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Mini-Task 2

Brief

Review, select and undertake a ‘D&Ad Student Awards 2011’ brief.

Deadlines

Initial Submission Deadline (formatively assessed)  Tues. 01st Feb 2011
Final Submission Deadline (summatively assessed)  (TBC)Thurs. 17th Feb. 2011

Objectives

This assignment affords the learner the freedom to select from a broad range of creative design-focused ‘live briefs’ in order to develop / broaden their visual design portfolio (including their creative thinking & synthesis skills, technical expertise, critical rigour and experience).

Evidence / outcomes to be submitted

1. Finished design solution (as per brief).
Students must upload & submit their design solution – initial submission deadline
2. Designer rationale / statement (upload <150 words)
Title your work, state your aims & objectives, methods & reasons – initial submission deadline
3. Presentation your work (present your work for critique) Present your solution to staff & peers for (design) criticism – initial submission deadline
4. Produce a digital sketchbook (PDF digital design process/support document)
Document accurately the research, analysis, design, development & evaluation stages within the project (including any & all early ideas, versions, criticism, feedback and rationale behind subsequent modifications) – initial submission deadline

Indicative Marking Criteria

1. Creativity – e.g. strength / originality of concept, development / progression of ideas, critical rigour, cohesion, ambition, receptiveness to input, experimentation, lateral progression, appropriateness, visual design, aesthetics, iterations & development, etc.
2. Technical challenge – e.g. asset production, manufacture, exploration / exploitation of medium, integration, complexity, execution, challenge, etc.
3. Presentation & communication – Quality of presentation (e.g. how clearly you put your ideas across), attitude, initiative, responsiveness to feedback / input, critical self-evaluation, analysis, etc.




D&Ad Student Awards – Design Brief #1


Brief

Review, select and undertake one of the ‘D&Ad Student Awards 2012’ briefs…
E.g. http://www.dandad.org/awards/student

Objectives

This assignment affords the learner the freedom to select from a broad range of creative
design-focused ‘live briefs’ in order to develop / broaden their visual design portfolio (including
their creative thinking & synthesis skills, technical expertise, critical rigour and experience).

Process / constraints

• See individual design briefs for specific requirements &/ constraints..

Starting points

As a starting point you may wish to:
• Develop a ‘rigorous’ design concept...
NB. Almost all D&Ad award winners have a ‘singular concept’
• Iterate your design...
NB. Rigorous criticism is required to polish / refine your design concept (e.g. little & often)
• Test your design...
• Apply the finishing touches...
NB. Presentation is absolutely vital! (E.g. remember the old adage… “You never get a
second chance, to make a first impression!"




In the style of… – Design Brief #2


Brief

Research, select and critique the work of a published artist / illustrator1, then undertake a series of ‘original illustrations’ in their style.

Objectives

This assignment affords the learner the opportunity to research and critique the work of
professional / contemporary visual artists, synthesising selective elements from it into their
own (original) portfolio of work. The emphasis should be on a systematic critique of their work;
including analysis of metaphor / paradigm, selection of medium, exploration of techniques
employed, evaluation of their work using core visual design principles and review of the
context in which the work is to be displayed.

Process / constraints

• The finished work MUST be ‘original’… both in its physical production and in terms of
subject matter. In other words you cannot simply reproduce a piece of their work (though
this may arguably be a good starting point…)
• Your finished piece MUST be supported by a series of studies / drawings / paintings /
images, showing the development and decision-making process undertaken. This should
be contained within a digital sketchbook.

Starting points

As a starting point you may wish to:
• Copy a particular piece of their work… in order to explore their process / mark making
techniques. E.g. better understand their work through experimentation, learn how the artist
might have worked…
• Iterate your design... Rigorous criticism will be required throughout if you are to capture
the essence of the original whilst defining / refining a new and original vision! E.g. use
preliminary studies to build up and construct your narrative.
• Explore digital and non-digital approaches to mark making … e.g. move between
digital and non digital work flows as necessary.




Observational Studies – Design Brief #3


Brief

Produce a ‘thematic’ series of observational / life drawings or images. The studies should
primarily be drawn “live” but supporting images / studies / photographs may be used to finish
or complete the works.

Objectives

This assignment affords the learner the opportunity to develop a portfolio of observational
drawings and studies to underpin their portfolio as a whole and work in other modules.
The challenge here is to demonstrate an ability to explore a form / forms from a range of
perspectives in order to best encapsulate it’s full physical, emotional and symbolic value
through observational drawing and or painting techniques. In other words, how well the
drawing communicates the true qualities / experience of the subject to the viewer.

Process / constraints

• Choice of medium(s) is left entirely at your discretion.
• The finished work MUST be ‘original’… both in its physical production and in terms of
subject matter, composition, etc. DO NOT simply reproduce the work of another artist
(though this is arguably a great starting point…)
• Your finished piece MUST be include a series of studies / drawings / paintings / images,
showing the development and decision-making process undertaken. This should be
contained within a digital sketchbook.

Starting points

As a starting point you may wish to:
• Research observational drawing and the role of preliminary studies in the work of
published artists… e.g. examine both historical and contemporary case studies.
• Try a range of approaches with regard the level of ‘realism’… e.g. research historical
approaches such as pointillism, impressionism… right through to hyperrealism.
• Explore artistic approaches to the selection of objects... e.g. research and evaluate
different historical approaches… such as the use of ‘found imagery’ in art.
• Be influenced by a particular piece of work… exploring their selection of objects,
processes, mark making techniques, etc. e.g. Salvador Dali’s surrealist works
• Experiment with digital and non-digital tools and techniques… e.g. move between
digital and non-digital work flows...