Industrial Experience

Task 2

- Identify at least five responses to each question and find appropriate primary and secondary sources of information (including visual material) that will support your findings. You will need these at your group tutorial and will form the basis for group discussion.

- Use your findings to develop initial ideas about your own views, opinions, aims and ambitions in relation to industrial experience, internships and/or work placement opportunities.

- Summarise your research in a set of 10 short but qualified statements posted to your blog 

Research

Primary

I did work experience with Holden & Friends in Knutsford in 2006 (Now Holden & Sons in Manchester). Before this experience I didn't know anything about graphic design, but enjoyed it and so afterwards went on to study graphic design at A Level. I worked on fictional briefs, although I learnt a lot from what was going on around me.

Here are some examples of my initial attempts at graphic design! 

I recently visited Team Impression Print (see blog post)

I have been given advice about gaining work experience placements from visiting professionals such as Ric Bell. (Link to blog posts with advice)

Secondary

I have looked on the internet for advice and information about industrial experience, as well as looking at a few companies that I might like to approach. I have been considering how easy they will be to get to as well as whether or not I like their style of work. A lot of the work from the local graphic design companies (near to my hometown) hasn't been very appealing to me, so I might need to consider travelling to get beneficial experience. 

Possible companies to look at:

http://lemonzest.co.uk/

http://www.accessplace.com/search.php?callpage=%2Fgraphic-designer%2Fcheshire%2Fwarrington.htm&find=graphic+designers&place=leeds

Answers

1. What is Industrial experience?

- An experience that can be educational and inspiring in the creative industry

- Typically a work experience placement at a graphic design company

-  An experience that will help to set you up to work for a company

- A chance to try out a job and see if it is what you want to do

- An experience to meet others and learn more about an area of design

2. What can you learn from industrial experience?

- Learn more about the software we are using

- Learn how a real business runs, such as the financial side

- Meet new people and make new contacts

- Learn how to deal with clients

- Learn about myself as a designer and how I work - if this is the area I want to work in

3. What form/format could industrial experience take?

- Work experience with a graphic design company

- A phone call/ email asking questions 

- A visit to a facility that is useful to this industry (such as print visit)

- A live brief, (such as a competition)

- Freelance work gives you an idea of what clients are like to deal with

4. What areas of industry are you interested in?

- Illustration

- Magazine layouts

- Design for print

- Designs for children

- Identity/branding

5. What are your concerns about industrial experience?

- How do I have ask for a placement?

- I don't feel confident enough about myself or my work yet

- How do I get the most out of my experience? (And not just end up making tea!)

- How do I prepare myself so that I am ready?

- Does area affect the quality of the company I will do experience with?

10 Statements about Industrial Experience

1. Industrial experience is a valuable, important part of the learning process about graphic design

2. It will help to prepare me for life after university by showing me what a job in a graphic design company will be like

3. It will give me the opportunity to make new graphic design contacts

4. Gaining a placement will help me to gain confidence in myself and my work

5. It will help me to see which area of design I want to focus on

6. It will impress future employers, as they will feel I am more reliable

7. It will show me how professional relationships work, such as how to deal with clients

8. It can lead on to other things by keeping up the relationship that is made

9. It will show me how a real business runs, showing the different sides

10. An opportunity to improve existing skills and learn from others