New Blood 2012

Myself, Sarah P and Beth all decided to head down to London for New Blood. It was great to see so much brand new talent from a range of universities and courses. I didn't manage to take many photographs this year but did a collect a few business cards as well as other promotional material. Attending New Blood makes me realise how much I could improve as a designer in the next year.. Although it's daunting knowing I'll be in the final year of my degree It's also quite exciting at the same time.

D&AD North Lecture - Ben Hammersley

I can't find the notes I made in this lecture. Rahhhhhhhhhh.

Studio Visit 1.. Manifest Communications - Leeds

I had been in touch with Martin - the studio manager at Manifest communications and I decided to see if I could come visit the studio, I decided to get most of my recent projects printed out so I could get some feedback.

On arriving at the studio I was already far to excited, a great size studio which had a really nice atmosphere. I got to talk through my work with Martin who gave me some great feedback on the work I had been working on. It's always great to get an opinion on my work from someone who doesn't know what I've been working on. Martins favourite project was the YCN brief, the packaging for the Lola & Grace jewellery which I worked on in collaboration with Sadie.

Martin also told me more about the studio, the kind of projects they work on as well as an insight into the studio it self. I was really surprised when Martin said that he though I had a great portfolio, which in his opinion could belong to someone who has already spent a year in industry. Woah. I was pretty happy with that!

The visit to the studio was a great experience and I look forward to staying in touch with Martin should any opportunities arise in the future.

Studio Visits..

So I've been emailing a few studio's that I'm interested in - I've had a studio visit arranged at Manifest ( I was meant to go this Friday for a full day but I'm ill and do not wish to spread my germs to a group of people I've never met) so It's been arranged for the 8th June with studio manager Martin. Cant wait.

I heard back from Mark at Amplitude Creative - he said he's quite busy so wont have a chance to meet with me..

And then I was lucky enough to hear back from Wendy at New English who said she was willing to give me half an hour anytime after the 18th June! Really excited about this and it's quite good as It's based in Leicester.

The Beautiful Meme - Tom Sharp // Visiting Professionals // 18/11/11

Tom Sharp came in and spoke about his role as a copy writer at The Beautiful Meme.. He went over "12 Thoughts About Copywriting and Design" It was interesting to see just how important copy writing is within graphic design and although it seems quite obvious I had never really thought about relevant it is. It's made me realise how important 'words' are within design and advertising and how it can be a integral part within design.

12 thoughts about copy

1) The strongest way to convey an idea is by using words as images are open to interpretation

2) The easiest way to sell is by using words (value proposition)

3) Copy and design are always at war with each other
- You need to find a balance between message & aesthetic

4) Hierarchy (order of importance) is everything

5) People like reading well written copy

"The consumer is not a moron, she is your wife" (Don't underestimate the consumer)
- David Ogilvy

6) Words make your brand human
- People need to engage with your product therefore the language you use must be appropriate

7) Simple is clever
- Good design is good thinking

8) Complicated is stupid

Don't use confusing terminology

9) Tone of voice is a subtlety
- How the type is treated
- Different rhythm, pace
- Alters how you read the copy

10) It's your job to challenge every word

11) A designer and copywriter should be partners

12) Good designers can spell. Great designers can write.


(Thanks Joe!)

Generation Press - Paul Hewitt + An& // Visiting Professionals // 11/11/11

Yesterday Paul Hewitt and Anand Patel from Generation Press came and spoke to use about exactly what  they do. Fred always said just how passionate Anand was but you can only believe it when you see it.

I have to state I was extremely excited when Paul mentioned that the print shop was based in a barn.. A BARN.

Both Paul and Anand are so passionate about what they do, you can see just how much pride they take in each and every print project. It's amazing too see how far Anand has come since LCA and it's given me a great amount of motivation and made realise that you won't get anywhere without working hard. Really hard. One of the things that Paul mentioned was that neither printers or designers can work without each other, if you want the best out of your work you've got to maintain a decent relationship with printers.

(Pic of print!)

Got a great print to take away, and yes it was amazing. Would love to go visit at Generation Press one day (and not just to check out the barn!)

Catalogue // Visiting Professionals // 04/11/11

Yesterday ex-students Tom Pratt and Oliver Shaw came in to talk about their design studio Catalogue and talk through some of their work. After winning the pitch of the Leeds College of Art prospectus and working on some other briefs together in their final year Tom and Oliver decided to get together and set up their own design Studio. Having done some work for a Barbers in Harrogate they were able to rent some space in Harrogate - not being able to much design work here they moved around - from a massive warehouse, to an awful place in Hunslet and finally settling in a studio close to the train station.

It was interesting to see that they have a keen focus on print and 60% of what they do is design and 40% being print. They've worked pretty hard to get there they are now and have been able to work some great clients.

