OUGD602 PPP 03 Brief 01 Self Branding, Setting up the Website

I have changed over from six to square space, mostly because people suggested it to me. 

I was simply playing around with the structure of the home page when I accidentally used one of my old instagram images as a place holder. It suddenly gave me the idea for the tag line 'Being design from little hands' and the way I could separate all the things that I do into:

Chalkboarding

Graphic Design

and lettering

These sit across my homepage like so and offer something about me before people instantly see my work.

From there it was a simple matter of uploading images. The result can be found at elittlebethdesign.work

OUGD602 PPP 03 Brief 02 Visit Roger Grech Meeting

I met up with and interviewed Roger for my context of practice research, the result of which you can find here.

http://b-taylor1316-dc.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/ougd601-cop-3-dissertation-research.html

However, we also talked at length about his professional practice and he gave me a lot of advice about how to get into the very b=niche fields of craft processes.

We talked about the fact that it would be a good idea to stay up in Leeds because there is so much going on in terms of niche craft businesses that are growing. He also said that getting a minimum wage job for a while straight out of college and just spending some time making contacts and work experience would be a great way to get into the scene. This is because you don't have the pressure of having to take the first job you can get and you can find something more suitable for you through the contacts you make in a more relaxed and open way.

I question this a little however, because doing a minimum wage job can make you desperate to do something else, but I do see his point. Once you get a job it starts to dicta the direction your career is going in, so be careful what job you get and don't take it out of fear of not being able to make ends meet.

He also said the best way to learn is by doing, as he did. This again reinforces the idea that I should get work experience in a workshop, hands on environment, rather than a design studio.

OUGD602 PPP 03 Brief 02 Visit Phylecia Sutherland

I interviewed Phylecia via email for my Context of Practice research. The results of the interview can be found here.

http://b-taylor1316-dc.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/ougd603-context-of-practice-03.html

However, I also went to visit her again to talk to her about her practice and how things have changed since we last talked.
It was great to see how she worked again and I can really see the attraction of working from home in your own space. Just being the master of what you do creatively is really appealing after being in education for so long.

We talked about some recent work that she has been doing and I had a moment of reflection on whether I could exclusively work in one market the way she does. I can see that  it is really rewarding, and that you have way more of a budget when working in the luxury market of weddings. However, I kind of fundamentally disagree with the idea of a big wedding ad I don't know if I could consistently work in a field I disagree with.

However, I think that what Pylecia designs is great and there is a possibility I could work with her after I finish for the year. I have been thinking about the different available markets for lettering and chalkboards and weddings is definitely an option. I am going to follow up the visit with an email suggesting this once I have set up my online residence, so she can see what I do properly. I may even send something in the post, as I know she likes tactile print, to suggest the idea of possibly suggesting me to clients that want chalkboards. I will also make the offer of helping out. To see if she needs a second pair of hands (pains hopefully) to do all the menial jobs while she gets on with the important stuff. This, much like any future interaction with the print project, would be helped by some workshop style work experience.

OUGD602 PPP 03 Brief 02 Studio Visit, The Print Project

As part of my context of Practice research I organised a visit to Nick at the Print Project. The COP related Interview can be found here.

http://b-taylor1316-dc.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/ougd601-context-of-practice-03_0.html

However, we also talked about a wide range of things to do with professional practice in a discipline as niche as letter press. We found there were a number of similarities between lettering and letterpress in this respect.
We talked at length about how a small business can be feasible and how some of his favourite bits of work are workshops when he gets to travel and work with people completely out of the design world. I talked to him about my recent opportunity to run lettering workshops at deer shed festival and he highly suggested it. Even for self promotional purposes, he said that he makes a lot of contacts in those socially relaxed environments. So, I think I am going to do it.

We also talked about the fact that he is looking to take on someone else part time as the number of jobs increase. I followed this up after the interview with an email to ask if there was any chance that I could apply to be that person. He said that although he had already hired someone for the position, they may not be around for long and since he had met me I would be in with a good chance if the other person left. So, he said he would be in contact if he ever needed any help in that environment.

This really got me thinking about how I would feel working in that messy mechanical environment and I think I would love it. I came away so enthused by everything that Nick said and I could be so happy actively doing work with my hands everyday. I think I should look into work experience that might help me get towards this goal.

