5.2. Process Document
I was very skeptical at the beginning of this module because I didn't know what the outcome would be compared to 5.1.
Understanding the Technological Landscape
- Technology plays a great deal in my design process. I used to find inspiration through social media, blogs, graphic design websites, and communities. Now I would say it's easier for me to spark creativity thanks to technology because sometimes I will get an idea, and it's hard to voice what I want to do, and if it is too technical or if I don't have the skills, it can become too overwhelming to complete, especially if I don't have access to the equipment. Which is usually the case. So being able to find different tools that don't require a special computer allows me to actually do work remotely. Even if it is a rough sketch of it.
- Emerging tools are tools that still need work or haven't found their right audience yet, but I think established tools have got that audience, which allows them to enhance their work even further.
- I would say my over-reliance on frame-by-frame animation has started to become more prevalent. I like how intuitive it is, making it a default if I am creating a video. I find some interfaces a bit intimidating or work with. In addition, the setup for it is always the same, making me not even think of what I need to put in.
- I think Canva and Figma are creating more opportunities, especially with how you can add plugins to Figma. I think just try and error, and instead of trying to fit the brief to the tool, think about making the tool find its own brief. Because not every tool will fit each brief perfectly.
🚀 ⟩ 5.2.1 ⟩ Initiation
This brief was not just us coming up with an outcome, but how we led up to the outcome. I think we focus on the start and the end, and the journey. I find that I work better verbally, and being able to visualize, brainstorm. I do still stand with the idea of just headphones in a telephone box and just a lot of thoughts and noise playing through it, with a question stuck on the box to ask people, with maybe a slot where you can write down your answer. A lot of people were trying to fix it or make it seem very dangerous rather than treating it like a normal condition, as so many people do have neurodivergency.
✨ ⟩ 5.2.2 ⟩ Innovation
At the beginning, I was questioning why looking at what I like is important for this module. Now reflecting, I see it as knowing what is popular with the younger generation, is there a trend in what designers are using and what niches are "blowing u,p" and what is seen as being old-fashioned. I think it is also important to see how much media a person consumes in a day and how many minds/ creatives it takes to create one body of media for us to consume.
Jitter was probably my favourite motion tool I have used because of its interface, but I think the lack of options can make it less appealing.
🔄 ⟩ 5.2. 3 ⟩ Implementation
Work flow
I think workflow is something I have never really taken seriously, but it is very crucial in a designer's process, and being able to actively reflect on their strengths and weaknesses is paramount to becoming employable and a better designer. I think knowing where a design is not working and having the confidence to know when it's the best idea is something I need to work on. During the 3 stages of workflow, I think the creative part and the research part are my favourite parts, depending on the brief. I also believe that creating an audience is something that I struggle with, and not making something that I just like, so I think technology like AI can help with the logistical side of it and gather data on it.
🤖 ⟩ 5.2. 4 ⟩ Automation
This week, we looked at generators created by designers that were available to use by anyone. I really liked this week because it was fun just to play with different generators and create different outcomes, and from those outcomes, it can lead to a self-initiated project. The freedom of not being confined to a structure was really nice because I was able to control what I wanted to look at.
Code workshop
Surprisingly, I quite liked coding.g I thinit'sts the typing aspect. I think something about seeing it work and doing the commands myself makes me feel productive, even if the instruction only moves 1 second or changes the colour of a circle. I do want to take coding further, and Graham said I should explore these interests. They showed me their friends' coding website ( I am unable to find it again). It was quite interesting, but it can be frustrating as finding the mistake can be quite tricky.
3. Engaging with Emerging Technologies
By using emerging technologies such as Jitterer and Cinema 4D, I have been able to expand my knowledge of video editing and find new ways to improve my skills and knowledge. I have also tried using different generators, such as Schultzchultz - Tangents, which was a tool to stretch pixels which could become images, grids or type. It interested me because I liked the idea of not being limited to what I can create.
