Completed responses and evaluation from PPD Task II- about my views and perceptions of industrial experience, and where I see myself within it.
WHAT IS INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE?
- Industrial experience can begin from communicating with people already working in the industry or professions you aspire to be working in, and gaining insight and knowledge about their working life- e mailing and online communication has revolutionised the way in which we are able to contact and network with others.
- With industry experience you get the opportunity to talk about the professional practice with those working within it- gaining an honest and direct view of day-to-day working life, the pros, the cons, etc.
- Industrial experience, as well as standardised short-term work experience placements, can also be taken in the form of internships lasting one year, which are common in University programmes.
My partner, for example, is currently working a year in industry as an architectural assistant at Manser Architects Practice (post-undergraduate graduation) in order to secure a placement on the Architectural Masters degree at his University.
http://www.manser.co.uk/
- Industrial experience is getting the opportunity to gain more insight to the professional practice you aspire to work in.
- Industrial experience gives you a rare opportunity to have a "hands-on" approach to the industry, often being involved in the professional practice and processes- whether it be financial, creative, etc.
WHAT IS INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE?
- Industrial experience can begin from communicating with people already working in the industry or professions you aspire to be working in, and gaining insight and knowledge about their working life- e mailing and online communication has revolutionised the way in which we are able to contact and network with others.
- With industry experience you get the opportunity to talk about the professional practice with those working within it- gaining an honest and direct view of day-to-day working life, the pros, the cons, etc.
- Industrial experience, as well as standardised short-term work experience placements, can also be taken in the form of internships lasting one year, which are common in University programmes.
My partner, for example, is currently working a year in industry as an architectural assistant at Manser Architects Practice (post-undergraduate graduation) in order to secure a placement on the Architectural Masters degree at his University.
http://www.manser.co.uk/
- Industrial experience is getting the opportunity to gain more insight to the professional practice you aspire to work in.
- Industrial experience gives you a rare opportunity to have a "hands-on" approach to the industry, often being involved in the professional practice and processes- whether it be financial, creative, etc.
WHAT CAN YOU LEARN FROM INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE?
- You have a great opportunity to speak to working professionals to gain an honest and insightful view into the particular industry you aspire to work in- from design assistants to CEO's and heads of office.
- Industrial Experience offers an insight to the reality of the practice, and what tasks you would complete each day, the methods of work and the working environment- in terms of studio-client communication, design practice, etc.
- A broad range of industrial experience helps to define the sector you want to work in. If you are unsure about the potential practice you want to pursue, it's a great opportunity to discover what field you want to work in, or which would suit you best.
- Industrial experience can expand your practical experience- whether it be using industry-standard software or professional printing machinery and techniques.
Whilst at The National Magazine Company I gained a great insight to both their house software and Adobe InDesign creating a DPS, which really tested and expanded my design and editorial capabilities.
- Most importantly, industrial experience gives you the opportunity to experience the industry and professional practice before you commit to it in terms of employment- giving you the rare opportunity to gain foresight about the profession and what it may entail on a day-to-day basis.
WHAT FORM/FORMAT COULD INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE TAKE?
- Work experience is the most fundamental and traditional form of industrial experience. Ranging from one or two days to a year's internship (as the company/industry demands) it offers the opportunity to learn more about the working environment, the working practice, and your place in the industry.
For instance, in the summer I spent a day working at The National Magazine Company for Cosmopolitan Magazine, and met another student graphic designer who was moving into her second week of her two-month intership. This year, knowing a little more about the company and it's working methods, I have applied for further experience- hopefully extending, this time, over a longer period of time.
- Studio Visits are a common form of industrial placements- giving the opportunity to learn more about the particular company, employees and the working practice without the need to commit to a work experience programme.
My first studio visit will be on Wednesday 19th October when I visit, on a tutor-arranged trip, 'Team' print in Leeds- where hopefully I will be able to find out even more about the print industry and the methods and technology behind it.
