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.

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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.