I didn't face any ethical issues when using these technologies, but I did find an inner conflict in using AI because I don't agree with the practice personally, especially with the use of it for creative purposes, but I can see how it would be useful for the management side of it all. I just don't like the reliance on it rather than just building up the skills. As I believe, if we are too reliant on it, we will never learn to become better and not need to use it, because otherwise, we will just end up using it completely. Also, AI is making monitoring equipment more expensive https://www.newscientist.com/article/2507081-why-is-ai-making-computers-and-games-consoles-more-expensive/ .The way technology is limiting me is probably the cost. I think not having the resources financially can be a big factor in it. I think people don't realize that it is already expensive to do graphic design, especially if you want to fit in. I find that a lot of software/ technologies only work with Apple products, and there is a framework that is based around it, and if you don't have it, it's just so much harder to keep on track/ catch up. Technology and money go hand in hand, and sometimes it feels like a never-ending checklist to keep up. So finding free ones is a godsend to me. However, technology also expanded my thinking because it allowed me to see things that I would see as static and make them have motion. The future of design has made it apparent that AI will become a large component in design/ technology, as it has already influenced how clients see design and if they can save time and money, and just ask it to do it itself. I think being aware that we need to work together or use it as a tool rather than a competition. For example, using Notion or AI management tools.
🛠️ ⟩ 5.2. 5 ⟩ Production
I struggled with this task, and not because I knew what my outcome wanted to be. However, I don't have the skills to make it realistic. I think it can become quite discouraging. I know it is just a hypothetical outcome, but I do find I am quite harsh with my lack of skills and looking at it half glass empty rather than full. I think creating a schedule and communicating with people who can help "fill the glass " (the skills) can make it a more positive experience.
( make a rough draft of the timeline)
📦 ⟩ 5.2. 6 ⟩ Distribution
Looking at the lecture, I didn't realize how complicated the history of technology really is. I think, as people, we are always involved; therefore, the inventions will change as well.
Intentions and Future Directions
- I think I would like to explore the coding side of stuff more, but not with typesetting in InDesign, but by making movement or changing colours of objects. Also, I do want to be able to use Notion correctly because the interface is really hard for me to comprehend, but I do hear good things about it.
- How do you see your design practice evolving in response to technological change? I see my design practice going through a more experimental twist because the way I see experimental work has always been quite analogue with riso print and screening stuff physically. Not saying that those approaches aren't valid, but now I am aware of other methods with these generator designers have been launching on the internet.
- I think questioning different animation techniques, and I want to be able to animate human behaviour or be able to emulate it in some sort of motion design. I think having the attention span for it and making it link to stuff I like and linking it to media that I can consume, because it can be exhausting to keep doing such a monotonous task, especially if there is no spark involved.
Workshops
These workshops enabled me to grasp the concept of motion and the amount of work it takes to become a professional.
Reflections
I have learnt about how many tools are out there and how it's not about the broadness of a tool being able to do everything well/okay. It is about how a really niche tool can elevate the work, or to see it from a different perspective. Tools are only as good as the person, so it is up to the user (us) to explore how these tools can be manipulated. Also as well as having a large number of communities just for really particular movements or icons. It allows for a closer community.
How has your perspective on tools, methods, or processes changed over time? I think using AI tools for management or productivity can be beneficial for others, but personally, I think something about writing it down physically is better for me. It actually sticks in my head. I do like some of the tools, like https://matthewpalmer.net/horo-free-timer-mac/?ref=leeds.graphics. Or he app the Forrest App (which blocks social media so you can focus)
My creative identity is like a container full of springs, like it needs a box to keep it all neat and together, but the idea can lead me into another idea, or it can "stretch" down into a rabbit hole. It can also get pretty confusing if I have too many ideas all at once and get tangled in, and sometimes it's not about how many you have but finding. The right one. So I feel like my creative identity is like springs in a box. My values are still pretty strong, I think, even though I understand how AI can be beneficial think using it creatively is something I don't feel comfortable and I am not used to it. For management, I can see how it can be required and help push a project ahead. Especially with the logistics side of it. However, for gathering research, only a designer can really do that task.
Previously, what I stated of how finding the technological process to fit the brief is more important if I wanted to get better at using tools, which would affect my future projects. Collaborating will be a mix more on Figma and in person because I find the tone of voice will always come better in person rather than through text. So overall, yes, I was very skeptical of this entire module, but being able to see what studios and just creators have made makes it easier to try new technology, as it can be a starting point for a passion or seeing motion in a whole new light.