Enterprise Lecture V// 10 STEPS TO THE FUTURE YOU//from the works of some great thinkers.

TEN STEPS TO A FUTURE YOU from the works of some great thinkers.

- Us as practitioners.

- Self improvements and practical knowledge.

BASED UPON the works of...

- Steven R. Covey ('Seven habits of highly effective people').

- Laurence Kholberg (Psychologist- studies the way that people behave).

- Karl Hopkins (alumni of LCA BAGD-er, now a millionaire! Lives locally, attends college network events and young business investor.

TEN STEPS TO A FUTURE YOU

1// PROACTIVITY

- Stimulus//Response (Animals)

- Stimulus//Choice//Response (People)- We make the choice of how we respond

Proactivity in business...

We have a sphere of influence- more contacts and industrial experience will push and develop this influence.

Circle of concern- expanding the areas of work you want to be part of/work within.

INTERNAL ENVIRONMENT

What concerns you, current circle of influences.

MICRO ENVIRONMENT

You have some influence, need to expand network (suppliers, community, practitioners, etc).

MACRO ENVIRONMENT

Cannot directly influence, we cannot affect (politics, technology, etc).

2// PROJECT

- A vision of yourself for the future.

- Create a personal mission statement.

- Extend the mission into long term goals.

BUSINESS PLAN// Working life and practice development.

LIFE PLAN// Family, home, living, etc.

PRIORITY MANAGEMENT// A balance of business and life plan will help to develop this- help us to prioritise.

BUSINESS VISION// All these elements (above) will help to create our business vision.

The more you develop your plans, the more chance there is (through networking) that you will be helped and encouraged along the way.

"LIFE IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU ARE BUSY MAKING OTHER PLANS"

- John Lennon

"BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND"

- Karl Hopkins (sold design business after ten years- his initial plans)

3// PROVIDE

Provide clear explanations and language to people- talk about benefits, not processes.

THINK- Who are you talking to?

CREATE- Clear messages

INSPIRE- People with your creativity

What could you do for a client in order to change their business?

CONSIDER ALL OF THESE FACTORS WHEN BUILDING ONLINE PORTFOLIOS AND/OR WEBSITES 

4// PRIORITISE

- Put first things first

- Keep a proper balance

- Stick to your personal mission

TIME//STUDY//SOCIAL LIFE//REST//MONEY >> RESULTS

5// PRESENTS

-  Think win/win

- Seek outcomes and relationships that are mutually beneficial

- Do a favour to gain a favour

DON'T work with people that aren't going to benefit you in the long run.

KARL HOPKINS- Yorkshire & Humber Enterprising Britain Competition judge.

- Opens networking and advice events- great opportunity for business "mingling". Karl also gets the opportunity (mutual benefit) to see new, exciting businesses and potentially make investments. Also promotes his existing investments- everyone wins.

KOHLBERG'S THEORY- Categories of workers/practioners

PRE CONVENTIONAL (egocentric)

- I want

- Why should I?

- Nobody listens

- Short term

DEPENDENT

CONVENTIONAL (young professional/negotiator)

- I would be happy to

- Your needs

- I understand

- Medium term

INDEPENDENT

POST CONVENTIONAL (macro environment- want to affect communities. Cannot easily function without one another in a team. Collective practice)

- We can

- Together

- Mutual benefit

- Long term 

INTER DEPENDENT

6// PAUSE

- Pause to listen- give all your attention.

- Empathise- "walk in someone's shoes".

- Don't re-itterate or interpret- just listen.

- Do you really know how they feel, or are you just saying how you feel?

Give a chance to listen to someone- we all need times for people to completely listen without interruption. At this point we can learn something unexpected. 

Seek first to understand before you seek to be understood.

Learn from your differences. 

7// PROVEN 

- Consistency

- Integrity

- Reliability

(eg companies such as Coca- Cola, Chanel, Jimmy Choo, etc)

- Deliver a quality and performance every time.

- You TRUST the brands.

In our practice we must seek integrity and consistency so customers return and promote- you can become known for great service... as well as bad.

8// PARTNER

- Synergy multiples your talents.

- Work with other experts outside your field to achieve greatness.

EXAMPLES INCLUDE...

