Blog Archive

Tuesday, 9 October 2012

Proposal



BA (Hons.) GRAPHIC DESIGN
LEVEL
06


 Module Code 
OUGD301                         
Outcomes

 Module Title
DESIGN PRACTICE 3
Doc. Code
OUGD301tut01








Name
Chloƫ Wilkinson
Date

Blog.




Dissertation
Title
How does Warhol’s post modern work cause the consumer to confront the modern capitalist society
Dissertation
Tutor
Simon Jones
Rationale (200 words)
Throughout my third year I want to focus on branding and identity with an ongoing investigation into a variety of briefs from corporate to independent identities. The re-written briefs and my statement of intent will highlight that I will have a range of research/concept/skills based briefs as I think this year it is important to try to improve in all areas of my design set. My main focus is to become confident in my skills. I am also interested in exploring info graphics and type design as I think this is something I would find a challenge but will aid in my projects.

Something else that is paramount in my development is further industry experience and networking as I want to work in a studio when I leave. While being at university I think there is an element of momentum that I could lose when I leave so its important to me to make the transition between here and work as soon as possible. I am mainly focused on moving to London so over the next few months internships/placements and studio visits are high on my rationale.
Statement of Intent (SOI) - (400 words)

Week 1 –  With regards to the initial stages I think that idea generation and research within my investigations will be key. However, keeping a strict time scale action plan is going to be key to stay on top of my organisation.

Week 2 –  I intend to begin to make the transition between concept development and research at this point. I think the two things will begin to compliment the others as the investigation begins to solidify into design ideas.

Week 3 –  While my ideas begin to take hold, the methods of research, idea generation and research will progress into a more design based process. I will be investigating the success and failures of things.

Week 4 – Continuous evaluation will begin to happen and become a cyclical cycle with other process factors.  It may also be important to start booking printing slots.

Week 5 – At this half way point I think it will be important to keep momentum and be realistic about what I am intending to achieve. I should have logos and identity confirmed and move onto clarification and resolution. Trying to now resolve products and the presentation of ideas.

Week 6 – Design development of final products is key at this stage, I need to also be aware of how I am going to be presenting things, whether this involves contacting printers or if not done before, check the availability of the print room. Its key to be aware of these external factors as they may push back my completion dates.

Week 7 – I will be now resolving all my briefs, its important at this stage to check that if I have completed any of my briefs that I have made my presentation boards so I don’t have them all to do at the end.

Week 8 – I need to have resolved my final outcomes and be printed mock up products for photography at this stage.

Week 9 – Presentation boards need to be done and work photographed to a high standard.

Week 10 – Evaulation is key in the part of the course and submission is completed.


1

Brief 1
New Academy of Business
A concept driven investigation of promotion with a focus on matching up the current philosophy of the business with their new promotional material.

I am going to communicate the new Academy of Business’ ‘alternative message’ through an unconventional but still corporate way of thinking. Through contextualized promotion such as wayfinding, interactive media and digitial suggestions I hope to address capitalistic factors as they believe ‘strive to provoke enquiry both internally in organisations and externally by businesses realising the potential impact on consumers’.
3.
Brief 2
The Man Repeller
A skills based investigation of promoting fashion blogging with a focus on extending a brand from strictly digital material to more extensive collateral.

I am going to expand on an already strong online presence of the fashion blogger Leandra Medine, otherwise known as ‘The Man Repeller’. I want to build a stronger brand identity and create further promotional material. There is an opportunity to design for several of her ventures and parts of her blog, for example her self sales. This could allow in store promotional material or even the packaging of her clothes that customers receive from an online purchase.
4.
Brief 3
Fish ‘n’ Chips
A concept driven investigation promoting tourism advertising with a focus on confronting and promoting stereotypes. I want to maximise on a strong concept with the use of bold colours and typography. This campaign will include moving images as I want to build on my aftereffects knowledge. I am going to spend an extensive amount of time on the research and concept development on this brief. I think it is important when choosing the right estination and to be specific on my intended target audience.
5.
Brief 4
Type Coach
A research bades investigation of postmodern based typographical educational tour with a focus on wayfinding, printed material such as catalogues and further promotional material.

I want to make a link between a previous ISTD brief and my dissertation. With a focus on post modernist typographers the research will link the two together.

