'Sounds Visual' team project

First year students recently took part in a project that enabled designers and illustrators to work together in teams to explore how designers can add value to the marketing of music. To do this they created packaging designs for compilations for record labels like Stiff, DefJam, Deep Medi, Trojan, Warp and Ninja Tune.

Platforms

The recent second year Work Based Learning submission was supported by a diagnostic programme of projects aimed at enabling students to explore the key specialisms of communication design. This programme was curated by Tara Hanrahan from Thinkdo Studio and the projects were delivered by some of the leading practitioners in each field. The 6 areas of specialism were 1. Information Design defined as: 'Understanding through analysis. The examination of information and the consequent representation.' This project was delivered by Tara Hanrahan. 2. Communication and Persuasion: 'The communication of messages which inform and enhance the viewer/ user experience.' This project was delivered by Sophie Thomas, partner at Thomas Matthews. 3. Identity: 'The definition of visual characteristics which communicateand inform distinct visual meaning.' This project was delivered by Tara Hanrahan. 4. Sequential Design: 'Design which incorporates the linkage or connection of the constituent parts of different elements.' This project was delivered by Tara Hanrahan. 5. Interactive Design: 'Design which anticipates, integrates and controls the inputof a third party.' This project was delivered by Matt Rice from Sennep. 6. Editorial Design and Typography. The comprehension of language and copy determined by informed design decisions. Project delivered by Kirsty Carter from APFEL.

Work Based learning 2011/12

We have just finished marking submissions for the Work Based Learning unit that takes place at the beginning of the second year on the FdAs in Design & Illustration and once more the work produced illustrates the range of opportunities that can be provided by proactively engaging with the professional context. Our students really are ‘learning with industry’. This is illustrated in the three submissions we have chosen to feature on this blog.

Sam Moore

Illustration student, Sam Moore, did placements at Jelly and NoBrow. His journal details his experience and how he has used this to work towards establishing himself as a freelance illustrator.

Kenny Foot

Kenny chose to produce a book about the branding of the Olympic games. The body of research that informs this project is exemplary and involved Kenny speaking to some of the leading figures in contemporary graphic design. This included interviews with writers Steven Heller and Michael Beirut, editor of Creative Review – Patrick Burgoyne and designer of the 1968 Mexico Olympics identity – Lance Wyman.

Jessie Price

In recent years we have encouraged students to explore all aspects of work-based learning and have tried not to focus solely on work placements. Jessie’s submission exemplifies the benefits of this approach, outlining a fully rounded learning experience that between July 2011 and January 2012 included participation in industry partnered projects, paid work, conversations with leading practitioners, live projects and the production of published work.

Meadowsweet

Meadowsweet is a new flower business that celebrates English Flowers. Jessie was paid to design the branding and packaging for this start up business.

National Youth Jazz Collective

Jessie worked with a group of other students last year to create an identity the National Youth Jazz Collective. In her submission Jessie records the ups and downs of the implementation of this identity.

Collaboration with Container+

Jessie designed a booklet for Container+ and Vital Arts that presents the outcomes from a project that involved encouraging orthopaedic and cancer patients at Barts and the Royal London Hospitals to tell exciting & memorable stories from their lives.

Industry partnered project

Jessie produced a journal detailing her learning from our project with ICO Design and UbyU books.

Milltag Competition

Ed Cowburn, Director of Milltag visited the college on Wednesday 15^th February to review progress on London Cycling Jersey competition. Ed is an ex student from the FdA in Graphic Design and students from across the UAL are taking part in a competition to design a cycling jersey for his company that is inspired by London.