Personal Development III//Job Interview at Elle Decoration

www.elledecoration.co.uk

Very excited that after applying for a position as a Junior Designer at Elle Decoration Magazine (part of the Hearst Magazine company in the City of Westminster, London), I have been invited along for an interview on Thursday afternoon.

At this point, I'm just really excited to show my portfolio and hopefully meet some really inspiring and influential members of the industry on my trip, possibly to even gain an internship or industry experience, if not the job itself.

Can't wait! 

Personal Development III//Design Submission to To Dry For.

www.todryfor.com

Really excited today to have been forwarded an email through from staff at the University (always a great privilege to get all the work done for you...!) for a design competition from tea towel producers, 'To Dry For', which sell unique and beautifully illustrated tea towel designs for contemporary homes.

During the end of the first year, whilst working on developing a nutritional design project, I used To Dry For as a contextual source of inspiration as I went on to develop my own tea towel designs, and have been a great fan of them ever since, selling work of designers I also really admire and first got me into designing, such as Julia Pott, Gemma Correll and Rob Ryan.

I've submitted with a sweet but simple typographic design (seen above), playing on the food themes that are quite consistent in their retail portfolio, as well as mixing up the colours to represent neopolitan ice cream for a fun splash of colour, but, again, keeping it quite simple to be easily, and commercially screenprinted.

Really pleased to submit, even if they just become familiar with my work and practice, which could potentially lead on to a working relationship at a later point in my freelance career.

Personal Development III//Re-joining LinkedIn

www.linkedin.com

After my PPD and tutorial crit last week, and a good discussion with tutor John about preparing for my future and employment, and decided to re-join LinkedIn.

At this crucial stage of my education, and as I go on to look for jobs, and developing my career, I feel it's important to build a network and connections with as many active members of the design industry as possible, as, of course, more often than not, it's about WHO you know. Also, I feel that developing a communication and conversation with members of the industry will only help in building my confidence when talking with others, particularly about design, and, hopefully, will put me in the best frame of mind when (hopefully!) I start having interviews and call backs for job applications.

Personal Development III//Behance Student Competition

www.behance.net/Competitions

This evening I was sent a direct email from the team at Behance to suggest that I submit work for the Talent Search: Student Edition, which, of course, I was really enthusiastic to enter (any opportunity to promote both my work and myself personally is really great at this crucial point in my degree). After reading the terms and conditions, I decided to enter my design work for this year's YCN and UK Greetings awards, feeling that it, at this stage, potentially has the most design development and consideration for branding, colour palette and typographic layout, as well as commercial strength.

There's some great projects submitted so far, and I feel very pleased to be one of them. Looking forward to hearing the results soon!

Professional Development III//Agent 18 Licensing Deal.

www.agent18.com

Over the past couple of days I have been in touch with US comapny, Agent 18. After initially being contacted through my Flickr account, we have developed a working relationship, and, very excitingly for me, I have set up a licensing agreement for some of my existing print and pattern work (from my 'Design a Day' archive) to be used and commercially printed for the company as iPhone covers. 

I'm really excited to see my work available to purchase online, particularly in such a unique and, to me, completely new way, and, hopefully a few freebies while I'm at it too!

 

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.

-

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.