Tuesday 15 December 2009

Collection 100, Research proposal

My subject matter is:
T-shirts

Possible catergories will include:
T-shirts for men
iconic T-shirts
T-shirts in the UK
T-shirts from different cultures i.e. Japan

Research processes will include:
Collecting/documenting various t-shirts

How will you research?

Primary methods:
Physically collecting t-shirts with various designs printed on to them.
photographing found t-shirts.

Secondary methods:
Exploring different designs and the history of the t-shirt through the internet/ source books/ publications etc.

Who/where/will you research?

Primary sources:
Photography/collection of T-shirts, stores and fashion exhibitions

Secondary sources:
past exhibitions documented on blogs/journals/publications

Research processes will include:

Primary material:
Documenting designs/forming a collection of found material/t-shirts

Secondary material:
pre-existing designs/designers of t-shirts and documentation of this

What if... Self Evaluation (images failed to load but problem will be resolved as soon as possible)

What problems did you identify?
The problem that arose through investigation into drugs within the music scene in Leeds is that Methadrone (also known as MKAT) is increasingly becoming the most popular drug of choice in clubs, gigs and social circles. the drug itself is legal but the side effects are still not entirely known as no scientific evidence is yet available, so no one is aware of the long term effects the drug may cause.

What evidence did you find to support your decisions?
First hand accounts from interviews with people who had/were taking Methadrone in clubs and venues; of them not knowing the consequences of the drug they were taking. I gathered information from sources such as the internet and Drug help networks (e.g. Frank) explaining what is known about the drug and the danger that it may have.

What methods did you use to gather your evidence and what forms did it take?
My research method was primary research and mainly qualitative information but from my investigation into my problem some quantitative data was found.

What methods of research did you find research and why?/How did these inform your response to your problem?
For primary research, interviews and observations resulted in getting a substantial and very reliable and strong body of research. Experiences and views of peers interviewed identified the problems and helped develop ideas more fluently that secondary research. By gathering research directly from the environment that the problem comes from the information is more reliable and is more inspirational in the ideas stage.

What methods did you encounter as problematic?
problems arose when i tried to conduct secondary research, due to the lack of scientific reseach into the drug and the low amount of general information relating to Methadrone, I could only source so much from secondary information, but this did also support the fact that there is very little evidence surrounding Mkat, which supports the fact and problem that their is very little known about Methadrone.

How did you overcome this?
I resolved this by using more primary research to compensate for the lack of secondary research that was available though I did utilise the information i was able to gather from resources count as secondary such as the internet and FRANK.

What research could you have carried out that would have proved more useful?
possibly more quantitative primary and secondary research about experiences and people participating the the taking of MKAT, and interviews with GP's and Drug information centres/councillors.

Five things that I have learnt about the design process over the last two weeks

1. Importance of well evaluated research instead of a bulk of research not properly investigated.

2. The value of primary research and how much more inspirational the results are compared to secondary research.

3. Transaction from research to ideas/development and knowing when an amount of research is the right amount.

4. The importance of planning and time management within a project.

5. When working with a group the crucial fact that organisation is key and that a group needs to be lead in a direction and work and roles shared and not relying on one or two members of the group to do the majority of the work.

Five things that I would do different next time.

1. Evaluate the problem more intelligently

2. Don't resort to print to solve every problem, but use it when it is going to be a successful method of communication

3. Explore possible ambient methods of communication

4. Be more confident with my ideas/concepts and more fluent in vocally communicating them

5. Better planning of time management



Monday 26 October 2009

Typeface designed for Paul - Group Evaluation

Evaluation from Amy Leigh
Strengths
The word Foresight has been investigated really well and shows a lot of development
The visual development is intricate and has had time taken over it

Weaknesses
Not all of the words have been investigated ( refers to the 4 key words)
One path chosen could have explored different techniques
No experimentation with colour

Actions
Could experiment with colour

Evaluation From Mathew Khan
Strengths
Good body of research and visual research
easy to see the choice of his idea and why leading into his development of the final piece
strong final outcome

Weaknesses
Not investigated all of the key words
Gone straight down one path from an initial idea and hasn't explored other ideas

Actions
Explore a few other ideas and possibilities of final outcomes

AlphabetSoup - Typeface Design For Paul

Which Personality traits did you choose to respond to and apply to the typeface?
I responded to his fantasy superpower 'Foresight' and his taste in energetic and experimental music.

What are the reasons behind the design decisions you have made for the typeface?
I chose to go with the decisions i made through research into Horoscopes, Zodiac signs and "reading the future through star gazing" philosophy concept I though it was a fitting link because it involves both foresight and energetic.

In what ways are the results effective?
The typeface portrays constellations and represents 'energy', 'adventure' and foresight whilst the technique itself is 'experimental' so answers all the key words i set out to design.

What personality traits do you interpret from the typeface designed to represent you?
My humor, laughter, my dialect and my favorite colour

Describe what you think of the typeface.
The colours are electric and very energetic, it is well constructed and visually exciting.

In what ways is it effective, and in what way is it ineffective of representing you?
It's effective as its legible and visually represents my traits but is a little overpowering and too crowded.

Edit - Evaluation from Karl Mead

What is being communicated and how?
Edit, through the use of line and type structure, showing how a letterform from a specific typeface has been changed into another.

How well does this answer the brief?
I think the design answers the brief well, the use of recognisable way of editing something has communicated the word well and visually shows as the brief asked how the typeface was edited.

How well has the idea been visually explored?
There is evidence throughout the folder of the development of the designs each page is methodical showing a variety of versions of the chosen idea.

What Are the strengths of the revolution?
I feel the strengths of the final revolutions come from the use of hand drawn pen and pencil marks, the quality of the lines help communicate editing. Even those that are quite rough and drawn without a ruler help visually show quick editing which relates back to the word.

How could it be improved?
I think experimentation with either collage or computers may have given the final pieces a more finished fell, some of the designs looked unfinished (possibly down to the idea) however i feel more experimenting with different media may have given each design a more unique look and still work in a set, series or sequence.

General Comments...
I like the final pieces, their are a few that look more completed than others, but i really like the recognisable way of communicating the word and the use of subtle colour helps with the designs too.

Sunday 25 October 2009

10 things i want to achieve

In no particular order:

1: Better time management
2: To use photoshop and Illustrator at a higher level that I'm at now
3: An improvement in my drawing skills
4: A more intelligent thinking process to creating ideas and concepts
5: Work better in collaboration projects
6: Explore Printing making and textile printing
7: Have a more confident style
8: Use typography in illustration and design more intelligently
9: More inspirational research methods
10: Have fun and enjoy every minute of my Degree