Extended Practice / Module Evaluation

Extended Practice has been an exigent and dynamic module that has given me an insight into my specialism through a variety of briefs. This allowed me to determine which briefs worked well and which did not, through analysis and evaluation. The briefs varied in scale, meaning I gained experience with working with shorter, fast paced projects, alongside projects which took 6 months. 

Diligent time planning  ensured the projects ran smoothly especially when some of them overlapped, although there were many things out of my control that resulted in me having to think on my feet and adapt; such as professional services not printing samples in time, or content not being sent by the client for long periods of time. This allowed me to gain knowledge in planning ahead and being prepared. This is a skill that can be taken forward for industry, as there will be times where I will be working on multiple projects in the future. 

The module demanded skills within problem solving, such as when things did not go to plan, for example within the Ceramics brief. Many prototypes broke, which resulted in me having to discuss new ideas on how to approach the next set to try and produce something successful. This also included problem solving within other editorial briefs, for example producing the publications and considering stock, binding and other treatments to ensure all error was avoided. Experience with this is helpful for after graduation, when things may go wrong or not work, and I must approach the brief in new and more effective ways to generate a successful resolution in the end. 

Research and contact/communication was another crucial aspect within Extended Practice. A lot of briefs needed primary research and contact from other sources, for example contacting sources for the research brief, conducting surveys and research to establish aims/goals/things to avoid and contacting potential collaborators. This was especially apparent within Brief 05, when I needed external collaboration in terms of producing content for the magazine, and Brief 09 when conducting research and testing the successfulness of the branding resolution. These skills can be taken forward after university, as communication and contact is always a beneficial skill to have within the creative industry. 

Throughout extended practice I feel I have attempted to produce resolutions that are as professional as possible, whether that be through professional printing services or ensuring effort and time was put into producing high quality design resolutions. As a result I have predominantly been proud of the projects I have completed for the module, and feel they have allowed me to explore editorial design to a greater depth, along with other design practices such as branding and identity, another area which I am interested in. 

The module has also allowed me to discover an aspiration in producing my own magazine, something I have been wanting to do in the future, and allowed me to put this into practice in it’s first stages. Demon Magazine has become a passionate project of mine that I hope can be explored further and developed again after university to hopefully become successful in the future. 

Overall I am proud of the effort put into Extended Practice and feel I have evolved as a designer, communicator and creative thinker, and will hopefully be able to translate these skills I have gained into the industry next year.

Up Yer Sleeve / Evaluation

The Up Yer Sleeve brief was a live brief conducted by Cameron Wolfe, who aimed to exhibit a selection of submissions of redesigned record sleeves by artists who have passed away, in place of Secret 7” who did not go ahead this year. 

The brief was very short and straightforward, and much like previous years of designing for Secret 7”, involved a lot of freedom to really create whatever you wanted. Due to receiving a song by Architects who are my favourite band, there was a lot of emotions for the song which helped me create resolutions with reference to lyrics and concept. 

Skills that were utilised were concept generation, and experimental abstract resolutions that fit with my personal design style. I felt that I produced something very ‘myself’ that could possibly be detected by looking at it. 

This brief took a lot less time than originally planned out, providing a refreshing journey to a fast resolution.  

Up Yer Sleeve / Final Sleeve

The final resolution reflects the idea of losing faith and abandoning it, as depicted through the broken cross. Through research into Architects album artwork and songs, the concept of “broken cross” was also applied, a song from Lost Forever Lost Together. Architect’s overall stance is quite atheistic and serious, so this concept works well with their discography and looks effective

and striking. 

Up Yer Sleeve / Developments

For development two concepts from the initial ideas/lyrics were explored, since this brief is relatively short and sweet, it is good to expand on both avenues as much as possible to determine the correct and most effective resolution.  

“DISINTEGRATE”

Development began by exploring visual concepts of disintegration, i.e dust, fading. The lyric was distorted to also reflect the word. The feeling overall is one of loss, desperation and as though things are dissolving infront of you. 

“GOD KNOWS I LOST ALL MY FAITH”

This second concept was also developed. This lyric was very poignant, and reflects the feeling of losing one’s faith when something terrible happens, of course, this was related to Tom’s struggle with his illness, and the feeling of losing his faith in God. The idea was to communicate the symbol of God being broken, and lost, and also combining this with the same ‘disintegrating’ effect. 

The use of the colour purple refers to God himself, as this is regarded as a holy colour as found within research. It is the colour of trust and faith, and shown here it is becoming taken over by black, and broken up by the darkness.

Up Yer Sleeve / Initial Ideas

Initial ideas began by taking the research into the lyrics of the song, and applying them to potential concepts. A mindmap helps to visualise your thoughts and organise them into possibilities which can be developed. 

The idea of communicating sickness through the design was firstly appealing due to the raw emotions within the song, but I personally felt uncomfortable with this as Tom’s death was very upsetting, and it was felt that it shouldn’t be the focal point of the design. 

The song communicates a sense of nothingness, which could be explored through darkness, block colour or space.

The ideas that really stood out were ‘disintegration’ and ‘losing faith’, as it was felt that these could really be explored and communicated through abstract ideas and concepts to form a unique and impactful design that not only reflects Gone With The Wind but Architects as a band. 

Up Yer Sleeve / Research

The song allocated to me was Architects - Gone With The Wind. Architects are my favourite band, and unfortunately in Summer 2016, Tom Searle, the guitarist, passed away due to a 3 year battle with skin cancer. 

Gone With the Wind is a song that tells of a struggle with hope, faith and the thought of passing on. Tom was the main songwriter for Architects, and many of the lyrics are political, and also personal to his own struggle over the past several years. The lyrics therefore are personal, and show a lot of emotion. The song almost describes the feeling of losing hope and giving up, going with the wind. 

Research began with analysing the lyrics within the song, to pull out potential concepts. The song is rife with thought provoking lyrics.

“Disintegrate, annihiliate me”

“God knows I lost all my faith”

“I’ll get the hell that I deserve”

“A sickness with no remedy” 

“Hope is a prison” 

Gone With the Wind is from the album All Our Gods Have Abandoned Us. Research was conducted into the album artwork for this record, which shows an ellipsis with smudged black shadows around it. This was interpreted as darkness, covered up by the light. Architect’s other artworks were also researched to form an overall feel for how their artwork reflects the music. There is lots of dark tones and distressed treatment, something which should be  communicated within the resolution. 

Up Yer Sleeve / Brief

BACKGROUND

Unfortunately, Secret 7” did not go ahead this year, but Cameron Wolfe saved the day by organising a similar submission brief, titled Up Yer Sleeve, exhibiting 7” vinyls of songs by artists who have passed away. 

BRIEF

Create an effective and striking record sleeve design for Architects - Gone With The Wind. 

CONSIDERATIONS

Consider the use of the resolution. The design needs to be dynamic as it will be displayed amongst other entries in an exhibition. Dissect the song to fully understand the themes and generate appropriate responses. 

DELIVERABLES

7” Record sleeve design. 

Extended Practice / Statement of Intent

During the course of Extended Practice I plan to produce a variety of work, manly focusing on editorial and brand identity in order to explore the prospect of these areas being my specialisms for after university.

I will create a time plan to be as organised as possible, making it easier to complete projects by planning ahead. 

During Extended Practice I aim to create my own magazine as part of a brief, through research into potential niches and gaps in the market, and see if this can take route after the module is over. 

I plan to increase my confidence and skills within communication and contacting individuals for research and connections.