PPD//PPD Group Tutorial with Jane.

Notes from today's group tutorial session with Jane, in a group alongside Kirsty, Beth and Joe.
Really interesting to hear where other people are at, progress that is being made and our plans for the future of our design practice.


NOTES//


PPD PRESENTATION


Reflect back on last year- what we have improved upon, where we have come, skills


REFLECT YEAR I
REFLECT YEAR II
REFLECT YEAR III, WHAT WE WANT TO ACHIEVE


Prepare yourself for questions, what may people ask?


// WRITE WEBSITE BIO IN FIRST PERSON


6th, 7th, 11th- IMPORTANT DATES


(Presentations and summer briefing)


RE PEARLFISHER- Key studio to contact, if not for studio visit, then possible interview for dissertation (designed the Innocent branding)

Progress tutorial//Notes.

On Wednesday morning I had my tutorial with head of Graphics, Fred (see my proposed questions/notes on a previous blog post). Although I didn't feel that I had much to talk about, being generally happy with my course at current progress, I was really happy with the feedback I received, and it's made me feel really motivated for my progression on the course and with my own personal development throughout the summer. I'm going to keep on trying to work as hard as possible throughout the next few months and until the end of the year, as well as next year, of course- and try to really focus on improving my design outcomes and skill, the area of which I feel needs the most attention.

Progress Tutorial//Year II.

My initial progress tutorial which was given to me today to fill in as a response to the forthcoming progress tutorial that I have booked myself in for at 09:30 on Wednesday morning with the course leader, Fred. 

All in all, I'm happy with my current progress and work, so it'll be interesting to hear Fred's views and anything that I particularly need to pick up on (I feel I might need to be more proactive with my YCN brief in collaboration with Charlie). 

Looking forward to the discussion and creating an action plan towards my personal development.

Enterprise//Enterprise Group//Tutorial.

Today our enterprise group had the opportunity to have a tutorial with tutor Jane, to discuss our current progress, things to do and where we currently stand as a design company.

A really useful talk, Jane gave us lots of direction and things to consider before our presentation on 8th February. The notes listed below are taken from idea generation in the tutorial session.

LOOK AT:

- Nobrow (Shoreditch)

- MAGMA

- Hyde Park Corner/Woodhouse Lane (rental space)

- Printing partnership (to print designer's prints, take a great commission?)- Awesome Merchandise?

- Stall at freshers week to promote company/Nation of Shopkeepers

- Pay particular attention to: Promo/Target audience/Develop location and brand/Income streams

MY PERSONAL TASKS FOR NEXT WEEK:

- Account living wage of each of the designers and work out the cost of rental space, utilities, etc.

- Draft up e mails and contact designers re using their images in our presentation.

- Leeds printer partnerships- research.

Enterprise//Tutorial.

In today's Enterprise tutorial, three of the groups of four (sepearate Enterprise groups) met up with Jane to discuss general progress, as well as what to plan and prepare for the forthcoming business proposition presentation. Very useful hints and tips, things to remember and a sheet of notes to take inspiration from.

Our group have decided (once the rest of the work we have for the week has settled a little- after workshops and Type/Image) to gather together for a meeting on Thursday to discuss work/research we need to have prepared before returning to Uni next week (work over the weekend, and so on).

My current mindset, things I personally need to get organised (notes for the meeting) include:

- Finding a secure premise to work from- research areas of suitability, finance, etc.

- Work out wages/living costs for each member of the group- account for these with our start up annual costs.

- Format email to send out to designers in Leeds (previously blogged) to discuss using their images within our presentation.

- Work out an estimate for accounts in terms of stock/materials/rent/heating, etc.

- Determined fixed "roles" within the group. 

PPD Tutorial Session with John//ACTION PLAN.

Blogging important notes and topics discussed in today's PPD tutorial session with John- which provided us with a great opportunity to discuss any issues we were facing, and talk about any problems we were facing, as well as our development through set tasks, etc.
All notes and action plans are posted below (in notation form):

CV/CREATIVE RESUME//

- CREATIVITY can take any form- be creative, as this allows people to have an insight to you and how you work. 
- A creative resume includes experience, skills and documentation- this can be bought across utilising software and practical skills- go crazy, be creative- think poster, postcards, books- unusual formats that will catch their eye, and, most importantly, be memorable.
- Include photographs- but  be professional (doesn't have to be serious to be professional, however).


