Portfolio Update: Project Pages

Over summer, I created a mini portfolio of some of my best work up to that point. (see blog post) As it won't be long until visiting professionals are looking at my portfolio in the upcoming surgeries, I've decided now would be a good time to work on this portfolio, and to update it with my current work.

I don't know whether to stick to the original format of having an introductory page because although I do really like it I'm a bit worried this might mean the portfolio has too many pages. But then I don't want to cram everything in one page so I think I will just see what works best.

I've just updated my CV for in my portfolio so I also need to update the actual content.

Projects to include:

- YCN Peacocks

- YCN M&S

- YCN UK Greetings

- Stationery brief

- MCD Branding

I will probably end up taking some of these out at the end of the year in the hope I produce better work in the FMP module. But I want to put a few in already so I can take it round with me on the visits I hope to do over Easter. I'm not sure which order to put them in either. This will probably end up changing but I need something to show at the portfolio reviews.

I have been looking up portfolio advice as well as buying the book 'How to create a portfolio and get hired.'

Before: (3 Page spread)

Possiblities: (DPS)

Favourite design:

I think this is my favourite but I don't actually feel 100% about it. I'm going to try how it looks with different projects.

Struggling with this one a bit - might just make it in to one page? And also have one page with the graphic design rule book? To be honest I don't know if this even matches in. I really enjoyed this project but don't know if it fits in with the professional quality of my other pieces.

 

This one doesn't really work either in this format, think it might be better if I was to do this one landscape.

I quite like this layout but don't know if its a bit simple like this.

As I've been arranging these pages, I've thought of some questions I want to ask about my portfolio.

- How many images per page?

- How many projects?

- How many pages should each project have?

- Do I need more text explaining the project?

- Should I put my name / logo on each page?

- Is it clear who I am as a designer through these pages?

Portfolio Update: CV

CV

I'm starting off my re-doing my 1 page text only CV. Why has it taken so long for me to realise that simple is the most effective?! Taking off random lines and things that just don't need to be there! I think there needs to be a lot more white space. I'm also adding a 'The Future' session after the PPD tutorial.

Before:

Possibilities:

 

Since learning more about Indesign as well as typography I've noticed a lot of mistakes in my previous CV and have sorted these out.

Final Layout:

For now - this could possibly change but looks much better than it did before and the info is a lot more relevant and sounds more like I know who I am as a designer.

Updated Business Cards

Decided to update the business cards so they look a bit more professional. I did like the spot varnish on the cards I purchased, but I am going to go with a better printers. I am going to keep the design very similar but use a better, thicker stock and go with a better quality printers. I am thinking about putting all the information on one side but I need to play about with some designs. I want to keep the black and white theme throughout my branding and will keep the logo the same.

Before:

Possibilities:

I think there was too much information on the back, so I want to remove my social media links. I also don't want to refer to myself as an 'illustrator' as I don't really think I am qualified enough to call myself this. I also have a new more professional email address. So for now I'm just going to play around with the back then decide if this should just be a one sided business card. 

Favourite

This one matches in with the new updated CV so its probably a good idea to keep the design of everything consistent. I'm not going to print them yet as I want to find a good quality printer and get everything else ready to print first. 

PPD Tutorial 15/01/13

Tutorial

Todays tutorial with Andy and John gave me some motivation to get on with PPD. At the moment all I can really think about is dissertation but I'm going to set some time aside at the weekend to work on PPD stuff.

- Make contact with LCA alumni and ask them advice. Need to network and make links with them and see where they are now as they could help you to get a placement/job. This relates to an idea we were thinking about for our collective to get in touch with professionals.
- Network at opportunities such as Leeds print festival and always have your business card ready!
- Don't show all your work in your CV as you need something to show them when you meet them.
- Work out what you will send people and when in relation to pdfs / mailouts etc
- Send the studios something personal which shows you have thought about them and it isn't just a mass mail out
- If you are sending a mail out make sure it is printed in digital print on to high quality stock
- You need to show substance in your CV and be remembered. Make sure the type is well laid out and the pages are clean and considered but don't include too many pages and too much work that is the same because it gets boring and pointless. You don't want it to be an exact copy of your website. Include just a few pieces of work to whet their appetite.
- Could include a future plan section on your CV to show what else you aim to achieve and do, as you keep learning. Get across some of your personality. Show that you know there is still more to do.
- Think of a clever idea such as representing yourself as something else to do with graphic design. Show your personality as well as your knowledge of graphic design.
- Add humour and fun!

Action Plan

This talk has made me think about making an action plan of what I need to do so instead of just thinking I'll do that in the future I can get round to actually doing it! I think I should regularly ask for PPD advice just as I do for the design modules as it is as important but it always gets left behind a bit.

- Finalise personal branding
- Finish my website design
- Update my website
- Update all social media (Regularly)
- Design portfolio
- Get all personal stationery professionally printed
- Decide who I want to contact and why
- Design mail out / re-do CV - something to send studios
- Keep emailing studios
- Try and get in touch with alumni (relate this to FMP)

Going to give myself a month and then I'll check up on where I'm up to with this! Hoping to get a placement for over Easter.

PPD Group Tutorial 2

This was set in October but I have re-done it now I know a bit more about who I am and what I want!

**

What are the ‘Creative Industries’ that are relevant to Graphic Designers?

