Logging my findings

I have started researching asylum. Initially I am gathering information on where asylum seekers come from and why.

Having read a few bits of BNP literature it seems that they acknowledge that there are people who's lives really are in danger, however believe that it is not the British taxpayers responsibility. To which I can imagine a lot of people saying "well, fair enough - a bit selfish, but fair enough".

While I don't want to present a 'solution' with my design, I do think that I want to promote some kind of compassion. We are a wealthy country, we can afford to help.

I want to show that we have the responsibility to take asylum seriously, not just because its a nice thing to do, but because we as a nation owe it to the world. There are so many ways that Britain has (directly or indirectly) fucked so many things up, and continues to do so.

Whether it African countries that Britain colonised, semi-westernised, and then left in a mess (Nigeria, Eritrea, etc). Whether its the conflict between Isreal and Palestine (and Isreal and Lebanon) because of the way that the Western backed Isreal oppresses Palestinians. More recently, we should also consider sweat-shop labour. Lets use Bangladesh as an example. The British people are perfectly content in buying clothes from Primark which takes full advantage of what the Foreign Office calls "the worst [country] for corrupuption" to make cheap clothes. However, it is completely different if a Bangladeshi wants protection from the corrupt government. In fact Bangladesh is on the 'Whitelist' a list of countries considered safe, meaning that an asylum claim from a citizen of a whitelisted country is considered unfounded (however the Foreign Office advises us not to travel to Bangladesh as it is a dangerous country).

Anyway, I have started collating my information on a world map. It is far from complete, but whitlisted countries are coloured white and listed on the right and countries whos citizens come the UK are coloured black and listed down the left.



Close ups


Oops, is it Hezballah, or Hezbollah...? I'll have to check up on that.

First Post

I have pretty much decided on the subject of my FMP.

I want to look at asylum seekers and immigrants as these are areas that cause a lot of genuine concern and fear amongst the British population, mainly because there is little factual information available to the public. This lack of information results in the spreading of myths and lies, and ultimately the persecution of refugees and immigrants, the increased popularity of the BNP, and the attemps of other political parties to prove that they take a 'tough stance' on the issue.

I want to produce something objective that will inform people about the true facts of the issue. I do not intend to promote a certain point of view or solution - it is still a complicated issue with no clear answer of what is best to do - just try and encourage people to view it with intelligence and objectivity.

What better way to kick of my FMP blog than to show a video. This was posted on the BNP website, mocking liberals (it is interesting to note the use of the terms 'red' or 'communist' when describing liberals in fascist propaganda) and the government, accusing them of not allowing free speech, and comparing them to the Soviets. The British Nationalst are shown as kind, caring, down-to-earth folk.



Enjoy, and try not to get converted - I nearly was...

Final Major Project Statement of Intent

DESIGN PRACTICE / RATIONALE

Within the Final Major Project I aim to work as professionally as possible. To me this means: quick turn around of work, consideration of audience and context, appropriateness and legibility of fonts and imagery and environmental and social accountability.

I want to create work that is ‘real’ – work that is useful in its own right or answers some kind of need as opposed to work that main purpose is to develop my design skills. However, while I want my outcomes to be ‘real’ and ‘professional’, this may be the last chance I have to experiment relatively risk free, and I intend to capitalise on this opportunity.

I also want to try and get an idea of where exactly I fit in within the graphic design industry. Although I intend on getting a job in a design studio as soon as possible after I graduate, I fully intend to set up my own practise a couple of years down the line. My Final Major Project could be a good chance to get in touch with other designers to inform my practise (but also as an excuse to show people my work).


CONTEXTUAL REFERENCES / INFLUENCES

I have just ordered a subscription to Creative Review, making it easier to follow the creative industries – as I often find it difficult to keep up with what’s happening. As well as this I need to make sure I check design blogs/websites.

Design wise, I would say my biggest influence would be Vince Frost. I can relate to, and look up to his intelligent and playful typographic approach to design, and see his work as something to strive towards. In terms of clients and design ‘ethos’, however, I would say that companies like The Ultimate Holding Company and The Ethical Graphic Design Company, who focus on pro bono and charity work.
SUBJECT

I wish to do educational design that addresses the issues of asylum and immigration. I don’t intend for this to turn into promotion of one point of view, I just wish to show that these issues need to be addressed from an objective and educated point of view.


RESEARCH AREAS / RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

I wish to speak to other designers (possibly Frost) to ask how they went about certain briefs, print processes, etc. as well as speaking designers who have dealt with similar briefs to mine to ask advice.

Read design magazines and books, as well as current affairs ones – such as Adbusters, The Guardian, New Statesman, etc.

I aim to check design websites and blogs regularly – such as Type Neu, The Serif, Design Activism, Another Limited Rebellion, etc. As well as non-design websites such as the Guardian, Wikipedia, BBC News, etc.