CONTACTING PROFESSIONALS//


- To go into the industry, be chatty, but don't ask too much of them straight away.
- Plan and decide why you're looking into the selected studios from your contact list(s).
- CONTACT: email, telephone, letter, face-to-face. POST IS BEST... good novelty.
- DON'T ask for placements on the first contact.
- Be SNAPPY... say why you like their work, and why you are great fresh blood.
- Have a meeting/look at the studio first.
- Show CV and samples of your work- a "leave piece" of design for them to remember you by is always a good idea.
- A creative CV is a resume, and a memory jogger


ACTION PLAN/FOR?...//

- Pimp up my existing business card- buy a holder and always keep some on me (get professionally printed at moo.com?)//31ST DEC.

- Create my own creative CV for distribution to design studios and creative directors/start developing my own "brand" visuals//31ST DEC.

Design Production for Print//Feedback Session.

In today's morning session we had a Feedback/Crit session- working in groups of six, as in a task a couple of weeks ago, we paired up and marked the opposing two group's work. Although I felt totally unprepared for the crit, and still, to be honest, a little nervous about my work's development, I was happy with the feedback I recieved- having considered a great deal- for example, colour on my design sketches being a huge priority (major drawing session at the weekend is in order)- as well as getting more work printed. In hindsight, I definitely agree with what the other two groups said in terms of quantity- I need to be more realistic, and will amend this as soon as possible by condensing my product range once more.

Enterprise Tutorial Session with Jane//ACTION PLAN.

Blogging important notes and topics discussed in today's Enterprise tutorial with Jane- which provided us with a great opportunity to discuss any issues we were facing, and talk about any problems we were facing, as well as our development through the set tasks, etc.

- FIFTH TASK WILL BE RELEASED AFTER TUTORIALS (END OF WEEK??)- ALL TASKS TO BE COMPLETED BY JANUARY (MARKED, ALONG WITH OUR FINAL PRESENTATION ON 28TH FEBRUARY).

- LABEL ALL ENTERPRISE POSTS- TAG, AND MAKE IT GENERALLY AS EASY AS POSSIBLE FOR JANE (BLOG IN ONE LONG POST WHEN CONCLUDED??).

- THE FIVE LECTURES UP UNTIL NOW/CHRISTMAS HAVE MADE US EVALUATE WHO WE ARE AS DESIGNERS, AND WHERE WE FIT INTO THE INDUSTRY- WHEREAS THE FOUR AFTER CHRISTMAS PROVIDE US WITH THE PREPARATION TO CREATE A BUSINESS PLAN.

- 'PRINCIPLES OF MARKETING' AND 'FUNKY BUSINESS' ARE GOOD BOOKS TO READ, AND HELP UNDERSTAND THE MARKETING INFORMATION DELIVERED.

- 10 CREDIT MODULE

- WHEN APPROACHING BUSINESSES OR STUDIOS FOR INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE, SEND MAILINGS OUT IN SHORT BURSTS- IF YOU'RE LUCKY ENOUGH TO HEAR BACK FROM, SAY, FIFTY PEOPLE... YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO HANDLE IT ALL AT ONCE- TOO OVERWHELMING.

- HAVE A USP// UNIQUE SELLING POINT.

- MAKE DESIGN WORK//PORTFOLIO CATERED FOR SPECIFIC COMPANIES//MEETINGS.

ACTION PLAN

ACTION//DEADLINE//COMPLETED?

