5.2 - The Process Document

This module has been an eyeopener for me. It has opened my eyes to new technologies and innovations, new ways to enhance my skill set, and even has brought my workflow to another level. It has broken down a lot of my perspectives, and given me a new one - one I think I will implement in my practice. Here is my journey to getting to this point.

Week 1 - Neurodiversity

For this week we first took a look at understanding graphic design in terms of its technological advancement throughout history. A notable case study we looked at was the work of Jocelyn Zhao in collaboration with the Fabric Museum. I found it very interesting how she uses traditional methods such as weaving to connect with computer codes. I also like the connections to gradually developing technologies such as the Jacquard Loom punch cards and computer punch Cards by IBM, showing the progression in design.

“I actively experiment with a diverse range of technologies and media, from print-based publication and packaging design to digital realms…''

For practical workshops, we split into groups in order to come up with a campaign to raise awareness for neurodivergent people. In a group, we came up with representing people affected with SPD (Sensory Processing disorder) - a neurological condition that can be viewed as the natural differences in how people process sensory information. We then came up with a pitch to present, showcased here:

5.2.1 - Neurodiversity

For this task in groups, we decided to research specific conditions within the broader spectrum of neurodiversity. The condition we zoned in on for purposes of creating a campaign for was SPD (sensory processing disorder). We chose this due to the fact that people with SPD have heightened or lack

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Week 2 - Emerging Innovations & reflection on Past project

This was the week that gave me a wave of new information regarding data driven and generative Design. In the seminar, One really key case study I took note of was the Ting-An Ho Motion Type Project. It was a project that aimed to solve the issue that so few motion graphics deviate from the roman alphabet by showcasing motion graphics in the Chinese alphabet. I took note of it because of the message it aimed to share as well as the realisation that hit me upon looking a bit more into the project. It made me think that graphic design should be equally expressed in a multitude of different languages and forms unique to different cultures. That innovative people like Ting-An Ho can bridge that gap and allow others to enjoy his language through his work.

This was also the week that introduced me to emerging innovations including AI and Augmented reality and its increasing importance and prevalence of these innovations in the current industry.

5.2.2 - Environment Interaction using AR

For this brief, Myself and a classmate continued from our campaign about SPD ( Sensory processing disorder) by using AR to raise awareness in the representation of a sunflower. Our goal was to find a big enough area in the city where a lot of people frequent, where a hypothetical statue

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I also reflected on a past project, namely my 4.4 brief last year on rebranding. In this point, I highlight how AI and AR could have enhanced my work.

5.2.2 - Reflection on past projects: How new technologies could influence past ideas

It Has become more and more apparent as technology advances that Integrating innovative tools such as Artificial intelligence or augmented reality is something that is more and more important. And for me especially, it’s becoming more and more apparent that in order to adapt, incorporating these rising advances into my

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Week 3 - Workflow analysis and experimental generative design

This week was all about workflow and finding new ways to optimise efficiency, as well as break down and find solutions to inefficient workflow habits.

In this week, we were introduced to processing: a coding design software aimed at rapid generation. We were tasked to use this software to generate 100 posters of circle grids, each more different than the last. My approach to this was to essentially be as random as possible. Whichever variables allow for randomisation, I aimed to find it.

5.2.2 - Experimental Cover Design: Key takeaways and experiences

For this project, I was tasked to use a coding software called Processing in order to code and generate 100 book covers consisting of random circles and colours in a grid format. The goal with this task was to learn how to mass produce experiments and ideas at a quicker

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We were also tasked to take a lot at our current workflow and essentially break it down and find ways to better become efficient. This was the highlight of this module for me as it completely shattered how I currently work and got me thinking of ways to resolve it, as explained in this post:

5.2.3 - Workflow Analysis Pt 1 - Strategy

My workflow in my design practice is at a point where I believe it needs a massive overhaul. Up until this point, my workflow has focused heavily on actual design output, with the creative input usually being simultaneously being entered while designing. This has led to some of my most

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Workflow analysis - Pt 2 - technologies

In order to optimise my workflow, I took it upon myself to find a handful of apps, websites and software to include and utilise. For purposes of being gradual, I found using a handful of really powerful and useful apps works a lot better than a number of decent ones

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Week 4 - production

Week 4 was focused on responding to a brief where the aim was to create an outcome out of 2 chosen prompts out of a possible 36 combinations. below I highlight my process using the app called blender.

5.2.4 - 6X6: A 3D space transformed to reflect

This project was a perfect opportunity to exercise my 3D design skills using an application called Blender. blender.org - Home of the Blender project - Free and Open 3D Creation SoftwareThe Freedom to Createblender.orgBlender Foundation I have a more extensive knowledge of how to navigate around blender, how

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Week 5 - Brutalist website analysis

5.2.5 - Brutalist Websites - Pt 1

For my 3 brutalist websites, I made it a point to find websites that invoke unusual thoughts, as they became more interesting and made me want to dive deeper into them to try and understand their meaning. Daft social Is an anti-social social minimalist website that leaves an impression of

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5.2.5 - Brutalist Websites - Pt 2

This is an interesting website in the sense that it is an interactive website showcasing the highlights/biggest news to come out of 2018. It shows you two headlines from 2018, tracks how long you are spending time on it, as well as occasionally gives a quiz relating to a

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5.2.5 - Brutalist Websites - Pt 3

This is a website i find to be very fun and expressive. The idea that a website can have a style unlike the average website is a trait I think has largely been fazed out in the modern climate. I love the throwback to old style UI’s and how interactive

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5.2.5 - HTML/CSS

This was the only task where I had little idea how to navigate through it. I found it challenging due to how many variables in the text. whenever I changed something, nothing would work. I didn’t have a good grasp on the coding and as a result only managed to

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Workshops with Jon

Every Wednesday, we would enjoy a workshop from Jon showcasing various different softwares, ones that for the most part I wasn't familiar with. Over the course of this module, we looked at Cinema 4D and dove into how to navigate through the software, how to create 3D assets as well as animation in both Cinema 4D and photoshop. While I had to miss a few of these lessons, I did get the hang of using these software and I am keen to find out more about Cinema 4D. While I am very interested in animation, I don't see the need to do it in photoshop. After testing it on a rocket animation linked below, I found photoshop to be not a good software for it.

Cinema 4D Workshop

The focal point of these workshops with Jon was getting to grips with cinema 4D - a tool that I think will become a very versatile tool in the future. It offers a wide range of options for use including making 3D meshes and models, 3D animation and a variety

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Photoshop animation workshop

Working with Photoshop for animation isn’t something I considered. While it is an interesting feature photoshop has. It’s not a very practical one in comparison to actual animation softwares such as Adobe animate, Opentoonz and Clip Studio. The feature just seems to be shoehorned into photoshop and it is very

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OpenToonz

OpenToonz - Open-source Animation Production Software

OpenToonz

Final thoughts and opinions

I really enjoyed this module, but more importantly I appreciated this module and what it has done to me as a designer. For a while now I hit a stage where I'm in a bit of a plateau and I was just content with what I already knew - Photoshop, InDesign, illustrator, and a handful of other apps and software. This module made me realise that it is an ever changing industry I'm prepping to set foot in. Innovations I used to stay away from like AI and augmented reality is quickly becoming mainstream and knowing how to incorporate them in my practice is important. Optimising and restructuring my workflow is essential, and keeping up with all these new websites, apps etc is something I really need to keep in mind going forward.