OUGD402 10 Examples of design that illustrate my creative interests

1.  Lana Del Rey - National Anthem

2. Naomi Shiek - Peonie Ketubah

3. Dieline - Student Spotlight: Botanic Flavours

4. ohsobeautifulpaper - Great Gatsby inspired wedding invitations

 

5. Designtaxi - Ben Johnston

6. Julene Harrison - papercut

 

7. Keith Baldock - artist/granddad

8. Theophile Steinlen - Le Chat Noir

9. Alfred Eisenstaedt - Nurses at Roosevelt Hospital

10. Amy Rader - Help Japan 2011

OUGD402 Things that inspire me

Packaging
Everytime I go food shopping I have to restrain myself from buying food just because it has nice packaging and remind myself I am a student now. I love looking through dieline, my package design books or just when I am shopping to admire and be inspired by packaging. I love that the designs have a use, and how illustration and type can be so emotive and persuasive. I particularly like food packaging, and I just find it really fascinating how each aspect is there for a reason. Packaging has so many constraints as there are many things that have to be included, such as a barcode, sell by date, ingredients, instructions, health and safety etc, and I find it impressive how designers overcome these by creating innovative and clever design. It is definitely an area of design I would consider after my degree. 

Lana Del Rey
I find her songs very emotive and I can relate to a lot of her music. I like to listen to the lyrics of her songs and involve the themes in my own work and thoughts. When I am doing my work I like to listen to her because the tone and theme of her songs are very relaxing and they help me focus.

Granddad
My Granddad is an artist and every weekend when I visitied him, he encouraged me to paint and have a good work ethic. He has taught me so many techniques including pastels and oil, and how to not give up when it doesn't go right first time. 

Papercutting
Papercutting is a technique that requires a lot of patience! I really enjoy doing this as I find it very therapeautic and although it takes a lot of effort to do, the end result is definitely worth it.  I also like the feedback I recieve as the designs are quite intricate and people are always interested in how they are made. It has given me confidence to see that papercutting is used by designers, on etsy and in packaging.

Naomi Shiek
Naomi is a papercut artist, and I follow her blog regularly as I love the technique and by looking at her work I understand how much can be achieved using the method. I become more determined to do my own papercutting after looking through this blog as they are something to aspire to. I think what inspires me the most about her is that she makes a living out of it, which is very encouraging because it shows it can be done, and is used in industry. I also like how honest her posts are because she seems very down to earth, and they are interesting to read.

OUGD402 Why am I here? What do I want to learn?

Why I chose to study at LCA

• Industry Oriented
• To have a constant flow of work
• To be able to use, and be encouraged to use the facilities
• Specialist art college - so I can be in a creative atmosphere
• To be fully prepared for wherever I want to go in industry
• To not only be able to design, but to understand the principles fully

What I want to learn at LCA

• How to use all of the printing methods
• How to set up as a freelance designer
• I want to know all about type
• To understand layout and grid systems thoroughly
• How to communicate with clients
• To be able to create some packaging
• Be more confident with my work
• Create an online portfolio
• Be able to use the Adobe Software
• How to be a good designer

  My strengths within Graphic Design

• Prioritising my work over everything else
• Being openminded to try new methods
• Thinking of ideas and concepts
• Hand produced design
• The theoretical and analytical aspect of Design

 
 Things I want to improve over the programme

• Drawing
• Patience
• To keep improving the quality of my work
• To become industry standard
• Becoming comfortable with blogging

  
 How will I evaluate my progress?

• Group crits
• Comparing recent work with my previous work
• Listening to feedback
• Tutorials
• Compare standard of my own work with that of current professional design

    
Questions I want to know the answer of throughout the programme

• What area of Design will I specialise in?
• If I decide to work for an agency, where should I go?