Week 1
During week one, I have been briefed towards researching and creating neurodiversity campaign awareness in public spaces. For this project I have researched neurodiversity and what health conditions are included within it.
I have decided to focus on people affected by autism, and the their need of sensorial self-stimulation, also known as stimming.
My idea was to provide an easy access to people affected by autism, to a 'device' that will support them at any time of the day, anywhere they are. This is why I came up with an idea of creating simple 'tap the button' game, based on the same repetitive movement. The users playing the game would progress further by obtaining coins in exchange of each 'click' and spending them in order to enhance their 'clicker', that will provide even more coins with each interaction.
Additionally, throughout the first briefing, I have been presented by new technologies, that can be implemented in graphic design and this or further projects, such as coding.
Week 2
During this week I have engaged with AR and AI technologies. First task, I have decided to work on was to select one of my previous projects and apply newly discovered technology to it. I have decided to pick one of my wayfinding projects I have done in the past during first year of studying graphic design. The project was about designing welcoming Leeds School of Arts sign, where I have decided to implement wayfinding into the project, that will support new student in finding the right building around the Leeds Beckett University campuses.
My idea was to experiment with text to video AI generator and create short wayfinding video. The outcomes were pretty disappointing in my opinion as the AI generator - inVideo, that has been opinionated by web users, as one of the best, generated very basic and primitive video.
The second task within this week was oriented about Augmented Reality, and how the AR can be used. During this task I have been working with Adobe Aero and I have experimented with its possibilities. In the outcome, using only my phone, I have created two interactive AR videos, that in my opinion came out fascinating and opened a possible approach for me for further briefs inside the module.
Week 3
During this week I have been presented with tons of helpful tool to make my workflow more efficient. Additionally, I have been presented how to use coding.
The one of the tool I am using to slightly help to keep one of my working spaces - my computer's desktop, is optimising software CCleaner. This software allows to remove any repeating, empty files from my computer, creating more space for further projects. It also allows to defragment the local discs and clear registry in order to speed up my PC.
Implementing coding in workflow, as I have seen on seminars, is extremely helpful and can saves massive amount of time. However, personally I need to explore and learn more about coding in order to start implementing it within my workflow, which I am looking forward to do in nearest future.
Week 4
During this week, I have been given list of projects I can pick to work on. I have decided to focus on things that are overlooked, everyday item that we all walk past, not realising its potential value at the first glance. The object I have picked was '1 pence coin' as the overlooked item. Outside university, I am working in retail where handling money is one of my main responsibilities. Throughout the years I have been working, I have noticed that the 1 pence is being ignored or even refused by majority of people, as the most common reason I heard from customers was 'It just takes space'. Due to its minimal nominal value, the copper coin is considered redundant, even though it is a base of the currency.
In this project I have decided to work with Augmented Reality and implement interactive graphics I have designed during the first week activity - the coin.
The idea was to create an app, that will use AR to navigate lonely, 1 pence coins around the area, locate and highlight them using the pop-up coin graphic. I have created a short video presenting the concept and prototype of the app using Augment Reality.
Week 5
In this week, my task was to research and reflect on brutalist websites. I have identified three websites, that I have found interesting, especially Travis Scott's and the 2018: New York Times websites. Travis Scott's website consists of advertisement of his music albums that are contextualised to, in my opinion, reimagined utopian symbolism. The simplicity, minimalism and ubiquitous darkness included within the website develops an unique and mysterious mood, where accompanying, interactive album covers stand out creating eye-catching effect.
New York Times website on the other hand, is very 'loud' and simple at the same time. I like the idea of implementing arcade-like interactions and sounds to the website.
3D Workshop with Jon
During the workshops with Jon, I have learned how to create basis of 3D animation created in Cinema4D software. The subject we were focusing on were blood cells. Jon showed us how to use the Cinema4D's interface and how to prepare assets for animation. The possibilities and outcomes associated with the software are incredibly vast. I managed to create a 3D animated blood cells from a scratch.
I have also attempted to work with Unreal Engine 5 at home and create a small Star Wars cinematic, following step by step on professionals sharing their content on YouTube. However, due to lack of appropriate hardware and many issues I was facing due to it, I was unable to progress in UE5 further.
After the tutorials with Jon, I have decided to run small personal project over incoming summer break based around Cinema4D and Unreal Engine 5 animation. I am looking forward to upgrade my hardware in order to once again start working on animating in those revolutionary software.
Reflection
The module has delivered to me tons of new technologies and approaches I can implement in graphic design. Coding is the only thing I am still having difficulties with, however I am looking forward to understand and learn more about it. Working and reflecting on different technologies, has given me better light of how workflows and approaches can be implemented within my current and future design interventions. Especially after tutorials with Jon, I have posed myself a question, 'What is the skillset I need to have it easier to find a job in graphic design industry?'. The answer I came up with was actually straight forward, I need to stay up to date with the current technology and carry on working towards finding new horizons in terms of software. This is why I have decided to plan a personal project with Cinema4D or Unreal Engine 5 over this summer, test and explore the possibilities and gain knowledge, that I could use in my future job as a graphic designer; build my portfolio with professional set of animations or cinematics.
The module was incredible engaging and eye-opening for me.