- James Dyson

- Antony Gormley

- Michaeangelo

- Everest expiditions

Hollywood model>> (eg for film 'Avatar') 600- 800 credits//All freelance or small businesses.

9// PIT STOP

- Sharpen up, bolt on, get new stuff.

- Rest- re-knew, re-vitalise.

- Explore, challenge, excite.

10// PROPEL

- Extinguish your fears.

- Exude confidence.

- Instil faith.

AND always remember... you are only as good as you aspire to be.

Progress Tutorial 1//Feedback.

The feedback from my progress tutorial last Thursday with Lorenzo. I was hoping to upload my scanned paperwork and upload it through Issuu. I was quite pleased coming out from my tutorial- and felt that I engaged any concerns and developments well. Really, everything that I had discussed I had, thankfully, considered, and now it's just a case of getting it down on the blog(s)!

ATTENDANCE

 

- Full

INSUFFICIENT//SATISFACTORY//GOOD//VERY GOOD//EXCELLENT

ISSUES RAISED

- PPD will focus as next round of session with John kicks in- don't worry.
- Book fair talk with Amber


BLOGS
Do the blogs effectively document an organized and critical approach to module content. Comment on the quantity, quality and consistency of the evidence presented.

Comments

- All well documented- need to consider how the research might change when clearer outcomes are defined. 

INSUFFICIENT//SATISFACTORY//GOOD//VERY GOOD//EXCELLENT

CURRENT PROGRESS

Comment on the overall progress made since the last Progress Tutorial

Comments

- Good progress- commited to getting it right

INSUFFICIENT//SATISFACTORY//GOOD//VERY GOOD//EXCELLENT

ACTION PLAN

Action

- Clarify the good concept for discussion next week.

- Investigate and document design outlets for PPD in Belgium.

Friends of Type.

http://friendsoftype.com/

Awesome link sent to me from Graphic Design bud back home (in sunny old Shropshire), Jack. "Friends of Type" is a network platform for typographic work- focusing on hand-rendered, unique approaches to typographic design.

Recently, I've been into type in a big way, and starting to fall for it quite a bit. Really love this site- definitely one to keep an eye on for my own future design developments.

THE PERFECT WEBSITE (seriously).

Today, (for some reason only the first time...) I went on to look at the official website of one of my favourite Photographers, Parker Fitzgerald (http://cargocollective.com/parkerfitzgerald)... and found my website inspiration.

Having recently set up my own cargo website (though not yet having the bravery to showcase any of my work on it...), this is a total inspiration- everything about it I love, and think encapsulates my design aspirations- simple, minimal, crisp- great combination of typefaces and pictorial images. 

Drooling a bit right now.

ENTERPRISE TASK IV//WHO ELSE IS OUT THERE- HOW GOOD ARE THEY?

ENTERPRISE TASK IV//WHO ELSE IS OUT THERE- HOW GOOD ARE THEY?

TASK 


THREE PRACTITIONERS TO EVALUATE:

(I feel a bit bad ~tearing~ these person's practices apart, but they are in fact huge inspirations and designers I particularly aspire to work like when I graduate)


* MR YEN (http://www.shop.mr-yen.com/)
* ANTHONY ZINONOS (http://www.anthonyzinonos.com/)
* MIKE LEWIS (AKA STUDIO MIKMIK) (http://www.studiomikmik.co.uk/index.html)



STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES:

* MR YEN

STRENGTHS

- Freelance (accesibility to move around where work is needed, organise own work schedule in terms of comissions, crafts, etc).
- Unique, handmade crafts- skilled craftsmanship, unique items.
- Reasonably unique craft- not easy to learn (how to do it well), therefore unique to the market.
- Design practice crosses a multitude of design outcomes and events.
- Lives in city center- accessibility to transport and travel for meetings, commissions, instillation, etc.


WEAKNESSES

- Handcraft practice is time consuming- high cost, low stock- not as commercially viable as it could be.
- Lives in Leeds, whilst easy to network and access transport links- not as commercial as living in perhaps London, Manchester or other major cities may be.
- A great deal of designers live in Leeds (due to cultural history, opportunity and the print industry)- perhaps a crowded market?


