08/03/11 Mid semester review

This morning we had our powerpoint presentations for the mid semester review on where we are with our sp4 projects so far. My presentation didn't go all that bad, in fact at the end i got some pretty posative feedback from Malcolm and the group. Things i need to add and finish are:

Research into other sport charities.
More research on 4 countries i am doing my posters on.
Develop and finalize logo.
Develop work plan for the remaining weeks.

All in all i think the presentations were very helpful in getting an understanding of where other classmates are with their work, and the designs they're producing. And how to plan the remaining weeks in order to get everything done.

04/03/11 SP4 WORK

This morning james gave me feedback on my sp4 work..during reading week i was mostly working on my essay for CC2 so i hadn't done a huge amount to show him. For my logo i am sticking with the joining lowercase A&K idea which i think is working well. Although james said it looks a bit too corporate at the moment, and needs softening up and linking with where the charity is based (Africa), and including some cultural references somehow. Maybe African patterning in the letters. He also didn't like the impact font i was using and suggested using san serif font that was more in keeping with the letters of the logo.

02/03/11 SP4

This morning i had a 1to1 with Malcolm about applying for a work placement which is part of the SP4 module. The impression i got from him was that its up to us to do some personal investigation into graphics companies or independent consultants - and its up to us in how we acquire experience and information we need to write the report at the end. I think i would prefer to shadow a free lance graphic designer rather than getting a work placement with a graphic design company but i need to start applying for both in case one option doesn't work out. Things i need to do before my next 1to1 with Malcolm are:
-Write my letter using my letterhead designed in SP3 module.
-Start to get my portfolio together and start deciding which of my best work to put in it.

01/03/11 SP4 work

This morning Malcolm reminded the group of the mid semester presentation on the 8th March, and what we need to include in the powerpoint (outline project, research, slides of work, what is left to do). He also asked us to complete the SES survey for UWE on this site:
www.ue.ac.uk/studentexperience
After that he had a look at my work. i spent most of reading week writing my essay for creative cultures 2 so i didnt have much progress on my SP4 to show him. He seemed happy with the logo decided to go for although i need to experiment with the size and position of the rugby ball, but he was happy with the overall look of the logo and so am i. i could keep trying to improve the logo but i dont have enough time so need to stick with what iv done and just refine it on illustrator.

16/2/11 website work

This morning we had another workshop on making our website work. Oli didn't teach us new techniques using dreamweaver, instead he helped each of us individually. i sliced up each of my pages in photoshop in order to get the rollover affect in dreamweaver. i still need to link up some of the html pages and hot spots but i think i could finish it on friday. In 2 weeks time we have to present our full working website to the group.

In the afternoon i was supposed to have my 1to1 with Jenny about my essay for CC2, last time i saw her she told me to go to room G102 at wise but when i turned up to that room she wasn't there, so i waited 20 mins and left. then i saw she had put a note on the wrong door saying to go to room S53, but by that time i had lost my 1to1 slot so couldn't talk to her about my essay. will just have to get feedback from her once shes marked my essay draft after reading week.

15/02/11

At the beginning of our session today Malcolm gave us a short reminder of the powerpoint on the 8th of March for SP4. The powerpoint must cover: What we set out to do. Research and influences. What we have achieved so far. What have you got left to do.

After that Malcolm had a look at my rough thumbnail logo attempts for my project. The designs i preferred Malcolm also preferred so i was pleased with that, although he did give me a few tips on how to improve some of them. which really helped. I need to make sure once i have resolved one logo i don't immediately go for that one, instead i need to try improve and develop some of my other more successful logos.

09/02/11 BOWER ASHTON

This morning we had a talk at Bower Ashton about progressing into year 3. Although I had already made up my mind about not going for year 3 I kept an open mind, and tried to take in as much info as possible. The decision has to be made around April, May as that’s when we would show our portfolio and do interviews. The first module of year 3 is worth 20 credits, the second is another 20 credits, and 3^rd is the self directed study. Choices – dissertation(8000words), or investigate business produce reports and smaller essays. What business would you launch. Check out this website- typenowhere.com. After the talk my decision to not progress to year 3 was signed and sealed. I just don’t think I could cope with the demands of the course.