I have also e-mailed and corresponded with several other practices (such as 'Carl Jones Design' near to my hometown, in Church Stretton, Shropshire, and 'Broken Twill', Leeds).
http://www.carljonesdesign.com/
http://brokentwill.co.uk/
- Industrial Experience can also take the form of lectures, and talks with visiting professionals. An example on the LCA BAGD course is, in year three, the opportunity to sign up for visiting professional tutorials, who provide an unbiased and professional overview and constructive criticism of your portfolio and professional practice.
- On a minor scale, industry experience can be developed through workshop and inductions during education. This scale include processes such as screen and print-based design, as well as specialising in digital software and production methods.
- Industrial experience can often be developed through cross-module/practice collaborations. Often, in the case of Leeds College of Art course, opportunities are available for cross-disciplines to work together to produce design outcomes- in particular, for instance, fashion collaborate with graphic design for branding and promotional design work.
WHAT AREAS OF INDUSTRY ARE YOU INTERESTED IN?
- Printmaking (a combination of traditional methods such as screen printing and letterpress, as well as more technological and modern techniques, such as digital printing and industry-standard printing methods). Recently, I have contacted Flintshire-based letterpress company 'Blush', for the possibility of a studio visit, and to learn more about their contemporary practice for this traditional, established trade.
http://www.blushpublishing.co.uk/
- Publishing. For a long time I have been interested in pursuing a career in publishing- with a love of, fundamentally, books. Along with the more creative and practical element to publishing (working, for example, for an in house design team), I also have a great deal of interest in promotions and marketing, and feel that I have particular strengths in these areas.
- Freelance design/illustration. Of course, being a rather reclusive practice (in general) it isn't always easy to gain work experience with a freelance designer. However, many freelance workers play an integral part in larger-scale companies for periods of time as part of their practice (for instance, whilst I spent a day at The National Magazine Company, Westminster, London, I was supervised by a freelance designer, Michael who was spending two months at the company before moving onto a design house in Soho).
However, I will continue to network with freelance illustrators in the attempts to gain as much insight into my aspiring industry as possible- twitter is a great source for networking, and I have been truly inspired by some of the people I have communicated with since signing up- and it's bought an increased revenue from online sales for me too!
- I have always been interested in establishing myself as an entrepreneur and retail designer. Having gained a little experience with selling via US-based arts and vintage retailed, Etsy, selling in Liverpool-based arts boutique store 'Nook & Cranny', and selling at my own stall at the December Reetsweet Arts & Crafts fair (Corn Exchange, Leeds) in December, it is certainly a sector of the industry I was to pursue- perhaps even, one day, owning my own store to sell prints and graphic design work in.
http://www.etsy.com/
http://insidenookandcranny.blogspot.com/
http://reetsweet.blogspot.com/
- Teaching and education is certainly something I have considered from time to time in the Graphic Design/Illustration industry. Whilst it is not an immediate aspiration, I feel that I would be well suited to the role, as I have a great deal of patience and enthusiasm for the work of others, and feel confident in speaking and addressing others.
WHAT ARE YOUR CONCERNS ABOUT INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE?
- A lack of skills/capability to ensure a place on work experience programmes. Recently, having re-discovered my love and aspirations in publishing, I applied for work experience at Worthing- based AVA Publishing, being made aware that an experience programme was running in the near future. However, despite positive feedback, I wasn't granted a placement due to "lack of experience"... how do I get onto the industrial ladder, where do I start?
- Do I have the right mentality for the industry? Because, for a long time, I have found myself to be incredibly independent (and, consequently, aspiring to be freelance) I am worried that if I were to find myself working in the industry in a studio/company environment then I would find myself too tied down/"itchy" to move on to different projects and briefs constantly.
- Will my confidence affect my capabilities in industry? I believe, personally, I am very good at forging confidence- but the minute I know that someone is watching over me, or evaluating what I do I have crippling anxieties about my work, and have a consistent measure of self-doubt that certainly needs to be amended.
- What are my chances of gaining work/industry experience in this competitive and financially troubled environment, how challenging will it be?
