End of module Evaluation of Design production: Digital

BA (Hons.) GRAPHIC DESIGN LEVEL 05
Module Code OUGD202
Module Title DESIGN PRODUCTION - DIGITAL




END OF MODULE SELF-EVALUATION


NAME Lisa Whitaker




1. What skills have you developed through this module and how effectively do you think you have applied them?


Although I had a brief introduction to After effects last year for Speaking from experience, I embraced the Mac tutorials and did not try to run before I could walk. I kept the five second silent movies quite simple, using techniques Mike had shown us. One of the most useful techniques was copying paths from Illustrator, particularly effective using the spiral path. Also the significance of different types of key frames ie linear and hold frames contributed. This gave me the confidence to explore more advanced techniques for the second brief such as 3d layers, cameras, lights and using different types of layers to create effects.
I feel comfortable in After Effects and have also learnt some new Illustrator and Photoshop techniques along the way. I have also learnt the importance of storyboarding, frames per second and planning. The key to success with After Effects is methodical file organisation. I feel I have fully utilised what I have learned in After Effects and the other workshops; part from falling down with the storyboarding for the Top ‘10’ and also not having time to analyse the final sequence Post production.


2. What approaches to/methods of design production have you developed and how have they informed your design development process?
The detailed timeline storyboards produced for the five second silent movie assisted with key framing the sequence. Using ‘markers’ in after effects especially along the sound track assisted with making the moving image running in time. Also once set up it avoided having to keep returning to the key frames in the sequence.
Importing Photoshop and layers was integral to the whole top ten sequence and deciding whether to retain layers sizes was also a key decision.
As mentioned above file organisation and also naming conventions were crucial to the success of the Design production. Keeping all the album sequences as separate composition enabled me to create several nested compositions and also take this and experiment with 3D layers and cameras.




3. What strengths can you identify in your work and how have/will you capitalise on these?
Pushing the boundaries of what we were taught in 2d to discover more advanced techniques in 3d meant I achieved a more polished finished result.
I managed to keep on track with the action plan i set on 25th January which meant I achieved the burnt disc for the SHow and Tell on the 7th.




4. What weaknesses can you identify in your work and how will you address these in the future?


I would have liked the Design concept to have a more experimental feel. I think because of the time constraints the outcome is quite literal ie the Album covers. I think if I had spent more time earlier in the research (ie at Xmas) developing the concept I would have been better prepared to run with it earlier in the process.
I focussed on getting across the context as opposed to the actual Graphics and titles which is apparent with the weak finish to the sixty seconds. Focus on this first before the full sequence.






5. Identify five things that you will do differently next time and what do you expect to gain from doing these?


1. Make more time to storyboard to achieve a more considered outcome


2.Be realistic about what can be achieved in the time, the outcome may be simpler but can meet all the requirements of the module


3. Resist the urge to learn too many new techniques and learn how to apply the simpler ones more effectively.


4. Try not to leave printing to two days before the deadline!At least i now have a back up (Rossington Street)if James is not in again.  It will give me time to refine the design/layout and print again to achieve a better finish.


5.










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 5 
Punctuality x 5
Motivation x  4
Commitment x 4
Quantity of work produced 3
Quality of work produced  4
Contribution to the group  4


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.