Logistik Studio Visit

On Wednesday 27 March I had been invited to visit Marc Allott Creative Services Director at Logistik.  He also invited Senior Creatives, James Robinson and Adam Nash.

The business have some really big brand clients such as Marks and Spencer's and BT.  Marc showed me round the studio, they have everything in house design, developers, social media, digital.  They even have a green room and a sound booth.  The company was originally set up as an events management business however now its is a full interdisciplinary branding and communications agency.

It was a brilliant opportunity to talk through my portfolio and a lot of my briefs, particularly the Heinz, Circus and Unilevers ones fit with what they do. My design process also fits with how they work as they do have opportunities within their briefs to research and concept develop.  I felt quite relaxed and didn't get nervous. Marc actually asked what they could do for me and I said I was looking for any opportunities.  He said they would be happy to offer me one months unpaid placement when I graduate.  I think this would be fantastic experience for my CV. The Victoria Sandwich went down well.

Small world again - Marc actually worked with Ian Anderson at Designers Republic...but that's another story.

Interview at Wakefield College

Met Stuart Parton the Marketing manager and Sam Holt the Graphic Designer at Wakefield College today. Within five minutes of the interview beginning it became apparent that they wanted to fill the position ASAP.  This came to light as I was explaining the volume of work and intensity of the Course.  They had assumed I was doing a part time degree as the degree is endorsed by The Open university.  They apologised as they said they should have checked this before offering me an interview and very kindly offered to let me pick their brains for half an hour.  I asked if they would let me talk through my portfolio and then get some honest feedback.

It was actually great as I relaxed and wasnt nervous talking through my portfolio.  They were so complimentary about my work and they said they had seen a lot that week.  They also commented on the Task saying it would have been something they could use and worked well with the current design. Stuart liked how I had not just put the Facebook and Twitter icons on the ad but contexualised them by saying 'like us' and the Twitter address.  He suggested it may be worth considering taking an iPad to interviews/visits to demonstrate the work as well as physical copies of the work.  He asked if I had thought about going freelance as he felt my work speaks for itself and should have a problem getting work going forward.

They showed the most recent printed Prospectus's and the print finishes and design are really high quality.  I had a joke with Sam about having the budget for foiling!  She introduced me to some stock I hadnt seen before called Truecard which is matt on one side and gloss on the other.  She wanted the inside to be on gloss stock to achieve more vibrant photos.

Stuart and Sam were both disappointed we couldnt take this further at this stage however said if any placement opportunities come up they will keep my details and let me know.  I have also connected with Stuart on Linked in and sent Sam an email thanking her for the feedback.

Some examples of their current work:

Ian Anderson / Designers Republic

We were lucky to have a workshop with Ian Anderson this morning.  He normally ran this exercise for a day however we have two hours.  He recommended we read Marshall MCluhan The Medium is The Massage.

The brief was using only the two words YOU and ME tell a story.  The typeface was helvetica and the colour was Black.  A3 format.

 The final design:

Studio visit and portfolios reviews

I have two studio visits lined up for w/c 25th March.  The first at Spencer Creative with Kyle Bibby and the second at Logistik with the Studio Manager Marc Allott.  The first was through a job I applied for and then followed up requesting a studio visit the second is a 'Tea and Cake' email where I emailed my snapshot portfolio and CV. The email closed with 'PS I will come armed with a homemade victoria sandwich for with the tea' and I really think that swung it!  So going to be busy baking next weekend.

Really excited about both these visits for different reasons.

Spencer Creative are a growing Branding Agency and I think there would be a lot of scope for me to grow in an Agency like this whereas Logistik are more Interdisciplinary and work with some huge clients like Marks and Spencers and Kopparberg.  Both right up my street.

Interview at Wakefield college

Well it was worth spending four hours filling the application form in as I have an interview on Friday 22 March for Junior Graphic Designer.  I also had to spend another few hours doing a task; all this in a week when I am submitting D&AD and ISTD and have a presentation to prepare... hectic times!

The interview task was:

Junior Graphic Designer

Interview Task Brief - March 2013

To design/layout an advert for the Wakefield Education Training Yearbook, which is a publication showcasing the variety of education and training providers in the Wakefield District.

