End of module Evaluation

This module has definitely been a real eye opener into the real world of 'graphic design' i have learnt a lot of the processes int0 printing which will help me become a better designer for print if i decided to go in that direction. The visit to the printers in Leeds was very interesting too, talking to the printers gave me some good pointers on how to make a print run go smoothly.

This module has made me appreciate the planning before a you start a design for print. Lots of things to think about like profiles, spot colours, CYMK, printers marks, stock and size.

This project i have found enjoyable because i have got hands on with making things like the wooden crate. Its very satisfying to make an actual 'thing' when a lot of the time you are looking at a screen and imagining what the thing you are designing will look like. I also enjoyed experimenting with type, i have never felt that comfortable with type but i have it a go and was quite pleased with the end result.

I did encounter a few problems with this project. The main one which i think annoyed me the most was that i couldn't find the right straw/hay to protect my bottles in the wooden box. I wanted a golden colour straw or hay because it would go well with the light pine wood. But it is very hard to find this is a city it seems. Sometimes pet shops would have the right colour straw but it would be too small and 'sawdust like' and other times the hay on sale would be to green. I ended up getting the lightest green hay i could find but it doesn't look as good as it could i feel.

Another problem i came across was how to brand my wooden crate. Lots of ideas were thrown about but i settled on screen printing, it worked but not that well because the wood isn't completely flat. The end result made it look a bit faded on parts but it didn't effect the design that much because the approach to the design was to be a bit vintage, 'oldie worldy' and turn of the century. I was taking this approach and i felt that i have achieved it well with my design the colours i used and the logo especially could fit in the early 20th.

Through my design development on this project i have thought a lot more about heirachy and how it effects the design. This was a main issue when i was designing the labels on the bottles. I was making everything the same sort of size which made is look messy and corrected this by making the right things bigger and smaller making it easier to digest from the audiences point of view.

A very good thing i have started to do more and more this module is ask people. Ask them on their opinions and views on your design and concepts. But i have learnt you have to ask the right people the right questions otherwise you will be at square one. Asking people often helped me make decisions faster because otherwise i would ponder for longer over small things.

I found that this project took along time to get started. Lots of research at the beginning. I enjoyed it at first but then i felt after 2/3 weeks of doing it i felt it has been a bit bled dry. But i am now an expert to do with everything antler which is good.