Design Process Brief______________________

Project Title: Design Process
Project Duration: 8 weeks
Course Credit: 10 (100 student hours/10 teaching hours)


Project Aims 


* Identify and challenge existing perceptions of the design process.
* Monitor, record and reflect upon your development.
* Acquire research, analytical and critical abilities appropriate to the task of examining design practice. 




24/11/11

Today I was given out my new project brief based on recognising, improving and implementing my design process. Over the course of 8 weeks I have to record at regular intervals (ideally daily/or every second day): what I have done that day, what was good/bad, how can it be improved etc...etc... Basically reflective writing that will help highlight and define what my strengths and weaknesses are. Thus, helping me to improve my design process into a much more productive and fulfilled outcome. 

I have done some similar reflective writing whilst at Cardonald College. At the end of two projects we wrote an essay on our journey through the brief. Analysing what I had done, what went wrong, and what could be improved aloud me to focus on some key areas of improvement of my design process. The knowledge I gained from these reflective essays were about my time management.  I learned how to split and manage my time between Research, Development, and Final Development in order to complete my briefs on time. 

I am really looking forward to this more in depth form of reflective writing as i gained a lot of knowledge from my brief stint at Cardonald. 

So........ 

For the 1st 2weeks I have to write my thoughts in a diary so until then.........

Box is the constraints of the brief. The branches are different directions of thought/ideas. 

Vx 

Symbol, Logo & Slippage_____

My first brief at The GSA.  Length: 3 weeks. 


I had to look into Signs, Symbols & Slippage. The outcome of the brief was to have 3 proposals of wearable objects. 




RESEARCH


I gathered primary source research via wandering around Glasgow City Centre taking pictures of all the signs and symbols I could see e.g.

      

It wasn't long before I became aware of all of the scaffolding within the city centre obstructing and disrupting my view. At first scaffolding is seen as a nuisance and an eyesore. However, when I really though about it scaffolding is a very positive symbol of improvement, regeneration and renewal. I was sold!! Scaffolding was my "symbol" I choose to work on. 

DEVELOPMENT

The more I observed scaffolding the more engrossed in it I became. There were 3 main attributes of Scaffolding which attracted my attention. 

1. Accidental spillage of paint from previous jobs the scaffolding had been used on. This created beautiful variation of colours clashing against the grey, cold industrial scaffolding. The textures created by layers of paint and man handling of the poles made interesting markings. 

2. Projection of objects through the scaffoldings "skin".

3. Overlapping and layering of poles, colour and textures.

PROPOSAL 

My presentation boards. Picking out the key images and areas that inspired me:

...and my proposal for developing a ring, brooch and upper forearm bangle:

Experiment Stage

My proposal was approved so I then experimented with non precious materials to create from, texture, colour etc... 

Below are mock-up examples of brooches:

Rings: 

Upper forearm bracelet: 

Neckpiece: 

I am really happy with the outcome of this project. I think there are many more design possibilities to be considered at a later date. For now, scaffolding has been put to bed as I am about to embark on my next brief...cross school project. I have a feeling that scaffolding may be my inspiration/muse in years to come.