Time Planning

I've been able to effectively plan my time this term due to a series of printed calanders

Pros:
- Easy to balance different projects work, SU commitments, work and relaxation time
- Colour coding has given me a good chance to see an overview of how I'm spending my time, and allocate more to certain areas if necessary
- I've been able to take some more time out to spend with friends and family this year, and value it as much as work, which has given me a lot more grounded approach to my practice

Cons:
- I do sometimes get a 'shock' of how little time is left before deadlines, so I added little numbers to countdown the weeks
- I do still commit to taking on a bit too much in certain times, such as the SU, but I still feel I'm able to balance these activities by just leaning on another day to focus on areas
- I've been struggling to sleep recently, as a recurring issue, which means I often don't sleep until 6am or later, and so I wake up late. I've tried to timetable the tasks flexibly, so I don't feel behind when I get into uni later than I would have liked.

Screen printing tests

In order to loosen up my practice and try out some applications of my ideas, I tried a couple of quick screen prints:

Herb based print:

POSITIVES:

- Like the overlap, as it reveals different shapes and makes the pattern less literal, therefore more accessible

- Flexibility of design means it's versatile within the printing process, and for final application

- Use of negative space to create dynamic shapes

- Like the use and expansion of herbs to subtly show use as decoration

NEGATIVES:

- Really patchy coverage- didn't let the B-solve soak for long enough as was in a rush

- Too big images on each screen- smaller items may allow more interaction and space on the page

- Images seem too crammed onto the composition

WHAT NEXT?

- Try with different food stuffs

- Think about how to package which goods, what kinds of food should be included

- Try to create more rough cut paper to add more character

- Consider colour relationships thoroughly

'Box' food ideas:

POSITIVES:

- Like the interpretation of each food item

- Like the reflection of different item through shape and colour, and how recognisable they still are

NEGATIVES:

- Had to cut down colours used to save time in the print room 

- Also used one design taped up, so not very neat

- Colour choices were a bit rushed and don't reflect the vibrancy I want

- Might be a bit boring without overlap- what makes it different to a digital print?

- Don't think they would work too well as labels, as would only show a small aspect of the design

WHAT NEXT?

- Continue to develop herb based print, but with different stimuli

- Trial this design as a label to see

- Focus on colour!!

Draft essay

Draft Submission:

WHAT NEXT?

- Focus on practical work until I get feedback

- Take a step back, gain some perspective on the project and start with fresh eyes

- Complete some 603 work

Idea experimentation

I tried a few different placements and quick ways to work with the ideas- The first being the overlapping and harmony of different food stuffs, and the second separating and showing off each one individually

Composition investigation

Using some offcuts from the monoprinting, I played around with potential ways to create overlap and harmony:

WHAT NEXT?
- Develop the adjacent square idea through screen print- would be a good way to show the variety of items which could be held inside
- Like the use of overlap too- trial this through a natural placement?
- Negative space usage is a good way to draw attention to the space inside the receptical

Tutorial 5

Waste Sketchbook start

SELECTED PAGES:

INTENT:
- To document entirety of packaging waste from the 13th November until the end of the project
- To highlight how much waste I'm creating, and see how I can reduce this
- To find ways to document different packaging

THOUGHTS:
- I'm really excited to undertake this project, as I would like to grow my knowledge of how much waste I create
- I also am looking forward to drawing each day, as this is something I have often shied away from
- Over the past few days I've already noticed how conscious I've become over what products I buy to reduce waste

Monoprint experiments

Finally got into the print room to make some quick experiments to break out of my sketchbook:

POSITIVES:

- Really love the overlap of colours and tones

- Like the transition between cut paper and print 

- Colours work to show the fresh feel of the packaging, and stays away from the green cliché

- The use of negative space gives a strong placement on the page

NEGATIVES:

- Line work is quite patchy- could try screen print?

- Messy around the edges

- Would like more fluid, pleasing overlap

WHAT NEXT?

- Develop some more certain designs based on successes of this

- Try screen print to get neater, more professional outcomes

- Try playing with tracing paper to experiment with layout

- Really focus on colour and meaning before making finals

A-Side Studio

I found these designs for chocolate by A-Side Studio, which I really liked.

- Colour palette reflects the history of the origin of the chocolate
- Type and space on bottom of package unifies the set and makes them professional and ensures the design has room to breathe
- The multitude of colours works well to create a well controlled 'mood'
- The loose, organic shapes retains a handmade quality throughout

Development

I started playing with some of my texture and colours from last year, and focused on how I can investigate the theories I've been exploring:

POSITIVES:

- Really enjoyable to craft and play

- Feels like I've got some really good 'seeds' from which I can extract some strong designs later on

- Cut paper is really a media I enjoy using, and I would love to carry this aesthetic into my later designs, to continue a handmade feel

- Been able to use the colour based theories to develop bases to not 'clichéd' eco-friendly designs

NEGATIVES:

- Need to decide how they will work on a large scale- repeat pattern?

- How will they fit into labels- a lot of white space?

- Need to decide how colour work- show ideal colours of products or just 'fresh' colours?

WHAT NEXT?

- Experiment with quick media- Monoprint?

- Pin down the theories I want to visualise

- Explore different ideas then narrow down, so as to get a broad outcome

Tutorial 4

This was a good opportunity to really look at my essay before the draft submission, as well as an overall review of my project.

What next?
- Follow the reusable- how can this be maximised?
- Play with materials
- Think about how to apply theories learnt to practical work
- Need to develop introduction and reflective practice
- Clarify direction of essay

Miyuki Oshashi and Ashley Goldberg

MIYUKI OSHASHI:
- This loose, quick style is something I would like to emulate in order to improve my drawing skill
- This would work well in my waste sketchbook, to ensure I don't put an unreasonable expectation on myself for amount of time drawing each day
- I like the contrast of colours, as it highlights certain aspects and creates cohesion across the image

Miyuki Oshashi

ASHLEY GOLDBERG:
- The bold colours are a strong decision which strongly places emphasis on the varying amounts of each pigment
- The placement of texture and pattern ensures that there is playful character to the piece, and creates a relationship with the viewer
- The rough lines also ensure the hand of the painter is visible throughout

Ashley Goldberg

Peer review 1

This was a good way to get strong in depth feedback, some of which was very useful. I didn't have as much work as I would have liked to show, but it was still a useful experience

Feedback 1

Feedback 1

Feedback 2

Feedback 2

Context sheet

Main points:
- Choose a focus for practical aspect
- Experiment with media more
- Specific question which has a message
- Need to think about final outcomes
- Strong body of research