Thursday 11 December 2008

Counting Down to Christmas

As we move closer to the Christmas break there has been the stark realisation that we have now completed around twenty per cent of our HND iMedia course.

Coping with two assignments at the same time is now proving a little easier as the web plan design begins to fall into place thanks to the latest tutorials, while the mini-assignment design briefs are a challenging diversion to the typographic recognition tests which have tested our understanding and memory.

The recent results received from our first assignment referrals brought relief as it was confirmed I had gained a pass and can now move onto the ‘Sounds Like A Plan’ submission with greater confidence. Both this, and further tests on typography design and usage will be due once we return in the New Year and I hope to use the time up to the festive season to ensure the project is available to be proofed.


After my earlier presentation to the group as a whole I found myself once more in front of class with seminar colleagues as we made a mini-presentation based on ‘Contrast’ which is one of the four elements of PARC - Proximity, Alignment, Repetition and Contrast – that aid good design.

Unfortunately a software glitch meant part of my presentation was unable to be viewed [see image above] which was frustrating as it highlighted the contrast in negative space to good use.

With just one week before our break we are now looking forward to the impromptu Christmas lunch which all students - and tutor – are participating in.

Wednesday 26 November 2008

Surfing the Highs and Lows of iMedia Wave

The past 2-3 weeks since the previous journal entry have brought a mixture of emotion and anticipation as the HND Interactive Media course has moved on from completion of the first assignment to the crossover into the second and third projects which are running concurrently.

There was initial despair following the posting of first assignment results when only two students gained a direct pass. I, along with the remainder of my colleagues, received a referral which, considering the effort which was put into the submission, was personally disappointing.

However, when it transpired most errors were due to minor technical oversights it was a relief to know that I had been able to convey the technological terminology satisfactorily.

The workload and pace are now beginning to increase significantly with a greater designer influence being determined through our website planning tasks which dovetail neatly with the study of typography and grid systems. These have a strong newspaper influence – an area in which I have felt very much at home.

Running alongside the introductory lectures to the two new assignments has been the production of an electronic Christmas greetings card which proved challenging as I was unfamiliar with the appropriate design programmes.


A little help from others via a quick tutorial enabled me to put in a basic entry but viewing the offerings from colleagues has made me realise I will need to practice on design applications much more than others who are more familiar with the programmes being used.

As we moved more into newspaper and magazine based design I made an hour-long presentation using my past experience as an editor and publisher of my former magazine which illustrated many of the terms and techniques we are now encountering and was pleased with the complimentary feedback I received.

Tuesday 11 November 2008

An Industrial Insight

As students of web design we were fortunate to receive an industrial visit from Dave Pannell of The Design Mechanics who generously gave up his time to present a useful insight into the work practices of a small independent design company.

Dave has been a valued friend of the Interactive Media course at Wakefield College and it was beneficial to hear how highly a businessman values the course and it’s target to not only produce qualified students but one which is also aimed at creating employable web designers.

It was both gratifying and encouraging to see an example of a no-nonsense approach to web design and underline how essential the practices we are learning in the classroom and via theoretical briefs translate into real situations within the wider context of the web design business.


As a former designer with leading regional agencies, Dave and his business partner have taken a unique route to promote their company on a transparent price-led module which has taken much of the mystery out of customer’s perceptions of the web design industry. As a result, and by drawing on his previous experience, The Design Mechanics appears to be in a strong position to adapt to changing market conditions brought about by a downturn in the economy.

Accompanying Dave on his visit was former college student Craig Burgess who still retains an active interest in the running and support of the invaluable forum dedicated to Interactive Media students. Craig has been employed by Dave’s companies since qualifying and he was able to offer a first-hand insight into what students might expect if they are fortunate enough to secure employment.

His experiences, especially when demonstrated through a question and answer session, were positive and demonstrated how the particular aims of the course have proved invaluable in preparing him for work within the industry.

Overall the visit proved worthwhile but it would be helpful if alternative speakers could provide differing views of the business. Sadly, not all agencies are as forthcoming and we are therefore grateful for the time Dave and Craig gave so freely.


Tuesday 4 November 2008

Bodoni Fonts – History & Uses


Although its origins are over 300 years old, the Bodoni typeface is regarded as a Modern or Didone font.1

Designed by the Italian engraver Giambattista Bodoni in 17982 the font which bears his name drew upon the influences of the older serif Baskerville face to produce a font which was seen as being more pleasing on the eye.

Bodoni's characteristic contrast between thick and thin strokes to the vertical axis combining with thin 'hairlines' resulted in an attractive, delicate font but one which could prove difficult to print. Nevertheless it was used prolifically in the publication of Italian books from the C18th – a language to which its design was obviously suited.

