OUGD504 - Design for Print/Design for Print and Web: Photography

I decided to take some photographs in the studio as I haven't used it before and wanted some professional looking photos of my work.



Here are my photos for Design for Print and Web:

Here are the final photos for my Design for Print and Web:

Here I photographed, from clockwise L-R, my food menu; bookmark business card; notepad; coffee duster; coaster; drink menu; napkin; tablemat and bookend.

Here is my food menu, drink menu and notepad.

Here is my tablemat, coaster and coffee duster. There is a plate and cup on it to show you how they would be used.

Here is the photograph of my tickets for Design for Print:

Here is the photograph for my icons for Design for Print. I did photograph them in context, hanging with string above the equipment in the printroom, however, when I was uploading them to my Mac the card corrupted and I lost them all.

Here are my final posters:

OUGD504 - Design for Print and Web: Design Boards

Here are my design boards for Design for Web.

Here are my design boards for Design for Print and Web.

Here are my design boards for Design for Print.

OUGD504 - Design Production: Module Evaluation

1. What skills have you learnt throughout this module and how effectively do you think you have applied them?

Design for Print
For this brief I definitely learnt a lot of new skills, and improved on ones I already had. Firstly I did some practice prints using foiling and monoprinting methods, as I hadn't done them before and wanted to become more confident in them before I included them in my project. As I then applied these methods, plus screenprinting, embossing and linoprinting I began to learn a lot more about them as I went through complications and successes.
I came across a number of problems, particularly as I used mountboard for my stock - this was hard for embossing onto as well as monoprinting onto so I had to find ways around this. I had to use MDF to emboss onto my stock which didn't leave as big of an impression as I wanted, but I learnt for next time. I also realised that monoprinting didn't work with small designs onto mountboard, although it would on a thinner stock - so I screen printed these areas instead. I think by encountering these problems I have learnt a lot about stocks, inks and the processes themselves so I am very confident to do all of these processes again in the future. 
I think I have applied these well to the project because I used all the processes that were relevant to my audience and used multiple techniques that can be used (thermochromic ink, colour blends etc) to show my understanding of it. I have used text as well as image to show my understanding throughout the project and show the viewers what can be achieved. 

Design for Web
I was really excited for this brief because I got interested in web design and coding over Summer, and I wanted to push myself on it doing things I hadn't done before. I applied the (limited) HTML and CSS skills I already had, and learnt more for the site by looking at tutorials and working out the best way to do things myself. I also applied the new skills I learnt in the web sessions such as using rollover buttons. I put in a lot of time learning more about HTML and CSS so that I could achieve the design that I wanted. In the end I had experimented with drop down menus and parallax scrolling, and included page jumps, forms, responsive full background images and made sure I used web safe fonts and colours. I was really proud at the time of the outcome, but if I did it again I would have a better idea on how to make it more professionally and do things differently regarding containers and other areas I have since practiced on but couldn't do at the time. I have already learnt so much since this website that I feel it could be improved drastically in the way I have coded, but I did learn a lot of new things for the project so I am happy with it.

Design for Print and Web
For this project I concentrated on print as it was more appropriate for my project, but I also wanted to explore web as I was itching to code again.
For the print side, I wanted the project to be closely linked to the concept that it is a library cafe. Because of this, I decided to use buckram throughout the project on menu boards, placemats etc. I had already bound hardcover books before in the first year, so I already knew how to do it but I had a practice go anyway. I forgot how simple it was, so that was an easy part of the project, and I then screenprinted on top of this. I knew it wouldn't take me long to screenprint as I have already done a lot of it this year and feel confident with it. However, I didn't anticipate that it would look dull against the black buckram - to overcome this I just reprinted over the dried printed area to add another layer. This then worked, and because I am confident with screen printing it didn't take long to reprint it all. I think this shows I have applied my skills well because I have become a lot more efficient with screen printing and didn't see it as a challenge. I was also working within a tight schedule, so it wasn't a problem for that either.
I designed the screen aspect for it after the Numiko talk, and remembered how they had created the responsive Design Council website. Remembering what they said, I designed the website, tablet and mobile aspect with their words in mind. For example, on the mobile version on the Book page I only showed three bookcovers as opposed to five bookcovers on the website and tablet form. Instead of resizing the site to the screen size, I adapted them instead which I think shows a greater understanding of designing for the web.
When I was coding the website, it only took me 6 hours to do as it is a very simple site, using page jumps which I used in the Design for Web project. I really enjoy coding and I think that this shows how I can apply my skills efficiently to a project.
I also learnt how to make a gif for this project, as I feel that is a good way to present a website. This required using Photoshop which I'm not very good at, but after a few attempts I got there in the end and I can now use this method when designing for web in the future.

2. What approaches to/methods of design production have you developed and how have they informed your design development process?

