End of module self Evaluation - Design for print

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

In this module i have developed my knowledge of print processes, such as litho, flexo, screen printing, pad, gravure and letterpress, colour management, layout, typography, letterpress and research. I think i have effectively applied them by experimenting with layout designs, both on and off the computer, by researching things more in depth, like visiting an actual printing company, by using the correct colour modes when setting up and printing a document. I have learned new skills such as letterpress and a variety of colour modes and how to create images using methods like duotone, monotone, greyscale, RGB, CMYK and Spot colours. For example during the Colour4Print brief i learned how to set up documents in the appropriate colour mode and this has helped me to better my designs, as when i choose a colour i know its pretty much going to look the same once printed.

2. What approaches to generating work and solutions to problems have you developed and how have they helped?

I feel my research into printing processes was quite important as going to visit a printing company helped me to understand things such as costing, machinery, processes, stock and preparing documents to print. I feel that creating a plan of certain things such as what needs to be designed, printed, mocked up and developed has created more of a focus for my work and i feel i can undertake these things in an quick ordered manner.

3. What strengths can you identify in your work and how have/will you capitalise on these?

I think the strengths in my work for colour4print was my exploration of imagery available through drawing by hand instead of using the computer for all of my work. I think this hand made aspect helped me to understand colour more at a basic level as i was working hand on with it. I think another strength from the colour4print brief was my organisation of my work and methodical exploration of designing my imagery for my Double page spreads. For design4print i think my strengths were my final layouts for my leaflets front cover. At that stage in my project i found myself to be extremely focused and able to get things done at a much quicker pace. I also think that my ability to change my ideas so easily and adapt to new themes for my work is a strength as this shows flexibility and a willing to do what i need to do for my ideas/project to reach their full potential. I will capitalise on these strengths by taking my adaptability and determination into future projects and now i have a basic understanding of printing processes and colour management/models i can utilise these in future projects too, making my work more professional and more to industry level.


4. What weaknesses can you identify in your work and how could you exploit these more fully?

I think a weakness in my colour4print brief was my limited research, and i feel i could have looked into processes and colour modes in more detail. I also feel i could have explored more examples of each colour mode to choose final imagery that was maybe more interesting. In my design4print brief i feel my weaknesses were not making decisions quick enough and this caused a knock on effect into my designing process. I feel that i should have also got to know my target audience more at an earlier stage in my brief. I think if i did this it would have made my project progress at a much quicker rate and maybe my findings would be more substantial. I also think that my final products would probably have looked better photographed in context (with someone elderly actually interacting with my product) but due to lack of time management and organisation i didn't manage to do this.


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

1. Organise my ideas and aims earlier in the brief. I think this would lead to a better quality outcome as i would have more time available for experimentation, research and development.
2. Develop and experiment more with thumbnail sketches at an earlier time in the project so i can choose the best designs and create a more considered project.
3. I would like to explore the printing facilities more as i feel i didn't take full advantage of them and by doing this i would hope to have a deeper understanding of printing processes to apply to my work.
4. I would have interacted with my target audience to gain a better understanding of their problems and the way they think about certain things.
5. I would explore more ideas rather than just focusing in on one initial idea pretty much straight away as this would create a greater range of ideas available to choose from

6.How would you grade yourself on the following areas:

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