Feedback

This morning we had a session on feedback... the types of feedback we receive and what we find to be the most beneficial for our practice. We discussed the two types of feedback: 

• Formative - ongoing feedback 
• Summative - overall feedback at the end of the module

we were asked to list examples of feedback, I listed the feedback that I find most useful to me and the development of my work. 

Formative

• crit's 
• honest opinions 
• constructive criticism 
• peers looking at your work with fresh eyes 
• tutorials 
• encouraging
• clear feedback
• directional feedback - seeing where to move the project on
• does it communicate the idea effectively?

Summative 

• acknowledgement of strengths in work
• tutor feedback 
• overall grade
• evaluation
• encouragement/inspiring to push yourself further 
• informative 
• highlighting weak area's - seeing where to improve 
• future development 
• academic improvement

DIY Identity

This morning, we had a short workshop working in groups to talk through our identities as designers. We discussed the relevance of business cards in a digital world - we all felt business cards were still relevant in networking etc etc.  

We discussed the importance of getting yourself out there in the world of Graphic Design, by building a strong online presence, but all agreed that it depended on your audience your style of body of work suited, for example, whether you freelance or work for a design firm.

Towards the end of the work shop, we came up with a three main points to follow, which was then presented to the entire group.

Promote: To promote yourself as a designer! whether this be through a business card, website, twitter, Behance, Tumblr, Instagram whatever is suitable to your practice.

Explain: explain who you are and what you do

Interact: getting people to interact with the work, whether it be taking your business card, visiting your website, or getting work 

By doing the three, hopefully it would lead us to work, meeting ppl, and open more doors into the design industry.

Steps I need to take: 

Build an online presence, I already use instagram, but in the new year I hope to set up a squarespace for my work. So I need to hurry up with getting my work photographed and looking professional.

work on identity - is it necessary to have a logo and to label myself?? nah

 

Cover Letter: Do's & Don'ts

It is about time that I begin writing and sending email to studios. So I decided to do a blog on how to write a successful cover letter. 

A Cover Letter, provides a host company with further details about an intern’s motivation and expectations of an internship. It should be well written as it is one of the few things that a host company will base their decision on whether to consider you further for a placement or not.

What to include 

 

Introduction

Explain why you are writing, making sure it entices the employer to read on.
 
Experience and personal skills showcase

Briefly explain your current job and, if applicable, qualifications (professional/academic). Don't give too much away or they may not want to go on and read your CV. If you are replying to an advert, make sure the skills you specified are reflected in your CV.

Draw attention to the relevant aspects of your experience; say what you learned and how it would be useful for the job or to the employing organization. Sell yourself on the basis of your personal qualities, making sure that these match the requirements of the job/role. Take the opportunity, if necessary, to explain any anomalies in your background, such as any time gaps. Perhaps explain how any hurdles you’ve encountered have helped you develop in a positive way.
 
The perfect team

Explain why you wish to work for this company and what you know about them. Demonstrate enthusiasm and evidence of research into such aspects as their successes, involvements, values or clients. Remember to research the firm fully by visiting its website or premises, using every bit of information you find to help improve your chances.
A positive sign-off

Lay down an action plan; say you would like the opportunity to meet them for an interview and that you will await their response, or that you'll call in a few days (you don’t have to leave the ball in their court but be careful that you don’t pester). Indicate your availability for interview.
 
DO:
 

• Address it correctly: Use the company name / supervisors name if you know it, if not keep it neutral.
• Write a structured letter: use paragraphs for new points and make it fluent and clear.
• Explain why you want to do an internship, which field you chose and why.
• Explain why you chose the company and what attracted you to them.
• Highlight what you can offer the company and point out your strengths and interests.
• Use professional and friendly language.
• Finish your letter with a brief mention that you would be happy to hear from the company (“I look forward to hearing from you”).
  Check your spelling.
• Mention your internship goals and your career goals.
• Show the link between your studies and the internship.
• Detail your availability and the duration of your internship.

