OUGD405 Design Process Evaluation

OUGD405 Design Process Evaluation

During the briefs in Design Process I have really enjoyed expanding my design skills and finding new ways of working. I've definitely built upon my skills from the last module through developmental and conceptual work. I have learnt through these briefs that it is a lot easier to create designs once your concept is in place. I think this is something initially I did not think thoroughly enough about which is why I have struggled before in the past. Therefore this has been really useful to me especially during Brief 4 as I was able to expand my brief further by considering all possible features. As a result, now I'm going to try with every brief from now on that we are given to create a concept first and my designs will follow after that. 
Studio Brief 3 and 4 have definitely been the briefs I have most enjoyed. I looked into website design for Studio Brief 4 and after having no prior knowledge to website design, I now feel confident in designing and producing a website and am quite happy with my outcome. 
After research, I have found that editorial design is something that really interests me and is something I may look to doing in the future. I really love page layout design and its surprising how much it creates a strong composition. Being introduced this and conceptual designs has been the most valuable asset to me during this module. They have really helped me in improving my process and development in my briefs to really explore different materials and designs to create the best possible outcome.
In addition critiques have also allowed me to do this by getting really good feedback from my peers and discussing different options. I feel that I have definitely improved in critiques as I feel a lot more confident in expressing my opinions and giving feedback for other peoples work. Presenting as well I have found much less daunting and think by the end of the year I would have achieved my own personal goal in improving at presenting. 

The workshops again, have been very beneficial, particularly InDesign.  As I have never previously used InDesign, I've found just how useful it is in creating publications. I now feel confident in using the necessary software such as InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop to produce graphic design, and my skills on these will only improve. 

Overall I have enjoyed the tasks set to us and have overcome my struggles while developing my ideas and produced my work to a standard I am happy with at this initial stage in the course. For example I struggled with Studio Brief 3 technically as I learnt that my images were not a good resolution and due to the nature of the images, I struggled to find decent ones as I was unable to take the photographs myself. I feel there is room for improvement in my productions, but as I am still learning about graphic design, I feel that at this moment in time, and at this level is does not matter to much as I am only going to progress. 
I've attended every possible session I can and regularly stay later than 3:30 at Leeds College of Art. I think my time management has been quite good and has even improved from the last module. My aim is to continue this method throughout the year so I am always up to date and can progress within my work.
If I were to do this briefing again, I would make sure my image resolutions are at a decent standard for my book, but as I only learnt this in our InDesign workshop, it was inevitable for me to find out last minute anyway, I have learnt now to always check and preferably, use my own images. I am proud that I have continued to manage my time a lot more successfully than in the past, I produced work to a standard I am happy with. I am keen to progress further and cannot wait to learn more and continue on in the course.