Christine FMP

Info...

2007-08-25T07:39:00.000-07:00

This blog records the progress of my final major project for BA (Hons) Graphic Design Communication, at Chelsea college of Art and Design. To see my project from start to finish please scroll down past the graduation and show photos. You can also access older posts from the links menu on the right.

Graduation pics...

2007-08-25T07:08:00.001-07:00

Yours truly...

Me and Chris...

Mrs cheatalot!

Inside the hall just after recieving my degree...

Leanne, Chris, me, Lez and Mum...

Me in full academic clobber...

Hung and Jerrome...

Karina, Stephanie and Olga...

Fuzzy pic of me crossing the stage; the culmination of 4 years hard work!

Lez, me, Mum and Leanne...

Me and Chris...

Moi, Mary, Chelle, and Aimee...

Some pics from the show...

2007-08-25T06:55:00.000-07:00

Shame madam blinked!

Lez looking at Mellissa's marathon 70 day project...

Me and Chris at family day...

The boys (not as gorgeous as the girls!).

Mum at family day; spook alert, orb at top right!!

Degree show night; arent we gorgeous?!

Me n' my pod...

Introduction...

2007-06-17T05:00:00.001-07:00

Hi all, first up let me introduce myself; my name's Christine Moloney and i'm one of the graduating students at the seduce me show here at Chelsea. Feel free to have a look around my blog; you can see the highs (and the lows!) of my project which focused on teaching methods at foundation level; and it's legitimacy in todays digital world.

I myself have mixed feelings about this, as i personally believe that all education is good education, and i didn't want my project to end up as just another soapbox. My work itself is very influenced by tradition, such as the Fauves and impressionists, which is where my love of colour originates from. A brief look at my portfolio will reward you with the same bright bold colours, no minimilism here! I gathered together the thoughts and opinions of students and teachers alike and created two books reflecting two very different opinions. One book champions traditional methods, and the other the new. Both books mirror each other and have to be read together to form the whole story, as i believe that not only do the two spill into each other; both sides must be accommodated in order for dialogue to start.

Please feel free to look through my portfolio which is yellow number 12.

If you would like to contact me, please email me at:

christine-moloney@hotmail.co.uk

07989881457

Enjoy the show...

portfolio images

2007-06-04T07:19:00.001-07:00

Relief!

2007-06-04T04:15:00.000-07:00

Sitting on my back stairs listening to the birdies, feeling relieved it's all over! If you're wondering why the garden looks a mess it's because of the builders, they're a nightmare. That nice pink dressing gown? Believe it or not i was wearing that when my Fiance proposed to me, it's a long story...!

Books printed and bound

2007-05-31T08:10:00.000-07:00

As above, both books printed and bound. Also two duplicates as Geoff requested. Now it's a weekend of printing my research, which i didn't realise we had to submit until D.B. mentioned it on the blog a couple of days ago; good job i kept a few bits!

Some images

2007-05-25T12:25:00.001-07:00

Some final images...

pallette

2007-05-22T09:54:00.001-07:00

My books were starting to look a bit garish, and although i love tons of colour, i've decided to tone it down abit for continuities sake. Obviously there are other colours in there as there are plenty of visuals, but these should predominate. I've also used one typeface throughout, Myriad. There are tons of different weights so it won't all look the same; bold, italic, light, condensed etc, and i feel this would be appropriate again for continuity.
I'm using double sided matt coated paper, 160gsm, which not only feels nice to the touch, but it's also durable; no good using something flimsy.

Still here...

2007-05-20T12:42:00.000-07:00

Haven't posted for a while, been pretty busy working (teenage daughters cost a fortune you know!), and working on my FMP; i've added a few rejigged layouts at the top; they're subject to change of course. To top it all i've been called for an interview on Thursday to Middlesex college for my PGCE course, it was pretty short notice and i've just found out they want 500 words on a quote they've emailed me! I like the way they didn't mention it when they phoned me...Anyway, gotta take my portfolio in (and if they think they're getting sketchbooks they've got another thing coming, those days are over!!), and be prepared to gas about it for ten minutes. Where do i get a feeling of deja vu?!

