OUGD403 - Design Skills - End of Module Evaluation

During this module, I have learnt so much about typography. I have enjoyed exploring more about typography since the very beginning of the project, starting from our trips to both Yorkshire Sculpture Park and The Hepworth Gallery. I have never really looked at sculptural type before so this was new to me and I found it really interesting looking at how letters could be formed in three-dimensional ways.

I also learnt a lot about how kerning can affect a logotype or text in general during the initial stages of Studio Brief 01, and I found the Kerndown task particularly useful as it really highlighted how altering the kerning even slightly can help represent a brand or company in a completely different way.  

Researching into different typefaces is something I found very intriguing, when looking at both Massimo Vignelli’s six essential typefaces and Joseph Mueller-Brockmann’s classic and lead typefaces. I now feel a lot more informed about the different effects various typefaces can have upon a logotype or piece of work and the way this changes how things can be perceived.

Doing research has really helped me in both Studio Brief 01 and 02 and has helped develop my own personal ideas At the beginning of Studio Brief 01 I looked at and analysed a variety of different electrical company logos, which was definitely useful in helping inform my own design decisions. Seeing how other people in the same industry were tackling their own logos helped me decide what was appropriate and what wasn’t. I took a similar approach for Studio Brief 02 where I started the project by briefly analysing existing typefaces used within the confectionery industry, which in turn helped inform me how to tackle creating my own.


My knowledge of typeface terminology has certainly increased – I am now able to talk about letters and type in a professional and technical way, which will definitely benefit me in the future. I now find it easier to discuss the different parts of a letter whilst trying to explain an idea or problem, and in turn I now feel more confident experimenting whilst adapting an already existing typeface.

Similarly, I feel my digital skills have definitely improved during this module and I have learnt a lot more about using Illustrator and Photoshop to develop designs digitally, which will certainly be beneficial to me in future projects.

The frequent group critiques have also been very useful as they have helped guide me throughout both projects. When I was unsure about an idea or which route to take, taking my ideas to these group crits has been really informative and useful. Getting other people’s opinions on your work really helps you look at it in a different way.

Overall, I have thoroughly enjoyed the module as a whole as it has deepened and broadened my knowledge on the typographic element of graphic design. There have been times where I have found things difficult or challenging, but I have overcome these barriers and learnt more through experiencing problems and difficulties.
The things I have learnt I can take forward and make use of in further projects, which in turn will be beneficial in later life as a professional designer.