#p. visual language

[masonmaye]

Process Book evaluation

The last process book of year 2. 

This process book was significantly less problematic than the last two. I had a set system derived from the last process book which I stuck to this time round. I’m disappointed that I didn’t try and work beyond this system or add in any design elements, but the book wasn’t a large priority in the scheme of the unit for me which might have been a mistake. 

The last book I included papercut inserts to tie the cover and the insides together, but I decided not to take this forward in my progression as this unit was focused around one project instead of multiple. 

The last unit feedback suggested that I used a printed cover this time, but I made the decision to continue with my goal of having a matching set of books in the primary colours to match my identity with papercut covers. I did opt out from cutting ou the unit title, as in the past this had been cut messily and I wanted the paper cutting that I did use to be perfect. I was concerned that the cover of the process book doesn’t really suit the insides of the book, but this was a decision I very firmly made.

Next year, I really want to aim and push my editorial skills. It's a weak skill which I’m slowly improving on, and I’d like my process books to be bigger and better designed.

[masonmaye]

IKEA Integration 1 (placement)

The labels in context to their corresponding items. These items are dotted all around the Visual Communication studio. I chose the 5 items that were used every day by anyone in the studio. The labels are quite large for some items but look small for others, it’s an interesting test.

So far only one person has noticed.

[masonmaye]

Following a tutorial with Sally, we talked about how my project would be best suited to a digital application due to the subject of Twitter. I mentioned how I adopted the crossing out style from a Twitter user and she suggested I took another approach instead. 

The quotes I have chosen have been remembered in history for a reason, and they are rather seminal, so it’s interesting to dissect them in a modern context.

I’m trying to figure out how to digitally show words being removed, the funny thing about digital editing is that you very rarely see the mistakes as they are just deleted. So I thought about Google docs and how you can visibly see multiple contributors deleting and adding words to a shared document and took the same approach with editing a tweet, something people do every day to meet the word count.

[masonmaye]

Portfolio page for the project

“IKEA EXP is a board game about celebrating IKEA and it’s unique experiences. The aim of the game is to complete the board with the most experience points, the board comes with a set of 27 experience cards, 4 playing pieces, a dice, rulebook, and scorepad”

[masonmaye]

A better set of photographs of my work for my portfolio.

[masonmaye]

Learn how to polish multiple photos in Photoshop so they pop and can look great together in a catalog, presentation, or other project.

Whilst editing my photos for the portfolio page in photoshop, I realised that a lot of the images weren’t sitting together visually because of white balance. I only have a very basic grasp of photoshop, so I searched online for a tutorial that could help me edit the photos uniformly so the white balance is the same, meaning the photos work as set. I will use this tool in the future when editing batches of photos.

[masonmaye]

Gameplay

Last night I had my housemates play my board game, as I hadn’t had to chance to do a proper gameplay with all my elements being finished. 

We played the game for around 40 minutes, a lot longer than I had anticipated.

I asked for their true opinions of the game as casual game players;

Kayleigh - Congratulations, I feel like I really experienced IKEA to the max. 10/10 would play again

Rhiannon - Really good game! Was actually nervous when coming up to a short cut and hoping that I wouldn't be sent all the way back to dining close to the end! The only thing was the cards coming back around but that wasn't really a massive issue.

Zoe - Well thought out game. Very funny cards that are totes relatable to my Ikea experiences. I think it could be expanded upon which means it's a great concept! Having a hard board would make it easier to play. Cool design. Not enough cards. Think there should be more consequences! And maybe some competition (other players stealing points)? Overall great game. When can I buy it!?

 The feedback was interesting and useful, during the game we ran out of cards about 3/4 of the way in which I hadn’t expected would happen. Points made by the others were that the game could be expanded to include more consequences and cards that had more actions. 

I tried to keep the game simple so I could complete all the necessary elements to a high standard without compromising the integrity of the gameplay. The was fun to play, it was simple but it really brought out the joy in people as they joked about the experiences and thought about their own IKEA experiences.

I would love to expand this game if I had the chance.

[masonmaye]

IKEA EXP...in IKEA

I was looking for an interesting way to photograph my work for the portfolio, and I suddenly thought that it would be very appropriate to photograph the game at IKEA. With some willing friends, we took over an example room and took photos of the game in play. This would be a really interesting way to advertise or market the game; playing IKEA in IKEA.

The IKEA was relatively empty, and the store was in the process of being rebuilt so luckily no employees stumbled upon the shoot.