Distinction doors evaluation

Distinction doors evaluation- Maisy Parnell

How did you analyse the requirements and parameters of the project?

I analysed the requirements by creating a mind map and also creating visual mind maps in my sketchbook. I also kept checking on the project brief making sure that I finished everything properly and to the right quality.

How effective do you think your research is? (Discuss your primary, secondary and target audience research. You can analyse your research into doors as well as your theme ‘let the outside in’).

       I feel my research was very effective. For example primary research I took myself which helped me get a feel for the style of door I liked and got inspired from. Also I did a lot of research into Distinction doors and their website which helped me get an idea on the type of doors they make and what product they would be expecting. I did a lot of research into target audience producing a mind map and evaluating what they would like. Also the theme let the outside in was researched a lot in my work leading me to many different ideas and pathways.

Analyse how effective you think your designer / artist research is? How did you use it to develop your door designs?

I don’t feel like I did enough research into different artists. I couldn’t get inspired. I feel that if I had looked more into other artists and designers my final door designs could have suited the company a bit more.

How did you interpret the theme ‘let the outside in’? What influenced you?

I got inspired by many things during looking at this theme. The main thing was rust mould and decay! I looked a lot at rust and decaying wood, moss and ivy. Natural decaying. This is because I thought it looked very effective and I thought that the doors I saw with these things on had a lot of personality and texture. I also looked deeply into nature and different types of glass.

      How easy or challenging have you found it to design for your specified target audience?

       I have found it challenging to design something for someone else and not to my taste.    This meant that I couldn’t always use my ideas and take the project through the path I wanted to. I found it hard deciding what type of outcome my target audience would like.

How have you planned, organised and prepared design solutions for a 2 dimensional door design? Eg. What style, materials and colour scheme did you choose to use? Why? How did you plan your glass elements?

I looked a lot on the website for this bit looking at the most popular colours they had and the coolest glass designs. I focused a lot on what they already had to work with and then just expanded those ideas using my research. I chose the colour scheme of blues and browns to go with the rusty theme. And I liked the imprinted glass options.

What practical skills, understanding and techniques have you used in the production of your sketchbook and design sheets?

In my sketch book I used a lot of new skills. I created a lot of new textures using different materials and techniques such as using papier mache and mixing different mediums together. 

Have you had any difficulties in designing your contemporary and standard door designs? If so, how have you problem solved and overcome these difficulties? Or how have you accommodated your changes?

I had difficulty designing my standard door as I didn’t really understand what a standard door was. I was confused and stuck and didn’t like the idea of creating an extremely simple door because that was not my style. I also didn’t like the contempary doors I had looked at on distinction doors websites so I found it hard to be inspired.

How well have you managed your time throughout the project?

I Feel like I managed my time relatively well on this project and kept up to Date with what I needed to do. I feel however that I could have been quicker when designing my final boards and I could have been less stressed towards the end.

How have you found your experience of working for a real client (Distinction Doors)?

I found the experience very enjoyable however a lot of pressure, I didn’t like the fact that I had to create these designs to tailor them because I found it a struggle to understand exactly what they wanted and needed from me. However it was definitely and experience that will help me in the future.

How have you prepared for your presentation to Distinction Doors?

I created a power point to prepare for my presentation I also made sure that all my sketch book was in order and I knew what I was saying throughout.