OUGD601: Module Evaluation

 Evaluation

Overall, I have thoroughly enjoyed COP3 this year from the theoretical aspects to the final practical design elements to this module. My dissertation allowed me to explore disparity between male and female graphic designers, a really important topic I am interested in, however studying in a lot more depth thus expanding my knowledge. Unsettlingly, there is a female domination in graphic design education that appears to be reversed when it comes to industry, with Design Council stating that 40% of designers are women, in contrast to the 70% of female design students. As a female myself about to enter into industry, it is something that I very relevant, am passionate about and so important to discuss as it is a real life problem that exists. My dissertation (why is there disparity between male and female graphic designers?) had a major influence on the practical and they synthesis well.

This module has allowed me to develop a range of skills such as; research skills, critical analysis to more practical skills, such as printing and photography. The research element of the module has been the most valuable in terms of sourcing appropriate information, extracting key quotes and theories allowing for a successful piece of writtten and design work. These combined skills have led to a well-thought and thorough practical element being successfully synthesised.

By carrying out qualitiative primary research such as email  and skype interviews, it helped deepen my understanding on the subject at hand, from real people. I felt this was perhaps my most beneficial research as I really got a sense of what people opinions were on women in graphic design and why disparity exists, which really influenced and shaped my dissertation writing. 

For the practical outcome I created a theoretical concept for an exhibition at Munro House, Leeds to actively raise awareness of the profiles of women currently and within the history of Graphic Design. I named the exhibition, 'Think Design' as a play on words from pioneer Design Writer and Educator, Ellen Lupton who quoted, 'Think more, design less'. The idea behind 'Think Design' being obviously.. to think design but thinking less about gender and solely focus on the work and learn about the designers presented in exhibition. I used a contemporary, minimal design style, because I do not want to be gender-specific and I want to appeal to a young creative audience (16-25) of both men and women who are going to become the future of the creative industries and acknowledge and to be more aware of women in design. The exhibition idea reinforces my dissertation conclusion points by illustrating the importance equal balance, and about how both men and women need to be part of the conversation to close disparity in graphic design.


My time-managment throughout the module has been on point,  I managed to get a full  draft of my dissertation done before christmas, thus making sure I had plenty of time to work on my practical, blog and design boards. By creating long-term CoP plan at the beginning of september, and breaking it down into monthly, weekly and daily work goals and factoring in my tutorials I have kept on target with my work. I also booked print slots and photography slots way in advance keeping me cool-headed throughout the process and because of that I have enjoyed the process from start to finish. 

If I were to have more time on the project, I would have liked to extend it by actually running the exhibition however in the time I had, I practically could not have managed it  and would have been far to costly. 

Overall, I am pleased with my dissertation and practical work for COP, I have certainly learnt a lot over the module, which has led to a well-synthesised project.

OUGD601: Design Boards

OUGD601: Final Outcomes

Final Outcomes

Today I photographed my final outcomes for COP ready to go onto my design boards. 

Not sure if its just my blogger but when I upload images onto a blog post they seem to compress and become really pixellated and blurry, I can assure you they're not ha. Currently trying to fix the problem, as its veryyy annoying.

OUGD601: Synthesis between Practical and Theory

I decided to focus my dissertation on why there is disparity between male and female graphic designers and to explore into the realm of female Graphic Designers – the successes, the attitudes and the problems faced in the industry through primary and secondary research. Unsettlingly, there is a female domination in graphic design education that appears to be reversed when it comes to industry, with Design Council stating that 40% of designers are women, in contrast to the 70% of female design students. As a female myself about to enter into industry, it is something that I very relevant, am passionate about and so important to discuss as it is a real life problem that exists.

Each chapter of my dissertation I used as an opportunity to focus and explore on women in the workplace, the graphic design workplace and female pioneers as I felt I needed to know more about the subject in order to discover why disparity exists between male and female designers and what we could do to close disparity in the future.  

For the practical outcome I wanted to create a theoretical concept for an exhibition at Munro House, Leeds to actively raise awareness of the profiles of women currently and within the history of Graphic Design. I named the exhibition, 'Think Design' as a play on words from pioneer Design Writer and Educator, Ellen Lupton who quoted, 'Think more, design less'. The idea behind 'Think Design' being obviously.. to think design but thinking less about gender and solely focus on the work and learn about the designers presented in exhibition. I decided not to call the exhibition or stress the idea of 'women in design' as I feel it draws attention to problem and disparity that exists. As Ellen Lupton put, ‘We are tempted to reject the term ‘woman’ because it is disenabling and we don’t want to be perceived as victims. But we won’t be truly successful until we accept the fact that, as women, we can gain ground and lose ground, all at the same time.’. When authors, Julia Meer and Gerda Breuer (design editors) asked Paula Scher why women’s success is not as celebrated as men’s she answered: ‘There are many successful women designers. You are talking ‘success’ for ‘fame'. I have used this exhibition to present already successful women but actively raise their profiles to gain more acknowledgment and "fame". 

I have chosen to use a contemporary, minimal design style, because I do not want to be gender-specific and I want to appeal to a young creative audience (16-25) of both men and women who are going to become the future of the creative industries and acknowledge and to be more aware of women in design. The exhibition idea reinforces my dissertation conclusion points by illustrating the importance equal balance, and about how both men and women need to be part of the conversation to close disparity in graphic design. 

OUGD601: Fold-Out Guide

I have spent some time designing a fold-out guide to go along with the exhibition. 

preparation for print

preparation for print

Final Guide

OUGD601: Leaflet Content

Think Design 

8th March - 10th June 

"Think More, Design Less - Ellen Lupton"

Graphic Design is everywhere; invisible to some, yet it is a professional practise that contributes to most of our visual culture today. Ultimately, it is communication design, the skill of combining typography with images to communicate a message to a target audience. As Mildred Friedman noted during her tenure as a design curator at the Walker Art Centre in Minneapolis: “graphic design has played a key role in the appearance of almost all print, film, and electronic media, as well as architectural and urban signage. Today it literally dominates our visual environment. Yet… there is only nominal acknowledgement of the significance of this least recognised visual art form.”

Statistics show that there is a female domination in graphic design education that appears to be reversed when it comes to industry. This is no suggestion that being a women has a bearing on competency and skill within the discipline – excellent graphic design is created by both male and female students and in this regard the issue of gender is of little concern. 

'Think Design' is an exhibition showcasing and celebrating the work of women designers. Featuring work from creatives and trailblazing pioneers from the past century. Our aim is to actively raise awareness the profiles and work produced by these women.

Opening night falls on the International Women’s Day, on the 8th March 2014 from 8pm Featuring talks on the gender gap within the creative industry and special guests.

Book your place at www.thinkdesign.com

OUGD601: Website

I mocked up how the website would look for my exhibition in Illustrator, I have kept the website clean and minimal making it easy to navigate, as I want the work of the female designers to be the main focal point of the website.