Reaching the end of this project has given me the chance to step back and look at everything I have done, learned and overcome during GDE750. What began with one research question, why does the visual representation of dialect matter in an increasingly globalised design culture, has grown into a full body of academic and creative work that has changed how I think about design, language and my own identity. This project has been more than a study of typography. It has become a way of understanding how voice, culture and belonging can be brought into visual form.
The early stages of the project were spent gathering research and trying to understand the wider conversations around language, identity and design. Writers such as Hall, Crystal, Edwards and Tlostanova helped me understand that dialect is not simply a way of speaking. It is tied to place, culture and lived experience. Learning this shaped the rest of the project and gave me a clearer sense of responsibility in how I approached the topic. I began to understand how standard typographic systems have historically pushed regional voices aside and how expressive typography can help restore visibility to those voices.
One of the most challenging but rewarding parts of the work was developing my methodology. I learned how to turn theory into a practical process that could guide design decisions through reflection, community and experimentation. This included building the workshop tasks, structuring the six stage method and linking reflective practice into everything I created. Learning how to justify my decisions through research rather than instinct alone has been a major lesson for me. It has made my design process stronger and more intentional.
There were moments across the project that did not go to plan. Writing the first draft of the Critical Report took much longer than expected and the feedback I received made it clear that I needed to be more focused, more selective and more precise with my language. Those moments were difficult, but they pushed me to write at a higher level and to refine my argument so that it was both academically grounded and personally meaningful.
The design stage also came with its challenges. There were times where I doubted the strength of the work, especially when the first experiments felt flat or lacked energy. Week twenty one was a real turning point where I felt unsure if I could continue. Looking back now, that moment taught me the importance of trust in my own process. Returning to the methodology and reconnecting with the meaning behind the dialect allowed me to find confidence again. Once I pushed through that phase, the design outcomes began to fall into place.
I have learned so many new skills during this project. I have learned how to structure a large scale piece of research, how to build and justify a working methodology, how to analyse visual references with more depth, and how to translate sound, tone and personality into typographic form. I have learned how to use mockups effectively, how to experiment without fear of making mistakes and how to let the community and the voice of Barnsley guide my decisions. Most importantly, I have learned how to listen more closely, both to people and to the subtle qualities of dialect itself.
Looking back, the project has had many highs. The moments where the research clicked, the methodology took shape and the designs began to reflect the true spirit of the dialect felt incredibly rewarding. There were also difficult points that forced me to grow both academically and creatively. That balance of success and challenge has shaped a much stronger understanding of who I am as a designer.
This final project has shown me that design is not just about creating something that looks good. It is about giving space to voices that deserve to be seen and heard. It is about understanding culture and identity and translating that understanding into meaningful visual form. This work has allowed me to connect my own Barnsley identity to my practice in a way that feels honest and relevant.
Completing GDE750 feels like a real achievement. The project has pushed me in ways I did not expect, but it has also given me some of my strongest and most confident work to date. I am proud of the journey I have taken and the designer I have become through this process. This concludes the project, but the ideas and skills I have developed here will continue to shape my practice moving forward.
LSJ DESIGNS 
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