Monday, 28 February 2011
Wednesday, 16 February 2011
End of module Evaluation
1. What skills have you developed through this module and how effectively have you applied them?
This has been an extremely intense module in the sense of learning new skills. Of course these are specific to screen based work and is generally to do with After effects software. I feel I have learnt a great deal with the soft ware as it was a case of starting from scratch and as the module progressed as did my comfort in after effects. I think I struggle in remembering specific things about software etc and have learnt for me it is very important to write down everything learnt on the day so that I have something always to go back to. This has proven particularly important in this project.
When directly analysing the work I have produced this module I feel this learning curve previously explained is very apparent. In the silent movie brief I was quite scared to get the solution wrong which meant the work therefore was hindered and kept very basic. Similarly, at the start of the title sequence project, I wanted to work everything out on after effects and make sure I could actually do it which therefore stopped me from being a designer (story boarding, working through a process, playing with ideas on paper). After a very helpful crit I pin pointed where I was going wrong and started from scratch and realised the design potential for motion graphics. Even if I couldn't make it move, the design and ideas are more important for a Graphic design. This then eased me into after effects again with anticipation as opposed to fear.
The final title sequence and i-dents produced have been tried and tested, they are an outcome of a large thought process which means they are more appropriate and seem to work a lot better than any original thoughts/work produced on the software. Although there are many things to improve on I feel satisfied that I have found some life long skills and a better working routine.
2. What approaches to methods of research have you developed and how have they informed your design development process?
I Feel I have faltered in this field of my work. Although I did a lot of contextual research into other sequences produced and ideas for packaging different style, I have a lack of work/ research into the actually subject of my project. I feel this is due to my need to learn after effects over my need to have all the info possible on sea creatures. Of course I have some, and this is documented on through my context/practice blogs but I could have benefitted visually from a lot more of this.
3. What strengths can you identify in your work and how have/will you capitalise on these?
I think my work is suitable for its audience (11-14's, those who watch cbbc.) I feel I have not over complicated the sequence and i-dents, kept them simple and not added too many assets so they don't seem too busy.
I think my work has benefited from my improved time management as I have made sure I have been in Uni until work has been completed.
I feel I did well in the packaging design and again it suits the audience and is consistent with the sequence design.
4. What weaknesses can you identify in your work and how will you address these more fully?
Eventually I managed to start producing workable story boards but this was a struggle initially. I feel I get anxious and want to start designing immediately on the software rather than thinking through exactly what I want to design.
Although I did a lot of work on type and working out which was most appropriate, I don't feel I used this as effectively as possible through the animated sequences. of course there is always more to work on and I feel this is something I would put more consideration into.
I have been constantly uploading to my blog but I have not been constantly Analysing everything I have been putting on my practice and context blogs. This is fine for me but of course is not obvious what my direction is if I don't write about it. I will have to improve on this for my next module and should imagine writing up what I want to say as soon as I post a blog will help a lot with this process.
5. Identify five things that you will do differently next time and what do you expect to gain from doing these?
1.Do what I am told... initial ideas, design process and experimenting on paper is very important and not to be forgotten.
2. Blogging - although improved from my last project I feel I could definitely work on the analysis of work through out a project on my blog.
3. Don't be afraid to design. I need to realise that it is not about the software but ideas and creating something I like the look of is a good thing.
4. more experimentation with ideas. I feel I stuck with a similar concept throughout and need to learn the importance of trying and testing and failing so trying something completely different. If I do this earlier on in a project I will only benefit from it.
5. Visually experimentation. Similar to no. 4. I don't think I full explored the depths of visuals I could and this is something to realise for next time.
All in all I feel I learnt a lot, Worked to a good pace (eventually) and feel relaxed on the day of hand in which has never happened before. There are always improvements to be made but I feel I have realised where I went wrong and can only get better. An interesting module.
This has been an extremely intense module in the sense of learning new skills. Of course these are specific to screen based work and is generally to do with After effects software. I feel I have learnt a great deal with the soft ware as it was a case of starting from scratch and as the module progressed as did my comfort in after effects. I think I struggle in remembering specific things about software etc and have learnt for me it is very important to write down everything learnt on the day so that I have something always to go back to. This has proven particularly important in this project.
When directly analysing the work I have produced this module I feel this learning curve previously explained is very apparent. In the silent movie brief I was quite scared to get the solution wrong which meant the work therefore was hindered and kept very basic. Similarly, at the start of the title sequence project, I wanted to work everything out on after effects and make sure I could actually do it which therefore stopped me from being a designer (story boarding, working through a process, playing with ideas on paper). After a very helpful crit I pin pointed where I was going wrong and started from scratch and realised the design potential for motion graphics. Even if I couldn't make it move, the design and ideas are more important for a Graphic design. This then eased me into after effects again with anticipation as opposed to fear.
The final title sequence and i-dents produced have been tried and tested, they are an outcome of a large thought process which means they are more appropriate and seem to work a lot better than any original thoughts/work produced on the software. Although there are many things to improve on I feel satisfied that I have found some life long skills and a better working routine.
2. What approaches to methods of research have you developed and how have they informed your design development process?
I Feel I have faltered in this field of my work. Although I did a lot of contextual research into other sequences produced and ideas for packaging different style, I have a lack of work/ research into the actually subject of my project. I feel this is due to my need to learn after effects over my need to have all the info possible on sea creatures. Of course I have some, and this is documented on through my context/practice blogs but I could have benefitted visually from a lot more of this.