To research asylum and immigration I will need to look at the limited informational material available, talk to organisations such as No Borders, Home Office, Refugee Council, Refugee Action, etc., as well as research the oppositional organisations such as the BNP. I will also need to find out how much the general public knows about the issue.


DESIGN PRACTICE

I imagine my outcomes to be a combination of information design and advertising design. The design will have to be completely focused around the audience.

I have emailed the Head of Media at the Refugee Council to see if there is any way that my work can be developed for the Refugee Council in the hope that the work I produce at college will be used in the ‘real world’. I am awaiting a reply.


DESIGN CONTEXT

Obviously I will research the facts of immigration and asylum in the UK (such as laws, reasons for claiming asylum, what countries people come from, etc), but I will also need to find out what people already know or think they know.

I will need look at ways that issues like this can be addressed through design. How you can avoid isolating people, annoying them etc, and address them on their level.

Theories such as the Marxist/Post-Marxist ideas of ‘Othering’ and Carol. J Adams theory of the ‘absent-referent’ are important in explaining why people may be confrontational or stubborn when present with issues like the ones I intend on exploring.

I have emailed the Ultimate Holding Company asking if I can visit them to get advice, etc., and I have emailed the Ethical Design Company.


PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

Hopefully, I will be back at Thompson in Easter, but as this is the only place I have any experience of working, I would like to do another work placement. If The Ultimate Holding Company agree to meet with me I may ask them about a placement.

I also intend on entering my work into the ISTD competition and entering the College’s End of Year Show competition again.


BIBLIOGRAPHY

Frost – Sorry Trees
The Advertising Concept Book – Pete Barry
Guerrilla Advertising – Lucas and Dorraine
Good – Lucienne Roberts
Conscientious Objectives – Cranmer and Zapaterra
100 Habits of Successful Graphic Designers – Plazm
Print and Finish - Ambrose and Harris
Special Effects – Allrightsreserved
Citizen Designer – Steven Heller
The Layout Book – Ambrose and Harris


JOURNALS

Creative Review
Adbusters
Computer Arts
IDN
Guardian
New Statesman


WEBSITES

Typeneu.com
Theserif.net
Worldstudio.org
Frostdesign.com.au
Designactivism.net
ALRdesign.com

Final Major Project Proposal

DESIGN PRACTICE / RATIONALE

Within the Final Major Project I aim to work as professionally as possible. To me this means: quick turn around of work, consideration of audience and context, appropriateness and legibility of fonts and imagery and environmental and social accountability.

I want to create work that is ‘real’ – work that is useful in its own right or answers some kind of need as opposed to work that main purpose is to develop my design skills. However, while I want my outcomes to be ‘real’ and ‘professional’, this may be the last chance I have to experiment relatively risk free, and I intend to capitalise on this opportunity.

I also want to try and get an idea of where exactly I fit in within the graphic design industry. Although I intend on getting a job in a design studio as soon as possible after I graduate, I fully intend to set up my own practise a couple of years down the line. My Final Major Project could be a good chance to get in touch with other designers to inform my practise (but also as an excuse to show people my work).


DESIGN / CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT AREAS

The areas I wish to explore/develop are:

Branding – name, logo design, brand recognition, brand extension, strap-lines, positioning, etc.

Promotion and education – basic advertising strategy, audience, copywriting, mediums/formats.

The physical areas/outputs I wish to explore are:

Print – processes, effects, finishes, paper, sustainability, limitations

Type/layout – grids, appropriateness of fonts, legibility, integration of text and image, hierarchy, pushing limitations/boundaries.


PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

I plan to keep on doing small freelance jobs for free/little money to build up my portfolio and gain professional experience. I also intend to spend another week or two at Thompson Brand Partners, where I did a work placement during the summer and over Christmas.

I also intend to keep my personal blog and website up-to-date.

CONTEXTUAL REFERENCES / INFLUENCES

I have just ordered a subscription to Creative Review, making it easier to follow the creative industries – as I often find it difficult to keep up with what’s happening. As well as this I need to make sure I check design blogs/website.

Design wise, I would say my biggest influence would be Vince Frost. I can relate to, and look up to his intelligent and playful typographic approach to design, and see his work as something to strive towards.

I have found it hard, but would like to make more of an effort with my interests outside of design – BMX and learning more about the things I have been exploring or my dissertation. Not only do these offer a change from design, but inform my design by offering alternative perspectives. It was BMX in the first place that lead to my interest in video and, then afterwards, graphic design.


SUBJECT

I wish to practise design that promotes, informs and educates, exploring issues of ethics and social responsibility. My design should environmentally considered.

I do not necessarily want to promote a ‘cause’ (charities, etc) however I do wish to avoid the promotion of products/services that contradict any personal beliefs.


RESEARCH AREAS / RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

I wish to speak to other designers (possibly Frost) to ask how they went about certain briefs, print processes, etc.

