Continuous Line Book.

Map of Doncaster.

Ok, I really like this but I'm really struggling to see where I could take it from here.

Digital Photography Elective - Week Four.

Lighting Studio.

Really enjoyed this lesson. We were able to get on with what we wanted to do, and everyone seemed to go off and take pictures, so me and Ed practically had the big lighting studio to ourselves. I didn't have any objects with me, and the only thing in the studio that was remotely interesting to take photos of was the chairs. It was really nice to play about with lighting, I focussed on creating shadows, and creating a quite atmospheric photo, which I think I've done quite well.

Got a camera out for the week so I could carry on taking photos with flash, tried taking a few photos on the way home and realised the flash is broke, pretty annoyed. 

What is a Line? IX - Map Tracing.

When I was looking into lines of maps, this is something I wanted to do but had been too busy concentrating on the contour lines. Then it was suggested in the crit to back and investigate it further.

I've taken one of the photos I took of maps into illustrator and traced over the lines. I've took into consideration the thickness of the lines and added a little colour to make it a bit more visually interesting.

I first tried to use minimal lines, which I liked, but felt it needed more. 

I really like them, especially the contrast in the thickness of the lines and the delicacy. It has more of a context than the contour lines as the lines are actually taken from a map. This is something I could do with my contours, take them from something so I'm not just making them up. I would also like to look at a map that means something to me, such as my hometown, Doncaster. 

Contour Map Book.

Yep, another one.

I bought an A3 road map book, cut out the pages and bound them. This time, however, I didn't cut out circles, I just cut out the lines. My aim was to produce something with a bit more colour, something that would define the lines more. It has worked, and I do like it, I'm just really confused as to wether I'm doing the right thing for this project. It still doesn't have much of a context/audience which I really need to start thinking about.

Print induction at Blenheim.

What is a line? VIII - Contour Book.

This is the finished contour line book that I'd been working on for a while.

I really like how it's turned out, it does look like contour lines and the lines are really thin and delicate, like how they are on maps. I now plan to experiment with colour and have bought a pocket map of the world book which I have yet to experiment with.

When I look at the book, however, I realise it has no context. It doesn't represent anything or mean anything and I'm really unsure of how I can get around this. I mentioned this in the crit and it was suggested to me that I go back and develop the lines from maps that I were experimenting with earlier in this project, but I feel like I would just end up in the same position, and I would really like to continue to develop the contour lines. I have re-read the brief and it doesn't say we have to have a final resolution for this project, so I'm going to continue to investigate the contour lines and find a way to give them more context. However, I can't help but wonder if it actually needs a context.

What is a Line? - Presentation & Crit.

Had the 2 minute presentation and crit today which didn't go as well as planned, in terms of my presentation I mean. I missed out a lot that I wanted to discuss because I was nervous.

Everyone wrote down 5 questions and they've been really helpful. Here's some of the questions I was asked that I plan to take on board:

Have you tried creating type from the pages?

Have you experimented with different coloured paper?

Could you try cutting lines out of other things other than books?

Could you create a 3D object instead of hollow?

Have you looked at buying a map book and cut the shape of a map or a contour out?

Have you thought about the last page (uncut) being an image?

What is a line? VII

Noriko Ambe

Was looking through some blogs and found this. Wow. It's a great bit of research as it basically is what I've been doing.

I really like the use of colour and would like to experiment with this in my own work. I've been thinking of buying a published book and using that to work on, this way it will already include images and text. 

What is a line? VI

When I think about it, I do feel that one of the most obvious approach to this project, for me, would be the technical drawings, like the ones of doors I did in the last module. I really feel like it fits into this project really well. I enjoyed drawing them and would like to draw something other than a door, but I kind of feel like I'd be cheating a little as it would be easy for me to do having done so much of it in the last module, and also like I'd be missing out on an opportunity to try something different.

I don't think i'll take this any further, but I am going to have a go at drawing something else and maybe they'll be something I could do to make it different/unique.

