Looking at the whole week in focus, we’ve had a nice week of good lectures. First up was the lecture on design conventions, which I was very eager to listen to. It’s the lecture I’ve been waiting for for some time, and I lapped it all up. I learnt so much in these two hours on how to do more effective design, and I was really happy with what I’d learnt by the end of it. So much so that it spurred me on to go complete my portfolio site (almost… just need to stick the content in now) in essence of the lecture.
On Thursday we had a lecture on some colour conventions, which was also very interesting and informative, and helpful like usual. I feel like we’re beginning to get into the meat of the course, and finally beginning to learn some real design conventions. It’s left me feeling happy with how my learning is going, and I really feel I’m powering along now with all this new knowledge floating inside my head.
After last week’s realisation that I really need to get my sketchbook up to scratch, I’ve been nabbing things from all over the place to slap into my sketchbook. The furious scribbling next to them has helped me think more about the design than just “it looks pretty”, and some of them have really inspired me. I’ve finally realised the importance of sticking regular inspirational pieces into my sketchbook, and I’m now seeing pieces of design everywhere and taking them to stick in my sketchbook. It’s already given me lots of ideas on how to create this website when we get around to doing it, and now I’m eager to start creating.
I’ll admit, I’m not looking forward to doing all the pre-amble leading up to the website creation. It wouldn’t have been so bad if it would have been next year maybe, but I feel like I’m doing exactly the same assignment again straight after I’ve finished the one before, which doesn’t make me too happy. I know I’ll feel better as soon as I’ve got delivery requirements out of the way, but I’m strangely looking forward to the competitive analysis stage. I feel like I’m more qualified to pass judgement this time, and I feel like I know what “good” and “bad” design is more concretely. Maybe it’s because I’ve finally figured out how important it is to look at other sources for inspiration?
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5 comments:
I know the exact feeling your talking about, so far pretty much everything has been the same as the last assignment, but just re-written... but maybe its a chance for us to take what we did and improve it this time arround...
Cool pic BTW... :)
I agree with Mirhad, A3 is a pretty boring assignment, but at least we are given a chance to improve from what we did last time.
We seem to spend more time being academics rather than creatives. I understand this is part of being in education, and theory has a place in this, but christ, it dosen't half drag at times.
I am also enjoying the sketchbook work more now, it makes a nice change from staring at MS Word or swearing at PageMaker.
Boring, Julian?
Exactly the same assignment again, Craig?
Really?
You'll be doing a plan before every website on the course. If you don't understand why, or if you can't reconcile yourself to that fact, it's going to be a long two years for you.
If there's going to be a time when you do lots of theory, is it going to be at the beginning or the end of a course!?
An interesting point about creativity. In my experience, students perennially overestimate the amount of creativity you're allowed to exercise in a 'creative' job. It's about being creative on demand - for a specified amount of time, and within the parameters given by the client - and no more. It's more like a service industry than a creative one. Colleagues that can't adjust to that idea eventually find an 'artistic' vocation is a more appropriate career aim.
And for the record, I think there's a wider gap between 'art' and 'design' than some of you think.
I understand perfectly why we do theory, Steve, and I am comfortable with that. I just don't find it as interesting as doing the creative work. I actually like the challenge of working within creative limitations. If I didn't like limitations, wouldn't I have created my movie in the highest possible resolution, with no regard for function and accessibility?
I know I learn best with a mix of theoretical and practical work when they are evenly measured. I just feel frustrated that the whole education system these days is aimed at jumping through academic hoops, rather than actually learning how to do something for the real world. Just my two pennies though.
I think you've got a valid point of view with regard to the academic hurdles. John and I try to make the course as industry-focussed as possible, but the limitation is the syllabus. At least two out of four learning outcomes [i.e. every unit] fall into the ‘academic’ category. In some cases I’m not sure how relevant whole units are, but Edexcel seem pretty set in their ways. Any suggestions about how we could moderate the academia in favour of the creative would be gratefully accepted. However, you've got to bear in mind that Edexcel make annual visits to ensure we’re meeting the learning outcomes.
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