Planning

Question 1

1) Recall the four stages that you need to consider when planning
2) What are the main planning methods that graphic designers use?

Answer 1

1) First, you would do planning. You would do first drafts of your ideas in this stage. The first sketches and mind maps would be produced during this stage. Then, design development, which will include refinement of experimentation and refinement of first sketches. Next, production, where you create the final product, and finally, presenting work, where you show the complete work to the client.
2) The main methods graphic use for planning a project are: mind maps, and a flow chart or Gantt chart.

Question 2

Explain five factors the designer should consider when making a summative assessment of their graphic design work

Answer 2

• Meeting the needs of the client (1): graphic design is a commercial operation and any success must be considered against the needs of the client (who has commissioned the work). (1)
• Communication of ideas (1): a design can only be considered successful if it effectively communicates the creative intentions of the designer. (1)
• Appropriateness for target audience (1): to be an effective communication tool graphic design must be targeted at the specific audience (for whom the message is intended). (1)
• Identify improvements (1): in order to progress and develop as a designer it is important to review all work critically to apply improvements in future work. (1)
• Identify successes with the design (1): by identifying successes designers are able to acknowledge areas of good practice (they may wish to use again in future designs). (1)

Question 3

1) What is a mind map?
2) What is a Gantt chart?
3) What is a flowchart?

Answer 3

1) A mind map is a diagram in which information is represented visually, usually with a central idea placed in the middle and associated ideas arranged around it.
2) A Gantt chart is a series of horizontal lines shows the amount of work done or production completed in certain periods of time in relation to the amount planned for those periods.
3) A flowchart is a visual representation of the sequence of actions. Graphic designers use these to plan and show stages of a project.

Question 4

1) What is planning?
2) Why do designers need to plan?
3) What is an accent colour?

Answer 4

1) Planning is a process that enables someone to consider the steps needed to complete a project.
2) Planning helps a project to run smoothly and allows designers to consider the different tasks and stages they will need to within a specific timeframe. It also allows the design to consider any contextual factors and potential constraints within the brief.
3) An accent colour is a colour used in quite small quantities to lift or add punch to a colour scheme. An accent colour should be in a complementary colour. It works best if it’s a bright, vibrant colour.