This module helped me experiment with a variety of different, primarily physical materials and processes to expand my creative skillset. This has also reminded me that not everything needs to be polished and perfect, and that an idea which brought me out of my comfort zone is enough. I am not a strong drawer at all, so at first this module did challenge my confidence, comparing myself to peers, but it was good experimenting with a wide variety of techniques in a safe, creative environment. I have gained quite a few industry connections (connected on LinkedIn), which is essential when working towards a digital-dominated career, which is currently getting challenged by Artificial Intelligence. I have introduced myself and had conversations with Luigi (Design LSC), Penny (Fedrigoni) and Matt (Foil Co) about my career ambitions and passion for this subject.

For my physical sketchbook, I had chosen some A4 cartridge paper with a cardboard (covered with brick wallpaper) cover. I wanted to make sure it would fit in my bag appropriately for commuting, but now reflecting, A3 would’ve been easier as I had to cut down a lot of images and printed sheets, which made it difficult to include everything. I also used bolts to give the creative construction look, which is visually appealing more than practical. However, when opening the page,s it’s like a margin due to a crease that takes up more space. If I create a sketchbook again, I will rather use spiral rings at an A3 scale so I can use the whole pages rather than it feeling cramped. I would’ve preferred a spiral binding, ng but it’s very difficult to find at an A3 scale as well as being complicated. However, the spiral rings have the same advantages but are more convenient.

In the future, I want to use foiling, lino, screen print and packaging again,n as I really enjoyed these, since I can use digital designs that can be used in a production line. I prefer making digital designs like a brand identity and applying it to the materials to bring the initial design and idea to reality. I have learned that it’s important to retain design principles such as scale, hierarchy and fitting designs to certain dimensions,ons especially for production, which will help when working in the creative industry. I found a lot of relevance in most of these new techniques and processes, as I could digitalise Lino to create a digital repeat pattern or digitalise typography into a custom font (wouldn’t work with my typography in the sketchbook due to different typefaces). I can digitalise and hand-render processes as well as physically visualise digital designs by applying them to packaging or foiling. If I had more time, I would’ve liked to try intaglio printing as it’s the opposite of a relief print, like collagraphy, but can be repeated. I would like to experiment more with the screen-printing next time. But with the Cricut machine and using vinyl as a different and easier way to produce a print, but more fiddly and lasts shorter for a production line. My least favourite weeks were collagraphy, cyanotype and paper making due to a more practical but abstract approach to generate designs.