Personal Development III//Portfolio To - Do.

After two portfolio reviews from the past couple of weeks (and an edit in - between), the first with Ben Haworth of The Beautiful Meme, and the second with Tayburn in Edinburgh, I feel as though I have been given some really constructive and useful advice and feedback as I move forward with my project and design development, and, hopefully, to create the best possible portfolio outcome as I graduate and seek employment over the next few months.

Written below are important notes and a portfolio 'to do' list before graduation.

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NOTES

* Contextualise all work - especially logos.
* Design a Day is an unnecessary project to include.
* Show photography is context. Clearly skilled (composition / appreciation for colour) - demonstrate all most effectively.
* Around 10 briefs would be best.
* Work on the photographing / photoshopping of my work for presentation.
* Think about the "bigger picture" of my concepts. Brand logos aren't the "be all and end all".
* Take out 'Write About Love' brief (logo issue... argh).
* Showcase Jessie's photography in her brief outcomes more effectively.

* Take out Wes Anderson brief - not necessarily ambitious enough / too personal.
* Bring separate folder for tactile print materials, no to- ing and fro- ing with pages.
* Take out all portfolio pages not needed.
* Showcase my developing interest in type and editorial design throughout a project in my portfolio.
* Start portfolio with a WOW... with a really bold and high - impact project.
* Don't excuse myself or projects (revealing when the projects were carried out, etc.)
* Tell a story when presenting my brief - the journey of the design and how the deliverables came to be.

Personal Development III//Trip to Tayburn, Edinburgh.

www.tayburn.co.uk

Earlier today, I was in the very privaleged position of being able to attend a personal portfolio review with Tayburn in Edinburgh, after planning the trip to see one of my favourite design studios quite some time ago (and, of course, the beautiful city of Edinburgh).

In the review I was lucky enough to discuss my portfolio with both Catriona, a Senior Designer at Tayburn, and with Malcolm Stewart, the Creative Director. Spending an hour showcasing both my portfolio, and being shown the studio, I gained some really insightful and constructive feedback (to be posted, in detail, at a later point) which I am sure will really help me develop the strongest portfolio possible, and put me in really good stead for securing a good job upon graduation.

A great visit, and one I would certainly like to do again (particularly after being asked to keep in touch), a very exciting time.

Personal Development III//Talent Spot Leeds & Warehouse Design Submission

www.warehouse.co.uk/leeds-talentspot/content/fcp-content

This afternoon I took time out to submit work through to the Warehouse Talent Spot Leeds competition, whereupon selected designers, filmmakers and writers will have the opportunity to showcase their work at the new Leeds Trinity store over the opening month- providing a great chance to introduce my work to a larger audience, as well as, potentially to industry professionals.

Submitting work that I feel reflects my own personal style and design direction (as well as being eye-catching for a busy, retail environment), I am not entirely sure this will be what the company is looking for (they may well go for a more fashion- orientated route), however, I really felt it was too good an opportunity to miss, and look forward to potentially hearing back from the event organisers in the near future.

Personal Development III//Contacting The Chase.

www.thechase.co.uk

This evening I contacted design agency, The Chase, in both their London and Manchester offices with the potential of going to meet with the designers for a possible studio visit and/or placement.

Although being well aware of their portfolio for quite some time (particularly being a fan of the D&AD project, as shown below), I wasn't actually aware of the studio that created the work, so it was a delight to find them quite by chance.

This time of the year is particularly important as I go on to graduate and seek employment to make those all - important contacts, and, hopefully, can start to go on to actively apply for graphic design job vacancies and become an active designer within the industry.

Personal Development III//Job Hunting.

Just applied to my first Graphic Design job today (scary stuff!), after being tipped off with a potential job vacancy working within marketing and print.

At this stage, I think it's really important for me to start actively looking for employment. Come July, I will have nowhere to live, and no student loan to depend on, so, ideally, I want to have secured a job before finishing Uni. This way, I hope that I can also learn a lot from the inevitable rejection feedback, and hopefully be at my full potential come summer- ready and eager to become an active member of the Graphic Design industry.

Personal Development III//Re - Designed Portfolio.

This afternoon I spent some time making some quick changes to my portfolio, in reflection from my time spent with Ben Haworth, of The Beautiful Meme, in my portfolio surgery last week, in order to reprint tomorrow before my trip to Tayburn in Edinburgh at the end of the week.

Only a few small changes made- cutting down on body copy a little (but still being clear and concise, should I need to send my portfolio for studio visits, etc.) and promoting and contextualising my briefs a little more- particularly highlighting my branding and logo design with confidence, as this is the discipline and field I want to specialise in.

Personal Development III//BAGD Yearbook.

This evening I spent some time completing the information and feedback for my own personal page content for the BAGD 2013 Yearbook, to be designed by Matt Tucker, Dom Rugman, Oli Cassell and James Flanagan. 

I'm really looking forward to seeing the finalised design, and hopefully having something to go away with, not only to act as a means of communication and an addition for a networking portfolio, but also to have a memorable source of design and biographies of the course, and the people (and designers) I shared my time at Uni with.