Reflections on tutor feedback Section 4
I think it is fair to say that this may not have ben my strongest section, possibly because I felt more constrained by the ‘conventions’ of typography. Although I may have made assumptions about there being a right way to do typography. Reflecting on my tutor’s feedback and my work I was less playful and experimental than I have been in other sections. Ironically, I actually enjoyed this section more than I thought I would and feel like I had to learn the conventions before I could start to break them or play with them.
My tutor acknowledged this, ‘you’ve clearly tried to get to grips with the conventions of typography, and where you’ve started to challenge these conventions, the results have been stronger.’
Feedback on the projects is very helpful and I can absolutely recognise the strengths and weaknesses that are highlighted. The suggestions for developments in taking some of the work forward are useful:
- Taking the digital work back into analogue in the visual world
- Building on the hand drawn quality of anatomy of typeface
- Developing the quotes in different typeface
- Reviewing the use of typefaces and developing more options in the posters
My tutor highlights a useful point in the typesetting/hierarchy project that my layouts ‘were functional but lacking in you’re your usual spark.’ I think this is true and is probably because I felt more constrained by what the outcomes ‘should’ look like. His observation that I am probably more interested in design that is more visually dynamic is very true. I did feel like I needed to learn some of the rules before I was confident enough to look at breaking them. Recommendations to look at the work of other designers who are more free and easy in their treatment of typography is incredibly helpful.
Feedback on the assignment is very clear and fair, and recognises that working on two designs was a good way for me to develop my ideas. The comment on the minimalist version moving more towards a different format, like a series of cards, is interesting and something I might think about with other work. It was nice to read that he felt with the minimalist version that,
“This was an interesting idea and the relationship between the form and content are playing against each other very well.”
I am pleased that the use of white space seemed to work and recognise that as I worked more on the design there was a danger that I started to fill the space I had originally created. My tutor suggests:
“Perhaps think about where else grey and red can be placed to add dynamic but without diluting your intentions.”
Developing the other design further by thinking about a more 80s print aesthetic is an interesting idea and something I can explore. It is encouraging to have feedback that suggests my more playful approaches and drawings work and can be an acceptable part of my design practice. It was good to know that,
“The subsequent designs do take an 80s turn, and while these designs are very simple, you have managed to capture something of the era in the colours and layouts.”
I will develop my sketchbook work further and note the research points. I had looked at vernacular and protest typography but this may not have been clear on my learning log as it is under the research section.
The concluding pointers for the final assignment are really helpful ad I will keep them in mind.
“The final part of the course focuses on layout by exploring how to design leaflets, flyers and posters. This is an opportunity to continue to understand the ‘rules’ of graphic design, but also for you to bring some of your playfulness in how you challenge these conventions. Tackling projects with more than one starting point works for you, so keep this approach going.”
I also have some useful references to follow up (I love the idea of finding kindred spirits!):
- Phil Baines
- Jamie Reid
- Aesthetic Apparatus
- Ed Fella
- Peter Blake’s album covers ( I had looked at some of these but am happy to follow them up further)
- Allie Brosh
- Richard Littler
This was an interesting section in that in many ways it felt very familiar, I regularly write reports so working with hierarchies and different typefaces is not new to me. I definitely learnt a lot about the development and conventions of typography and think I possibly imposed some self-limiting constraints that were not necessary. It is good to see the work of other designers that is very free in its typographic treatment. Ironically, I actually quite enjoyed this section definitely got a lot from it, I was nervous it would be very technical but think I had started to find my own way of working with the conventions.
