OUGD502 PPP2: Session 1

OUGD502

PPP2

SESSION 1

We had a pop session with John this morning we discussed what actually is PPP and how vital it is to our design practice. We discussed what we should be doing to contact studios and how we just need to get involved !

What were your highlights this past year? What made it memorable ? What do you feel that you gained from that experience?

POINTS THAT WERE MADE:

The smallest experience are important in many ways... WHY? Because we build up a database that will be more than useful in years to come.

Because we are visually bias animals , we create an onboard database of information and experiences that gives us a methodology of researching and evaluation information/

There are so many ways to gather data over our lives other than google, Yahoo and wikipedia.

This is where blogs are a new and a 'revisitable' resource we can look back on and see our personal journey of likes comment and changes in what we can see and document.

Experiences in the transition between first and second year and diverse and are mesa used on what you have learned in year one.



Work you have seen , studios you appreciate and have either contacted or are now considering contacting all are part of your PPP journey.


PLANNING WITH A PURPOSE


VISITS

Do visits don't just be desperate for a placement.
Visit the place you might not like it when you get there?


PPP Fundamentals:


The exploration of assumptions concerning personal learning, investigative strategies and the management of self learning through tasks and research
Using effective strategies to facilitate personal and professional development though critical enquiry and problem solving.
The demonstration of evaluation of professional development,through presentation and documentary evidence.
The evaluation of personal developmental needs based on and through the critical reflection of personal growth through reflection of personal work.
VIDEOS FOR INSPIRATION

After the break in Johns session we began to watch some short videos from some designers and there company's it does inspire you to create amazing things and i found the Stefan Sagmeister particularly interesting so i made some points.

Stefan Sagmeister -

Stefan Sagmeister is an Austrian graphic designer living and working in New York City. His talk at the AGI Open 2013 conference in London was entitled "Sagmeister on Happiness", in light of his upcoming documentary The Happy Film.In this interview he discusses the film and its subject of happiness, as well as the broader subject of his work in design. He explains his decision to work as a designer in New York versus Vienna, saying that in New York people are more about "actually doing things" rather than talking about doing things


http://www.designindaba.com/video/stefan-sagmeister-bring-personal-and-human-design



I watched this video a few times and got some good points from what Stefan Sagmeister was talking about:

Do something to bring changes into our life
Big changes need thought
Certain design you can only pursue if you have the proper time frame
Worrying solves nothing
Evolution didn't build us that way that we would reach permanent happiness. If we were built that way they're would be no compass.

OUGD502 PPP2: Presentation videos

OUGD502

PPP2

PRESENTATION VIDEOS

I also like the way some of the designers presented their work, being clear, concise and confident. I remember John said that you have to make a 'show' when delivering your concepts or final idea's because that's what keeps people interested.

OUGD502 PPP2: Study task 2 Methods of contacting creative studios or agencies

OUGD502

PPP2

STUDY TASK 2
METHODS OF CONTACTING

CREATIVE STUDIOS OR AGENCIES

TASK -Investigate list of methods you can employ to contact other creatives studios or agencies - List these on your blog.

EMAIL - To start of my investigation i first thought emailing is a huge way in which you can contact other creatives wether it be a design studio an individual person. Emailing in an appropriate way stating what its about why your contacting them. Its really important to spell EVERYONES name right and and be polite and professional.

WRITING THEM A LETTER - After speaking to John its very important that you we consider all methods of contacting people. When i have recently contacted a design studio i sent them a letter. John said its important because they might not receive the email or not check it but a letter is more formal and there more likely to read it.

RESEARCHING INTO DESIGN STUDIOS - Researching into design studios is important you can find all kinds of other resources from a design studio and meet other people doing your research is beneficial as you don't want to contact the wrong person.

VISIT DESIGN STUDIOS - We are all told to visit design studios and make an effort to get to know people, make your self known! Visiting design studios can open so many doors for you and you can meet a lot of creative individuals. On a visit if you make a good impression there likely to want you to come back. Making contacts is such a vital part of the design industry.

WORK PLACEMENTS - When gaining work placements its a really good foot in the door for young creatives even for example if the work placement you were at isn't where you want to be you can meet people through placements that can introduce you to other young creatives and other studios. If your work placement is really successful chances are they'll ask you to come back and work for them.