Remember that mail art project i did at the end of the second year? Well i've just recieved a postcard from someone - a year later! Hilarious, i wonder why they chose to send it now?

Bugger...

2007-05-08T09:04:00.000-07:00

Can't seem to find a printer who will spiral bind at A5 landscape; they can do it, but it won't be centered, which is unacceptable really. I really need these books to lay completely flat, so i either have to scale things up and go for A4 landscape, or maybe think about thermal binding. Really prefer wire binding to be honest, i think it works better for what i'm doing, but i'm worried that A4 will be a bit big, as both books have to be read in conjuction with each other. Another solution is for the books to be read still side by side, but the pages being turned over from bottom to top; but again, not what i wanted really. If anyone knows of a place that will wire bind at A5 landscape please let me know!

layouts

2007-05-04T06:09:00.000-07:00

Some layout/image ideas, haven't finalised any text as yet.

Thoughts

2007-04-29T07:05:00.000-07:00

Got quite a few responses from people over he last couple of days, and i was quite surprised at the response. The majority feel that traditional teaching methods are extremely useful (of course there are the odd one or two that hated it), and are necessary for personal growth. In all it seems that those studying graphic design tend to benefit and can then transfer the skills learnt at a later stage. As one guy wrote, if you have these skills, at least you have the choice of using them, if not, then you're limited; and i tend to agree with that.
I would like to illustrate the differences between the two schools of thought, but i don't believe they can simply be explained away as 'for' and 'against', that maybe abit too literal. The two tend to spill over into each other, but at some times are separate entities, and i feel that my dual book idea can work for this using text and imagery. I'm hoping to print and make the books myself, apart from spiral binding of course! It's a shame that there is so little time left; if i hadn't have faffed around at the start i could've really have gone into this with some more depth, as it stands with so little time remaining i may only be skimming the surface; which is a shame as i feel i've let myself down abit. But no point moaning, gotta get on with it and start some work.

Lots of emails

2007-04-27T09:51:00.000-07:00

Lots of emails coming in now, with lots of different opinions; which leads me to believe that my editing of them might not be appropriate? It's just that if i did that, then i would only be selecting what i want people to see, which may be wrong for this project. I don't know. I think that all the thoughts generated here should be seen in their entirety, and not edited. All opinions are valid and if this project is to generate discussion/debate, then maybe everything should be seen, otherwise things could be taken out of context. Most are coming from students, but a few teachers too (which is good), and it would be good to publish the viewpoints of both. Will see what comes in over the weekend, and maybe publish some extracts from a few on the blog too.

Mass email sent

2007-04-27T06:55:00.000-07:00

Just sent an email to everyone at Chelsea. About 30 bounced back, but got an interesting reply from someone almost immeadiately. Re worked the email about 3 times as i was worried about offending people, after all, i feel a bit bad questioning peoples' teaching methods. Hope i get a good response, hopefully i haven't offended anyone!

p.s. more coming in now, lots of interesting responses.

Slightly better visuals...

2007-04-26T12:51:00.000-07:00

Might make things a bit clearer, realise the photo's were a bit dodgy. Take no notice of the text, it's just there as an example.

Some mock ups

2007-04-25T10:21:00.000-07:00

Just mocked these 2 'books' up to give a better idea of what i mean, it's actually quite difficult as there are a few different combinations involoved in just 4 sheets of paper; quite confusing when it comes to printing as they're double sided too! I would like each page to make sense no matter what page was opened in either book. Looking a bit spartan at the moment, and you'll have to imagine the spiral binding down the middle, obviousely i wont do that at this stage.

Some ideas

2007-04-25T03:47:00.000-07:00

Been farting around with some ideas, and i'm trying to work out a way of highlighting opposing attitudes. I thought of a book which can be taken apart (perforated in two) but don't think it'll work, at least not with the time remaining, and i wanted to include peoples' quotes and questions if possible, and to show that this is a issue that may never be agreed on; also asking the question may not answer anything and may only raise more questions; but that is a good thing, as it encourages discussion. Anyway, i think i've found a way to do this now. I've thought of two slimline landscape books that when laid side by side give an alternative view or approach. Each page would display either text such as a question, quote or image, with the corrosponding page from the other book either answering the question/quote or conflicting with it; or even posing another question. I've included a very rough visual of what i mean above.

