This is Real Art

Respect!  I have been using TheMusician's Union Monthly magazine for editorial inspiration and have just discovered who is behind it.  They are behind a whole lot more...

thisisrealart.

Networking with Twitter

I am planning to research my Twitter followers ( all followed me first!) who are working in digital media, looking for opportunities to make contact.

Jonathan Torke

Is a German based web developer who recently started following me.  He does have a blog however it needs translating.  He puts up interesting and informative links to web development/design.

PS Website & Naomi Farrar (BAGD)

Web design and web optimisation based in Ilkley

Grafton media  - I definately need to approach this agency as they are involved with Transmedia

Blog

RAR Top 30 Agency offering Graphic Design, Website Design, Web Development, PR, Marketing, SEO & Social Media Company in Dublin, Manchester & London.

PCD Agency

Digital, Data and Direct marketing Agency based in Guisley

Like the fact they talk about their team.

The line spacing on the layout needs a look at and some typo's ie i instead of I!

Script Media & Laura Blackburn/  Script Media are a Publishing, Event and Design Agency based in Barnsley. (21 miles)

My Social Agency

A Digital Marketing agency based in Leeds and London

Fuse 8

As of 12.10.12 Fuse 8 are now following me!

A complete creative and marketing agency based in Leeds, London and Russia

Designer Branding for The Studio

As part of developing a studio presence for visiting professionals we were asked to pin up our cards and also a promotional piece:

From a getting noticed point of view Charlotte's The Romantics and also Kirsty Fruin had used fluorescent colours which stood out.

This was my offering.  When i designed it I was thinking more a mail shout than a wall piece,  Although when made into a pyramid its 3 D shape made it unique amongst the other work.  Also please with the bright purple.

Jamie's 'blue' poser stood out for its solid colours amongst he paler/white colours around it.

Fred also pointed out Sophie's Hello card worked as you good read it from quite a distance.  Matt C lolly poster worked as good use of white space.  

PPD Task one

Things I know now:

1.  Branding is not just external facing/  Internal branding for training, employee engagement, Company vision and values.

2.  I can add value to a Branding Agency involved with Corporate/commercial businesses using my experience of Large/small business and the public sector.  I would be comfortable working/ add more value to a more Commercial facing Branding Agency.

3.  The client facing role in a design agency is a large role and a big responsibility.  Managing clients expectations, basically keeping them happy.  As a Freelancer you will not just be a designer  - ideas development, research, project manager, client manager, finance....

4. I am Branding/design focused however I would like to have a range of skills across print and digital media.

5.  The studios I worked in were not just specialist in Design they had marketing or advertising experts as well.

Things I would address differently

1.  The agency Space was quite a frustrating experience as I waited for them to get back to me after the initial meeting.  With hind sight I should have been more persistent and chased them up after the meeting.

2.  Contact more studios particularly digital based studios

3.



Things I will address at Level 6

1. Blog the Twitter contacts I have made, especially with digital focus

2.  Contact the ones I feel are appropriate for studio visits to discuss experience over level 6

3. Understand Trans media and where I can fit in

4.  Explore the developer/ designer relationship - Skills gaps and What my role can be

5. Explore creative/ business networks  within my local area to identify/create opportunities level 6 and beyond


Things we could address as a group

1.  Identify a Creative Network we can get involved in at level 6 as a group-  identify opportunities within that as a group.

2.  From a Freelance perspective -  how you get round the technical stuff?  EG Colour calibration of ac & printer,  Pantone swatches for clients, problems with software or Macs

3.  Again from a Freelance perspective- best practise for sourcing work, generating business

4.  Examples of real client presentations - how much do you give away when tendering for a job?

5.  Examples of quoting/invoicing for a brief  -  is it best to break the project down and charge for each level IE research and concept development, design development, resolution, printing etc.

6.  As an extension of this examples of appropriate contracts/terms and conditions - go to a solicitor or can we source online? 

I was never 100% happy with the Two Strings branding however it gave me some collateral to use over the summer.  After discussing with several professionals I have decided to drop the Designer/Accountant angle.  It looks too much like I was to be both rather than just promoting the Accountancy skills I bring into design.  For now I have gone with a more 'creative' avatar I design for my twitter account and in the interests of being experimental I have avoided black and white.  I love colour especially purple so I am being true to myself.

I have added the new branding to my cargo account and also design a new business card and promotional leaflet.

This has been the design development over the summer.  The underlying principle has been about trying to be true to myself , what I like.  I started exploring Arts and Crafts/ Mackintosh style fonts.

I added this branding to Twitter and mywebsite over the summer however it just was not working.  the tiangle made the LW too smal.  So i went back to the drawing board.  Around this time I saw this work on the Multi-adaptor website which I liked:

I like how this Agency explains its services and the words they use.

In order to convey both my personal multi dimensional skills and also the fact I conside the multidimensional world in my design i started exploring triansgles, tetrahedryns and pyramids for my promotional material.

I also thoght the L I created could be interested folded at the diagonal.

I also rebranded my Cargo account over the summer

An my twitter account.

PPD group tutorial

An informative session with John and Andy.

A few tips:

Persistance can pay off

Personal indemnity insurance needed if you become freelance £400 approx.  To cover if project problem and Clients seek compensation.

Project planning -  track all amends have a separate file for each amend.  Keep track for charging client.

Estimate up not down.

Always get amends/instructions in writing or email

Get an order number

Printers
Can keep more control over a project if you manage the printer.  Agree printer adds a 10% commission for your involvement on estimates and invoices to the client.  Better practice to get client to pay the printer direct (your not left holding a large bill if client goes bust or there is a problem)

Check if there is still a print arbitration society. (PYRA?)

I have found these organisations which may be useful:

British Association for Print & Communication

Britishprint

For ethical information about paper and print

Friends of Paper and Print

I eventually found this 

Smithers PIRA

I cant see on the face of it they offer arbitration services however US based and provide innovation and support to the industry.

Design Strategy presentation

Open publication - Free publishing - More presentation

My presentation skills left me over the summer.... I was so nervous again really cross with myself!