For this section of my 'personal and professional practice' we are to gather a varied collection of resources in response to 5 set questions which are all related back to the main focal point 'What is Graphic Design?'. I will explore different ways in which Graphic Design can appear in the world around us. Whilst at an Arts lecture in Manchester, the guest speaker highlighted that ‘Design is everywhere. It’s in advertising, on packaging, and within our surrounding environment', I first realised how design captures the entire world, without us even realising, in this lecture. So here, I have documented 5 ways in which I feel Graphic Design appears, and works really well within its context.

// Graphic Design in different context //

1. Smart phone software.

With the modern world becoming revolved around smart phones, and technology, Graphic Design had been enabled a chance to branch out beyond print media and classic design formats. This new world of design technology allows graphics to expand into motion graphics, and media. I feel the iPhone is a perfect example of how Graphic Design can appear in everyday scenarios. 

2. Book Cover design.

The book covers I have chosen to present here are actually taken from a final major project by Millie Haughnaess, a former student on BA(hons) Graphic Design, here at Leeds College of Art. I find her work really inspiring and appreciate the ways in which she had used typography to create imagery, giving the classic 'Roald Dahl' children's books a re-vamped and modern feel. 

3. T-shirt design.

My third chosen context is T-shirt design. I feel this is really effective, and the images I have chosen below have ben collected from personal research. I found a Graphic Designer on 'Blogger' who is really passionate about their practice and I feel this comes across in their designs. I think that the use of black silhouettes against pastel tones gives the piece a calming feel. Link to Blog >> Panhojda.

4. Wrapping Paper

Another context is which Graphic Design is presented is through Wrapping Paper. I love patterns, take a lot of inspiration from current 'Paperchase' designs. Their use of colours always compliment their use of repetition which works well as a design. I like good strong wrapping paper and so always take note of what has been used, and the quality of the design. I think that the composition of using bright owls, against a calmer background works really well with this design.

5. Motion Graphics

Although I'm not really as confident nor am I as fond of motion graphics as I am with print, it is still a key factor to Graphic Design. With the earlier mention of a new age of technology linking design with smart phones, design is also linked with motion graphics and web design, which predominantly focuses on designing on screen, rather than designing on paper. 

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// Graphic Design performing different functions //

1. Promotional Pieces

Graphic Design is often used to promote charities and other various events. One of it's main functions is to communicate and so through promotional packs and various other items, companies and charities communicate to their prospective audiences through promotion and flyers etc.

2. Road Signs

Road signs are used to communicate information to road users. The simplicity of a design is there for its purpose, they are simple yet easy to read and understand as well as communicating the correct message, quickly to their audience.

3. Brand Identity (Wagamama)

Wagamama is one of my favourite restaurants, and I love their clean crisp appearance portrayed through their brand imaging and identity. This is a key element of Graphic Design, as one of the purposes of design is to communicate identity. I've also been fortunate enough to gain contact with Wagamama's photographer, who uses strong lighting to emphasise their clean and crisp image, giving many photographs a high contrast appearance.

4. TV Adverts (channel4/E4)

TV adverts have an essential function in promoting various shows and series'. I chose to use the 'Channel 4 ident', as I personally find it really interesting how they use everyday scene and object etc,  to create typography. This clever technique looks really effective, and successfully promotes Channel 4 to their viewers.

5. Information leaflets 

Information leaflets are one of the most common uses of promotion, however despite their basic function and appearance they successfully communicate a topic to the target audience. Information leaflets can take many different forms, some are humerous, and colourful and others are more serious with easily legible fonts and basic imagery. However, no matter what the outcome leaflets are always successful in demonstrating their purpose and function.

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// Graphic Design delivering different types of messages //

1. Inform and Educate

Graphic Design can deliver different messages in many different ways. One way to convey a message to your audience is to inform and educate. This is commonly used for fire and safety posters or warnings. 

2. Factual and formal

Factual and formal is a popular way to present information. Usually used to display information in leaflets or on flyers. 'NHS' campaigns and flyers are a good example of information being displaying formally and is a factual manner. 

3. Factual and Informal

Factual and informal is commonly portrayed in comic magazines, or comic strips. A very childish or cartoon-like appearance which represents important information. This is also often used to display sexual advice, etc to young adults or teenagers. I really like this style as i feel you can play about with it much more and experiment. 

4. Professional and Presented

Professional and presented is my preferred style. Obviously depending upon your audience it may not always be applicable, however I feel is it neat and organised which is very similar to my personality and represents me. Letterheads and other formal written work is often presented in the format. This conveys a message much different to how factual and informal would portray the same point.

5. Informal and fiction

Informal and fiction is the final type of delivery I have chosen. I really like this style as it is often used for Children's books etc and I feel it has more creative opportunities. It usually has a 'fun' and 'informal' appearance, which suits the target audience for this genre. 

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// Graphic Design produced using different media //

1. Print

Print media is very commonly sued within the Graphic Design discipline and I personally love to work with print, however over the coming months and years I hope to expand my knowledge and skills using various other techniques and skills. 

