Design Principles/Evaluation/OUGD404

.      Reflecting on the Design Principles module with Fred, I have only just realised how beneficial it has been to me and how I apply it everyday in my design work.  I've learnt a lot, below is my evaluation for the module.

   Design Principles Evaluation

      1. What skills have you developed through this module and how effectively do you think you have applied them?

I have developed a lot of skills over this module. I have a greater understanding and knowledge of type as well as the terminology that runs along with it. Also, knowing what font and point size is appropriate for my designs. As well as type anatomy, legibility and readability, differences between kerning and tracking, the list goes on. I think I have (hopefully) applied these skills effectively throughout my design work. Overall, the skills and methods I have learnt have been extremely useful. 

2. What approaches to/methods of design production have you developed and how have they informed your design development process?

I have developed a lot of approaches and methods of design production over the module. However, learning about grid and layout was really helpful to me , especially when producing the ten page layouts and future briefs.

3. What strengths can you identify in your work and how have/will you capitalise on these?

I think my type journal is a strength, as a designer it has made me aware of type going on around me in the environment, being able to spot certain typefaces and whether it is appropriate. Also, I think my hand-rendered letterforms are a strength and I really enjoyed the process of developing my own letterforms.

What weaknesses can you identify in your work and how will you address these in the future?

Perhaps my blog? I began to rush towards the end and I feel I could have been more in-depth. If I were to have more time on this module, going through and being critical and self-evaluative of my work would've been great.

5. Identify five things that you will do differently next time and what do you expect to gain from doing these?

Blog – Keeping up to date with uploading tasks and proof-reading my work

Time Management – generally keeping up to date with briefs, balancing my time, not leaving things to the last minute! However, I do seem to work better under pressure.

Type Journal – something I perhaps would like to continue to be observant of my surroundings as a designer

Reflective over work – be more critical/self evaluative, ask for help, and try and try again.

Be more experimental – experiment more and use different methods.