OUGD203 Evaluation

I would without a doubt class this module as two completely separate halves. At the beginning of the module when we where told we would be taking part in a collaborative brief I was initially hesitant, as I have never considered myself to be the sort of person who functions well within a team. However when I found out that it was a partnership and would only be working with one person I thought that it could be more fun than first imagined. I was partnered up with Chris Anderson and I could not have been luckier. We found that out creative styles worked very well together and our ideas were very similar. Obviously there were times within the brief when I became frustrated, not because of anything Chris said or did, but plainly because I didn't like having to run all my ideas by someone else. The one thing that I have taken away from our YCN project is that I am a very independent person. I am not afraid to ask another persons advice on my own work, and will take on any feedback that is offered to me, whether I asked for it or not. I also like to work around people and be in a creative environment, I just don't like not being able to make all the decisions I want, when I want.

I was proud of our final resolution to the brief and don't think I could have found a more suitable creative partner to compliment my skills. However in the future I think I will avoid briefs that involve partnerships. I understand the importance and can appreciate how two minds are better than one, it's just not for me. I am obviously more of an independent person than I first thought.

After the YCN brief came the final project of the year; Product, Range & Distribution. I was initially very excited by the prospect of creating my own brief and designing for my speciality; packaging. However when faced with the challenge of narrowing down options that are incredibly far reaching it becomes more difficult. With every previous brief I have been told what to do and where to go, with this it was almost as if I was jumping into the deep end. Once the initial hesitance wore off and I began to develop ideas I did start to enjoy the experience. I am glad I chose to experiment further with packaging, it has only confirmed to me more that this is the area I want to specialise in, in the third year. I am also happy with the subject matter that I chose to work with, and have realised that light hearted and humourous is the direction I want to go in. 

I think that the final resolution to my Product, Range & Distribution brief shows my skill set off perfectly. The product that I created is exactly what I would ideally love to create for the rest of my career. It's fun and light hearted, has a purpose but it not driven by it, combines typography with composition and colour consideration and most of all was enjoyable to create. I have often wondered what it is I would be driven by in the future; money, status, location etc. But it's become obvious to me that I just want to enjoy the work that I do. I have become adept at identifying briefs that both appeal to me and alternatively do absolutely nothing for me. Also within this brief I have increased my time management skills and learnt to prioritise.

I am now confident going into the third year. With a clearly identified area of interest and what I consider to be a developing visual approach, if I continue to put it as much effort as I possibly can then I think I can do well. I know that it will be even more intense in the third year, but with a renewed outlook of the design world and increased confidence in myself I'm sure I can create work that I am proud of.