Design studio, who off advice in prints and create print based work for clients. They seem to use a lot of screen prints which look really really nice. Having only used screen printing for this 'good' brief, i would like to start using it a lot more having seen the results. This is also a company that i would love to get in touch with about work experience this summer. 

Jesse Auersalo

Jesse Auersalo's images are often dark and intimidating though his practice is meticulous. He wants his work to stand out and be different for years to come. 

I really like the way his work looks, mainly working in black and white, he makes strong imagery for posters and prints and works with erotic editorial work. Something I wouldn't mind trying myself, haha. 

2 Sick Bastards

2 Sick Bastards are a small one print t-shirt company. Their t-shits look cool and always have a hidden meaning, be it social or political.