Leaving cert Examination question
Higher Level
Client: The Irish Wildlife Trust (IWT) or Bord Failte (Tourism)
Target Audience: Irish adults
Problem: REPS (the Rural Environment Protection Scheme), first introduced in Ireland in 1994, is a scheme designed to financially reward farmers who carry out their farming activity’s in an environmentally conscious manner and to bring about environmental improvements on existing farms. Some of the objectives of the scheme include:
-The protection of water courses (ponds, streams and rivers)
-To promote responsible farming and land management
-Protect wildlife and retain their habitats
-Protect endangered species of flora and fauna
-To keep field boundaries and hedge rows and maintenance of existing stone walls
-Protect features of historical or archaeological interest
-Promote rare breeds of native farm animals
Following this years government cut backs the annual REPS funding that was available to farmers has been ceased, this has detrimental implications for wildlife and Irish tourism as many farmers will be unable to continue practising farming methods that are ecologically and environmentally friendly without the aid of the REPS funding.
With careful use of imagery and text create a logo and design for one of the following;
-Billboard poster
-Stamp
-DVD cover
-Advert for the side of a milk carton
-Leaflet
-Advert to go on the side of a bus
To be used as part of a campaign to bring back REPS funding commissioned by either the IWT or Bord Failte
Requirements:
-1 Preparatory sheet (research); gathered imagery and information related to topic (max A2) (10 marks)
-1 preliminary sheet (ideas, sketches, tracings, typography that might be used in finish piece- idea development) (max A2) (15 marks)
Both preparatory and preliminary sheet can be brought into the practical examination
-Finished designs (proposal, not necessarily highly finished piece to be completed during 3hour practical examination)
Time:
-Examination Question to be handed out to students 4 weeks prior to practical examination.
-Practical examination is 3 hours
Rules:
- The use of photocopiers, light boxes, scanners, computer generated imagery created by the student with photoshop, illustrator, indesign (once verified and signed by art teacher or principle as students own work).
-Also the use of stencils, variety of papers photographic images;- personal or borrowed (once authorised by art teacher or principle) and tracing paper is permitted.
-Authorised school computers may be used and verified memory sticks holding a variety of fonts may be used- But this is under strict supervision and both computers and memory stick content checked and verified by the principle.
Internet access is prohibited during the exam.
All work must fit into examination folders provided
My Own Graphic Design Project
My design as seen in the images above was created by drawing wildlife found in ireland on to tracing paper and then layering them one on top of the other in the hope it would give the impression of the animals disappearing into the background before your eyes, with the viewer having to look quite hard to see some of them. I intended the effect to be subtle to reflect the problem posed in my brief of how our wildlife could disappear if not protected. The deer jumping across the page is symbolic of life and how that could be lost or how the creatures in question would be forced to leave their current habitats. I used a font that is often used in forestry or agricultural signage, but i think, had i had more time i would have reconsidered it as it seems to clash with the imagery. I also think i would redonsider the colour of the font as that to seems uncomplimentary, although it was hard to find colours and fonts that were subtle enough to go with the illustrations but yet stand out enough to be seen!! Perhapes it was the imagery i should have reconsidered altogether!! I experimented with colour and black and white images which certainly effected the atmosphere of the design.
Tip....
The two best methods of rendering or adding typography to an image without the help of more sophisticated computer applications appeares to be-
1) Photocopy chosen font onto ascetate- this allows you to play around with composition and colour easily.
2) A process that principly is the same as using carbon paper, but cheaper, more flexible and allows for more possibilitys......
Have printed page of font ready-
On the back of the page, pick desired colour of oil pastle and colour in the back of the font.
Then laydown the page with the font printed, pastle side down onto your image wherever you intend your type to be and as if tracing render the font. This should leave an oil pastle print where you aplyed pressure. (propelled pencil is best for this method)
MATERIALS: 
As can be seen in the images many students used more then one colour in the printing process or used strips of tissue paper or collage to print on, turning a single colour print into a coloured image without the complication of having to allign your printing block for a number of other colours, or cutting away for each different layer of colour applyed.
Many of use created storys, sinarious or cartoon strips which were great fun and quick and easy to produce once a printing press is accessible, definantly a project for the classroom.
