PPD: Visiting professionals // Lectures // Studio Visits // Events

Last Friday (14/09/12) I went to go and visit Wendy who is the creative director at New English Design. The studio is based in the town centre in Leicester and is probably the most amazing studio I've managed to visit, as soon as I walked in I loved it.. (which has nothing to do with my obsession with exposed brick work and beams). I talked through my work and Wendy gave loads of feedback, on the positive aspects of my portfolio as well as what I could work on, she felt that the uni briefs worked much better than the commercial ones, and that I shouldn't be afraid to take this way of working across all my projects. It's about having a good idea - not just making something look good for the sake of it, take an idea and make it brilliant. She also mentioned that on the whole my work was quite good for someone who hadn't graduated yet - which is always nice to hear. We also spoke about what it was like being a woman in an industry that is mainly dominated by men, she made it clear that I really shouldn't worry about it and that there was no need to assume that it would stop me getting to where I want in the future, I can safely say that Wendy has done pretty well having ran the studio with her partner for the past 15 years, the studio produces some amazing work and has a great client list.

On the whole I found the meeting with Wendy to be really useful, not only has it motivated me and made me feel more comfortable about 3rd year it's also given me the confidence to believe in my work, Wendy was also kind enough to invite me back in Easter to show her what new projects I've been working on and how things have changed.

www.newenglish.co.uk

http://www.work-design.co.uk/website/index.php

20/08/12
Today I went to visit Matt at Work Design in Leicester.. I had emailed the studio some time ago but didn't hear anything back, when I emailed Matt he invited me to the studio. I took along my portfolio hoping to get some feedback, Matt said he was quite impressed with my work and that it was a strong body of work considering I had just finished 2nd year. We spent a while just having a chat and I was quite shocked when Matt asked whether I would be interested in doing a work placement.. and of course I said yes. Having not done a work placement before it's safe to say I was considerably nervous, Matt warned me that it was quite a busy period and that there was a lot going on.

22/08/12
Day 1.
I honestly had no idea what to expect when I started on my first day, I was introduced to the other designers, Euan and Neil as well as freelance designer Greg. Matt briefed me on a project that was for a charity/support group who teaches young people about puberty/sexual health and teen pregnancy. I spent the day working on project which Matt had started but still needed quite a bit of content fitting in. I think I got on alright and at the end of the day it wasn't as terrifying as I had imagined.

23/08/12
Day 2.
Spent the morning working on the same project from yesterday and in the afternoon helped Matt with a logo for a domestic violence group. Having not used illustrator in a while as well generally working on any design I don't think I did that well. I think it's gonna take a few days before I start getting back into designing. As I'm in the studio 9-6 and usually I lounge around at home doing nothing I did find myself feeling quite tired.

On the whole it's a good feeling being in the studio, and I don't feel like I'm out of place.. despite being in a room with 5 other men. Oh and I met Paul today, who was away yesterday. The guys have been really welcoming which is nice, and they're pretty cool.

24/08/12
Day 3.
Today was about finishing off the designs for the resource pack about sexual health/puberty.. It took a while, making sure I had managed to include all the content and It took a while but I got through in the end, oh, I didn't however manage to find any supporting photographs of certain sexually transmitted infections. It's got to be said it was quite uncomfortable to have Matt and Paul on either side of me whilst I tried to find a photograph of someone with Syphilis. Thankfully Matt decided I didn't have to find the rest of the images and I moved onto putting the project into a presentation that allows the client to see the content and send back any amendments.

I'm really enjoying being in a studio environment as it's such a huge experience, it is however a complete reality check.. I never expected working life to be easy but it's got to be said I didn't anticipate it to be this difficult, in the sense that working in a design studio with a range of clients is a huge responsibility.. it's fair enough to sit in the studio at uni and focus on designing what you like but in the real world life's not as simple. It's quite tough being in the studio when the guys are pretty stressed and they've got a lot on, I don't want to be burden on them. Seeing as Matt and the guys have told me to come back on Tuesday for another week I'm assuming they haven't got sick of me (yet). Just really quite thankful for the guys to have given me the opportunity to be in the studio.

Despite it being quite tense at times, I get a real buzz from being in the studio, I'm so nervous about graduating from uni and having to make my own way in the world, it really is pretty daunting, but after 3 days of being in the studio I'm already realising that although it feels like deadline day everyday I did make the right choice. And no I'm certain I don't want to be a plumber anymore. Although I still wish I was a wizard and went to Hogwarts. Can't have everything in life though.. Oh and the awkward moment when it got to 6pm and my dad just decided to come to the studio and introduce himself to everyone. cringe.

28/08/12
Day 4.
I'm incredibly tired. Been doing some last minute amends on the resource packs and putting together the presentation.. plus making a jigsaw designed to test peoples knowledge of STI's. brilliant. Seriously, how am I this tired?!

29/08/12
Day 5.
Matt rescued a injured pigeon this morning. Finished the resource packs. kind of. Matt had to check through them and make sure they were alright. Started on a logo.. it's looking good. I'm even more tired. I think reality has sunk in.

30/08/12
Day 6.
Staring working on some invites today with the logo I had been working on yesterday, I think it went well, despite it taking me a while to get the layout sorted, I don't even know how time goes by so quick when I'm in the studio. It's Saturday today and I'm struggling to remember what else I did on Thursday.. Ooops.

31/08/12
Day 7.
Surprised I've lasted this long, and more importantly surprised that the guys are still putting up with me being in the studio. Did a few different things today, started on some A3 posters for a display board type of thing, was nice to try and sort out my type and layout skills. Again a few amends to the resource packs and after this it was about making some amends to a annual report that Matt is working on and finally a quick sticker that didn't take too long. Today was a bit tense as the I've said the guys are quite busy but despite this I am still incredibly thankful to the team for letting me be in the studio as ever day is a huge learning curve, not just in terms of studio culture, but how the team deals with clients and as well my software skills, which are improving, slowly, but still improving. Again Matt has asked me to come back on Monday so I must be doing something right..

03/09/12
Day 8.
Matt: "Did you know using a stroke around the type is a sackable offence?!" haha oh damn.

04/09/12
Day 9.
Errrr. Finished the business card for a local hairdresser, with a considerable amount of help from Matt. I think this task has really made me realise that as a designer, sometimes I need to think outside the box and have a decent concept, rather than just attempting to get something done. A real lesson learnt. Matt also showed me a few skills in illustrator which have helped a lot too. Made some amends for the invite and then spent some time looking for some decent images on istock. Matt also rescued another injured pigeon.

05/09/12
Day 10.
Turns out that the pigeon Matt rescued was the same one.. it died. Spent the day working on a e-newsletter for Neil. Considerably harder than I had anticipated. I think I'm realising that not having done any design work for 2 months has taken it's toll.

06/09/12
Day 11.
Penultimate day. Got a new nickname, BJ, not impressed. Finished the e-newsletter. Did a quick design on a exam style sheet. Made some amends to the e-newsletter. Quick go at a map for a website. Told the guys I would bring some onion bhajis tomorrow.

07/09/12
Day 12.
:(

Really quite sad that my time at Work is over, It's been an incredible experience, made easier by the fact that Matt, Paul, Neil, Euan and Greg all made me feel so welcome. Being in the studio has taught me a lot about the way in which the studio works, as well as the realities of working life and most importantly some much needed software skills. Onion bhajis went down quite well. Sent Matt a quick email to say thank you..