The drive behind the advert is to make people aware of the scope of our provision, and to promote the fact that we have something for everyone.

Instructions

• Use A4 size (297mm x 210mm) - either portrait or landscape.

• Use full colour – you can choose any colours you think are appropriate, but our corporate colours references are listed below, should you wish to use them.

• Use any or all of the images provided.

• Include the College logo.

• Use whatever font/typeface you feel is appropriate for the brief.

Format

Our preference is that you produce the advert in an Adobe package such as Adobe InDesign, Photoshop or Illustrator.

If you don’t have access to these packages then any other programme you normally use, such as Microsoft Word or Microsoft Publisher, would be acceptable.

Once complete, please email your advert as a PDF or Jpeg, no later than 5pm on the 19th of March, to:

s.holt@wakefield.ac.uk

Corporate colour references­

Light Green

Pantone 376

RGB - 151, 191, 13 

CMYK - 50, 0, 100, 0

Dark Green

Pantone 350

RGB - 0, 68, 19

CMYK - 79, 0, 100, 75

This is the Design development

This is the one I submitted

Team Visit

The enigmatic Simon visited the studio to talk about his Printing company Team.  Inspiring as last time when I visited the Print Workshop.  Oh to have Clients with big print budgets!

Contacting studios/getting a job!

I re-established contact with Michael at 10 Associates by sending him an email on 15th January however he didnt respond so I do need to send another one soon.

Taking the advise off John about not showing too much I have designed a 'snapshot' digital protfolio which like Lee said should just be a teaser.   These are the slides and the CV I have started sending out:

Following Craig Oldham's Democartic Lecture I was determined to really focus the Studios to contact.  The first emails I sent on 27 February 2013 were to:

Thompson Brand Partners - Sarah (who Andy Lodge knows) and also Richard (the website says to direct Placement enquiries)

Darren at The Engine Room in Huddersfield

Ian Rossin at Brass Agency

I also applied for this job which was advertised on Form 55 at Spencer Creative:

This was the email I sent to Kyle:

Hi Kyle
 My name is Lisa Whitaker and I am currently in my third and final year at Leeds College of Art studying BA (Hons) Graphic Design. I was really excited to see your advertisement on Form 55 not least because it is so rare to find see Junior positions, especially in branding, advertised.
Although I have embraced all elements of the course my practice has become focused on Branding and Identity. I love digging until I really understand a problem or subject. I also realise finding the best solution to engage an audience has to consider both print and digital media so I am constantly challenging myself to learn new skills. My dissertation title was 'Is Vans the brand, relationship with culture, authentic or insidious?' Over the last few months I have also been developing stronger type and layout skill and as part of this was lucky enough to attend Typo 2012 in London.

I hope you find my unique and varied background of interest to you, as detailed in the attached CV.and portfolio snapshot. Also find a link to my online Portfolio:
http://cargocollective.com/lisawhitaker

I understand you may wish to appoint before I graduate on the 24th June however I am available for a placement from 26th March until14th April.

I look forward to hearing from you,
Best regards
Lisa Whitaker

PS I also bake an awesome Victoria Sandwich if you like cake?

Although I got a thanks but no thanks this is what he had to say...which I am taking as a positive.  I sent a copy of my dissertation and also asked for a studio visit for a Portfolio review.


Hi Lisa,

Thanks for getting in touch. Unfortunately we are looking for someone who is able to start full-time as soon as possible.

Keep in touch though – we are getting busier, so there could potentialy be opportunities in the future.

Regards,

Kyle

PS. Your dissertation sounds interesting. I would love to read it!

I also applied for a job through the agency Orchard more because I liked the sound of the job and also just to test the water with Agencies as I am not your typical student.  Anyway I got a thanks but no thanks as she did not think i had enough experience to put me forward and just to contact Studios directly.  

I applied for a Junior Graphic Designer at Wakefield Council for a Graphic Designer on 8 March 2013.

I also applied for the following role on 5 March 2013 however have not heard back yet:

I applied for an Internship at a small Branding and Graphic Design studio based in Heckmondwike Called Tainted Media which was advertised on Indeed.