FREE LANCE - Doing freelance work for people can boost your reputation as a designer as your work progresses and people see the kinds of design you do more people will want to use you and employ you.

BEHANCE - Behance is a platform to showcase and discover photography, graphic design, illustration, and fashion. It is a product of New York-based company Behance, Inc., which has also created other services meant to organise creative people and support creative careers. Behance is an amazing way to publicise your work and get your self recognised by other designers. If a designer is interested in your work you can get contacted through behance as well as contact other people.

LINKEDIN - LinkedIn is a social networking website for people in professional occupations. Founded in December 2002 and launched on May 5, 2003, it is mainly used for professional networking. As of June 2013, LinkedIn reports more than 225 million acquired users in more than 200 countries and territories.The same as Behance you can contact and be contacted by professionals.

YOUR PEERS- Being in a degree or the work place with like minded creative individuals is such an enriching experience because we learn from one and other and we help and recommend certain orangisations or design studios or people to one and other. This is a great way of gaining contacts.

JOIN MORE PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATIONS - Joining as many professional studios as possible is important because its networking it opens so many doors and gets your work out there and you as a designer.
Joining organisations allows people to contact you and is way for you to interact with studios and other designers.

FOLLOW BLOGS - Following blogs can help you find other creatives blogs and design studios you haven't heard of before or aren't all that well known.

D&AD - Design and Art Direction is a British educational charity which exists to promote excellence in design and advertising. Their logo includes the words "Benchmarking and rewarding great ideas that are well executed and appropriate". D&AD is such a huge organisation and having your work on D&AD if you are successful is a huge recognisable achievement. Collaborating with people will help you to meet other creatives.

COMPETITIONS - Live briefs & competitions are really important to get involved in. If successful it makes you known to other creatives as your work is showcased or exposed. Like most competition websites such as secret 7 you can contact other creatives.

EXHIBITIONS - Exhibitions are a good way of meeting people and being introduced to other creative studios people or agencies.

TRAVEL - Travelling is one of the best things you can do as creative designer there is nothing better than having experience in other countries or places to put on your cv it makes you stand out from other creatives. Travelling is also good if you want to visit a certain studio you can go in person rather than looking at there website and speak to people face to face.

TELEPHONE/SKYPE - Telephoning studios and agencies or skipping is another way of contacting but only once your on a relationship basis as you would first send a letter or an email. Its important to always stay professional.

OUGD502 PPP2: Getting your business ducks in a row

OUGD502

PPP2

GETTING YOUR BUSINESS DUCKS IN A ROW

This afternoon John stayed to do another talk for the third years mainly, however the second years were invited to join too. The talk was on freelance work and general advice, so I thought it would be worthwhile for me to go, especially as I could have done with knowing more about it over Summer. I wrote down a few of the key points he made during this talk:


Get your business ducks in a row - make sure that everything is stated before starting the work
Discuss requirements and deadlines
Quotations are legally binding whereas an estimate is not
Type an estimate including the requirements as well as any additional costs, for example travel expense
Send estimate under the terms
Always let them know by email and let them know if there are any further changes
Invoices need to include a break down of you work
Send it to the accounts department and send an email
Itemise all work
Terms and conditions need to be on the invoice as well as on the estimate
Payment by bank transfer only
I found this really useful and have decided to copy the slides on to this post so that I have a constant reference in the future which I refer back to whenever I need to.

OUGD502 PPP2: 5 things

OUGD502
PPP2
STUDY TASK 1
5 THINGS


Identify and explain 5 reasons why you chose to study on this programme.

Reputation- The first reason and most attractive reason was the reputation of BAGD at Leeds college of art, The calibre and diversity of the alumni and seeing how far they had come. Originally I thought i would struggle to get a place on the course due to the competitiveness and large number of applicants with only 50 students selected. I also came to the course straight from A level and doubted my chances of being accepted to the course due to the lack of art foundation, I was encouraged to apply for a local foundation course, but i have always been head strong and new that i wanted to study graphic design at Leeds College of Art. My graphic design tutor took a great deal of care in to preparing me for my interview, and helping me to produce a strong portfolio, always showing her belief in my skills. I also contacted a boy who studied at my sixth form college and was currently in his 3rd year on the graphic design course at LCA for tips and tricks for the interview process.

