OUIL505 Project Report

OUIL505 Presentation boards

Revised project proposal

Reading and reflecting on my original project proposal, it has been interesting to see the close correlation between what I aimed to achieve and the final outcomes of this project. The only clear difference is in the final application of my products - originally wanting to make a series of patterns and images homeware or clothing products, my work - mainly due to the projects content - took a more editorial direction that led me to focus more on creating a social media and advertising campaign. Here is a revised edit of my project proposal with consideration of these changes :

Proposed Applications

The primary application of my illustrations is a series of posters (mocked up above) each with the WWF logo and a slogan to further communicate the concept of each design - and thereby raise awareness of the problems facing Orangutans and why people need to contribute to the cause. I made a series of mock-ups of how these posters and other individual aspects of my designs could be applied as if this was an actual WWF brief as outlined in my proposal. 

I think a social media campaign would be key, especially with it being aimed towards an audience of young adults - the technology generation. I have mocked up a logo that could be posted online - on platforms such as facebook or instagram - with the tagline #savethekingoftheswingers. This could be along with, or followed by each individual poster as well...

Originally I wanted to extend this online application by making moving gifs to post on social media or even use as a TV campaign, however I was not able to in light of time limitations. 

I think, with more funding, this could also be extended in a commercial advertising campaign - such as on billboards. 

My secondary application is on a series of merchandise that is more attractive to an adult audience than the existing cuddly toy in the adoption packs - such as t-shirts, tote bags and limited edition prints. 

These products could be distributed in both the adoption packs and sold through WWF's online shop. 

Final Megacrit

I think the feedback from this megacrit in response to my final practical outcomes was generally positive - people commenting on the use of texture, colour and composition. I like how someone commented 'works well as an advertisement for WWF because its different to the usual photos' - as it shows they understand some of my main intentions behind this brief. I did not, however, have a lot to comment on with regards to the final presentation and application of my work - this is something I need to work on between now and the deadline next week. 

Evaluation of practical outcomes

Successes :

• I really like how each design is defined by an individual concept/theme, communicating the problems confronting orangutans. 
• I think the use of negative space, symbolism and visual metaphor to communicate these concepts/themes works really well to create something both relevant to my current practice and the context set by my brief proposal. 
• The tone of my illustrations, achieved through the bright colour palette and abstract/conceptual feel of the designs effectively achieves my aim of producing something non-confrontational and positive encouraging people to become a part of WWF's work.  
• Due to the designs' cohesive colour palette and the similar graphic/shape-based aesthetic to each illustration, they work really well as a set and would be recognisable as a part of the same campaign. 

Things I could have done better :

• I think the process through which I developed these designs - using photoshop and illustrator - despite being made with monoprint textures,  has made the final outcomes feel too digital to suit my personal preferences. 
• I could have perhaps made this feel less so by adding in more overlaps and using the multiply 'tool' more effectively. 
• I also struggled with generating ideas to communicate the themes for some of the designs, such as the ones based on palm oil plantations and the boxing orangutans - as a result I think they feel less accomplished both conceptually and in their composition.