OUGD502 - PPP2: Studio Brief 1: A Design Strategy (Contact Task and Good/Bad List)

Write a list of as many different methods you can employ to contact creatives, studios or agencies.

• Send a voice recording along side a CV to add a more personal touch
• Write a letter using quality paper
• Package a letter in a unique way so they can unfold the package to reveal more information about me
• Create a twitter account which showcases my work alone and give the studio a link to my account
• Send the recipient a video of me speaking so that they can hear my voice - a more personal and interactive way of speaking, better than a telephone call
• A QR code which could link the recipient to Skype so that you could speak to each other in person
• Send them a package in the shape of a light bulb and say 'inside contains a bright new spark' the package could then be reused as a lamp shade (eco friendly)

What 'floats your boat'?

I have decided to answer this question as well to give myself a chance to reflect on all of the other things I need to make sure that I am making time for.

• Travelling
• Meeting new people
• Philosophy
• Interactive design (start looking further than packaging design for more inspiration)
• Fashion

Get someone to write a list of your good and bad qualities.

Feedback from Ellen:

Bad

• Attracted to using cream and black and neutral tones a lot (this colour palette could be extended)
• I gravitate towards high end brands who are ethically driven (one day I may have to work for a brand without a strong ethical production line)
• Could do with carrying out more primary research in terms of talking to people

Good

• Think very deeply in to a brief and therefore very specifically focused on a target audience
• Consistent level of work no matter what the brief entails
• Choose to work not just 2D but 3D as well (balance of the two)
• Starting to use a mixture of processes giving versatility
• Sustainable and reuse within design

I found this exercise was really helpful to me because it made a few things apparent to me where my design development is concerned. I am going to make sure that during my print and web briefs as well as my responsive briefs that I try and experiment further with using colour and continue to carry out more varied primary research. 

OUGD502 - PPP2: Networking and Contacting Professionals

This morning we had a introductory chat with John about networking mainly. I wrote down a couple of key notes which I feel will be important to me now and in the future.

• Sort LinkedIn account this weekend
• Get to know people now
• Main thing that companies look for now is people who love what they are doing
• What makes you you? Include this on your CV and explain who you are to make you stand out from the rest
• Hand written letters are probably the most appropriate form of communication as they attract people's attention

We then had a talk about contacting professionals. I also wrote down a few of the main key points that I picked up on during this session.

• Build a dialogue with these people, it isn't about having a degree it is about who you are and what you have to offer
• Treat contacting professionals like having a brief to complete
• Always have the correct questions to ask people (have them ready in your mind)
• Email, Twitter, post, other?
• Consider why you are asking the questions? A visit would be good? Think about Skype and FaceTime (during one of the chats I had with John he mentioned that he was hoping to get us involved in more opportunities where we could speak to professionals via skype in one of the studios, I think this would be extremely beneficial to us!)
• Think off the wall to stand out
• Don't just be a person with a degree and no experience
• Do not ask for a placement
• The advice you get from people you will know forever and you can then keep in touch with these people
• What will they want to know about you? What kind of creative are you? What kind of work do you see as synergetic to you?
• Invite people to college
• What can you show them? Take work with you
• Don't worry about having a portfolio at this stage
• What should you aim to take away from a meeting? Experience and practice run, an insight in to how a professional studio operates

VISIT LOGO DESIGN LOVE WEBSITE

CV

• What is a creative CV?
• It's all about you and what is great about you up to now. A shop window in essence
• Package my CV
• It is not just a CV but is a reference they may keep on file if it is good enough

Below are some of the examples which John showed us during his presentation. The ones that caught my attention the most are the first two, as I feel they relate closely to me and my practice. I would love to create a CV which could be sent out to studios specifically in the format of packaging. I think this would certainly capture someone's attention more than a 2D CV printed out. I could create it so that it would be easy for me to reproduce at a low cost, and as sustainable as possible. This is something I am going to start thinking about as an extra project on the side. I am going to start a new post on PPP to illustrate any relevant and inspiring research I find which will help me to create my own unique CV.