New approach

2007-04-24T15:32:00.000-07:00

Ok, no point moping, so decided to have another look at the dreaded original project and come up with something abit more sensitive (not like me i know!). Seeing as this is an issue that can only be resolved (if indeed it needs resolving) through dialogue, then this is what i shall try to encourage. I have thought of a book, with various questions, which i think is appropriate for this project as this is a subject that not everyone can agree on, least of all me; and this project far outstrips just what i happen to think. I would like it to be interactive and engage the reader, but i don't know if this is something that would be appropriate, or wether it's just the dreaded 'novelty' trying to seep back in, will have to keep that in check!
I would like to know other peoples' views on this, especially outside the group, so hopefully i can send a mass email out and get some feedback. I will try as far as possible to avoid novelty, and use text and image to promote discussion. I have been trying out a few things today like layouts, cutting and glueing etc just to see what it could look like; a process i really enjoy, i'm never happier than when i'm making something! Will post proper visuals when i've got a few more things going.

Text books...

2007-04-05T10:12:00.000-07:00

This is one of my old Latin textbooks from school (orange and black, lush!) and it's sort of given me an idea. What with most if not all teenagers communicating in slang, adults are at a loss to understand them, as are also their teachers, highlighted recently in a report on the BBC. Teenagers being what they are, they can hardly be expected to suddenly start communicating in the Queens English, so if you can't beat 'em, why not join 'em? I wasn't just thinking of a glossy guide that just translates everything; i was thinking of proper textbooks (like the one above for example) that gives instructions on sentence construction, past/present tense, appropriate examples of slang in use etc, etc. Aimed obviously at adults/long suffering parents/teachers.
One of the reasons that kids speak (i feel) the way they do, is so that adults can't understand them; course this doesn't stop them moaning continuously 'you don't understand me!' Honestly i don't know how they cope...
Time for change. Wouldn't they get the shock of their lives to find that Mum is suddenly fluent in slang...

Always fancied learning another language...

2007-04-03T12:27:00.000-07:00

Does anyone understand a word kids say today? Got to admit i'm hard pressed sometimes, my daughter could almost be talking another language. In a recent survey for the association of teachers and lecturers published today; it would seem that teachers are none the wiser either. Well fear not! Yet another 'Teacher spares' saves the day, and translates what seems like gobbledegook into the Queens English; just store it in your desk. Next time young Wayne tells you you're 'butterz', not only will you know exactly what the little sod means; but you'll also have the immense satisfaction of watching his crestfallen face as you give him a weeks detention.

I really should get an OBE for this...

More...

2007-04-02T10:27:00.000-07:00

More handy stuff for the hard pressed teacher; pre filled report quotes! Say goodbye to writing 'is extremely disruptive' and 'is constantly late' for the millionth time. Just peel off and stick on said report; why spend an evening writing the damn things when you could be down the pub?

And another one...

2007-04-02T09:27:00.000-07:00

Trading card pack idea, imagine having a class of happy, grateful, enthusiastic students? Play your cards right and you could have! A bit of light relief for teachers who wonder daily why they ever bothered in the first place. Course you have to feel sorry for the teacher who ends up with cards no one wants to trade, then has to go and teach them for real...

Another one in the pipeline...

2007-04-02T04:29:00.000-07:00

Working on another 'Teacher spares' at the mo, this ones' a trading card set featuring students. A nice little diversion for teachers in the staff room; they try to aquire the students they want, and offload the students they don't. Preferably on that smug looking supply teacher over there... Who said swapsies was just for kids?!

Couldn't help this either...

2007-04-01T14:46:00.000-07:00

Yep, done another one; this one's very special as today new legislation went through allowing teachers to restrain pupils, and about bloody time too. Hopefully this might have some impact on the 'you can't tell me what to do' mob. Anyway, here's a nice little pack to remind teachers to put the new legislation to good use. Just peel it off and stick it up in the staff room.

Just had a scary thought; does this legislation mean that Geoff is now allowed to thump us?