07.04.17
Summary:
Today was the final discussion with tutors before the break and submission of our work. I discussed my ideas and development of the magazine relating to the self-negotiated brief, looking at what I have produced and any ways to improve it using grids, guides, justifications and recreating my own type from current existing ones e.g. Tomb Raider. I will continue to use these methods throughout the rest of my magazine to ensure that it looks professional and of a quality finish.
Action Plan:
Over the break I will make sure to finish all projects this year, mainly focus on finishing the magazine and proposal document to present with it. Other projects will just be checked and updated if necessary, I will make sure that everything is to a good standard and done to the best of my ability.
17.03.17
Summary:
Today was a discussion about my ideas and what I had planned during the week. I spoke about relating the self-negotiated brief to my essay, looking at the representation of women in gaming. I also discussed what message I wanted to get across to the viewers that would look and read the magazine. I am going to gather research about women in gaming, and look at articles to help me gain inspiration for my designs and articles.
Action Plan:
Start research in my sketchbook relating to the brief and gathering images and research relating to artists and women in gaming such as Rhianna Pratchett. I will also update my blog with research information under a new sub-heading to keep track of all research I will gather. I also need to start designing ideas for the magazine cover and contents digitally with reference to my sketches.
03.03.17
Summary:
This was the deadline and assessment day for the last two projects, including an assessment of our blog work so far. I finished all the work necessary and presented to one of the tutors (Sara) explaining my ideas and development throughout both the 'Industry' brief and my current blog work.
Action Plan:
I received some feedback both positive and constructive so I have a few things to update and also explore different ideas to develop my work further for the final deadline in May. I will continue to improve my work in any way possible whilst also focussing on the final brief of the year.
10.02.17
Summary:
Discussed through my ideas for the Industry brief and what I had created so far in the sketchbook. Researched online and collected books about the 1930's and typography to help with the development of some of the ideas. I now need to move to a more digital aspect and start creating mock ups of the book cover on Illustrator to then present in InDesign.
Action Plan:
Look at ideas already created and see how they could be developed, chose one I like the best and take it into Illustrator - mock up and potentially create a final cover from this to then present in an InDesign document about the development of the idea and other research.
27.01.17
Summary:
Discussed what I was planning on doing for the 'Industry' brief and generated some more ideas for what I could create - looked at collecting research online and inspiration from books in the library with a main focus on Typography and 1930's American Culture to tie together and create a book cover for Penguin, To Kill A Mocking Bird.
Action Plan:
Collect plenty of research for the new project and start a new sketchbook filled with ideas and 'doodles' to show development and thought process. Research into typography styles and a look at 1930's American Culture to help inspire me to create designs - beginning with thumbnail designs and key words.
10.12.16
Summary:
Looked at the work already produced - mainly the writing part of the proposal, briefly looked into InDesign and how to work basic things. Comments were made about how to keep the proposal looking tidy and professional, also I now need to look into the actual design of the magazine.
Action Plan:
I need to collect all my work together and create a plan for the next week before the deadline. Need to collect primary research to finish the sketchbook and then focus on finishing the proposal or as near as I can. I finalised the idea of the magazine that relates to the nineties in Manchester and Oasis so I will be researching into NME magazines and how they create their layouts, type etc. I am going to create a mock-up of the cover of the magazine and a double page spread just to give ideas of what a finished piece might look like.
25.11.16
Summary
Looking at focussing on Phase 2 of the brief, sense of place and start to write the proposal. I was introduced to Lynda.com and looked at the InDesign videos that are there to help so that writing the proposal and creating it will become much easier over time. Looked at the summative grade for my sketchbook and blog work, there are some minor improvements to be made about layout and also extra work I can do to develop things further outside of class.
Action Plan:
I am going to focus the proposal around the 90's era, looking at styling, page furniture, typography, graphics, colour and branding elements - key things that are all included in a magazine. The magazine will be focussed around Manchester and looking at music, I want it to be a commemoration to Oasis that would be released in 2018 as a mark of 10 years since the band split up. I am also going to keep on top of tutorials for Adobe so that I can continue to develop my skills for the future.
11.11.16 (sense of place)
Summary:
Introduced to 'Phase 2' of the brief, creating a proposal. Exploring the different themes that I could focus on by looking at my sketchbook and using specific words or key parts to help create an idea for a proposal. I came up with two ideas: Iconography focus on landmarks in Manchester or New York and focus on music, this would be specific for Manchester e.g. Oasis, The Smiths. Asking the main question: what makes Manchester, Manchester? OR what makes New York, New York? These ideas would resort to outcomes such as: a book about landmarks and key areas in the city, a possibility of a music festival or rebrand of a band from Manchester.
Action Plan:
I am going to explore all these ideas in some detail to see which appears best to continue further. Looking at distance, landmarks and music in the two cities I have researched.
21.10.16 (sense of place)
Summary of feedback/discussion:
Reviewed sketchbook and the progress made since last week - needs more development and work on both primary and secondary side. Ideas were discussed for the progess of my sketchbook and more ideas on what to put in there.
Action Plan:
I plan on using my own pictures of Manchester, Salford and New York to collage the 'macro' skyline on the primary side and then focus specifically on certain parts of the cities e.g. New York - subway signs and way finding can link to some artists that I have come across during the sktechbook research process. I will explore typography, transport and distance - I plan on using this as my keyword throughout the book (Distance) and link all aspects of the book back to this.
14.10.16 (sense of place)
Summary of feedback/discussion:
Discussed how to start the development of the concertina sketchbook and where to take my ideas. Produced mind maps and notes to help develop ideas and start the sketchbook. I had a one to one tutorial about the development of my idea to explore Manchester and New York, looking at how I can present my research visually.
Action Plan:
I'm going to create a simple contents page / thumbnails that I will use as a plan for the concertina sketchbook.
I am going to explore Manchester and how the macro and micro parts of the area, I will also do the same for New York
As another seperate page in the book I want to explore Typography so I will look at how it has changed over the past years in these areas.
I will also be answering questions to help with the research - Looking at the difference between buildings, what is old / new? Where are they in the city? What are they made of? How do they differ to previous years?