In the afternoon we had another session with John where he showed us a variety of different videos. We spent most of the time watching a Snask video, this was bizarre and certainly unique. They are a very successful studio though and are very clever to have done as well as they have done. Some of the key things I noted down when watching the video are as follows:

• Say yes to everything
• If you believe in yourself you can do anything

The Lille 2012 video also inspired me to create whatever I like and think big. It also made me think about my current design for print brief, and has made me consider how I could think even bigger and propose a seeded box as opposed to a box which would just have seeds attached to it. This is something I don't think I could physically make so I am going to propose how it could be produced commercially for the use of a large population.

John also mentioned how a lot of the third years now are currently revisited old briefs they completed in first and second year and redesigning them to see what they can come up with and how they can improve upon their original idea. I thought that I would love to do this with my Pooch Pouch Brief which I completed last year. This is something I could consider doing this year or next.

Below are some of the videos John told us to have a look at, some of which we watched during the presentation. I thought it would be worthwhile posting them on my blog so that I can always have them here to refer back to in the future.

   

   

   

Networking as a tool for Creatives

Establishing a personal practice as a Graphic Designer, starts early. Mid way through ones degree or College course we identify (hopefully) the most attractive direction that our practice

can offer us as an individual.

However throughout ones development, we meet many people from not only our own sphere

of work, but from many others. Photographers, film producers or creatives from many other

disciplines. This adds to the experiences that can interplay within your own professional framework. As a student, we do this automatically within the College, course and year groups as a day to day thing. Therefore we slip into the networking mode virtually automatically through ‘crits’ and by collaborative tasks.

Near to, or after graduating, we come away from College with a degree (hopefully) which illustrates/indicates to our profession and others that we have achieved a certain level of skill, and an academic understanding of our industry and other areas that we may have contact with, now or in the future.

It would be amazing if that was the ‘magic ticket’ to a long and lucrative career within the business...sadly not true. This is merely a springboard that has lifted your foot onto the initial rung of our live’s/career’s ladder.

We can survive in a bubble now we have the technology, sitting alone in a room somewhere

completing and distributing work to whomever and wherever. Becoming a ‘creative hermit’ has a few downsides however. No one being aware of your existence, your ability, your brilliance. Remember there are over 7 billion of us clinging to our planet.

Networking in all of it’s forms will introduce and engage you within the wider areas of our

profession, gain you friends (some that can last a lifetime) colleagues and even clients from near and far (sounds a bit like either a fairy story or a recruitment ad?).

How can we effectively network with others?

We can establish a network in quite a few ways, and I will identify a few, but you will

more than likely add a few more yourself.

1.JOIN PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS allied to your discipline. ie the

Graphic Artists Guild, AIGA and many others.

http://graphic-design-info.com/dir_organizations.php

2.Specific NETWORKING SITES where one can upload a portfolio and

obtain feedback from fellow professionals such ad Behance, Cargo,

Coroflot and many others.

3.Join CREATIVE CIRCLES and become active amongst your peers.

4.ATTEND CONFERENCES and symposiums to meet others that may be

attending or presenting there, this is a ricky one if one is of a reserved

disposition (shy).

But, remember the phrase I always use as a displaced ‘Geordie’

‘Shy bairns get nowt!’

5. TRAVEL, work abroad or work with other designers/studios outside the UK. This is something I made a specific point of within my own career. It ‘globalizes’ your network and is so much easier today with the internet.

6. BLOG AND FOLLOW BLOGS. You can amaze yourself when someone from thousands of miles away comments on your work, thoughts and ideas. Check who is following you and why.

7.VISIT other creatives and socialize. ‘Most’ are more than pleased to meet

other creatives. Establish a dialogue and it can go on for many years

if you maintain the contact (not as a stalker though!).

THERE IS NO ONE ON THE PLANET YOU CAN NOT CONTACT!

When I say that of course I mean there is no one in the world you can not attempt to contact.

However, have a reason to contact them.Even if it is simply to say WOW. Years ago, I had always enjoyed the work of Milton Glaser in New York (I LOVE NY) and took a punt and

contacted him simply to say how over the years I really enjoyed his work. I still email and get

replies today...he and I are getting long in the tooth, but both enjoy creative work.

Do not wait...start today...but have a reason and identify why you want to talk.

Networking has been around since the beginning of the artist/creative days. The PreRaphaelites, the Impressionists all networked and discussed their work...I am not suggesting you drink, fight and cut your own ears off, but networking is a helpful and rewarding

pursuit.

Some of my own tips for networking to expand your own network.

1.When you do contact/ meet other creatives you have identified as having some
synergy with you and your practice, ask who else they would suggest you talk
to/follow.