OUGD602 PPP 03 Brief 02 Reflecting on Work Brief 06 Triptych Poster Evaluation

I have loved working on this project. Not only because of the freedom  of the brief but also because of the speed at which it needed to be done. This fast paced working makes me make design decisions without dallying, which I find actually makes the decisions better. I enjoyed playing with the idea of distance legibility and how this came from the context of the piece. Although I intended the the secondary layer of type to be less legible at a distance, this could be seen as the weaker part of the design. The issue being that on all reproductions, including photographs, the poster is smaller than in real life, immediately making part of the type less legible. This is something I perhaps should have considered during the design stage. However, I will include a full scale print of the poster in my submission, so that it can be viewed as intended. I feel that the consideration of the audience in this brief made it really strong. Thinking carefully about the content and how it addresses the people that walk past the poster daily gave the design a structure and purpose that it wouldn't of otherwise had. The choice of words also created structure for the typography. The tone of voice is matched and enhanced by the typography creating a visual and tonal juxtaposition that increases the effectiveness of the design. The colour decisions were dictated by the posters to be put on either side of it. This came from discussions with the designers creating these and  good communication throughout. When looking at the three together it does create a strong sense of togetherness and harmony that none the less allows for the individual styles of the designers at work. If I had a chance to work on this design further there are two things that I would address. One would be the interweaving of the two ;entering styles and how this could be increased to enhance the design. Also because of the two tone nature f the design and its sharp edges, this could work really well as a screen print. If I get a chance I will try and screen print this design.

Find the design Process here!

OUGD603 External Brief DBA Type and Colour Development

As detailed in the last post it was my job to try out slimming down the letters from the original vectors. 

As you can see the change was fairly drastic and i managed to remove about a third of the stroke width without any ill effects on the glyphs. I know there are a few issues with the 'e' and 'r' because they are shorter more self contained letters they actually need less width and line weight to seem the same. However, I will do this if and when the rest of the group feels this is a direction we want to go in.

----------------------------------------------------------

We had a meeting on Monday morning and agreed that this lighter approach was effective and it was worth refining the 'e' and 'r'. So, I did this and then the colour experimentation ensued.

We when through numerous options inspired by an orange that Melissa came up with in here developmental work, mixing it with a relaxed grey so as to be calm and not too over worked in respect to colour. However, we soon felt that the orange was too construction like and had a vibe of easy jet to it which wasn't what we wanted to communicate. So, we returned to the blue tones that we like at the beginning of the project but this time with an eye to making it bright and friendly. 

We wanted to apply the colour only to 'loop' because of a conversation during the crit stage of the project. In which we talked about the way that 'hyper' creates a tech heavy exciting impression, while 'loop' is the playful open side that makes it approachable. Applying the colour to this section increases this and makes the overall impression more friendly.

This bright sky blue is what we landed on with a tonally similar grey to sit beside it. Once we had decided on this we also agreed on the mock up areas that we wanted to cover. These were:

- a top up card

- a website/app to buy tickets and top up the card

- signage

- infographics fro the interior of the pods to make the technology friendly understandable and approachable.

We divided these up and I am to develop the application of the brand on the top up card.

OUGD602 PPP 03 Brief 02 Reflecting on Work Freshers Campaign Evaluation

I think a great measure of the success of the design is the number of applications it has easily been put to. The logo looks great on the freshers guide, tote bags and badges, not to mention the banners and events list. However, something that could have been done better for this project would be colour management. To a certain extent this was because we couldn't afford the luxury of a spot colour or pantone match but the difference in orange between the print and the totes bags is possible the most offensive part. This is mostly because I had no control over the buying of the tote bags. So I think the best way to maintain continuity would have been to create more comprehensive brand guidelines in repeat to colour management.

Working with precision was a real learning curve but an incredibly useful one. The main thing I learned is never to assume they know what they are doing. Always check they understand what you mean and never deal only through emails. Despite the trials o this project in terms of the complexity of print, I now feel confident organising such a complex and demanding order. A useful skill.

Something that in retrospect I feel possibly could have been improved would be the interior folding of the guide. This is because I feel it was too complex to fold back up. I still have no idea how I could have made it more simple without loosing content, but that is what I would change.

Overall, the guides and the campaign have been very positively received. I have had nothing but good reports back from the SU and the Freshers said was the most highly attended yet! 