* Get all work printed for Reetsweet craft fair (Leeds, 2nd/3rd Dec). Find out size of my table to  make table cloth and organise table plan for stock//28TH NOVEMBER

* " " " For Wizarding Winter Fair, Maccesfield (16th Dec)//12TH DECEMBER

* LCA BAGD Facebook Page- What do people want from their business plans? What avenue do we want to take? Discuss company ideas, generate concepts and brainstorms about who we want to work with, and what direction we want to pursue (5 key words, etc?)//8TH NOVEMBER

* Discuss business plans with Santader- creating a business account//31ST DECEMBER

* Blog craft marketplace book and put on LCA BAGD group//8TH NOVEMBER//DONE

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Handmade-Marketplace-Crafts-Locally-Globally/dp/1603424776/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1320753213&sr=8-1

The book, 'The Handmade Marketplace' which I briefly discussed and touched upon in this mornings Enterprise tutorial. Bought for my birthday last December, I thought it was a really great read- and very insightful. The book introduced me to methodologies of maintaining a freelance lifestyle, ways to control your accounts, etc- a great read- and a friendly introduction to design living.

PPD Workshop I

On Tuesday (only just getting round to blogging it...argh!) we had a PPD session with tutors John and Jane. This session was the opportunity to review our executed PPD tasks, and also to work collaboratively with out fellow designers to discuss ideas about "why we are here", what we want to achieve from our degree, and our views on industrial placements and/or experience. Working with: Lisa Whitaker, Beth Yates, Kirsty Cave, Kirsty Alderson, and Claudia Griffin.

WHY ARE WE HERE//Top ten list

1// Who am I as a designer?

2// Contacting re placements- too formal/informal?

3// What is it to be freelance? Is it possible to be freelance straight away?

4// Creating a company/design practice- team collaborations.

5// What you're into- focus/specialism

6// How to become independent

7// Networking

8// Creative skills and software development

9// HOW to be a designer- professional practice

10// Feasibility of working abroad (and placements)

We then went on to discuss this list, along with the lists of various other groups, and talked about our shared concerns and ambitions for our Graphic Design education and future careers. It was really interesting to see both the differences and similarities throughout the group- the two most commonly referred to words being "collaborate" and "challenge"... we are all here to push ourselves creatively and personally, that's truly inspiring. When then went on to write about our expectations and concerns for industrial experience.


EXPECTATIONS AND CONCERNS- INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE


1// Where to start.
2// Expect to gain more knowledge about Graphic Design.
3// Gives us a chance to experience different areas of design ans see whether we like them/ if it's what you want to do.
4// How do you gain experience to be able to do these placements?- Some require you to already 
have experience.
5// How do you approach companies- what do you say to ask for your placement? (HELP NEEDED).
6// How do you prepare yourself for the experience- portfolio, CV, what do you wear?!
7// How do professional relationships work? Client>Designer>Printer.
8// Want to make more contacts/network.
9// Gain confidence in own work.
10// How do you know you're ready?
11// Want proper live work experience- full professional experience, real briefs.
12// Help to discover who we want to work with/how we want to work.


Again, really helpful discussing this with others- and provided us with a great insight into the concerns and hopes of others- really reassuring to know that you're not necessarily alone when it comes to your concerns (and ambitions).

TASK FOR MYSELF IN RESPONSE TO THE SESSION

(for group tutorial, 8th November)

//Research (at least) twenty-five studios that I would be interested in working at/gaining industrial experience- whether it be placements, or even studio visits- and explain my reasoning for each. (Fill in contact details/website ASAP)

1// BECAUSE STUDIO, PRESTON, UK.

http://www.becausestudio.co.uk/

Great combination of design, print and photography- right up my street.
Based in Preston, not too familiar with the area (but have friends there)- could be interesting to visit somewhere completely new, but where I still have contacts for support.

2// BROKEN TWILL, LEEDS, UK.
http://brokentwill.co.uk/

Really cool designers- have produced photography work for one of my favourite magazines, 'Oh Comely'. A small team of designers based in Leeds- fits in with my work environment ambitions and very practical for accommodation and staying in Leeds over the summer.

3// SNAP, BRISTOL, UK.
http://www.snapstudio.org.uk/hello/

A lively, genteel scrinprint design studio located in Bristol- a great part of the country with connections easy transport links. Working in print really appeals to me- and this small eight-member community would be brilliant to be a part of. One of my favourite Illustrators, Clare Owen, has worked at this studio- to follow in her footsteps would be wonderful.

