Studio Brief 02 - Evaluation

The context of this brief gave me an opportunity to experiment with a different style of graphic design that I usually don’t explore. Because of the post modernist movement that was present in the 80’s, the final leaflet design does not represent all that is trending in the design world today. It may not be entirely radical in its design like the works of Neville Brody or Paula Scher but it does reflect an aesthetic that is rarely seen today. The benefit of researching artists that go against the trends is that it broadens the definition of what is graphic design. It pushes the limitations and creates opportunities to stand out from the crowd.

As compared to Studio Brief 01, the final resolution was not formed entirely by a single idea and the idea itself. In this Brief, the idea formed the general aim and the experimentation done on materials, the inks, folding technique and the leaflets dimensions moulded to what it is. The end result is a much more informed solution than that of Studio Brief 01. By going through this design process, there are possibilities to create some unexpected results that can be desirable. For example, a clean, uniform coloured stock would have been the initial choice for the leaflets stock. However, the grain from the Eco paper added to the designs character, making the leaflet feel more unique and bespoke. This sense of character would hopefully encourage the reader to keep the leaflet as opposed to discarding it straight away. Going through a thorough design process also figures out what works and what doesn’t. Prior to the printing process, printing on black paper was a viable option for the leaflet, but because of the ink’s translucency, it became an inviable one. Furthermore, the design process within this Brief was broader than that of Studio Brief 01 which in turn created a solution that is richer in comparison.

But to show this development, constant documentation of the design process is needed. This was an aspect which was not entirely documented in this brief, especially concerning the design of the inside spread. Documenting each step is beneficial for feedback and reflection. Each step poses as a point to explore different ways and further the design.

Overall by  going through this design process, the leaflet has reached its aims whilst communicating the dangers of playing with electricity. It engages the young audience from its 80’s pop culture references, strong colours and uniquely set type. The language of the information is tailored and specifically chosen to “scare” the youth into not playing around electricity which reflects the to-the-point approach the Public Information Video took when informing the public. Lastly, because maintaining their attention is a large factor in effectively communicating the message, the leaflet acts as a poster that serves as a constant reminder.