Being an impoverished student it helps that my Mr got himself a Design Museum membership card as I get in for free, as a guest, when I go with him. Ahh the joys!

Well we took advantage of the freebies and went over to see the Dieter Rams exhibition last weekend and never having seen his work all together before, on the internet or “in real life” it was interesting to see how much of his designs have been recreated, or atleast replicated, today.

Dieter Rams set about expressing the ten most important principles for what he considered was good design. (Sometimes they are referred to as the ‘Ten Commandments’.)

Good Design…

is innovative
makes a product useful
is aesthetic
makes a product understandable
is unobtrusive
is honest
is long lasting
is thorough, down to the last detail
is environmentally friendly
is as little design as possible

There was a section of the exhibit where designers from this decade who have been influenced by Dieter Rams (I didn’t get pics of this unfortunately) Johnathan Ive’s one of them but then that is no secret, Apple’s designs are unmistakably influenced by minimal design it was only obvious that Rams would have some input if even an indirect one.

I’ve included a few pics of my most favourite pieces from the exhibit but I recommend you take a trip to the museum yourself and have a peek at the whole collection.

Last week I had my first tutorial, I may have mentioned before how pleased I was with the tutor I was assigned - I don’t want to go into details because I link this blog everywhere and JUST incase the other lecturers read this I don’t want to hurt any feelings - but this particular tutor really shared my ideas on how good design does not have to be complicated.

Just because this is an MA does not mean we have to get lumbered with design terminology. He said during this tutorial that he operates under the KISS Principle (Keep It Simple, Stupid!) and that so does the university.

In my opinion, if your work is good then you will not *need* to talk it up with “big words” you should be able to establish the meaning of your work in a couple of sentences or it’s too complex, and also possibly too diluted.

I’m really optimistic about the remainder of this first unit of work, I know I will definitely start freaking out when I begin unit 2… which is the one where I need to define that I will be working on for my final major project (unit 3)… but for now I am having the time of my life. Really!

Pretty cool video by Abstractk. Visually expressive, Abstractk says “Art is what you make of it”…

As I have mentioned before, until April I am supposed to investigate a square and it’s form, colour, rhythm, order, motion, sequence, void, mass, hue, tint, tone, transparency and opacity. Yes. A square is deep, and you didn’t even know it!

We had group work on Tuesday, and honestly, I had been dreading any kind of *group work*, when I was studying for my MA it was the most pointless excercise. There would always be one slacker who’d never do anything and one controlling fool who would want everything their way and their way alone. Therefore my work would suck because of it.

When it comes to my MA I wanted to avoid group projects just because this is a super expensive course and I was worried about relying on anyone other than me for the work I need to get done.
However, it turns out that it was really useful! The group I got put with were all squares too, not to mention they were all lovely people, and we got to compare work and ideas and managed to create a brilliant practical outcome. Win!

Something I have noticed, I am going to be a complete brainbox when I have finished this course. I can’t tell you how many ways I have analysed a square, seriously. By the end of the MA I wont be able to look at any object without disecting it into theories. I am going to be *annoying* to be around!

So anyway, I think I am on the right path for this project… still no idea what I am going to make for the end outcome but I guess that will just make itself apparent while I get stuck in with research, there’s still a long way to go.

Here are a few pages of my initial research to look at…

So I was given another load of briefs on Thursday, these are due to be handed in in around four months time on April the 19th. That will complete Unit 1 of 3. It’s of course alot more nerve-racking when you remember that this is just a one year course, making this project I have just been given 1/3rd of my MA. Eeek!

By the time Unit 2 has started in April I will already need to know what I am going to do for my final project!! Because the whole of Unit 2 is my final major project proposal. Again… eeek! Everything is happening so quickly it feels like the year is already over.

I have been especially busy recently as the Top Drawer Spring Trade Fair is on. Which means I am crammed with work. Which is always handy when you have a crap tonne of reading to do and an induction project due in on Wednesday!!!! >_<

Part 1.1, Design Literacy, of this new unit consists of 2 separate briefs. (I’ve linked the briefs under the project titles, if you fancy a snoop?)

The first brief, Input, has two parts, Object and Context.
Part 1, Object, says that I have to investigate my “selected shape” (which according to my brief is a square, although I would have preferred a circle) using first hand research. We watched this video which apparently summed up the aims of this section

And part 2, Context, asks me to consider the cultural contexts of the form using second hand research.

The second brief, Output, is where I compile my findings and create a piece of work, in which a particular, focussed aspect is developed into a design project intended to communicate to a specified audience.

Then 1.2 Design Discourse is where I create arguments posed for me in each of the 4 set texts for the course. I then discuss/argue in a group, blog our resolution (not here sadly) and then write a 2000 word essay.

…and finally 1.3 Research Methods is where I critically review my personal project development from this primary unit in a brief 700 word essay.

This is all jibberish to most of you, and for those of you who bothered to read the whole ream of text *highfive*

This is mainly just a process for me to have these briefs uploaded. I can access them from anywhere, or I have a back up copy if for one reason or another my sketchbooks and briefs burst into flames or I happen to spill noodles on them rendering the illegible… which is not to say that I haven’t done that at some point ;)

Thankfully, this is the lot until April now. I can just get my head down and get on with things. Please have your fingers crossed for me, I have so much work ahead!!

Ummmmmmmm.

So firstly, you might notice that it has been a while since I have posted. Last week I was completely rammed with work, freelance went crazy and oh did I mention I got 3 new briefs in ONE day at uni.

The Me, Me, Me project is due in this Wednesday and even though I have finished the end outcome, every time I get round to polishing up the details… I change my mind on it and have to start over.

