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.

Developing my Portfolio for studio visits

I am conscious I need to develop my Portfolio further before I go for any studio visits.  i found a couple of interesting articles:

Internships

Portfolio tips

squarespace  A wordpress/ custom web platform more sophisticated than cargo?  Costs from $8 per month

Examples of Portfolios

I want the digital portfolio to be like Lee Goater recommended, just a teaser so perhaps just five strong closeup images maybe.  I have been looking at ways of perhaps 'cutting' shapes out of images so the viewer only sees a small portion or maybe making all but a small portion coloured and the rest grayscale.

Portfolio Surgeries

My first attempt my own portfolio:

Feedback

Lee Goater

Lee is such a warm inspiring person I immediately felt comfortable with him.  He was really positive and complimentary about the work.  He thought the portfolio demonstrated a wide range of skills.  He thought I should try and 'tease' more and not show so much work on one page. Let the work unfold more as I tell the story.  He thought it would suit a large Branding Agency like Gratterpalm.  With regard to my 'creative' CV he feels that they are better kept simple, nicely laid out and to the point.
Take out the Loft space banners as this does not compliment the other work and actually cheapens it.
Chris Jackson

From Elmwood.  Chris was very thorough and to the point.  What I hadn't really thought about for the portfolio surgery was it was 'me' telling the story of the portfolio.  I had thought it was him looking at the work and giving me feedback which was really naive.  I obviously didn't 'sell' the work very well as he said its important to show you are passionate about each brief.

The main points:

There was about the right amount of work and notation on each brief although he said to check the typography more accurately (ragging!)

Include more work on the Typo brief as I had got his interest on the first sheet and he wanted to see more.

Think about the order as the person usually will remember two pieces of work so have your strongest at the front and second strongest at the back.

Put the YCN Commendation at the front as it is a well recognised achievement

With collaborative briefs be clear about what your contribution is.

He liked the fact I said the reason for some briefs was to learn new skills as this demonstrated my willingness to develop my practise.

You don't really need a CV in your portfolio.

Explain design decisions, contexts, typefaces, colours.  Tell the story.  e.g. the crown in the Sweetie apple

Keep images consistent ie if using iphone mockups use wither illustration or photos not both.

Received my copy of YCN Annual

Great to receive this from YCN (Bonus was I got two so I gave one to Amber for LCABAGD)

Pressision print visit

Sophie very kindly arranged for us to visit Pressision Print which is a printer Joe Gilmore from Qubik uses.

Great to see the human element running alongside the latest in technology.  James said the Lithoprinter is basically running 24 hours a day.  Great special print processes.

Business cards

So I don't spend too long on this Ive decided to stay with the L logo for now however I think I may get the cards printed square as it fits the L shape well

square-business-cards

Then I checked some prices online - at least £75 for 50!  Ive decided to stick with what Ive got and do some cheaper cards as I am sure my logo/id will change again before end of year.

I could get them 500 spot UV varnished at this printers £45 but they wont be delivered until 28 Jan and I would like these for the Leeds Print festival.


http://www.fullcolourcards.co.uk/best-sellers-400gsm-spot-uv-varnish-i-1046.html

Found a next day delivery printer who do 400gsm double sided much cheaper than Moo.  Worth a try

www.beanprint.com/


I've tried a few different typefaces and layouts as follows:

The original design was Century Gothic

Then Univers

I found this ITC Serif Gothic typeface whilst doing the Prospects brief.  herb Lubalin designed it in 1974 and tried to combine serif and sans serif

I thought the L worked better without the coloured box on the white.  I could have had one side gloss laminated for an extra £12 but still not 100 % about this design yet so will see next time.  Ive paid £22 for 250 next day delivery (free)