I think my design production methods have developed from the fact that I have worked and learnt better by physically doing things. Rather than reading about how to foil, I just went out and did it. This is the same for all of the techniques I used really, and just learnt from my mistakes as I went. Luckily I started the production for Design for Print early on, so I had a lot of time to mess it up and try different things. From mixing colours so they overlapped correctly, to trying different methods of using thermochromic ink, I don't think I could have learnt all of this by reading from a book or watching a video, I just had to do it for myself. 
For the coding aspect of it, I experimented a lot and tried everything I could to make something work. I would start by looking at a tutorial and then just coded relentlessly and seeing how something worked best, mainly by using the Inspect Element feature on Chrome. I think this has helped me realise how I worked best, because I feel a lot more confident now with coding and printmaking. 

3. What strengths can you identify in your work and how have/will you capitalise on these?

I think an apparent strength within my work is coding. I enjoy doing it, and I don't mind spending hours trying to figure out why something isn't working which I think is important to coding as you definitely need patience! I have already capitalized on this by producing a live website and helping a lot of people in the class on their websites. By also coding the website for Print and Web even though I focused on the printed material shows that I am interested in it. To improve my skills further I am going to two web design events at the end of the month and hope to gain contacts from that, as well as putting myself out there to do websites for clients.

4. What weaknesses can you identify in your work and how will you address these for the future?

I think the biggest weakness in my work is the fact that I don't do enough drawings and ideas at the beginning stages. I explore one idea a lot, but if I like it I won't bother exploring more ideas in depth because I like to just get on with it. I don't know if this is a bad thing or not - probably is if I want to get a good grade, but when I'm working to a tight deadline it's not necessarily a bad thing. I realised this by Design for Print and Web and I did a couple more ideas at the beginning and started to research them, but not really in depth, so this is something I could improve on. 
I also think the quality of finish could be improved - I think this will just come from making more things and practicing more. For example, when I reprinted over the top of the existing screenprinted area for Print and Web, some of it isn't registered 100% which affects the quality. Also for Design for Print the finish of the work could be improved - for example the font I used bled a little because of the stock I chose, and it was hard to get the illustrations completely in centered and in line on the posters. This will just come with practice but is something I need to keep an eye on. 

5. Identify the things you will do differently next time and what you expect to gain from doing these?

1. Explore more ideas initially - I might think of a better one.
2. I do want to draw more as well - using hand drawn type and illustration rather than the clean, digital style I have at the moment. I think it's good to have a broad range of skills as not every project will require the same style.
3. Try and have a better finish to my work so it looks more professional.
4. Consider the limitations of the stock I choose and whether techniques will work on them properly as this can save me a lot of time and make the resolution look better.

OUGD504 - Creative Suite Session 4

We had to find nine things wrong with this InDesign document.

One of the images had the colour space as RGB, which is for web, and to fix this you can just edit the image in Photoshop and change the colour mode to CMYK and save it.

The PPI for this isn't right, the effective resolution is the result of the change of an image size in InDesign. It has been scaled to 13% of its original size which has effected the PPI. A consequence of this is that it is a large file and unnecessary processing that needs to take place.

By having the colour in registration, it uses all plates to produce this colour so is 100% of every single colour. Consequence is that it might misregister and it won't be completely black.

One of the Pantone swatches isn't being used - Pantone 363C - and so there is no point in having it because it will create an extra unneeded positive.

By selecting all unused, this shows us that the Pantone swatch isn't being used.

As this image is at the edge of the page, it should be stretched to reach the bleed for cropping purposes.

This has been scaled to 233.4% which is too big and has effected the Effective PPI to 129.

This has been scaled down too small and has created a massive Effective PPI and needs to be edited in Photoshop.

This is a jpeg file which shouldn't be used because every time you save it the quality decreases and so is bad to use in a working progress. You can edit the photo and resave it, then choose the relink option in InDesign so that you can replace it and it stays the same.

This is the wrong colour mode to be using for print.

Preflighting is what you do before you print a document - checking your document.

OUGD504 - Design for Print: Final Crit

We had our final crits today, and the format was that we laid our work out on the table and went out while people came in to critique the work.

We had to write a couple of questions we wanted people to answer so I wrote:

• How/should I package the tickets?
• Should I make the tickets double sided?

These are the only concerns I have about the project, and this is what I want genuine feedback on. 

This is the feedback that I got:

• Really good use of processes, lovely concept and a very strong idea. Love the tags which can be done yourself. Didn't see your questions!
• I think that bellybands are the most appropriate form of packaging for your tickets. I think it would be beneficial to have some form of publication or leaflet explaining the processes, in more detail, this could also be on the reverse on the ticket. Overall a well thought out concept and lots of processes displayed.
• I really like the overall concept and think the visuals are well planned and executed. You have managed to keep the design consistent yet give each poster and individual flare which makes them all very dynamic and visually pleasing. I don't think the tickets need to be double sided.
• The tickets are fine as they are.
• I didn't get chance to give you feedback but I love the champagne foil on your stock! Also, I love this concept.
• The tickets could be packaged, in something that hangs on the wall (diagram). Your subtle double entendre of the word 'flocking' gives you design character. I know these posters will be hung around the uni, but maybe there is some packaging you could look into to hold all of these printed items. You have completed what the brief has asked of you, which is crucial. This work has inspired me, well done!
• Tickets could simply have a bellyband to package them together. Double sided tickets - ask yourself why it would be beneficial to have them printed double sided? Would it add more impact? Explain the context your work should be viewed with - I'm guessing at the moment - but well produced, thought engaging. But room for further improvement.
• I really like the overall concept and think the visuals are well planned and executed. You have managed to keep the design consistent yet give each poster and individual flare which makes them all very dynamic and visually pleasing. I don't think the tickets need to be double sided.