Some of the key points the guys made were;
- Never work for free
- It's not always easy working from home - get yourself a decent studio space
- They prefer to work on more arts and cultural based projects rather than commercial ones
- They work on quite a lot of self initiated projects
- Done let people abuse you and your skills
- Get to know people and network with them
- Always watermark your work...
- Setting up your own studio isn't as tough as it seems - smaller businesses are now doing better than larger design companies
- The guys only work 9-6 Mon - Fri, keeping a healthy balance between work and play is important
- Dont do work you don't want to // work on projects that interest you

It was a real eye opener listening to the guys, they are genuinely passionate about what they do and worked hard to setup their own business, I'm sure they'll continue to work on some great projects. And they're cool guys.

Andrew Park - Cool Pink // Visiting Professional // 21.10.11

Yesterday Andrew Park from Cool Pink - a creative digital agency - came in to talk more about Cool Pink. I have to be honest I've never been drawn to screen based design and web design in general but the talk was a real eye opener and made me understand that the role of the graphic designer is quite relevant as part of a team working on web based design. Below are some of the notes I made during the talk.

- Cool Pink - Running for about 12 years.
- Design is a very misused term
- Technical constraints regarding web design are no longer there
- User experience design
- Creative development design
- User interface design
- Decisions regarding the function and design of the website are made according to how the user would use it.
- Achieving goals / creating curiosity / manipulation

User experience design
- Market research / surveys 


Creating development design
- Creating desire
- Dictating feeling
- Dealing with emotion
- Gut feeling / not about design or layout


User  interface design
- Intuitive 
- Make it engaging
- How should it be used
- Got to do the brand justice

- Graphic designer works in the middle of the process
- How will the website work?
- How will it engage the user?
- Nike website
- What about Graphic Design? Visual language that lives through all disciplines
- Makes the functional side more human
- Wire frame - starting point
- Data / research - got to be objective
- Relevant to client market
- Separate emotion from function
- Final step - show client - how do they feel about it?

- Nexa - auto colour - B2B
- Nouveau beauty - B2C
- Bensons for Beds

- Interactive design is a process made up of different elements and different people
- Graphic design is the human element
- Collaborate with people
- Make ideas that do

OUGD201 Design Production - Print. Print Visit // Team Impression

http://www.team-impression.com/

Open publication - Free publishing - More design

Robbie Porter // Illustrator // Studio Talk // 14/10/11

Yesterday Robbie Porter came in and spoke to us about his days as a student and the progression that he was making from being a student to a illustrator. Having always had a love of doodling - which is proven to be quite productive - he mentioned that he never really knew what he wanted to do, attempting a variety of different subjects from photography, animation, illustration, print, graphic design and sculpture. After studying at university he decided to take out 6 months to just draw (Not a bad idea actually..)

He went on to tell us about some of the projects he had worked on in the past as well as those he was currently working on.. I've got to be honest illustration isn't really my 'thing' but It was great to see how Robbie approaches his work and how he maintains a relationship with clients.

Some of the things Robbie mentioned were;
- Do lots of work - just keep doing work but set yourself realistic deadlines. The more you do the more mistakes you make and the more you learn.
- Lets make better mistakes (tomorrow)
- Apply for internships and work experience. You get a lot out of them, learn a lot and make good contacts.
- Learn to network, you can never know when you might meet someone who can help you out..
- Consider the way you work - research isn't just something you do and then forget about it, it tends to be ongoing.
- Invite people to see your work.

Getty images.
Adobe kuler.
News paper club
Art Quest

'If you can't solve a problem, you're playing by the rules' - Paul Arden
'Do good work and then put it where people can see it' - Austin Klean


Totally irrelevant - but he has the best accent ever.
www.robbieporter.co.uk

Ric Bell // Graphic Designer // Studio Talk // 7/10/11

Ric Bell. Art foundation at LCA > BA Graphic Design at Nottingham Trent. Working in industry for about 4 years.

It was really good to hear Ric talk about his time at uni as well as the stuff he done after graduating. He began by talking about his 3rd year and how he got through that. He made the point that everything you do should be designed and presented at the bets - You might have a great bit of work but if it's not presented at its best then it's not good enough. It's the little details that count. Below are some of the key points he made;

