...Fuck you census!
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2003/aug/05/socialexclusion.highereducation (oldest)
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1190980/Too-poor-university-Tuition-fees-putting-working-class-students.html
http://www.jrf.org.uk/publications/rethinking-working-class-drop-out-university
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2007/sep/25/socialexclusion.accesstouniversity
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2007/oct/23/highereducation.socialexclusion
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2010/jan/28/study-poorest-teenagers-university
http://www.hefce.ac.uk/pubs/hefce/2010/10_03/10_03.pdf (most recent)
...And hello Higher Education Funding Council for England!!
(More then welcome to check out the links, but I'll have chosen the stats I need in my sketchbook anyway).
Happy Tasha.
Sunday, 31 January 2010
New Brief and a New Headache
I am not on the ball. We were given this brief on Tuesday...and its now Sunday and the only work I've done is what we've done in class (I don't really class the mountain of books I took out to read as work) because my internet has decided not to work. Wahey. I've managed to steal a friend's computer and catch up on the work I've missed.
The new brief is to create an animation (while the fact is that we're learning Flash, we can use any other animation programme as long as we give reason to) that lasts 30-90 seconds about statistics about a particular subject.
I started this how I always start a unit- with some initial ideas. I thought first, about identity fraud and identity cards and then the idea of identity itself. So I became interested in the social background of uni students. When Labour government decided that 50% of the population was to go through higher education (presumeably to help low-income families) this created a knock-on effect for the education system. A Levels and Degrees had to become easier to pass and university had to become easier to get into. Which poses the question; now anyone can get a degree, do they mean less verses less educated, more labour intensive jobs (that working-classes were famous for) such as plumbing as they are now in high demand?
Finding statistics for this are proving difficult. There's the Higher Education Statistics Agency- which sounds useful, but they only look at the ethnicity background and gender of a student. There's also the National Statistics (the government kind where they manipulate them so they look good...) but again, that's just the amount of people and not their social identity.
The new brief is to create an animation (while the fact is that we're learning Flash, we can use any other animation programme as long as we give reason to) that lasts 30-90 seconds about statistics about a particular subject.
I started this how I always start a unit- with some initial ideas. I thought first, about identity fraud and identity cards and then the idea of identity itself. So I became interested in the social background of uni students. When Labour government decided that 50% of the population was to go through higher education (presumeably to help low-income families) this created a knock-on effect for the education system. A Levels and Degrees had to become easier to pass and university had to become easier to get into. Which poses the question; now anyone can get a degree, do they mean less verses less educated, more labour intensive jobs (that working-classes were famous for) such as plumbing as they are now in high demand?
Finding statistics for this are proving difficult. There's the Higher Education Statistics Agency- which sounds useful, but they only look at the ethnicity background and gender of a student. There's also the National Statistics (the government kind where they manipulate them so they look good...) but again, that's just the amount of people and not their social identity.
"Statistics are like bikinis- what they reveal are interesting but what they conceal-essential" - Anon
So I decided to look at the Census but this happens to be in partnership with the National Statistics and was about as much use as a chocolate teapot. OKAY! So let's look at something else in the mean time. Let's check out some videos that'll inspire me. So I looked at ones for style:
Awesome visuals with the playing cards and the simple icons Neil was talking about.
Interesting use of typography I can use for inspiration.
Looking at identity and type.
And then, some statistic videos. I apologise for the Christian one, it was just good for persuasion and type use...and the 'in 2 hours' hook. Okay, I'm just apologising because I'm not Christian.
Student statistics (finally!).
So now, I have to find some stats. And a sketchbook, because I don't like the one I'm using at the moment. This will also proberbly be a double blog day.
Awesome visuals with the playing cards and the simple icons Neil was talking about.
Interesting use of typography I can use for inspiration.
Looking at identity and type.
And then, some statistic videos. I apologise for the Christian one, it was just good for persuasion and type use...and the 'in 2 hours' hook. Okay, I'm just apologising because I'm not Christian.
Student statistics (finally!).
So now, I have to find some stats. And a sketchbook, because I don't like the one I'm using at the moment. This will also proberbly be a double blog day.
Sunday, 24 January 2010
Gordon Brown Gives A Whole New Meaning To 'Wanker'
It's difficult to complete a brief about democracy when the people you're working with don't actually believe in it (or, for a better word, are disillusioned with the concept). We started with some definitions of the word and came across a gem- 'Power to the People'. Democracy comes from the Greek word which means literally 'Power to the People'. However, we spoke a long time about how, if we live in an electoral democracy, did Mr Brown become primeminister without being elected.
