OUGD602: Module Evaluation

PPP felt a lot more intense this year, not just personal branding but external engagement briefs, work placements and networking throughout the whole year. The areas I got the most out of was external engagement. Hyperloop allowed me to understand what a professional pitch was like which was invaluable, it was also impressive to see how much work we could produce in such a short space of time. Though I do have some regrets about the DBA brief, I felt that I spent so much time mocking things up and drawing concept art that I worked as an illustrator instead of a designer. I understand that people assume I will be taking on the illustrative based work with it being one of my specialisms however, I have used illustration a lot and especially in group projects it seems to be the only job I am assigned. This means I loose out on the experience of acting as a designer in group work which is something I want to do more. Also the work load was very unbalanced- I had to step in and help out on a lot of elements that weren't assigned to me. Of course I did them for the sake of a deadline and the team, though I do think how much more we could've accomplished if everyone had been working at the same pace. 

One area of PPP I have thoroughly enjoyed is the work placements. I am currently involved in two placements working as a print technician and it's quite a freeing feeling to be in a creative environment without the intensity of a deadline. That being said, I didn't enjoy my first placement as a teaching assistant but if anything it helped me figure out what I didn't want to do- which is just as important as knowing what you do want to do. Being surrounded by creatives, some who do it as a hobby, some as a career has been really inspiring. I have enjoyed interacting with professionals and getting a sense of what the world is like outside of education, this is true of both my work placements and the visiting professionals- a few of whom I have made a valuable connection with. 

Over this year I have started attending more networking events including creative networks evenings, a dribbble meet up, a print open day and exhibition opening nights. I have spoken to so many people and it's wonderful to hear stories and get advice. Hearing all the varying stories makes me feel more confident in my own practice- there is no one way to make it, create a business or run a studio. I feel as though there will be a niche for me to fit in somewhere and I'm more confident I'm heading in the right direction. 

I finally created a personal brand I like, which is a plus to the whole year. I think in the previous two years I had been so determined to get a 'designer' brand or an 'illustrator' brand or apply branding elements to myself that I didn't necessarily need- I just felt as though I needed them. This year actually considering what I do and don't need has been invaluable. I created and paid for a website last year that I didn't use once, I produced postcards and stationary which I never used. This year I kept it simple and only produced what I believe I will use- cards, mailers, CV, all on a brand that can function for all my career needs. For now my digital presence will remain as a linked in and a behance, until I need a website it would be a waste of time and money to produce one. 

If I were to repeat this module I would focus a lot more on work placements. Although I am enjoying the placements I am currently doing and intend to do a great many more over the next 6-12 months I feel as though I could've gained more valuable experience from graphic design or illustration studios which is so crucial for my CV and future career. However I believe I was so confused as to what I wanted to do at the start of the year I wouldn't have known what kinds of design studios I want to work with so it's taken a lot of searching and understanding to get to the point I am at now- where I know what I want to do next and where I want to apply for. I would also spend more time on Hyperloop and make sure I got in on the design side of the project instead of being stuck as the illustrator. I would also want to take more of a commanding role or at least nominate a project manager. It is a curse to work with friends because no one wants to upset anyone else- if we had established a project manager, someone to take control of who does what and keep the team on track, we could've been a lot more productive.

OUGD602: External Engagement Report

From my external engagement this year I have not only gained a sense of what I'm doing next but I have actively set up the path I need to start following. From my work placements I have continued placements into the summer. From my portfolio reviews I have plenty of work to develop, things to make and briefs to extend. From my external briefs such as Triptych and Hyperloop I have an idea of how industry works and a plan for a future business. And from my networking events I have a list of new connections to contact about future possibilities. Because of the work in PPP I now have a clear direction; not of where I'm going to be in 5 years but what I'm going to start doing straight after our final hand in.

I have been able to develop the specialisms I love and I now have the avenues and experience to start pursuing them, and a versatile brand I can adapt to each subject as I see fit. Although I don't have a fully developed brand it has the potential to grow with me. PPP has given me the chance to start exploring what I want to do after university, and because of this I am no longer terrified to graduate. Thanks to all of the engagement I certainly feel a lot more confident and experienced in tackling new challenges, from hanging an exhibition to entering a new studio environment.  

OUGD602: Robot Food Portfolio Review

I had a portfolio review with Robot Food, and I was terrified going into it. It was very awkward to begin with as we sat in silence for what felt like an age- I don't think it was explained to us that we talk through our work and then they review so I had to ask a few awkward questions about exactly what I needed to do.

That aside once we got into it they gave me some great, not so great and disappointing feedback. Starting with the bad news first, they disregarded all of my illustrative work, understandably so however. They said they couldn't comment on any of it if it didn't have a structured brief and so I was a little disappointed that they couldn't even give an opinion on any of it. I feel as a designer I can still comment on other disciplines, so I was a little confused as to why they couldn't express an opinion.

They did suggest however, if I wanted to show off my illustrations then perhaps I could make a little book for interviewers to flick through whilst I'm talking through my portfolio- showing both talents but keeping them separate.

The better feedback came with some of my other works, they really liked my freakonomics cover and suggested ways in which I could tailor my portfolio for different studios. They also advised on how I could improve certain pages (e.g. instead of having 3 photos of one product, just have one massive photo so they can see it in better detail.)

They both mentioned telling a story. Including more information on the brief so people can fully get an understanding of how I got to my response. This could be images relating to the topic of the brief or even sketches and development work.

The meeting was an incredibly useful and unnerving experience. I love that I now know where to go and how to develop, I hate that it's going to take a large amount of time, precision and care to get there.

