Creative Thinking - An overview

The Graphic Design course at Preston is founded on one basic over-riding principle and that is one of creative thinking.

This philosophy of focused idea generation via creative problem solving underpins our entire course of study. This core philosophy is generally rec-ognised as Preston’s strength and only ‘house style’ with a well established heritage that now stretches back over 40 years.

We feel that a well rounded vocational course with this philosophy at its heart ensures that our students are well placed to go out into the workplace and specialise in all areas of an ever changing and expanding discipline.

Philosophy

The Structure & Rational

A 3 year course of study spread over 6 semesters. In years 1&2 each semester consists of a series of tutor led creative projects and prob-lem solving exercises. Designed to provide the student with the basic building blocks, this course of study explores the fundamental elements that make up the subject of Graphic Design.

The 3rd year focuses on self expression, the students own personal development and independent study. Formulating a series of student initiated and tutormentored project briefs, which finally lead to the submission of a body of work or degree show and an industry ready portfolio.

2Graphic Course - Pyramid of Study

1 1

2 3

3

Delivery - our studios

We foster a vibrant studio based culture, reflecting that of industry

We work very closely with our students on a daily basis

Staff - one to one tuition

We also have a culture of group critiques and working to strict deadlines

Group critiques - deadlines

A selection of some key books on our reading & looking list

Creative Thinking - key reference

Online - resource & conduit

The Core Elements

Semester 1 is made up of eight one week creative and lateral thinking exercises that cover the key components & constituent elements that make up the subject of Graphic Design.

21week projects - Creative Thinking

1 1

2 3

3

1. Research2.Typography3. Image4. Three Dimensional5. Photography6. Illustration7. Copy writing8. Narrative & Motion

The Brief - Image

You are asked to either take, find or create two images. Then crop and position them to the same dimensions and place them side by side to create an interesting and intriguing piece of visual communication that either in some way; contrasts, compares, is poignant, contradicts, is thought provoking, is humorous, is profound, involves tension, explores wordplay, explores sequence or explores orientation.

We would like you to present three separate solutions.

The image above juxtapose Jocelyn Wilderstein, who has had several cosmetic surgery procedures on her face and Boris Karloff in his role as Frankensteins monster in the 1931 film Frankenstein.

The message that the comparison highlights is aided by the fact that both image’s above are cropped head shots,and both are black and white which means you are not distracted by colour.

The presentation - accompanying the brief

Before & After. The moon landings and the ‘first small step for mankind’

The image above is given narrative thrust by the sequence of the journey.

Two technologies designed for the hand - taken from a TED Lecture

Hair dresser & Restaurant

Visual tension - Book Cover A comparison - Book end-paper

Humorous comparison - Press advertisement

The students - creative responses

Humorous

Nature - Micro & Macro

Liberty & Liberty

Stylish art direction

Montage

Visual tension

Rich & poor

War & Peace

Student D&AD Winner - 2007

The Royal Opera Housegoes online

The Brief - Packaging

You are required to choose one of the selected items presented to you. You are then required to re-package your item for re-sale at a higher retail price. In order to do this you will need to exercise your creativity, through the packaging design and the idea, in some way giving your product that added value factor.

2Semester 2 - Design in context

1 1

2 3

31. Type & grids2. Identity3. Packaging4. Web & Motion

£1 bag of elastic bands

Featured in Boxed & Labelled 2

£1 packet of Spaghetti

Student D&AD Winner - 2011

The Brief - External competition

Set by the YCN (Young Creative Network). The creative challenge was to in some way celebrate the 20th anniversary of Sonic the Hedgehog. Students could use any medium to achieve an outcome.

2Final year - External brief

1 1

2 3

31. Self initiated brief2. Honours brief3. External brief4. Dissertation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOjVYxUOCYc

Little Chip Digital AwardsWinner - 20011

Thank you.