The Evaluation document, evaluating the Final Major Project.

1. Evaluation

2. Effectiveness of research - Methods used
What could have been better? Missed Opportunities?
Most of the research could have definitely been much better, the potential depth to which the research could of gone into is
certainly a missed opportunity, its not something I plan on rectifying as it wont change what I have done. Some parts of the
research were obviously more beneficial and helpful than other parts, like the initial research. The Oliver Bowden/Anton Gill part
of that was helpful at researching for the written side to my concept I had in mind. As from early on I wanted to have a large
portion be written pieces. I did both secondary and primary research, primary was less helpful to me, I knew this before
conducting it. From near the start of the project I knew I didn't’t want to take the potential audience into account for this project,
as it will likely be my last one. So the secondary research was my main area of useful research. Finding creators and authors with
aspects I wanted to channel and take inspiration from was definitely useful and helped to keep in mind what I was going to be
creating.

3. Planning
What went well…what did not?
Parts of my planning certainly worked well, others are more detached from where I ended up with the production. More
specifically the colour scheme, as it kind of resembles parts but not well. There was so much more used than just to colours, or
shades of those colours. Besides that and a few minor things the planning worked pretty well and helped me to have a more
defined set of goals and tasks for the upcoming production. On of the parts of the planning that really helped me was the flat
plan put together for the magazine. It really helped me to get together my first draft of the magazine, especially it’s layout. It has
certainly come on quite a bit since then, but the changes aren't too drastic too not see the progression. Some of the planning
related to using sound as an aspect to the concept, however this never panned out, a missed opportunity.

4. Production
What went well…what did not?
Honestly, not much. The only part which I actually think does the concept justice is the written pieces. From the start of this project I have been
hesitant to create anything in the concept’s name, as I just knew they wouldn't do it justice. That’s been my fear with this project, was that I wouldn't’t
do the concept justice. Besides the written pieces I didn’t, the standard of it all isn't good enough. So I’d say that production was a mixed bag.
Production was not good in regards to the main products; the illustrations, animations and promotional material (magazine and poster). However I
think it went well in regards of the written pieces, as I really explored the concept.
By the end of production, a lot of what I set out to create is either not finished or in a mistake-filled state. This isn’t something I intended on doing,
the last few weeks went by fast and I thought I could get more done than I did. I have definitely learned from this production, like what will and won’t
work. Most of my products didn't’t meet my intentions, from the start I didn’t think they would. Towards the end of production is when I started to
really loose interest in the concept, I wasn’t surprised as it something that was always going to happen. I had hoped that I would have held out
longer, but at least it didn't start to fade earlier on instead. This certainty had a negative effect on the last few weeks of production. In addition, I was
in a sort of "don't care” mindset as I was more focused on what I was and still am hopefully going to be doing after this course. This definitely held
back the amount of work I produced, it could have been quite a bit more. I understood that finishing the course and giving it my all was important,
however I was worried for what direction to take after I had finished. In conclusion I am not that pleased with what I was able to produce in the time
given, there was a few explanations for this result, mostly it was just me.

5. Post-Production
There wasn’t much post-production for this project, as it only really applied to the magazine. A good portion of the magazine’s
content was produced early on, so putting it together was sort of post-production. Putting it together went well, as most of the
sections just fitted together nicely and didn't need too much configuring. I wasn’t able to correct the mistakes throughout the
magazine by the end of the production phase. Its something worth improving if I can get the chance, but is at least still
somewhat readable as is.
What went well…what did not?

6. How you dealt with management problems
I did have a fair few problems management relating problems throughout this project. The main one is the organization of
documents within the computers I used. It was so often that I would loose files, taking several minutes to find them. You
could completely organize it all, then a few weeks later have it all back in the chaotic state it was in previously, just from
producing lots of work. This was specifically bad due to my method of document saving. After a fair few minor saves or a few
large saves I will save that document as a new one. I will use the same name, just adding a number on the end; like V1.1,
V1.2, etc. This can quickly rack up loads, especially if I am experimenting with different ways to take various parts of the
production. At times I dealt with this great and others it was the opposite, if its left for prolonged periods of time it can
become a tedious task.

