OUGD505 / STUDIO BRIEF 02 / ETHICS

Since I will be trying to conduct various questionnaires, it is important to consider the ethical problems I may face during this section of my research.

Since I am asking very real people, I will offer them the right to remain anonymous at any point at their request. Since their names are important to the specific crime case, it would be ideal to keep the names within my publication, however this is entirely up to the individual and the researcher must always give them the option to withdraw their information as confidential.

Having their identity kept confidential has it's pros, as respondents may be more honest and upfront as they do not have to worry about their name being shared. I will also give them the right to withdraw their response at any time during production.

Since I am choosing to research into mass shootings, asking survivors and families of victims can induce stress and upset to the respondants. I will have to ensure the questions do not provoke unnecessary distress. This is crucial in order to build a rapport and gain the respondants trust by being  supportive as possible during the questions.

As I am planning on writing letters to respondants to gain a more personal response, this could bring some problems. Questionnare could be lost in the post, meaning data would not be recieved, and the likelyhood of recieving a response by post is already quite low especially within the time period I have to complete the project. The data could not be truthful - impacting the validity of the data.

OUGD505 / STUDIO BRIEF 02 / INITIAL THOUGHTS

In this session, in groups we were assigned one of the following topics: political, environmental or social change, and asked to create a mindmap of concepts and ideas around this topic. Ours was political change, therefore we came up with a large amount of linked topics, in which some overlapped with environmental and social. All three topics can be linked to each other in certain terms.

Initially getting this brief, I was aiming to choose a topic under the umbrella of Feminism, however, during this session, we began discussing topics such as black rights and war, which got me thinking about categories I was interested in which link to these. I came up with 'mass shootings', and the effects of the gun laws in America.

The amount of shootings which take place especially in America is astounding, and clearly demonstrates that something has gone terribly wrong with their gun laws in the country. It cannot be a coincidence that the majority of mass shootings by (usually) one person, take place in the US.

Upon these thoughts, I began to plan how I will tackle this brief, firstly completing relevant research into mass shootings, the agendas, the victims, the shooters, the families, the law and guns.

OUGD505 / STUDIO BRIEF 02 / CONTACT

As part of my research, I would like to contact victims and the families of victims of mass shootings, particularly in America. In doing this, I would be able to gain a more personal account of the effects these offenses have had on people, and hopefully gain some useful content to include in the publication.

Alongside victims, it would also be very interesting to contact those who have committed these crimes who are currently in prison. This is a long shot, I have no idea if these people will reply to me, but gaining a hand written reply from someone who has actually had those thought processes will be a much more intimate part of my project than something I could produce myself synthetically.

The next step will be to locate contact details for victim's families, or victims (who have survived) themselves, and see if I can gather a few responses.

OUGD503 / STUDIO BRIEF 01 / D&AD / CONCEPT

CELL

Cell is a skincare brand which fundamentally focuses on breaking the stigma of males using skincare products whilst simultaneously representing women who do not feel attracted to already existing brands. It stands for breaking down stereotypes, beauty standards and is basically for anyone.

I would need to ensure the branding is gender neutral in order to appeal to both sexes, avoiding only appealing to one gender. This means the branding should not be overtly masculine or feminine, but simplistic, modern and clean.

The main things to consider will be:

• Stigma
• Gender stereotypes
• Environmental issues
• Animal welfare
• Representing a large audience

OUGD505 / STUDIO BRIEF 02 / BRIEF

BRIEF

Examine graphic design outputs relating to social, political and ethical change. Aim to increase your awareness of historical examples plus contemporary practice that is responsive to 21st Century issues. Be sure to note the relationship between medium and message.You should then produce a body of research work that explores the connections between these concepts and their respective design outcomes prior to your own practical and conceptual exploration of possible products, ranges and methods of distribution that may be suggested by your preferred content or, indeed, those that reflect your own ideologies, concerns and/or ambitions.

This brief is in two parts -

Part 1:  Based on the introductory workshops, develop a practical, visual and contextual investigation of a specific subject. You should aim to develop research from a range of primary and secondary sources in order to fully explore the opportunities for informed creative development. Your research and development of this part of the brief should be documented on your Studio Practice blog and will be presented as part of your interim concept pitch.

Part 2:  Devise and develop a body of practical work that both distils your knowledge of an identified issue and demonstrates your ability to tap into the market potential for socially, politically and ethically-driven design. This output should still work within the broader creative and professional contexts of graphic design but could be based around ideas of awareness or protest. Examples of potential deliverables include (but are not limited to):

• materials relating to an issue-led campaign (this could be one affiliated to an established organisation or a more ‘guerilla’ approach)

• a poster series

• a booklet/publication/manifesto

• a web/digital platform

• placards, banners or a set of badges

• a range of products or merchandise that communicate your identified core message

Your contextual research, critical observations and reflective evaluations should be documented on your Studio Practice blog and summarised within reflective content that supports your design submission. Your response should explore the relationship between product range and methods/media of distribution as well as specific audiences, contexts and appropriate tone of voice.

Deliverables

Resolutions & Products appropriate to your selected brief(s).

A minimum of 5 x A3 design boards/design sheets (submitted as PDFs) articulating the selected research development, resolution and contextualisation of your work.

Posts to your Design Practice blog demonstrating your ability to effectively record, document and critically evaluate the progress of your work in relation to your own intentions and appropriate areas of contemporary creative practice.

ANALYSIS

This brief is very researched based, meaning in order to produce something informed I must undertake a large amount of primary and secondary research, gaining knowledge and understanding of a certain topic of my choice, be that political, environmental or social. 

It will be especially useful to further learn about a topic of interest, and in the end create a piece of work informed by the knowledge gained through experimentation and research. It is an opportunity to create a very strong portfolio piece. I am quite opinionated so I enjoy creating design which communicates a strong message, which this brief will be especially great for. I will also take time to consider the sections regarding distribution, and hopefully give me a wider knowledge of design in this aspect.