Read design magazines and books, as well as current affairs ones – such as Adbusters, The Guardian, New Statesman, and the BMX magazines I read anyway (and that a lot of my friends contribute to) – Ride UK and Dig.

I aim to check design websites and blogs regularly – such as Type Neu, The Serif, Design Activism, Another Limited Rebellion, etc. As well as non-design websites such as the Guardian, Wikipedia, etc.

Whatever brief I decide to do I will obviously need to look at websites, journals, books, existing design, etc, to gather in-depth knowledge of the subject.

One very rough area I have considered looking as is asylum seekers as this is an issue avoided by the popular media. The majority of Britons don’t have a clue about what the difference between asylum and immigration, where asylum seekers come from and what exactly the tax-payers provide them. Due to the lack of information, this issue causes prejudice, and genuine concerns amongst British communities.

To research this area I will need to look at the limited informational material available, talk to organisations such as No Borders, Home Office, Refugee Council, etc., as well as research the oppositional organisations such as the BNP. I will also need to find out how much the general public knows about the issue.


INITIAL / PROPOSED IDEAS FOR BRIEFS

Rough brief attached.


COMPETITION / LIVE BRIEFS

I need to make some adjustments and collate my work to enter the ISTD competition in February.

I also aim to enter more competitions as they appear and when I have the time.


BIBLIOGRAPHY

Frost – Sorry Trees
The Advertising Concept Book – Pete Barry
Guerrilla Advertising – Lucas and Dorraine
Good – Lucienne Roberts
Conscientious Objectives – Cranmer and Zapaterra
100 Habits of Successful Graphic Designers – Plazm
Print and Finish - Ambrose and Harris
Special Effects – Allrightsreserved
Citizen Designer – Steven Heller
The Layout Book – Ambrose and Harris


JOURNALS

Creative Review
Adbusters
Computer Arts
IDN
Guardian
New Statesman


WEBSITES

Typeneu.com
Theserif.net
Worldstudio.org
Frostdesign.com.au
Designactivism.net
ALRdesign.com

Final Major Project Brief

Context

This module will support you in developing a self-initiated body of work that reflects your creative, professional and practical concerns within the field of contemporary design practice. The work produced during this module should demonstrate your ability to plan, research, produce and present a substantial, innovative and informed body of work. It will also demonstrate your understanding of contemporary practice and concerns within your chosen area of Graphic Design

Brief

Following tutorial discussion about your initial Final Major Project proposal you are required to write a ‘Statement of Intent’ (SOI) in the form provided. This document will clearly identify and articulate specific areas of focus such as subject matter, research methods, time scales, practical development, contextual references and methods of documentation/evaluation. As a result of this you will produce a body of work in three parts

PART 1 – PROJECT JOURNAL (20%) – You will be required to set up a blog. and use it to document the research development and management of your final major project. This should include your SOI, ongoing evaluation of your progress, documentation of research that you have undertaken, and a summative evaluation of your project. (see additional handout for further details).In addition to your blog you will be required to present evidence of time/project management in the form of a paper based project file.

PART 2 – DESIGN CONTEXT (40%) – you will be required to undertake a period of focused, in-depth and sustained research into an area of graphic design appropriate to your design strategy. You should apply a range of research methods in the investigation of issues, practices, practitioners and companies relating to your own particular area of study. This should culminate in the design and production of a Case Study in the form of a book (or print based delivery), interactive dvd or web site. (See supporting handouts for further information)

PART 3 – DESIGN PRACTICE (40%) – Alongside the development of your case study you are required to identify, negotiate and resolve a set of design briefs or a significant design problem, appropriate to your individual design practice and informed by your case study research. These could be live, competition or self directed briefs and should allow you to demonstrate a high level of practical and conceptual design skills. You will be required to formalise any briefs in the provided/negotiated format and present work as directed in the appropriate professional formats (see additional handouts for guidance).


Evidence

For this project students should submit: Module Outcome assessed :

A PROJECT JOURNAL (in the form of a blog.) demonstrating your ability to propose, plan, carry out, document and critically evaluate a sustained period of research, development and production in relation to your own design practice. 1,7

B DESIGN CONTEXTS – demonstrating your ability to apply a range of sustained research methods and approaches to the gathering, ordering and coherent presentation of source material appropriate to a negotiated subject / area of study. 2,3,4

C DESIGN SOLUTIONS – demonstrating your ability to respond to a substantial design problem/ problems appropriate to your negotiated subject / area of study / design practice. 5,6

D EVALUATION – A summative evaluaton (500 words) will be posted on your blog by the submission deadline 1

And on the seventh day God spoketh to Kyle...

and said "Happy 21st birthday mate"

"Oh cheers, how did you know?" replied Kyle.

"Omniscient... duh... Anyways, I got you a birthday present"

"Ooo, what is it?"

"Flu."