Time is passing by

I've been quite busy these 2 months because of my degree course since I have 4 assignments to be finished by January and my thesis.


So for one assignment we had to come up with a different kind of furniture that involves a new need... not sitting, standing, lying but something different. It involved a lot of thinking but at least it was a group work. We also had to create a different type of TV advert that was 3 minutes long. I finally used my camera for the shooting of the advert since it is HD. I really enjoyed it. I also took care of the layouts, user manual, illustrations, logo and photos.


Another assignment is a rebranding project. I am doing the business card, advertising campaigns and merchandising, since we are a group of 10. I am trying to think of different methods of advertising and trying to come up with ideas for different campaigns.


Another assignment is a  new make up/fragrance product design. After choosing my idea and doing several presentations, I designed the user manual and then I had to design it in a 3D software to send to the 3D printer. I had never used 3D software but in a day I managed to design my product in 3D :D


Then the other assignment is my business plan. I hate writing and having these assignments full of theory but it will be useful in the future. I also had to present my idea and I tried to make my presentation not boring using different photos I took.

For my thesis, which is "Teen Gender Stereotypes in Advertising: How this effects (aids or deranges) youths in their critical teen years with regards to self-esteem & self-confidence", I began reading different journals and book by Jean Kilbourne. I need to try and focus more on my thesis because it has to be finished by May!


I will post photos of my assignments finals in January ;)
I also had a nice Christmas. It's also my bf's birthday on Christmas Eve :)
I took some photos and uploaded them on deviant art, facebook and flickr. I would like to get more feedback since I am more experimenting. I mostly like photos which create an abstract composition. These are some of the photos I took. Others can be viewed on Flickr or Deviant Art

Merry Birthday ;)

Rusted Detail 

Entrance

Mobil

I also took part is some competitions. This is a logo I presented for a logo competition in Malta.
I wanted to time myself and present whatever idea came to my mind in that time. I presented this idea done in about 3hrs.

I am also following different blogs, both Maltese and foreign since I believe a lot in seeing what's happening around us, seeing others thoughts and likes and reading critiques.


I am also seeing what campaigns are being done at the moment.
http://www.cupsizechoir.com/ This is a campaign which stands out and which is different. I love the idea since it’s interactive and playful and it is obviously different and stands out. It also increases the involvement of people with the brand since people can play their own tune and share it. It was aimed at men to help them with their Christmas shopping and it obviously appeals to them. Since I am doing my thesis on women in advertising, I can say that I did not find it dehumanizing. In fact it is a rather playful way to advertise your brand and products. The mind behind the video was a freelance digital designer located in London and working for a few advertising agencies, Bernard Magri. For more information check http://redwhitemt.com/blog/, a great Maltese blog about design and arts.


Another campaign is Tippexperience where a common old-school product does something new and interactive on YouTube.


Finally... I wish you happy holidays and happy new year!!!

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"We would accomplish many more things if we did not think of them as impossible" - Vince Lombardi

Long time, no post. So some things happened from last September. First of all, yesterday I went to a ceremony where I was given an award for the winning logo in a design competition. It was a small competition in my village about an anniversary of the St. Mary's Statue. I submitted 3 logo designs and one was chosen as the winner by the judges.

 

The memento I was given

 

The other 2 logos I did

I am glad with the prize... second in my studies so far XD If I had to choose, I would have preferred the second logo, but it is my opinion.

So the SLR arrived!!!!!! and added to my tools =]

I took some shots but I want to find more time to experiment!

 

In the meantime, apart from photography and competitions, I am still doing the degree ;)

I chose my thesis title: "Teen Gender Stereotypes in Advertising." I started reading books, journals and watching videos mostly of Jean Kilbourne.

Another module is on ideas of packaging of make up, another on manifestos and new furniture, another on identity and marketing. Another module is on entrepreneurship :/ I am not very good at these things but improving. During my reseach I found a very interesting manifesto of Bruce Mau. It has many good points and it is a good idea to have a copy:

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2 weeks passed & I started the degree & this weekend I also took part in a painting exhibition. I can say that this is the 4th exhibition I took part in. 


During the 1st week of the degree I basically had to choose my theme of the thesis. I chose the subject of sex/women in advertising & the designer's responsibilities. I had started some research on this subject last year & it interested me a lot. Finally I have to create a project since it is a project based thesis. I hope my research will take me to a final creative project, maybe based in Malta.


This week we started the assignments. They are very interesting... and even busy. In the meantime I'm working on a logo for a competition & as I said, this weekend I took part in an exhibition in my village.


These are the works I had exhibited:

From top:

• "Taht is-Saqqajja" - Acrylic
• "Sqaq gor-Rabat" - Pen & Ink
• "Parallel Lines in our surroundings" - Semi-Abstract in Acrylic & Mixed media - I was inspired with various parallel lines around us such as benches, stairs, gates and others. I also used newspaper, foil, brown paper for texture. A lot of people liked this one & I might even sell it, but I still don't know if I will keep it or do another 1 like it, since I am really fond of it.
• "Il-Kappella tal-Madliena" - Watercolour

Below are 2 photographs I took which I really like. These were part of my photographic course assignment, in which I won the best assignment award:

Il-Kennies

Locked 

This week I may be adding another tool to help me in my work & hobby... a Canon SLR Camera! This is my 2nd great investment after my Macbook Pro.


Finally... I'd better continue my research on Marketing & Advertising! I hate this part were I only research, but I'm waiting eagerly for the creative parts of the assignments. 

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2 weeks remaining :( :/ :) ...

So... where to begin...?

After finishing my 2 year HND Graphic Design course I had to decide what I will be doing with my future;

- continue next September with a 1 yr degree?

- start working & do the degree later?...

So this Summer I tried to make the most of it; first I had the school exhibition with some of my work at St James Cavalier, Valletta and I also found a part time job as a graphic designer.. actually my first experience as a graphic designer, apart from freelance work. I also took part in some competitions, did some tutorials and freelance. Apart from graphic design, I also took photos, went abroad (Barcelona!! Art everywhere), went swimming, dancing, auditioning & acting (because of my boyfriend...long story), watched TV shows, went to Gozo and many other relaxed stuff!

But... throughout all Summer I had to decide what to do with my future. I finally decided that I had to do the degree because it would be worth it and also an experience... although I am afraid that since it is very busy and tough, I would not have any free time, since last year's students stayed at school for a long time... even slept there! Anyways we'll see were it gets to.

In the meantime I'll be posting some of my work. Feel free to comment & criticize, since I believe that it helps a lot and because I would like to know what other people truly think.

Front Cover

Contents Page

Inside Spread

This was an assignment on Editorial Design. After doing research on the subject, finding examples and annotating, I had to design a fanzine about a subject I like. I chose dance. I could be experimental and free to choose a style.

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