Designer Speed Dating

The speed dating activity was actually more fun and interesting that I thought it would be. I got to talk to people in the course that I never really talked to before and had really nice conversation with them; even though some kind didn't finish quite properly. 

I talked to people in the course which had similar or the same worries and thoughts that I had which made me in a way kind of relieved as I thought I would be the only one in the course who had that thought, e.g. not knowing which direction to go or not having a certain consistent style of working that would differentiate me from everyone else. I feel like after talking for a bit I realised that not everyone has found their own style yet and that we were all going in different paces and at the same time made me realise that it's okay that maybe I haven't found my own style yet and that just like everyone else I'm still also trying to find mine.

From the talks that I had with various course mates I also got some really good recommendations on design orientated shows and designers on social media that I can follow and look further into their work in. I was recommended the series on Netflix called 'Abstract' which I have heard of before but never really had time to watch and a design page on Instagram (@openfoundry), which I thought was really nice because I also have some interest in typography. 

I think the questions on the paper also helped a bit as it guided us to what kind of topics to talks bout first then go in a tangent form then because sometimes we didn't really follow the questions anymore but rather started asking other questions relating to what we found out from that person. In a way it was a really nice activity to know a bit more about my course mates and I think in future group projects I'll be able to work with them more confidently and comfortably if ever we were in a group together as I kind of found out a bit more about them.

OUGD502 PPP BRIEFING

PPP is:

• PPP is the exploration of personal learning, investigation strategies and the management of self directed learning through tasks and research. Using effective strategies to facilitate personal development through critical enquiry and problem solving. 
• Evaluation  of your professional development, through PRESENTATION, DOCUMENTATION AND EVIDENCE.
• Engagement of you as a designer with the creative world, local community and industry around you.

Three Modules

• SB1  - Creative Report
• SB2  - Life's a Pitch
• SB3  - Presentations

Aims 

• Develop a integrated understanding of the practical and professional concerns of the individual creative practices.
• Encourage an investigation of the personal, professional, innovative and entrepreneurial aspects of external creative industries and communities of practice.
• Establish an increasingly independent understanding of the practical and contextual location of the individual creative ambitions through sustained approaches to research and investigation.
• Develop higher level communication skills through programme specific practical and contextual research, development and presentation.

Module Deadline:

SB3 - Presentations* 26th March to 2nd April

SB1 : Creative Report

*Select and investigate a contemporary design practitioner/studio/organisation in order to produce a report based on their background. , everyday practice, studio culture and current place in the industry.

*It should utilise material drawn from at least one interview with a spokesperson from the selected practitioner/studio/spokesperson.

*Investigate at least 3 or 4 then by the end focus on one that relates the most of the practice that I want to go on and learn to do.

DELIVERABLES:

*Make a publication, animation, poster, website digital publication, vlog, video etc. for the creative report.

*BLOG ALL RESEARCHED AND OTHER SUPPORTING MATERIALS FOR THE BRIEF.

SB2 - Life's a Pitch

*Working in groups we need to produce an idea or concept for an event, exhibition or creative opportunity in Leeds. 

*Prepare a 10 minute pitch presentation deck to a audience. 

*Event may be an exhibition, series of talks, podcast, workshop, screening, performance, public space, project room, pop up, reading group etc.

*Budget, venue, location, logistics, materials, technology, branding, marketing and rationale.

*Consider how it's managed, produced and presented.

DELIVERABLES

• PITCH PRESENTATION DECK
• Upload a copy of the pitch presentation with supporting appropriate visual materials.
• Minimum of 6 x A3 design boards clearly explaining the narrative behind the investigation journey.
• PPP Blog - OUGD502, Studio Brief 2

SB3 - Personal Presentation

*Produce and present a 5-7 minute presentation that communicates a reflective summary of my experience as a designer on the course to date.

*Identify creative concerns, personal aims and professional ambitions...

*Choose an appropriate format for your presentation e.g. slideshow, pecha kucha 20x20, video/animation, storytelling etc.

*Design Manifesto - communicating your skills, abilities, creative concerns and professional competencies.

DELIVERABLES

• 5-7 minute visual PPP
• Presentation files (PDF< Powerpoint, video etc.) SUBMITTED ON 19/03.2019
• Assessed Presentation commences 26/03/2019
• Design Manifesto
• PPP Blog, OUGD502, Studio Brief 3

Manchester Trip

The Manchester trip today was quite fun and insightful, I particularly enjoyed the Withworth exhibition and the place itself. The William Kentridge animation '2nd Hand Reading' was something that I quite enjoyed. Although, to be honest I didn't get the whole context of the animation, I enjoyed the atmosphere of the film and how the drawing and erasures he created for the create the film captured a mood which intrigues viewers. To add to this the use choice of music also adds to the atmosphere of the animation. The typography used was quite simplistic however it connotes the same characteristics with the different geometrical shapes that pop up during the animation, balancing the flow between the rough drawings and the precise and colourful shapes in sequence. 

The overall place - The Withworth was also really interesting. Particularly the use of space in the gallery where sections had designated areas for children to roam around alongside paingtings and drawings was really interesting to see as I haven't really seen that anywhere. Also the way the Thick Time exhibition was set out was perfect with interacting with the viewers. The way the tables and chairs where set out to the way the lamps where set up to set a mood for the viewers to sit down and read the Kentridge books - their use of space within the gallery was really effective of making the viewers want to sit down and interact with the gallery pieces. Also, details like the way the chairs are set out also makes the viewers feel like they are part of the experience, like when I went into the Thick Time piece where the chairs where set out around the animation, it made me feel closer to the animation and with the animation and music together made me kind of empathise with the animation and made me feel kind of weird and emotional in a way. Highlighting the animation with a dark room and the centre mechanism was also really effective as t made me feel like I just came out of some experience that I've never really felt before. 

Outside the gallery where also some interesting sculptures which I thought where also quite unique in a way as it interacts with the nature- particularly the silver tree sculpture around the side of the gallery. I thought that it kind of in a way fit with nature although it's also quite irregularly geometric in a way giving it a slight raw feel just like the real trees amongst it.

Overall, I really enjoyed the trip and the whole atmosphere of the places that we visited and the city of Manchester as well. Even on the way to the galleries that we went to the city was also filled with quite artistic nature and historical buildings, as well as little niche cafes and restaurants which we enjoyed visiting as well.