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.

Test Your Fate: Documentation

In order to document the pinball machine photographs and videos have been taken to showcase the design and functionality of the machine. This was a very difficult process due to the size of the machine and space available to shoot in, making it difficult to get full shots of the machine. The close-up shots showing the details within work really well, however there is some glare/reflection off the perspex. It was also very difficult to film the machine due to the space available as it needed to be played and shot at the same time. This lead to placing the camera at the bottom of the machine so it appeared as though the machine was playing itself, however this only gave a limited view. It would have been better to get an aerial shot of the machine being played however this wasn't possible to the size and limited equipment/space available. Despite this the documentation outcomes achieved showcase the pinball machine effectively with more professional equipment being needed for videography in the future. The video files created showcase the basic functions of the pinball machine, as the machine appears to be playing itself. Arcade music has been implemented to demonstrate how sound will be incorporated into the machine in future, as a speaker will be used to play arcade music, as the machine itself already makes the sound of a pinball machine as the ball bounces around.

Test Your Fate: Spring Issues / Ball Tests

In order to finish the production of the pinball machine the plunger needed to be fitted before adding the perspex to finish the machine. However a few issues arose as it was difficult to sources a spring that would be powerful enough to shoot the ball up the board and big enough to fit on the dowling. Initially the spring's sourced either fit the dowling but was not powerful enough to move the ball or seemed powerful enough but where slightly too small for the dowling (see figures 1-4). Therefore I tried stretching the sprint using tools in metal work however it was very difficult to fit the dowling and once on had lost its power due to being stretched (see figure 3).  Therefore more springs were ordered to see if they would fit the diameter of the dowling (12mm). This was difficult as the website selling the springs had limited descriptions therefore I only knew exactly how big each spring (see figures 5-6). Springs with higher tension and more coils were ordered as the higher the tension the more powerful, meaning if they needed to be stretched there was a greater chance the spring would still be powerful enough. Out of the springs ordered two were potentially usable but not the correct diameter, therefore stretch was attempted again. However due to the high tension within the spring this was too difficult, as not the whole spring would stretch only sections (see figure 4). Therefore I decided to remove the original dowling from the plunger and use a thinner piece that would fit the spear spring perfectly. As the hole in the plunger block as fit for 12mm dowling epoxy resin was used to secure the thinner piece so avoid recreating the whole plunger again. Once this had dried the spring was tested however the spring was too powerful and the plunger would travel up the board too. Therefore a buffer spring was fixed to the outside of the pinball machine to limited the back coil once the plunger was released (see figure 7).

Furthermore multiple balls were tested to see which would work best within the machine. Initially ping-pong balls were used however due to there light nature and bounciness they tended to not fall into the holes. Therefore traditional pinballs where purchased (see figure 6) however these were very heavy and smaller than expected so tended to get stuck between obstacles at the top of the board. Therefore bouncy balls were tested as they act in a similar way to ping-pong balls but are a bit heavier. They worked very well, bouncing off the obstacles and flippers whilst still falling down the holes.

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Cecilia Fox: Final Outcome

Overall the final packaging outcomes work well as the use of a repeat pattern and varied application of colour allows a consistent but adaptable identity to be created. This allows for some variation within the packaging instead of having each box be the exact same. Furthermore setting the 90-degree rules allows for a consistent theme to the identity that can be adapted across mediums such as packaging, stickers and cards. Furthermore the simplicity of this application appeals to an older target audience as it creates a more refined/high end aesthetic to the branding. 

Overall this brief was a helpful exercise to see if I could develop and create a brand identity and packaging within a short time frame (2 weeks). I found working to a shorter time frame within this project challenging but effective as it meant idea generation and development needed to be completed efficiently to avoid being rushed. Furthermore in previous briefs I've spent much longer on packaging outcomes, however setting a brand rule/guideline made the packaging development process easier within the time frame. Furthermore developing two ideas into the test packaging stage was very effective as I gained more accurate feedback from peers as it was easier to visualise the final outcomes as tests where shown.  If more time was available the packaging could have been pushed further to incorporate texture within the dot pattern which would have given the packaging more of a high-end feel. However despite this, the packaging and brand identity still communicate effectively to an older audience aged 25 - 45 due to the simplicity and modern aesthetic created through the colours and simple type used. 

Cecilia Fox: Documentation

In order to showcase the packaging created photos have been taken of the packaging and unpackaging process that would be experienced by the target audience. The use of a pink backdrop complimented the colours within the boxes well allowing the packaging to stand out in a more engaging way than if white would have been used.

Cecilia Fox: Production

Nets have been produced based on initial test measurements using the design favoured during peer feedback (see figure 1-2). In addition to the nets thank you cards and stickers have been produced based on the application of 90 degrees to be incorporated within the packaging (see figures 3-4). 245gms card has been used to create mock-ups of the final packaging, that would be made out of reinforced cardboard if produced for industrial use. However the 245gsm card provides a high-quality substitute to showcase the design and packaging created. Once the designs had been printed a creaser tool was used to make perfect folds within the packaging allowing the card to be folded without damaging the paper or removing any of the ink within the creases. This allowed the mockups to build easily, being secured with double-sided tape to show how the boxes would fit together (see figures 5-7).  Furthermore, multiple stickers were created to show the different applications of the logo, as different stickers can be used depending on the size and shape of the ceramic piece inside. In relation to the colours examples showing different usages allows for a more adaptable identity as not every box will be the same.

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