Studio Brief 01 - Reflective Practice - Whitworth Gallery/Manchester Museum

Visited The Whitworth in Manchester yesterday.

Really enjoyed some of the work, but it wasn't as good as my last visit last year.

There was less dynamic bold pieces, like Cornelia Parker's piece and Bridgit Riley's illusion framed illustrations.

Really enjoyed the wall of photography - infused with black and white and sepia prints.

Not been to a museum like this in soooo long!

I've always had a love for dinosaurs and this section was really interesting and different to most exhibits that display a similar theme.

Studio Brief 01 - Reflective Practice - Letter Press

For a Christmas present I decided to visit the letter press studio and create some presses.

I chose different song quotes and lyrics and printed on various types of paper.

I found the process of lengthy and I found myself getting very frustrated at some bits with the process, however, I was so happy with the results. Looking forward to incorporate them into some of up and coming projects.

Self Promo/My Aesthetic

some of my favourite colours/colour schemes - 

VIBRANT GRADIENTS

MUTED

Type -

Interests - 

Studio Brief 01 - Reflective Practice - Where Will I Be in 10 Years Time?

I was ill for the presentation.

But here I will quickly explain Where Will I Be in 10 Years Time? (or try to)

I definitely want to work in fashion, whether it's fashion photography or editorial spreads.

Anna Wintour would 100% be my boss.

I'd live in New York during winter and California during the summer.

I'd love to own my photography studio and be able to collaborate with amazing photographers.

I'd have a million dogs.

And one cat.

Maybe.

I'd also love to travel around the world for years, capturing the landscapes, the people and cultures with my cameras. It can imagine it would be life changing.

Studio Brief 01 - Reflective Practice - Time Management

Time management is something I do struggle with when it comes down to it.

I've often tried to create tables/calendars/reminders etc… and they haven't been that successful.

I find writing out what I need to do and by what time helpful though.

I try to do this for each of my projects and stick to it. However, once I miss one thing I find it rather difficult to catch-up on, so I end up writing out a few lists of what I need to do throughout the project. I usually do this last minute though and end up missing somethings out due to lack of time.
An idea to try and keep on top is to make a list every day or every week, setting out goals I can manage. Doing this I feel more in control and know where I am up to with my work.

Going to start using this weekly to try and keep on top of things.

Studio Brief 01 - Reflective Practice - Why am I here? - What do I want to learn?

5 reasons I chose to study on this course

1. it gives me a chance to truly explore many various design principles and methods that will aid me to discover a niche or preferred way of designing
2. to expand my knowledge - helps form my own opinions on theory and practical sides of design
3. to gain experience with live projects - learning from professional designers and working alone side them
4. collaborating with other students - to self-reflect, share ideas, opinions, design preferences and bring together different aspects of ourselves to create
5. figuring out what I want to do with my passion? 

5 things I want to learn during my time on the course

1. processes of layout/editorial design 
2. photography within graphic design
3. methods of traditional print
4. process of print itself
5. how to apply design to any type of media, object, space, place or structure

5 strengths

1. photography
2. layout
3. experimental design
4. exhibitions 
5. outline illustrations 

5 things I would like to improve on

1. time management
2. amount of development for projects
3. no immediate final designs - always explore the process fully before I jump to any final conclusions 
4. increase use of various types of media (not just sticking to digital as it can be restricting)
5. use of colour

5 things that inspire me

1. minimalist design
2. fashion/fashion photography
3. independent publications (zines)
4. my instagram/tumblr feed
5. photography

5 examples of design (within my creative field)

Studio Brief 01 - Reflective Practice - Things I Want to Look More Into

1. Instant Film Photography

I've only recently started to get into photography and properly enjoy it as a way of expressing by capturing the world around me; also choosing the content and practice.

About a year ago my mum dug out her old late 90's era polaroid camera and I started using it throughout my foundation year, where some of it actually became part of my final major project installation.

           

(took over the summer)

It's something I've become really passionate about.

The pale colours, smooth blurred out filters and unpredictability of the prints are what I love about polaroids and instant film. They ooze nostalgia and capture moments that become locked away in a time capsule, no matter how modern or recent the shot.

Recently I've stopped using my polaroid and it's something I want to pick up on again. I'm currently saving up for a fujifilm max 90 instant camera. The film it uses is a lot smaller than the standard size ones, which means it will be quite cheaper to use. It's something I also would like to use in my work, especially for the book design project that starts after Christmas - something definitely want to include.

2. Fashion

Something I've always been interested in, but I've never grasped or got into seriously. I love reblogging fashion shots on my person blog of the latest trends, which I like to keep up to date with.

However, I've been thinking recently about maybe creating my own t-shirt designs using press ons. I don't really want to just copy a design I've seen or be unoriginal. I'd rather them come from genuine places, and let the inspiration come to me instead of looking for it.  

I'm also quite interested in fashion photography, I follow a lot of blogs which is something I check up on daily. Something I want to explore with my own designs.

3. Screen print

I have never really bothered with screen printing, it is something I've never really took interest in until recently. I hopefully will take advantage of the facilities at the university, for final design prints.

Studio Brief 01 - Reflective Practice - Getting to Know People

AHXHA

• Lisbon, Portugal based, but look forward to work with the rest of the world.
• created in 2011 - started as an experiment by two friends at university (Coraline and Catarina)
• the work they produce is very personal and tangible.
• work closely with clients, filtering their ideas, inspiration and motivations into fresh, engaging and compelling brand messages

HEY STUDIO

• small studio founded in 2007, Barcelona
• specialise in brand identity, editorial design and illustration
• "Love geometry, colour and direct typography"
• proclaim they have "attitude not style"

SAGMEISTER AND WALSH

• based in New York
• specialise in signage, website design and typography
• use lots of social media sites to communicate their work
• unique designs, inspired by 60's pop art

HEY DAYS

• based in Norway, Oslo.
• specialise in logo, visual brand identity, web design and interface design.
• made up of 6 designers.
• minimalistic - woodwork.
• commercial based.
• connect to audiences through Instagram.

LUST

• founded in the Netherlands, 1996
• 16 studios
• focus on traditional print, abstract/experimental/architectural graphics
• lust lab - research lab - focuses on how the digital age has changed design, but uses it a spread positivity and use the internet to promote and design

STUDIO DUMBAR

• studios in the Netherlands, South Korea and China.
• third most awarded design outfit - out of Apple and Pentagram
• online branding
• non-profit
• controversial designs
• "our style is that we don't have a style"

BUILD

• based in UK
• specialise in branding and identity e.g. Nike and Microsoft 
• type orientated 
• simple - limited colour pallet 
• 4 designers
• soon to open a physical shop

ELMWOOD

• formed in 1997
• studios in London, New York, Hong Kong, Singapore, Leeds
• won International Design Effectiveness Award
• created own design tools
• serious about sustainability
• commercial packaging - contemporary design

BLEED

• based in Norway, Oslo
• "create identity and experience through concept development, art direction, graphic design and service design"
• everything is created from the form/shapes/parts of the companies - base designs on this

FACE

• formed in Monterrey, Mexico - 2006
• "supermodernists"
• focus on identity, music, branding and web design

DESSEIN

• formed in Perth, Australia - 1987
• broad designs
• "effective, clean, clear, fresh, modern, colourful and contemporary"

WOLF OLINS

Studio Brief 01 - Reflective Practice - John Peel Lecture - Thoughts

Notes