Daniel Samson

So this is the first post of my new blog. This week was my first proper week of the new course I just started, FdA Design for Graphic Communication. So far its been fairly laid back, not too much to do, quite different to working full time as a web designer.

So on the first day we did an all day web 2.0 workshop, building a basic blog using blogger and working as a team, there were other aspects in the morning, such as constructing lists and about writing. I think a major aspect of this was just getting to know people and their skills. Our team did everything together, we headed out onto the streets of Elephant & Castle, then wandered about till we found some interesting spots, most notably a community bike shop, it was closed, but we seem to think its somewhere you can go and build a bike. On the corner connected to it, is a cooperative food shop and information centre. We also came across a coffee shop, some artists studios and a Buddhist centre. We then rushed back with not much time to cobble together our group blog. We got everything on there, but it was rushed, I think we spent too much time trying to find the right images.

Edit: The bikeshop and food co-op is called 56a.

The second day was VCT (Visual & Cultural Theory) a shortening I find a little unnecessary, along with PPD. I think most people find them confusing, lots of people asking what they stand for etc. But I am sure in no time that will change. The class itself was really enjoyable, getting together and discussing the meaning of text & image. A task was set where we had to match up postcards with phrases, then justify it. I found it quite interesting peoples varied ideas on organisation and matching. I think initially we had some really interesting choices, but by the time we democratised it and chose the two we all agreed on, the solutions became quite bland and mediocre. I think it ended up lacking any authorship. I am looking forward to more of this class.

So far, that is all we have done this week, I have another class this afternoon, it is labelled ‘Research’. I shall take a stab in the dark and presume it is a class on how to conduct research for graphic design, as we did on the introductory day with list making. Only time can tell. This week I also had a good look around the library, looking at some of the books I have wanted to see for a while, a book on the visual programming language ‘Processing’ and ‘Grid systems in graphic design’ by Josef Muller-Brockmann. It was nice having access to a wide range of books on all sorts of topics again, something I have really missed.

So thats it for now, a summary of my first week at LCC.