Portfolio
My name is Maren Volsdal Skirbekk. I am a user-centred communication designer. I work with content and interaction design at Bouvet, Oslo.
I finished my Master´s degree in Information Design at the University of Reading (UK) in september 2011. I did my bachelor degree in Media design at Gjøvik University College (2006), and my craft certificate in typograpy and graphic design in the Hamar Media Group (2007).
The current state of graphics in British newspapers and news magazines
Product: Dissertation/MA thesis
Supervisor: Fiona Ross
Where and when: 2010, University of Reading
Mark: Distinction (A)
Abstract
Graphics have a long tradition in British newspapers. The first informational graphic appeared in The Times in 1806. However, what we see today as graphics in newspapers and news magazines have their background in the 1960s, when editors first came up with the concept of a designed newspaper, with a significant focus on typography and layout, as the key to presenting journalism.
The aim of this dissertation is to examine some of the history of informational graphics in the media, to define a language for identification of visual objects in newspapers and news magazines, and to map the current state of the use of graphics in British newspapers and news magazines.
The research was conducted on five British newspapers and two British news magazines over a two week period from 11 July to 22 July 2011.
The differences between newspapers and news magazines when it comes to choice of graphic presentation model will be investigated and the links between the choice of graphic presentation model and the contents of the journalistic story will be explored.
Are you interested in reading this dissertation, contact me and I will email you a pdf-file.
The studen application pathway
Product: Research report and illustrateduser journeys
Supervisor: Paul Luna
Client: University of Reading,
represented by Helen Setchell,
head of web and new media
Where and when: 2011, University of Reading
Research team: Corinne Pritchard, Philipp Edler and Maren Volsdal Skirbekk
Illustration: Maren Volsdal Skirbekk
The University of Reading, represented by Helen Setchell, head of web and new media, proposed a need to research the recruitment and application process for undergraduate students at the University of Reading.
The research was done under the title ‘The student application pathway’ and looks at the recruitment and application process from both a student and the university’s point of view.
The research was looks at three different parts of communication in the recruitment and application process:
- One-to-one communication
- Printed material
- Web communication
The University of Reading consists of many schools and departments. We decided in collaboration with the client to focus on three schools/departments to get a more
detailed view of the communication between the university and the students in the recruitment and application process. Our client choose the schools/departments:
- School of Politics and International Relations
- Department of Modern languages and European studies
- School of Pharmacy
The aim of the ‘The student application pathway’ research was to:
- Discover gaps and room for improvement in the information given to the students through the recruitment and application process.
- Test the consistency in customer service
- Check brand consistency on the web and in printed material.
Swimshop, choosing technology
Product: Catalogue design
Supervisor: Bethany Sheperd
Client: Swimshop
Where and when: University of Reading, 2010
Illustration: Maren Volsdal Skirbekk
Methodology: Discovery, transforming and making
Swimshop is Europe’s largest swim specialist. They are recognised both nationally and internationally for providing swimmers of all levels with everything they need to enjoy swimming. They serve both individuals, clubs and schools and offer a wide range of swimming products. Swimshop is based on the Swimshop catalogue and no real stores. The UK catalogue contains of about 150 pages of swimwear and equipment for swimming.
Goal:
- Provide swimmers, parents and coaches with information that helps them buy the racing suite that fits their body, level and style best.
- Educate swimmers, parents and coaches about different technologies from different brands .
Easy access makes happy shoppers
Product: Wayfinding system
Supervisor: Lucy Holms, Jona Phiel
and Bethany Sheperd
Client:The Oracle (Reading, UK)
Where and when: University of Reading, 2011
Illustration: Maren Volsdal Skirbekk
Methodology: Discovery, transforming and making
This wayfinding system was made as an exercise in making wayfinding system in my MA Information design studies at the University of Reading. The exercise includes research, defining a problem, communication strategy to solve the problem and some examples of the final design.
The Oracle is a huge shopping mall, but once you are inside, it is structured just like any other mall. You find your self familiar with the structure. The existing wayfinding system in combination with a leading architecture helps you find your way.
The ‘Easy access makes happy shoppers’- wayfinding system will define the area, define transport areas, lead the way and encourage people to enter the mall.
A girls’ guide to day hiking
Product: Blad for Home reference Manual
Supervisor: Paul Luna, Ruth Blacksell
and Bryn Walls
Where and when: University of Reading, 2011
Photos: Mariana Eggers
and Maren Volsdal Skirbekk
Text: Maren Volsdal Skirbekk
Methodology: Discovery, transforming and making
This blad was made as an exercise in making a blad for a home reference manual in my MA Information design studies at the University of Reading.
The aim of this project was to design a blad for a home reference manual. A home reference manual is not a textbook or technical manual, and a blad is a book layout and design.
The blad is marketing tool to sell a the book to a publisher, it shows cover and some example spreads to show the concept of the manual.
A girls guide to day hiking will be aimed at women aged 20 – 40. The book will be designed and written with focus on the joy and accessibility of hiking. The aim
is to inspire and give confidence to go out hiking.
