Side Post: Entire Project Restructuring & New Proposal

 

 Hello all, I am Stefan Urbanek, a senior undergraduate at Northern Kentucky University. This blog is for documentation purposes of my semester-long project for the DFX (3D-Digital Design & VFX) 452 course I am taking - Advanced Portfolio Production. I am happy to say I will be providing consistent updates on this journey, beginning with this first post. 

 

Important Update

As I really do enjoy my original project proposal of creating three high-quality 3D-models & materials of fully rendered fantasy weaponry, I'm facing challenges managing multiple commitments, impacting my progress on the DFX 452 project. Balancing my job at 333 Pictures, Lead Designer role at Junietta LLC, and an intense Honors Capstone project has left me struggling to meet the initial plan for weapon models. Considering my circumstances, I propose restructuring DFX 452 to align with Junietta's needs, producing a comprehensive brand style guideline, finalizing the logo, and creating a high-quality render of our synthesizer (2D or 3D depending on time allowed). Though it involves additional content, this aligns with my current workload, providing a more feasible yet impactful project (As this is a product we intend to launch in the near future), that will be detailed in the new project proposal below.

What is Junietta, you may ask? Here's our mission:

“Our mission is to create a universal music device, fun and accessible to all regardless of skill. Our goal is to completely redefine how people view songwriting. We want everyone to be able to write music.”

 Over the past few years the team has been developing a portable synthesizer roughly the size of a small keyboard. We are very close to our minimum viable product (MVP), and as the lead designer, I have been hard at work finalizing our draft of the brand guideline before passing it onto a seasoned branding professional for feedback. We've been tirelessly securing funding from our stakeholders and innovation events this semester, and I am glad to continuously contribute to this passionate product. You'll learn more about how Junietta will tie into DFX 452 in this restructured problem proposal below:

 

DFX 452 (Restructured) Project Proposal

- Stefan Urbanek -

Problem Statement

How can I utilize my knowledge as Junietta's Lead Designer to collaborate on a finished, organized brand style guideline, a finalized brand logo, and a high-quality render of our synthesizer product that may be later used in promotional content?

 

DFX 452 Deliverables

    1. Create a full, high-quality brand style guideline (Ex. Not just text, but includes colors, fonts, logos, how renders should be presented, is fully stylized, etc) for Junietta. 
 
    2. Finalize the Junietta brand logo under the new style guidelines.   
 
    3. Include a high-quality render of the synthesizer instrument product with fully rendered materials (If time allows) that may later be used in promotional advertising, online and in print.
 
    4. Dedicated showcase website page on my personal portfolio. Detailed workflow process through portfolio & blog website.

Restructured Project Timeline

Week Number / Dates Task to be completed
01/08 - Week 1 Brainstorm DFX 452 Project.
01/15 - Week 2 Complete DFX 452 Quiz A1 - Project Proposal.
01/22 - Week 3 (Lab) Create DFX 452 Blog and collaborate on 1819 Innovation Hub Pitch Deck (This was a huge success).
01/29 - Week 4 (Lab)
 Prepare for DFX 452 critiques through presentation #1, complete required coursework. Compile blog post #1 (INCLUDE HYPERLINK).
02/05 - Week 5 (Critique G1 (Includes myself), G2) Blog Check Refine prototype logos and receive input from team members.
02/12 - Week 6 (Lab) Continue experimenting with prototype logos.
02/19 - Week 7 (Lab) Halfway point - begin finalization of style guide rough draft for client feedback.
02/26 - Week 8 (Critique, G3, G4) Blog Check Prepare for next critique presentation (I am in G1) down the line. Compile blog post #2 & side post (No File Submission).
03/04 - Week 9 (Spring break - no classes all week) Spring Break. This time will be utilized to send the style guide rough draft to the client (A seasoned brand designer is giving us feedback).
03/11 - Week 10 (Lab) Refine the logo and ensure final modifications with input from the team and style guide.
03/18 - Week 11 (Critique G1 (Includes myself), G2) Finalize 2nd critique presentation (I am in G1). Begin final designs for style guide, begin high-quality render of the synthesizer.
03/25 - Week 12 (Deliverables Check, Blog Check) Lab Compile blog post #3 (No File Submission), include deliverables check.
04/01 - Week 13 (Lab) Continue to finalize the render with program of choice (2D or 3D depending on time).
04/08 - Week 14 (Critique G3, G4) - Individual Progress, Final Product & Deliverables. Mid-Semester Reel (Rough Draft) Due, complete said mid-semester reel. Begin finalized rendering and editing of reel.
04/15 - Week 15 (Lab) Finish editing of demo reel, begin maintaining final blog, portfolio website pages.
04/22 - Week 16 (Final Check in | All students) Final class - submit blog post #4 (No File Submission).
04/29 - Week 17 (Finals Week) Final Due 4/29 by 8:00 AM. Complete Final - Portfolio site & Demo Reel.

 

DFX 452 Potential Project Outcomes

  • An enhanced understanding of my design theory workflow, as well as a professional high-output corporate environment, to prepare me for my career outside of college.
  • Goals: To have a high-quality demo reel of the synthesizer product and our brand. An enhanced understanding of a variety of 2D/3D programs (Whether through Blender, Photoshop, or another program), corporate collaboration, and project management in the real world, with a real product.
  • This project will impact my education as a designer as it bolsters my portfolio and enhances my work so I may obtain a comfortable and challenging job in my career to boost my progress in the field. It will also improve my education as a digital designer as I am challenging myself again, with workflows affecting a real  product. This project incorporates more detailed workflows through increasing my quality of work at Junietta, enhancing my collaboration with the founder and operations manager, and my understanding of a corporate workflow in designing style guides and product placement pieces.
  • Impressive works to showcase on my portfolio and professional social media accounts (LinkedIn, Instagram, Adobe Behance, ArtStation), as well as the Junietta brand accounts. A heightened opportunity to connect with industry professionals in alignment with the DFX 420 course. 

 

Next Steps 

On this same day, I shall post my second major blog post. Two more main blog posts will be posted later through the semester, in addition to side blog posts as well. Stay tuned, thank you for reading.

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