Brief: Speaking From Experience - Evaluation

What problem did you identify?

I chose to address the problem of informing new students to the BA Graphic Design course at Leeds College of Art about appropriate design related places that could benefit them during their studying in the city of Leeds. When first moving to a new city and place of study it is easy to settle on using solely the facilities closest to hand but I wanted to encourage students to make the most of creative sources across Leeds through my product range.

What evidence did you find to support your decision?

Across the duration of the first year I had often noted fellow students wanting to know where to find particular resources to aid them in their work. Even though there are many city guides about Leeds listing what the area has to offer, there was never anything specifically design related and so I chose to address this initially by developing a 'Designer's Index' which would form the basis for further product development.

What methods did you use to gather your evidence and what forms did it take?

As the brief title was 'Speaking From Experience' I started by drawing on my own knowledge and experience from the past year thinking back to places I have found beneficial. I also informally asked other students in the class for resources outside of College that they thought useful as well as consulting different existing city guides, maps and listings.

What methods of research did you find useful and why?

I found all methods of research used during the project to be both successful and useful. Speaking to fellow students and drawing on my own experiences of the first year was always going to be most appropriate as we, at the start of the year are what has now formed the target audience for this brief. Then by looking at existing informative guides and catalogues I was able to gain an understanding of how to layout the information I was gathering in a clear and concise manner that would create the easy use, quick reference index that I wanted.

How did these inform your response to your problem?

By looking at the research I had accumulated I was able to be selective of the information that was included in the products that I was developing. For example, in terms of the booklet I narrowed down the wide ranging list of suggested places into three categories each of which had 12 resources listed within them, 36 in total with the three categories being - Galleries and Museums, Materials and Resources, Places of Interest. To keep the consistency going, when developing the calendar I also included 12 events and overall I felt that this was just the right amount of information to include.

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

I think the research I could have undertaken that would have proved more useful would have been on the subjects of distribution and product development. I would have liked to look into different ways that my products could be received by my target audience and also to have investigated a slightly more adventurous range of products although I am pleased with what I have produced as I believe they are very useable and useful things to have upon starting the course.

List five things you have learnt about the design process over the last five weeks:

- Learnt more about building a brand and maintaining consistency across a product range.

- Keep target audience in mind at all times.

- Have clear concepts and messages ready for crits in order to get valuable feedback.

- A range of products do not have to look the same.

- Learnt to be selective of information to communicate.

List five things that you would do differently next time:

- More research into product distribution.

- Investigate into a more adventurous product range.

- Put together a proper research questionnaire instead of asking people informally.

- Start designing the digital side of the product range earlier.

- Design some supporting illustration work for the brand.