Induction Brief: 'How To...'

How We Got Our 'How To..' Brief Question

After being put into groups, we were asked to think of '100 Problems/Challanges you may encounter by being a Student at LCA on this course'. After coming up with them, we had to select our best 10 (see picture).

Group 9 Lists of 'Problems/Challanges you may encounter by being a Student at LCA on this course'

Eventually each group had to keep swapping lists from other groups, getting down to the best 3 and then pulling out the chosen problem from a box at random. Group 9 recieved the problem: 'How To Understand The UK Regional Accents of People in our Year on our Graphic Design Course'.

Research for Brief

The first thing we did was begin to research this area of interest (see Design Context Blog)

Initial Ideas/Brainstorming

From this, we went straight into thinking of initial ideas that could be used to produce a solution to this problem (see picture):

Initial Ideas I produced with diagrams and notations

1. Dictionary- This way, we could present slang and words used in certain areas in a format that is similar to the Oxford English Dictionary. The use of phonetics and definitions would be paramount aiding, not just understanding of the word but, the ability to use the word itself in everyday conversation. Perhaps having an example of it being used in a sentence as well?
2. CD Series/ Cassette/ Downloadable Recordings- Make a Sound Recording of a tutorial to be able to learn how to speak the (regional) language?
3. Leaflet- Like a flyer or have an information-based structure? Tone of leaflet would need to be considered- serious, humourous, considered?
4. YouTube Video Tutorials- Similar to the sound recordings but would provide a visual element as well (would aid the understanding of the listener/viewer). Could use user comments as feedback as to how successful it was for them? Would need to consider whether it would be audience appropriate contents (entertaining? engaging? interesting?)
5. Posters- Would allow to advertise for project as well as feedback. Too obvious maybe? Would work on a large scale maybe but wouldnt allow for detail
6. Instruction Manual- Written version/style to the Tutorials idea
7. Flashcards/Booklet- Would allow for detailled pieces of information in short bursts. Can be pocket-sized for easy use (either given out individually or in Freshers packs)? Can be either serious or humourous. Could have as individual flashcards or put altogether as a booklet set? Have a tear-out back page to accommodate feedback to collect?

From these considered approaches, we decided to go for the Flashcard/Booklet as it was alot more flexible in its uses and it meant that we could include aspects of the other ideas into producing them. This allows us to be considerate in producing a resolution that fits the brief. (see picture)

Background/Considerations for our Idea

Character Development

After coming up with this, we came up with possible layout designs and characters that we decided to use to represent the different areas and there accents. We made lists of characteristics that we felt needed to be included and then I came up with rough sketches of what they could possibly look like (see picture)

Initial Characterisation Sketches

From these initial sketches, Ellen then simplified them so that looked more sleek and cartoonish, linking with the humourous and light-hearted feel to the solution we wanted to create. This is very much in the style of graphic designer Dean Gray (letsmakestuff.com) (see picture)

Developed final characters

It was decided to produce these characters in Photoshop as the digital media would allow for a clean line and full form which Ellen produced.

Photoshop Created Accent Characters

They represent:

• Top Left- Yorkshire (Flat Cap, Corn, Natural Appearance)
• Top Right- Geordie (Hair Extensions, Eyelashes, Tan)
• Bottom Left- Essex (Quiff, Tan, Teeth)
• Bottom Right- Scouse (Rollers, Pout, Eyelashes, Eyebrows)

I think they are very successful as they present a simple representation of the chosen region in a stereotype without being offensive. The seem quite cheeky and sweet which adds to the humour intended. Also, the planning and sketches aided the development of the characteristics and allowed us to make changes when we felt it was necessary (such as not giving the Yorkshireman a beard as it wouldn't fit as well with the target audience).