* ANTHONY ZINONOS

STRENGTHS

- Unique degree and education (printmaking and photomedia) which results in unique design outcomes- unusual in the market, sought after collage- design style.
- Member of WAFA (We are Fucking Awesome) global arts collective- ensures that his work can be seen globally by a range of clients (has been evidenced with clients such as Vogue girl, Korea, Alfa Romeo, Italy, etc).
- Recycled, eco collage style very appealing to environmentally aware, contemporary audiences.
- A distinctive, geometric print style- bold, unique and instantly recognisable with Anthony's work.
- Freelance ensures that he can travel where work needs him, plan working day, commissions, etc.



WEAKNESSES

 - Freelance, whilst having it's benefits can result in financial unstability- unsure of "where the next paycheck is coming from", etc- potentially financially insecure design practice.
- Based in Norwich- admittedly, good access to larger cities, but not necessarily as large a market as major cities would provide.
- Very personal and abstract style, very distinctive and bold- not necessarily everyone's "cup of tea".



* MIKE LEWIS (AKA STUDIO MIKMIK)


STRENGTHS

-  Environmental and ethically conscious- appealing to a contemporary globally-aware target audience.
- Specialises in Illustration, though convers a wide range of design outcomes and disciplines.


WEAKNESSES

- Based in Saltaire, Leeds- not in CBD (central business district) where work opportunities would be at their highest level, and could provide more commissions. Admittedly, more expensive rent space for studios, etc, but financially rewarding in design commission returns.
- "One man band" studio- financially challenging, a collaborative/multiple freelance studio could reduce rent costs/the ability to move to a more centralised city studio with costs saved.

//

250 WORD SUMMARY TASK//WHO ELSE IS OUT THERE- HOW GOOD ARE THEY?

(Okay... I went a little over... 335 words...)

The design marketplace, is, unquestionably, an over-crowded marketplace.

With news stories of the multitude of design graduates going without industrial placements, or several months with unemployment, it is more important that ever to make oneself stand out from the crowd- whether it be a USP, particular ethos or value statement, all will ensure a far easier transaction from education into the work place.

Aspiring to work as a freelance designer (specialising in Illustration), I have evaluated the work of three practitioners with a practice and ethos similar to my own:

-       Mr Yen (Jonathan Chapman, Leeds College of Art BA (Hons) Graphic Design graudate)

-       Anthony Zinonos (Norwich School of Art and Design, BA (Hons) Printmaking and Photomedia)

-       Studio MikMik (Mike Lewis, Leeds College of Art and Design graduate)

Each practioner, having worked for several years have a well-established practice with regular commissions, online sales and agent representatives. However, with these benefits and strengths there are also a multitude of weaknesses.

Each of the practitioners I have chosen have distinctive design styles- whether it be hand crafted paper cuts, collage and print or vector illustration and type. Whilst this, of course, adds a distinctive visual to the designers portfolio, it also creates potential difficulties when clients are visualising their design outcomes. Having a portfolio too specific or “styled” can close doors, as well as opening them.

Within my own design practice, I aspire to remain as flexible as possible- focusing on the client and the clients needs as opposed to distinguishing a particular style or design niche. 

Both Mr Yen and Anthony Zinonos work as freelance designers from their own home studios, whereas Studio MikMik is an established rent space of Mike Lewis is Saltaire, Leeds. Although both provide financial benefits, I feel that the compromise of personal space and independence of studio collaboration, and shared rent space will provide both a financial and social opportunity and benefit- as well as an essential networking benefit- the more voices, the more opportunities to be heard.

Perhaps most importantly, the financial benefit will also ensure the accesibility to live in a central business district- therefore attracting high traffic in terms of audience, and the accesibility for clients to work closely with the practice/studio, thus creating a strong and efficient working relationship. 

The most important factor in business, in my view, is to evaluate the work of others- to learn from them, be inspired, and educated- to learn from both the strengths, and weaknesses, and establish your own practice accordingly for the most effective outcome.

Studio Visit//Studio MikMik/The Archipelago.

http://www.studiomikmik.co.uk/

http://www.wearethearchipelago.co.uk/

Recently, (within the past week) I sent an email requesting a potential studio visit to a design studio, Studio MikMik, in Saltaire, Leeds. The Graphic Design/Illustration studio sounded very "me"- with a keen interest in printed illustrative design, along with environmental and ethical practice.

