Past Student Work Analysis

Past Student Work Analysis

Live Project No. 1: The National Archives: 'What is History'?

Set by live client The National Archives in London. The aim was to get students to explore, understand and then best create example covers and associated activity spreads linked to key individuals (spys, ancient maps and notorious criminals etc) over history.

I feel this is a solution for the given brief. They have included the required pages and they have also included extra pages which include activities for kids. The content included is what the client was looking for.

The colour schemes used for these designs make the pages feel old which relates to the theme of 'history' I think this a successful colour scheme for educational purposes and not over the top with different colors which could make draw attention away from the information.

The pages are made up of illustrations and bodies of text.  The style of illustrations used are appropriate for the brief and complements the topic. The page layout is visually attractive and not over crowded with illustrations or text.

Throughout the pages there are only 2 types of fonts used. There are serif and sans serif fonts. Using 2 fonts visually compliments the pages.

The corporate id is included on a few pages with this design. Most importantly it is included on the front cover of the book. There is a corporate id included on page 5 near the end of the book. I am not sure why they included another id so far into the book. I feel like it is only needed on the front cover.

I think the visual elements on the page are laid out just right. They are neither too complex or too simple.

There is no template shown of what the activity book will look like. I think using a mockup of the book in photoshop/illustrator will give the viewer a feel for how it will look. I also think it would compliment the work they have completed.

I feel like they could have used 2 sans serif or serif fonts in their work instead of both. I also think page 5 could be improved as the layout of the text puts me off from reading it. They could have possibly included illustrations to break up the text?

Live Project No. 2: The National Archives: 'Significant People in British History'

Set by live client The National Archives in London. The aim was to get students to explore, understand and then best create example covers and associated activity spreads linked to prominent individuals (Captain Cook, Queen Elizabeth 1st and William Shakespear etc) over history.

Students had a minimum of a cover, reverse cover to design for and linked activity pages, they could also 'add' pages as required if they felt their activity spreads needed additional resource pages to make them best work..

I feel like they have included the required pages and they have also gone beyond the brief with this project by including extra pages. The page designs are on topic.   

As with the other design I reviewed they are on topic with the colour scheme. The colours give the feeling that the book is going to be about history. the extra pages are not in colour apart from the second page which includes historical figures.

 With this book they have used detailed illustrations of historical figures and on some of the extra pages they have included other illustrations. I think these are appropriate to the brief

The type styles used are sans serif fonts. They have also included their own fonts which can be seen on all of the pages. I think this gives the book a personalized feel and it makes it appealing to look at.

The corporate ID for this activity book is included on the back cover. They have also included the university of Worcester logo. These give the book a identity.

I feel like this activity book has the right amount of illustrations and does not look overly complex.I think they could have included some informative text about the topic.  

They have not used a mockup of what the design would look like in different scenarios. I think this could be effective for the client to look at as it will give them an idea of what the activity book will look like.

I would like to see where the text is about the topic they have chosen. I think the activity book in this case would benefit with information about significant figures in history to help children learn.

Live Project No. 3: University of Worcester "Children's Bushcraft Activity Book"

Set by the University linked to their new 'Lakeside Campus' and new activities planned for the site. The aim was to get students to explore, understand and then best create example covers and associated activity spreads linked to simple children's bushcraft (like 'Forest Schools') actitivies on site there.

Students had a minimum of a cover, reverse cover to design for and linked activity pages, they could also 'add' pages as required if they felt their activity spreads needed additional resource pages to make them best work..

The aim of this brief was to create an activity book for children to help them learn about bushcraft.  At first glance this looks like a fun interactive book which makes the viewer want to go out and get involved with this book.

The colour used in this instance are natural colors found in nature which is very on topic. It compliments the subject of the activity book and makes you feel engaged.

There is a combination of art styles used here. There are diagrams used on the third page and there are also illustrations. I feel these are appropriate and they target the audience effectively. The strong solid colors make this design very eye catching.

They have used 1 font style but they have used it in two different colours, green and black. I admire the sans serif font used in these designs as it makes it look more informal and 'child friendly' compared to a serif font.

This book was created for the university of Worcester and they have included the logos on the front and back. However, they have changed the colour From blue to white, possibly to compliment their design. I think they should have kept the logo its original colour as the logo has its own identity.

I feel like they could have included more pages since this is an interactive Ebook and people will complete this quite fast when done online. I do not feel the existing designs are too complex nor too simplistic.

They have not used a mockup for this design but I feel like the way this is presented is one of the only ways to show an online activity book.

One of the only improvements for this design I can think of is to include some more pages as I admire the designs. I would also recommend they use the Worcester University logo true to its original colour as the university has its own identity.