As a designer with a strong focus on user interface and user experience design, briefs which demand traditionally printed outcomes are a welcome challenge, and an opportunity to delve into different territory. The openness of the brief allowed for an exploration into both early 20th century Californian graphic design, and the opportunity to explore further the process of screenprinting. Screenprinting was chosen for its contextual link to the time period, its ease of manufacturing and its ability to be reproduced en masse; as well as the ability to create gradients with the process. Screenprinting a gradient is a process I've wanted to experiment with for some time, and though at first difficulties were encountered (the ink failing to go through the screen correctly etc.), a solid colour gradient was achieved. The text was not as deep a black as intended - this could potentially be solved in the future by exposing the screen using a deep-black negative print, or by ensuring no excess material is left in the screen from prior users before use. Additionally, printing onto a super A3 stock then trimming down to standard A3 would have negated the rough edges seen on the final print. Though it can be justified as being part of the rustic, readily mass-produced process, a cleaner visual could be achieved.
Studio Brief 1 offered a challenging and rewarding look into the history of Leeds, and the history of progressive graphic design principles.
Studio Brief 2 allowed for further development of my intention to create unique, engaging and simple user interfaces. Though it took time and multiple iterations to settle on which issue to explore, a highly detailed and comprehensive research project was undertaken - not only of the issue of climate change but of general human impact on ecosystems and environments, online viral campaigns, and the general principles of engagement and intrigue in user interfaces. A website was chosen as the appropriate medium because websites are accessible to anyone with access to the internet, regardless of device (to amplify this, a concentrated effort was put into ensuring the interface would adapt to all screen sizes). Additionally, they are easily updated and improved at any time, and they are most appropriate in appealing to the target audience of 15-40 year old, who as part of the Millennial and Generation Z generations are adept at using technology and the internet. Progress was made with the first iteration, and although it could have developed into an appropriate and engaging product, it lost sight of the original tenets - engagement, simplicity and shareability, and so was disbanded in favour of Version 2. Feedback and user testing was of critical important in this brief (and with any product or service that is intended for use by a large number of people) and so was sought often, and many positive changes which were made in light of feedback would not have happened if that was not sought. The final product succeeds in being highly engaging and very easy to use, though a future improvement would be to include a non-intrusive form of built-in shareability. Additionally, animation could have been explored as a way to further increase user engagement and perhaps increase the likelihood of the user sharing the content within their networks - a key part of the intended distribution method.
Studio Brief 2 gave the opportunity to further develop my specialty and focus as a designer, and offered the chance to make a comprehensive research effort into climate change, human impact on the environment, online media, mass behavioural/emotional tendencies (particularly those which cross physical/cultural boundaries), intriguing and engaging user interface design, and simplicity in interaction design.
