Follow up email. Just incase!
Would love to here back from tigerprint. They emailed me back straight away so really hoping I hear from them again. It is worth trying!
Tuesday 14 June 2011
Christian Aid
Just had an email from a contact I have in the Christian aid office regarding possibly designing an 8 page Booklet for them. They are sending me details in the post but it sounds like it would be paid work - of course I am going to charge a small price as I am just a beginner but this is really positive stuff.
I sent over my portfolio earlier today.
Very good progress!
I sent over my portfolio earlier today.
Very good progress!
Friday 10 June 2011
Fingers Crossed.
But all in all it is progress!
Monday 6 June 2011
Where was I? Where am I now?
At the start of this year I was attempting to feel comfortable within a Graphic design environment. I had started to develop new skills, a new understand of the term process and the importance of a concept. I felt like I couldn't really be placed in terms of a specific area of design or type of studio I would consider working in. This was simply because I had not yet explored it in enough detail to be aware of what and where I wanted to be. Similarly the work I had produced was always driven by a brief given by tutors and so the outcomes were limited to how I felt I could answer the brief.
Since then I feel I have taken a huge step in realising the sort of aims I want as a graphic designer a more stream lined view of the work I want to produce and a better understanding of graphic design in general.
In being able to chose briefs to suit my skills and passions and even to be able to write my own has really showed me that where I am able to put part of myself in a brief, whether it is through passion for the cause or excitement for the crafting, the resolution and even the process is more thorough and original than if it was something separate to where my passions lay. I guess really this goes without saying. Passion and excitement for the subject is vital in creating something visually exciting. It maybe that this year, or even simply towards the end of this year, I have become very comfortable in how I design but really I need to still keep my mind open to opportunities which may arise and where I never felt I was able to complete a brief.
When I think now about publication layout I would probably shy away from the thought yet within charity based work this is an important part of the job and I will need to be in a place where I am comfortable completing all sorts of briefs in the most appropriate media.
I feel i have been tested also this year in software skill with learning after effects and dreamweaver in detail and finalizing projects using them. Both of which will come in handy throughout the next few years of my life. Initially in both cases I was uncomfortable and not at ease with the software, I struggled to understand why certain things did what they did but that is what technology is about. I have noticed the importance of trial and error within this and simply testing things out is the best way to learn what they do. In both projects I feel I eventually finished with more confidence and awareness of the possibilities the software opens up within my practice. As well as this this I still understand the great importance of pen to paper and thumb-nailing, story-boarding, sketching out ideas before taking them straight to screen. This was probably more vital within the after effects brief.
Surrounding and supporting my practice was critical studies which I feel played a large role in my progression this year. In considering the importance of Graphic design I was able to pin point just how important it is for me to produce work for a cause. Whether it be community, poverty, social relationships etc, I am exceedingly keen to make my work count when it comes down to it rather than simply creating something for designs sake. I don't think I would be well suited to work for a design magazine or any other design focussed position. This is not because I think it is a rubbish job, more because I am more engaged and passionate when it comes down to subjects that are outside of the design sector.
Since then I feel I have taken a huge step in realising the sort of aims I want as a graphic designer a more stream lined view of the work I want to produce and a better understanding of graphic design in general.
In being able to chose briefs to suit my skills and passions and even to be able to write my own has really showed me that where I am able to put part of myself in a brief, whether it is through passion for the cause or excitement for the crafting, the resolution and even the process is more thorough and original than if it was something separate to where my passions lay. I guess really this goes without saying. Passion and excitement for the subject is vital in creating something visually exciting. It maybe that this year, or even simply towards the end of this year, I have become very comfortable in how I design but really I need to still keep my mind open to opportunities which may arise and where I never felt I was able to complete a brief.
When I think now about publication layout I would probably shy away from the thought yet within charity based work this is an important part of the job and I will need to be in a place where I am comfortable completing all sorts of briefs in the most appropriate media.
I feel i have been tested also this year in software skill with learning after effects and dreamweaver in detail and finalizing projects using them. Both of which will come in handy throughout the next few years of my life. Initially in both cases I was uncomfortable and not at ease with the software, I struggled to understand why certain things did what they did but that is what technology is about. I have noticed the importance of trial and error within this and simply testing things out is the best way to learn what they do. In both projects I feel I eventually finished with more confidence and awareness of the possibilities the software opens up within my practice. As well as this this I still understand the great importance of pen to paper and thumb-nailing, story-boarding, sketching out ideas before taking them straight to screen. This was probably more vital within the after effects brief.
Surrounding and supporting my practice was critical studies which I feel played a large role in my progression this year. In considering the importance of Graphic design I was able to pin point just how important it is for me to produce work for a cause. Whether it be community, poverty, social relationships etc, I am exceedingly keen to make my work count when it comes down to it rather than simply creating something for designs sake. I don't think I would be well suited to work for a design magazine or any other design focussed position. This is not because I think it is a rubbish job, more because I am more engaged and passionate when it comes down to subjects that are outside of the design sector.
Contact with Tigerprint.
Christian Aid re-branding
I have luckily got a contact within christian aid - a well known active charity against poverty. Who I would really love to work for within the design team. Although this is very different to the greetings cards and print design etc it is still something I want to pursue in an attempt to discover where I would be best placed. I was informed that the youth sect of the charity is currently undergoing a re-brand and so I am planning on emailing and asking if I can simply sit in on a meeting to see what they get up to and how they go about completely re-branding part of a charity. Of course there is a chance that this won't be possible due to confidentiality but even if I can visit their offices in London to see part of the process would really be a great opportunity.
tigerprint
Based in Bradford but expanded to London.