What is a line? V

I've been experimenting with contour lines in a 3D approach. As I stated before, I wanted to experiment with sculpting a book to look like contour lines, and this is what I've been doing. I really like it. I can't make my mind up wether I should build the layers up so it can resemble a hill or if I should cut them away so it's like a hole. I've been experimenting in my sketchbook, but I'm in the process of doing this in the whole of an A5 book. It's going well, but it's taking me ages.

Here's an example from my sketchbook.

What is a line? IV

As I am looking at contour lines, in the last crit I was advised to experiment with a cabbage. So over reading week I bought a cabbage, cut it in half and took some pictures. It was amazing, I can't believe I'd never noticed it before. 

Unfortunately, I uploaded the pictures onto my laptop, which I've left at home, but I've found a few images off the internet to give an idea of what I got. I'll update this post with my own photos when I get them.

New Blog.

I have created a new blog, pacifically for the design practice module. So most posts will be now on there, however I am still using this blog for general posts, my Photography elective progress and the 'What is a line?' brief.

The blog address is www.designheather.blogspot.com

OUGD102 - Self Evaluation.

What practical skills have you developed through this module and how effectively do you think you have applied them?

Within this module, I feel I have strongly developed the ability to use software such as Photoshop and InDesign effectively. Although there are still a few things I am unsure about, I have sufficient knowledge to develop and manipulate my work, along with successfully using InDesign to print a book at what I feel a good standard. During the 'Book of 100' project, Illustrator was a necessity as my book was based upon vector images of doors. This developed my skills dramatically and I now feel confident and able to approach this program, whereas in the last module I just used Photoshop wherever possible.

My crafting skills have also developed. I have learnt different methods of binding and can use these methods professionally.

What approaches to/methods of problem solving have you developed and how have they informed your design development process?

I have strongly developed my understanding of research, and how it plays a vital part in the design process. I have learnt how to research what's relevant and use it effectively. I now know the different methods of collecting research and can categorise the information appropriately.

What strengths can you identify in your work and how have/will you capitalise on these?

I think my best strength was my final resolution to the 'Book of 100' project, which isn't particually important to this module as it's mainly about the research & development. I think I forgot about this and spent too much time making my final book whereas I should have been doing more research and developing ideas. However, I do feel that being too ambitions is good thing.

My research skills have developed and I do feel this is shown in my work, however, I'm still not applying these skills as much as I should be.

If i'm honest, I'm actually finding it quite hard to pick out the strengths in my work, but the biggest strength in this module was my motivation.

What weaknesses can you identify in your work and how will you address these more fully?

As i've just pointed out, I spent far too much time working on my final book of 100 and this resulted in my research suffering.

Another weakness one is the way I put my ideas onto paper. I really need to get out of the habit of writing down all my ideas instead of visualising them and actually doing them. Writing notes on a piece of paper isn't going to help me realise if the idea will work. In the next module I intend to try out all my ideas, even if they are too obvious or if I can't see it working, at least i've tried it and can leave it behind.

Identify five things that you will do differently next time and what do you expect to gain from doing these?

1. Manage my time better. I know I said this in my last module evaluation, but I still haven't been managing my time effectively. After the time management sessions, however, I did realise how much time I was wasting and improved dramatically. I was impressed at how much more work I was able to do. I also need to take into account the time scale of the project and be more realistic when it comes to final ideas. I ended up setting myself a too ambitious task and had to compromise my work because of the time I had left.

2. Think outside the box. I really need to stop going for the obvious solution and try something else, even if I may feel a little uncomfortable doing so. This could improve my work and possibly make it more interesting. I also need to stop fixating on a specific outcome and open my mind to other options.

3. Get more feedback other than in the crits. I ended up depending on the crits for feedback, where I could of easily asked another student for their opinions and criticism. This would have allowed me to move on with my work more quickly.

4. Make sure everything is finished before the deadline. I've learnt not to rely on technology because it will go wrong when you need it the most. I intend to set myself a timetable and stick to it, as well as my own deadlines. This will allow time to make improvements and corrections if anything is to go wrong.

5. Contribute more in crits and be a little more critical. This way others get more help and I can expect the same back.

Are there any things we could have done differently that would have benefitted your progress?

The way the last crit was set out was really helpful, only it didn't give us chance to ask questions, or much time to take on the suggestions. I think it would of been more helpful if this type of crit was held earlier on in the project, though, it was nice having Amber & Jo around in the studio so we were able to have one-to-one tutorials if we needed.

