OUGD503 - Design Process 2: Collaborative Practice Studio Session 2 (Contact with Champneys)

When today's studio session with Fred came to an end Issy and I decided to try and organise a visit to Champneys day spa in Bath as it is the most accessible for us both. I had the responsibility to contact them on the phone and ask them about their treatments to find out the best way in which we should book them in advance. Issy and I then discussed it a little bit more and I then made a second phone call confirming our treatments and our visit. Before we visit we are probably going to email them to see if it is possible to ask them questions on the day. After we have visited the day spa, the plan is to then contact Champneys directly to gather further primary research, as we will be able to say at that stage that we have already been. 

Now that we have arranged when we are visiting (Saturday 22nd February) we will be able to plan what we would like to achieve in terms of information for us to bring away and work with. We are going to continue to work on this brief next week and have listed on our time plan (shown on context blog) what we need to complete. 

OUGD503 Responsive: Design Process 2: Champneys (Primary Research after presenting initial boards)

Issy and I decided to carry out some primary research in the Victoria Quarter in Leeds and we decided to go in to Liz Earle and speak to them about their target audience. They said that most of the people who buy from them are older than our target audience, however there are quite a few that do buy in the age range of 16-25.

We then went in to Body Shop and had the same response from the lady that we spoke to in there. We then went into Harvey Nichols to try and find some more primary research in the form of perfume blotters, as this is something we have considered creating as part of our range. 

OUGD505 - Design Practice 2: Studio Brief 1 (Crit)

Below are all of the questions I wrote out in my crit to get some feedback on. I have also scanned it all of the feedback I received which I was really happy with and found it very constructive. I am going to take all of it into account when I make some further progression with my work. 

OUGD505 - Design Practice 2: Studio Brief 1 (Boards Corrections)

Today we had a workshop where we were asked to present our boards to the rest of the group and then give written feedback on each one individually. I felt as though this was valuable time spent although we could have done with longer to present our work as we only had a couple of minutes each. I will take into consideration the feedback I received when designing boards in the future. 

OUGD505 - Design Practice 2: Design Boards Workshop

This morning we were asked to present our latest research. We each had about 3 minutes to present our findings and then we were given feedback. I was told:

• Primary research is well informed
• I have shown a clear direction in my research
• Strong direction in my work

After this we were then asked to feedback to Lorraine and list as many things we should and shouldn't have on our presentation boards. I found this really helpful.

What not to include:

• Don't write in first person
• Change recent boards from first person
• Initial sketches aren't always relevant
• Spelling mistakes
• No marks on the final boards
• Poor image quality
• Not all in uppercase
• TLDR - Not much text
• Too little text

What to include:

• Inks
• Binding
• Dimensions
• Pantone 
• Stock
• Numbering
• Titles
• Final work
• Decent photographs

Once we had finished this exercise we were then asked to swap boards and identify any errors we could see. We continued to do this until we had checked everything including alignment.

Some of the key feedback I received is as follows:

• Page numbering
• Image quality
• First person
• As a set your boards have good consistency
• Include pantone
• Always put your work in to context
• Include the stock you have used

I am now aware of what I need to include on my design boards in the future and will be making amendments to the boards for this new brief before submission. I don't feel as though there is too much that I need to change but it just needs to become second nature to me.

OUGD505 - Design Practice 2: Studio Brief 1 (Development Photographs)

Below are some development photographs taken of my studio brief 1 publication. I photographed my publication with the glasses next to it for the purpose of my presentation to the rest of the group when introducing my second brief. I am really pleased with the outcome of my work so far and feel as though these photographs have come out well considering they are simply illustrating progress.

OUGD505 - Design Practice 2: Studio Brief 1 (Initial Layout Thoughts)

Below are all of my initial layout thoughts and considerations. I have blogged all of my prototypes on a separate post but these are just all of the digital files ready to print and experiment with. 

I have also had an experiment with layout. I wanted to produce some initial layout designs to get me thinking about the content of the publication. 

Here are some of my digital thumbnail designs. I found it helpful laying all of the images and text out in this way because it enabled me to visualise potential layouts and the end result.