Strengths
This brief allowed me to explore my interest in identity based design, with the outcomes of this brief being used in the real world. Although reservations were made at first towards producing the branding for the exhibition, this is an area that my confidence has increased in and allowed for creative freedom. It was also a positive experience working with an individual whose work ethic reflects my own and provides constructive, supportive feedback. The collaboration process increased my learning in the area of exhibition curation as I was able to learn layout and hanging techniques from Hilda. This is a brief I would like to explore further in the future by completing more exhibitions. Discussions have been had about attending the University's Summer School in order to better our understanding of finances and motivations behind the potential exhibitions.
Weaknesses
Due to the last minute date change of the exhibition, there was less of a turn-out in terms of the creatives we invited. This could partially be due to the opening event having to be held on a bank holiday. In the future, this could be overcome by securing a space through a contract to ensure that no last minute changes could be made.
Time Management
A pencilled in time frame that we wanted to hold the exhibition in aided the development of the exhibition. This meant that we could set an appropriate deadline to the submission of the exhibition brief as well as take the time to develop the identity. Once the date had been confirmed, the extra aspects could be scheduled in. Keeping to this schedule meant that everything was ready ahead of the exhibition opening night.
Final Outcome
The exhibition opening night was a great success. It was reassuring to receive positive feedback from those who attended the exhibition. The handout provided many areas of discussion, with visitors discussing their perception and the artists. This brief has encouraged me to explore the organisation role further through future projects.
The opening night of the exhibition was a relieving success. It was interesting to talk further with the individuals whose work was in the exhibition and learn more about their work. I was also able to put into practice some of the networking skills I developed in a careers session - things such as asking people about their practice, what inspires the work that they do etc. It was great to have the support of other tutors from different universities - this provided exposure for our practice, specifically for Hilda.
In discussions with those individuals from Huddersfield and Salford University who were in the exhibition, it was reassuring to receive their positive feedback on the exhibition as well as their interest in being in future exhibitions. After receiving such positive feedback and enjoying the process ourselves, I have discussed with Hilda putting on more exhibitions in the future. These exhibitions would follow a similar psychological theme as this is our area of interest. This would also provide future opportunities and hopefully build on the relationships we have started through this exhibition.
Curation is not an area I have had previous experience in. This is a role that was primarily carried put by Hilda with my assistance. I assisted in the placement and hanging of the work. This tested my communications skills as I had to follow instructions when ensuring the work was being hun straight and in the correct place. As we both have a similar work ethic, the exhibition was hung within four hours. This meant there was more time to prepare the room in terms of applying the vinyl and arranging the seating.
As recognised in other exhibitions, there is typically a body of text providing context to the exhibition on entrance to the space. Without wanting to give away too much about the exhibition we wrote a brief sentence for visitors to read. This will be printed in vinyl so that it is easy to apply and remove from the wall. This is a material I have not previously worked with and will be learning the technique of application from Hilda.
Tests were completed to ensure that the type size of the vinyl would be legible from a range of distances, without being over imposing on the space.
Due to the print technician being absent when I had an appointment to print the vinyl and the replacement technicians being unconfident to use the vinyl cutter, alternatives had to be explored. This developed my fast paced working skills as well as my communication methods. Alternative printers were contacted however due to the short turn around, the cost was out of the budget. The alternatives were to print a large poster with the information on, following the structure of the social media banners. Thankfully, the technicians gave it a try and we were able to print the vinyl.
As recognised in other exhibitions, a handout provides the relevant context to the artists work. This can also be a platform to promote the artist and have their contact information. Following the theme of the exhibition, the following handout was developed. Experiments took place in terms of text size and layout. Due to the content, a two column design was most appropriate. This allows for a readable line length and separates the information appropriately. Providing the audience with a choice as to whether they read the context information or not encourages individuals to discuss their own point of view. The simple layout allows for each of the 9 individuals in the exhibition to have their statements alongside the title of the work, name and website/social media. The design has been kept in a black and white format to keep costs low.
As part of the exhibition, we want to engage the audience with the content and encourage the sharing of their interoretation of the work. In theory this concept has its strengths (networking, positive atmosphere, increased engagement) however there are also the real life limitations. The key audience of the exhibition is students, known for their fear for networking. This means that the chance of strangers engaging with each other is smaller than people talking within their groups. This problem was raised in a feedback session, to gain further insight from other students and a discussion was had about how this could be overcome.
Feedback:
- post in notes, but nicer. Take the concept and apply it to a clean looking exhibition space
- each person or group could be given a booklet that they write their own interpretation in as they view each project. This could be collect at the end of the viewing. In discussion about this concept, we covered how this could be taken further to collate the responses and see them in comparison to the photographers description. This could be achieved through a publication. Scanning each response and presenting them alongside the photoraph(s) and descriptions would add a developed level to the brief and exhibition. Doing this would engage the audience further and continue the discussion around the theme.
Specifics
- A5 pages that make up an A4 spread. Size has been informed by the usability of a zine format identified in research.
- Typeface presents a level of authority, reflecting the academic references of the study. The typeface also allows for the information to be presented in an engaging manor, providing the audience with content that reflects qualities of other reports they may have read however in a more playful way.
- The outcome has been ring bound. This reflects the lab report influences of the outcome and gives the piece academic qualities.