7. How you dealt with emotional problems
This project was certainly one with it’s share of problems, some more straining then others. One of those was the growing sense
that I had “bitten off more than I could chew” throughout the project. Realizing I would need more and more products to pad it
out this sense was only boosted. Looking back, this definitely strained the production and evaluation phases. Another strain on the
project has been having my project in a few forms. Some parts are images, some are written pieces and one is a short clip. This
will make showing my work off more strained, especially in relation to the written pieces. In my opinion there is quite a bit of it, I
would rather not subject people to all of that if I can avoid to. If I put myself in the audience’s shoes I probably wouldn’t want to
sit through all of that. So they were some of the problems, I dealt with them poorly. I tended to just ignore the issue at hand, or
find some lazy work-around. This is partly what lead to the result of the production phase.
The strains of the project.

8. How you dealt with technical problems
I dealt with technical problems throughout the production, in some capacity that’s the point it. To be confronted by problems and
to find a way past them, to develop your abilities and whatnot. One issue I got over is one that I think is common when you are
getting into a project, I had to get used to Photoshop and its annoyances, the sort you have no idea how to avoid, and just get
used to. Similarly, I had to get back into using InDesign which came with it’s own differences. The trick with that isn't to use it the
exact same as Photoshop, as there are some almost instantly noticeable differences.
Overcoming the issues.

9. Aesthetic
Across the illustrational pieces I tried to have a consistent aesthetic, as in my opinion an inconsistent aesthetic would be off
putting towards the potential audience. The aesthetic that I went for is one that I have been leaning towards for a good year
now, so I don’t deviate from this unless required. The aesthetic uses a certain tint of colours for a contingent and unified
atmosphere.

10. The Weekly Logs
The weekly logs helped to keep me on track, with the period of time between days at college I could have easily gone of course a
bit. They helped me to remember where I previously was. I found them to be a great way to often say how I felt it was going, and
be honest about parts that were going poorly. Having that outlet did take some of the burden of the project off of me a it,
certainly helped to keep me going for a bit longer. In addition they gave me the chance to see my progress and what I had
produced, letting me focus on what needed to be done. I liked having what I would call a running commentary on my project,
having that viewpoint of the bigger picture. I could have probably used them to a greater effect, but they are not my most
regrettable part of this project, that’s for sure.
How they aided the project.

11. Summary of Overall Project
First off, the initial conception of the core idea was a strength I’d say. Mainly down to how it was centered around a few interests of mine. I
thought this would help to keep me focused on it for longer and to pushback the loss of concentration on it all. For the most part it did
this, towards the end though was a different story. The research was a definite weakness, which I think is down to it being fairly lacking in
depth or useful content. Thinking back to before the research, I recall having a solid idea of what I wanted to go for so I don’t think I
would have been too influenced by most of the research, at least that’s the mindset I had. As for the planning, I’d say that was a strength.
That’s mainly down to me looking ahead to what I would need out of the planning phase. Both the Copy and Flat-plans helped to set me
up for certain areas of the production phase. In fact, the copy contains a large amount of the written pieces to this concept and
subsequently the project as well. I had hoped on creating a dedicated website to host that side of the project, however it never really
panned out. Production is arguably the largest part of the project, and is therefore the biggest strength/weakness. The production covered
quite a few areas, some were strengths and some were weaknesses. The strength lies in both the written pieces and the magazine, as I feel
they are the areas that I sort of went all in for, or at least felt was worthwhile during and after. The weakness lies in the visually orientated
parts, like the illustrations, box art, title screen, etc. With these I don’t remember feeling like I was going all in with them, more just so it did
what it was needed for. Lastly, I reckon the weekly logs were both a strength and a weakness. The strength would be the usefulness of the
logs, and how they aided the project. The weakness with them is after I would document on a decision of what I might do next, with some
of the entries I almost ignored them. As in, I would just then document things as usual the following week, with no mention of what I said I
planned on doing in the previous week’s log.
In conclusion, I felt this project was both worthwhile and not worthwhile. This project, and course for that matter, has taught me a fair bit.
Like where my strengths and weaknesses lie. The more weaker parts of this project and it’s outcome are what add up to this project being
arguably not a worthwhile one. I’m glad for doing it though, it has still been a good thing.
Looking back, what areas of weakness or strength?