Concept Development.
Task 8:
This week's research task is about having fun and being extra creative in the project. The important thing is not to limit ourselves and take breaks from working on the computer. We are encouraged to go for a walk, look around, read, and take pictures because inspiration can come from many places. The main goal is to develop different design ideas and theories to ensure your project is well-supported academically.
Learning Objectives:
LO1: Research — Select and deploy appropriate research methodologies to inform the needs within a project.
LO4: Distil — Position a creative strategic insight that has been distilled and refined through an informed investigation.
LO5: Imagine — Deliver appropriate and innovative ideas that embrace risk, have contemporary relevance and question the boundaries of the discipline.
LO6: Make — Select and utilise relevant tools, skills and technologies in the delivery, iteration and sustainable production of an outcome.
LO7: Collaborate — Demonstrate inclusive and empathetic strategies to plan and execute a project across distributed collaborative situations.
LO8: Design — Realise a final solution that evidences its strategic journey and clear relationship between form and function.
LO9: Communicate — Communicate effectively in a range of contexts and situations to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
Designers’ Design Concepts & Theories:
This week's research task is about exploring different design ideas and theories to strengthen my project academically. Thus, I started researching three other design theories and how they relate to my project. First, I started diving into Design and Typography, looking at essential people like Jan Tschichold, who did cool stuff with modern typography, and Paul Rand, famous for making logos and influencing the whole design field. I briefly looked into their work, which inspired my way of thinking and concept development within my type.
Then, I looked into Narrative Design, where I tell stories; Joseph Campbell, an intelligent mythologist, is a big deal. His ideas about heroes and storytelling helped me build a good foundation for the story I wanted my project to give. I believe that every project I design has a tale to tell.
I also started checking out the Psychology of Design, where Donald Norman, a brain expert, talks a lot about how people interact with designs. And Rudolf Arnheim helps us understand how design can affect people's thoughts and feelings. Thinking about these experts is vital as I explore and build on my project's ideas and conception. I gained a lot of insights learning about these different designers' design theories.
Jan Tschichold
Joseph Campbell
Donald Norman
Intended Outcomes:
Typographic Zine
Archival Cards + Guess Cards
Website (not live)
Set of Posters
Editing the prints:
Final Edited Prints:
Process of creating type:
Final Typeface Prints:
Zoomed in:
Final Glyphs:
Initial Colour Themes:
Archival Cards:
Process Videos:
Failed “Back” Trials:
Failed “Front” Trials:
Final Card Designs:
Website Design:
Process Video:
Failed Trials:
Website Final Design:
Case Studies:
Wouter Dirks, Studio Dumbar:
I learned essential steps for practical design concepts from Wouter Dirks' talk. Start with a strategic debrief to match ideas with client goals. Keep researching to stay updated and adaptable. Team brainstorming, including interns, brings fresh ideas. Wouter's approach focuses on being strategic, collaborative, and client-centered for impactful design concepts. As I didn't work with clients as much, listening to him made me look at my chosen brief and treat the brief requirements as a client's.
Stijn van de Ven, Eden Spiekermann:
I picked up two helpful design tips from Stijn van de Ven and Eden Spiekermann's talk that changed my work. First, they suggested a quick sketching method, spending an hour just creating without overthinking. Second, they advised writing down ideas before starting to design. These methods guided my design process and sparked lots of ideas quickly. Stijn and Eden's insights taught me the importance of early separation of the creation and evaluation stages and how writing can make designs more efficient and creative.
Contextual Research:
Morag Myerscough:
Morag Myerscough talks about making places colorful and being okay with not knowing everything. She shares how using bright colors can change spaces. Watching the video, I learned that colors can transform designs, and it's good to be open to new ideas, even if things are uncertain. Her talk encouraged me to choose a risky colour palette and explore the power of colours without fear.
Alan Fletcher:
" The Art of Looking Sideways" by Alan Fletcher is a cool book that's all about being creative and looking at things in a different way. It's full of stories, pictures, and ideas that make you think differently. Since my uni days, Fletcher's work, especially this book, has been a big inspiration for me. His mix of cleverness and creativity changed how I see design and problem-solving. This book taught me to approach challenges with curiosity and a different way of thinking, finding inspiration in unexpected places. Fletcher inspires me, reminding me of the awesome power of thinking outside the box and embracing creativity in everything.
Carl Kleiner:
Carl Kleiner's work is known for its innovative approach to visual storytelling and design. His unique ability to collect and imbue ordinary objects with meaning and identity has been a significant inspiration for my design ideas. In particular, I was captivated by how Kleiner transforms everyday objects, like a cake, into a compelling narrative through data visualization. Kleiner's work made me see the beauty in simple things and how paying attention to details can turn the ordinary into something extraordinary. His creative approach encouraged me to look at design with a fresh perspective, finding value in the small stuff and presenting it amazingly. Kleiner's knack for turning everyday things into extraordinary designs has really stuck with me and shaped how I approach my design concepts.
Self-Reflection:
This week has been incredibly challenging in every aspect. I struggled and felt overwhelmed, almost like I was at a breaking point. I've never encountered such a sense of loss and hopelessness with a project before. Despite being unwell, I found a way to pull myself out of the creative rut I had fallen into. While I couldn't produce as much work as I had hoped due to my illness, I was satisfied with the outcome of the typeface. However, I couldn't help but feel that there was more I could have done and that I could have pushed myself further. I wanted to experiment, make mistakes, and try different approaches, but time constraints prevented me from allowing myself that luxury. Instead, I had to compel myself to embrace and appreciate what I created, even if it wasn't perfect. This experience made me realize that I can't have everything I desire, but I can learn to accept and make the most of what I have.
