Lecture Comments
Design Development (workshop challenge)
Initial Thoughts on project Ideas.
With my practice being focussed around more community based projects I’ve been thinking about a few projects which I would ‘love’ to be part of / curate / support.
One project I wanted to do when it came to tender a few years back was the ‘re brand’ of the local town hall. Other projects which I am also interested in speculatively is the creative direction behind an ‘event’ or ‘festival’ on a smaller scale. This could potentially be ‘local’ and ‘eco’ focussed.
Another idea which came to mind was a project around canal boats and their communities? Could there be a book or event held around that? A canal boat festival? (these happen UK wide and are sometimes called waterway festival’s)
Initial ideas around project brief for pitching
Idea #1 Eco Festival – The branding of a local eco festival – bringing together communities to learn about re wilding, how to grow your own etc within a local town (could be nationwide)
Output required : Festival identity
Idea #2 Canal Boats – I walk my dog along the canal often and have always wondered what life was like on a canal boat? Is there an opportunity here to work with someone live the canal and river trust to produce a publication on lives on the canal. Or even more speculatively a ‘canal boat festival’
Output required: Publication design and OR identity for event.
Idea #3 Typographic Festival/workshop series – Influenced by the local community, a hands on experience exploring the possibilities of type within a given location (using materials available)
Output required: Festival / workshop branding and facilitation.
Keeping to what I want to achieve within my design practice.
Following a tutorial with Frauke I realised that I started to de rail and go off course slightly to where I want my practice to go. In the previous module I worked on a project around a local pond which sparked a series of conversations and questions around the future of my practice. The project only started and was a draft with many strands able to plan the project.
I want to use this project to look at in this week’s challenge. How can I as a design practice / consultant put together a pitch which looks at the future of the pond? There is already things I have loosely considered which can be taken forward such as:
- Development and design of further pond signage (including a new map)
- Bins around the pond to help with litter issues
- Botanical / signs highlighting native species to the area? These can be QR linked for the public
- A place for educational institutions to use as a learning resource (local schools and colleges)
- The re wilding of the pond
- The cleaning of the pond
- Viewpoints (which are accessible for all) Families
- Make it more of a destination within the park
To do this I need to plan how I would pitch this to the client. This client most likely will need to include Wiltshire Council and people who may be able to support the project, for example Trowbridge Eco.
Rough Plans and outline for project pitch. (work in progress)
Research
Marylou Faure – All things freelancing
As a freelance illustrator Marylou talks of being open about your process. It’s ok to be in a state of flux and change. Asses what you’re doing and if it’s not what you like change? Make the move to change direction.
When discussing Freelance rates Marylou was open about speaking to other designers and artists what they were charging for work. She mentioned that if you don’t ask and know how are you going to price yourself competitively against others, too potentially win that job.
“Steer yourself in the right direction” – It won’t happen for you, you need to be the driver of your creative journey. I
“Finding the right balance”
Marylou Faure
Gala Festival Identity
Taking inspiration from a festival which identity draws upon a simple design using tactile images and designs. I felt I needed to look at projects which I would love to have been part of? These are projects I would want my creative practice to be involved with. This festival describes itself as
‘Independent South London festival nestled in a woodland corner of Peckham Rye Park.’
“We are invested in making a positive impact within our community as well as in the wider contexts of nightlife and electronic music. We promote diversity, transparency and environmental sustainability, fundraise for causes we care about and strive towards creating a safe and open space for all”
#wildaboutwiltshire – Wiltshire Council
Weekly Reflections
James Shaw 