Reflection
To start with, I am highly excited about the final project, as the scope of it is quite "open" This level of openness gives me the freedom to explore areas of visual communication that I am genuinely passionate about, while also allowing me to showcase my skills and interests in ways that could be relevant to future clients. Rather than being confined to a rigid brief, I feel encouraged to experiment, test, and refine ideas in a way that reflects both my personal style and my growing understanding of design practice.
The week one mapping exercise was particularly engaging and insightful. While the activity itself was relatively simple, it was also useful in helping me visualise the directions my project could take, and I was able to see connections I may not have noticed otherwise. This exercise essentially acted as a foundation for my later decision-making, giving me clarity on what type of project I wanted to pursue. It also reminded me of the importance of ideation tools in design; sometimes the process of “seeing” your thoughts visually can be just as important as the final product.
The experiments I undertook were also enjoyable and formative. My favourite experiment by far was the first one, which involved logo creation. Designing a logo required me to carefully consider symbolism, simplicity, and adaptability; qualities that are central to good design. I enjoyed having to think not just about aesthetics, but also about how meaning is conveyed through form. It was a reminder that design is not only about creating something visually pleasing but also about solving communication problems in clear and creative ways.
These experiments also taught me the value of iteration. Some ideas did not work as planned (Experiment 3.1), but even those “failures” provided insight into what should be avoided or adjusted. By engaging with these processes, I feel I have gained confidence in my ability to explore new ideas, refine them, and articulate the reasoning behind my design choices.
Looking ahead, I am motivated to continue experimenting and refining my project!
References
- https://www.positive-parenting-ally.com/child-development-stages.html#google_vignette
- https://earlychildhood.qld.gov.au/early-years/early-years-brain-development
- https://speechblubs.com/blog/child-brain-development-stages/
- Bland, D. (2015). Visual literacy in young children’s picturebooks: Developing critical thinking through images. Australasian Journal of Early Childhood, 40(3), 19–28.
- Eisner, W. (2008). Comics and sequential art. W. W. Norton & Company.