Challenging- I was really impressed with the work schedule presented at open days. I wanted to study on a course which was challenging and mentally stimulating, rather than a course where i was only in for a few hours a week. The course can be really intense and some times over powering but in my eyes this is a true reflection of working in industry and working against strict deadlines which is why i chose the course. The course challenges me on a regular basis to get as much out of it as possible.

Tutors- Fred Bates in particular was a selling point of the course for me. When i had my interview he was straight up, and to the point, not wrapping anything in cotton wool. He also came across driven and loved the course which made it even more inviting.  Although it was one particular tutor who made me want to study here i have realised the tutors as a whole are extremely driven, passionate and easy to get in contact with. Most tutors are interested in you as a person and your development throughout the year, as well as coming from different back grounds of design and still practicing along side teaching.

Focus on industry - The course was unlike any other that I had researched in to and visited as there was a strong focus on becoming a professional and preparing students for life after university.

Studio space - With the small year groups there was ample studio space. The small year groups also make the tutors a lot more personable and you feel like they really get to know you as a person and creative. The small year groups are also beneficial as you can track the progress of everyone on the course across year groups. It's more of a family as you know everyones name and personality, rather than going to a large university where you are viewed more of a number than a person.

Identify and explain 5 things that you want to learn during your time on the programme.

Professionalism - I want to learn how to conduct my self in a professional manner when looking for placements and jobs.

Print processes - I would like to focus more a varied range of print processes in order to utilise the resources around me and take full advantage of them while i can.

Web coding - Web coding seems to be something that scares everybody, I'd like to learn the basics of how to create a simple yet effective web design.

Finishing and crafting - Finishing and crafting are something i only started to put to good use towards the end of the year last year. This year i need to learn to take more pride in my work and produce professional looking design that looks as high quality as it can.

Identify and explain 5 skills that you think are your strengths.

Typography choices - I am good at selecting typefaces that work well together

Layout - I am good at creating grids and canons to aid the layout of my work

Photography - I think i have a good eye for photography, This is a strength but something i hope to utilise more throughout this year. My a level studies have also given me a good understanding of adobe photoshop and i can use the software professionally and with ease.

Presentation skills - I am confident when it comes to public speaking, i actually enjoy the pressure and nerves that you get before presenting.

Book binding - I am really interested in book binding methods and consider it a strength of mine.


Identify and explain 5 things that you want to improve.

Research - I think i need to improve on the breadth and depth of the research that i conduct. I need to consider a wider range of sources and make sure to undertake primary and secondary research in order to inform my practice.

Time management - A constant struggle of mine is time management, I need to learn to utilise my time better to get the most out of briefs.

Blogging - I need to improve on blogging my progression and making sure i don't let it suffer. When i get behind on blogging it makes it hard to go back and recollect what was happening at the time.
Print processes - I would like to focus more a varied range of print processes in order to utilise the resources around me and take full advantage of them while i can.

Collaborative practice - Collaborations haven't always been my strong point, and i often fade in to the background and find it hard to be assertive with my ideas and designs.



Identify and explain 5 ways that you will evaluate your progress.
Self evaluations

Referring to past blog posts

Crit feedback

Tutorials and tutor feedback

Grades and module feedback forms


Identify 5 questions that you want to find the answer to.

What kind of designer do I want to be?

What is my specialist area with in graphic design?

How do I charge clients properly?

How can I get more exposure and get recognised in the world of design?

How do I conduct my self professionally around prospective employees?


Identify and explain 5 things that inspire you.

Wallpaper magazine - I love the magazines layouts and design, they always have interesting articles on a wide range of design. I also love the creativity of the front cover designs, they are always imaginative and often cutting edge.

The Click design agency - The click design studio is an agency based in norwich my home town. I have followed the studio ever since they rebranded my sixth form college, they were the first studio that i really started to follow, They always come up with enervative and conceptual logo design that always inspire me.

My peers - I am always inspired by the people working around me. It is really interesting to see others around you developing their own practice in their own time. It is always motivational to see what others can produce on the same brief as what you are doing.

Behance - Like above it is inspiring to see what designers around the world are achieving. It is also interesting to see design from different countries and cultures.

Blogs - Design blogs such as, It's nice that, Designspiration, Pintrest, This is collate all provide daily inspiration.