With a focus on a strong identity, I want to explore wayfinging at the exhibition space. Promotional material will be key and I will initially focus on a campaign range of posters, flyers, website and press adverts. What will make this interesting will be the interactive nature between onlooker and the designs.
ADDITIONAL BRIEFS
Live brief possibilities, collaborative opportunities, competition briefs

TUTOR’S Signature


STUDENT’S Signature

























Wednesday, 3 October 2012

Level 6 Want/Need


Level 6: WANT//NEED

Questions I want to ask:

  1. Where do I want to be based?
  2. What is the realistic next step after university?
  3. Is it possible to walk into a 1 year job?
  4. (With regards to work) Is my concept strong enough?
  5. Have I pushed the project far enough?
  6. Have I checked my spelling?
  7.  Briefs diverse enough 
  8.  Portfolio that displays depth and concepts, how do I achieve this?
  9.  Am I experienced enough to work in a branding studio?
  10.  Are my skills set diverse enough?
  11.  Is my work good enough for industry?
  12.  What is key to making a great portfolio?
  13.  How tight will I be financially?
  14.  Realistically, what am I looking at for a starting salary?
  15.  Is my work stuff thats been done before?
  16.  What help will I get with my dissertation?
  17.  Is my dissertation related enough?
  18.  Would it be a good idea to travel and see the worlds design studios before London?
  19.  I was told I take all aspects of design seriously, is this a downfall?
  20.  Do I know enough about what I want, with regards to design?

Questions I need to ask:

  1. Can I do another placement?
  2. Should I do another placement?
  3. Where should I do another placement?
  4. Would it be a good idea to go back to where I was before?
  5.  Where should I do more studio visits?
  6. Should they be a variety of places or in one sector?
  7. What help will I get with dissertation in regards of dyslexia?
  8. What work do I need to do so I can work where I want?
  9. What design do I like and what do I want to aim for?
  10. Is it better to have a diverse range in a portfolio or a portfolio relating to one area of design?
  11.  Briefs diverse enough?
  12.  Is my work suited to branding design?
  13.  Is there too much on my CV?
  14.  Overseas industry experience, worth it?
  15. How do I create an impressive design portfolio?
  16.  Is my dissertation focused enough?
  17.  Should I try to go to design studios that I think I'll know or take some risks?
  18.  Am I going to be financially stable?
  19.  How do I learn more about web design?
  20.  How much help could I get with regards to my own website design?
Research I want to do:

  1. Fashion blogging 
  2. Editorial 
  3. Web design
  4.  Contemporary corporate branding 
  5.  Post modern art
  6.  Post modernism 
  7.  Post modern graphic designers
  8.  Post modern typographers
  9.  Develop photography skills
  10.  Fashion blogging internships
  11.  Branding internships
  12.  Possible careers in marketing and graphic design 
  13.  Branding and companies that design and strategise
  14.  Develop further software skills
  15.  Historical research for dissertation
  16.  Digital and print outcomes 
  17.  Research with regards to career after university
  18.  Different design studios, what actually goes on 
  19.  What design studios are looking for 
  20.  How I can get there this year 

Research I need to do: 

  1. Professional printing
  2. Studios, re: visits
  3.  Different types of promotional material
  4.  Web design and development e.g. web trees and presentation skills
  5.  Further collaborations
  6. What studios want in a designer
  7.  Arrange meetings with design studios over Christmas (London based)
  8.  Careers with design and marketing strategies
  9.  Dissertation research 
  10.  Postmodernism:
  11. Typographers
  12.  Graphic Designers
  13.  Artists
  14.  Interviews and further relevant research with regards to primary sources (dissi)
  15.  How to become as employable as I can
  16.  Help with web design
  17.  Internships
  18.  Email fashion bloggers for re-designs
  19.  Analyse what I want to do
  20.  What design I like and am heading for 
What I want in my portfolio: 
  1. Variety of contextualised work
  2. Lots of choice
  3. Strong typographic design
  4. Informed
  5. Examples of work that show my personality and ambition 
  6. Exploration of conceptual brand identity
  7. Live briefs
  8. Experimentation branding design
  9. Packaging design
  10. Research driven brief
  11. Info graphics
  12. Environmental branding campaign 
  13. Problem solving 
  14. Competition brief
  15. Self-initiated brief
  16. Skills driven brief
  17. Evidence of industry experience
  18. Some motion graphics
  19. Web design 
  20. Awareness 
What I need in my portfolio:


  1. Branding
  2. Identity, logo development to extensive product range
  3. Concept driven briefs
  4. Corporate/independent
  5. Problem solving
  6. Collaborative brief
  7. Live briefs
  8. Experimentation branding design
  9. Packaging design
  10. Research driven brief
  11. Info graphics
  12. Environmental branding campaign 
  13. Problem solving 
  14. Competition brief
  15. Self-initiated brief
  16. Skills driven brief
  17. Evidence of industry experience
  18. Some motion graphics
  19. Web design 
  20. Awareness

What skills I need:
  1. Presentation skills
  2. Efficient designing 
  3. Methodical/ organised working 
  4. Web design in photoshop
  5. Self promotional material 
  6. Networking
  7. Placements/Studio visits
  8. Job prospects
  9. Excel skills
  10. Hard nosed type skills
  11.  Range of skills 
  12.  Evidenced awareness of ethical stand points 
  13.  Web based promotion
  14.  Personal branding
  15.  Screen printing
  16.  Photography
  17.  Motivation 
  18.  Confidence
  19.  Concept development 
  20.  Marketing and business knowledge 

