DESIGN PROCESS - RESPONSIVE - SESSION 3

We started the session with a presentation that went through the 10 steps to preparing persuasive project proposals. 

The 10 steps;

1. Set clear aims and objectives.
2. Be smart - the definition of objectives.
3. Use words from the brief (proposal).
4. Justify the need for your proposal.
5. Describe your audience.
6. Describe your motivations.
7. Consider the viewer.
8. Don't be vague.
9. Visualize the product.
10. Assume nothing.

Set clear aims and objectives.

First describe your aims, aims are usually the changes that your project will make to the status quo.

For example;

• Social change.
• Political change.
• A change in peoples perceptions.

Secondly you describe your objectives, objectives are usually the methods used to achieve your aims.

For example;

• What research you will collect.
• Where you will go for specialist information.
• What processes will you use.
• What final outcomes will be produced.

 

Be Smart - the definition of objectives.

Use words from the brief.

Justify the need for your proposal.

Show what research you have collected relating to who could benefit from your outcome and why they need it. Be certain not to make empty statements, have reliable data to present to help communicate your point.


Describe your audience.

Describe exactly who the audience are, and be specific;

• Locations.
• Lifestyle.
• Which industry?
• What values do they have?
• Why will they engage with it?
• What do you hope to achieve?
• What is success criteria?
• What are your values?

Consider the viewer.

Make your proposal easy to read;

• Use a professional layout.
• Use the appropriate tone.
• Don't repeat images or information to pad it out.
• Check spelling. Check the Grammar. Check it again.
• Get some one else to check the spelling.

Don't be vague.

Visualize the ending.

• What does the project require?
• What criteria do you need to satisfy?
• Who is the target audience?
• What will stimulate their interest in the idea?
• What do they expect to gain from the project in terms of aims, objectives, outcome and outputs?
• What do you require for the project?
• What initial research will you undertake to stimulate your interests or start you on the research journey?
• What criteria do you need to satisfy?
• Who your target audiences will be?
• What you want to get, personally and
• professionally out of the project in terms of
  recognition, challenge and achievement?

Assume nothing

The only thing you know is that the reader of your proposal knows nothing about you, your skills or the concept of your project.

Remember, if everyone else does something the same way nothing will stand out.

'QUESTION EVERYTHING, ACCEPT NOTHING'

PROPOSAL PRESENTATION 

After the presentation we were divided into small groups of five and asked to present a proposal for our chosen brief.

When presenting my proposal I refered to my concept statement to help me accurately communicate all information relevant to the selected brief.

Below I have listed some of the points covered.

• Aims - Help raise an awareness of the importance of diversity and equality within a community.
• Objectives - The brief outlines that the winning submissions will be displayed on billboards at an outside gallery. Therefore, I will produce a piece of digital art that will rely on semiotics and illustration to communicate its message.
• My outcome will be concept driven as to have the most impact the message communicate must be relevant, understandable and cause an emotive feeling from the viewer.
• My target audience is the younger generation, specifically the age group of 10-25 year olds. To have the most impact it is better to target a younger audience who are more open to change. Often as people get older they become cemented in their mentalities and are much harder to connect to on the same sort of level.
• The project simply requires one piece of artwork submitting per person, leaving me with little room for development. However, this leaves me a lot of spare time to generate a really effective concept which will help to win the brief.

I also presented one of my initial mind maps exploring my personal take on the words diversity and equality.

FEEDBACK

I received some feedback from the group regarding my initial start on the brief;

• The target audience is still broad with an age range of 10 - 25 years old, people from this age group will have contrasting views and will be triggered by different visual plies. Therefore, you need to further define your audience.