 

4// THE ARCHIPELAGO, LEEDS, UK.
http://www.wearethearchipelago.co.uk/

Having contacted StudioMikMik (Shipley, Leeds) about a potential Studio Visit, the founding designer Michael Lewis told me about his new design collective- settling in a studio space in Leeds soon. The Archipelago is a design co-operative who specialise in Graphic Design and Illustration with an environmental ethos that I aspire to myself work with and be associated with in my practice.

5// ELLE MAGAZINE, HEARST NATIONAL MAGAZINE COMPANY, LONDON, UK.
http://www.elleuk.com/

Having worked for a short-term period for Cosmopolitan Magazine over the summer, it was suggested by one of their freelance designers that I work for Elle- with my love for serif typefaces and "elegantly structure" griding design. Of course, completely flattered, I took this on board. Already a fan of the stylish magazine, working for their in-house design team (in editorials and printed publication) would be a real treat.

6// COROFLOT (SITE), BELGIUM.
http://www.coroflot.com/public/employer_search_results.asp

Recommended to me by tutor John, Coroflot is a website with links to design agencies and studios- a great way to start looking for potential placements in Europe (looking at France, Switzerland, and particularly Belgium). I will definitely come back to this throughout the next few days and continue my search for contemporary design practices I could potentially find a placement in. 

7// UN.TITLED, LEICESTER, UK.
http://un.titled.co.uk/

Un.titled in Leicester boasts a really impressive range of high-end, well finished print and web designs- really edgy and contemporary, working for them would be a brilliant learning curve, and hopefully a way to produce designs for a slightly older target market than my current designs are usually perceived (children/teen).

Also, a great designer, Andrew Townsend has interned and now works for them- a great inspiration.

8// DRY, LONDON, UK.
http://www.dry.uk.com/ 
 

Dry in London produce a great range of design outcomes- particulalarly packaging design, which is quite rare in design studios, and an avenue I'd certainly like to learn more about, and develop my outcomes in the particular area of design.

9// KILLSTUDIO, SOMERSET, UK.
http://www.killstudio.co.uk/

A brand, identity and illustration company location in sunny Somerset- again, a great part of the world- and somewhere I could imagine myself living post-graduation. The studio design a range of high-end designs in a range of outcomes I would be very interested in pursuing- great stuff.

10// THOMAS MANSS & COMPANY, LONDON, UK.
http://www.manss.com/

Thomas Manss & Company produce beautifully finished, high end design outcomes, with a more than impressive client list. Working for clients such as Zaha Hadid and RIBA, there designs have strong architectural influence- with a partner working in Architecture this is a natural interest for me, and a truly influentual and rewarding career path- definitely one to consider.

11// SPIN, LONDON, UK.

http://spin.co.uk/

Spin produce a great range of designs for a wide variety of inspiring clients- one of my favourites being Wallpaper* magazine. Particularly focusing on printed publications, this is an agency that I would certainly be interested in pursuing- being in London would also provide great networking and communication opportunities.

12// THIRTEEN, BRISTOL, UK.
http://www.thirteen.co.uk/

Located in Bristol- a refreshing change to the usual city locations for contemporary design studios, Thirteen are a well-established and highly-regarded design studio with specialisms in Illustration (digital)- to work with them would be a great honour, and I'm sure a great development in my professional design practice.

13// FLINK, ANTWERPEN, BELGIUM.
http://www.flink.be/

Flink are a small but very sucessful design agency based in Belgium's contemporary art and design hotspot- Antwerp. Again, somewhere that I'd be very interested in living post-graduation- and would be a great opportunity to develop a little more design, personal, and financial independence with the overseas experience.

14// DEZEEN, LONDON, UK.

http://www.dezeen.com/

With a real love for architecture and product design- de zeen would be a great platform to research and promote these areas, along with creating some beautiful web-based design for their website, and print for their periodicals and journals. A well-established and reknowned design network, working for de zeen would be great for the old CV- I'm sure I'd learn a lot.

15// INNOCENT SMOOTHIES, LONDON, UK.
http://innocentdrinks.co.uk/

For the past five years there's been nothing I'd like more than to go and visit Fruit Towers (aka the 'Innocent Smoothie' HQ). With a great environmental, friendly and funny identity and brand, working for Innocent would make me so happy to go into work every day. The dream.