OUGD602: Triptych- Evaluation

Triptych has been a fairly enjoyable and open ended brief. It's been simple and rather easy, a nice change of pace from a lot of the extended practice briefs I have worked on. Whilst generating ideas and developing it I took the brief as a representation of me, my personality and my design and I think it's why I found it so enjoyable. From illustrative styles which I love to my own imperfect hand rendered type which I haven't been able to use for a fair few years and even displaying a rather obscure quote purely as a joke to myself, this whole brief has been calm and informed by no one else but me. A slightly self absorbed and cathartic brief I'll agree, but one I felt I needed to do, simply so I could design something with joy and no complications.

Extending it into textiles was also just for myself. It's something I have wanted to do and have only now found a good reason to do it. Also it's good practice to understand basic costs involved in making cushions if I ever wanted to make a business like I presented in second year where I would make and sell prints and soft furnishings (which I definitely do). So as an exercise into how I may want to set up and run a business, it was beneficial. 

OUGD602: My Manifesto

I did initially write one of these at the beginning of the year, I kept coming back to it, adding to it and changing things so much that it changed completely. I decided to write it again here, at the end of the year, with a reflection on everything I've learnt and just how much I've changed. So here's my thirteen point manifesto/mantra and everything I currently believe in. I'm sure it'll change again by this time next year, that's a good thing though.

Make things you love. 

Don't be afraid to compromise. 

Don't be afraid to speak your mind and stand up for yourself. 

Be prepared for plans to fall apart. 

Make sure you allow twice as long for any creative process than you think you'll need. 

Do something that you care about. 

Don't try to change your life and then fit yourself into it, just grow as you and your life will fit around you. 

Be opinionated. 

Be ballsy. 

Take a night if something isn't working, see it with new eyes. 

Don't be jealous, be inspired. 

Don't be afraid to cry. 

Don't be afraid to laugh either.

OUGD602: PPP Presentation

I will go on the record and say when I gave this presentation I was not in the right frame of mind. I had lost the presidential election the night before and felt very lost. That coupled with having to give a presentation about my future, my plans and what I'm going to do after university threw me. I barely got through the presentation as all the plans I had, had fell apart the night before.

However I will adjust the notes to what I had wanted to say for this presentation, which I unfortunately didn't manage to say at the time, mainly because I was so dumb struck.

Slide One

Brief introduction about me, what I enjoy and what interests I have in design: branding, print, illustration.

Slide Two

Level Four- I had no idea what graphic design even was. Put a lot of pressure on myself to get it perfect, didn't make anything I liked.

Slide Three

Level Five- Beginning to get to grips with software and what Graphic Design actually is. Began making work I enjoyed and pushing away from pure illustrative responses.

Slide Four

Level Six- Understanding of graphic design though (at the time) no idea of my specialism, however now I have come to embrace that. Branding is my strong point but with a return to illustration and print making, open ended briefs suit me best, however love the challenge of branding- like making a graphic design portrait of a company/product/service that I enjoy a lot more.

Slide Five

If I won the election. A years experience in a job showing managerial experience, events organising and useful skills with continued access to college facilities. In meantime find freelance work, develop portfolio and start applying for jobs before graduates.

Slide Six

If I lost the election. Move back to boyfriend's parents for financial stability and spend a year gaining experience through work placements and internships. Apply to jobs as soon as possible. Start getting into more print making, set up small business making and selling prints online. Maintain part time job for funds, save for mortgage/life and work towards a career I love.

Slide Seven

Work experience is none existant at present. Two weeks in a college as a teaching assistant allowed me to see that I don't want to be a teacher. Plans to gain work placements in a variety of different settings not just Graphics, illustration, print making, test the water and see what's out there. Studios I want to get placements in, TigerPrint, Something More, Mercht, Awesome Merch, perhaps more as I come across them.

Slide Eight

The Future. Unclear. I planned the last four years of my life and now it's time to come up with a new plan but allow for some time to think, experiment and have fun. Four intense structured years needs a break and some gaps of 'what next' so unknown for the next 1-3 years. In five years however I would like a job doing what I love- creating. Be it graphic design, illustration, print making, running a business or even writing, filming and editing, just want to be working towards it. Hopefully with a house. 

As long as I stick to my manifesto and my core beliefs- Make things you love. Don't be afraid to compromise. Don't be afraid to speak your mind and stand up for yourself. Be prepared for plans to fall apart. Make sure you allow twice as long for any creative process than you think you'll need. Do something that you care about. Don't try to change your life and then fit yourself into it, just grow as you and your life will fit around you. Be opinionated. Be ballsy. Take a night if something isn't working, see it with new eyes. Don't be jealous, be inspired. Don't be afraid to cry. Don't be afraid to laugh either.

Slide Nine

Thank you

OUGD602: Work Placement- West Yorkshire Print Workshop

I've started a placement at the West Yorkshire Print Workshop in Mirfield. This placement, like with my LCA workshop placement will continue long after I graduate, however so far I've been four times and I thoroughly enjoy helping out there. I have assisted on open days and have had a chance to meet all the technicians and various artists who rent studio space there.

Most of my jobs consist of technician roles and a variety of odd jobs, printing, organising, promotion etc. It's such a wonderful space to be in as everyone you talk to is creative and keen to talk about art and design and their practice so it's a wonderful place to get inspired. My hopes are to continue here and perhaps help push the struggling charity to new heights with meet ups and better advertised festivals. It certainly is in a lovely location and in a gorgeous historical building so theres so much potential. Hopefully it will also act as my creative base where I can pay an annual fee to use their facilities.