YCN OASIS: EVALUATION

The YCN Oasis brief has been a bit of challenge in regards to finding a focused concept and attempting to execute my designs. I have come across a lot of obstacles along the way with foiling, laser cut and types of typography to use. However I felt that I did balance my time quite well with the other briefs and modules I had to do alongside it.

At points in the brief I felt I focused more on the crafting element rather than were it can be distributed which was a main point in the brief which I should have took a closer look at. I felt if I did this I would feel more confident with what I had produced.

I felt that the brief did provide a scope and breadth of possible outcomes and ranges I could propose and I think I did this successfully despite the trouble I faced in completely finishing them. I'm glad that I attempted to work out of the digital realm and took on a more hands on approach which challenged myself as a designer.

I think I did make a few unrealistic time sheets and idea's in regards to the brief, but I have learnt form this and will be sure to make more time for me to finish certain aspects of designs or choose specific ways to execute designs. I also believe that if I have a big design idea I have to be realistic in the time I have to complete it!

In regards to identifying the problem for the brief I think I did this successfully, a strong skill of mine apart from design is writing creatively so I felt this was the perfect brief for me and I felt that the messages I created were fun, girly and spoke to the Oasis customer which the brief asked for.

The challenge I had in the brief was evidently the practice of printing processes and not only have I gained a new skill in beading but I have learnt about little things in order to make sure I don't make the same mistakes again.

The presentation of work was not clear on the brief how it should be presented so I used design boards as a way of communicating my idea's. I felt form the sessions with fred I created boards with impact but still were easy to understand and be interested in.

If I have learnt anything from this brief it was to think before you plan, and the reality of time scale with what else I have going on. I defiantly bit more off than I could chew and was slightly implosive. But I am proud of the work I have created and feel confident and knowledgable for when I enter future competition briefs.

YCN OASIS: SUBMISSION

The submission process for YCN was really straight forward, I followed the processes that are listed below through my images and also received a confirmation email after the process.

I submitted my work a day before the official deadline and felt really relieved after it was finished!

YCN OASIS: PRESENTATION BAORDS

YCN OASIS: MOCK UPS

After choosing my final designs I then decided to create digital mocks ups of how the message would work in context. I categorised the 9 messages in 3 sections which are displayed below.

Online Messages:

For my online messages I experimented with some look book shots that Oasis have previously used. I wanted the designs to look similar to Oasis brand and felt that by using these images it would be appropriate. I used a grid and started applying my designs and images until I made a cohesive set for the online mock ups.

- Final Outcomes

I was really pleased with these designs and felt the represented the Oasis style successfully. If I had more time I would have liked to have used my own photography for the brief.

In store messages:

From my primary research I tried t collect as many in store images I could and used some ones I also found the internet. I found this process quite hard trying to make it look professional as the images had a lot of objects that where hard to remove in photoshop.

However I think I made the message clear in which way the could be presented in store in a clear and successful way.

In store accessories:

The inshore accessories such as frames and billboard were also quite hard to mock up due the angles in which they were positioned.

However with the images I sourced i felt I mocked up the designs to best of my ability and the skills I have in photoshop.

With the mock ups completed I then had to focus on my presentation boards and how I could make them interesting.

YCN OASIS: DIGITAL TYPOGRAPHY

From my research into colour pallets, I decided to focus on 3 colours that exuded femininity and class. 

I chose this colour pallet as I felt all the colours worked together really well and represented the Oasis brand. 

Following the style of my previous beaded design I altered the top line of text for the work so that it would create a sense of consistency.

Although my idea's didn't work out I felt that these designs worked and fitted in well with the beaded design I created. 

YCN OASIS: PHOTOGRAPHY

With my main designs completed and the rest being digitally altered I decided to book a photography slot to do my work. I asked a photography student to help me take photo's but due to availability at the university campus and the students availability I had to find another alternative.

I took some images in a make shift studio in my bedroom but found that the images didn't look very professional and the lighting was off. I then found that were available paces at vernon street so I booked a slot there. I spoke to one of the technicians and they suggested that I used the finishing room which is available all year round for drop in which is useful information for me to know for future projects.

I set up my work using two side lights and a over head tripod to enable my images would be taken in the same space and were aligned. I experimented with props, angles and development work to get a range of photo's for me to experiment with and use. 

Below is a collection of the shot's I took during my time in the studio.

If i had more time and organised a shoot in advance I would have used a proper studio and photographer. However I am pleased with the outcome of these images.

YCN OASIS: BEADING

After two attempts at my initial idea's and my plan not going the way I had intended I decided to just stick to this final process and design the rest of my work digitally to show that I have considered and alternative way in which the Oasis messages could be represented.

