OUGD503 Self Evaluation - OUGD502

Responsive was by far my favourite module this year, I was able to take what I wanted and design it whatever way I saw fit to the brief. This way of working is how I would enjoy to see my practice head towards, either being able to pick and choose a brief or at least be able to take a brief relevant to my field of design and create it in my own way. The collaboration side of this module was pleasantly enjoyable, it managed to give me insight into the world of work through working with others that may not share the same design qualities as yourself. This meant that much more structure was needed in the organisation and time management of the project, it also meant taking into consideration the whole groups ideas. Overall I think that the projects I created for this brief I have managed to put the most effort into because I was able to enjoy them so much which meant pushing them all to their potential. Even if none of the projects get through the competitions I will not be downhearted as I have now seen a new world of design that I think would be very beneficial to my practice.

OUGD501 Self Evaluation - OUGD502

Going into Context of Practice 2 I struggled to decide on a theme. I went back and forth between ideas but finally landed on something I am very interested in. My practice is leaning back towards a more illustrative one so looking into comics was something I would be very interested in. The question had to be refined so that the topic could be put into a graphical context fit for my essay. In the end the question was Why is gender equality lacking within comics/graphic novels? I really enjoyed writing and researching this essay I gained many new insights into a more theoretical side of comic design. It was hard to gain some academic research based on around the issues within my essay in terms of pieces published on comics but it was possible to look into some interesting books. From this module I was able to look into and gain new information on a topic I already thought I was quite proficient in. This whole project has left me to consider multiple new skills and new theoretical elements within graphic design and illustration. I hope to consider this topic in more detail going into next year and maybe even branch into other topics that relate. This project I didn't actually produce anything physical but got a look into brand guidelines, I think if I were to carry on with something similar to this I would enjoy creating some physical outcomes.

Practical Response Development - OUGD502

As with all my projects it was hard to start out designing but after research and feedback I managed to come up with a final plan. I wanted to create a set of posters that could show off both my work and elements of Mignola's. Above is the development for the poster designs before I take them through to screen print, I have chosen to use this printing method as it reflects my love of traditional print and design whilst not over complicating the piece. I wanted the poster to look somewhat like a comic cover and to subtly incorporate some of Mignola's characters, the one above is Hellboy but I plan on mocking up a few more designs using some of his other characters.

Illustrated Report Feedback - OUGD502

I have no work to show for my practical outcome apart from a few rough sketches and illustration ideas. The only problem with the illustrations is that they are too similar to his own designs which people just thought seemed a bit pointless as a response. There wasn't much of my design within the work. The comic idea went down really well but after being questioned about the content or storyline as it were the idea seemed to fall apart. Originally I wanted to create a comic having my character The TimeKeeper and Mike's most well known character Hellboy walking along as Hellboy imparted knowledge from the interview as if it were one character teaching another about life. This just sort of seemed like it would drag as the characters would be walking along for too long with not much else going on. I suggested creating some screen printed posters as a series meaning it would relate to both my work using traditional methods and Mignola's work using inspiration from his characters. The only issue I had with this is that there would only be a practical response and would be hard to fit the entire interview in because Mike's answers were so long. There were suggestions that I take key parts from the interview and based the posters around this but I think that this would be too heavily based around the interview and no just around our work.

After the feedback the best method would be something crossed between the poster designs and some sort of booklet.

Illustrated Report Design Initial Ideas - OUGD502

I realised that from my initial research I was only looking into Mike Mignola's design and not into how this has informed my own practice. Over this year I have managed to produce many more projects using traditional methods and more experimental scarier designs. I would like this to be reflected within my report to show that I have changed and this interview has actually played a very strong part in this. I think I will look towards more of a traditionally printed method of design along with work relevant to Mignola. It is looking less likely for it to be possible to create a comic as the idea seems to boring, the comic would have nothing going on and way too much type. The booklet could have illustrations with Hellboy explaining briefly what Mike means from his long answers but this may be too time consuming to create. I will have to gain feedback to see what the best idea would be.

Lady Livid, Branding - OUGD502

A friend from home contacted me in regards to creating an identity for his up and coming band Lady Livid. Although this work has come from a friend and the band may not be top of the charts it is a project he is passionate about and he is managing to push really well so I was happy to help.

He had already mocked up some designs he wanted to see but I took a creative approach and experimented with a few different designs. He told me he enjoyed some of the designs but they already had a vision. I was fine to go along with this so set ahead with the designs he had given.

After creating these designs I had given some feedback explaining he needs to consider where this design will be displayed, what his target audience will want to see and how well will this work in the long run. He didn't really want to listen to any of this as he had his mind set on the design and this is what the band wanted, I did try and convince him again of all the elements he had to consider but he was stuck on one thing.

I took the design and changed it slightly for the album artwork just so that it had a bit more than just a basic gothic typeface mocked up by someone on word. I also added in some bonus material like a video intro and some t-shirt mockups. Hopefully he can keep this design throughout and if the band needs any brand or identity improvements he can come to me with confidence.

Lady Livid Intro from Joshua Storey on Vimeo.

Illustrated Report Research - OUGD502

Mike Mignola is very much a comic artist/writer. His sketches are definitely unique and therefore would be hard to create something based around illustration without completely copying his style. In the talk he gave for Creative Networks and Thought Bubble he admitted that he was exactly amazing at inking and in fact prefered to hire someone to do a better job. He is incredible at create a story though and immersing the the reader into the world the story is based around. From his interview it seems he does a lot of work based around what he wants to do, almost self initiated this is great inspiration knowing this can happen. The only problem is Mignola also said that he did have the experience before he could do anything self initiated but he always felt like he should enjoy the work so why would he do anything else.

Ideas for my Creative Report currently are to:

• Create a comic
• Create and illustrated journal using the questions
• Create a poster/poster series
• Create a small publication

From these ideas I will need to work on time management and organisation because some are quite ambitious in the time frame.

York Print Festival - OUGD502

York Print Fair was such a fascinating experience. This was the first year the fair has happened and it was set up by Jamie a tutor from Illustration at LCA. He managed to create such a brilliant event, the turnout was great, so many creatives turned up as well as members of the public and the space was incredible, although it was extremely hot. I had never been to York before and having this as my first experience was definitely a plus. I haven't been to many print fairs or any creative events like this until this past year, since doing so I have been able to expand my practice and create so many new contacts. A few friends from illustration had their own stall so I was able to gain some information about the fair when I entered. Another friend from Salford University also had a stall which was good to catch up and see some of his work in context. I spoke to many different creatives at the fair including a woman I was introduced to not long before the event by a classmate. I had a very long chat about her work, mine and about the creative world in general, she had just asked to collaborate with my friend from Salford and so I spoke about this with her and almost gave a little critique to help her practice. She was appreciative and just before I left I asked if she would come into our university to give a talk, she was really up for this asked for my name and gave me her contact details which I will be passing onto our tutors. 

Going to fairs like this has been so good for my practice, mainly it has boosted my confidence and lifted me from working solely behind a computer screen. I much prefer to have a chat about my work face to face and continue the conversation digitally until we can meet up again. Next time there is a fair I am hoping to put my work in to make sure I try something new and get my work out of a classroom and into the real world.