How would you grade yourself on the following areas:

(5=excellent, 4=very good, 3=good, 2=average, 1=poor)

Attendance: 2 (before christmas), 4 (after christmas)

Punctuality: 3

Motivation: 4

Commitment: 4

Quantity of work produced: 3

Quality of work produced: 4

Contribution to the group: 2

A Completed Book.

I spent my day in the the print room, and after a lot of mistakes and tantrums, I have finally finished my book, and I'm actually very happy with it.

It's Japanese bound, which I said I wasn't going to do but it was the most practical considering how I wanted my cover to be opened. I've used wood, and its bound with hinges which was a nightmare to do but it looks really good. Still not entirely sure wether it suits my content, but I really like it.

Final Crit.

It was really strange having a crit like that, and it was quite frustrating not being able to say anything back, but it was still really helpful. It was really nice to get some positive feedback, I now actually feel like I'm on the right track, and for the first time in weeks I feel quite confident about my work. There was a few questions I had though, and didn't get chance to ask because of the way the crit was set out, but i'll ask on Monday instead. 

The points picked out were to step away from the Japanese binding and consider the cover of my book and the way it interacts. I'd already had a conversation with Jo the day before about this and had resolved it so that was nothing to worry about. Another point was to research more into fonts, find out what's actually used in blueprints and chose something similar. I had looked at a couple of plans and they all have a similar font to what I have used, and I feel the font suits my subject too, but I could still do with doing a little bit more research.

Photoshop Book.

I was really confused about this brief, and to be honest, I still don't know if what I've put in it is right, but hey, it's things I've learnt on the course so far so I can't be that far out.

I've kind of done it like a scrapbook, documenting the skills I've learnt and my progress. It's no where near finished yet but here's a few of the pages I've been experimenting with.

It could be so much better, but I just don't have the time. I'm going to get something together for the module submission, but I think i'll carry on playing after. I love scrapbooks, and have made a few hand made ones, so I took this as a chance to make a digital one.

'Book of 100' Progress.

I've been doing some more playing around with the layouts, and have finally come to something I'm feeling quite confident with. I've been looking into double page spreads too, it's quite tricky to balance out the page with only one image but I think I've done ok.

These are the first few pages for my book. There's still room for improvement though, I think. Well, I guess there's always room for improvement.

I've also found a way to make my book a little more interesting too. I think I'm going to have a name for each door, something personal, possibly a description of some sort. However, this isn't going to be obvious. It's going to look just like a construction plan, it's only when you look closer when you realise there's something more to it. It kind of relates to the idea of 'what's behind the door', if that makes sense?

Digital Photography Elective - Week One.

I had my first lesson in Digital Photography today, and to be honest I found it a little frustrating. When we got there we were told we weren't actually going to be using a camera today, just researching other artist's work. Which is fair enough but I just wanted to get on with it. Luckily after 2 hours of research, we was asked if we wanted to start using cameras, only we didn't actually get to take any pictures, just went through the basic skills which I've been through quite a few times. Anyway, I got a camera out and took a few photo's on the way home.

Here's one I quite like.

I just played around with the shutter speed, making the shutter stay open for about 30 seconds. I concentrated on a traffic light, making sure it was open whilst the lights were changing, making all 3 lights show on my photo. I think it's pretty cool. I didn't have a tripod, yet I managed to keep the camera quite still so it didn't blur. I'm quite impressed.

'What is a line?' - Statement of intent.

For the ‘What is a line?’ brief, I have chosen to investigate the following statement; “A mark indicating position, connection or boundaries.”

I intend to continue to develop my existing work on contour lines, investigating their meanings and boundaries and ways I can interpret this.

As contour lines can represent a risen level, a possible resolution to this would be to experiment in 3D. With the ‘Book of 100’ brief, I looked into book sculptures where people created an object or scenery out of paper, I’d like to use this as inspiration.

Here's an example of book sculpture.

Words create worlds

However, Instead of working on top of the book, I intend to work within the book. So basically, there will be hole in the middle of the book which will only been seen when it's opened.