I am really happy with my feedback, and feel good about the concept and visual aspect now. I think having a bellyband is a good idea for the tickets just to package them so they're not loose, but I also really liked the idea that it could be something that hangs of the wall - but I don't know if I could achieve this in time we have left with all the other projects to do. So I think I will go with the bellyband because it is easier and quicker to achieve.

One of the feedback have asked why the tickets should be double sided - I wanted them to be double sided because the icons will be, and the back on the tickets has burn marks from the lasercutter, but I'm not sure if it will make them too thick. However, most people have said that they think they shouldn't be double sided.

OUGD504 - Design for Print: Making the Tickets

Digital Print
To make the tickets, I started of by digitally printing them. I tried two different variations - one where I would add a process to borders and the logo, and one where I would just add the logo on.

I then cut them using a guillotine, so that they would be very straight. This type of guillotine is very good for cutting thick stock too, which I needed.

Lasercutting
I need to lasercut part of the ticket so that I can add the processes on through them.
This is what I need to lasercut for the monoprint, linoprint and embossing tickets. I also exposed this on a fabric and paper screen for the screenprinting and foiling.

The first version would mean the process would be added to borders as well as the logo. The second version would mean just the logo would be added in the process, which is a more subtle effect.

Lino
To lasercut the lino, the black area is what will be burnt out. I had to make most of the design black so that the majority would be burnt out. This is what it looks like:

Before I transfer the Illustrator file to Ethos, I need to export it as a JPEG, turn up the quality and change the colour model to Grayscale.

In Ethos, I highlighted everything and changed the engraving settings to this, and sent it to print.

Here is what it looked like when I rastered it:

After doing the lino icon, I realised that when you lasercut lino, the rastered area isn't very indented meaning it picks up a lot of ink still, which isn't what I want on the ticket as you need to be able to read the text. Therefore, I got my lino cutting tools and went over where it had already been rastered.

Embossing
I created the stencil for the embossing ticket through lasercutting. I did it onto MDF so that it would be thick enough to go through the mountboard. I did three variations as it didn't take long to cut, and I thought this way I could experiment to see what looked best.

I did a couple of practise runs to see what it would look like, and the pressure I should pump the press to. As I have done the embossed icons now, I was more confident with the press and did it very quickly.

I put a piece of tissue paper between the MDF and the stock so that it wouldn't get dirty, and pumped it to just over 4000psi.

I then tried it straight away on the real ticket which I think came out really well. To make sure I got it in the right place, I secured the MDF to the press with a bit of masking tape, and then secured the stock on top of that with a bit of masking tape too so that it wouldn't move in the press.

Foiling
I did these tickets the same time I made the posters for foiling. I bought some black foil, and screenprinted the tickets with glue.
When I added the foil and put it through the heat press, it didn't seem to work as well as other coloured foils I tried. I'm not sure why this is, as I waited for the foil to cool down before I took it off, and it happened on others I tried as well.

This is what the foil looks like when you peel it off the stock, and the foiled area is transparent.

I was able to get one ticket that worked well, and I feel like having just the logo in the process is better because it is more subtle and less overpowering.

Here are the tickets that I tried, with two working well and the other three not so much.

This is disappointing, but I think it is the foil because I tried other colours on the same day with the same designs and they worked out fine. At least I managed to get a couple that looked okay, as that's all I needed.

Screenprinting
This was very easy to do because I knew that the outcome would be very smooth and there would be no issues.

I did a few practice runs at first, and I did notice that the text was quite blurry and not very focussed.

However, after a few more runs that went away and I was confident to print onto the ticket.

Here is the ticket.

Monoprint
For the monoprint ticket I decided that it would be best to screenprint the logo instead, because when I tried to monoprint the logo on the icon it didn't work at all due to the stock choice. So I followed the same process as the screenprinting ticket and here is the result:

Linoprint

I got the lino cut that I had made and rolled black ink onto it.

I then put it through the press, and this is the result I got. However, I didn't like how the whole ticket was covered in the print, even though that is an effect of lino printing.

So I cut the lino so that I only had the logo, and threw the rest of it away. I did a few test prints of this to see how it looked:

Once I got the right imprint, I did it onto some more tickets I printed of:

I am much happier with this result because it is a lot cleaner, but still shows the effect of linoprinting.