End Of Module Self Evaluation

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

Through this module I have began to use Adobe Illustrator for the first time and my skills in this have developed quickly through working on the 26 letter brief and by also using it heavily during the 'No News Is Good News' brief.

2. What approaches to/ methods of problem solving have you developed and how have they informed your design development process?

I feel I have maintained a more constant analysis of my work throughout this module by carefully considering and questioning each decision I made as the projects developed. This helped to overcome problems I faced as I was asking why I had chosen certain things and what would they achieve.

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

I think I have maintained a pleasing consistency across different media during the 'No News Is Good News' brief through the posters and mailshot whilst developing creative, subtle solutions to communicating messages in my work.

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

I want to make sure I can develop each idea to its full potential through managing my time well whilst making sure that I initially look into a range of ideas instead of selecting one and carrying it forward straight away.

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

- Ensure time management allows me to develop my work to its full potential.

- Continue to practice and develop my Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator skills.

- Strike a balance between technical and manual skills.

- Explore a bolder use of colour.

- Develop a range of ideas before selecting one to carry forward.

6. Are there any things we could have done differently that would have benefitted your progress?

Consider how many briefs are running at one time as it can restrict the development of some work and also makes it difficult to attempt extra work such as live briefs.

7. How would you grade yourself on the following areas. ( 5 Excellent - 1 Poor)

Attendance- 5

Punctuality- 5

Motivation- 4

Commitment- 4

Quantity of work produced- 4

Quality of work produced- 4

Contribution to the group- 3

No News Is Good News: Message and Delivery

Above is the final resolution for the 'No News Is Good News' mail shot.

When considering and constructing the mail shot I looked back to see what had proved successful in my three impact posters. Key elements such as the colourscheme, typeface, stock and layout had combined well and I intended to carry these forward into the design of the envelope and its contents.

The only extra restriction added to the brief was the dimensions that the envelope had to conform to. (11.5cm x 16cm)

Upon designing the mailshot I felt that it needed to be interesting to open whilst retaining its pleasing visual simplicity. I then came up with the idea of using perforated edges on the envelope which I thought would make the recipient more intrigued to open it but more importantly i felt it was a good way of including a subtle message about wasteage. The action of tearing paper and throwing it away links directly to the subject of the mail and posters which is all about human consumption.

Once opened the mail would be lined with the pac man designs used in my posters and hold inside some informative postcards with various statements and accompanying visual imagery. In terms of the mailing list, the piece was to be sent to companies that deal with large volumes of food such as the major UK supermarkets as well as our own forest protection agencies and environmental charities.

The overall design was kept consistent with that of the posters whilst adding extra little details to develop the piece further.

Im really pleased in particular with the envelope as the deign is clean and contemporary whilst being intriguing to open. If I was to develop the piece further I would have liked to have been a little more creative with the contents by maybe including a fold out poster for example.

No News Is Good News: Message and Delivery.

The next part of the brief was to translate what we have produced for the impact posters into an authentic mailshot that should be designed to either inform, persuade, instruct or promote. We had to produce ten identical pieces of mail that were to be accompanied with an appropriate mailing list.

Initial Feedback to Ideas for Mailshot.

Issues raised:

Keep to image based deigns, not too much text.
Good idea to use perforated edges of the envelope to link to wasteage of trees.
Where will the address be postitioned?
Does the chosen stock work with the perforated edges or when it is folded?
What can inner postcards be used for?
Are the same colours being used as on the posters?

Actions to be taken:

Test stock to see reaction when perforated and folded.
Look into layout of everything to be included on the envelope.
Decide on staements and accompanying images for postcards.
Keep colours and pacman images consistent with the posters.

No News Is Good News: Message and Interpretation

Feedback from other students:

Which statement/fact/question is being communicated to you?

-The statement being communicated is the consumption of non renewable fuels is leading to the destruction of the forests.

-It is to do with us using too much paper causing too many trees to be cut down.

What could be developed further?

-Posters have been developed well with all of the imagery and text clearly laid out with a consistent theme running throughout all three posters.

-Type is sometimes a little diificult to read on the text only poster.

Is a statment, fact or question being posed?

-Yes the type choice is appropriate, gets info across quickly and to who its intended for. Pacman symbol is easily recognisable and its obvious what is ocurring in the imagery.

-Yes a statement about consumption is posed through image.

Are the posters simple and to the point?

-Yes

-Yes

Has the restriction of two colours plus stock been met?

-Yes

-Yes

Are the two colours and stock choice appropriate?

-Yes

-Yes

Why are they appropriate/inappropriate?

-Black bring the type and illustration together and the yellow pacman makes a focal point.

-Yellow and black work well together and are consistently used.

Do the posters work as a set or series?

-Yes

-Yes

Why do/don't they work as a set or series?

-Type is simple and consistent, image is effective.

-Try different stocks, but image and text are similar all the way through, same colours and simple images work well.

Is it clear which poster is type/image/type & image?

-Yes

-Yes

Are the posters memorable, high impact and clear?

-The poster make an impact. Image poster and text and image are particularly successful.

-Message is apparent as soon as you look at the posters, also there are more subtles things included such as the word destruction disintergrating. Work well as a set.

Do you feel the brief is fulfilled to its full potential?

-Yes

-Yes

Further Feedback.

-I think it is a clever and clear idea with various aspects such as the pacman symbol and yellow cells in the typeface included, they are successful as a set and link together well.