Photography introduction

Aperture - The amount of light that passed through a camera during the opening of a camera. This is shown by 'f-number' - the larger the number, the smaller the lens opening.

Shutter speed - How fast or slow the shutter is when taking an exposure. The faster the shutter speed, the more clear whereas, the slower the shutter speed, the more blurred the image will be in a fast moving image.

ISO - The sensitivity of the camera to the light - can be adjusted to be higher or lower to the sensitivity of light.

Exposure - An image.

Depth of field - The distance between the nearest and farthest object. 

Experiments:

This was taken using a slower shutter speed, making it look blurred as it was fast moving. The aperture was on 11 so that less light was coming through the camera.

For this image, I modified the camera to higher shutter speed to capture a fast moving object but to make it look still.  The aperture was on 11 so that less light came in as it was bright outside.

I'm not entirely sure if I took the images properly as I've never done any type of photography work but I hope I will learn more during my design practice. 

Self Branding idea

When working in groups to come up with some ideas, Stephen, a course mate suggested that I should use 'She'. He explained that it fits in well for me since the first three letters of my first name are SHE and also as I am female. In the production of the self branding, he said that I should write 'She is...' then a list of facts of who I am and what I like.

As we went around in pairs to talk to different people for new ideas for our self branding, someone suggested to me that since I like packaging, I should create a box inside of a box, inside of a box and so on... I would have a few boxes until you reach the last one, you'll be able to see my business card plus a little gift such a tea bag or miniature ornament.

On the very first box, it would say 'SHE is...' and then on the rest of the box lids, it would have a little fact about me or something that I like. For example on one, I could put 'a massive tea drinker'. I thought this idea was very clever and interesting. Since I also quite like pattern design, I could put a new pattern on each box.

He said he was inspired by Megan Sheerin's business card below. I thought it was a very clever/smart to use the words from your name to identify/brand yourself in a different way.

Why am I here? - What do I want to learn?

Identify and explain 5 reasons why you chose to study on this course

• When I had my interview, I thought the staff were really friendly and had a wide knowledge of different areas of Graphic Design as they had different expertise. 
• The university is based in Leeds which is a big city and is quite close to home.
• It is a specialist design school so I know that there will be a lot of experience I can gain and it may look better on a job opportunities in the Graphic Deign field.
• The amount of available facilities means I could create almost anything.
• I've always found Graphic Design interesting in school and it was the only thing I've ever wanted to pursue onto and wanted to develop the interest further.

Identify and explain 5 things that you want to learn during your time on the course

• Develop knowledge such as theories and the history of design so the information will be useful and common sense for me in the future.
• Learn how the design industry works so I know how to get clients and contacts.
• Develop skills in technology softwares or physically by hand such as drawing and screen printing as this is essential.
• How to interact with clients as I would need this skill in my job.
• Presenting my work so I show clients or during job opportunities in a confident way.

Identify and explain 5 things that you think are your strengths

• I've always used Photoshop in Graphic Design so I am quite confident with the software.
• I am a very punctual person so I rarely absent or late at university or in general. 
• I am an honest person so I tell you my honest opinions.
• Always determined to finish what I start because its an accomplishment.
• I am very focused in my studies as I want to learn as much as possible. 

Identify and explain 5 things you would like to improve

• Time management - when I'm given too much work, I get stressed out because I panic about what needs to be completed first.
• Software skills such as Illustrator and InDesign since I have rarely used them before.
• Drawing skills as I am not a confident drawer.
• Presenting techniques as I am also not confident at presenting myself and my work.
• Not taking the critiques too personally because not everyone is going to like my work and it lets me improve further.

Identify and explain 5 things that inspire you

• Friends & family because I always have their support.
• Music as it can change how I feel and help me concentrate in design work.
• Books as it is a form of escapism. 
• Posters/advertisements because they can really affect the way I think and/or feel. 
• Pinterest because you can find all sorts of creative and fun ideas.

Identify 5 examples of design that demonstrate your fields of creative interest

 

I've always had an interest in packaging design because sometime I think packaging looks boring and when it can look much more creative and interesting. I also like simplistic pattern design because it looks elegant and simple just by adding colour or changing the placement/rotation.

Presenting my future PPP self - Where I see myself in 10 years

'Where do you see yodel in 10 years?'

What is your title?

Graphic designer (specialising in packaging).

Where do you work?

Working in America or London for an agency specialising in packaging design, having worked at agencies first to gain experience and recognition to get there.

What sort of set up are you in?

A small studio of specialist designers or myself as the packaging specialist within a larger design team.

Where do you live?

Living in New York or Los Angeles – America or in London - in the city.

What is your proudest personal and professional achievement so far?

Professional - Have an established portfolio of internationally recognised work and an extensive range of industry contacts to collaborate with. 

Personal - Have a dog.

Modern Magazine 2015

Simon, our tutor filled us in about an event he went to recently called 'Modern Magazine 2015', it includes different editors that use different platforms for their magazine whether that's made using traditional print methods or the use of websites.

David Lane/The Gourmand "A manifesto for a magazine"
He said that food is the universal language of the world.
Collaborated with Monotype Type Foundry where they produced a type exclusively for The Gourmand called 'Gourmand Grotesque 777 & 888'.

Andrew Tuck "How to reflect a print brand in audio"

Monocle podcast became popular as they uploaded one each month, then weekly, and now daily.

He didn't want his podcast advertisements to contradict or dilute his brand/reputation.

Grashia Gabelmann/Flaneur "Inside a unique editorial process"
A different magazine in each city. The magazine is launched on the street that each of the articles are based upon. They do an 'Unprintable' section on their website which consists of videos and audio.

Sophie Lovell/Uncube "Adapting the print experience online"

Purely digital magazine about architecture. The magazine uses skeuomorphism which some people may disagree with because it should use the elements of digital instead of imitating a real life physical magazine.

James Fairbank/Rapha "Transferring Rapha's brand content from digital to print"

Used to fund a magazine called 'Rouleur' but does no longer as their adverts contradicted Rapha's beliefs. They now have their own magazine called 'Mondial' which is funded by themselves, Rapha. I really like the simplicity and the colour use of this editorial as it looks simple and minimalistic but elegant at the same time.

Ibrahim Nehme/The Outpost "Can a magazine change the world?"

"Tear down this wall" - A sticker in which you put on someones desk or table if they say you cannot do something. This, I found very motivating as I feel like people should support others rather than be negative. It also makes you want to prove to the people who have wronged you that you are capable.