PPD TASK 1 301

List 5 (or more) things you know now that you didn't before the break.

Well respected studios are more willing to have students in the studio than I once thought. On some occasions, they will invite you into their home studios (Qubik)

I only have around 8 months left.

List 5 (or more) things that you would address differently than you did this summer.

1.) I would dedicate more time into networking. As I've progressed throughout the year, I've realised how important, having a solid network 

2.) Create more action plans AND STAY TRUE TO THEM. In the last module of the second year I realised just how important action plans are in order to stay on top of your work. With PPD, Dissertation and a huge module going on all at once, action plans will help me keep organised amongst the chaos.

3.) Although I did it quite a bit over summer, I intend to keep actively looking for design studios to visit / work in. But in future, I will bring along psychical examples of my work along instead of just a website.

List 5 (or more) things that you will address this semester, that should be useful.

Have more online presence and be confident enough to put my work out there.

Be in the studio more often during the week in order to get feedback from tutors or peers.

Create more action plans.

Use more traditional methods such as letterpress and screenprint.

List 5 (or more) things that you feel we could address as a group.

This happened abit at the end of the second year but I feel more self initiated crits should happen more often.

Share tips in regards to finding studios

Exchange stories about out experience in placements. Eg. What was it like working in a different city.

List 5 (or more) things you feel we haven't looked at in PPD that you personally would like to know more about with reference to professionalism.

End of module evaluation


This module has taught me that in order to get work you need to get yourself noticed!
i've also learnt how to promote myself effectively, what kind of language I should be using with professionals and how to target studios/designers/like minded people to get myself experience.

With all the considerations such as tone of voice and how you are perceived, I'm happy with my self branding and I now know you can be professional but still have a light personality.

Yesterday I went on my first studio visit which again opened my eyes to a whole world outside college.
I learnt how competitive the industry and that I will be up against hundreds for one job.
As mentioned earlier, I went on a studio visit and i couldn't imaging me doing it before this module. I've learnt to talk in a professional manor and I no longer feel like a student. This module helped me to get out there and brave the real world. Previously, while I was contacting designers I would often steer away from big studios as I thought they would see me as another student where as now I can email them with confidence.

I'm looking forward to bringing these great elements into third year for a professional and effective year.

Studio visit.
Thompson Brand Partners.

Today I visited Ian (creative director) at Thompson Brand Partners in Roundhay,Leeds.
It was 6pm so everyone else had gone home. I firstly introduced myself, where I'm studying and my personal interests. Ian then showed me some of their new work which I was very impressed by.

The whole chat was very relaxed and I really loved the atmosphere of the converted stable studio.
Ian said I was very welcome to pop back into the studio to show him my work which is great news!

Creative CV

Why Am I Here? What Do I Want To Learn?
Identify and explain 5 reasons why you chose to study on this programme:

1. The moment I stepped foot in the uni building I could sense something different and unique.
It never felt like a generic uni building where you're just another number/name on a card. Because It's a specialist art college every where you go in the college is creative so you're constantly surrounded by a creative atmosphere which only inspires you even further to work hard. My ND tutor recommended this course to me and had mentioned that it was building a strong reputation for itself. I knew I would get the best out of my degree from LCA.

2. The tutor time. Because of the small numbers and the collge-like nature of the course, it was easy for the tutors to get to know us by name and vice versa. Again, you didn't feel like a another number. They would always be on hand to give feedback on work and they would always listen if you had a problem.

3. The timetabled hours.
Admittidly I had dreamt of going to a uni where you would only be in for 2 hours a week and the rest of the time going out and socialising and sometimes I still envy those who are still in bed on a Monday morning. But why would I pay over £3000 a year doing that? I wanted to get the most out of the course and I felt like this was where I would get my moneys worth.

4. Access to facilities.
The access to facilities in the course is incredible. Top of the range computers with all the latest software, a room for screen printing, laser cutters, the library. The college doesn't discriminate so if you're a design student wanting to photograph something, the dark room and the equipment if fully accessible to you. Easily comparible to anything you would find in industry. The college is your oyster!

Web presence TUMBLR

I fainlly have a tumblr where I can display my work. I've had a personal tumblr for quite some time now 
but I've finally created a separate blog, dedicated to my work during the course and influences

Business card.


