OUGD501 ESSAY IDEAS

Today's study task involved developing our initial ideas for our essay topic, looking at technique, content, communication, research/analysis, exploration/evaluation and testing.
I was really unsure what I wanted my question to be, or even what topic I wanted to cover, the only real thing I was semi sure of was that I wanted to do something involving travel photography or travel publications, as this is something I am really passionate about, and is perhaps something I would be interested in as a career.
Talking to my tutor really helped me nail down my ideas, and get a better sense of how I could develop this idea into a solid essay question. I could look at graphic design within travel publications, techniques used in existing magazines or publications, and what the focus is on depending on these layouts, if there are any common similarities between similar styles of publications for example, and how this draws the reader in. I could also look at where people go for inspiration when they're planning their travels, whether they still go to travel agencies, or look on the web, or use Instagram for inspiration as well. This could involve asking people on the street and friends and family these things. This leads me to look at the impact of social media such as Instagram, Flickr, Tumblr, Facebook even on the places we visit, and the way we go about booking these kinds of visits, how we research the best hotels, or the prettiest destinations. I feel this would be really interesting to research, as I think the results will vary greatly depending what part of the UK the people come from, whether they are isolated in the countryside or live in the bustling city, and I also think their age will have a massive impact, as the younger half are turning to the internet and social media and blogs to find their next hot spot, whereas the older generation may still be using travel agencies, relying still on professionals to book their holiday with safety. Of course this is purely my opinion, the facts will tell for themselves.
To start with this I will look at existing travel brochures and magazines and analyse them, to get a idea of what their similarities and differences are, and the general aesthetics of the magazines as well as their technical aspects that attract readers to the holidays.
A possible outcome for the practical side of this module could be to produce my own travel brochure, based on things I have learned from researching into travel brochures. I could also redesign an existing travel brochure, as this is more something a graphic designer would be asked to do, rather than take the photographs and write the articles themselves. This may also be easier to reflect back on, when you can see the clear changes that have been made, and would also give me more substance to work with, as I feel it would be a lengthy process designing a whole magazine by myself, perhaps a segment would be more achievable.
All in all, this is a huge improvement to where I was before the session, and now I have some solid idea to work from I can start researching and planning, getting the groundwork done for this brief.