Week 01: Intro. Where are you and why design?
By the end of this week, you should be able to:
Analyse different types of studio practice;
Communicate what graphic design means to you;
Create a piece of work that communicates who you are, what you do, where you are and your relationship to graphic design;
Participate in and reflect upon debate on the ideas wall;
Document and communicate your working process on your blog;
Manage your independent learning through good planning and self direction.
Week 01: Practitioner Case Studies
A great introduction lecture visiting practitioners in their workplace and getting invaluable insights of what graphic design means to them.
The practices visited were:
Intro Design - Julian House and Adrain Talbot
Sarah Boris
Tom Finn and Kristoffer Soelling Regular Practice
Sam Winston
Simon Manchipp - SomeOne
Notes
It was an incredible insight into these creative sectors and to watch these influential creatives talk about their influences and inspirations and their methodologies. I think the majority have seen the industry change so much over the last 10 years, especially with the digital sector, and their strategy for constant growth within their company was the ability to adapt rapidly to the clients needs.
Introductions - First webinar lecture
New student, new beginnings, padlet, BBB, create a blog on a website (WordPress - wtaf), lectures, sooo much new technology, ice-breakers and mini meltdown!
To say week one was chaotic was an understatement. So much new to take in. I was beginning to think I’d made a HUGE mistake joining the course. Then we had the ‘icebreaker’.
The first lecture, put my mind at rest, seeing new faces who were just as unsettled as I was. We had to find an item within close range and be able to talk about it. Cue 5-second panic! Luckily a friend had just been to Portugal and knowing how I like creatively designed objects, had bought me a beautifully packaged tin of sardines (random, I know) but it was a clever bit of design that I felt able to talk about.
The ice breaker - A tin of Sardines
It is such a great design that I haven’t opened it. I’ve left it on my shelf as an interesting artefact. The shop apparently just sells these tins to all age groups and looks like a piece of art in itself.
Lecture: Martin Hosken
This week's lecture is by Martin Hosken. A lecturer in critical theory, Martin teaches at Falmouth University on postgraduate and undergraduate Graphic Design Courses on campus.
Read | Watch | Listen
As part of our research and course work we are given a resource list to help us with our independent research and studies.
Michael Wolff - Intel Visual Life
As part of my first week’s module resource list, I watched the Michael Wolff interview. This was a great 6-minute opener video into an insight into the career of Michael Wolff, founder of Wolff Olins and his journey into design and marketing and what makes him tick. He talks about his early interest in colour and imagination and curiosity, as a highly tuned appreciator he could decipher his clients’ needs and wants visually.
He has been a prominent figure in the advertising and branding industry for several decades and has played a significant role in shaping the way that many companies approach their branding and marketing strategies.
It was great to hear that he is still passionate about all things design related to the world around him.
Paula Scher. Abstract - The Art of Design Season 1 Episode 6
The second documentary I watched was about New York, Pentagram design Paula Scher.
Scher’s influence in graphic design can be seen in her use of bold, expressive typography and her ability to create simple yet memorable visual identities for her clients. She is also known for her ability to blend elements of fine art and design, creating beautiful and functional work.
One of Scher’s most influential contributions to graphic design is her use of typography as a way to convey meaning and emotion. She has demonstrated how typography can be used to create a visual hierarchy that guides the viewer’s eye and creates a sense of balance and harmony within a design.
I absolutely love her block typography, photography and bold use of colours and realised how much of an influence she has been on my work over the years.
Resources
I also had a look at x2 new websites I hadn’t heard about before. These are a great source of inspiration and designed to engage, and challenge and showcase the best of creative excellence.
https://designeverywhere.tumblr.com/
https://visuelle.co.uk/