the end....for a few weeks at least

Well today marks the end of this stage of my research... I'll be taking a break for a couple of weeks before using this research in my design project. What my design project will be, at this stage I'm not sure, hopefully in a couple of weeks I will have a clearer idea.

I have been pleased with the way my research has progressed. It has been an interesting challenge for me in comparison to research completed during my BA degree, where research was carried out to support design decisions. The research completed for my MA has been more focused around what I want, which I have found much more rewarding. I have been able to explore areas of design where I have limited knowledge and non-design areas that have taught me to think about the wider picture when considering design proposals.

The university sessions have helped my development substantially throughout this first stage of my MA. I have found the Monday sessions extremely helpful both for gaining new knowledge and for developing my communication skills which ultimately will become invaluable later on in my career. The regular tutorials with my tutor discussing the different areas of our research and receiving useful resources have also been beneficial. I have found that when I receive regular contact with a tutor I have more focus with my studies, as sometimes I lack the drive and motivation to continue with my research.

Overall, I am happy with the progress made during this first stage of research and I am thoroughly looking forward to developing a design project and strategy based around my research...

achieving a few goals...

At the start of my MA, I set myself some goals within my Learning Agreement... A couple of these goals were long term however there are two that I hoped to achieve in a shorter period of time, and I have!

The first goal was;

- I would like to develop my communication skills which will help to increase my self confidence; Through group work which will encourage me to engage with other students from other courses, By actively take part in discussions, and by presenting my research findings to the group.

I feel I have made huge progress with my self confidence. This has been largely due to Monday morning's at University during our 'Show and Tell' sessions... I have had the opportunity to present articles and websites of interest to me and I have also been involved in several discussions regarding other students presentations. I believe they have helped to develop my communication skills because of the ethnic diversity of the group.

The second goal was;

- I would like to expand on my current research and enquiry techniques; By exploring new resources and developing a practice that extends the boundaries of my current work, and through discussions with fellow students from other disciplines regarding their chosen methods of research.

In terms of this goal, I believe I have made significant progress largely through the creation of this blog. The blog has allowed me easily mark and reference my research as I progress. The Monday sessions at University have also increased my awareness of what is available on the Internet. Also as a group, we have made a conscious effort to share and assist each other with our research projects now we are all aware of what each others projects are about.

books I've read...

I'm now at the end of my first research stage into public opinions on cars within the current climate and in relation to my spatial project; exhibition design and how the public are engaged by attractive displays. I thought I'd share with you the books I've read and found of interest...

• J. Krauel (2007) Stands and Product Displays. Jonqueres: Carles Broto.
• L. Bonet (2006) Exhibition Design. Gloucester: Rockport.
• A. Mostaedi (2004) New Exhibition Stands. Barcelona: Carles Broto.
• P. Tarr (2001) Inside Cars, 2wice. New York: Princeton Architectural Press.
• C. Lowther, C. Nuijink & M. Williams (2008) Grand Stand 2: Design for trade fair shows. Berlin: Gestalten.
• B. Vranckx (2006) Exhibit Design: High Impact Solutions. New York: Collins Design; Publishers Group UK.
• A Mostaedi & G. Williams (2006) Exhibition Design. Jonqueres: Carles Broto.
• A. Morcantonio, J O’Driscoll & D. Abbott (2000) Remember those great Volkswagen ads? London: Enterprise Millennium International.
• R. Whiteread (2005) Rachel Whiteread; Embankment. London: Tate Publishing.
• E. King & A. Hyland (2006) C/id: visual identity and branding for the arts. London: Laurence King.
• S. Uddin (1999) Hybrid drawing techniques by contemporary architects and designers. New York: Wiley.
• Fiat (1999) One hundred years of Fiat 1899-1999: products, faces, images. Turin: Umberto Allemandi.
• U. Bethscheider-Kieser (2008) Green-designed future cars: bio fuel, hybrid, electric, hydrogen, fuel economy in all shapes and sizes. Ludwigsburg: AvEdition.
• B. Vranckx (2007) Show Design. Cologne: Daab.
• K. Schulte (2007) Messedesign Jahrbuch = Trade fair design annual 2007/2008. Ludswigsburg: AvEdition.

Enjoy!!

a slightly stressful day...

Well today was not one of my better days... was slightly relieved to finally have a tutorial with Rob. I have been having a few issues with my visual statement and my tutorial today helped to clear a few problems!

I knew what I wanted to create for my visual statement but I had real issues in creating my vision... following my tutorial with Rob, everything became much clearer as if a creative weight had been lifted from my shoulders. Finally I managed to get my visual statement finished, unfortunately not in time for my printing slot at university this afternoon... luckily, my mum has contacts with someone who does digital printing so my visual statement will be printed tomorrow!

I am pleased with the final result... I feel I have addressed the issues of my project and indicated the space in which I want them to be addressed. I chose the tag line "Is the grass greener on the other side?" because it can be addressed from both sides... circumstances force us into making decisions that sometimes were not happy about so maybe the grass is greener on the other side but often we have no choice...