This is another greetings cards and print based company who specifically design for M&S.
Their range is very broad and less personal as it is for a larger market. They don't do work for anyone but M&S so therefore are limited with their audience. They are currently only offering placements to competition winners etc so I am wanted to complete one over the next month so that I may be in for a opportunity of a placement. I did send them a small email still asking if I could possibly pop in to talk to someone on an afternoon or something but sadly haven't received a reply as of yet.
This is another greetings cards and print based company who specifically design for M&S.
Their range is very broad and less personal as it is for a larger market. They don't do work for anyone but M&S so therefore are limited with their audience. They are currently only offering placements to competition winners etc so I am wanted to complete one over the next month so that I may be in for a opportunity of a placement. I did send them a small email still asking if I could possibly pop in to talk to someone on an afternoon or something but sadly haven't received a reply as of yet.
Wedding stationary and greetings cards - new development.
After completing my final project in the second year I have noticed a new passion forming of wedding stationary, greetings cards and printed goods. Although before now I have designed cards for friends etc and always wanted to get more into this I have struggled to know whether I would be limiting my practice too much. I found a number of beautifully crafted design work for wedding stationary to be inspired by including designers who specifically focus on pattern as the main focus of the design. I have never really seen myself as a designing who likes nice pretty things and I don't think that has changed but I feel with this it is giving something a personal touch which doesn't always have to be super girly.
A couple of design studio's who specifically design this sort of product are:
Hum creative. Based in Seattle, Washington.
I was very impressed with HUM creatives collection of work and it really inspired me in thinking that there were companies out there for me... even though it is based in America. Is that too far? maybe.
I think I was so impressed because of the range of products they have covered whilst being consistent with their own personal touch without becoming like any other high spec design agency.
Their attention to detail is key throughout their portfolio of work and as displayed below they have covered both screen and print within their design.
I like that the studio seems small yet they have done work for starbucks and still want to do work for couples who are getting married. I am very excited by the thought of being able to work in a studio similar to this although I understand the importance therefore of my own art direction and the need to design with attention to detail and with a personal touch. Maybe one day!!!
The wedding artists collective. Based in New York.
Again another inspirational studio in relation to the sort of work I eventually want to be able to produce. Attention to detail and character are again kay features within this including the importance of choice of stock, thinking outside the box with ways of communicating and trying to be different from the normal standard invitation design. They use a mixture of illustration and type to create these beautiful original ranges.
A couple of design studio's who specifically design this sort of product are:
Hum creative. Based in Seattle, Washington.
I was very impressed with HUM creatives collection of work and it really inspired me in thinking that there were companies out there for me... even though it is based in America. Is that too far? maybe.
I think I was so impressed because of the range of products they have covered whilst being consistent with their own personal touch without becoming like any other high spec design agency.
Their attention to detail is key throughout their portfolio of work and as displayed below they have covered both screen and print within their design.
I like that the studio seems small yet they have done work for starbucks and still want to do work for couples who are getting married. I am very excited by the thought of being able to work in a studio similar to this although I understand the importance therefore of my own art direction and the need to design with attention to detail and with a personal touch. Maybe one day!!!
The wedding artists collective. Based in New York.
Again another inspirational studio in relation to the sort of work I eventually want to be able to produce. Attention to detail and character are again kay features within this including the importance of choice of stock, thinking outside the box with ways of communicating and trying to be different from the normal standard invitation design. They use a mixture of illustration and type to create these beautiful original ranges.
Saturday 4 June 2011
Business Card.
I feel I am in a place now where I need to be considering how I specifically want to present myself, especially with my PPD presentation coming up. This is an oppurtunity to show people who I am and want to be as a designer and so little things like branding myself may be a place to start.
I have been looking around the internet at different business card designs and ways people make themselves stand out. These are all foiled and embossed. As a designer who wants to be in a large way print based it would be vital that something about the print was clever, stood out - possibly to do with colour or similarly in these examples, the way they have been printed.
I love the designs below. Different to the normal look of a business card but not so different that you just throw it away. They look like something you would want to hold on to and keep in your purse even if it is just to show people what you picked up.
Wednesday 1 June 2011
Hello! Lucky.
I am not really sure what to do with this stationary company. As much as I like their design work I am a bit concerned about getting in touch when it comes down to the simple fact that my stationary company I branded is called helloLOVE which obviously is very similar to their name. I am sure they would understand that I am still learning etc and that it is not yet a live company so if need be I am able to change the name of it. It has though made me aware of the importance of finding a name which takes into consideration all competitors names and their target markets etc. I really want to make the website live over summer which is a big task in that I still have a lot of work to do for it. Even if I simply build the website so that it is ready to go live and then continue to build the ranges which are to be presented on it.
I completely understand the implications behind starting up a business- or should I say I don't quite understand the implications behind it and so therefore I don't feel I am yet ready to take on this challenge but I am going to keep in touch with my tutors in an attempt to work out the best way forward.
I have realised it is important when you have a concept or goal to carry on trying with it. All you can do is have a go and if it goes wrong in the process then there is no doubt you will of learnt something along the way.
I completely understand the implications behind starting up a business- or should I say I don't quite understand the implications behind it and so therefore I don't feel I am yet ready to take on this challenge but I am going to keep in touch with my tutors in an attempt to work out the best way forward.
I have realised it is important when you have a concept or goal to carry on trying with it. All you can do is have a go and if it goes wrong in the process then there is no doubt you will of learnt something along the way.
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