OUGD504 - Design Production - End of Module Evaluation

As the first module of the second year, I was initially apprehensive in the knowledge that with the beginning of level 05 came a higher level of expectation, from both tutors and myself. Having said that, as the module title suggests, the briefs' concerns with production excited me - as it is the making and crafting of works which motivates my practice and supplies much of the passion I have for design. In regard to studio brief 01, design for print, I was raring to go. In contrast, I was more reserved in enthusiasm, initially, for studio brief 02 as I had yet to have any formal experience in design for screen.

With the A-Z Type in Context summer brief leading directly in to studio brief 01, fortunately I had put myself in good stead following thorough preparation and planning, this making the initial stages of the design process much easier as a result of the already undertaken research and clear proposed direction. When carrying out the summer brief, I made sure that my efforts were considered. I wanted to ensure I was able to begin my journey in to the specialism of luxury practice and bespoke editorial design. This brief was the first to allow me to fully engage in the intricacies of design for print and establish my motives and intensions for my practice to follow. The publication I have produced, a Bond Street brand directory, is the first piece of work I have produced on the course (so far) that I am wholly proud of, as the first piece to showcase my desired design style. Production of the publication supplied further realisation that editorial design and production are major points of interest within my practice, revelling in binding, stock, format, size considerations and so on.

Design for screen initially provided me with moderate difficulties in deciding what to produce in response to studio brief 02, having never designed for screen in any professional context or taken an interest in the digital side of design. The lectures and seminars that introduced the subject and sector considerations provided me with new information and learning, ultimately progressing my knowledge within the overarching field of design and therefore allowing me to start forming a more rounded view of the industry as well as my own practice. In addition to my passion for graphic design is an equal passion for interior design and styling. Consideration of this culminated in to the form of the Style Library wallpaper visualiser app that I produced in response to the brief. The input from Only Studio and their advice in how to design luxury for screen in-part informed some of the design decisions used in the production of the app. While I enjoyed creating the app and believed in the concept behind it, the brief has allowed me to identify an indefinite preference for the physical - print, bespoke editorial and finishing capabilities.

The commercial considerations required for each brief respectively have undoubtedly allowed me to develop a more informed practice and brought progress to my preparation for industry and post-graduate practice after level 06.