Design strategies Presetation one

Slide one:
At the start of the Summer I emailed quite a few studios with an introduction about myself and asked if I could send them some examples of work. The few that got back in touch I emailed with a PDF, containing a C.V. and my work.
As a result I got in contact with Jason the director of Design Junkie in Huddersfield. I was able to arrange an interview where he and some of the designers talked to me about the studio and the type of work they did, along with a few helpful tips for myself when it came to approaching my design work.
I went through my portfolio with them and they gave me valuable advice and criticism that I could take away and use to improve my portfolio.
I asked for some work experience and it seemed promising when I walked away that day, however 2 weeks later I received an email to say they were unable to accommodate me for work experience, as they didn’t have the time.
So I went away from this and re-designed my portfolio and re-printed it.
Again I sent my work to a number of different studios
I then became in touch with Simon a Director for Phorm design in Sheffield. I sent my work over and the response was quite positive and I was asked to email him in a few months as they were just moving offices. He said they would then be ready to recruit again. Also in his email Simon mentioned he went to the same Secondary school as me. Small world!
I will be definitely be getting back in touch with Phorm and the plan is to get some work experience in the next holiday or something.

Slide two:
I eventually organised an interview and placement with Studio Belly Timber.
Because Ollie had managed to get the whole of August! I wasn’t left with much choice but to accept a week in September. I was happy all the same though because it was still experience!

Slide three:
It was pretty good working for Studio Belly Timber. I completed numerous briefs over my experience, including a couple of live briefs.
On the right is a set of posters I designed for the National Blood Service. This was a quick brief that I had to do in an afternoon. I had to fit the typography with previous looking designs but I played around with the colours. The concept was focus on platelets as the main idea for the design. So circles fitted nicely, I spent some time working with patterns until I was happy with these designs. I used set colours chosen by the client so I learned the restrictions that can be involved within a brief but how you can use these to an advantage, making the design simple and striking when using limited colour.
I also got to do some publication design, which I enjoyed. Reminded me of typography session with Graham. Previous work using grids definitely came in handy here.
As well as working on briefs I got to see how they send work to the printers and clients and invoicing etc. I found this very useful, as I will be doing this in the future.

Slide four:
I enjoyed working for a print based design studio and it is definitely the sort of design work I want produce in the future. The work I did was from brochures to posters and postcards. It was good to design for different formats and consider the types of stocks and finishes, which could be applied to the design at the printers.
I documented my placement on my blog so I can look back and evaluate what I have done and the progress I need to make to improve for the future. I learned a lot at Studio Belly Timber including lots of keyboard short cuts to improve my design practice within software and become more efficient.
I have organised to stay in touch with Richard and Adam at Studio Belly Timber. Richard agreed that I could go back in Easter and work with them again and also take my portfolio and they would help me develop the design of it etc.

Slide five:
My aim as a designer is to work in print based design. Designing work like, brochures, posters, leaflets and postcards etc.
I really want to work with people who are eagerly interested in design for print. Ideally starting in a small studio. I like the close-knit environment that comes with a small studio.
Over the summer I have maintained my design practice by producing a type and visual journal, which contains anything that caught my eye or ideas I had for pieces of work. It mostly relates to print design, which is good as it can serve as a reference for future ideas and work. I have also taken elements from the journal and turned one particular idea into a book.

Slide six:
I did some work for my local pub. Not much but I designed a new logo and price list. It was a good experience discussing ideas with the client and compromising on ideas when I thought hers were a bit too much and would look naff! So I produced alternatives which she like better anyway!
I have also entered competitions including the Tiger print “best of British”

Slide seven:
For my dissertation I have chosen to focus on grid design. My topic delves into designers like David Carson who doesn’t use grids, this is the result of him not learning his practice in an education institute, also looking at Jamie Reid, these styles can be analysed against strict use of grid design like that from the Swiss designer Josef Muller-Brockman. Analysis from Swiss style and de-constructivism will question how successful the grid is in enhancing the communication of a message in design.
I have read and made notes from numerous books, websites and articles throughout the summer.
I have also organised a trip to London in October to expand on my visual resources for my dissertation, visiting relevant exhibitions from the design festival while I am there.
I have emailed professionals about my dissertation, like Antonio from gridsystem.org and some freelance designers and contacts I made from work experience. I hope their opinions and advice can develop my research further. I have only just contacted these people so I am awaiting replies.
I have organised a draft for my dissertation sections, I found it easier to build up research this way so I don’t spend too much time in one area of my investigation.

Slide eight:
Reviewing my skills assessment I found am strong within engaging in the course etc. I have interests in improving software skills for Photoshop, Indesign and Illustrator, as these will aid my design practice. I am not interested in video or moving image. Typography and layout are the areas of design I am going to focus on and relevant to my own practice. I want to also build on my professional portfolio this year, obviously a must!
I need to build my CV up so more work placements need to be organised, this will improve my communication skills at the same time. I want to produce promotional material and an online portfolio to direct possible clients, professionals to. I have an interest in letterpress and want to make use of the facilities here while they are available to me, I thought letterpress business cards for my self might be a nice idea.
Over all looking at my skills and interests its clear to say I want to progress in design for print in my Third year.