Much favoured in its early years in billboard advertising, Bodoni fonts were adapted in the early C20th by countless variations – most noticeably Bauer.3

With the advent of the digital age the elegance of Bodoni was initially difficult to reproduce faithfully on screen and legibility could become a problem working in certain point sizes which the very essence of Bodoni only served to exaggerate.

Today much of this has effectively been eliminated by the modern interpretations from established suppliers such as Monotype and Linotype who list more than 100 and 300 examples in their libraries respectively.

Bodoni-based fonts are still highly regarded by designers for their luxurious qualities and are often used by glossy fashion magazines. Bodoni poster-style fonts made popular in artwork produced in the Swinging Sixties are now enjoying a revival.

An up-to-date example which has received world-wide exposure is the title adopted for the film production of Abba's hit musical Mamma Mia!

References

1. I Love Typography, www.ilovetypography.com
Date/Time Accessed: 4/11/08 at 10.20 am

2. Bodoni, www.en.wikipedia.org
Date/Time Accessed: 4/11/08 at 11.15 am

3. Bodoni Type Sample, www.will-harris.com
Date/Time Accessed: 4/11/08 at 11.30 am

Tuesday 21 October 2008

A Time for Reflection

After my initial fears about returning to higher education proved unfounded and the class settled into researching information for the first assignment A Journey of 1000 Miles… it became clear that collectively we had made the transition into a settled work pattern with a definite deadline and all that entailed.

Having spent a lifetime working to tight time constraints I was not overly concerned about the looming deadline, although alterations and amendments ate into the time I had set aside and, towards the end, I was no different to my colleagues in having a mild panic that everything would be complete to the exacting requirements stipulated.

Part of that concern lay in the difficulties I was still experiencing in coming to terms with some of the new technology I was encountering although perseverance with placing hyperlinks has filled me with pride that I am now comfortable presenting an assignment in a format which seemed from a different world six weeks previously.

Running concurrently with the first assessable unit have been useful tutorials that have stimulated our thoughts processes and laid the groundwork for our introduction to web design. More technology needed to be mastered to set up our own dedicated website which will form the basis of a personal showcase as we build up the portfolio associated with the HND Interactive Media course.

Throughout the six weeks prior to the half-term break we have both been encouraged and required to maintain a personal sketchbook to include anything and everything that has proved inspirational. By being placed in seminar groups we have been able to follow fellow students’ interests and share our own views which have proven useful and interesting.

Monday 6 October 2008

Early Fears Prove Unfounded

Returning to higher education after an absence of more than 30 years filled me with trepidation although early fears that the course I had chosen studying for an HND in Interactive Media at Wakefield College may have been a mistake were dispelled when I joined my fellow students a week into the course.

As the oldest member I was a little apprehensive about how I may be received but, as we have settled into study over the past month, my initial reservations have proved unfounded as the broad age mix and background of colleagues should encourage interesting and diverse discussions.

The earliest tutorials concentrated on the groundwork technology we will be required to grasp in order to progress as web designers and, while those with computer-orientated backgrounds appeared comfortable, I was confused by many of the references and have also found gathering information for our first assignment difficult as much of the information is totally new to me.

However, the move to discuss design and evaluation of our initial blogger contributions had me gaining in confidence as we moved into an area with which I am more comfortable being able to draw on my typographic and editorial experience.

Hopefully, once the first assignment has been presented, I will have a greater understanding of what is required on a personal level while the group begins to act more as a collective with students drawing on individual strengths to offer greater support and advice to one another.

Tuesday 30 September 2008


Where I've come from; 
where I am now; 
where I'm going...

At 50 years of age I suppose I'm already more than half way through my life and, this being a milestone year for me, have already begun to take stock of my achievements and examine whether or not I accomplished the goals and desires that spurred on a trainee reporter 30 years previously.

Following a career in newspapers and magazines which culminated in me launching and publishing my own specialist motoring title – MG Enthusiast Magazine – I took the opportunity to enter into semi-retirement working as a freelance writer and consultant editor.

I appreciate, however, that the world of media is rapidly changing and the way in which news and information is presented is becoming far more digitally led. Whilst the established principals of the industry remain it is important that anyone working within media has a broad understanding of the new, expanding formats coupled with the ability to combine their traditional skills with the latest technology.

In deciding to return to full-time education in my middle years I am hoping to acquire the knowledge and ability to work within this new and challenging environment. My aim is to use my established skills within the new formats with particular emphasis on the design, implementation and maintenance of a dedicated web site that makes use of archive material of interest to like-minded enthusiasts and fellow classic car owners.