OUGD405 - Overall Module Evaluation

OUGD405

Overall Module Evaluation

Design Process

This module introduced more conceptual approaches to research and problem solving. This improved my research as it gave a broader depth and breadth of information. The approach to research in studio brief 2, study task 4, was very different to anything I have done before. I found it difficult to produce and develop such conceptual ideas, especially when it came to tasks that involved representing the object using a text editing software. These tasks were helpful as it is a new way of looking at a brief. I interoperated the brief differently because of the tasks. However, my final designs didn’t take any influence from the more abstract tasks, making it difficult to see their benefit to this brief. On the other hand, it encourages a more creative process and may be helpful in future briefs.

My Photoshop and illustrator skills are improving with every brief. This module has developed my InDesign and Illustrator skills very quickly as my designs relied heavily on production in illustrator. Both briefs have outcomes which include a publication. This has improved my InDesign abilities. I also used a DLSR camera and flash lighting in a studio to photograph some elements of my wayfinding system. The outcome of these images could be improved, but this is something I aim to improve upon in upcoming briefs. For future briefs, I would like to improve my skills in Photoshop to make mock ups more realistic.

Study Brief 2 was open ended. I found this difficult as I prefer a more structured brief with a set outcome. If another open-ended project was to be briefed in the future I would set a clearer and more structured rationale early in the development to keep it structured.

Overall, I think my digital work and approaches to briefs are improving and becoming more experimental, which is creating more interesting work. In this module, I have conducted much more research than I have in the past which has improved my outcome by strengthening its foundation. I will continue to develop my research methods and introduce more conceptual approaches in future projects.

OUGD405 - Object Evaluation

OUGD405

Object Evaluation

The research for this brief was extensive. The in-depth study of the history of the clock gave a greater understanding of the object. The task that involved looking at the details of the object and capturing it in different ways gave a greater understanding of the physicality of it. The tasks that involved creating a visual representation of a song which related to the object helped with abstract and conceptual thinking. 

The app and booklet produced communicates the ideas of Linnaeus’ flower clock in a way that is applicable to everyday life. The booklet helps establish the rules of Linnaeus’ hypothesis while the app brings his work into the 20th century. The color scheme is natural and encourages relaxation as they are neutral and calming. The illustrations reflect the calming feel as they are delicate. The size of the illustration where considered to make sure they didn’t overwhelm the screen of the Apple watch. The typeface was chosen (American Typewriter) as a homage to the age of Linnaeus’ theory as not to hyper-modernize the design. 

Critiques have been crucial in the development of this brief. Feedback has taken the product from being a lecture program, that was very limited, to an app and publication that have been developed fully. Research provided a strong idea to develop and peer response helped it become a marketable item. This highlighted the importance of extensive research.

The final outcome is a concertina booklet and mock ups of what the app should look like. The outcome is limited as the app is not fully functional. Producing an animation of the flowers progression as time passed would have strengthened the presentation of the idea. The concertina booklet includes information about the application and Linnaeus’ concept. If the booklet was to be reproduced it would be hardback and more polished. The production of the booklet needs to be refined and if possible the title on the front cover would be made using letterpress.

OUGD405 - Wayfinding Evaluation

OUGD405

Wayfinding Evaluation 

The brief was approached in a varied way. A large amount of experimentation took place from the start which ultimately helped shape the final design.  The system is subjective in design as it considers style and aesthetics. Much of the foundation of the systems design comes from work produced in study task 2 which involved creating objective symbols from subjective things. Therefore, the wayfinding system has been developed from subjective ideas. The system does have some objective characteristics as it is uniform in colour and design. The pictograms could become universally recognized, an objective trait, if learnt and where in use for an extended amount of time, however, the system itself is restricted as it is limited to the English language.

