60. TERRITORY LINKS

55. BACK TO VIDEO

I feel like I've hit a slight wall looking into print, not quite managing to hit any innovation as of yet though fascinating. I haven't looked at video as much yet and think I should reignite that interest and see if can lead me somewhere exciting. I suppose because print and video are so different, it's an interesting juxtaposition of moving image with something that is by definition not moving. I've got my new (ish) camera and I should experiment with video for sure. So let me just go do that, bye.

54. RESPONSE AND REACTION

Territories was good and bad for me. Good because it gave me the opportunity to tell my story so far (and to refine it for myself in doing so), but bad because of the feeling I had afterward (although that too is probably good that it's now and not later). I was basically told that the project wasn't 'Goldsmiths' enough, or that's how I received it anyway. And I don't know what to do with that.

I didn't particularly choose this institution for its perhaps atypical priorities of learning or because of its supposed difference. My application process and interview didn't ask me about such compatibility either. I suppose I felt at the time somewhat confused about what was being asked of me. We were clearly told at the beginning to do what enthuses us ourselves, not to serve the needs or desires of the tutors or institution. But of course I simultaneously realise that this is a weighty project that holds high significance in my attainment for the degree, one that will be marked just as any other piece of work I've ever done in educational context. So to be put on the spot and asked by the anonymous member of staff in the audience "Why are you at Goldsmiths if all you want to do is make a magazine?" (or words to that effect), it seemed unfair. After all, it is my interest while yes I am a student at Goldsmiths. Slightly frustrated, particularly given that the initial response from Laura two weeks ago was positive. All I thought I'd done was to produce work following what was agreed in that previous discussion, and now suddenly I've been made to feel as though I don't belong here (also a personal blow having specifically migrated here from medical school where I'm sure I didn't belong.)

However. Whoever that tutor was, I refuse to believe he's stupid – he must have justification in his response, and to add to that, the other tutors seemed not to disagree. I've had a few days, almost a week, to reflect and I think I understand what was being advised. It's not enough for a final year project at Goldsmiths to simply create another magazine title to sit comfortably in the newsstand. I believe I can deliver that, and make a damn good job of it too, but maybe it's too superficial, not rich enough in original concept? That's not something I'd disagree with, I should absolutely be making innovative steps in the industry and aim to be its spearhead, the pioneer or revolutionary. How, I don't know just yet, but I think that now becomes an acceptable, good project ambition.

So I feel better. But that's not to say I still have further opinion on Goldsmiths' approach. I understand that its priority – dissimilar to other leading institutions – is that work is conceptually strong, stemming from solid foundations of theoretical understanding and societal impact. And I agree with that importance. But I get the feeling that the disciplinary learning, the skill sets and degree of execution are too lowly prioritised, mocked at times. This doesn't make sense to me. Designing something nice and pretty for the sake of designing something nice and pretty has little worth, that I agree with and accept, but the ideologically sound projects that we are encouraged to generate should still be finished to as high a standard as the professional industry (and other leading institutions) do. The priority should be both, no? One or two weeks of Technical Studies per year seems ridiculous. Of course my argument is becoming broader and less focussed now, but it forms part of my response to my project not being sufficiently 'Goldsmiths', whatever that means. Making another publication that is beautifully laid out and aesthetically pleasing is not good enough, for sure (but it's not to say that the outcome shouldn't be a beautiful artefact – it really should). To fulfil my expectations as a student here, and to genuinely produce more exciting work though, I understand there must be something new that I create. That's my challenge. I must still satisfy my own needs and my own interests, but I must also show as much as possible proof of my understanding and learning from my time here at Goldsmiths. There's a challenge I accept, does that sound reasonable to you?

52. TERRITORIES PRESENTATION VIDEO

Just instead of a static slideshow, thought I'd use some video cutaways to provide visual aid to my presentation on Monday. I will tell a succinct chronological journey to where I am now and present INJOY Journal as a concept.

