The module Design in Context focuses on creating and filling in criteria for clients. Using the faculty of design, the designer can create a solution to a problem faced by an organisation or person in need of purposeful creativity. In particular, the main incentive that the module encourages is the application of design to people who need it, rather than people whom desire it. For example, if there is no designed logo or appearance for a company, then designing said logo would fulfil a need for the company. In comparative, a company whom already has an identity that is successful would not need a new logo, thus it is not helping the company overall. The ultimate objective is to enhance a client's franchise.
For this module, the client is a volunteer based charity on maintaining and advertising usage of a green space. Woodcroft Wildspace is a lottery funded project in the suburbs of Enfield. The five acre plot is leased to the Woodcroft society. The Woodcroft Wildspace has seen minor success in terms of visitation and press. Judging from the information presented, both on the website, and on the site itself, there seems to be a lack of solid direction as to the future of the area. There is an educational standard for the area, as well as a recreational aim, however the information leaflet presented did not cater to either of these audiences proficiently. Most of the progress that has been made on the site peaked when the operation was funded by the big lottery fund. In the years from that, progress has dwindled. This is mostly due to the lack of volunteers, and the lack of time the existent volunteers do have. There is also a lack of specialist volunteers whom can dedicate their time to the Wildspace, and for this module the specialist which seems to be missing is that of a creative designer, and that I can help within this matter.
From observation, there is no clear directive as to the selling point to entice audiences to visit Woodcroft Wildspace. I see this as a gap in which to be filled with purposeful design. The highlighted incident in which to back my insight is the worryingly low amount of signs around the area and no unified signage system implemented. The signage that is available at the area is unattractive and unnoticeable; the print was illegible and there was no colour variation within the sign, which is located at the entrance of the Wildspace. As well as this, there is no established hierarchy of information or distinguishing packages of information towards particular audiences (for example, children of primary school age would not be able to engage what is currently present). The information available is often outdated or non existent. I see the situation as dire, since there is nothing to attract people to visit the area apart from for charitable reasons. Relying on charity alone is not going to generate interest within the area, and so the Woodcroft Wildspace will remain elusive if they do not work on designing an advertising campaign, and designing the wild space itself.
My idea thenceforth is to produce a design that is realised in signage. This includes selecting the information to be displayed, balancing the proportion of typography to pictographs, and the material and physical appearance of the signs. With design, the information is turned into a graphical aesthetic. It condenses and modernises the approach taken at the Woodcroft Wildspace. It identifies the features of Woodcroft, and it is exposed to the viewing public. There is no urgency to display everything that you need to know about Woodcroft within the signage; being selective is the number one priority. If people wished to know more about the Wildspace, then other mediums are more appropriate for this, such as a reoccurring newsletter, a booklet detailing about the Wildspace in it's entirety, and the website for accessibility. As well as through signage, the graphics created, and the design direction can be implemented into other mediums, such as newsletter headings, the website information, etc.
I chose to do this idea because I feel like it is the most beneficial avenue for Woodcroft Wildspace. With a signage system implemented, it will bring about immediate, primary, benefit to those whom visit the area. Primary benefit is crucial, as it is the connection towards greater interest within the area. With a unique design across the board, the Wildspace makes itself known in the world of wildlife conservations. With how the Wildspace is at the moment, people would much rather go to the local park, or to a local zoo, to immerse themselves in nature. With adults, the charitable approach is more effective, however the same approach does not work as well as on children. With children, you need to use design to attract them. This can be through the use of bold colours, simple phrases, and illustration. There are none of these things present at the moment. Thus, if I could introduce these things within the area itself, rather than on a remote leaflet or on the internet, then more people would be encouraged to bring their children (and themselves) to visit the area.
