OUGD406 | Studio Brief 04 - Brief analysis and idea generation and plan

Studio Brief 4 offers us a fun opportunity to reflect on our first year of university and create a practical response to this which would ease the university transition for first years. As I found university particularly difficult to begin with, I feel I will enjoy the opportunity to pass on advice. The brief itself is rather open and I plan to define my own brief as I decide what I want to create. Obviously the target audience is first years, I just need to decide what I would like to communicate. 

As the brief states, the work can be either a "statement, comment, observation or piece of advice". I will consider all of these approaches when designing my work and considering a concept. 

I feel that it is most appropriate to focus on the difficulties I experienced as a new student, to help prevent first years from experiencing the same. There are so many subjects I could base my practical work on but here is a list of subjects I came up with inside and outside of uni.

OUTSIDE LCA

-Cooking

-Money

-Food Shopping

-Night out

-Social aspects/developing friendships

-Living away from home

-Student accommodation

-Getting your first house/second year accommodation 

-Homesickness?

-Places to visit 

INSIDE LCA (COURSE)

-Making friends

-Understanding the resources

-Understanding the course structure

-Developing a Graphic Design understanding e.g. type, grids

-How to approach a brief

-Organisation

-Blogging

For me personally outside of uni I found developing friendships the most difficult as you meet so many people. I was unfortunate enough to meet more people that I didn't click. It was also a big challenge to live with strangers. I have also found money difficult due to the amount of student finance I receive. I have learned ways to save money and do cheap food shops so perhaps I could pass on this advice?

In terms of the course, at first I found it very confusing especially the module codes and the whole structure of the course confused me. Once I understood it, it seemed far more simple than it did at first. I was also completely unsure of what was expected of me and the standard that everyone else was at, which was scary at first! I did not complete my first few briefs as effectively because of this, once I learned how to break down a brief this became far more clear. 

This afternoon I have been brainstorming my first few ideas based on my own reflection of the year. A few of the ideas I came up with today include creating a uni resources guide, so first years can learn early on how to make the most of what the college has to offer. Also, a module guide. Personally I found the module codes and blog labelling very confusing at first, so perhaps a poster explaining each one would be helpful. Another idea involves a step by step on how to tackle a brief. As for students who may have not experienced an art course before, it can be quite challenging to understand what is expected and what will earn marks.

Brainstorming Ideas

During this brief I really want to showcase what I have learned and be more adventurous with my materials and production methods. In particular I would like to try foiling, so I aim to find a way to fit this appropriately into my work. I also want to be more experimental with stock and maybe consider more colour choices. As I do not have time to print a mock-up, I plan to visit the print room prior to my booked print slot and ask for advice on whether my printing method will be successful. 

Potential Materials and Production Methods

PLAN

As I am about to go on a break for easter, and all my deadlines are the week back, I feel it is very important to plan ahead to ensure my work will be completed in time. So I have created a basic plan to ensure I complete this brief in time -