Keep in touch on a regular basis (even if it is a postcard from your vacation), pass on other creative practices projects you have seen, they may appreciate it as much as you do.

This is a simple diagram of how it should work.

Why would anyone want to let me into their network

or interested at all?

Initially as a new Graduate or a final year student, you are ‘new blood’ and fresh. You have had a number of years where you have been encouraged to look at the profession in a new

light and can bring fresh thinking and ‘untainted’ views.

When wanting to make contacts and seeking advice, you should understand that professionals

will want to give advice...it’s really nice to be asked and to be seen as an ‘expert’

This may sound like ‘schmoozing’ (look it up) or ego tripping, but what the heck, if it works,

use it.

Remember, recently it has been reported that networking has achieved between 60-80%

of potential job offers?

Networking can induct you into important information ‘loops’ and make you aware of opportunities and projects that a ‘creative hermit’ may miss out on.

For those who have seen the movie ‘Meet the Fokkers’ you are inside the circle of friends.

The ‘FOKKER’ effect

This you may think is common sense. It actually is. BUT it is surprising how effective it can be

to network. The biggest reason people do not network is poor time management (but that is another story). Not being bothered to take or make time is something we really should address, it is so easy to say ‘I’m too busy’...or ‘I haven’t has a spare minute’

Think about that next time you miss out on something you really wanted to be part of...a few

minutes every week can be advantageous. Like Facebook and Tweeting.

There are over 7 Billion people on our planet...why not speak to a few?

 

OUGD504 - Design Production: Design For Print and Web Crit

This morning we had a crit with either Phil or Lorraine in small groups. I was in a group with Phil as well as Adam, Lizzy, Abi, Amy and Anna. We were at the start of the day and had one hour to get through everyone and give everyone some constructive feedback. I went first and discussed both my ideas for web as well as print.

I started off explaining my concept for web and how I am going to base it around the concept of sugar cane. Using my three scamps I explained which had stood out to be the most successful in Simon's web design session. I would have liked some feedback on the content of my website at this point but nobody really responded to what I had to say. Phil said I should decide on my content myself and narrow it down so that I didn't have too much to work with, I felt as though this was a fair point and I am going to strongly consider my content now that I have had this crit. 

The feedback I was given for my web ideas are as follows:

•  Phil liked the idea of creating a sustainable future and involved the audience by asking them to create something out of recycled material and sharing it with the world essentially.
• Phil also mentioned that when he was listening to my idea he instantly thought that it could be an educational resource and said that I should consider whether it could maybe be for schools, businesses or commercial use.
• The idea of looking at current brands who have used sugar cane within their packaging also seemed to appear to be a strong idea, this is something I need to consider.
• Overall I was therefore told to really look at my audience and focus it down, when doing this it will help me to decide on my content as well.

I have therefore decided to carry out some primary research and get some feedback from people in my year group to see which they think would be the most beneficial website to produce. I think this will help me immensely and it is important that I gather this primary research to know that I am creating something worthwhile that would be used.

I then spoke about my print brief. I had spent quite a lot of time explaining it yesterday to the group I was in and so I didn't want to take up too much time today concentrating on it. I therefore tried to summarise all of my ideas, however this was hard as I have currently got so many. My main concern at the moment is my target audience, as I really need to nail this down before continuing any further with design ideas as such. 

The feedback I was given for my print ideas are as follows:

• As soon as I had explained how I would be creating this pack based on the idea of 'turning over a new leaf' or even 'take a leaf out of my book', as well as mentioning about how I would have seeds at the end of the book and things to push out and create bookmarks, Phil came back to me and responded by saying that he instantly thought it would be perfect for the use of families. This is something I hadn't previously considered because obviously my underlying concept it all about being eco friendly with design. Beth then asked Phil about the content of my print information pack and suggested that children wouldn't be able to necessarily fulfill the process. Phil then said it would therefore be more of a challenge for me, something I would greatly benefit from, because I would have to consider how to approach it in terms of tone of voice. I could write it so that the adults could understand it and teach their children, and at the same time would be encouraged to consider what materials to use when playing with their children or even teaching them. I also think this gives me more scope to include a wider variety of things in my pack. I had already considered including the wooden stamps that I use to create the pack, so that the children could then use the ink they make with their seeds, and then use the wood blocks to print. This could easily be extended by creating more 'props' for them to use for a variety of processes.
• Due to not having to include everything within my pack (as long as it is shown on my blog that I have researched it) it allows me to be more selective about the information. Phil suggested that I could perhaps provide the parents/adults with a separate glossary with all of the other processes if I felt it was necessary.
• Last night I carried out some further research after my crit, and I found some resusable white boards as well as clear sticky boards. This would most certainly appeal more to children. I do however think that I need to aim it at children who have already been in education for a good amount of time, because they will need to be able to read and respect the pack in terms of keeping it in good quality.