Above are our first ideas and research into the meaning of democracy and how we could visualise our disillusionment. We decided on using waste baskets and shredders to shred or throw away votes that weren't for Labour. We went for a hand drawn approach because we wanted it to be a personal look on the way democracy has been changed over the years, influenced by some political cartoons we found on the internet.
As we worked, Sam was doodling on a piece of paper (dam Illustrators, can't stop drawing) and his final piece was actually quite good AND was appropriate to the project so I add it here- Gordon Brown taking a wank with your vote.
And our final poster- a Labour vote, with the dictionary definition underneath. Sort of like, Spot The Difference.
As we worked, Sam was doodling on a piece of paper (dam Illustrators, can't stop drawing) and his final piece was actually quite good AND was appropriate to the project so I add it here- Gordon Brown taking a wank with your vote. 
And our final poster- a Labour vote, with the dictionary definition underneath. Sort of like, Spot The Difference.
Group-wise, I would say our working together was average. My fears that because it wasn't a project we were all getting graded on, they would work less, seemed to be well-found. Trying to create ideas from some were like pulling teeth, although Sam did come up with the most initial ideas that we used further. This was the first time I've ever worked with Mike or Sam and think it didn't work as well as I hoped because we all hang out socially. Work and Social don't usually mix.
When Studying Democracy Would It Be Ironic To Make My Group A Dictatorship?
So today, with bright eyes and a bushy tail, I am doing the one day project 'Democracy' (which everyone else did in my class before Xmas). Sally gave me a bit more time (til Wed) and I have decided to create my own group- mutant art students from around the university. These lucky people are:
Mike: Second Year in Digital Media Production FdA BA (with a liking for explosions)
Sam: First Year in Illustration BA (a cat with steampunk ideals)
There are pros and cons to not having members of my class. Pros being that in the industry, there will be groups like this ie a designer, a photographer, an illustrator etc and also with a range of courses comes a range of skills. The con being that because they (Mike and Sam) will earn nothing for it, will they do any work? Of course, I shouldn't worry about these sort of things for they will earn my love and respect and what more could you ask for?
The brief is simples: Create a poster defining/explaining/visually representing democracy.
First things first though, I must clean. And then we'll begin. I've given us 5 hours or less to do the work in as that's about the time the class had (from 10 til 3) with maybe a half hour break for lunchables. See, I'm already turning into Hitler.
Blog to follow with conclusion.
Mike: Second Year in Digital Media Production FdA BA (with a liking for explosions)
Sam: First Year in Illustration BA (a cat with steampunk ideals)
There are pros and cons to not having members of my class. Pros being that in the industry, there will be groups like this ie a designer, a photographer, an illustrator etc and also with a range of courses comes a range of skills. The con being that because they (Mike and Sam) will earn nothing for it, will they do any work? Of course, I shouldn't worry about these sort of things for they will earn my love and respect and what more could you ask for?
The brief is simples: Create a poster defining/explaining/visually representing democracy.
First things first though, I must clean. And then we'll begin. I've given us 5 hours or less to do the work in as that's about the time the class had (from 10 til 3) with maybe a half hour break for lunchables. See, I'm already turning into Hitler.
Blog to follow with conclusion.
Monday, 18 January 2010
Sparkles and Spare Parts
Okay, so over the Xmas Holidays I haven't really updated the blog due to my laptop being in the shop after a failed hard-drive, a small heartattack and a complete loss of work. As in...all of it. This has just been an example of how 'awesome' my holidays have been. So, after the research of Dr Anna's essay, it became difficult to write it up. Add to that the Xmas days off (which meant delays for getting back my laptop), New Year days off and then snow (and my birthday. I thank you. I have now joined the ranks of 20 year olds) it wasn't a productive time off. Oh and how I'm paying for it now.
Today, a week late (due to being snowed in. Apparently Mr Brown doesn't believe that people who live in the countryside need to earn a living as well so most roads weren't gritted, resulting in some horrific deaths) I have handed in my Dr Anna essay. I'm pleased I've done it, however, it was so rushed near the end I won't be expecting high marks.
War On Want's deadline is now upon us on Friday and since the last time we spoke I've already changed my idea a number of times. I'm now looking at reversing the way charity sells themselves. They give you the problem and then tell you money is the solution. What I'm doing with mine is the reverse- ie I ask for money up front and you, the audience, can find out why for yourself. Audience participation. Simples.
So for the poster, I have a crappy little doodle, which today will form into a proper idea. And for the second dimension, after some brainstorming (I may be in love with Chelsea. For future reference- buy an engagement ring) I'm looking into kinetic typography, which I've wanted to do for a while, and a pamphlet that fits into your wage packet.
A little adversity is good for some people.
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