Flora Searle

Reflect on how work aligns with current practices and ongoing debates in the field.

My journey with this project has been both exciting and challenging. I found great enjoyment in exploring a new type of design that resonates with me, even though it presented its share of obstacles. Despite encountering setbacks, I intend on refining my work beyond the submission deadline to create work I am proud of for the grad show. The current outcomes are merely a starting point in the myriad of work I envisioned for this project. I cannot emphasise enough the dedication I have poured into this project; countless hours spent contemplating, sketching, and seeking inspiration through long walks and research. It was truly the worst artistic block I’ve experienced, particularly given the timing. While I have concerns about how these artistic blocks will impact my career as a designer, my time as an intern has taught me that delivering results to clients sometimes requires patience and persistence. Ideas evolve over time, and I want to use this experience to further refine my skills and approach in future endeavors. 

For my PDF version of my portfolio, I selected my favourite project outcomes, which are also on my website (https://florasearleportfolio.squarespace.com/). I didn't write too much as to allow the viewer to focus on the art itself.

Final presentation feels lacklustre and I am sad I haven't achieved as much as I wanted but look forward to really giving my all into the gradshow.

Going forward as I develop my portfolio, I would like to continue making work like Atkins, but at the moment the use of the first business card doesn't line up to my current portfolio.

Feel we have met the LO's 1 and 4 in this writing but need to ensure I evidence LO2 and LO3, most of which will be seen in my Tumblr blog.

There are some outcomes here that I am really happy with. The poster and tickets are my favorite outcomes as I feel they reflect what I wanted to achieve with this project. With my concept idea revealing itself in the very last minute, I feel saddened I've wasted time having an artistic crisis. I also fear it doesn't look like I have produced much, but the poster alone took two days. This type of design is extremely time-consuming and it's not realistic that I'll be able to produce a large body of work in the time I have. I am working against time now and my process book needs to take priority.

Bought my initial Indesign template into an actual website format with a link to the parks Instagram. Felt this to be much more effective, holds onto 19th century elements but still feels contemporary.

Another attempt at a map but at this point I considered if a map was even needed, considering how small the park is. Map also reflected more of a street map than an amusement park.

I began with making my website on InDesign, however, it proved difficult fully demonstrate what I wanted with the little screen space I had.

I didn't like my initial signs as I thought they didn't look quite right, so I reached out to Goodwin to identify why. I'm happy with these designs but would like to see one transformed into a physical sign.

Poster feels like a turning point for me and complements what I had envisioned in my head this entire time. Next step is to transfer this into other outcomes.

To keep the brand content, I extracted elements from my pre-existing designs to be converted into bages. My plan is to have physical versions of these in enamel form for the grad show,

Updated my designs to the new colour palette.

Found previous designs to lack visual interest so tried again. I felt these to align more with the Victorian aesthetic I was trying to achieve.

Overall I am not entirely happy with the designs, and this was my reasoning for reaching out to others for additional advice. After viewing Atkin's work, I feel more motivated to design something that reflects old processes. At this point, I do not have the time to create my outcomes by hand, but I can find ways to reflect handmade techniques digitally to speed up the process.