The practical work within this module is a direct result of the research and findings within my essay 'How are graphic designers responding to a need for more sustainability within the print industry?'. Within the essay my findings revealed that graphic designers have a large part to play in the print industry's negative impact on the environment and hence forth have a responsibility to work with a more holistic sustainable approach. Furthermore, I explored a small selection of ways that designers are doing this - highlighting that it can be done.
Sustainability is discussed widely across the globe - however, when it comes to there being information regarding graphic designers specifically and what they can do to make changes in their daily practises, it is lacking. Hence, my practical project - producing a publication for graphic designers about what graphic designers can do to help the issue. Even further, the publication in itself is an example artefact of a number of sustainable ways of working and processes.
Looking back at this module, I feel very proud that I managed to push myself out of my comfort zone - even if just slightly. Instead of just researching and analysing - I decided to reach out to other designers, and it paid off massively! Having a back and forth email discussion with Luigi Gorlero was an amazing step forward, and makes me feel so much more confident about doing it in the future. Not receiving any sort of response from the designer of It's Freezing In LA! was humbling and reminded me that it's better to reach out to more people as you're more likely to receive a response that way.
Furthermore, due to the pandemic a lot of physical resources weren't available - but within this module I think I used more resources than any other before. Whilst I was at uni before going home for Christmas I made sure to use the facilities as much as I possibly could. Every single experiment that I did I ensured to do a print a test so that I could see how it worked physically, and was devastated when realising I didn't have a printer at home so could no longer do this as it was such a helpful resource. However, I didn't stop there. I continued to reach out to friends asking for advice, as well as ordering sample paper stocks to experiment with at home - even though I didn't have a printer. Hence, this module has made me realise how much I enjoy working physically and how important it is to me. I am so disappointed that I won't be able to print my final publication and hand it in now that I can't go back to uni - but aim to do so when I can.
In terms of achieving my potential within this module, I can see where I pushed myself harder and forced myself to be more ambitious. The discussion with Luigi Gorlero gave me the confidence to do this. At the start of the module I was aiming to produce only a visual essay, however after speaking with Luigi I became more determined to achieve something better. I am proud of myself for doing so, however even now I think that I still could have done more. It perhaps would not be achievable within the time limit, but I would have loved to go further and focus on the branding for the magazine more. I could have created guidelines, social media content etc. and I would love to even design a second edition of the magazine!
Due to the pandemic I found that I didn't receive a lot feedback for this module. The only feedback I received for my publication was from crits organised with friends - and I was so grateful for it. Some of the crits we held were pivotal in changing the direction of my publication and making it better. For example the dimensions and seeded paper stock would not be the same if it were not for this feedback.
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