2. Letterpress

Letterpress is a very specialist and unique technique. Letterpress printing is the relief printing, using a press, of image and type. It uses reversed imagery, which is the printed and press to reveal the positive right-reading image. I really like the rustic and 'vintage-style' appearance. 

3. Photography

Despite being a discipline in it's own right, photography is very closely linked with Graphic Design. Photography can be used as image alone or also combined with type to create image and type. I completed my photography A-level this past year and so I have grown to love film photography and the process behind the camera, linking it closely with darkroom processes.

4. Paper 

Paper is a really intricate and delicate material. It can be used to create image in it's own right which I think is really creative and looks very effective. The outcomes that can be created with paper look very unusual and professional. I have used imagery by Helen Musselwhite, an artist I have previously researched on earlier projects. I find her work really inspiring, and hope to experiment in this field on future briefs. 

5. Motion / Film

Motion or film graphics is becoming increasingly popular as technologies advance, as well as the introduction of smart phones too. I hope to learn more about motion graphics, as I have never personally experienced it, however I think the outcomes look really creative when produced to a high standard.

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// Graphic Design produced at different scales //

1. Leeds College of art - End of Year show (Large Scale)

I love the promotional work for the Leeds College of Art end of year show last year, it is eye catching and bold, and the large format looks really effective. This has been positioned well to catch the attention of passersby on a busy Leeds junction outside of the College of Art.

2. Promotional items (Small Scale)

I love these small promotional items that have been used here. I have taken these from a previous Leeds College of Art Student, Millie Haugnaess. Her work is really inspiring and I like many of her final outcomes across her final major project. These small scale items, despite being scaled down, look really effective and suit the brief perfectly. 

3. Stretch of promenade - Hotel Minneapolis (Large Scale)

I love the bright colours and vibrant appearance of the 'promenade' design. The photograph shows the scale of the image in comparison to a full grown adult, which emphasises my focus on 'Large Scale' designs. This looks really effective, and catches the attention of the target audience successfully.

4. Apple Branding - December 2010 (Large Scale)

Last December I visited the Apple store in Manchester and was really intrigued by the full size 'Father Christmas', this fascinating designs was really effective, and the large scale iPhone 4 (although not clear in the image here) was set us in a motion graphics format to work as a fully functioning iPhone. This design worked really well as a promotional piece for the company right before the Christmas shopping season,  therefore targeting the right audience at the right time.

5. Business Card Designs (Small Scale)

These business cards show a more smaller scale design. I think the layout and appearance of the cards, although classic, is very effective for the purpose of the piece. It works well for the brief, and the small business cards in comparison to the larger scale graphics above, shows how Graphic Design varies in size and shape everytime depending on the specific brief in mind.

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Here I have documented a series of questions and answers which consider 'Who I am' and 'Why I am here', studying BA(hons) Graphic Design at Leeds College of Art. This will evaluate what I want to learn over the next 3 years, and why I chose to learn at this institute.


// Why I chose to study Graphic Design at Leeds College of Art //


I chose to study Graphic Design at Leeds College of Art because of the fast paced atmosphere and friendly ambience. I visited Leeds College of Art on an Open day in June 2010 and instantly realised that the course was for me, the work being produced was to a high standard and the studio based feel was one that I knew would suit my working style.


I wanted to studying in a specialist art college, where I knew that my focus would be primarily on live briefs, and working with industry. This course is intense, however I feel I can succeed on a high demanding course, and I will be more prepared for industry afterwards.


Another factor which appealed to coming to Leeds College of Art was the fact that the group sizes are much smaller, and the intensity of the course. Despite being 4-5 days a week, I feel this will only benefit my learning and in the long run benefit my career. More time with tutors is also a key factor for me, and I felt that at Leeds College of Art I have greater access to teaching staff and working professionals.


I feel that at Leeds College of Art I have a much better access to facilities, and workshops. Having access to all area's as well as the dark room was a very important factor for me, as not a lot of University's and art colleges offer this to all students.


The success of previous graduates was another factor which played a part in me wanting to study at Leeds College of Art, whilst it's obviously hard work and dedication that gets you there, it's also the support from current students (which is benefitted by small group sizes) and the support from current tutors and staff. It is clear to see from current students and staff that the community here is really supportive, and I feel this will benefit my learning and understanding of the course, as well as my development and success over the next 3 years.


// Things I want to learn during my time on the programme //


Whilst studying here at Leeds College of Art, I would like to develop my print skills, looking at various different media that you can print your design onto, as well as also looking at the variety of different printing techniques looking at screen printing, digital print and letterpress etc. I feel this will expand my skills and core understanding of the subject.


I want to learn to be able to talk about my work, and take on board both positive and negative feedback, area's to improves and factors which a good. I feel that with the small group numbers on the course here, this will allow me to excel in this and become a much more confident person.


I want to become a more focused and professional designer. Taking an emphasis on the fundamental principles of design as well as learning how to communicate between other co-workers as well as learning how to communicate efficiently with clients too, this will be a key role in my success after the completion of my degree.


I currently work mainly in a print format and I feel that over the next three years, studying here at Leeds College of Art I wold like to expand my fields of experience and discover other types of media including digital design and web design.