This morning, I received a reply from Mike Lewis at Studio MikMik, and (clearly me not reading the small print properly) not realising that Studio MikMik was in fact an independent freelance venture. However, I was invited to "keep an eye out" for Mike's new collaborative studio, The Archipelago, for which he hopes to have a studio home in 2012. A great website with some really interesting clients and work already, definitely one to keep an eye out for- potentially even for an industrial placement. 

Progress Tutorial 1//Level 05.

BAGD//Level 05 Progress tutorial 1

For my tutorial crit on Thursday afternoon with tutors- evaluating my progress so far this year, and my thoughts on work.

TASK III//HOW WILL I PROMOTE MYSELF?//TASK.

TASK III//HOW WILL I PROMOTE MYSELF?

MARKETING COMMUNICATION MIX//THE 'PLACE':
Advertising/Public Relations/Direct Marketing/E-Marketing/Personal Selling/Exhibitions/Sales Promotions

TASK III RESPONSE//HOW WILL I PROMOTE MYSELF?

Aspiring to work in Freelance Graphic Design/Illustration, promotion and marketing of both myself and my product(s) are particularly essential to ensure a healthy standard of living- notably, meeting, if not exceeding, the living wage.

Working for both independent clients and creating design work to sell from my own personal practice requires a wide range of versatile marketing and communication strategies, as well as a prime living location for access to brand clients (largely based in cities) and a suitable target market and audience for my products (youthful, disposable income, art and design loving clientele, etc).

For my specific style of products, such as greeting cards, zines, and printed media such as totes, t-shirts and surface pattern prints, one of the most suited markets is that of trade fairs and craft exhibitions- where like-minded stall owners will sell their wares, and be promoted to a wide range of persons within a city environment, to encourage high traffic, and even higher sales.

Whilst craft fairs and specific arts exhibitions will be a good source of income, it will also be important to maintain an online presence to ensure that my work is seen across countries, and not just counties. Networking platforms and online accessibility to my products through sites such as Big Cartel, Etsy, Flickr, Facebook, Tumblr and Cargo (free online website publishers) will communicate my ease and readiness to correspond with potential clients and buyers- as well as receiving the highest possible stats, along with viewing and buying traffic.

ENTERPRISE TASK IV//WHO ELSE IS OUT THERE- HOW GOOD ARE THEY?//TASK.

ENTERPRISE TASK IV//WHO ELSE IS OUT THERE- HOW GOOD ARE THEY?

TASK

Based on the principles that have been introduced in Lecture IV of the Enterprise module and your responses in the previous tasks, evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of three practitioners agencies as objectively as you can.

What opportunities for your own practice have revealed themselves to you as a result of this analysis and evaluation?

Do not use subjective language or make unfounded comments about other people's businesses. It is essential that you make references to SWOT and evaluate it's usefulness as an analysis or evaluation tool.

In responding to this task, you will need to consider the following questions:

Who am I competing against?

What do they offer?

What makes me better?

What makes me different?

MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS/DELIVERABLES
The results of your research should be posted to your Enterprise blog and summarised by a 250 word statment/evaluation. You should aim to illustrate your opinions with relevant examples of contemporary design practice.
STUDIO DEADLINE: 10/01/12
MODULE DEADLINE: 28/02/12- 4PM

ENTERPRISE TASK III//HOW WILL I PROMOTE MYSELF?

TASK III//HOW WILL I PROMOTE MYSELF?

TASK

Based on the principles that have been introduced so far in the Enterprise module and your findings in previous tasks, evaluate the most suitable marketing methodologies for your own practice and the effective methods to reach your potential customers.

It is essential that you make references to some of the methodologies in the 'Marketing Communication Mix' and evaluate the 'Place' that will give you the greatest competitive advantage and be convenient for your clients/customers.

This is an exercise in applying that theory- it is not appropriate to write about the theory itself. 

Demonstrate your understanding of it by actually using it.

In responding to this task you should consider the following questions:

What do 'they' want to hear?

What should I say to 'them'?

How will I communicate with 'them'?

MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS/DELIVERABLES

The results of your research should be posted to your Enterprise blog and summarised by a 250 word statement/evaluation. You should aim to illustrate your opinions with relevant examples of contemporary design practice.

STUDIO DEADLINE// 10/01/12

MODULE DEADLINE// 28/02/12, 4PM

Design Production for Print//TEAM PRINT STUDIO VISIT.

