Studio Visit//The Archipelago.

www.wearethearchipelago.co.uk

After a year of persistence and lots of "I'll get back in touch at a later date" (due to two studio moves in the space of a year!) I'm really pleased that I've finally been able to have confirmed a studio visit to Graphic Design co-operative studio, The Archipelago, which is run by Designer Mike Lewis (a previous Leeds College of Art and Design student), who, when I first spoke to him, was running the Shipley-based illustrative design studio, Studio Mik Mik. 

I'm really looking forward to seeing their new working environment at The Tower Works in Leeds, especially as it is a co-operative studio, which is something through the enterprise module I feel I know a little bit more about, and particularly interests me in terms of my own future design practice, so I'm really excited to find out more about their practice, and how working alongside other designers can help persuade, influence and inform their own individual work and finalised portfolio outcomes.

Studio Visit//Pearlfisher.

www.pearlfisher.com

Today, after around six weeks from my previous interview in Hammersmith, I received an email reply from Pearlfisher, unfortunately, not being able to offer me a placement at this time, which although unfortunate, I'm not too worried about. The process for applying for a placement for Pearlfisher was very extensive with a written statement application and portfolio review even before the interview stage, so I was well aware how popular the process may be.

Again, although a shame, I'm in the fortunate position to have been kept very busy with other opportunities, and will certainly keep an eye open for more opportunities with Pearlfisher throughout the year and after graduation.

Studio Visit//Precept.

www.studioprecept.co.uk

Over the past few days, having been lucky enough to have received another kind reply from one of the Newcastle upon Tyne studios I have recently contacted, Precept, I have been talking with the Creative/Studio Director, Nick, about potentially going and spending some time working in the studio with them, particularly as they are in the beginnings of setting up an internship programme to support emerging designers, which sounds particularly promising.

We've agreed (but will settle a date at a later time) that I'll go in one of my lunchbreaks/after work to see the guys in the studio whilst I'm working at Perro, which I have already booked for the first week of September, so I'll get two birds with one stone.

I'm definitely feeling really lucky at the moment with the sudden burst of replies and interest. Newcastle is the way forward!

Studio Visits//Qubik.

www.qubik.com

Yesterday I was lucky enough to have been invited along to the home studio, Qubik, which was established and directed by designer, and past Leeds College of Art tutor, Joe Gilmore, whom, unfortunately, I hadn't had the opportunity to meet whilst he was still teaching.

The studio itself was great, really well-lit, clean, yet, of course, being in Joe's family home, it still felt warm and relaxing, as opposed to many studios, which end up being far more sterile working environments. It was great to spend an hour talking about Joe's practice, showing me some publications and typographically-led designs that he's currently working on, as well as a multitude of wonderful examples of work that he finds inspirational, which are very welcome additions to the studio shelves. 

I was also lucky enough to be prompted to show Joe my design portfolio, and, in reflection to his own design practice, seemed to be really interested in my type and layout design work, which is certainly something I want to develop and work on next year, as, despite it being something I've perhaps neglected a little so far in my design practice, it's certainly something that I really enjoy.

To top off a really fun and interesting afternoon, Joe kindly offered me his time in the way of a placement, which we've agreed to talk more about in September when our schedules are a little more organised, though I would be looking to go in for one day a week for the academic year, which, I know, is just a great opportunity, and am really excited about taking up.

Some of the students from Graphic Design that have worked with Joe in terms of placements include wonderful designers such as Arthur Carey, Aaron Skipper and Tim Wan, and to be added to that list is something I'm so looking forward.

Bring on September!

Industry Experience//Perro.

http://www.perro.co.uk/index.php

Over the past couple of days I've been lucky enough to get in touch with, and organise another week-long studio placement with Newcastle- based design agency, Perro, which I first learnt about thanks to my fellow work placement companion, Ben, whilst working at Glad (in Gateshead) a couple of weeks ago, so now, more than ever, I'm really appreciative to have made that contact and connection which has helped me to gain this work experience.

I'll be starting on the first week of September, having synchronised working times once more with friend and BAGDer Steph, so I will be able to stay with her in Northumberland and commute in each day, keeping costs down, paying only travel expenses, and will be starting at 9.30 in the morning.

I'm really excited to be working with Perro, to hopefully learn a great deal more, once again, about the industry and my future role within it. From what I have gathered from their online portfolio and bio, as well as what I was told by Ben, the company is quite corporate (not something I'm really used to), with many industry contacts and clients, and I will probably learn a great deal about finance and business, as well as the design practice.

Really excited to get started again!

Summer 2012//Industry Experience Contact.

Spending my morning sending out another batch of studio visit/placement opportunities emails, not attaching my updated CV and portfolio to studios in both Leeds and Newcastle, from having experienced such a great time at my time in Gateshead, and experiencing Newcastle properly for the first time (and having a wonderful time). Now I've been in touch with a few design studios, I certainly feel I am getting more into the swing of things in regards to contacting studios, and hopefully will continue to make an impression (hopefully a good one!). 

The studios contacted can be seen through both screenshots of the homepages and links to the web pages below.

www.perro.co.uk/index.php

www.studioprecept.co.uk

www.theroundhouse.co.uk

www.wonderstuffstudio.com

wearefounded.com

supanaught.com/projects

reluctanthero.co.uk

designproject.co.uk

qubik.com/index.php

Personal and Professional Development//Summer 2012//Updated portfolio.

The latest development of my design portfolio to send out to the new batch of design studios in Leeds and Newcastle, hoping to potentially gain a few more studio visits/placements before returning to Uni in the third week in September.