thoughts on topic

I think looking into layout and the effects of a successful layout maybe something worth looking into for a topic, there is potential for lots of experiments for it and there is tonnes of good resources for research. On the the side of it I also have a particular interest in layout and editorial design, specifically for magazines and catalogues etc.

The same can also be said about branding. However this is a large subject area with multiple smaller topics and elements, and will need to specific question to answer or subject matter.

first idea generation attempt

In order to start getting some ideas for the subject of the Creative Reflections module. I have began with a small brainstorm/mind-map to allow me to generate some ideas. None of these to me stick out as particularly strong. However it is just a starting point to allow me to think of more detailed and more distinctive topics and subject matters for the module.

Questions and answers about me as a designer.

1. What is your current practice/specialist area?
   I currently would say I do not have a specialist area. Even though there are areas that I do have more experience in such as branding, editorial based work and advertisement. At the moment I am trying to develop my specialist area from a small list of subject areas I have tried and liked. After dismissing other areas of design I am not to keen on such as animation, motion graphics. It is down to wanting to learn web as I currently see web design as a necessity to some level, I also have a interest in interface/layout design as well as branding.  
2. What are you passionate about?
   My passions tend to lie in and outside of design. I love playing games and skateboarding, these are the two main things in my life which I can always go to to relax and have fun, regardless or what mood or situation I might be in. Design is obviously a passion of mine and it is a wide spread passion having interests in a lot of areas, this relates to my specialist area above. I have the passion to design, but I am yet to find where to put it. 
   
3. What and who are your influences/inspirations?
   My first and major influence in design was the workings of Saul Bass and in particular his movie posters. Seeing them for the first time made me realise I do not need to be a technically good drawer to be good at design, sure it may help. But you don't need to be able to draw life like drawings to be able to be creative and to create a good solid piece of design.
    
4. Where and how do you get inspiration for work? (reading about..? drawing from observation? Listening to…? testing theories, science, philosophy and nature., architecture., automatism..)
   My inspiration usually relies on the given topic I am working with. for instance if I were doing a packaging brief i would search for great looking packaging until I find something which breaks the mould of conventional packaging and has a great look and feel to it. Finding something like this helps me think outside my current box and hopefully come up with something more creative and original.
   
5. What is your working process? (research, gathering info about what already exists, direct observation, test pieces, gallery visits, talks seminars, entering alternate reality)
   I have used the same process since college, I start of by researching around the given topic of area, looking at competition, target market etc.  If there are currently any seminars or galleries related, I will try to visit, however it it not priority.  I tend to work primarily with sketchbooks as it is a method i am very comfortable with, however i have used blogs in the past. I find using a blog better suited for some projects such as anything video related as it is much easier to store and show video related research. After research I will then create some concept ideas and work with a few of them till it is obvious or clear which is the idea I will go with. I enjoy having feedback on all areas and all times of development as i find the more the better. However when constant feedback is not available I make sure to at least gain feedback on chosen concepts and when I feel the project is coming to a close I will want feedback then.
   
6. What are the most exciting strengths about your work? what makes you stand out from the crowd? sell yourself.
   I have been told I have good determination and i strive to get things done as best as i can, even if they are not particularity working for me. I felt this was correct as I had been through an example of this with a recent project. I worked and put a lot of time into a design and it would not work for me, however I was running out of time for the brief and was too late to start a new idea from scratch, so I had to stick with my current idea and make the absolute best out of it that I could. At the end of it, I can honestly say I came out with a piece of work that i liked and was happy with. 
   
7. Would you like your work to change/ improve something in the world with your work?
   Cheap and tacky packaging and adverts.
   
8. Are there any areas of weakness that could be improved? Explain how they could be developed, consider technical and theory issues
   I would definitely like to improve on my knowledge on people in the industry as well as technical skills and industry standards for things. I feel in education things like this are left out a bit. The creative side is encouraged and developed which is great, but its not use when you don't know how something simple would be published in the real professional world. 
   
9. Is there an area you would like to investigate specifically that you haven’t had the opportunity to do before? (use of sound, graphic design theories, visual communication, semiotics, human computer interaction, interactivity, chance)
   I would say I have at least touched every part of design I am interested in. However as above I want more opportunities in it to really know what I want to do. I would like to know more about going past the design aspect of things like advertising, as a whole campaign will involve more than a few posters and some banners.The things I have tried and would like to know and practice more of are;
   Web design/programming.
   Magazine and editorial work.
   Branding and logo development.
   Advertising.
   
10. What benefit would that have on your current practice?
    I think having known more about these topics would allow me to create a fuller and better piece of design. Having more knowledge in the subject also allows for more creativity and experiments within the given subject.
    
    
    After answering this questionnaire, I have understood more about what I want to achieve out of this and other modules. I want to find out more about the subject areas I am interested in, and I think something like this brief will almost force me to do so. This is a good thing however as it will help me in both long and short term, as well as learning more about the industry I am preparing to go into.

Introduction

My Name is Nicholas Ainsworth and this is my blog/journal for the Creative Reflection module for the BA Creative Media and Visual Communication course.
On this blog will be posted research, experiments, mind maps etc. as well as my on going thoughts about the project.