- Funding. Due to, for example, publishing, being a largely city-based industry, more often that not, in London, will any financial support be offered throughout industry experience (in terms of work experience as opposed to studio visits)?
SUMMARY OF STATEMENTS
WHAT IS INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE?
- Industrial experience is the opportunity to gain more insight to the professional practice you aspire to work in.
- Industrial experience gives you a rare opportunity to have a "hands-on" approach to the industry, often being involved in the professional practice and processes- whether it be financial, creative, etc.
WHAT CAN YOU LEARN FROM INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE?
- A broad range of industrial experience helps to define the sector you want to work in.
- Industrial experience can expand your practical experience- whether it be using industry-standard software or professional printing machinery and techniques.
Whilst at The National Magazine Company I gained a great insight to both their house software and Adobe InDesign creating a DPS, which really tested and expanded my design and editorial capabilities.
WHAT FORM/FORMAT COULD INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE TAKE?
- Industrial Experience can take the form of lectures, and talks with visiting professionals. Also providing one-to-one tutorials provides an unbiased and professional overview and constructive criticism of your portfolio and professional practice.
- Studio Visits are a common form of industrial placements- giving the opportunity to learn more about the particular company, employees and the working practice without the need to commit to a work experience programme.
WHAT AREAS OF INDUSTRY ARE YOU INTERESTED IN?
- Freelance design/illustration, as I feel this particular industry would be well-suited to my independent and determined work ethic- with a good sense of organisation and freedom within my work, timetabling and design practice.
- I have always been interested in establishing myself as an entrepreneur and retail designer. Having gained a little experience with selling via US-based arts and vintage retailed, Etsy, selling in Liverpool-based arts boutique store 'Nook & Cranny', and selling at my own stall at the December Reetsweet Arts & Crafts fair (Corn Exchange, Leeds) in December, it is certainly a sector of the industry I was to pursue- perhaps even, one day, owning my own store to sell prints and graphic design work in.
WHAT ARE YOUR CONCERNS ABOUT INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE?
- A broad range of industrial experience helps to define the sector you want to work in.
- Industrial experience can expand your practical experience- whether it be using industry-standard software or professional printing machinery and techniques.
Whilst at The National Magazine Company I gained a great insight to both their house software and Adobe InDesign creating a DPS, which really tested and expanded my design and editorial capabilities.
WHAT FORM/FORMAT COULD INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE TAKE?
- Industrial Experience can take the form of lectures, and talks with visiting professionals. Also providing one-to-one tutorials provides an unbiased and professional overview and constructive criticism of your portfolio and professional practice.
- Studio Visits are a common form of industrial placements- giving the opportunity to learn more about the particular company, employees and the working practice without the need to commit to a work experience programme.
WHAT AREAS OF INDUSTRY ARE YOU INTERESTED IN?
- Freelance design/illustration, as I feel this particular industry would be well-suited to my independent and determined work ethic- with a good sense of organisation and freedom within my work, timetabling and design practice.
- I have always been interested in establishing myself as an entrepreneur and retail designer. Having gained a little experience with selling via US-based arts and vintage retailed, Etsy, selling in Liverpool-based arts boutique store 'Nook & Cranny', and selling at my own stall at the December Reetsweet Arts & Crafts fair (Corn Exchange, Leeds) in December, it is certainly a sector of the industry I was to pursue- perhaps even, one day, owning my own store to sell prints and graphic design work in.
WHAT ARE YOUR CONCERNS ABOUT INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE?
- Due to a large sector of work experience in the Graphic Design industry, and, in particular, London, I am concerned about financing possible industrial experience such as work experience- will I be able to finance my trip or time there? Will I receive any funding to support it?
- A lack of skills/capability to ensure a place on work experience programmes. Recently, having re-discovered my love and aspirations in publishing, I applied for work experience at Worthing- based AVA Publishing, being made aware that an experience programme was running in the near future. However, despite positive feedback, I wasn't granted a placement due to "lack of experience"... how do I get onto the industrial ladder, where do I start?
