After completing the ISTD student assessments, I really began to understand the value of initial research and development for creating a well-informed piece of design. The additional skills developed throughout the process of creating a design for the ISTD assessments reach beyond typographic knowledge and understanding. The project involved not only creating a typographic piece but also separate design booklets that show specifications, research and the strategy. I learned the importance of experimentation in the early stages of a project, rather than going straight down the one road! I have also come to understand the value of recording projects as they develop as this shows the direction and development of a concept.
Print production was another area of design which was a crucial area of understanding for creating a detailed typographic piece. Binding the newspaper itself gave me great insight into the craftsmanship of book binding. Technical skills learned in Adobe software was an extra plus, while the main advantage of partaking in the examinations stands to be learning how typography can speak as loud as imagery on a page. If you are interested in looking at my research, strategy and specifications for creating 'A Clockwork Orange' newspaper, they are available for download through the below link.