3. What strengths can you identify in your work and how have/will you capitalise on these?
I think my work is suitable for its audience (11-14's, those who watch cbbc.) I feel I have not over complicated the sequence and i-dents, kept them simple and not added too many assets so they don't seem too busy.
I think my work has benefited from my improved time management as I have made sure I have been in Uni until work has been completed.
I feel I did well in the packaging design and again it suits the audience and is consistent with the sequence design.
4. What weaknesses can you identify in your work and how will you address these more fully?
Eventually I managed to start producing workable story boards but this was a struggle initially. I feel I get anxious and want to start designing immediately on the software rather than thinking through exactly what I want to design.
Although I did a lot of work on type and working out which was most appropriate, I don't feel I used this as effectively as possible through the animated sequences. of course there is always more to work on and I feel this is something I would put more consideration into.
I have been constantly uploading to my blog but I have not been constantly Analysing everything I have been putting on my practice and context blogs. This is fine for me but of course is not obvious what my direction is if I don't write about it. I will have to improve on this for my next module and should imagine writing up what I want to say as soon as I post a blog will help a lot with this process.
5. Identify five things that you will do differently next time and what do you expect to gain from doing these?
1.Do what I am told... initial ideas, design process and experimenting on paper is very important and not to be forgotten.
2. Blogging - although improved from my last project I feel I could definitely work on the analysis of work through out a project on my blog.
3. Don't be afraid to design. I need to realise that it is not about the software but ideas and creating something I like the look of is a good thing.
4. more experimentation with ideas. I feel I stuck with a similar concept throughout and need to learn the importance of trying and testing and failing so trying something completely different. If I do this earlier on in a project I will only benefit from it.
5. Visually experimentation. Similar to no. 4. I don't think I full explored the depths of visuals I could and this is something to realise for next time.
All in all I feel I learnt a lot, Worked to a good pace (eventually) and feel relaxed on the day of hand in which has never happened before. There are always improvements to be made but I feel I have realised where I went wrong and can only get better. An interesting module.
Tuesday, 15 February 2011
final printed Packaging
I am relatively happy with this final design although dissapointed with the folded edge as the paper has started to tear. The colours have printed well and the dvd sits nicely whilst linking directly to the 50 second sequence.
New final packaging design to go to print
Packaging mock-up
By producing this mock up I have been able to identify section which need improvement. I had feedback from a few people who seemed to like the colours and layout though explained that the word 'but' on the front could do with being a little larger and I also feel the front layout does not make the most of the colour underneath so would be worth making all the words slightly larger.
Another thing was mentioned that the inside definitely needs something and so this is something else to redesign.
I possibly could include one or two of the creatures. Also to be considered is the disc design. Currently I am thinking it would work well to include the layout of the blue stripes and my name/title on the dvd as this would link with the design and includes all information necessary. Of course I will change the stock as this is simply just on 80g printer paper. The stock will be more robust and have more of a texture.
Idents
Story boards and idents. although the majority of the idents are linked with the already produced story boards I did a few to show exactly what I wanted from them.
It is really important to incorporate the title, day and cbbc logo within this.
Ident 1 from Joanne Catlow on Vimeo.
ident 2 from Joanne Catlow on Vimeo.
ident3 from Joanne Catlow on Vimeo.
Ident 4 from Joanne Catlow on Vimeo.
Ident 5 from Joanne Catlow on Vimeo.
Here are 5 i-dents I have produced. They are very similar but for the simple reason of consistancy in design throughout the project. I wanted to keep them simple and feel I have done this.
Also I have managed to include all information on each i-dent which is understandable and suiting to the theme.
The movement on some can be improved and tweaking would be good if possible within my time frame. But considering this I am proud that I have managed to complete them.
Amended final sequence
I have added screen shots of the amendments I have made to the final sequence and included the final sequence at the bottom. (screen shots in reverse order of play) the final title needed to be more wholesome and needed to flow better. Although the timing was difficult to manage as there was just 10 seconds remaining I feel this does work well and all the words are read apropriately.
Similarly I have added Type throughout so that the audience are not constantly waiting for another word instead there is more of a flow from one scene to the next.
With this I have tried to keep it as simple as possible and just enough showing for the word to notice and read.
Sunday, 13 February 2011
Finished! Though... there are always improvements to be made!
Untitled from Joanne Catlow on Vimeo.
This is the final thing... so far! I really want to have a go at cleaning up the last ten seconds and need to add in the words 'top 10' and 'but' and possibly include some bubbles here and there too.. but it is nice to think I have actually done 50 seconds.
Friday, 11 February 2011
Progress!!
This is the start of the scene in the 50 second sequence with the dumbo octopus. At first (as shown below) I started to reveal with blue waves using a mask but think it create the right affect and so instead went for selecting the octopus as the waves parent so that it would follow on after it. I may also try to get it to rotate slightly like the sea would. This would mean the anchor point would have to be moved to the first point of the waves. I think the colours work really well in the section and gives a different atmosphere to keep the audience occupied!
Below are screen shots from the end scene in the complete sequence. It doesn't quite seem to be working so I ma getting to get a few opinions as to what I could do differently and how to make this work. I also need to add the word 'but' in between weird and wonderful which should be easy enough.
I don't think it ends well on this frame so will have to storyboard a few ideas as to how it could end a little better.
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