08/02/11 SP4 WORK

Today I got a chance to discuss my CP3 module with Malcolm. The positives I got from him were that it was a well-organised submission & covered the requirements of the brief. My reports were concise & outline my intentions to the reader. Areas to improve were my CV, which leaves a lot to be desired. Need to update regularly. Needed some of the information I used for the reports ie highlighted and annotated print outs and copies from book pages. Also some background research for the ‘game’ direction I showed interest in.

After that he had a look at my SP4 work, he said I should to start thinking about how I use my research in my designs. Also I need to annotate my research. In terms of the logo he said it would probably be best to completely re design it. On Tuesday the 8^th of March he have to present a powerpoint of visual slides on where we’ve gotten so far.

04/02/11 SP4 WORK

Today James had a look at my project brief for SP4 which he responded to positively. He hasn't had a chance to look at my brief since the project started 2 weeks ago so i was relieved he was pleased with it. As part of my project i will be re designing shirts for the charity, so James showed me some Samoan rugby shirts online that i could possibly take some inspiration from. He also looked at my research on rugby logos & pointed out which ones he thought worked best, & could take some inspiration from. When i start designing my logo for this charity Alive & Kicking i'm not sure whether i should keep some aspects of their current logo or completely change it altogether.

02/02/11 Website work

This morning oli gave us a lecture on more technical sides of Dreamweaver. Today he mainly focused on 'rollovers' and 'disjointed rollovers' which i found interesting but quite difficult to get my head around. i need to make sure i take screen shots and notes of the processes of these tasks for the technical workbook which needs to be handed in with my website. In the afternoon i went to the main Filton campus to ask Jenny about my CC2 essay proposal form, and dates and times for future sessions. I was a little annoyed as she hadn't even checked my emailed essay proposal form i sent her, so i have given her a hard copy for her to mark and give back to me next Wednesday at Bower Ashton.

01/02/11 SP4 work

Today i started to get on with my SP4 project. The first task i need to do is to design a new logo for 'Alive&Kicking', so i did some research into rugby logos as my logo will incorporate a rugby ball. i wasn't feeling very well as i had a cold and a cough so all i did was research. i need to make sure i have started some rough designs before Friday so i have some designs to show James, and get some feedback to prepare me to do some continued work on it for the weekend.

28/1/11 SP4 Work

Today i got my feedback on SP3 module, which i am relieved to say i have passed with 47%. Whilst talking with James he said he was relatively pleased with my body of work although there was a lot that could be improved. For example i need to research in depth a little more, and use the research i do to really influence my work. Cant just work in a closed box. He said my type project was my most successful. He also said my evaluations were a lot better than previously. i also need to start enjoying the subject more then it will start to show in my outcomes. i also need to be a little more aware of how each element looks together on a page (better use of space).

27/1/11 SP4 Work

Today there were no lectures so i decided to crack on with my SP4 research. As part of my project I'm designing 4 posters for 4 separate countries promoting the 'Alive & Kicking' charity in the build up to the rugby world cup 2011. The four countries i have chosen are New Zealand, Australia, South Africa & England so i have started researching contemporary artwork from each of those countries to try and get a better understanding of their culture and heritage which will help me with inspiration when it come to designing the posters for those countries. At the moment I'm only limited to online research but i must make sure i find some examples from books as well.

26/1/11 Website workshop

Today i had a bit of catching up to do on my website as i missed last week. last week they talked about the architecture of making the website (creating the filing system to make it easier when putting the website together on Dreamweaver). Oli did say we need to do some investigating into how Dreamweaver works. Then Oli talked about using the 'slicing tool' in photoshop that helps with the navigating and tableing system in Dreamweaver, even if we dont use this system when putting our website together it was still useful to know for future reference. Once oli finished with the technical side of things i started putting my website onto Dreamweaver using hotspots to link the different elements to each page. i got half way through finishing that until i had to leave to mac room as Oli had another class. So the things i need to finish linking are Gallery 1, Gallery 2, Gallery 3 and C.V page. Once thats done and the website links work i need to check with Oli & see what other things i can add to improve it.

25/01/11 Specialist Pathway

Today Malcolm looked at my project brief for SP4 which he said looked fine. He told me to put together a clear and detailed project plan for each week so i have a clear idea of what i need to produce each week. If there are certain things i haven't completed in one week i must carry them onto the next week so i make sure i get everything done and nothing gets left behind. After i've done my project plan i need to start looking into contemporary artist designs for each of the four countries i'm focusing on for my project. For each poster there will be my new logo for 'Alive & Kicking' and a subsidiary logo adapted for each country on each poster.