16// EDINBURGH PRINTMAKERS, EDINBURGH, UK.
http://www.edinburgh-printmakers.co.uk/

 Originally introduced to Edinburgh printmakers by Illustrator Robbie Porter. I don't think much of the website (except that it needs quite a hefty overhaul...!). Would be a great opportunity to develop my print skills- something I really want to pursue.

17// SUN & MOON STUDIOS, BRISTOL, UK.
http://www.sunandmoonstudios.co.uk/#/home

Sun & Moon Studio studio specialise in illustration and animation- working with pristigious designers Aardman, along with many other great projects and clients- fun, playful design. Might be a little complex for my current abilities in terms of video and animation, but definitely something I'd like to push more, and pursue in my personal developments.

18// DESIGN PROJECT, LEEDS, UK.
http://www.designproject.co.uk/

Design Project Leeds have worked with some truly wonderful clients- D&AD, Fedrigoni, etc. A tenuous link, I once met the creative director's wife whilst working in a Leeds store last year- where she presented me with his business card stating "You should apply to work there... he doesn't think girls make good Graphic Designers"...well... I do like a challenge...

19// PENGUIN, LONDON, UK.
http://www.penguin.co.uk/

Really, no introduction or explanation is needed- there is no other Penguin Books publisher. Working for their in house design team would be a real treat- and a pleasure to go into every day, I'm sure. A bookworm from childhood, this would be living the dream.

20// FABER & FABER, LONDON, UK.
http://www.faber.co.uk/

* See above.

21// CARBON, CARDIFF, UK.
http://www.carbonstudio.co.uk/

A work placement at Carbon would give me a great opportunity to explore digital design and develop upon what is (currently) my weaker pathway in general Graphic Design practice- some beautiful designs- and really edgy, fun, contemporary work- award-winning talents.

22// PENTAGRAM, LONDON, UK.
http://www.pentagram.com/work/#/all/all/newest/

Legendary designers with many years in the business- Pentagram have created some stunning designs for truly reknowned clients- The London Design Festival, Tiffany & Co and Penguin, to name but a few.

23// BASE, BRUSSELS, UK.
http://www.basedesign.com/

An inspiringly broad range of design, spread over a wide range of countries- working at Base could lead to big things. Great multidisciplinary company- and in Belgium too- ticking all the boxes.

24// HEYDAYS, OSLO, NORWAY.

http://www.heydays.info/

Heydays have been on my "most oogled" list for quite some time- working for them would be truly fantastic- I think I would learn a great deal about edgy, contemporary design- but then again... I would learn a lot about extreme debt with living in Norway- need to consider financial stability and feasibility of the potential of a placement.

25// THEM, LONDON, UK.
http://www.themlondon.com/

Recommended by a friend who was fortunate to visit 'Them' on a London studio visit trip, this studio looks right up my street. Women designers creating edgy, fresh, and varied design outcomes. Being based in London for a placement would also be a great opportunity to get my name out there, and my work seen.

26// TOTALITY, LEEDS, UK
http://www.totalitygcs.co.uk/home/

Have worked with some really impressive clients- Unilver, Ainsley Harriot, etc- working particularly with print- a field I want to specialise in. Also, being in Leeds would also be very practical for me in terms of summer placement, and staying in my current accommodation- makes good, economic sense.

27//BIVOUAC, YORK, UK

http://www.bivouac.co.uk/

This York-based Design agency offers a great range of disciplines and design outcomes- particularly focusing on my two favourite areas of Graphic Design- illustration and print. Again, another great part of the world to work in- after graduation, I could really imagine myself living in somewhere like York (close enough to a large city, yet quite, peaceful and cultural- like my town, Shrewsbury, back home!)- would be great to have a taste

of working life there.

27//THE CONSULT, LEEDS, UK

http://theconsult.com/

I remember seeing The Consult's branding for the Tockwith Beer Festival a couple of months ago- and really fell in love with their branding style. A well-established, yet contemporary practice- working with them would be really insightful, and would allow me a great opportunity to work more in branding- and learn about this lucrative side of Graphic Design.

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.