Creative Thinking - An overview
Philosophy The Graphic Design course at Preston is founded on one basic over-riding principle and that is one of creative thinking. This philosophy of focused idea generation via creative problem solving underpins our entire course of study. This core philosophy is generally recognised as Preston’s strength and only ‘house style’ with a well established heritage that now stretches back over 40 years. We feel that a well rounded vocational course with this philosophy at its heart ensures that our students are well placed to go out into the workplace and specialise in all areas of an ever changing and expanding discipline.
The Structure & Rational A 3 year course of study spread over 6 semesters. In years 1&2 each semester consists of a series of tutor led creative projects and problem solving exercises. Designed to provide the student with the basic building blocks, this course of study explores the fundamental elements that make up the subject of Graphic Design. The 3rd year focuses on self expression, the students own personal development and independent study. Formulating a series of student initiated and tutor mentored project briefs, which finally lead to the submission of a body of work or degree show 2 and an industry ready portfolio.
1
3 3 1
Graphic Course - Pyramid of Study
2
Delivery - our studios
We foster a vibrant studio based culture, reflecting that of industry
Staff - one to one tuition
We work very closely with our students on a daily basis
Group critiques - deadlines
We also have a culture of group critiques and working to strict deadlines
Creative Thinking - key reference
A selection of some key books on our reading & looking list
Online - resource & conduit
The Core Elements Semester 1 is made up of eight one week creative and lateral thinking exercises that cover the key components & constituent elements that make up the subject of Graphic Design.
1. Research 2.Typography 3. Image 4. Three Dimensional 5. Photography 6. Illustration 7. Copy writing 8. Narrative & Motion
3 3
2 1
1
1week projects - Creative Thinking
2
The Brief - Image You are asked to either take, find or create two images. Then crop and position them to the same dimensions and place them side by side to create an interesting and intriguing piece of visual communication that either in some way; contrasts, compares, is poignant, contradicts, is thought provoking, is humorous, is profound, involves tension, explores wordplay, explores sequence or explores orientation. We would like you to present three separate solutions.
The presentation - accompanying the brief
The image above juxtapose Jocelyn Wilderstein, who has had several cosmetic surgery procedures on her face and Boris Karloff in his role as Frankensteins monster in the 1931 film Frankenstein. The message that the comparison highlights is aided by the fact that both image’s above are cropped head shots,and both are black and white which means you are not distracted by colour.
Before & After. The moon landings and the ‘first small step for mankind’ The image above is given narrative thrust by the sequence of the journey.
Two technologies designed for the hand - taken from a TED Lecture
Hair dresser & Restaurant
Visual tension - Book Cover
A comparison - Book end-paper
Humorous comparison - Press advertisement
The students - creative responses
Humorous
Nature - Micro & Macro
Liberty & Liberty
Stylish art direction
Montage
Visual tension
Rich & poor
War & Peace
The Royal Opera House goes online
Student D&AD Winner - 2007
The Brief - Packaging You are required to choose one of the selected items presented to you. You are then required to re-package your item for re-sale at a higher retail price. In order to do this you will need to exercise your creativity, through the packaging design and the idea, in some way giving your product that added value factor.
3
1. Type & grids 2. Identity 3. Packaging 4. Web & Motion
2 1
3 1
Semester 2 - Design in context
2
ÂŁ1 bag of elastic bands
Featured in Boxed & Labelled 2
ÂŁ1 packet of Spaghetti
Student D&AD Winner - 2011
The Brief - External competition Set by the YCN (Young Creative Network). The creative challenge was to in some way celebrate the 20th anniversary of Sonic the Hedgehog. Students could use any medium to achieve an outcome.
3
1. Self initiated brief 2. Honours brief 3. External brief 4. Dissertation
2 1 Final year - External brief
3 1
2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOjVYxUOCYc
Little Chip Digital Awards Winner - 20011
Thank you.