End Of Module Evalution Design Principles

Over the module of design principles I have learnt the basics of my discipline through a series of study tasks which show the basic tools to produce work which is of professional standard, I looked at how to fit colours into a theme and how colour combinations can fit to a genre (I.e - Pink and red - to romance). I was able to refresh my knowledge of the colour wheel and grasp a deeper understanding of colour theory as a whole, I now understand the RGB and CMYK terms and the use of Pantones, especially using them on Software such as photoshop and InDesign, though I feel I could have a stronger grasp and need to use more colour in my designs, and identify when to use which pantones and with a number of other pantones. One of the most influential parts of design principles was looking at grids, it has opened up my skills as a designer, I now use a grid for all the work I do, it has allowed me to produce more creative work, especially with typography I have been able to arrange type in new ways, the grid allows me to produce well structured pieces of design. Researching grids introduced me to designer Romek Marber, who has become a huge influence to me and the way I look at my work and design. Throughout the design principles module I was introduced to canons and the basic rules of graphic design, touching on kerning, Research and Grids, I am still seeking to learn more of these skills and further my understanding of them, this will help me progress and improve as a designer. Through looking at canons I learnt more about Vignelli and his rules of graphic design, where he talks about type and that there is only 5 typefaces a designer will ever need, Helvetica, Bodoni, Times New Roman, Futura and Century, something I have considered following reading Vignelli's canon, yet again I am still finding my feet and also a canon which I design to. I have been able to identify my strengths and weaknesses within my work, one of which is my evaluative skills I have identified that Avoid using a descriptive approach, focus on analysis, evaluation, contextualisation and theorising.I need to be concise, avoid wasting time on unnecessary details which are uncritical, and that I need to justify my design decisions based on objective grounds, such as; the audience, communication, context and research, not on aesthetic preference, I have been able to now produce better work and also a better analysis and evaluation not only of my own work but others people work. Through the two briefs which I undertook through the design Principles module, both of which were to create publications, the first one as a response to some of the design principles we learnt through the study tasks, which I found difficult at first to write for being informative and clear so to teach, having researched more in to my chosen subject, grids, I managed to articulate the contents a lot more easier having gained more of a grasp of the subject. With my second publication I was able to practice and experiment with the range of design rules considering the grid of my publication and creating a well structured design which looked at a personal interest of mine. Over the year I have learnt skills which are a neccesity in my discipline, these are skills that will help me to progress as a designer though I have only started to grasp the majority of these and have still a way to go in mastering these skills, though thats what my first year has been about in a sense, learning about the rules and laws of graphic design and experimenting with them. One of the areas I have identified which I need and want to look at more is colour pantones, though grasping the basic idea of colour theory I feel I have not experimented with it far enough in my own work, something I shall do as I progress into year 2, this will help me diverse my work and broaden the style of design which I produce.