Any ideas where April went? How can it be May already?? This means the year is almost over - first year over. I would like to say that I feel I have learnt alot and am making big strides with my design work. I can't. I feel like I'm glossing over every aspect and not getting to know anything in any real depth.
This week I have been splitting my time between the contextual studies project and the Doritos advert. I have to admit I am struggling with Doritos. I think I'm doing OK with the artwork but the sound is proving very difficult. I have looked at alot of adverts on TV and they all have music with sound effects. None of them are just sound effects without talking. So I need music - but which music piece...It will have to be original....but how am I suppose to produce something that is original when I know nothing about music other than listening to it? Seriously. How am I suppose to be a New Media Designer which encompasses video, sound, art and bringing them together when we are not taught any of the specifics? I know the answer if I ask, "this is a design course". What use is good ideas and great design if you can't produce the final piece???
Anyways, getting back to my reflections. It's all coming together and although I am trying my absolute best both contextual studies and the doritos advert will result in a not polished piece. At most I will get a merit, luck to get a merit I think.
HEMISPHERE
The last speaker we had for Contextual Studies was Grant and Sue from Hemisphere, a design and marketing consultancy company based in Manchester. Grant started the company 20 years ago have found themselves in the brand discipline of design. Sue started with the company 10 years later and the company has been going from strength to strength with now 99% of their work coming from recomendations and referrals. Designers from London have even been approaching Hemisphere. Hemisphere have a unique breakdown of staff, having a larger than usual number of designers. The company put alot of emphasis on the design process and went through three case studies, explaining how they came to the design they did. They break their design process down to Analyse, Investigate, Explore and evaluate, Identify and agree and finally, implement.
Out of all the speakers that we have had speak to us, these guys were the most relevant and useful. Although they don't do new media as such, mainly design for print.
For further information here is their website. http://www.hemispheredmc.com/