- Make sure your work is always presentable - think about the attention to detail
- Have your work ordered - think about how you develop your ideas.
- Create design boards to track the evolution of your work.
- Good photography skills are essential.
- Document everything you do.
- When presenting your work consider the labeling and packaging, everything should be designed.
- Have a good workspace, have a board to stick stuff up on - have it blank at the start of the week and put stuff up as you go - makes it easier to see how you're working. photograph it so you can track your progress. Don't leave stuff up longer than you need it, have a clean board at the start of the next week.
- End of year show - consider how your work will be viewed as well as everyone else. How will your work stand out. Ric hung his work at different distances before photographing it and then presenting this as his final board.
- Self promotion - No point promoting yourself if your work isn't good.
- Have a decent website. Think about the navigation and what work you put up.
- Behance/Cargo.
- Business cards - always essential. Ric showed us how he packed his work for D&AD/New Designers. Had a A0 print that folded down to A4 with all his work, CV and business card. printed at an architects place - cheap and easy to put together.
- You've always got to be one step ahead, how can you make yourself and your work stand out from everyone elses. What makes you unique?
- Get good at talking about your work. You never know who might be interested so make sure you know what you're talking about.
- Get to know people, students and designers. Maintain a good relationship with people.
- Apply for placements. - Send emails, include a one page CV. give details of when you can work. Don't just email 10/20 email 10000000's of places. well he said 100.
- Don't be picky. Accept a wide range of jobs. Gain as much experience as you can. Go to different places. Be prepared to make tea.
- Look at working with small companies - they always have be scope to develop and you can be a part of that.
- Make tea.
- The real world - shorter time scale on work, you might not have full control of what you're working on. Clients can be really picky. Be prepared to take on board a lot of negative feedback.
- Push the boundaries - how can you push your work further,
- Then he told he designed the OGC logo. What a legend.

Overall Ric was just really honest about his uni/industry experience and it gave a real insight into how you can work after you've left uni. He mentioned some of the places that he had worked, Form, Saatchi + Saatchi, Kent Lyons as well as some other places too. He might be 26 but he's got a lot to show for it.

D&AD North Lecture 05/10/11 GBH.

 

Me and Sarah went to the D&AD North lecture on Wednesday evening and I cannot put into words just how amazed I was at the work they had produced. Seriously though if there is anyone who pushes boundaries its GBH. 

They went through 12 of their projects talking about the ideas behind them. With clients like Eurostar, Puma, Virgin Galactic and Royal Mail the guys at GBH are doing pretty well. Some of the projects that stood out for me were Puma + Eurostar. For a interior at a Puma store they had filmed a puma on green screen and then it projected onto the wall as if it was walking across the sheleves - genius. Something similar to this was the self service bar in the Eurostar lounge - which they helped to design along with Philippe Starck - they had a film of a bartender working behind the bar just cleaning glasses and shaking cocktails. Their branding and interior design for 'budget' hotels Yotels was pretty amazing too. Each room has a iMac so they used the photobooth application to allow people to take photos which were then showed in the main foyer of the hotel. 

These are just a few of the ideas that I thought were amazing - the rest are in my notes so if you can read my writing you'll get the idea, if not it's better to check out their website.

After the lecture it made me realise just how much graphic design can be pushed and that when I think I've resolved an idea I haven't even really scratched the surface. It's given me a insight into how graphic design can be applied and just how far you can push a client. I'd love to go visit the guys at GBH sometime in the future and I'll be keeping an eye on their up and coming projects.

http://www.gregorybonnerhale.com/

Below are some example of their work from their youtube channel.

Graphic Design Walk - London 23/09/11

The time when a handful of creative studios run by successful female designers open their doors for the day. More on this after my trip to London.

 

So yesterday me and Sarah set of on a road trip to London to check out the Graphic Design walk being run as part of the London design Festival. It wasn't fun setting off at 6:30am but with the 3 hour trip to London we didn't have much choice! And it didn't help when Sarah told me she hadn't ever driven to London before (she's a good driver though..Honest!)

Anyway.. once in London we had to meet at the base camp which was located in Hackney central to get the map which guided us to a number of studios who had opened their doors for the day. Having limited slots meant we decided on the 3 studios we wanted to check out the most. These were, April ran by 2 female designers, Them who had a team of about 15? And Catherine Nippe a designer who works independently.

I've always had a perception that graphic design studios are huge spaces with at least 20-30 creatives working together so I guess it was a bit of reality check seeing that April was ran by 2 designers who have a great client list! Their studio was relatively small with 2 iMacs and a macbook but had a great feel to it. They had a selection of their work to view which was great too see cause it's just not the same seeing something online. With mainly print based work which was editorial you could see they focused on clean and simple layouts with a key emphasis on bold type.

Moving on we visited Them, who's studio I loved! We were greeted by Roas Powloski one of the founders of the studio. The studio has been running for about 6 years and has a core team of about 15 designers, again with a impressive client list. It was interesting knowing that 1/3 of their work was commercial, 1/3 arts based and the other 1/3 was charity/non profit. Something which I had never considered when thinking what type of work different studio's might do and just how diverse yet controlled their projects are. Rosa also gave some advice for student and graduates, saying that as the industry got more competitive it was more important to gain industry experience and sending generic emails isn't enough - a phone call with a senior creative or creative director asking for 5 minutes is always a better option.

Finally we went to the studio of Catherine Nippe. A Swiss graphic designer with a range of print based work. It was great to see a independent designer working on such huge projects. Also got a copy of her current work - printed onto newsprint which looked really good! 

A great day all in all really opened my eyes to the creative industry. If there's any spelling mistakes in this blog post its cause I'm tired.. Photo's below - the rest are on Sarah's phone.

 

More photo's to come...