Product, Range & Distribution: Intitial Personal Thinking

For the final part of the current module, OUGD203, we are free to construct our own briefs in response to existing ones.  It helps us make the transition to the third and final year, where our practice becomes heavily constructed from our own interests and reflects on the work we want to produce.  The sessions with Fred really opened my eyes to the process of writing briefs, how difficult the process is and the amount of possibilities that need to be explored to end up with a fully functioning, solid brief.

This series of blog post will document the process I took to reach my specialised brief, from initial thoughts to the final outcome:

5 things I want to do:

• Explore typography in an editorial form.
• Work primarily for print, double page spreads.
• Investigate how print translates to the web.
• Display any statistics in a clear, easy-to-break-down way.
• Look into the placement of imagery in a double page spread; how it interlinks with the typography.

5 things I need to do:

• Manage my time effectively - the old favourite.
• Research existing typographers.
• Look into any printed products that relate to my target audience, and the context it is placed in.
• Research magazine layouts & typographic posters.
• Encourage my target audience to read the textual content in my design.

Why?

• To get the most out of my project.
• To strengthen my type skills - begin to specialise.
• To develop an understanding of the relation between image and type.
• To effectively communicate the content.
• To gain an informed, well documented project.

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What personal skills do you want to develop?

• Confidence in my ability as a designer.
• Ability to effectively manage workload.
• Better evaluation skills, through blogging and documentation.
• A healthier sleeping pattern.
• Earlier starts.

What practical skills do you want to develop?

• Scalpel & folding work: professional outcomes.
• Typographic.
• Software: InDesign, Photoshop & Illustrator if necessary.

What processes do you want to develop?

• Printing processes.
• Screen printing and/or lasercutting.
• Research skills.
• Web processes, basic coding.

What products do you want to develop?

• Magazine layouts.
• Web designs
• Information graphics.

What context would they be in?

• Editorial or Publication
• Web
• Mocked up billboards, building banners.