Find the design process here!

OUGD602 PPP 03 Brief 02 Assisting at Vernon Street Print Room

Today I assisted in the print room during the evening classes for the first time. There will be six sessions in all each developing the experience of the students from idea to printing.
It was a fantastic start and the group is a great mix of people and ages which means a lovely chatty atmosphere throughout the class.
I think I made myself useful, mostly cleaning up and exposing screens but I definitely feel confident enough to advise and help the students. Even though it was quite a long, late night it was a lot of fun and I think I would like to continue assisting if I can get paid to do so.
I have found that meeting new people and working with a variety of people really excites me. Something I should probably reflect on before I dive into freelance solo work.

Notes:

In the second week I was able to really help people with their digital file prep and get results that everyone was really happy with. Kirstie also suggested that I look into the West Yorkshire Print Workshop because ether are looking to take on a letterpress technician. I called the up the next day and the main technician will be contacted next week, (she is not in on thursdays and fridays).

Third - I was working more in the area of the beds this time as more of the students were ready to print with the files and images that we prepared last week. It was great to see the experimentation that people went with and how the relaxed freedom of the environment meant some really cool stuf was produced


Fourth - This was more of a mixed session dodging between the computer prepping files for people and helping with the actual printing as well as coating and stripping screens both with and for students. What I really learnt here was the balance between showing someone what to do and letting them do it. It was really great to see the students improve.

Fifth-
Mostly my time was spent helping people mix inks for print as a number of the students are well into the printing stage and want to start experimenting with colour. Through the briefs I have done this year I have found that I have a back or mixing colour and I really enjoyed working with the students on their prints.

Sixth-
Was quite a rush. everyone was trying to finish their work before the end of the session. We had a number of people printing free of the beds and this was something completely new to me. However, it mostly worked out really well. Kirsty showed me the ropes and I soon got the hang of it. The main skill being the clean lift of the screen off the paper.



Condensed Report-

Throughout my time at vernon street I have learnt a lot about how I like to work as well as the screen print process and workshop environment. I really enjoyed simply working with a number of people. Getting to know them and help them achieve the best work they could. I find the idea of working as a technician very appealing. However, I think this is something I can get from working in a studio. Through this work experience it has occurred to me that I collaborate with clients when I work for them, and each brief is a chance to learn someone and something new. More than anything I have reaffirmed the fact that it is the people that I work with rather than what I am doing that makes me love a certain type of work. This is why I feel big corporate studios in London are not for me. 

I have also decided that I will go on working as an assistant during the evening classes at Vernon, because it is a wonderful supplement of mess and ink in-between a lot of staring at screens. More than anything I have found that I have a worrying propensity for teaching, in this particular instance. Although, it is not something I am going to immediately pursue in my career, I have started to think about how I would do so in the log run. So, I have signed up to teach a lettering workshop at Deer Shed festival to test if this might be a direction In which I wish to go.

However, I am also aware that this work experience didn’t exactly challenge me it was comfortable and familiar. This is why I think I need to pursue a design studio environment (just not like split) that pushes me, because I need to be challenged to be happy in a Job for a substantial time.

OUGD602 PPP 03 Brief 01 Self Branding Online Portfolio and PDF

OUGD602 PPP 03 Brief 01 Self Branding Creating Stamp for Back of Business Card

When it came to creating the back design for my business cards I based the typographic layout around the structure of the letterpress prints produced earlier in the year.

However, experience with stamps meant that I knew that there was a minimum type and line weight that would transfer well from a stamp. So, there had to be a balance between the size and weight of the type. Source Sans Pro was used to stick to the confines of the brand developed. Capitals were used in order to achieve and information hierarchy that again would register well when stamped. 

landscape format was also considered. Asjking my peers was the best way to gauge which format would be best. I gave a number of people a business card to turn the way that they would naturally. This was illuminating, the number that turned it to a portrait back was the same as those who kept the card landscape. I decided that because the front of the card is landscape the back should be too. However, it would need to be the other way up than the front so that they can be flipped horizontally and  be the right way up. This is something I can experiment once I have the stamp.

I have also spent some time purchasing custom email and URL so that all the info on the back of my business card is accurate and appears professional.