- Use text, photo and diagrams to explain how to perform a task
- Explore the double page spread as a unit for meaning
- Develop a systematic approach to content generation and page design
- Understand and undertake different roles in the publishing process
How to adjust your backpack
Product: Usability test report
Supervisor: Mary Dyson
Where and when: 2011, University of Reading
Text: Maren Volsdal Skirbekk
Test material: Maren Volsdal Skirbekk
Abstract
This report describes a Usability test preformed as a part of the Master in Information Design course at the University of Reading in March 2011. The usability test is related to the practical design project of designing a blad for a home reference manual.
The home reference manual is called ‘A guide to dayhiking’. It focuses on the joy of hiking, not on fancy equipment and planning a hike. The target audience for the homereference manual is men and women 25+ that want to discover or rediscover dayhiking.
The test was conducted to compare which combination of photo, illustration and text were the easier to follow in a step-to-step guide. The test had 12 participants. Each spread was tested on three persons. The participants were asked to perform the task ‘How to adjust your backpack’, timing and mistakes were recorded. After performing task, the participants were shown all four spreads and asked to choose the one they preferred, and why.
The result of the test shows that the participant, that were tested on spreads without text all failed in performing the task. When they were asked after performing the task which spread they prefered, the spread with photo + illustration were preferred. The reason was because the photos were bigger and the arrows gave them directions. They thought it was too much text on the spreads containing text. It must be taken in consideration that the participants were familiar with the task when they were asked to pick the spread they thought was the best.
The test was preformed after the final hand in of the project, but the project will be refined for a final display in June. After this test I will change my layout so that the photos are bigger, add arrows for direction and reduce the amount of text.
Is there a connection between Olympic pictograms and cultural metaphors?
Product: Essay
Supervisor: Rob Waller
Where and when: 2010, University of Reading
Introduction
Pictograms are often associated with the Olympic games. The first Olympic pictograms were introduced in London in 1948, but the first complete Olympic pictogram system was not introduced until the Olympic games in Tokyo in 1964.
So what is a pictogram, and what makes it belong in a set? A pictogram is a picture or symbol representing a word or a phrase. Pictograms are developed to make visual communication easier. A set of pictograms are according to Nigel Holm’s article, Pictograms: A view from the drawing board, or what I have learned from Otto Neurath and Gerd Arntz (and jazz) (2000/2001, p. 133 – 143) held together by following criterions: the overall shape, the style of the drawing, the subject matter, the context in which they are seen in and colour.
I will not speak about whether the design of the Olympic pictograms are good or bad, but question whether the visual expression of the pictograms could be called a cultural metaphor for the host nation.
Do the pictograms reflect the nation’s culture or simply its trends and history? By taking a closer look at the 1964 Tokyo and 1972 Munich games I will try to answer this question.
First of all let me define what a cultural metaphor is. A cultural metaphor is a profile of an ethnic group or a specific nation sharing similar values and attitudes. For example, Japan is often represented as a group society, like flowing water, one water droplet alone can not change the flows direction, but when all the droplets in the flow change at the same time, it is easy for the flow to move in a new direction.
iListen
Product: iPod App
Supervisor: Katherine Gillieson
and Myra Thiessen
Where and when: University of Reading, 2010
Illustration: Maren Volsdal Skirbekk
Methodology: Discovery, transforming and making
This app was made as an exercise in making a cross plattform interface in my MA Information design studies at the University of Reading.
‘ The iListen app will give you the opportunity to listen to books and share your experiences with friends.
Strategy and purpose for the iListen app:
- To give people the opportunity to enjoy good
- books whether they want to relax, be entertained on the move or have disabilities like poor vision or dyslexia.
- To share your experience of a book with friends, and to be able to choose your next book based on friends recommendations or other listeners experiences.
- Access both modern and classic audiobooks in the same app.
Klassisk julekonsert
Client: Klassisk julekonsert (Mari Silje and Håkon Samuelsen)
Product: Visual identity
Year: 2009, Idé Trykk
Design: Maren Volsdal Skirbekk
Project managment: Maren Volsdal Skirbekk
Photos/Illustration: Klassisk Julekonsert
Klassisk julekonsert (Classical Christmas Concert) wanted a classic but playful identity. The concert is a yearly event hosted by the talented young musicians Mari Silje and Håkon Samuelsen. The concert gathers young world famous musicians for a Christmas concert in Vang Church in Hamar. Princess Märtha Louise was comparing the show and the concert was shown on national TV (NRK1) on Christmas Eve.
Eco-label
Client: Sulland Gruppen
Product: Eco-label and ad
Where and when: 2007, Idé Trykk
Eco label designed for one of Norway’s largest privately owned car companies. Sulland Gruppen wanted a green label that could be used for all car brands to help teir clients focus on the environment while buying a car. This project was designed as a part of my craft certificate exam.
Vann
Client: Hias IKS
Product: Brochure
Where and when: Idé Trykk, 2007
Design: Finn Øynes
and Maren Volsdal Skirbekk
Photos/illustrations: Hias and www.sxc.hu
Brochure about water. “Ad-hoc” page layout based on design manual by Finn Øynes.
This project was a part of my craft certificate exam.
Jordbruk og skogbruk
Client: County Governor in Hedmark
Product: Brochures
Where and when: Idé Trykk, 2009
Photos/illustrations: www.samfoto.no, County Governor in Hedmark
Educational brochures about agriculture and forestery in Hedmark county. The brochures intend to insprie young people to choose education in agriculture and forestery. The brochures are avilable in both Norwegian and English.