- Consider digital design as well as print, look in to snap tags, app design and web
- Consider how 3d design can be used to show off print 
- Consider how graphic design can be interactive in the way it communicates with the viewer

TASKS.

One. 


Identify 5 companies/studios which you consider potentially synergetic to you personally.
Write a short explanatory paragraph and reasons for each.

1.  http://holdenandsons.co.uk (See below)

2. http://gtcreate.co.uk - Warrington based company who's work I admire

3. http://futuredc.co.uk 

4. ?? <----- need to think of 2 more!
5.?? 

Two.


Identify the top choice and WHY you feel that they may have synergy with your practice now, or in the near future.



My top choice is Holden & Sons because I did a placement there over summer and one over reading week and have been invited to go back for another placement whenever I want, which I will definitely take up when I have chance. I really enjoyed it and found the industrial experience really useful. It was exciting working on live projects and feeling like your input was genuinely valued. Being constantly around a team of professionals and getting feedback and advice was a good environment. It did a lot for my confidence and made me feel like I am good enough to get a job where before I was worried about being inferior.

Three.


Is your choice based on:
LOCATION, DIRECTION OF PRACTICE, THE BRAND PHILOSOPHY or CLIENT BASE

My top choice is mainly based on location. I live near manchester and ideally would want a job there. The direction of practice for this company is quite different from my own. I think they have a good brand philosophy which is relevant to me.  The client base is very impressive - when I was on placement I did some work for Kellogg's Squares bars so this is definitely one of my reasons.

Four.


What if none of those is your main reason for choosing to follow this organisation, what is it specifically?

Although the above things did effect my choice for choosing Holden & Sons, one of my main reasons is that I enjoyed my time there and got on with the people really well. The past three years at LCA have been so stressful that when I get a job I hope I can actually be able to have some fun and enjoy it, like I did on my placement. I think as well as working hard it is important to enjoy what you do!


Five.


When considering these practices please CONSIDER:
WHO they are/who are you?
WHY you are contacting them
and why they should listen?
WHAT do you want them to do next
and what do you actually want.
WHY they should get back to you?

This will differ from each studio I contact I guess? I also need to work more on my rationale and actually decide who I am before I contact people. Got a lot of work to do!


Six. 


Now you have identified initially these studios you feel synergy with. Please list 8 methods you
could utilize to contact them.

- Visit them (probably the best way to get an answer and also probably looks better on my part - just need a bit more confidence!)
- Ring them (always found this way you are far more likely to get an answer)
- Email them (however, can take a while for people to get back to you, and e-mails can get mixed up with junk)
- Write to them (I have done this before then when I didn't receive a response followed up with an email to find my CV must have got lost in the post!)
- Use social media (I have started following some of the studios I like on twitter and some are even following back so I need to make the effort to keep up contact)
- Send them a present! Try and do something a bit original to try and stand out?
- Ask a favour - ask a question relevant to design context or to look at my portfolio rather than just automatically asking for a placement.
- Attend networking events where such people might attend. (I know there are business ones in Warrington that gtcreate attend... but I don't want to stalk anyone!)http://www.creativewarrington.com

January PPD Tutorial Preparation

[see blog post]

John sent out this email reminder so I decided to look back on what I'd written in October to prepare for the upcoming PPD tutorial. 

I feel like PPD has taken quite of a hit due to ougd301 and dissertation so now is the time to focus back on it. Hoping for some motivational words in the tutorial!

**

- Specific things you will address this term that should be useful:

1. I have a placement during reading week to gain more industrial experience
2. I will attend the web workshops to help me work on my web presence
3. I will contact studios with the hope of gaining a visit to their studio
4. I have been collecting print samples and aim to visit printers to start establishing relationships within the industry
5. I will be working on my promotional material in the hope of gaining more freelance work

**

I did actually do all the things I wanted to (to some extent) which I am quite surprised about. Finishing my website is a must! And gaining more visits is something I need to sort out ASAP!

Freelance Business Idea

Ideally I would like a job in a studio when I finish here at LCA, but I know that might be harder than it seems. I want to have a back up plan of a freelance business I can do either part time or it may become full time until I can find a job. I don't think I'd make a lot of money but I want to have a back up plan.

Business to client start up idea:

Bespoke:
- Wedding stationery - Birth announcements - Large card runs - Birthday / party invites
- Business start up - Business cards - Website design

Pre-made:
- Card ranges - Poster prints - Stationery products - Gift wrap - Present ideas

Target audience: 'yummy mummys', people who are looking for something special to celebrate a childs birthday. I am thinking it would be advertised mainly through facebook. The idea was inspired by the current trend in cake selling businesses where a lot of the sales are made through talking to clients on facebook.

I think I should start off by selling some things on etsy to gain a better understanding of how I should price things and package them. I aim to open my etsy shop over easter. Its been something I've been meaning to do for a long time but I've never felt like I'm good enough before but now I'm feeling more confident in myself as a designer.

I also need to re look at some of the things we covered in last years enterprise module as I need to think about the legalities involved in starting up your own business.

I will also need branding. I could use my existing branding but as I would be targeting people who probably don't know anything about graphic design I don't know if I could do with something a bit more commercial. I could probably do with some primary research in to my target audience to find out what they want, and if there would be a gap on the market for me.

So for now I probably won't be doing much until the easter holidays but I need to keep thinking of ideas of how I can get this working!