In preparation for the stamp, I bought some stock from Fred Aldous (Colour Plan Mandarin) the closest I could get to the orange of the stamp.

I also cut my logo paper (Bier Gmund Wiezner) down to my slightly shorter than average business cards (40mm x 70mm). By using spray mount ad a big book I stuck together all 4 pieces of paper for each card.

They turned out beautifully and the paper isn't far off the ink at all.

Although there were a few issues with positioning the back stamp correctly on such a small piece of paper the cards turned out really week. The weight of the stock in particular is really effective in communicating tactility and hands on processes.

OUGD602 PPP 03 Brief 02 Exterior Engagement Print Festival Lectures

I managed to get a free plus one ticket to the print festival lectures on the saturday at Munroe House. It was a great day and worth going but I found I had a very mixed response to those talking.

Ian Anderson:
(Designer's Republic)
He had a bit of a different view of print and talked about the fact that holding something tactile was great not simply for its value and rarity but for its ability to communicate. He also talked at length about his opinions on the idea of less is more. He completely disagreed with that saying that the more you have the more you communicate. I completely disagree with this because the more you have on a page, the more you are adding complexity to a message and the less direct value of an idea communicated.

Danny Lee:
(director)
He did a wonderful talk about his relationship with movie posters throughout his life. It was great to see the changing nature of movie posters and the way what the did has evolved with the film industry and its increasing commercialisation.

Alan Kitching:
(letterpress)
Incredible collection of letterpress and typography based maps. It was incredible to see someone talking about something that they saw as completely natural and sensible evolution of visual communication. its great to see the translation of physical space into something typographic.

OUGD602 PPP 03 Brief 01 Self Branding Re Thinking and Planning

After talking with John and Oli at split design I have realised that my plan to brand and set up a stationery business for my PPP outcomes would not be the most immediately beneficial for me . So, instead I am re evaluating what I will create that will be immediately useful to me.

-portfolio (full printed portfolio)

- online portfolio (Behance or the like)

- PDF portfolio for every external application made.

- presence on relivant social media (linked in, Instagram, Twitter)

- logo and identity

- business cards (chalkboarding inclusive)

- small publication detailing lettering work

- portfolio website (square space?)

These are all things that I have a current or imminent need for, so I know they will come in handy.

OUGD602 PPP 03 Screen Print Workshop Assisting

After my visit with split I spent the day screen printing at Rossington street. I was thinking about the difference in environment and why I liked working in one and not the other. I think part of it is the rewarding hands on process which is part and parcel  of the environment, but I also think it is the number of people you are talking to and working with in a day.

I got talking to Mick the print room manager and he suggested I send over an email about asking to assist in the evening classes to get the skills that I require to possibly help out in the print room full time.

I have sen this email and think that this might be a great way for me to go for the moment. Really learning a print method is so valuable and I could even work the evening classes next year while doing other work during the day.

OUGD602 PPP 03 Split Studio Visit

Today I did a studio visit with split. I simply dropped by to talk with the creative director Olli to get a better understanding of graphic design in a commercial and real world context.

I had a number of questions to ask him specific to the split studio, such as why that have a changing logo as an ongoing project and how they get the clients that they want to work with. However, it turned into more of a conversation and he gave me some great advice concerning my work. He suggested that I look at separating the presentation of my lettering and more general graphic design. He said I should do this by putting together a book of my lettering sketches that can be presented along side my portfolio. This works perfectly with what I am planning for my PPP self promotion piece. 

Overall it was a really enlightening visit and he suggested I get back in touch in a year or so's time to see if I can work with them in some way. However, I did get a bit of a doubtful feeling as to that particular studio environment. I am not sure why but I just feel that I wouldn't want to work there. Perhaps it is because I want to work with a big number of people and a small studio can't provide that straight off the bat.

I think the next step is to look into the larger studios that are in the area and see if I can arrange studio visits.

OUGD602 PPP 03 LUU Job Application

I recently spotted an add online for a graphic design job in the Leeds University Union. It basically is the same role that I am doing now for LCA but at a bigger scale and paid. i called up the marketing team (where the post would be) and asked if there was any chance that, if I was the right candidate, I could start part time now and then segway into full time once I had finished my degree. They d=said, yes. So, it took a while but I put together an application with a few selected pieces that were specific to the role and have sent it off. Just waiting to hear back now. However, if I am unlucky and do not get a job or even an interview I would like to contact then regarding a placement, seeing as it is a department so perfectly matched to my experience and I know that I would love working in this field, as I already do.