I would like to expand my knowledge and understanding of illustration and type and be able to combine the two confidently. Whilst a lot of my inspiration comes from illustrators and typographers, I feel that much of my work is completed digitally in Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator, whilst furthering my skills here, I would also like to incorporate more hand drawn illustrations into my discipline.


// My current strengths //


One of my current strengths is typography, I am very comfortable working with type and the composition, as well as composition a final outcome which meets the brief. However, I feel I can use my current skills, and skills that I will learn over the coming years at Leeds College of Art to further explore typography.


I am very thorough and organised, however this isn't always a positive quality I feel that the majority of the time it plays to my benefits and enables me to succeed in many of my projects and briefs. I hope to maintain my organisational skills over my time here at Leeds College of Art.


Working independently is one of my strengths, I'm a very 'get up and go' person, and don't like to leave a project until the last minute, and so this attitude to my studies can sometimes affect group work, when other members of the group might have a different attitude to their work. As a result, individual briefs play to my assets. However, I do hope to expand my collaborative skills over the coming months and years.


Another strength is time management, I am very proud of the fact that I am time conscience, and never late to important meetings. This is a professional characteristic and I hope it will prove me to be productive and successful in the future.


I am a very resilient person, which means I will never give up on a set task. I am a strong and out going person, with a very driven focus and full commitment to briefs and challenges assigned to me. This plays to my benefits, as I am very reliable and don't let people or clients down.


// My current weaknesses or area's for improvement //


I would like to improve my skills in Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator. Although I understand that I have a basic understanding of the two programmes, I feel I still have a lot to learn and my skills could be expanded and developed over the coming months.


Whilst studying here at Leeds College of Art I would like to improve my communication skills, not only becoming better at working collaboratively within a group but also being able to talk about my work with more confidence and pride in my solutions.


One skill that I've always felt passionately about is Illustration, I've never felt very confident with it as a skill, however I feel this is something I can work on and develop over the coming weeks and months, and combine it with my current strengths applying it to my designs and processes.


Although I consider type to be a strength, it is also a weakness. I enjoy type, and it never fails to keep me hooked. However, I know I have a lot of branching out and development of skills before I will be completely satisfied with my understanding of type. This is something that will become a personal challenge over the next three years at Leeds College of Art, as I have such a strong passion for the discipline.


Whilst studying here at Leeds College of Art, I would like to develop my abilities in obtaining the most out of a crit session. Over the next three years I hope to use my crits to their full potential, taking on board all advice both positive and negative to improve my working idea's and concepts of Graphic Design.


// Way in which I will evaluate my progress //


The main way that I will evaluate my progress is through blogging. When I came to an open day here about 18months ago, I learnt that blogging is a large part of your progress on the degree, and so I decided that I would make myself more familiar with Blogs before I came here. So for the past 8 months I have been blogging privately and so I understand the concept of blogging, and how it can so easily become an everyday part of life. I hope to retain all of my progress and development on my blog over the coming months and years. This blog will also allow me to look back on how my skills and understand of design have evolved and matured over time.


I hope to develop my progress through industry, taking on different placements and work experience roles, to be able to develop my skills and the understanding behind working for a professional business in a structured and organised manner. I will evaluate my progress on the course by comparing myself to other designers out in the industry, looking at how they work both collaboratively and individually. 


I will use sketchbooks over the next few years here at Leeds College of Art to document my idea's and key processes in my progression on the course. I consider sketchbooks to be such a fundamental factor of Design, it's where everything begins, and as a result they will be used in my augmentation and development.


I will also use crit sessions, tutor evaluation and peer feedback to help me develop my work and progress of the course as an individual both personally and professionally. I hope to take on board both positive and negative feedback in a good light and play this to my strengths in improving and developing my work.


I will evaluate my progress through personal development and change. As I learn more about both Graphic Design, as a discipline, and myself, as a designer, I will use my own opinions and beliefs to evaluate my progress and where my idea's and process is heading. 


// Questions I need answers to //


Where do I want to be in 3 years time?
How can I find work experience and placements?
What makes you become successful in Graphic Design?
Where will I be in 10 years time?
Why is Graphic Design such a competitive industry?

These are 10 of my personal achievements that I hope to gain on completion of first year BA(hons) Graphic Design, at Leeds College of Art.

1)    I would like to expand my understanding of manual processes (e.g screen print etc.)

2)    I will develop my overall understanding of Graphic Design as a practice and expand my context of practice skills.

3)    To become more confident in presenting and talking about my own work, in front of both small and large groups. 

4)    To discover and explore a range of new media and methods. 

5)    To further develop my knowledge of Adobe photoshop and Adobe Illustrator. 

6)    I would like to read further into the background of Graphic Design, as well as designers.

7)    Expand my illustration skills, and explore book publication and book covers.

8)    Keep my Blog up to date and detailed, documenting my work and research over the next year.

9)    Manage my time between more than one brief at once, as well as keeping on track of all Modules.

10)  Develop a structured working routine and organisation skills, as well as keeping all events tracked in a diary.