- Cite them right: The essential referencing guide (book that's good for how to reference - Harvard style - everything properly)
- The lecture is available on the Library page on eStudio
- Other Harvard Referencing guides as available on eStudio.
- Name your essay title very short and concise, don't use vague or broad terms or the word "and".
"The role of costume within the film 'A Taste of Honey'" - Good essay title
"Did western society ever need cars; are they a necessity and how have they contributed to the formation of the urban environment" - Bad essay title
- Give advance notice of the kind of questions you'll ask for an interview so you can get thorough answers
- Be broader on search for library books to get as many results as possible. There may be chapters of specific topic in broader books that won't come up in specific search
- SCONUL Access (Gives you access to all universities libraries in the UK)
- Read a books introduction as it's often a summary of the whole book
- Look in a books bibliography to find similar books
- The British Library stocks all books published in the UK
- JSTOR is a store of online magazine articles. If you're off campus you'll need an Open Athens login
- Art Full Text (accessed through the library portal) is the same as JSTOR but art specific
- Open Athens. Ask library for your login and password
- Bob National is a store of TV and Radio programmes
- Use Google Scholar not regular Google to search for articles as it's more reliable and accurate
- Create a sense of momentum (note taking, writing a draft, keep up with your bibliography) so it isn't as hard to start and keep going.
This Library Resource lecture was really useful to show us the different sites and things that are available to us to help research for our dissertation, whether we stay in Leeds and have access to the college library or go home. It was also useful for helping in deciding the name of the essay, and how to create the best name to make researching it easiest. I will definitely be using some of these sites to help research, and also rethinking my essay title into something more specific and concise.
Thursday, 28 April 2016
Monday, 25 April 2016
OUGD501 END OF MODULE SELF EVALUATION
This module has gone a lot smoother than expected, especially in comparison to last year. I was a lot more interested in the research question, and found that by having a much simpler essay structure this made is easier to write the essay and made the essay itself much more structured and easy to follow. I also enjoyed doing the research for the essay, as there was a lot of material about the topic, which made it a lot easier to find what I was looking for. I was also pleased with the feedback from my first draft of the essay, as there wasn't a lot to do, and it was commented that it has the basis for an excellent essay, which meant that I didn't have to spend too much time on it towards the end, allowing me to spend longer on the practical outcome and other work.
I don't think my time management on this module has been as good as it could of been, for example I didn't blog the study tasks as soon as I should have done, instead leaving it all to the last minute and then them not really having any influence in my work. In saying that, I am pleased with my essay and practical outcome, and don't feel that my work has been compromised because I didn't do the study tasks when I should of done, in fact I don't think they would of really benefitted my work directly in any huge way anyway. The quality of the final practical outcome wasn't up to standards I was completely happy with, however it shows what I was aiming for, and you get the idea, and I have commented in the brief evaluation about this.
After writing about editorial design and producing a publication, and enjoying it more importantly, this has solidified my interest in pursuing with editorial design in the future, and potentially continuing this research and experimentation into COP3, expanding and refining my knowledge about this topic.
I don't think my time management on this module has been as good as it could of been, for example I didn't blog the study tasks as soon as I should have done, instead leaving it all to the last minute and then them not really having any influence in my work. In saying that, I am pleased with my essay and practical outcome, and don't feel that my work has been compromised because I didn't do the study tasks when I should of done, in fact I don't think they would of really benefitted my work directly in any huge way anyway. The quality of the final practical outcome wasn't up to standards I was completely happy with, however it shows what I was aiming for, and you get the idea, and I have commented in the brief evaluation about this.
After writing about editorial design and producing a publication, and enjoying it more importantly, this has solidified my interest in pursuing with editorial design in the future, and potentially continuing this research and experimentation into COP3, expanding and refining my knowledge about this topic.
Sunday, 24 April 2016
OUGD501 PRACTICAL EVALUATION
What went well
I was pleased with the overall aesthetic of the travel brochure, as it is completely different to the original travel brochure, and has taken on a much more sophisticated, appealing aesthetic. I was also pleased with the time management of the production of the publication, as I didn't really have to rush to get it finished at the end, and booked a print slot 2 weeks before easter to ensure I could print it when I need and want to.
What didn't go so well
The binding method. It looks alright when the brochure is closed, however it really isn't sturdy whatsoever, with the pages falling out and peeling off when you open it. I probably should of done a mock up test bind beforehand, however I've done perfect bind before in the workshops, and I didn't remember the pages coming out. The printing also didn't go very well, having to reprint it, which cost extra and took up time that could of been spend elsewhere.
