Reflection

Throughout the entirety of the Visual Communication and Design course for semester 1 I was taught new ways and techniques in creating and manipulating images. Through the guidance of software systems such as Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator, in changing and image from its original format for example changing an images colour through hue and saturation or the use of image tracing for example. These skills that I adapted to enabled me to then take on the next task on the agenda, this being Task 2.

Task 2 as quoted from the subject outline to “Visual Problem Solving (building upon skills from Task 1). Response to a design brief – studio based project. Conceptual (research, ideate, prototype, refine)” and finally come away with the skills to “• Show consistent and critical engagement with the subject matter. • Demonstrate use of media, materials and processes with skill. • Present work that is imaginative and innovative”. This task was both skill testing as well as very hands-on. Task 2 became a reflection on our skills in the various softwares and how we put all this into a practical booklet. A booklet that conveyed a monogram that we thought of, created and designed on illustrator. Two pieces of writing that showed in our setting for sense knowledge taught to us through weeks 9 and 10 through the InDesign software, including one of each typographic category i.e Grid, Text, Alignment and Signals, for example “Composition 1: Use of a two column Grid, Left aligned, 10pt on 13pt, Garamond, using Drop Capital.”  Lastly, the inclusion of a ransom quote thought up of from a designer or typographer.

This task has taught me not only the basics of the differences between Serif and Sans Serif and the various categories that are apart of typography to the fundamentals behind monograms and its design of letters that are made up of things such as initials or a brand-mark. This was not although easy, along the course of this task I found myself face challenges in which I required help and/or another opinion of how I was going about what I was up to in the task. For starters I struggled to really find a way to intertwine my initials (CQ) into a monogram that perceived this design and artistic look of letters put

 built together. With many trialled examples of thoughts and ideas such as shown in figure 1. I initially thought of something such as the C flowing into the Q to create an intertwined and artistic appearance about the image, but this did not convey any negative and positive spacing as required. Then I came up with technological looking design, the C next to the Q. This logo still conveyed a sense of connectivity with the letters and I knew I could then use a negative and positive spacing. Next was whether I wanted a shield like box around the logo. This quickly was a ditched attempt from peer opinion and my unsure attitude towards it. To finally settle of the monogram in which is included in my booklet. My next struggle point was the ability to find letters that went with the colour scheme I wanted for my ransom quote. I had to search through around 10 magazines finding the perfect letters for my chosen quote of “Don’t mistake legibility for communication” by David Carson. Then once this was overcome the way in which I would display them on the A4 piece of paper. This had to be a stacked form with the words flowing down the page together. These were the three trails I made.

 

Skills and knowledge in which I have been able to take forward due to this task is the understanding of how type works and the meaning of a message through its type. The ability to understand the technicality between monograms that company’s themselves use. Most importantly the software skills involved in design. I have gone from knowing absolute basic in changing and editing a photos colour and brightness etc to now being able to completely change and manipulate letter forms and images to a better or more interesting format. I enjoyed this course greatly as I was able to gain more in-depth knowledge on softwares I have always wanted to work with.