Module Evaluation

Throughout this module, I've enjoyed exploring different areas of my practice looking at branding and packaging. However throughout the module opportunities to explore other areas such as animation and 3-dimensional which I hadn't considered before. The opportunity to explore animation within the sixty-second documentary brief influenced the outcomes I produced throughout the module as I enjoyed working with After Effects. Therefore throughout the moduel, my focus has shifted towards more digitally based design, experimenting with animation more specifically through my D&AD submission and some client work. Despite this refoucse I've also explored branding and packaging throughout the module but on a smaller scale as I have found others briefs more engaging and relevant to my practice. A large element of this module has been the production of The Graduate (pinball machine) for my self initiated brief Test Your Fate. This brief was highly engaging as it allowed for the exploration of graphic design within another less traditional setting. Furthermore the physical production process of this brief was very extensive which is one of the areas I enjoyed most as I found it challenged my creative thinking and ability to adapt to change quickly due to the issues faced throughout. Time management was a key factor during this processes as I needed to manage the production of The Graduate alongside other briefs I was working on. My time management skills have been very important throughout the module, the most helpful aspect being that I set small deadlines for each brief allowing me to keep track of multiple briefs at once. This meant that when certain briefs such as Adonis took longer than expects I wasn't behind as I could manage my time as I was organised. Throughout the module, research has played a larger part in my practice as it has allowed me to become more familiar with the topics I've worked within to create more solid conceptual ideas.

Documentation has also been a focus throughout this brief however as a large number of my briefs have been digital, I've had limted opportunities to develop my physical documentation skills. However when physical documentation has been completed a combination of photography and scanning have proven to be the most successful methods. This has allowed all briefs to be showcased to a high standard. The Graduate was the brief I struggled to document the most due to limited space to photograph the machine and my limited videography skills. However this issue has highlighted the value of collaborations as the machine will be re-shot after submission with the help of fellow creatives.

Time Management

Throughout 603 I've used a spreadsheet to keep track of the briefs I'm working on and mini-deadlines I have set for myself. This has also been a helpful tool when keep track of blogs and design boards to ensure I stay up-date with documentation. However some projects took longer than expected due to unforeseen issues such as production issues during Adonis/Nest which resulted in the project being extended. However this didn't become an issue as I had a record of where I was within each brief I was working on. The briefs I have worked on throughout the year have changed as new briefs and self-initiated projects were developed which fit my design practise more than other briefs. This has been informed based on ciritcal ongoing reflection of my work and the areas I want to explore, resulting in more animation projects than initially planned.

Ongoing Plan 

Complete Plan

Test Your Fate: Final Outcome

Overall the final outcome has been finished to a high standard with the mechanisms working well. The plungers can become stuck if too much force is used however this is easily fixed by gently pulling the sides. Throughout this brief there has been multiple challenges and issues especially during the construction process. However this has made me more adaptable as a designer and has forced me to think about things in a different way in order to try and solve multiple problems. Furthermore this brief has made me want to explore bigger 3-dimension projects moving forward as I've enjoyed the challenged of designing for an unusual format. This has been a very extensive project lasting around 3 months which has allowed the machine to be produced to such a high standard as there was time available to solve problems without the need to rush. This brief has allowed me to develop multiple practical skills as well as design skills as I've explored communicating to an audience in a completely different manner than before. The concept behind the machine is well communicated through the enjoyment created when playing the game which reduces the fear of conversation concerning life after graduation. Furthermore due to the light-hearted nature of the game the ability to fail and play again symbolises that the job you land in after university isn't going to be the end. Furthermore this also highlights that it's okay to make mistakes as you can just try again like you can in the game. In addition including alternative routes after university that are not strictly graphic design provides the player with options and highlights the multiple avenues design graduates can go down. The issues encountered during documentation have also highlighted the value of collaboration as trying to shoot and document the machine myself was very difficult therefore help will be gained in the future to more effectively document the final outcome for future use.