What I would of done differently
I would of definitely done a test bind using the stock I will use to print to see whether the bind actually worked or not. I would also of done more research into different travel zines perhaps to see the different layouts of these on a smaller scale. I would of liked to of included more things in the redesign that weren't just hotels, such as the Instagram feed, but perhaps put more of an emphasis on it, and include other elements as well. I would of liked to of screen printed a pattern on the inside fold sides, to create more interest in the brochure, although I don't know whether this would of fit in with the style of the content pages. Experimentation would of been nice to do though, although time and available facilities wouldn't allow this. I would of tested the redesign with the public, to see if it has achieved the aims, to make it more appealing and to reflect the principles of editorial design. This would of been really useful to see whether what I have produced is effective. I should also of been referring back to my essay when designing the travel brochure, and taking things directly from there rather that just using Boat magazine as inspiration.
What I learnt
I have learnt that it is possible to make something that's initially very crowded and unappealing, look much cleaner and attractive. I have also learnt the importance of mock ups and testing techniques to ensure they work for the final outcome.
I was pleased with the overall aesthetic of the travel brochure, as it is completely different to the original travel brochure, and has taken on a much more sophisticated, appealing aesthetic. I was also pleased with the time management of the production of the publication, as I didn't really have to rush to get it finished at the end, and booked a print slot 2 weeks before easter to ensure I could print it when I need and want to.
What didn't go so well
The binding method. It looks alright when the brochure is closed, however it really isn't sturdy whatsoever, with the pages falling out and peeling off when you open it. I probably should of done a mock up test bind beforehand, however I've done perfect bind before in the workshops, and I didn't remember the pages coming out. The printing also didn't go very well, having to reprint it, which cost extra and took up time that could of been spend elsewhere.
What I would of done differently
I would of definitely done a test bind using the stock I will use to print to see whether the bind actually worked or not. I would also of done more research into different travel zines perhaps to see the different layouts of these on a smaller scale. I would of liked to of included more things in the redesign that weren't just hotels, such as the Instagram feed, but perhaps put more of an emphasis on it, and include other elements as well. I would of liked to of screen printed a pattern on the inside fold sides, to create more interest in the brochure, although I don't know whether this would of fit in with the style of the content pages. Experimentation would of been nice to do though, although time and available facilities wouldn't allow this. I would of tested the redesign with the public, to see if it has achieved the aims, to make it more appealing and to reflect the principles of editorial design. This would of been really useful to see whether what I have produced is effective. I should also of been referring back to my essay when designing the travel brochure, and taking things directly from there rather that just using Boat magazine as inspiration.
What I learnt
I have learnt that it is possible to make something that's initially very crowded and unappealing, look much cleaner and attractive. I have also learnt the importance of mock ups and testing techniques to ensure they work for the final outcome.
Saturday, 23 April 2016
OUGD501 FINAL BOUND PUBLICATION
This is the final bound publication. The binding method used was perfect bind, to create a sleek, minimal appearance, and so that the publication could lie flat as well. Cyprien Gaillard also used perfect binding.
Binding problems:
I made a mess binding the publication, as trimming it down I accidentally trimmed the wrong side of half the publication, cutting off the folded edge, so the latter half are all flappy and you can see the blank inside parts. This was simply a very silly mistake that could easily of been avoided by simply rechecking before any major moves were made. Also, bits of cardboard got left behind on the bound edge once the cardboard was removed after the binding process was complete, which resulted in having to scratch them off, and some of the scrim coming with them as well, which weakened the edges of the bind. This also created a slightly frayed effect, which doesn't look massively neat and tidy on close inspection. Also, when opening the publication the day after binding it, when the pages are opened full so the publication lies flat, they come away from the bind, which has resulted in several loose pages. Perhaps I didn't put enough glue on in the binding process, although I thought I lathered it up quiet generously. Or maybe the stock was too smooth a texture, or too heavy weighted it needed stronger glue. Perhaps I didn't mush the glue into the bound edge enough, not applying enough pressure. Maybe the scrim was cut off too close to the publications edge, leaving the cover vulnerable to breaking. Who knows I certainly don't, except for that perfect binding didn't work very well in being strong and holding all the pages together, although it looks effective.