DON’T:

• Write too much. One A4 page of 3 or 4 paragraphs should be enough.
• Use complicated sentence structures.
• Use too many “I’s” and “me”s.
• Talk about irrelevant topics (e.g. family, hometown, etc).
• State unrealistic expectations (e.g. “I want to be the manager”).

Leeds Light Night: East Meets West

Last night, I was lucky enough to be invited as a "VIP guest" to East Meets West a fashion show hosted at Leeds civic hall. The beautiful venue, not usually open to the public, was transformed into a catwalk and exhibition space showcasing the best of UK and Chinese design.

This event was a rare opportunity to see a collection of garments made using Hainsworth cloth all together under one roof. Fabric from the Hainsworth woollen mill, which has been running in Leeds since 1783, is used to create iconic garments such as the Royal Guard Uniforms and outfits worn by the Royal Family. One dress on display, courtesy of Sara Madderson, is a design that has been worn by Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton. Alongside this collection, the exhibition also featured designs by six Leeds College of Art students, and Chinese designer Zheng Qing'er of Qing Yi Apparel. It was a rare opportunity to get up close and examine the craftsmanship behind each piece.

After all the canapes and champagne - the real focus of the evening turned to the catwalk shows, which created a magical atmosphere in the Civic Hall as models floated down the catwalk in Qing's dresses. 

Overall, it was an enjoyable evening and it was fun to get involved with Light Night and not something necessarily graphic design related but my other passion in life, fashion. 

Level 6: Design Boards

As a way of improving my time management I have decided this year to produce a set of design board templates to use throughout the year as I often find myself rushing design boards at the end of a project.

I've used a consistent layout which will allow me to produce different compositions of  imagery whilst keeping the type in the same position. It will also make the different briefs flow in a unified and neat order in my portfolio. Below are some examples of the templates I have created on InDesign, ready for images and text to be dropped in.

MoMA NY

 At the end of summer I spent a week in New York. It was great to re-visit the MoMA after five years. I saw some amazing contemporary art and huge installation pieces.

Warhol

Warhol

Van Gogh

Yoko Ono

Day Brief - Context YOU!

Explain who you are, your values, your identity, your purpose...in terms of who you are as you, a person not who you are in terms of graphic design. This is telling, not selling.

Task one: Know who you are
Task two: Communicate it

My Response:

The first brief of the year ahh: In theory, it should be an easy brief but finding that essence of 'you' i found rather difficult without being too lame and cheesy. 

I created a mixed media collage from found materials around my desk. I have used the quote "less inspiration more self-creation" written in my own handwriting. I often find I can spend a lot of my day looking at design, Tumblr, reading blogs, making pinterest boards etc etc. Sometimes I find it difficult to have a creative insight when you’re just looking at everyone else’s visuals. I find some image sources such as Tumblr, Pinterest, Instagram etc, to be the very antithesis of inspiring - I could literally spend hours looking at what has already been done, rather than moving forward and creating something new. Filing my mind with other people's ideas and styles I found stunted my own making by making less room for my own original thought. So this year I intend NOT to spend so much time, sourcing 'inspiration' but more of my own self-creation, to be more expressive with my work. I am not too worried about having a specific style as style is temporary and its more important to have good ideas, as well style can go in and out of fashion.

I have also used iconography in my collage, which symbolise research, strategy, idea generation, and delivery. Four elements that I find are the most important during any project. 

 

Level 6: 1st Presentation

Within the first week of coming back to Uni, I presented to half of the group my plans for the coming year within 10 short slides. I discussed who I am as a designer, were I am at with COP, briefs I am planning on doing for Extended Practice and finally PPP. I've never particularly enjoyed presenting to my class, but I felt yesterday went well. I spoke confidently and passionately about the work I want to undergo, I hope I conveyed this.  

I kept my presentation pretty simple, it wasn't the most aesthetically pleasing presentation I have produced but it did the job well. For me it was a chance to discuss about what I am planning on doing for the year, and it really clarified things to me, and it was interesting to see what my peers were up to.