Summative Module Evaluation

Summative Module Evaluation

This module provided a great platform for understanding the different areas of design and production, as well as the processes that accompany them. An introduction into a specialist understanding of the development and production of design for print and screen based media, allowed me as a designer to expand my skill-sets, including hands on approaches and more digitally aware methods. Examples of said practices include embossing, foiling, the coptic stitch binding method, use of After Effects and Photoshop Animation, thus infiltrating both the publication and motion graphics side of design. 

Both briefs were targeted at generating design to solve a problem, and made considerations for a client. How can type, colour, layout and format choices all effect the delivery and application successes of the final product? These were all considerations that had to be explored in practical, technical and conceptual terms. The target audience, unique selling point (USP), user experience (UX), and distribution of production on a commercial level, are all aspects that were judged, fuelling and impacting upon the varying decisions made. In addition, I felt the brief swap for Studio Brief 1 allowed my design to be more focused, stripping back over complicating aspects and allowing a strong concept to carry the design.   

Research for this module definitely drove its development. For Studio Brief 1, this research took the form of more visual introspective into the materials and concepts behind various publications. Studio Brief 2 investigated deep into existing visual responses to music both in video form and for live performance, as well as various approaches and technologies of stage design, and the meaning of the relationship between musician and audience. All research was used constructively to form the basis of the initial idea generation and design development, aiding the justification for each design decision.

For improvement in future modules it has definitely been learnt to improve time management of practical applications. If a brief is to be displayed printed, the designs should not be left digital until last minute. Certain aspects of the project needed to be trialled in a physical sense, and were left too late to amend final inaccuracies. Moreover, having time to properly mock up the final stage designs would have allowed the visualisation of the final idea to hold stronger when pitches. As I did not know the technologies to do this, I would’ve had to seek help with the available resources, and due to time restraints was unable to. In future briefs I definitely want to explore collaboration more, seeing how letting in creatives of different areas can impact and build not only my skill base but the end formality and professionalism of the work.