Friday 13 February 2009

OUGD202 Evaluation

This module has allowed me to learn a lot about myself as a designer.
Working in digital production gets me excited and enthusiastic as I find it fascinating to imagine how images and type could be animated and then to carry out the challenge of making it happen! I have realised that I am fairly patient with the media (provided files don’t go corrupt etc… in which case my patients is lacking somewhat) and I have an ability to problem solve and adapt easily when software does not necessarily have the tools to fit my initial storyboard ideas and plans. I thoroughly enjoyed storyboarding which was surprising as my confidence in drawing is not very good but I was able to communicate ideas which was the point, even if they are not as skilled as I would like. The silent movie brief was a great introduction as playing with type in a simple way really helped me to learn about after effects without the daunting feeling I had predicted.

Considering that this was my introduction to After Effects, I am pleased with the resolutions and the skills I have learnt which I intend on improving for future. Initially I was worried that by using predominantly stop motion I wouldn’t learn as much as others in terms of the software tools, but by introducing layers into my animation and including images made in illustrator I don’t think that is the case. It has been really interesting to find out a bit on how animations are made, and in future I think I would try utilise more of the possibilities with illustrator.

I am really pleased to know more about designing a web site but am looking forward to using better software because although iWeb ran smoothly for me, I do not trust it since so many people seem to have had issues with theirs- I was convinced mine was going to pack up as well! The software was very easy to use however and I did enjoy creating my website.

I think I could improve on this module by further broadening my knowledge in After Effects to make my animation more successful. Although I am happy with the result I think I would have made the animation better had I known more about the limitations and possibilities that After Effects has. I would also like to improve my website with a more interesting ‘look’ because I had decided that I wanted it to look clean and easy to navigate but in hindsight it still could have had that impact with more of a creative touch.

My trust in technology is very scarce (probably because it was drilled in that it would let me down) so from that perspective I felt very uneasy the entire way through this module having to depend soley on technology. It also disappointed me to hear that no hard copy work was to be handed in as I almost felt as though my prep work had been a waste because I don’t think photographs or scanned versions are the same. That said I do understand the importance of adapting to digital.

This module has been very beneficial and it is a relief to know methods of digital production in order for me to be a confident designer. I am looking forward to doing work experience at a web design agency in Surrey over this reading week and even though I may not be looking for a career in web design, at this stage I want to learn as much as possible. The module has been a great introduction and I will definitely utilise the skills learnt in the future!

Wednesday 28 January 2009

Why do I want to work in Design?

Since my holiday job is working at reception, my holiday research for best/worst consisted of videos and still frames of surroundings within the work place and traveling to and from work. It was established that my project had become about the worst way to spend a holiday (or the worst surroundings to be in whilst on holiday, i.e. work!).
My project direction for top ten then moved onto the worst things to happen in a day and from there evolved into the top irritations, which Im still working on but...
As I have been looking at places for work experience, I then decided to capitalise on the initial idea of workplace and the kind of job I don't want to be stuck in, thereby creating the following stop frame animations. The first one is a bit too long and not as clear at getting to my point so I have edited it down and hopefully it is improving slowly but surely!! I am also wanting to include audio but firstly want to the images right.



Irritations

Initial compiling of my animation for 'top ten' brief...

Tuesday 20 January 2009