Identify 10 examples of design that illustrate your fields of creative interest.

OUGD502 PPP2: Studio briefing

PPP2
OUGD502
STUDIO BRIEFING


This module focus's on personal & professional practice and intwines with other modules
4 main components

Research & evaluation 25%
Critical awareness & Analysis 25%
Problem analysis & project management 25%
Professionalism & communication 25%

- Contextual & ethical dimensions
- More in depth taking about copyright ect
- Start blogging on PPP


STUDY TASK

At the start of the PPP module at level 4 we were asked to identify 5 things that we wanted to improve. The study task set from this session was to reflect on the lists that we made

Identify and explain 5 things that you want to improve?

1: Awareness of target audience- Often design what I personally like and forget about the target audience and purpose of the design.

2: Drawing skills- I am not the most qualified drawer, although i would like to explore and try out bringing illustration into my work.

3: Team work- I am more comfortable working individually, i am not a very confrontational person and sometimes find it hard to speak out against something/someone.

4: Adobe editing suite- With so many programmes and tools available, i would like to experiment more and learn to use the amazing digital facilities at my finger tips.

5: Use of colour- Something that daunts me as it isn't a skill that comes naturally to me.

REFLECTION

1: Awareness of target audience - I think my awareness of target audience has improved no end, i now understand the purpose of a product, who it is aimed at and why it is aimed at that person. This is mainly down to my ability to research more in-depth and more efficiently.

2: Drawing skills - I don't think i have developed my drawing skills that much, but i don't necessarily see this as a bad thing. Instead of developing a skill that isn't relevant to my practice I have instead focussed on honing the existing skills i have as well as practicing new ones that are relevant to my practice, e.g. Screen printing.

3: Team work - I think that over the year i still struggled with collaborative briefs. I found it hard to speak up for my design decisions and what i believed to be right. This is down to my fear of confrontation and is a self confidence issue. I feel that as my design practice gets stronger and i become more confident in my work i will be able to be more assertive and out spoken and challenge other people's opinions.

4: Adobe editing suite - I think my adobe editing skills have developed a lot, I now feel more confident when using indesign and illustrator, rather than being dependent on photoshop which is actually the wrong tool for layout and graphic design. Over the summer i also challenged my self to use Illustrator in particular as that was a weakness in my knowledge in the adobe suite. I think i still have a long journey trying to master the skills needed to use the software efficiently and seamlessly between projects, however i have mad a start which i am pleased with.

5: Use of colour - I have discovered that i am actually in fact quite naturally aware of colour choices, contrary to my statement last year. I have always designed with muted and limited colour schemes and always thought i should be using a wider range, however i have now learned that you don't actually have to throw every colour under the sun in to a design to make it eye catching.

Over all on reflection i have come a long way since writing the list at level 04, but am of no illusion that i still have a long way to go, and so much more to learn, which is exciting and i can'twait to get started.

OUGD502 PPP2: 10 successes

OUGD502

PPP2

10 SUCCESSES

This morning we were asked as a group to think about 10 successes from first year. I quite liked this exercise as it made me realise just how much information and knowledge we have gained as a year group, and it gives me a strong incentive to start forward thinking for the year ahead and ensure that I achieve everything I hope to achieve.

As a group we came up with the following:

1. Screen printing
2. Using certain programme tools and short cuts
3. Management of time / punctuality
4. Management of money
5. Be more confident
6. Creative & theoretical writing
7. Summation feedback
8. Knowledge of contemporary resources
9. Collaborative work
10. Execution of work / printing
11. Module hand in structure
12. Workshops and skill development 

As a class we then came up with a second list:

1. Presentation skills
2. Feedback
3. Workshops
4. Independent
5. Research/Development
6. Understand time management
7. Working in/with groups
8. Confidence
9. Theoretical writing
10. Understand personal style

The next task was to come up with 10 personal things that we would like to be successful over the coming year.

