OUGD501: Module Evaluation

Overall, I have thoroughly enjoyed COP this year from the theoretical aspects to the final practical design elements to this brief. The essay allowed me to explore body image and the media, a topic I am interested in however in a lot more depth thus expanding my knowledge. My essay (do fashion publications perpetuate traditional feminine ideals) had a major influence on the practical and they go hand in hand.

This module has allowed me to develop a range of skills such as; research skills, critical analysis to more practical skills, such as book binding. 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 design work. These combined skills have led to a well thought through practical element being successfully synthesised. 

By carrying out primary research such as conducting surveys deepened 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 thought of body image and the media, which really influenced my essay writing. 

My final outcome produced is a 90 page B5 perfect bound coffee table book of the evolution of the female body ideal showing through the decades how the female body ideal has changed. Each decade showcases body ideals and icons from that era, with a short description of who they are and why. I felt that this was the most appropriate outcome, the idea that this 'coffee table' book will be for casual reading as well as provoking conversation and thought about body image and ideals. The imagery I sourced plays the most important part, it speaks for itself and the text is not to overwhelm the reader. I have learnt more about layout and layout skills, as this is an area I needed to improve on originally. The book uses the same modular grid throughout using columns for analysis and imagery which I felt allows for easy reading. 

Throughout the module I have managed my time well, I managed to get the first draft of my essay done over christmas, this made sure I had plenty of time to work on my practical. As last year with COP I found myself rushing over things, and doing things for the sake of it instead of enjoying the process from start to finish. I also booked a photography studio which meant I could take good quality photos of the final outcome for my portfolio.

However, if I were to have more time on the project I would have liked to have produced an embossed cover for my book. Also, I wish could of printed a draft of my booklet as there are some little mistakes that I notice, and to practice my book-binding, but unfortunately due to print costs I only managed to print one copy which cost £30. 

Overall, I am really happy with my outcome for COP, I have certainly learnt a lot over the module. My essay and my practical go hand in hand. The perfect bound book has turned out better than I have imagined, as I was really worried about me book-binding it could look handmade, however I am ecstatic with how it has turned out.

OUGD501: Coffee Table Book

I was struggling to think who am I designing this book for, what is the purpose and who is the intended target audience? I had a chat with my peers and they suggested that I label my book as a coffee table book.

Definition: 

"A coffee table book is a usually hard-covered book whose place is for display on a table intended for use in an area in which one would entertain guests and from which it can act to inspire conversation. Subject matter is predominantly non-fiction and pictorial or a photo-book. Pages consist mainly of photographs and illustrations, accompanied by captions and small blocks of text, as opposed to long prose. Since they are aimed at anyone who might pick the book up for a light read, the analysis inside is often more basic and with less jargon than other books on the subject. Because of this, the term "coffee table book" can be used pejoratively to indicate a superficial approach to the subject." 

This is perfect, and I feel it makes the project fully synthesised. The idea of my book (the evolution of the female body ideal) is to be picked up by both males and females and to provoke thought and conversation about the body ideal. It works well as my book is very image based with small blocks of text to make for easy reading .

OUGD501: Final Book

After spending the day book-binding, Helen and I booked out the photography studio in the evening so we could both take good quality photos of our final outcomes. I am really pleased with how the book has turned out!

OUGD501: Digital Version

A digital version of my book

OUGD501: News Article

Canadian student given detention over 'inappropriate' dress attacks 'discrimination' against women's bodies in Facebook post

I found a news article which is going viral at the moment and it relates well to my COP. told The girl wore a full-length halter-neck dress she was wearing was considered "inappropriate" and a "sexual distraction" to fellow students. In a Facebook post she spoke of her frustration over what she regarded as the discrimination against women’s bodies.

The Letter:


Dear Sturgeon,

I have a concern I would like to bring to your attention. In today’s society, a woman’s body is constantly discriminated against and hypersexualized to the point where we can no longer wear the clothing that we feel comfortable in without the accusation and/or assumption that we are being provocative. This unjust mindset towards women is absolutely absurd.

"The fact that authority figures, especially males, can tell young women they must cover up their shoulders and their backs because it’s 'inappropriate' and 'a distraction' is very uncomforting. Schools are the social building blocks in an adolescent’s life meant to teach them how to communicate and develop relationships with others and also learning about themselves and who they want to be. It’s preached upon us to be individual, to be ourselves.

"The double standard here is that when we try, we are then told we're wrong. We may not truly dress, act or speak how we want because authority figures, and I use that term very loosely such as yourself, tell us we can’t. Yes, I understand there are restrictions to how much and how little of your body that shows, but that applies when people show up in their bikinis or bra and panties. Though I do believe women should legally be allowed to publicly be shirtless considering males are, it’s mindsets like yours that keep that as something that is shamed upon.

"So no, Mr. Sturgeon, I will not search for something to cover up my back and shoulders because I am not showing them off with the intention to gain positive sexual feedback from the teenage boys in my school. I am especially not showing them to receive any comments, positive or negative, from anybody else besides myself because the only person who can make any sort of judgment on my body and the fabrics I place on it is me.

"If you are truly so concerned that a boy in this school will get distracted by my upper back and shoulders then he needs to be sent home and practice self control.

"Thank you, have a nice day."

OUGD501: Book Foreword

Foreword

With the rise of mass media throughout the 20th century, the popular image of women has undergone a substantial change. From Marilyn Monroe to Kate Moss, the body shapes of the most admired models have remained consistently slimmer than that of the average woman, representing a nearly impossible ideal. The ideal body image is ever changing depending on the newest trends, diets, celebrity culture and commercial imagery that the media expose us on us.

Women have been heavily criticised or praised for their bodies throughout history. By setting an ‘ideal’, society has been expected to conform to unrealistic figures, which has in turn led to a rise in people suffering with eating disorders as well as the number of woman who are unhappy with their bodies.

This book investigates and reveals the ‘top ideal’ female body images from the past century and how they came to be.