Top ten irritations- Final Resolution

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!

Work Experience application- Teaser02

Work Experience application- Teaser01

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...

Designing for iweb

Animation research

Since my animation has chewing gum in it I thought the above video was an interesting way of animating the chewing gum itself.















In the animation below, the way that the frames switch into different viewpoints is effective. I need to consider this aspect for my animation as I plan to include photographs and have to consider how the images will appear from one photo/frame to the next.

Stop frame animation research

E4 animations

Worst Irritations

Design Direction board


Top ten...

Change of Direction

After exploring best/worst 'surroundings' I went on to focus attention onto my immediate surroundings and my general activity during the Christmas break. I used video recordings as documentation and landed up with a majority of images from travelling to and from work as well as images from various areas at work. I presented them as filmstrips to my peers and although comments were good about the images the general consensus was that I could change my subject as top ten worst ways to spend christmas (at work and in associated activities such as commuting).
One of my photograph strips was taken whilst waiting on a train platform due to train delays which shifted my focus onto,
'Top ten worst irritations to happen within a day'

These photos are from google image which I've adjusted and posted here to illustrate an idea what direction I'm taking this brief.

Incy wincy frostbite

This winter seems to have been extra cold in Surrey and I couldn't believe that even spiderwebs in the garden were covered in mini icicles.
Even though these photos show detail, one doesn't get the full sense of how fragile the webs appear.
These photos relate to my subject for our latest brief on 'best/ worst' as my subject is 'surroundings'. The surroundings in the garden looked beautiful as everything was frosted, but the cold temperature is not an ideal surrounding for spiderwebs as we see in the below photographs.

Some of my best

Some surroundings are only remembered as the best due to the memories that are associated or the people have shared them with. In no particular order, below are photos of only some of the best surroundings I would like to be back in...

Hvar, Croatia

Hvar, Croatia

Split, Croatia

Croatia

Plitvice Lakes, Croatia

Thessaloniki, Greece

Thessaloniki

Arriving at Belgrade after a 15 hour overnight train journey

Athens

Edinburgh

Edinburgh

Rugby game, South Africa vs. Scotland in Edinburgh

Florence

Venice

London

Cape Town

Pongola, South Africa

Austria, Westendorf

Leeds

Couldn't resist

Best or worst.... Surroundings

The definition of 'Surroundings' is "the conditions, objects, etc around a person or thing; the environment."
I would like to explore how surroundings can be rated as best or worst, based on my opinion. I wanted to begin with exploring surroundings which don't necessarily relate to my day to day lifestyle and which I haven't necessarily experienced!

Here's property mall's top ten best:
http://www.overseaspropertymall.com

1. Seychelles - Eden Island

2. Mexico - Campeche Playa Marina

3. Bahamas - February Point

4. Spain - Ribera Del Marlin

5. Turkey - Peninsula Village

6. Bulgaria - Marina City

7. British Virgin Island - Scrub Island Mainsail Resort Marina & Spa

8. Florida - King’s Pointe Marina

9. Dubai - Park Island

10. Malta - Tigne Point