Mastery Journal
In the Week 4 Live Session video for Defining Client Needs, Ryan McClung explained
why a Mastery Journal is an important part of the learning journey. We are
presented with so much information through research and class assignments that
it is important to keep that information filed somewhere for future reference.
The Mastery Journal is a permanent repository of data, insights, strategies and
reflections gathered during the Media Design MFA program. (McClung, 2019)
This personal catalog of resources will not only come in handy for future professional work, it is an essential part of preparing for the Media Design Mastery Thesis in Month 11 of the MFA program. McClung notes that design is not a linear process. Design is a cyclical journey that goes back to the research phase again and again. (McClung, 2019) This description of the cyclical design process is supported by Jennifer Visocky O’Grady and Ken O’Grady in A Designer’s Research Manual. (O’Grady & O’Grady, 2009)
Effective Critique
O’Grady and Ken O’Grady also state that the design process should have an
assessment phase to help the designer make better informed decisions about the
work. (O’Grady & O’Grady, 2009). We are using peer critiques as a means of
assessment for the Logo Design Workshop city logo sketches. In the Week 4 Live
Session, McClung offers advice for giving better, more productive critiques. He
notes that critique is a life skill that requires balance, truthfulness, and
effective communication. (McClung, 2019)
Kate Lawless and Shannon Crabill suggest the “Love Sandwich” approach, where negative but constructive criticism is sandwiched between what is good about the work. (O’Grady & O’Grady, 2009) I have applied this approach in my own classroom, and I encourage my students to consider the sandwich when giving peer critiques. Honesty is also important to helping peers grow as designers. Negative critique, presented in a positive way, helps determine the most effective solutions. McClung notes that flattery provides a temporary ego boost but is otherwise a waste of time. (McClung, 2019)
Logo Prototypes
While developing the city logo prototypes, I have tried to adhere to David
Airey’s seven elements of iconic design but found it difficult to resist my
tendency to over-illustrate. In the future, I will continually remind myself to
follow Airey’s advice and “Keep it simple.” (Airey, 2014).
Critiquing my peers’ sketches helped remind me of the weaknesses in my own work. McClung also offers several questions to consider when critiquing prototypes. Why are you doing it? Is it well researched? Is it cohesive with the brand? (McClung, 2019) Questions like theses should be considered when critiquing your own work as well as your peer’s.
Overall, the information I learned this week will very useful for my media design career. It will also improve my teaching, specifically my student critiques. I look forward to the next step of the mastery journey.
References:
Airey, D. (2014, August 20). Logo Design Love, Annotated and Expanded Edition, Second Edition. Retrieved from https://ce.safaribooksonline.com/book/branding/9780133812589
Lawless, K., & Crabill, S. (2015, March 27). How to Give and Receive a Good Design Critique. Retrieved from https://baltimore.aiga.org/how-to-give-and-receive-a-good-design-critique/
McClung, R. (2019, August 27). Week 4 Live Session. Retrieved August 27, 2019, from https://online.fullsail.edu/class_sections/46722/modules/173179/activities/1087782
OGrady, J. V., & OGrady, K. V. (2009, February 1). A designer’s research manual: succeed in design by knowing your clients and what they really need. Gloucester, MA: Rockport Publishers. Retrieved from http://ce.safaribooksonline.com/book/graphic-design/9781592535576/chapter-2-practicing-research-driven-design/68
Joshua Siegel's Mastery Journal 