The map for the system is strongly influenced by the work of Harry Beck. The map is not accurate in terms of the path to follow and is very stylised. It is subjective. This decision worked for the overall design, however, it could be confusing for the audience. This means the arrows and pictograms are very important to the system as they give the most direction. The arrows only change in direction and not design, making them recognizably part of the same system. The pictograms used a grid system to ensure uniformity. This could be considered an objective approach. The same colour is used for all pictograms and arrows to reinforce the uniformity of the system. the colours chosen are swatches from a photograph relevant to the system. the colours are muted and earthy which suit the feel of the system. Some may argue that brighter colour may have worked better, especially in a city environment as there are so many things competing for attention. The colours are appropriate as they represent the character of the system and create intrigue. 

 Critique from peers has been essential in the development of the wayfinding system. Suggestions made by others have helped with initial ideas through to final details. It was especially useful when it came to deciding how to present the wayfinding system in context. Giving feedback on other designers’ work has helped with idea generation and inspired the creation of a publication to complement the wayfinding system. 

The consistency in the design of this wayfinding system is successful. Every aspect of the design is linked back to one shape and the colours are justified and appropriate. The limitation of the design is in the display. The system was pitched as being spray painted on the ground as it plays with the idea of not displaying signs at eye level and adds originality. On reflection, this may not be successful as it will be easily overlooked especially during busy times of day when the streets are busy. It may have been more successful to displaying the arrows and pictograms in acrylic, back lighting this would draw even more attention. Cost of the system would have to be considered if this idea was implemented. 

OUGD405 - Object Interim Crit Response and Final Crit

OUGD405

Interim Crit Response

In Response to my Interim crit I have taken the concept of Linnaeus' flower clock and applied it to an app for the Apple Watch. I have created a concertina booklet which establishes the rules of the clock. It also includes illustrations of the flower at each time of the day. The idea of the app is it will act as a home screen. When the user brings their wrist up to view the time it will show the flower at a particular stage of opening, which will allow the user to tell the time. The app will be a very slow animation of the flower opening. The Illustration its self will be delicate and simple, the colour palette will be kept as natural and muted as possible.

The booklet will be printed onto brown paper. The app will also have the option to have a brown background, this will be up to the user. Both book and app will be very simplistic and easy to use.

Final Crit

I presented my concept at the final crit. From the crit I found that the illustrations were too detailed to be used on such a small screen, this could be combated by using colour or simplifying the illustrations. The concept needs mock ups of the app on a Apple Watch screen to get a feel for how the app will work. The idea is easy to grasp and the product will work well as both a printed publication and a app. 

OUGD405 - Object Ideas and Interim Crit

OUGD405

Object Ideas and Interim Crit

Idea 1.
Flower Clock.
The flower clock was first invented by scientist Carolus Linnaeus. He hypothesised a garden plan that would take advantage of several plants that open or close their flowers at particular times of the day to accurately indicate the time. taking this idea, I created a programme and wrist band for an exhibition for Linnaeus theory. I used hand drawn illustrations that were included on both the wristband and the programme. The wristband included the illustration and the corresponding time that relates to the stage of opening. The programme only included the illustration and not the time of each talk/activity, allowing the audience to become involved with the material and putting two together to work out the time of lectures. 

Idea 2.
Clock Collage.
This idea is based on what people do at certain hours of the day. My example shows a clock face that runs from 12 in the afternoon till 12 at night. Between 12 and 1 the clock face shows a food collage. between 5 and 6 it shows physical activity as this is the time most people go to the gym. 11 till 12 shows a night out and dancing. If I was to take this idea forward I would create a collage for every hour of the day and create a series based on individuals to make it personal. 

Idea 3.
My third idea is an illustration based on Hickory Dickory Dock. I think this would work well as a limited edition poster, children's wall paper or an illustration to accompany the story of Hickory Dickory Dock. 

Feedback 
From the crit it is clear that Idea 1, the flower clock, is the best concept, however it didn't  work as a programme. It was suggested that taking the original idea of using the flower to tell the time and using this to create an app would work well. It would be helpful to create an infographic to accompany the app which established rules and explained the idea. Other ideas based on the flower clock included a survival guide and a botanical gardens infographics.
For my final Crit I will create a flower clock for the Apple Watch, accompanied with an infographic publication. 