TASK 5 MAKING YOUR MARK


Wikipedia defines a business card as -

Business cards are cards bearing business information about a company or individual. They are shared during formal introductions as a convenience and a memory aid. A business card typically includes the giver's name, company affiliation (usually with a logo) and contact information such as street addresses, telephone number(s), fax number, e-mail addresses and website. It can also include telex, bank account and tax code. Traditionally many cards were simple black text on white stock; today a professional business card will sometimes include one or more aspects of striking visual design.


A business card is always important. It is one way of introducing yourself to potential clients since it shows your information either about the company or as an individual. It's the first thing your potential employer/client will see and they will judge you on it. Give them a rubbish business card - They're going to think your services won't be up to scratch.

A business card carries very well of who you are, what you do, and who you represent.

MY BUSINESS CARD

I consider myself to be a print based designer so I've opted to go for a paper/notepad look for my card. The fold also reflects my creativity. A hyperthetical scenriero would be that you're visiting a studio and the person you wish to see (most likely the creative director) isn't in. With my card, I can write a message on the Notes side of the card and hand it over to the receptionist. This way the creative director knows who I am and what I want.

STATIONARY - 

LETTERHEAD

Little Black Book.

Scottish based design stuio BERG, were asked by LBB to refresh the brand identity for their established online business. They were initially engaged to develop their exisiting identity but BERG managed to convince LBB  that a completely new brand identity was more appropriate.

They began the project by deciding which assets of the existing brand should be retained. Which held the most brand equity and which should be discarded. BERG felt it was important that the identity convey the idea of a physical black book. This created an emotive curatorial platform thereby giving the content extra value. Furthermore this physical rendition helped inform the new brand assets such as colour, shape and typography. The dominant use of black lends a premium / exclusive quality to the brand. Whilst a minimal but bold typographic style communicates confidence and authority.

Branding/identity

According to Wikipedia, Branding/identity are defined as such -
In Corporate Communications, a corporate identity is the "persona" of a corporation which is designed to accord with and facilitate the attainment of business objectives. It is usually visibly manifested by way of branding and the use of trademarks.

It is the "make up" of a company and can have serious affects on how successful the company/studio/individual is.

In the next couple of posts, I will be looking at different company's brands and explore the method and process behind that brand.

PPD

WHY?
Samples of work - why do we need to send them?

Demonstrate skills
Show what you have to offer
Showcase your work.
Showcase your personality
Prove your cv content
Demonstrate professional knowledge/understanding
Show project management skills
Demonstrate problem analysis/ problem solving
Snow your ability to collaborate
Communicate what makes you UNIQUE.


What?
What work do we send?

Collab work
Live briefs
Comp briefs
Concept development.
 - presentation boards
 - sketchbooks
 - blogs?
 - proposal storyboards.
Technical processes
Hugh quality resolutions
Self initiated.

Industrial Experience v Professional Research

Today we discussed Industrial experience and professional research
and how to distinguish between the two.


Industrial Experience(Negotiated)Professional research('you'drive)

Studio Visits                             Studio Visits
Portfolio surgery                      Visiting prof talks and lecture
Live Briefs                               Enterprise Brief
Enterprise brief (live events)     Interview agencies/others
Collaborative practice              Joining Media groups
Professional Interview              Tweet/Linkedin/Creative networks
Freelance work                        Joining mailing lists
Self promotion                         Subscribing to blogs
                                              Network events/ Exhibitions

TASK 2

 Use your PPD blog to record your responses to the following questions ahead of the group tutorials after reading week.

1. What is Industrial experience?
2. What can you learn from industrial experience?
3. What form/format could industrial experience take?
4. What areas of industry are you interested in?
5. What are your concerns about industrial experience?



 1. What is Industrial experience?
- Working within industry (Working with design studios)
- Working with real deadlines and real clients.
- Contacting studio's and building a relationship.

 2. What can you learn from industrial experience?
 - Working / collaborating with other designers.
 - Professional working practice.
 - Practical skills.
- Improve your time management skills seeing as you are working towards real
deadlines where money may be involved.

 3. What form/format could industrial experience take? 
- Studio Visits
- Internships
- Working freelance


4. What areas of industry are you interested in?
- Packagaing
- Print based design
- Layout/editorial

 5. What are your concerns about industrial experience?
- How formal should I be when sending emails out to studios/designers?
- What's best? Going straight into secure a job or trying placements first?
- I'm concerned that I won't be able to match the standard of work they require.