Below is the essay I wrote for the application form, I shaped it around the criteria list that they provided for the role:

Thank you for the opportunity to apply for the position above. Although I am a student, just completing the final year of my degree, I think that you will find that I have an unusual range and depth of experience that make me strongly suited to this position.

One of the defining aspects of this role, is the collaboration and an ability to work with people, both in and out of creative fields. This is not only something I am used to, through my work as communications officer for the Leeds College of Art Students’ Union, but also something I actively enjoy and seek out in my work. I have made collaboration a central theme of my third year briefs and gained so much knowledge and experience because of it. I work and develop ideas through conversation, so cooperation with others is something that harmonises perfectly with my practice. 

Working with people who are new to design is just as valuable for me. This is something I undertook when working on the Leeds Arts Party. It was a fantastic mixed team of people to work with. This gave me the ability to communicate effectively with non graphic designers about design issues. This sounds basic, but I think many people can get lost in the world of design jargon and can alienate clients and collaborators 

I am well versed in planning, organisation and juggling several projects at the same time. This experience comes mostly from balancing my communications role alongside my third year studies, and still achieving a solid first (to date). This role has involved organising and planning print and web aspects of campaigns, client liaison, considering budget, logistics and print deadlines for both the elections and freshers campaigns, (detailed in my portfolio PDF). This has given me a good understanding of dealing directly with printers and prepping artwork for professional print. I also think it is worth noting that the course that I am on is extremely demanding. Throughout my time on the course, I have worked on up to five projects simultaneously, whilst also working on personal promotion and academic essays that synthesise with my practical work. 

I have experience of working within a students’ union and designing specifically for a student audience. Although, it may be at a smaller scale, I have worked on exactly the kind of briefs that this role involves. This gives me a solid understanding of your target audience and the mediums that will be used. 

I thoroughly understand your target demographic. As a student myself, I have a high level of insight into what the student experience in Leeds is like. Being in the students’ union has also brought me much closer to the political and social issues that students face. Working closely with the campaigns officers at LCA has really increased my interest and investment in these issues. For example, environmental issues are very important to the majority of our students, so an initiative we have recently been looking to enact is taking any excess print and recycling it, to create green and affordable stock for subsequent campaigns. 

Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign are programs I am fully competent using.I understand colour management across these programs as well as web safe colour gamuts. In addition I am skilled in more traditional design methods such as letterpress and screen printing.

AfterEffects is also a program with which I am well acquainted. Although I have not worked on full length animations, I have worked on animating info graphics and logo motion graphics. This has been self-taught and I am confident that I can learn more for use in this role.

I understand and can create comprehensive brand guidelines. I have created brand guidelines on a number of projects and understand the importance of adhering to them. Nevertheless, I very much appreciate and enjoy the challenge of thinking and working creatively within these confines to bring new life to existing brands and campaigns.

I have experience creating campaigns that have both print and web applications. I have a good understanding of web design, UX design and the functional aspects necessary to a working, informative web presence. An example of this would be the web applications for the Parallel feminist magazine (portfolio PDF): the functions and movements of which align exactly with their brand identity. At LCA SU we use social media extensively for our marketing and promotions. During the elections campaign (portfolio PDF) we used the icons developed for each available role to inform students about what each entailed. Because our students are very visual thinkers we use images throughout our social media presence: creating images that have continuity is always a priority. A cohesive and considered approach to social media is something that I would bring to this role. It is easy with something as ephemeral as the digital to be flippant, but I am well aware that those few seconds of audience engagement can make all the difference.

Finally I want to emphasise that I really love what I do. It always excites and interests me. I am so enthused by working with and for a student audience and genuinely making a difference, helping and supporting that audience is always rewarding for me. I really think that I can add to your team in a positive and exciting way. I know that I will possibly be younger than a number of applicants. However, I know I can do this job, and do it well.

Thank you for your interest. Please let me know if you would like any further information.

--------------------------------------------------------------

Unfortunately I didn't get an interview for this job because they said I didn't have enough experience. However, they did say that they liked my portfolio and wanted me to apply to another up  and coming junior position.