OUGD405 - Wayfinding Booklet

OUGD405

Way finding Booklet

To compliment the Underground way finding system I have created a booklet which gives information about the way finding system and the destinations within it. This booklet gives the system more context by explaining the underground spaces. It also incorporates the map of the system and a key of the pictograms. The booklet is inline with the design of the system and includes patterns that were created with the same grid used to create the pictograms to maintain continuity.

OUGD405 - Wayfinding Typeface

Typeface

For the system I created a typeface. I created each character using combinations and variations of one shape. The shape was created in the research stages of this project and it successfully communicates an uneasy feeling as it contains regular angles, it is also very versatile.

The aim was to create a Typeface that would work well as a stencil as it would be spray painted onto the ground along with the other elements of the way finding system. The typeface had to be consistent with the system. By using this shape the typeface should have fit with the system as the arrows, logo and pictograms are all based on this shape.

The resulting typeface had some redeeming qualities such as the character if the A and interesting angles produced. However, there are some major faults such as the variance in weight and the difference in x height of many of the characters. The typeface also didn't work when placed in context.

The end result look juvenile and doesn't match aesthetic of the map and pictograms that have been produced. 

I decided to not continue to develop this typeface but pick an existing one to match the feel of the system. The type needed to be sans serif as the map and pictograms had very little decorative flourishes and the aesthetic of the system is harsh and functional. London Underground also uses a sans serif typeface and I wanted to continue the link between the tube way finding system in London and the hidden underground way finding system in Leeds. My first Instinct was to chose Futura as it is a sharpe typeface, however, the letters were too rounded and the finished look was too polished for a publication that aimed to translate the atmosphere of being underground.

Futura

Instead I chose to use the typeface Open Sans Condensed Bold, a condensed type that made a greater impact than futura.

Open Sans Condensed Bold

OUGD405 - Wayfinding Colour Scheme

Colour Scheme.

I based the way finding colour scheme on areas in Leeds which the system will be placed.  I did this by taking pictures and sampling colours from the images. The best results came from the closed Merrion Centre underpass as it contained oranges from traffic cones and blues from decaying advertisements and posters.

I narrowed the choice to 2 colour schemes

To decide which scheme worked best I put them into context.

The first colour scheme works well as it is more cool toned, the second scheme is much warmer. The first one is more suited to the system as the cold tones reflect the feeling of being underground.

OUGD405 - Wayfinding Final Crit

Final Crit

In this crit I presented my pictograms, arrows, map and booklet. 

It was suggested that the pictograms did not blend well into the system and I should consider redesigning them so the overall system has a greater consistency. 
I redesigned the pictogram using a grid, similar to that used by Otl Aicher then he designed the pictograms for 1972 Munich Olympics. I based my grid on the logo of my way finding system. 

The results are pictograms that are more consistent with the system its self as well as each other. I have chose to place the pictograms in hexagons rather than triangles to reinforce its consistency with the system. 

OUGD405 - Wayfinding - Harry Beck's Tube Map

OUGD405

Harry Beck’s Tube Map.

For my wayfinding system, I wanted to create a map in the style of the London Underground as my wayfinding system is based around the hidden spaces under the streets of Leeds. In order to create a well-informed interpretation, I conducted some research on the designer of the tube map.

The map was designed by Harry Beck in 1933. Instead of emphasising distance or geographical accuracy, Beck based his design on circuit diagrams which allowed the complicated rail network to be stripped down into a neat diagram. It was considered a very radical approach at first but the public responded well to the design. It allowed passengers to know how to get from one station to another as efficiently as possible and where to change lines.

My map will be efficient but use a colour scheme that is appropriate to my overall design.

I have applied Harry Beck's design to my system

My design only uses horizontal and vertical lines to direct the user. The background shows the main motorway that runs through Leeds to give a perspective of the area that the map covers. I have also includes hexagons, the smaller the hexagon the closer the user is to the city centre.