Slides:
1. First off, I will start by talking about my branding. It's changed four times over the three years, but finally I am happy with it, as it reflects both my practice and my interests in design. This change came after my portfolio reviews, especially my talk with Ben from The Beautiful Meme. My previous branding didn't reflect who I was as a designer. I had been going for something type based, trying to be what I thought I should be rather than what I wanted to be, but Ben reassured me that my illustrative style was nothing to be ashamed of and instead I should bring in my use of crafting and material to create branding relevant to me. I am in the process of re-creating my promotional materials.
2. I am in the process of creating my website from scratch on dreamweaver, as I am interested in website design, especially after the workshops. I didn't want to just use a template design from cargo, I wanted to stand out. I am currently using twitter and tumblr mainly to advertise myself and talk to others, but I also use behance, linkedin and pinterest.
3. So, who am I? These are some examples of my favourite pieces of work that show off my skills. I am mainly image based, predominately interested in type as image. I like print finishes, and so the care that goes in to presentation is also important. The underlying themes in my projects tend to be product and packaging, or branding.
4. I have been to Manchester based advertising agency Holden & Sons three times, working on a variety of live briefs. I have improved existing skills as well as learning new ones, learning from others. The most important thing I learnt was more about being professional and how to deal with clients, and I needed this real experience to learn this. The placements have made me grown in confidence, and to feel genuinely useful and have work sent to clients made me feel like I am ready for the real world. I have been invited back whenever I want, and would love a job there eventually.
5. I have struggled with contacting studios, as I mentioned before, before my placement I didn't feel like I was good enough. The purpose of the 'Geek Table' collective 8 of us have formed is to make new contacts, and sell ourselves, and the security net of doing this in a team is good. This is something I need to work on as I can't underestimate the importance of contacts.
6. Here is some first year work, from the alphabet we had to create before we joined, just to show how much I have improved. I didn't even really know what a typeface was. It was created on a pc that was from aldi and looking at this I'm lucky I'm even on the course. Now I feel confident about my work and happy to show it off.
7. Each week for over a year I have been completing an ongoing evaluation, recording my progress and setting targets. Most of the targets I've set myself I have achieved. A few examples of targets I set at the end of the last module to do with fmp include: working with other graphic designers, collaborating with people off other courses, gaining freelance work, doing live work, and sending work to print, and I have achieved these targets, and am very close to achieving others, as reviewed in the interim evaluation. My proudest achievement to date is winning a YCN commendation award last year.
8. After uni I'm starting off my having a bit of a break, and attending degree and design shows. I want to set up an etsy as a relevant way of earning some money and doing something I enjoy. I want to keep learning, so want to get a few placements, to try and find a studio I would want to work with. Ultimately I want to get a job in a small studio, and stay up north, near Manchester. I don't want to freelance and don't think I'd ever want my own company. I have considered everything from doing a PGCE to doing a masters to get to this decision.
9. Finally, a bit of motivation for me to work hard at graphic design. I have worked at mcdonalds for 6 years and don't want to go back! I want to be happy, and I will be through continually learning new skills and pushing myself further.
Feedback:
I felt quite confident presenting my presentation, which is a world away from first year where I was unbelievably nervous. I think this is proof alone of how much I have progressed. I used to hate presentations and wonder why we had to do them so much but now I can easily talk to industry professionals and tutors about my work and hopefully come across in a professional manner, so I'm actually really grateful! It was good to have an audience that seemed genuinely interested in what I had to say, and hearing other peoples plans, knowing that other people also don't have a plan set in stone was reassuring that we can all do it.
Here are a few notes I've made based on what John and Andy mentioned to everyone:
- Look at 'the drum' for jobs
- Contact professionals through linkedin to ask questions
- Look in to webdesign studio unico from Leeds
- Ask contacts for other people you should be talking to
- Best to present yourself as positive and confident
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