This is the final layout of my large format piece of work. The installation of the work was not problem, due to the size of work it had to be lifted into place by two people and a third person had to hammer the pins in that held the work in place. The accent pieces where easy to install as much of the preparation was done before installing at the exhibition. The other elements for the installation where positioned on the shelf that was supplied.

The items that are viewable in the last picture are my book, this details my work and explains the ideas behind my outcomes. This helps the viewer connect the illustrations with there meanings. Next the business cards that relate to my self promotion these have my details so that I can be contacted about the work and also the other work like freelancing and full time employment. I have used my best illustration as the image on the business cards, this will connect my work to my business cards instead of just a logo that the viewer doesn’t connect my work with. Finally excess lightning bolts that did not make the wall, these were left on display so visitors can take them.

The project as a whole I felt worked out well, the outcomes produced was of a 3^rd year quality and had a strong theoretical base influenced by science and psychology.

The main issue I have had with the work

This issue consisted of how the content affected the aesthetics of the outcomes. If these outcomes did not have detailed explanations, the work would not communicate the message that it was supposed to convey. The project is one of communication, teaching the viewer about the visual process within a graphic system. If this idea is not explained to the highest detail then the project fails to be communicative.

The viewer would try to make an understanding of the outcomes; this may be completely different to what the message is trying to communicate. So this is why the work must be fully explained. Trying to explain this work was a challenge as this graphic system that was created, is based on complex theory. This theory had to be visualized in the simplest form. To assist the viewers understanding, this work relied on explanations that mirrored the theory at the beginning of the proposed project.

My work within the context of my research

My project relied on theory to influence the ideas for my outcomes. So without this research the project would not of developed, it was fundamental that my research was coherent and relevant. These ideas are related to actual functions of the visual process influenced by science, like the anatomy of an eye and the different memory functions within the cerebellum.

What other researched may have been undertaken

The primary research that was undertaken did not seem effective, as it could have been. The audience that was used in my research seemed too isolated; therefore the audience could have been expanded to other places of learning. The opinions of other students could have been influential on my practical work.

How I feel it turned out

This project I feel has been successful in communicating the ideas and concepts that where originally proposed. Furthermore the development process between the start of this practical project and the end, that there was a clear and consistent development that led to my final outcomes. These outcomes that had been produced were of the best quality within the limitations of what style I had in mind of the project. Furthermore I feel this project has tested my skills as a designer in relation to the subject chosen giving me sense of achievement.

portfolio posters

The visual system book

What I have done

This module was the start of my practical project, which this builds a base for the main practical aspect of this module. The research I undertook explored the main theme of my project (The visual System) in relation to information design and semiotics. I looked at mainly different practitioners and visual metaphors to gather an understanding of what my ideas could be in relation to my audience. Visual testing and style is also a fundamental part of developing my ideas, due to my design being user centred. All of this research and development was used to create an artefact, which was presented in the style of a diagram (Blue print) to show what direction my project was going in.

Why I did it

Why my research was structured like this was because it had a flowing development that was apparent. I made rough pictorial outcomes to represent my ideas clearly and this is how I show my ideas normally, I find this to be the easiest way of developing my ideas. I also made a survey that was given to my target audience so that I could get a rough idea of what the audience knew about my subject.

If it went well

I feel that the research module went well; I didn’t have that many problems with the module. Gathering similar research on design that related to the theme of my subject was hard due to no one else creating work on this subject. This could make my work unique in someway.

Where it could be improved

Well I feel that my work may have been improved by the exploration of more ideas for this project. This is not such a problem because I can develop more ideas when I start the major part of the practical project. Also I could development ideas with different medias to development styles that could be used later on in the major project. So overall I feel that the research project was successful.

- Thesis

What I have done

This is the main theory part of the third year, this was in the form of a thesis which was between 5000 – 6000. I started the project by think about what subject I was going to write about, I had the idea of link my theory with my practical, the main theory that influences my practical was semiotics and information design. So these two subjects become the main topics of my thesis, which I commenced reading straight away to get an idea of the concepts of semiotics. To further my argument I compared and evaluated the ideas of semiotics with other subjects such as psychology and its effects on semiotics and information design, and how information relies on semiotics and psychology to function. I also used information design images as examples to visually communicate my argument.

Why I did it

I choose this subject so I had greater understanding of the theory that influences everything that we do in design, so this would also benefit the practical work that I’m working on. So it could be greatly improved by better knowledge of how it works.

If it went well

As a person who has problems writing I found this to be a challenge, but from practice I found it less of struggle to write my thesis and also reading about the theory of semiotics would also be a challenge but also due to practice I found this not so hard. I feel that this has been this greatest improvement of all the subjects that I have done in this degree.

Where it could be improved

I could have improved by adding more arguments, which would back up my arguments. I also could have made my argument more unique making it original. I feel this probably my strongest theory work to date, which I am more then pleased with, I feel I have achieved much more with this theory work then in previous years.