I took a trip to the bead shop in the corner exchange and brought a selection of micro glass beads and glue to create my work.

I initially printed my work out by using the bypass feed in university and used the letters as a guide on where I could stick the beads.

For my first message I used a selection of beads and stuck them down all individually as I would do with the rest of my messages. For this design I used a multicoloured pack of beads that ranged in blues, purples, greens and silvers to represent the bold colours oasis uses and the diversity of the brand.

For my second design I used two tones of red beads to represent 'love' and how it would stand out in store. Again sticking these designs down all individually was a long process but I was really happy with the on-going outcomes.

For my final beaded design I used two shades of sliver to represent technology and the internet. I felt this design looked a little more bejewelled than beaded however I was happy with the outcome and how it would look when professional photographs are taken.

Although the process took me up to 1-2 days to complete I was really happy with the outcome and seeing one of my initial ideas finally come to life. Even though all my designs are going to be slightly different I hope it shows to the judges that I have thought of a multitude of ways that these messages can be portrayed creatively. 

YCN OASIS: FOILING

Another process I wanted to try for my brief was foiling I had the idea of foiling all of the work in black and then using other processes such as beading and sewing over the larger headers.

Print Room

For the production of my Oasis brief, I got a A2 screen at started to prepare if for the methods I wanted to use. This included stripping, cleaning and coating my screen in preparation for it to be exposed this took me 2 days to complete in order for my design to work.

When the screen was exposed I ran into some trouble with the design as they were not aligned onto the screen correctly when the technician exposed it. With this happening I felt that the time I had left to create the design was going to be a bit of a tight squeeze, however the technician said I could have an extra screen for free.

Before starting my design I brought some coloured mount board and cut them to an A4 size for the production of my work. I chose pastel colours as these are colours I found Oasis had used in their online work and in store.

To start the screen printing I aligned my work to a desk top to make sure the alignment of my work would be successful.

I then individually taped round my work to ensure that the other designs wouldn't go onto my work as I have exposed the majority of the messages onto an A2 screen.

I then brought some binder glue and some foil and using a squeegee I moved the glue over the design ready for the foil to be placed down.

I then placed the design into a heat press and waited for the glue and the foil to bind so that it would create a reflective effect.

I then let the design cool down for a few minutes before removing the foil to see how it had bonded to the letters.

On the reveal of the foiling some of the words had not taken to the foil and again it was quite hard to read. I then decided to try the process again but had to wait for my screen to dry due to using the type of glue for foiling you have to use if quickly and wash it off straight away as it can damage the screen.

After waiting for 30mins - 1hr, I tried the process again, following the same steps. However I ran into some trouble in the print room because it had been booked out for the afternoon for another course. I had been in the print room from 9am till 2pm and had only created one design that wouldn't be suitable for final submission. I then decided to reflect back on what I could do for the design and weather or not to continue with my initial idea. I spoke to some class mates who said that their was a foiling machine in the library and I could attempt my process there.

Library Resources

I decided to go into university on Saturday to attempt the foiling process in the library. After running into a lot of difficulty in the print room I decided to see the outcome of how I could rectify this process in an easier way.

I brought some more stock as mount board was not available to use in the foiling machine at the library and chose off white card as there were  not many options for me to choose from and  at this point I wanted my designs to reflect some form of consistency. The stock in total for this process cost me £2.00 which was a cheaper alternative to what I had spent the day before.

In order for the process to work I have to print my design on card using the bypass tray in studio 2, and then run to the library to make sure the foil would stick to the ink to ensure the process was successful.

After not having much success with the card I attempted using the designs on normal white paper. 

The foiling process worked successfully and I thought I could simply take photo's of the foiled process and super impose them onto my work after the photo shoot. Although this wasn't a safe / professional idea I thought it would be worth a try.

I did attempt to buy the same coloured stock in a paper form however, my stockist had run out, so I tried on a similar colour. However when it came to using the process again it didn't work. 

After trying a range of ways to get the foiling process right I decided to leave the idea and attempt to try and rectify it in photoshop. I felt confident in previous modules in doing this process and has worked successfully before but I think due to time constraints and small obstacles that came up along the way when trying to to complete this process had made me want to just try and complete my other idea's I spent a lot of money trying to complete this process and I think in regards to budget for the brief and the other processes I wanted to attempt I had to reconsider my plan of action. I think that I have done well in trying a series of ways to complete the process without giving up on the first hurdle but in doing this I may have lost some valuable time to complete my work on how I initially intended. I have definitely learnt a lot from this and will consider this for future modules to prevent me making these same mistakes again.