51. TERRITORIES PRESENTATION PREP

43. LEGWORK TUTORIAL

A couple of days to refresh my mind after Monday's tutorial, spending full days out on the pitch with my boys (and girl) for Half Term.

I went into the tutorial with an idea fresh in mind from a bath one night (actually). The idea was as simple as: a magazine dedicated to people who love what they do. For me it makes total sense. My area of exploration thus far has involved the consumer's approach of how they (we) enjoy and how that interest is expressed, as well as how much interest is held – the act of enjoying and appreciating. So to create a document of real people showing real love what they do seems very fitting for my research and for my broader interests too. I saw a clear direction of how the publication would come together, imagining its features, content material, presentation and style.

I conveyed this to a good reaction, certainly as a starting point if not to be something more complete for my project. Key points raised by Laura were to question (and obviously answer) who/what/how my investigation should be conducted. And it's a valid thought to ponder, with it surely insufficient to merely do interviews and have a typical journalistic approach. I must remember my role as Designer throughout.

38. CONTEXT ABSTRACT RE-REWRITTEN DRAFT

The print industry interests me. Specifically, good publications interest me and, in turn, this raises the question of what makes a good publication and distinguishes it from the rest of what is a crowded market. This contextual report uses this as a starting point to explore 'goodness' – how it can be achieved and how it is appreciated. The report aims to establish why goodness is good for us, revolving around the hypothesis that a higher input of effort into caring and valuing work (for roles of both the creator and receiver) can lead to better enjoyment; increased enthusiasm, knowledge and passion all fuel the desire to engage even further, thus forming a beautiful positive feedback loop. Current examples will be discussed with research focussed about the strengths (and weaknesses) in good publications, exploring their journalistic style, material presentation and, perhaps most importantly, the chosen content matter.

29. CONTEXT ABSTRACT

For my contextual report, I'd like to explore the relationship between maker and consumer, designer and user. My early project investigations have involved looking at the way in which 'work' is received and how it is valued by its audience. Key questions revolve around what we appreciate and why; what is it about quality that we appreciate, assuming that we do in fact appreciate it at all? I'd like to inspect how our attitude towards accepting and appreciating 'work' can directly relate to our emotions, whether our enjoyment or fulfilment can be optimised through work (effort) of our own. In turn, what can design do to dictate how the work is first perceived to trigger more attention by the recipient or user? 

The print industry has seen a spike in new publications, albeit smaller in scale and target audience, each succeeding with a significant shift in focus from the digitally-converting mass-market titles. I believe that this focus is driven by greater care, which both serves more goodness for the reader as well as it invites more appreciation too.

This report itself acts as an attempt in encouraging you, the reader, to dedicate time with it and to make effort to experience its qualities – not only for my work as the designer to be fully recognised, but also for you to enjoy it better because of it.

This isn't the easiest thing to write right now, given that the subject area is still undecided, or at least not a stage at which I am optimally comfortable. And also because I thought abstracts tend to be best written at the end of the assignment itself; it's difficult to be specific about what the report will consist of. (I'm also 74 words shy.) But I understand the values that are held in writing something now, because we're at the start of the process, and that it's a good way to set off by actually doing useful work. I just don't want to be tied down to what I say now, that's all.

17. CONTEXTUAL STUDIES

Not exactly frightened, but it certainly seems a big task that clearly we have to take seriously. I see it as a chance to get deep into my interests through active research and engagement, but also as an opportunity to create something really worthy as a product. I like that we've been encouraged to make this a design artefact itself, and my vision is instantly pointing towards making a beautifully printed object in the form of a well-made publication that has been so attractive to me over recent months and years.

15. CURRENT AFFAIRS WORKSHOP

Looking through newspaper articles to find related topics to our projects, I liked it. From the off, I was able to raise some key questions that may become important starting points. With the subject of appreciation most fresh in my mind, critic reviews were interesting to read and any news on culture was also worthy of attention. The very idea of people paying more attention to the things they consume – be it music, film, books or anything – suggests a better understanding of the subject in question and greater appreciation, leading then to more opinion and reaction, more questions and discussion, more enthusiasm and passion. The final part of this chain is increased enjoyment. And what's not to enjoy about enjoying more? That's the crux of my hypothesis.

