The Responsive module (503) is split into three parts – part 1 is INDIVIDUAL PRACTICE:
Using a range of websites, identify and respond to a selection of competition briefs that reflect your emerging creative interests and professional ambitions within Graphic Design. You will need to select one main brief that will become the focus of the taught sessions and studio workshops for the duration of the first part of this module. In addition to this you will need to select a number of smaller/quicker briefs that will allow you to demonstrate your ability to develop effective responses within professionally realistic deadlines
This brief offers you the opportunity to explore a range of individually identified practical, conceptual and creative concerns within the fields of Graphic Design. This is an opportunity for you to investigate content, processes, products and techniques that will help you to understand and define your own creative ambitions within contemporary Graphic Design.
D&AD vs YCN
Design and Art Direction and You Can Now are two of the biggest design 'charities' in the UK. Both aim to breed a community, and provide opportunities, exposure and work placements to a new generation of artists and designers through live competitions and workshops. However the two organisations are very different.
D&AD states that they exist to promote excellence in design and advertising, however controversially, both tutors and students alike agree that D&AD is not always beneficial to the young artists and designers who partake in their competitions. Although they are widely considered to be one of the most prestigious and difficult-to-win awards in design and advertising, the competitions themselves can appear quite narrow, presenting a limited range of briefs that focus solely on branding and advertising, rather than taking a wider look at the many other aspects of the Graphic Design field. There have also been cases of copyright infringement through large corporations using competition work without permission, as well as an entrance fee for some of their competition briefs and the cost of several hundred pounds just to own the award should a participant win.
YCN on the other hand seem to understand the concerns of artists and designers of the next generation. The organisation is more forward thinking, and appreciates that financial issues often come into play, particularly for students and young professionals. All of their competition briefs are free to enter, and take a general overview of the creative fields, with opportunities for advertising, book cover design, moving image, web design and illustration. They create a well rounded community that hold connectivity at its heart, providing students with opportunities to create links with professionals that will last throughout a career and thrive as an independent creative.