Today, eleven of us from the Graphic Design group travelled up to Beeston to visit 'Team', the lithography printers to take a look around the studio and learn a little more about the printing process. Needless to say (see picture above...) we were a little bit enthusiastic. 

(Please note Baljeet's crafty nail work)

Arriving half an hour early (why be prepared when you can be overprepared, hey?) we sat in the waiting room area, and took a good nosey at some of the publications they had on display- and the print finishes- with some great examples of flooded Spot UV Varnish (where the page was varnished, leaving a contrast to the matt typography) along with some creative book binding and foil blocking.

Greeted by Simon from Team a short while later, we started our tour of the factory/work space- in a sequential route, from reprographics to print finishes. We started in the reprographics area, and were shown their timetable structure- a huge calendar chart which spread over two walls with each finish or process labelled- an efficient and proven method of organisation which ensures they can stay open for twenty-four hours a day, all year (except the Christmas holidays), providing flexible and constant business opportunities.

We then went on to see how the seperation plates were made for the lithographic printing process- in cyan, magenta, yellow and black. An interesting production method, where the aluminimum plates are processed through a computer-programmed machine.

We then moved on to the printers themselves- and examined how the paper was "knocked up" into position to ensure perfectly aligned registration in the printing process through a consistent number of units for each job. It was fascinating to see how air pressure and "suckers" were used as a grip and lock device to aid this process, along with the ruled stoppers. (Please excuse my nontechnical language...)

We also took a look at the inks- putting our inkjet cartridges to shame...

We took a look a look inside the ink reservoirs in the printers, and it was fascinating to see how the rollers worked with the plates to distribute and transfer the inks. The print technician discussed how he programmed the printers to measure the amounts of ink transferred and alterations through keys as well as the computer-aided technology.

The lithographic print technician then demonstrated working on a proof- a printed brochure from Betty's tearoom in York. He was discussing how the CMYK gamut has affected the colour production- particularly from the image of the christmas pudding against the dark background. 

We then moved over to to the print process finish area, where applications such as UV Spot Varnish, and trimming. It was interesting to see how the utilised their old screenprints and exposing unit for the Varnish process- a finish I was particularly interested in finding more about.

Moving into the finish (folds, bind) area, we were shown some samples of work for clients- and the palettes of printed media to be shipped out. This great paper sample booklet was from GF Smith- with all of the paper squares hand-glued on my Team in the post-print production process.

I have gone on to contact GF Smith in request of paper samples, and, hopefully, will see a positive 
response soon.

One of the major factors that inspired me, and made me choose 'Team' as a first choice visit was their fantastic client network- one being Italian London-based paper retailer/stockist, Fedrigoni.

I hope to take a trip down to their showroom in the near future to learn a little more about their company, and their stocks available (hopefully, again, getting my hands on some free samples!) . This print job was for the new product order method being introduced- whereupon you can order from twenty-five sheets- not just the business palette loads they previously offered.

And lastly, for the final unit tour of the building- and the final part of the printing process, where special finishes took place- foil blocking, spot varnish, die cutting and box making. It was fascinating to see all of the processes they offered within the company, which, undoubtedly is of great appeal to their client base- hence such impressive names as Stella McCartney for Adidas, Reiss, Grafik, JJB, and so on.

I was truly inspired by the visit, and amazed to see all of the facilities available for print (even spot colour and white ink digital printers- my mind...is blown), and has confirmed my passion for the design production process ever more. 

A particular inspiration, which I would like to pursue- the Stella McCartney range for Adidas was printed on lightweight 40gsm bible paper- a soft, uncoated and extremely fine stock. I think the stock would represent my Wes Anderson film festival promotion that I am currently pursuing in my Design Production for Print project (see my Design Practice blog for more details) which would reflect the consideration and subtlety of his films.

Before leaving, we were kindly given a print finish prospectus, which showcases the print finishes and processes available- as well as an innovative photographic project in which the more mundane or disregarded instruments of print were literally put on a pedestal and glorified for their usefulness and essential need in their print production process.

Really, so happy about the day- I feel like I've learnt so much, and have been awed and delighted with what is available in the print industry- the opportunities are endless. I'm definitely going to pursue more visits like these- a really brilliant day.