OUGD203 - YCN// Product//Range//Distribution - Self evaluation

BA (Hons.) GRAPHIC DESIGN		LEVEL	05
Module Code	OUGD203
Module Title	DESIGN PRACTICE - II

END OF MODULE SELF-EVALUATION

NAME	CHARLIE CROSBY

1.  What skills have you developed through this module and how effectively do you think you have applied them?
I have greatly developed my software skills throughout this module which is something I had always felt I had missed out on in past modules. During the YCN collaborative brief I had to use Photoshop a lot to edit images to make them suitable for presentable mock ups. Photoshop isn’t my preferred choice of software to work with so it was good to get so much practice and it especially help towards the end of Product, Range and Distribution as I needed to propose several of my deliverables and create more mock ups.
2. What approaches to/methods of design production have you developed and how have they informed your design development process?
Since the start of this module I have been getting much better at organising my files that I’m working with and it’s proved to be incredibly helpful and reduces the stress that I’ve experienced in the past when I’ve failed to retrieve files or work that I need. Although this isn’t strictly a design method it is however an integral and essential work habit.
3. What strengths can you identify in your work and how have/will you capitalise on these?
I have gotten much quicker and better at using illustrator to create simple vectors. This is something I’m really interested in exploring further as I can create really great image based type with ease. This project has somewhat linked back to the Image module which I think strengthens my overall design approach and makes my work look more consistent. I feel as though I’m developing a particular response to briefs now where as last year I was a bit loose and like to try anything and everything. In short my designs are becoming more informed and focussed.
4. What weaknesses can you identify in your work and how will you address these in the future?
I can’t seem to make quick decisions until the last minute so my work can get a bit rushed and this cause mistakes. I would have to say that the main weakness in my work is the fact that I go for the first idea I have, I do develop them but I haven’t truly integrated myself into each design to work on it and explore it to its fullest potential.
5. Identify five things that you will do differently next time and what do you expect to gain from doing these?
1. Just get on with the designing as soon as possible. I seem to take a lot of joy in the fact I can research well and then I seem to slack of thinking I’ve done plenty of work, I need to start designing straight after the research and not have a break or shut off. 2. Although I’ve been documenting my designing much better with this project I think I should be doing it even more and in finer detail, for instance, making note of the effects, methods and tools I’ve used to create my designs 3. When working collaboratively, take more into my own hands than necessary. 4. Plan any form of printing well in advance. I missed my only booked print slot because I had booked it too early and had nothing ready to print which left me with only the drop in print sessions to get my range printed and photographed.
6.How would you grade yourself on the following areas: (please indicate using an ‘x’)  5= excellent, 4 = very good, 3 = good, 2 = average, 1 = poor
	1	2	3	4	5
Attendance				x
Punctuality				x
Motivation		x
Commitment		x
Quantity of work produced		x
Quality of work produced			x
Contribution to the group					x
The evaluation of your work is an important part of the assessment criteria and represents a percentage of the overall grade. It is essential that you give yourself enough time to complete your written evaluation fully and with appropriate depth and level of self-reflection. If you have any questions relating to the self evaluation process speak to a member of staff as soon as possible.

YCN - My Responsibilities

Open publication - Free publishing - More design

http://issuu.com/charliecrosby/docs/ycn_personal_boards1?mode=window&backgroundColor=%23222222

YCN - Logo Development

YCN - Proof of submission - email

YCN - Logo development

YCN - Initial ideas for logo composition.

I haven't deviated too far from the original composition of the graze logo because at this point I feel its wise to try and tweak the existing design to see how far I can push it. already I prefer this font to the original as it appears more balanced. 

These are just preliminary ideas that I've created using InDesign making use of the kerning functions. I'm going to take these further and work with them to create more innovative compositions taking it down to a minimal form.

YCN - Type options.

I've looked at a range of existing fonts and applied them quickly and simply to get a basic idea for how they work with the text in the logo.

The more scripted fonts look a bit too formal but not in the sense of office formal, more bespoke invitation formal and almost decorative which isn't what we're going for in our design direction.

Quicksand is a personal favourite font of mine, its well kerned to begin with and it sits well on a page when printed. The rounded and balanced structure also help reinforce some of the nutritional values of the company and the contents of the graze boxes.

YCN - Logo

This is the logo given in the downloadable project pack from YCN. I personally don't like the logo that much, it works well however there are a few things about it that I want to change.

To begin with the typeface used for the word 'graze' it feels inconsistent in its structure. The Z stands out from the other letters because it appears thicker or bolder.

The 'g' has been enlarged too much as the bowl and the descender both extend over the baseline of the rest of the word graze and the tag line 'nature delivered'.

I'm going to change these things about the logo to make it look like a more refined identity for the company and I'm also going to investigate the possibilities of using upper case letters as well as there is nothing to indicate that lowercase is more appropriate at this stage.

OUGD203 - Briefing

Another lovely brief.

This is a collaborative brief for YCN so it's important that we pick someone to work with that will bring something to the table, equally I need to be able to sell myself and show people what I can do and why they would want to pick me as a collaborative partner

OUGD203 - Choose a brief and analysing it.

YCN - My first graze box has arrived

My first graze box has arrived, on time might I add, and it only took two days. Some people may see the idea that you plan what you might want to eat a few days in advance is a bit absurd however people will happily do this when booking a table for a restaurant or doing a weekly food shop. Graze doesn't tell you specifically what you will receive in each box you get, it's a random selection from a list of your preferences so each is personal and also a little surprise.

YCN - Graze website

This is the Graze website, its quite consistent throughout which doesn't reflect over to the design side of things as the logo and the illustrations and decorative type contrast so much.

I can see areas for possible application of our own designs within this web layout already with the mast head and page links. The first thing I noticed which i thought was good was the layout of the 4 images is representative of the  design of the box and the 4 "punnets of nibbles" as they put it.

YCN - articles about graze

http://www.foodforfriendsyeah.co.uk/2010/04/15/graze-box/

This webpage has a very positive and thorough review of graze as well as lots of feedback from mostly a female audience, some of which comment on the office lifestyle. They back up a lot of what graze have clearly researched into before starting the company. So far graze is good, which raises the question of 'how do we make it GREAT?'

This is a personal blog which contained an article praising the graze box, it also contained a picture of the old design of the package.

http://www.here.org.uk/2008/10/grazecom-a-very-good-idea.html