I felt as though this crit was beneficial in terms of the feedback that I received, however I also felt as though I was slightly rushed and was unable to get across all of the points that I was hoping to make. This is because I was aware that we only had one hour to get through everyone. I do think however, that next week's crit with Lorraine and Phil will help me a lot more and put me in the right direction, and at the moment I can concentrate on responding to the feedback I have been given over the past two days.

OUGD502 - PPP2: Studio Brief 1: A Design Strategy (Placement/Visit Enquiry)

The other day when I had a discussion with John I asked him about any studios in the North West I asked him whether he knew of any good design studios that I could contact who design a lot of strong packaging design. Today John gave me this list, so I am going to have a look on each of their websites and contact the studios I am interested in, hopefully I will be able to get a placement or visit out of this. 

         

OUGD504 - Design Production: Design For Print and Web Crit

This morning we had a briefing with Phil when he told us all about what we will be doing this morning. We then went in to the studio to discuss our work. 

We got in to our own groups, ours had seven people in it. I felt as though this was a good amount to start with, however at the end we ran out of time which could perhaps imply that we were either spending too much time on one person's ideas, or that we could have done with having smaller groups to work in. This is something I can suggest next time.

Whilst we were talking through our ideas, Lorraine came over and started talking to us about audience. She had heard us talking about audience and how a lot of us were designing for 'graphic designers' or 'first year graphic designers' and she suggested that this was perhaps a bit too broad and that we needed to consider WHO exactly we were talking to and aiming it at. She then asked us who:

• Boys and girls
• Background can differ
• Have an education whether they come from A level, foundation or work etc
• Lorraine suggested that we should take away the label and ask WHO?
• May have to look at statistics
• Who else could it benefit?
• Why would they be interested?

When Jamie was discussing his idea he mentioned the book he had used 'Print and Finish' by Ambrose/Harris. This is something I am going to look at and perhaps buy to help me as it looked like a strongly designed book.

The feedback I received was:

• Make paper out of leaves - paper can be created by using leaves
• When embossing, reverse the letters so that it is the opposite that sticks out
• Create a tree which can be used to hang the leaves from - this would have two purposes and could be used afterwards for a plant to grow around and planed in a pot of soil
• Melissa mentioned that on the website, not on the high street there are plant seeds with words on so this is something I am going to look in to

Whilst we were discussing my idea I also thought about the possibility of me being able to package my books which could then be torn off and the inside of the packaging could then have a template of something which you could make - perhaps a bag which the pack could be stored inside.

I have decided that I am going to create some prototypes of some of my ideas for tomorrow's crit as I think this would be beneficial to me when explaining my concept.

I found this crit quite useful as I had some constructive feedback which I will be able to apply to my work. However, I think more feedback tomorrow will allow me to be sure about some of the things I am currently unsure about when relating to the actual design.

OUGD502 - PPP2: John's Freelance Talk

This afternoon John stayed to do another talk for the third years mainly, however the second years were invited to join too. The talk was on freelance work and general advice, so I thought it would be worthwhile for me to go, especially as I could have done with knowing more about it over Summer. I wrote down a few of the key points he made during this talk:

• Get your business ducks in a row - make sure that everything is stated before starting the work
• Discuss requirements and deadlines
• Quotations are legally binding whereas an estimate is not
• Type an estimate including the requirements as well as any additional costs, for example travel expense
• Send estimate under the terms
• Always let them know by email and let them know if there are any further changes
• Invoices need to include a break down of you work
• Send it to the accounts department and send an email
• Itemise all work
• Terms and conditions need to be on the invoice as well as on the estimate
• Payment by bank transfer only

I found this really useful and have decided to copy the slides on to this post so that I have a constant reference in the future which I refer back to whenever I need to.