I also got assigned to my tutor group yesterday and I don’t know if it’s inappropriate to say but… I’m going to say it anyway… I am really, really pleased with the tutor I ended up with. I know everyone has a favourite, and it does make a massive difference to my stress level which tutor I get. Atleast it did on my BA.

The good news is I’m not actually marked on this induction brief, but I want to use it as an opportunity to get back into the swing of things. All the projects I’ve been given towards this MA have been completely different from the things I’ve worked on before. From my BA to freelancing etc. it’s crazy!

I have to say, even though I am stressed out of my mind, I am having the time of my life at uni. I will post the 3 new briefs on Tuesday, just wait until you see them.

In the mean time, here are some (crappy iPhone) pictures of my swanky new university. The London College of Communication looks pretty suave inside, let me tell you.

Induction week has started and the first brief is in!

Today the course leaders talked through our schedules and the general workload, what they expect of us and, in turn, what we can expect of them etc. It was hardcore. There was honestly a moment during this morning’s talk when I thought to myself… “shit. I am in over my head, why on earth did I think I could work while I study??”

After getting home having a cup of tea and adding all my lessons to iCal and scheduling deadlines for each unit… I think I have it covered. Oh yes, I told you swot girl was going to make an appearance and here she is, right on time!

So anyhoo, above is a scan of my first brief. Keeping it simple… except it’s not at all. It’s a trap to make you think you are in safe waters when actually you are being tested!

I am asked to prepare a presentation about myself that lasts no longer than 1 minute, answering these 3 questions:

1. what’s the first thing we should know about you? What’s your background, your experience, your expertise or your area of interest?

2. What are your reasons for choosing to undertake an MA? What are you doing here? What are your objectives?

and finally…

3. What’s the last thing we should know about you?

It also says “you are expected to illustrate what you wish to say by showing us no more than 3 images, individual pieces of work, statements or objects. Note that you can choose not to use images. Conversely, you may also decide to answer the questions by showing images only - without verbal explanation.”

At this point the course leader added “…you may want to be more abstract than that, you might even want to get up in front of us for dance for 1 minute?!”

What should I do?! Actually, I have a few ideas. Which I will of course post here for your viewing pleasure… ^_- if nothing else than for a bit of a nose through my work, eh?

I enrolled on Monday, it took 2 hours. It was expensive, it was a relief and a giant stress at the same time. Even though I don’t physically have the loan in my bank yet the letter I had received was enough to let me sign up…. though I still had to pay it myself.

The most exciting thing about the day was that I finally got to visit the London College of Communication (University of the Arts London) as you may remember I was lucky enough to skip the interview stage - winner - so I hadn’t seen the building in the flesh before.

Also I did get to meet a couple of people from my course ^_^ I don’t want to generalise too much (…but I’m going to) already the people I have met starting the Art & Design MA’s have been alot more focussed than the BA crowd. I guess it’s because, firstly, it costs alot more money and secondly, there is ALOT more work involved. You have to be serious about what you’re after if you want to put yourself mentally and financially through the trouble? (also physically if you count all the noodle eating?)

I start lessons this Monday 11th at 10.00 and I am all nervous >_< I can’t help it! I know there is lots of work to do, but I’m not sure exactly *how* much. So the prospect of getting a nasty shock is quite high.

Annoyingly, I really wanted to get uni supplies before I started, sketchbooks, millions of PrittSticks and exciting things like Post-It notes. (Who doesn’t find Post-It notes exciting?!) I like to be prepared, but given that I just forked out for my tuition and I won’t get my loan for atleast another 14 days, I am going to have to wait. Pity :(

My transition to Swot Girl has begun!

From where we were all stood on Blackfriar’s Bridge on NYE we actually couldn’t see the whole of the London Eye, but I found this brilliant video that shows what we were missing. I love the gold dust sparkly fireworks. Definitely my favourite!

Wowzers! New Year’s eve was raucous. First NYE I have had in London, it also happened to be Pete’s (30th) Birthday so of course celebrations had to be made! ^_-

So much happened so I will try and summarise it in a Gordon Ramsay style list (…you know what I mean…) champagne, Beatles Rockband, chilli & wedges (courtesy of Helen), The Beauchamp Hotel, The Wrong Trousers, Madagascar, Pink Champagne from water glasses, Southwark Rooms, Mojitos, hiccups, breathing excercises, Blackfriar Bridge watching fireworks, Lemonade, more Champagne, 40 minute queue to Waterloo Tube, snow.

More importantly, I got to spend time with lots of lovely people on the turn of the decade. Some of whom were new friends, some old, and some I have known for a while but never met! Such as Twitter friends Dan and Pip, I had joked that from now on I would be able to read the things they tweet in their actual voices but now I can’t help it!

The MA starts on Monday 11th and before the mayhem starts I think there is no better time than now to consider my new years resolutions.

1. There is the obvious resolution that I include every year… spend less money. Though this year I will have a much higher chance of actually enforcing it, being a student again, as I will seriously have to budget this year or I will be without a paddle. There are much more bills to pay!

2. I want to eat less too, obviously this will aid number 1 resolution, as not eating so much means I am buying less food. An all-round win! Combined by the fact that walking to uni every day will be giving me the excercise I have been craving but never have time for.

3. In my eyes, the most important resolution: I want to stop wasting time. When it comes to getting work and studies done I am queen of organisation, but the other areas of my life suffer because of it.
Sometimes working until 5am I can say that the rest of the time I am relaxing, so not getting anything done is excusable. Work hard, sleep hard… etc ^_-
But this year I want to be different. If I can put this much effort into work I want to do myself a favour and take time to do the things that I really want to do, and DO them! Not just sitting about and thinking about how awesome life would be if I DID do them.

Ladies and Gents 2010 is going to be the year of win. You mark my words!