Essay for Design in Context. (Woody wood)

The brief we were given was "Design in Context" where we had to design something which would ultimately advance the organisation in question.  The organisation ive chosen is the Woodcroft Wildlife space. They are a charity run by a volunteer comunity with the aim of conserving a green space in a suburban environment. The wildspace provides recreational and educational facilities as well as the benefit of protecting native endangered species.

        After visiting the Woodcroft Wildlife space I could see many opportunities for development and even a sector where I myself could help with.  I did some research online and contacted one of the volunteers regarding children’s educational opportunities, more specifically I asked if there was any leaflets/booklets given to children or school to promote the Woodlands and also to teach. However, i found out there wasnt such opportunity. I feel that one of the important aspects missing from Woodcroft is the potential to educate and inform children in the form of leaflets.  Also, Observational drawings could be used to highlight the features of the wild space and in doing so capture people’s attention. I think that the information given to children needs to be eye catching as well as informative. 
         I will find inspiration for this piece from the area itself but also from other areas which are similar to this. For example, the Wildfowl and Wetlands trust who’s aim is similar to that of Woodcroft. I will make observational drawings from wildlife and also drawings from research to be used in the woodcraft area but also in the children’s leaflet as a visual reference point. For example, the booklet might contain information about butterflies and the same image used for illustration purposes will also be used in an area where the butterflies gather the most. This will enable children and even adults to have a visual link between the information provided but also the actual creature, enhancing the learning prospects.
        I would like to use as many natural resources as possible and therefore I will be painting, drawing using pyrography on a wooden base. The wood and imagery would need to be protected by varnish to stop damage from the rain.  The leaflet will be made with card and the use of computer applications like Photoshop. The end product I hope to achieve will be a series of 6 images which will be transferred onto the leaflet.  I hope to have made an improvement to Woodcraft Wildlife area by proving an educational source for children but also a visual one too.  I hope this will encourage people to look for the animals or creatures conveyed and therefore further stimulating their interest within Woodcroft.

Mr Fredrick the frog.

So i said earlier on that i would upload something to do with my final piece as i never have done and i keep having people tell me i should so to do what im told.. for once.. here is one of the pieces which ive just finished this moment. Next time someone asks me to do anything which isnt work related i shall remember this moment of painting frogs at 3 am.

So this is Mr Fredrick. Its one of the paintings for my woodcroft design in context piece. The aim is to show people an image of a frog for visual communication and in a way signage that where the picture is there is also real frogs.. or should be.. at a certain time of the day/ night when their most active.. and if they havnt been eaten by birds- or french people...



UPDATE: My stupidity has shined through once again, over casting those little beams of hope for me. It turns out ive painted the wrong type of frog.. it turns out that there is actually more then one type of frog.. surely they all go "ribit" and splash about a bit in water, but for now i have failed and i must paint Mr Fredrick's twin brother Fred.