What Is a Design Practice?

"Graphic Design is an ongoing examination/ conversation between the graphic dynamics of personal exploration and professional practice." - Matt Owens, Volumeone

Key requirements of a good design practice:
-Appropriateness of response
-Quality of resolution
-Meeting the deadline

Appropriateness of response
-What is the problem?
-Who is the audience?
-What is the context?
-What is the method?
-What is the delivery method?

Functions of a design - what do you want to achieve?
-Ask a question
-Make a statement
-Give an order
-Deliver an instruction
-Make someone laugh/cry..?

What is your rationale?
-Creative
-Ethical
-Commercial
-Handmade
-Digital
-Lens based
-2/3/4 dimentional
What is the concept, idea, research, audience, context and media

Quality of Resolution
-Depth of appropriate research
-Breadth of initial ideas
-Selection of potential ideas
-Thorough visual development
-Attention to detail/crafting
-Clarity of presentation

Elements to consider when defining ideas which reflect your individual practice:
-Type and/or image?
-Is the media the message?
-What is the tone of voice?

Play with ideas. Try it, test it make it better.
Collaboration can involve conflict, friction, strife, exhilaration, delight and vast creative potential.

Message, communication, clarity and context x Creativity, concept and ideas x Skills, organisation, discipline and commitment / Boundaries, limitations, rules and time.

Task: In groups of 3, create a free add that will communicate the design practice of the group as a whole and each individual alone. The add should contain 50words maximum. It can be type, image or both combined. Should fit into A3 as large as possible. Look at the other group members' blogs to get a greater idea of their work and interests.. 3 printed resolutions should be produced for next week.

About Me

About Melissa Gater

Research into Melissa's design preferences and inspiration.

Development of my own ideas for Melissa's free ad:

About Dan Everitt

Research into Dan's design preferences and influence:

Idea Development for Dan's free ad:

5 Statements that define me as an individual.

1. Big open spaces inspire me.

2. Music keeps me motivated.

3. I love travelling

4. I enjoy decorating

5. I am often told that I am a very slow person.

5 Statements about me as a Designer

1. I enjoy experimenting with type.

2. I have recently become very interested in magazine and editorial layout design.

3. I enjoy taking close-up photographs of different textures and objects.

4. I prefer the outcomes of traditional print methods rather than digital

5. I like minimal art, particularly in black and white.