Wednesday, 12 September 2012

Week 9 - Review of a Design Solution

1. Are you happy with your design? Why? Why Not?
I am relatively happy with my final design. I think it is an effective design for a basic and simple DVD cover. There are some aspects that I would change to make it look more prodessional but all in all it works. I think the cover contains all the aspects that a regular DVD cover should contain (barcodes, synopsis, rating, mini-credits etc.).

2. How well does it fulfil the design requirements?
The final project fulfils the design requirements appropriately which included: based on an action film genre, appropriate font styles (have used a font named GI Joe on the front cover/spine, which is typically recognised as an action font), follow basic DVD cover structure, include a ratings sticker, film synopsis, barcode.

3. If you were to redesign your solution what would you change?
I would most likely redesign the back cover of the DVD by including some more images (film screenshots, etc.). I would also use a higher quality image for the front cover to make the cover look a little more professional looking.

Final DVD Cover Design

 
Derek is a typical nerd who is currently studying at university. He develops a smart phone
application that has typical spy capabilities, but also the ability to control the world. The
FBI hires fellow nerd and university student Simon to attempt to get the blueprints for the
app so the government has this new power. The FBI eventually kidnaps Derek and interrigate
him in an attempt to get the information that lies behind the app. However, Simon defies the
FBI and swoops in to save Derek from further injuries and they escape, deleting all traces of
the app and moving on with their lives.  The title, App Wars, simply relates to the content
of the story and fits in with the action film genre.

Monday, 10 September 2012

Week 5 - Mood Board

Below is my mood board for an action DVD cover.


DVD Brain Storming Work Sheet

Use your mood board to brainstorm several ideas for your action movie. Your brainstorming needs to come up with the following.

A Title: The title needs to be catch and relfect the movies tone, characters, and story line.

Genre - Parody/Comedy Spy
Title Ideas - iPhone Wars, App Wars, Bit Deaths
Keywords - Suspense, silhouettes, connection, application, speed, upgrade.
Other Ideas - No weapons used, water guns instead.

Main Character/s Description: A name and description of the characters look, age, sex, clothing, skills and maybe even a catch phrase.

Good guy - Derek, 23, developed a new smart phone app that has spy functionalities, nerd, university student who spends his spare time tinkering on the computer.
Bad guy - Simon, 25, fellow app developer who creates apps for evil but wants the blueprints behind Derek's app, creates another similar app for fights, similar appearance to Derek.
Government Official - David, 40, typical man in a suit who hires Simon to gain blue prints.

Synopsis: What the movie is about.

Derek (good guy) develops an app that has spy capabilities - can control the world. The government hires a fellow nerd, Simon, to attempt to get the blueprints for the app for themselves. They use traditional weapons and develop simple apps to fight with and defend themselves although Derek's app always over rules them. Government kidnap him and interrigate him however the 'bad guy' defies the government and saves Derek from injury/further interrigations.

Photos: A description of the photos you will take for your DVD cover.

Cap gun/water gun
Smart phone with a cracked screen/gunshot screen

DVD Cover Examples: Find some examples of DVD covers and post to your blog. Pay close attention to their structure and any information on them.


Week 4 - Australian Flag Designs

QUESTION:
 
1. From the flag debate last week here is a link to a site with some new designs for the australian flag.

http://www.flagsaustralia.com.au/newflag.html

If you were given the job of selecting one of these designs which one would you choose and why?

Post a copy of the image to your blog and state why you selected the design.


Answer:

John Williamson 1983 - Fair Dinkum Flag
 
One of the possible flag designs that I would choose is the flag above, simply because the colours reflect on our national colours, and the design in general has a strong connection to our culture.

Mark Tucker 1993 - Winner of second Ausflag national flag competition 
 
However, the best and most appropriate flag design from the website is the above. It doesn't let go of our connection to Great Britain, which is shown through the symbolic colours. It also still has the Southern Cross representation which connects back to what we have lived under.

Innovative Design Prezi

Research some innovative designs on YouTube and using Prezi, create an online presentation, presenting at least five of these innovative designs.

My Prezi Presentation:
http://prezi.com/xuh329nrel_u/innovative-design/

Wednesday, 8 August 2012

Week 3 - Australian Flag Redesign

Recognised Australian flag since 1908

What is 'wrong' with the current design? What works with the current design?
  • The flag is connected strongly to Great Britain through the use of the Union Jack.
  • Other countries use similar designs and similar colour schemes to the current Australian flag, therefore it isn't necessarily individual.
  • The colours shown don't necessarily reflect our culture or are symbolic for anything.
  • The seven stars refer the Southern Cross, however they could also refer to the seven states of the country.
  • Currently, the flag in no way reflects on Aboriginal citizens or their cultures.
  • The current flag has been in place for over 100 years, so what is the point of changing it now?
Possible constraints in terms of audience (social and ethical issues, attitudes of Australian's and foreigners), medium (various formats flags are displayed), purpose (what does a flag do?).
  • The flag is already highly recognisable worldwide, therefore a change would definately confuse others around the globe.
  • Australian citizens have a strong history with the flag, particularly older generations such as war veterans who fought for the country under the current Australian flag.
  • Purpose: the flag is easily identifiable.
  • If the flag is currently successful and works, what's the point in fixing it.
  • Monetry: production costs for the printing and creating of new flags and replacing the old versions would be extreme.
Flag designs for other countries.
Flag of Kiribati

Flag of Macedonia

Flag of Nepal