OUGD603 - Brief 01 - Evaluation

This brief was my first experience working with a large scale client. I approached it with high hopes and ambitions, knowing that I had a budget, something I had never worked with before. I was very particular with the final products and being a little obsessive over some parts, which I felt was justified as my work was being produced at a mass scale for a large audience.

I had never produced work at such a scale and was keen to show of my professionality and capabilities as a designer. As it was the first event the Union were holding during their attempts to ‘rebrand’ their image, I decided to go with on trend design that would be viewed as ‘edgy’ , which is appropriate for an art school.

Because this was my first client experience, I had to ensure that I was keeping to deadlines, which I perhaps was a little too relaxed with. I also found myself becoming quite pushy, trying to obtain what I was after and justify my own work. It felt a little demeaning and that there was a little lack of faith in my practice and the clients often behaved as though they weren’t taking my work seriously. It was my first real experience with “that’ll do” and “it does the job” attitudes. Because of mistakes that were made, I also learnt the importance of dealing with printers first hand and not going through the client.

For this concept I took the literal meaning of fresh, with a tongue in cheek attitude. Following trends in design to help the Union rebrand their image as ‘trendy’, it was most appropriate for art students. The style worked successfully throughout the material creating a recognisable identity. I approached the brief looking at it as “what would I have liked to see when I was a fresher”.

The quality level is as high as was achievable without full control on print finishes. Because the work was representing the Union, it had to be professional and not convey any negative messages. To present the final project, the work was photographed appropriately, again using a trend in presentation, and taking the fresh citrus theme further.

This brief was a brand new experience, but it was positive to see my own work out there. It prepared me well for the next time I have to work with a client, as they weren’t the easiest to work with. I did feel as though my practice wasn’t fully appreciated. It made me aware of how to approach the next client work ensuring that I communicate with printers 1 on 1 and be a little pushy to ensure my work and practice is taken seriously.