What skills  I want:

  1. Web design 
  2. Grid/layout knowledge 
  3. Presentation skills - confidence 
  4. Concept based ideas
  5. Stronger type skills
  6. Articulate language with regards to everything; presenting blogging etc.
  7. Printing knowledge
  8. Freelancing
  9. Collaborations
  10. Storyboarding 
  11. Design skills, further knowledge CS6 etc
  12. Drawing, not all computer based 
  13. Storyboarding
  14. Phone conversations
  15. On going relationship with Sherry 
  16. Confidence
  17.  Concept development 
  18.  Marketing and business knowledge 
  19. Further networking 
  20.  Evidence awareness of ethical stand points
What I need to produce:

  1. Editorial printed outcomes
  2. Corporate logos and identity branding 
  3. Good typesetting within a large amount of type/books
  4. Web design (web trees to presenting media)
  5. Contextualised products 
  6. Ethical standpoint aware outcomes  
  7. Live briefs
  8. Experimentation branding design
  9. Packaging design
  10. Research driven brief
  11. Info graphics
  12. Environmental branding campaign 
  13. Problem solving 
  14. Competition brief
  15. Self-initiated brief
  16. Skills driven brief
  17. Evidence of industry experience
  18. Some motion graphics
  19. Web design 
  20. Awareness 

What I want to produce: 

  1. Live collaborative briefs - logo for clothing brand with the use of photography 
  2. Environmental media (wayfinding)
  3. Packaging for live products
  4. Web design (Web trees)
  5. Ethical standpoint aware outcomes  
  6. Live briefs
  7. Experimentation branding design
  8. Packaging design
  9. Research driven brief
  10. Info graphics
  11. Environmental branding campaign 
  12. Problem solving 
  13. Competition brief
  14. Self-initiated brief
  15. Skills driven brief
  16. Evidence of industry experience
  17. Some motion graphics
  18. Web design 
  19. Awareness 
  20. Things that show my personality  

Wednesday, 6 June 2012

PPD Presentation

SWOT analysis of studios


Better Brand Agency 



(S) A huge strength for award winning design studio Better is their vast amount of clients, it is evident therefore that they do not only create a great rapport with their customers encouraging returning business, but also improving their reputation and ensuring more and more clients. 


(W) Better seem to be driven by their corporate style, this could also be viewed as a strength because they have a clear idea of who they are as designers, therefore for potential clients this clarity could be attractive. I believe that this could also be viewed as a weakness due to the limitations and barriers created by them. They may create the image that they treat every business similarly and this may grow unattractive if they are not ensuring a personal service. 


(O) Their attractiveness to corporate companies means that they are involved with only a certain specific market sector, thus leaving other market areas. 


(T) The obvious threat of Better is their website, it creates a colloquial and friendly service that counteracts from their corporate outcomes so may confuse the message by their outcomes and create a mixed message. 






Fraser Muggeridge studio

(S) Another award winning design company, their strength lies within their strong client base that has been built through effective work and good communication.

(W) Despite having a large client base, they are an intimate team that are limited by the clients and briefs that they can take on to ensure the service they already produce.

(O) They have a clear market that they produce for, this means that they have become specialist for these particular clients and so create the best outcomes for the briefs. This is their USP and can create added value to their intimate service and effectively increase their demand. 

(T) Economically business' are having to make cuts to their spending and so due to their small client base, they are dependent on a smaller amount of companies, therefore creating a larger threat to them if these companies do not do as well as hoped, leading to spending cuts to their promotion and marketing department. 







Absolute.Design 


(S) Down to earth website seems to be their strongest asset, they have an in depth description of all of their areas and as this is the first port of call with potential clients, it creates a good dialogue with them


(W) Despite them stating that their location in Cornwall is a strength, I would identify this as their biggest weakness. Truro, Cornwall is fairly remote and this must lead to limitations in some areas such as potential client  relationships. 


(O) Their location being their weakness, is also an opportunity, business down in Cornwall is a niche market that many do not take the risk to tap into. If they can become dominant in this area then they will be less threatened than if they were in the centre of London.


(T) I found their main threat would be, like many other business', the reduction in business due to the economic climate. 

What next?

Since working at Science Ltd. and meeting Jason I had always hoped to go back there and at least have a chat with him. I have drafted this email...however I don't think my portfolio is strong enough yet so I am going to wait till after my internship with Sherry to talk to them and get some more experience and knowledge.


Further contact



 Contacting Paul at ZeroCollective. Still awaiting feedback so I think I will try and create something to post to them too or perhaps give them a call...