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| Front cover. |
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| First spread. This works really nicely as a spread, creating a very calm, gentle opening to the brochure. |
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| As you can see it also lies flat, so you can get the most of the content. |
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| Example hotel spread. Clean and efficient layout. |
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| Binding method shown. The textures fabric you can see along the spine is called scrim, which is what holds the publication together. It would of been nice if just the glue was left on the spine, however I don't think this could of worked, not having the added strength the scrim gives it. |
Binding problems:
I made a mess binding the publication, as trimming it down I accidentally trimmed the wrong side of half the publication, cutting off the folded edge, so the latter half are all flappy and you can see the blank inside parts. This was simply a very silly mistake that could easily of been avoided by simply rechecking before any major moves were made. Also, bits of cardboard got left behind on the bound edge once the cardboard was removed after the binding process was complete, which resulted in having to scratch them off, and some of the scrim coming with them as well, which weakened the edges of the bind. This also created a slightly frayed effect, which doesn't look massively neat and tidy on close inspection. Also, when opening the publication the day after binding it, when the pages are opened full so the publication lies flat, they come away from the bind, which has resulted in several loose pages. Perhaps I didn't put enough glue on in the binding process, although I thought I lathered it up quiet generously. Or maybe the stock was too smooth a texture, or too heavy weighted it needed stronger glue. Perhaps I didn't mush the glue into the bound edge enough, not applying enough pressure. Maybe the scrim was cut off too close to the publications edge, leaving the cover vulnerable to breaking. Who knows I certainly don't, except for that perfect binding didn't work very well in being strong and holding all the pages together, although it looks effective.
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| This photograph shows the flappy pages, where the folded edge was mistakenly cut off. |
Thursday, 21 April 2016
OUGD501 PRINTING THE BROCHURE
Issues:
When booking the printing slot before easter there wasn't really anything in the morning except for a rebriefing, which I estimated would be finished by 11 or I'd at least of gotten all the key information anyway, however when I looked at the timetable the day before there was a new addition of a COP3 Introduction lecture which I didn't feel I could miss in order to print. So instead, I went down just before 11 (checked with James first if it was ok) and opened the brochure on a computer with a little note explaining what I wanted printed and on what stock, crop marks etc. However, my little note wasn't very clear in one aspect, as it was initially printed one page on one sheet of A4, as shown in the right brochure in the photograph below. This wasn't what I meant by single sided printed, so I had to reprint it during drop in when I only expected to have to pick it up. Also, it couldn't be printed on glossy stock, as the only gloss stock that was available was photograph paper which was quite thick and cracked when folded, which wouldn't of worked well withe the full bleed photographs. Instead it had to be printed on the stock shown below, which has a kind of velvet feel to it, and had a tiny bit of shine but really not a lot. This is unfortunate, and the stock that's available in the digital print room should of been checked beforehand so that it's known what is exactly available to print on.
Final prints:
The next stage will be to bind the final brochure using perfect bind. I am also planning on binding the brochure that printed out wrong, as I may as well to experiment with another bind whilst I have the opportunity. Although I'm not sure how I'm going to bind it due to it being printed with one page per A4 sheet non double sided. Bind will have to be explored.
When booking the printing slot before easter there wasn't really anything in the morning except for a rebriefing, which I estimated would be finished by 11 or I'd at least of gotten all the key information anyway, however when I looked at the timetable the day before there was a new addition of a COP3 Introduction lecture which I didn't feel I could miss in order to print. So instead, I went down just before 11 (checked with James first if it was ok) and opened the brochure on a computer with a little note explaining what I wanted printed and on what stock, crop marks etc. However, my little note wasn't very clear in one aspect, as it was initially printed one page on one sheet of A4, as shown in the right brochure in the photograph below. This wasn't what I meant by single sided printed, so I had to reprint it during drop in when I only expected to have to pick it up. Also, it couldn't be printed on glossy stock, as the only gloss stock that was available was photograph paper which was quite thick and cracked when folded, which wouldn't of worked well withe the full bleed photographs. Instead it had to be printed on the stock shown below, which has a kind of velvet feel to it, and had a tiny bit of shine but really not a lot. This is unfortunate, and the stock that's available in the digital print room should of been checked beforehand so that it's known what is exactly available to print on.
Final prints:
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| Algarve title page printed. The photograph has printed out so much clearer than what it would of done initially, and "Algarve" stands out really boldly. However "The" isn't as clear as it could of been against the sky, but you can still read it. You can also see the slight shimmer in the stock as well, giving it more of a luxurious feel. |
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| Madeira title page. The text doesn't stand out as boldly as was hoped, with the dark green taking some of it's emphasis away. However this page still has great impact with the striking photograph. |
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| Example hotel spread. Photographs have came out very strong, text is the right size, all is well and am pleased with it. |
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| You can see even the photographs which are screen shots from instagram have printed out fairly high quality, although here there is some room for varying qualities. |
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