MY FUTURE SUCCESSES:

1. Progressive and well managed blog

2. Improve knowledge and skills of adobe Illustrator

3. Learn fundamentals and basics of web coding

4. Professional finishing and crafting

5. Depth of research and sources

6: Working with clients

7: Utilising Behance and blogs for exposure

8: Considered and executed concept development

9: Self belief and self confidence in my work

10. Networking and meeting creative for possible business ventures.

11: Rounded knowledge of manual print processes (Screen print, foiling, etching) as well as be able to execute them effectively

OUGD402: PPP Presentation

Slide Transcript:

01. Hey everyone my names Samson and I’m a graphic design student. I’m 19 years old and from a small town in Suffolk called Beccles. Moving to Leeds was a slight culture shock for me, I’m used to the countryside and beaches as well as knowing the names of practically everyone in my town. I’ve always considered my self more of a city dweller, but moving to Leeds has taught me that the countryside will always be my home.

02. Moving to Leeds has been the best experience in so many ways and taught me valuable life lessons, before moving here its safe to say I was a bit of a mummy’s boy, I think mentally I have matured loads throughout the year I now know how to use a washing machine, I’m a pretty decent cook, but I still leave my dirty socks all over the place.

03. A change in attitude. Studying for my place on this course was pretty hard, I came straight from A levels, and wasn’t really expecting to get a place here. All in all I was a pessimist. I didn’t have any self belief and often thought my work was inadequate. Gaining a conditional offer on the course really helped boost my confidence and gave me a challenge to work towards in my A levels, it turned out pretty good and I was really pleased with my results. I still struggle with my confidence and self belief, but over the year I feel I have made real progress in changing my attitude towards my self, and try to be more optimistic in all areas of my life, not just my design work and studies.

04. As a designer I feel that I have developed lots over the past year, I feel that my development may have been slower to start with than others on the course and for a while I felt like I was just sailing through it, rather than relishing in the experience and challenging my self as much as possible. I think that as soon as I changed my attitude and started challenging myself a lot more my design worked began to improve; this is reflected in my grades that have continuously crept up, and will hopefully continue to do so.

05. I like clean modernist and functional design. I prefer organized uncluttered design with a clear purpose and meaning. I think over the past year my work has developed dramatically. I prefer muted, monotonous colour schemes with an injection of colour.

06. I think that I have number of strengths that I have shown this year, I think I am hard working and always passionate about what I am doing. I have used my photography skills for a number of briefs this year that has helped show a skill that I have. I think my strongest area of graphic design is editorial, but still want to experiment more within the other fields such as packaging and brand identity

07. Time management is still a major downfall in my work I think that I have made an effort to improve this throughout the year but it is still lacking. Not being well organized and on top of things has often left me feel anxious, nervous and stressed. In the last OUGD406 brief ‘Speaking From Experience’ I planned my time well and was finished in a good amount of time. I struggled with Group work briefs this year often afraid to say my piece and stand up for what I want to, this is something I need to work on. Before starting this degree I did all of my work on Photoshop, it was really hard to come out of my comfort zone and challenge my self to use these programs, I think I have a long way to go to develop my understanding of these but have made good progress this year to learn the basics.

08. The publication I designed for context of practice is my favourite and in my eyes strongest piece of work I have created whilst on the course. I think I had considered every aspect of design and produced a well thought out and planned design. I think that although this is my strongest piece of work it is let down by the essay component that I struggled with.

09. I wasn’t happy with this brief. I think it looks rushed and unprofessional. This is an example of work I left till the last minute, as a consequence its un developed and not up to standard.

10. I’ve found it really interesting learning about colour theory, it really interested me and I loved the scientific side to it. Time management has been a massive learning curve for me, I feel that I have learned what not to do… not leaving everything to the last minute, but I now need to make sure I practice what I preach. I have developed a basic understanding of some of the Adobe software but need to practice further. I have loved going to workshops this year, I’ve found them really interesting, unfortunately I haven't used the facilities such as the print room as much as I would like to but plan to do so next year.

11. I am inspired by a number of different things. In particular modernism an the Bauhaus. More current influences include Anthony Burrill, Massimo vignelli, isidro ferrer and Si Scott. I also have a subscription to Wallpaper magazine, which I love. I find inspiration from a number of different resources including blogs such as graphic design and tattoos, Designspiration.

12. Over the summer and during the 2^nd year I plan to develop my design work, as I feel I am now at a place where I know what I want to be doing but don’t have all the skills to get there. I want to visit lots of galleries and museums over the summer and maybe contact some agencies and designers that I like in order to start networking.