5-in-5 Design Challenge Project

The Goal: Practice the art of rapid design by creating 5 different projects in 5 consecutive days. Identify constraints that guide your methodologies and document your progress, reflecting on what you learn along the way.

AKA- Be Creative, DAMMIT!

 

MY DESIGN CONSTRAINTS

  • Use resources that are on hand: I will use only what supplies I have available. No going to the store!
  • Use different media: I will use at least one different medium/tool for each project.
  • Learn: I will make a conscious effort (as I did with my mind map project) to teach myself something every day for 5 days (and keep a record of it).
  • Make it useful: All of my projects must in some way expand upon existing work that I am doing outside this class, specifically-

 

Day 1: Pretty Lights Lyrics Posters

Tools used: Photoshop, Illustrator, Brushes, Dafont

Audience: The Flying One readers, Pinterest Design Board followers, Pretty Lights fans

Skills learned: The importance of text alignment using guides, masking with brushes, contrast & design with only one color, researching & discerning obscure lyrics.

 

Day 2: Computer Build Walkthrough

TFO Computer Build
Click to read more about my first computer build!

Tools used: WordPress, Lightroom, Photoshop

Audience: The Flying One readers, Computer enthusiasts

Skills learned: How to simplify computer lingo and reduce complex process to step-by-step instructions, highlighting key tips & tricks.

 

Day 3: Responsive Website Template

Download source files

Tools used: Dreamweaver, CSS, HTML, numerous online tutorials

Audience: Skylarker Design clients and future websites

Skills learned: How to use media queries to adjust site layout in response to changes in screen size, rapid website development.

 

Day 4: Hybrid Self Portrait 

The Flying One Self Portrait Animal Hybrid
Half Human, Half Animal Portrait

Tools used: Photoshop, Nikon camera, Deviant Art Inspiration, Google Images

Audience: The Flying One readers, Pinterest Design Board followers

Skills learned: How to blend using layer transparency, mimic pupil highlights and filter imperfections

 

Day 5: Full Hott Essential Time-Lapse Video

Tools used: Nikon camera, Premier Pro, Youtube

Audience: Full Hott Entertainment fans, house music lovers on Youtube

Skills learned: How to import titles from different projects and correct export settings for HD Youtube videos

 

So yeah, that was a whirlwind. Main thing I learned? I have more ideas than I know what to do with!

One idea for a future project: how MANY projects can I complete in 5 days? Maybe set a goal and see if I can create a certain number of final products within a set time frame.

 

This experiment was inspired by the 7-in-7 project and the University of Miami’s Interactive Media program.