Perhaps this craving for people to pay closer attention and show higher appreciation simply comes down to the fact that I personally just want to have interesting conversations about something I am interested in myself. "I like listening to this artist and I want to talk about it with someone who also likes it and has an opinion.""I like football and I have lots to say about that game the other day and want to converse with somebody who also watched it, has things to say about and is happy to listen to my views too." To that extent, we should all be 'critics' really, certainly about subjects we are interested in. The review in the culture section of The Observer on JAY Z's recent concert (page 3/4 of my work above) actually doesn't include anything special to distinguish it from the views of any other fan who may have attended the show; I could have written that in terms of background knowledge, language fluency and insightful opinion. And just to make clear this isn't an attack on critics but a positive argument for more general people to form valid thoughts and reflection.

Straying to a different issue slightly, it does make me wonder who that JAY Z article was intended for. I would struggle to accept that JAY Z fans would have awoken that morning and rushed to the corner shop to purchase the paper and read the review, no matter how hardcore a fan he or she is. And equally, the regular reader of the paper would likely not be such a fan of JAY Z to care strongly about what this writer had to say. In fact if anything, this would likely be the only thing he/she reads about JAY Z and thus could very possibly form an inaccurate and invalid opinion of the artist. That's a worry for me too. And now, sticking with the subject of 'fans', what makes somebody a worthy fan? The news that the BBC are investing in more coverage of the arts (page 2/4) should be cause for excitement for fans, as I know I do my utmost to expose myself to everything I possibly can for whatever/whomever I am a fan of, and increased coverage increases my access to it – great news. But how many people really make sure to tune into every TV and radio appearance, interview and performance for people they are so-called fans of. I'd be pessimistic about the results of that survey.

And yet there is a big big contrast to all this. The back pages – sport.

I wouldn't hesitate to acknowledge that sport fans are indeed fans. They (we) tend to have extremely good knowledge around our sport and it's very common to have well-informed and interesting conversations with sport fans. Every kick of the ball receives full attention in a football game, and subsequently some sort of critique from everyone in the room. If we can't watch a particular game, it's almost a guarantee that we will be watching the highlights later that day, eager to catch every moment and participate in every debate almost religiously – and that's how it should be. We should feel so interested that our emotions get heated and that we are strict with ourselves to take in as much as there is that is accessible. And our lives are better because of it, I really believe that.

Design's overarching aim is to improve our lives, to make things better. If we're not doing everything we can to enjoy ourselves ourselves, then there must be a role for the designer to step in and change that. That's a fucking big task. I hope I've not just outlined my brief... But it was a workshop that has no doubt developed my thinking further so that's good.

6. FINAL PROJECT

The two main draws of design discipline for me have been print and video. As different as they may be in form, these are my two equally strong avenues for my enthusiasm and fascination; my interaction with each of the media formats have been pretty constant and from a young age too. We've all grown up with printed matter surrounding us throughout all stages of life, from colouring-in books and the Mr Men series, studying with GCSE textbooks and revision guides, to of course reading newspapers and magazines each day. And as for video, if daily television isn't enough to justify familiarity, how about movies, home video footage or YouTube. With such overwhelming exposure to each of them, I suppose it makes sense that I've picked up interest in them.

I particularly like the element of storytelling in both of them, and the role of the designer to choose what story and how it is told. The spread layout of the magazine, the selection of imagery and style of writing are key components in determining the impression and even message left for the reader. In a similar way, video footage can be cut and sequenced differently to tell entirely contrasting stories, where again the power of the editor has huge effect on the viewer. One might call that manipulation, but whatever the terminology, it's pretty cool. Maybe it's this power, control and responsibility that I am attracted to, I'm not yet sure.

So my feeling right now is that I would be rather happy if I could spend my time exploring this.