Flashcard Layout/ Idea Development 

After this, we needed to take into consideration the way our flashcards were going to be laid out, the presentation of the flashcards and the way the information was going to be shown. It was important to make sure it is legible and laid out in a fashion that made sense. (see picture)


Sketches of possible Flashcard Layouts

  

Sketches of possible Flashcard Layouts

 From these considerations, we settled on a verticle layout that we all liked. We picked background colours that we felt represented the chosen regions and then we felt like it was necessary to have a corresponding font for each region as well. (see picture)

Types that were chosen to represent the regions

Then from these, Victoria put them altogether on Illustrator to produce our possible Flashcards (see picture)

Original Flashcard Outcomes

I thought these were successful to a degree as I like the different identities of each region being represented individually yet, to me, they looked more like posters than flashcards so I wasn't as convinced about them. Also, the type is quite small when presented horizontally in the speech bubble so its not as legible to read as the large scaled accent word. Despite this, I think they are very attractive aesthetically and I like the size (A6) we chose because then they can be carried around in pockets and put in freshers packs.

Crits and Idea Development from Crits

After we produced these, we had to have a crit where we presented what we had already accompliced to a different group and then they critiqued our work. We gained mainly positive feedback, however, we did get some pointers to improve on (see picture).

Crit of our Flashcards/ Accents Brief

Crit of oFlashcards/Accents Brief

Crit on our Flashcards/Accents Brief

The main criticism was based around the size of the font and the legibility as it appears quite small due to the size of the flashcards. Another criticism was that we needed to focus more on the phonetics/ put more emphasis on the phonetic spellings on the flashcards because of the brief being about accents and the sounds of accents. They also suggested showing research that we had taken in by television shows.

After the crit, we decided to deal with these criticisms by changing the layout of the flashcards so that they were more user- friendly (see picture).

Development of Flashcards Layout/ Presentation

We decided to change the orientation of the flashcards from vertical to horizontal so that there was more room and space on the flashcard, making sure it has more of a flashcard appearance rather than looking like a poster. Originally, we had left the backs of the flashcards blank as we hadn't considered having anything on the back of them but we then switched the placement of the titles from the front to the back which provided more of a simplistic and less cluttered appearance as well as fulfilling the aesthetic to appear more like flashcards than posters. This added an authenticity to our product yet I do think they have a slightly childish appearance which maybe could put the audience off them.  Also, by changing the orientation, it has provided space for the characters to have more space on the flashcard and we have enlarged the speech bubble so there is room for the text inside to be seen a lot more clearly- aiding the need for the phonetics of the words to be a lot more visible and have more emphasis put on them. Also, we got rid of the use of Bullet Points within the speech bubbles so that the layout appears cleaner and more considered and the use of the font 'American Typewriter' makes the font seem that it has been printed on.


Final Piece

We printed the Flashcards out on Matt paper and printed on both sides to get the Flashcard effect. (see picture)

Final Piece Physical Flashcards

The physical copies of the Flashcards looked much better than the digital images we had made it from. It made it all the more tangible and authentic. We then produced photographs to visually show how we would distribute the flashcards to our audience of students. We would put them in freshers packs, either individually or as a set, and they can be worn around the neck by string. They are A6 size to be portable and able to put in your pocket and can be used as a good icebreaker to get to know someone as well as understand what they are saying and try some yourself. For feedback, we would have a tear off page at the back to use for feedback that people can give in (see pictures).

 

Context of the Flashcards

I think, when put into context like this, the physical Flashcards are very successful as it allows them to be used for thier purpose and gives a practical response to the brief.

Presentation

In order to fulfil the brief, we needed to produce a Presentation to present to our peers in order to show how we came up with our outcome. Victoria, J'nae and myself contributed to the layout, contents and order of the Powerpoint we produced and we all assigned ourselves sections so we can each take it in turns to present to the group as a unit.


Print Screen of Our PowerPoint Presentation

 I think the presentation was successful to a degree as it was clear, succinct and demonstated all aspects of our project. It was slightly below the 5 minute time limit but we all contributed to the presentation and we had practised several times so it was well rehearsed.