PPP Evaluation

PPP has been incredibly valuable to me this year. My achievements , goals dreams have all been documented in this module and blod and has been really beneficial in allowing me to see where I want to be. This module has enabled me to think beyond designing in the studio and behind the screen and has encouraged me to get involved with the design world, go to events, network with people and inform my practice.

I completed a two week placement at BigWave Media, a successful marketing agency in Devon. Never thought I would actually be able to get work experience so I was ecstatic. Working in a team of designers, developers and marketers are all housed under one roof which allows us to work closely together to create dynamic and creative marketing solutions. Whilst I was there I learnt some valuable skills which will be so useful when it comes to industry/work:


 Being a tidy designer - Had a chat with Ronnie who is head of marketing services. In the design world, it's a business and time is money so you can't spend ages hunting around looking for files/fonts/images for the client. So everything is coded into client files, job numbers and months. Something I will take away with me.

• Working to protocol - Learning new systems, how jobs/times are clocked working with the account manager
• Working within Brand Guidelines and working on other designers work
• Working with Clients - understanding the clients needs and exactly what they have specified, re-reading things etc. 
• Working as a team of designers 
• 8.30-17.30 infront of an iMac on the Adobe Software was a learning curve
• Working on up to 30 Design Amendments a day
• New Shortcuts 
• Improved Adobe Software skills 

As well as this throughout the academic year I have been on visits within the UK, Amsterdam and New York. Not all of course have been Graphic Design related, however going gallerys and exhibitions really showed me the importance of being aware of other creatives fields. They are in important place for inspiration whilst really broadening my interests and both personal and professional practice. I really enjoyed the MoMa exhibition in New York as well as Van Gogh in Amsterdam.

My confidence in myself and design is something that has changed dramatically, I would never have thought I would be able to speak clearly and confidently to a room full of people. Since placement and receiving good feedback has made me feel so much more confident in my abilities and just feeling overwhelmed by the feedback, I have adopted "I am good enough mentality", and I honestly feel I've reached a new milestone. For this reason, I now feel ready to approach the world of work. Whereas in previous years, I felt I was as good as others people on my course. However this mentality has changed, and I believe that self-belief is everything, and so crucial if you want others to believe it too.

At this point in time though, I feel that I am concept-led Graphic Designer with a focus on branding and editorial. I strive to develop innovative and authentic ideas with creative solutions that will make an impact. I enjoy working collaboratively as a team in a busy studio environment. However, in the future, I hope to study a Masters in Business Marketing. This will really develop clear and conceptual thinking, as well as improving on analytical skills and strengthen my project management skills, as well as translating marketing theory into practice.

Overall, PPP has made me feel super ready to enter the world of work, and I am ready to leave the Leeds College of Art Nest.

PPP Portfolio

This is where I am at with my portfolio. For the sake of submission I have handed it in, as I am not overall happy with it.  Ideally I would have liked to have had more time spent on layout and type. Also I would like to add in a few pages so this is something I will do for the End of Year show! as well as getting it printed. 

Overall, I am pleased with the volume of work I have managed to produce this year.  

Time Management

Throughout the module my time management has been good in comparison to previous years. I think this is due to having better motivation and ambition as this is final year. Using calendars and to-do lists , have really kept me on track!

What I am handing in for PPP and why!

Design Stratedgy file which contains: 

• Module Evaluation
• Contacts I have made
• Correspondance emails, regarding placement and for my dissertation 
• Replies 
• Overview of my work placement at Big Wave Media
• Reference
• Cover letter example  

My Current CV 

Designed Invoice - I plan on doing some freelance work as I find work and also work! this is an example of how I can invoice people. 

Hyperloop Designboards - showing what I contributed in the group 

Where am I at?

10 Briefs

1. Dr. Me done
2. Christmas Cards done 
3. Heir done 
4. Hillview Honey done
5. La Petite Maison done 
6. Secret Seven done 
7. LCA SU done 
8. Feathr done 
9. Olivia's Deli finishing up
10. Oblivious to do! 

I still have a lot to do, regarding blogging/design boards but I like to work under pressure! 

End of Year Show

End of Year Show 

For the end of year show Helen and I are extending Olivia's Deli. Extending it for the end of year show will give us plenty of time to create lots of elements such as a laser cut menu, screen printed bags, as well as packaging for preserves and pasta. We had grand ambitions for the brief but with looming deadlines, we could not do everything we wanted to do. 

For End of Year show I simply wanted it to be interesting for people to look at, I didn't want to just produce a poster and stick it up on the wall, woow. Below, is a quick sketch I did of a potential set up. A rustic looking counter would provide a surface for all the food packaging to sit as well as clipboard menus, shelves to the left will hold a range of different branded mugs and takeaway cup. We also have ambition to create a laser cut menu to go on the wall behind. We also plan on having a roll of brown paper which has specials etc. 

Photograph from Olivia's Deli for Extended Practice 

Applying for Jobs

Faculty Marketing Assistant
Location: Leeds - Main Campus
Faculty/Service: Faculties of Arts / Perfomance, Visual Arts & Communications
School/Institute: Arts / PVAC Faculty Offices
Category: Clerical Support
Grade: Grade 5
Salary: £21,605 to £25,023 per annum
Closing Date: Thursday 19 May 2016

Reference: ARTPV1000

You will support and develop Faculty marketing activity, across the full range of our activity which is diverse and includes education, research and enterprise and knowledge transfer, with a focus on the delivery of successful student recruitment campaigns and assistance in the delivery of effective marketing opportunities across all our markets, including UK, EU, and overseas.
You will provide tactical support and focus on the delivery of integrated marketing activities, including developing our digital marketing communications, to support student recruitment and to promote the research and innovation agenda of the Faculties.
You will be educated to A level standard (or equivalent) or with two years’ experience of working in a marketing function/as part of a marketing team. Skilled in writing copy for promotional materials and web you will have excellent editing and proof reading skills and a strong attention to detail. You will be required to work the occasional weekend and/or evening.

I came across this job going at Leed Uni, as a Marketing Assistant that I feel would be a great opportunity for starting a career in Marketing. Unsure whether I would get it, but I would love the chance to have an interview. I have good A Levels, a design degree as well as work experience in a Marketing Agency so I do feel quietly confident for an interview. The job application was rather tedious, but I now know what to expect. I plan on applying for a few jobs a week.

The Job Hunt Begins

I am staying in Leeds for another year, then moving to London. Originally, I was going to move straight to London, however finically I could not afford to do it and I want to be able to enjoy London fully, as well as this I do not want my parents to finically support me, as I want to make my own way in life. 

Staying in Leeds another year will give me the opportunity to build on my portfolio, work out exactly what I want to do, enjoy Leeds out-of-education, and save the £££. I am currently on the look out for these kind of jobs: 

• Marketing Assistant 

• Junior Designer 
• Design Assistant 
• Interior Design

• but any old job will do me as long as I'm happy

I plan on applying for a few jobs a week, and once deadlines/end of year shows are out of the way I can really crack on.The job hunt begins now... 

Van Gogh

Now and again, I like to visit an Art Gallery, I find it a grounding experience and a chance for me to reflect on my practice. Whilst I was in Amsterdam, I visited the Van Gogh museum one of my favourite painters. I have seen several Van Gogh paintings in New York and London but this gallery was stuffed full of hundreds of his paintings as well as painters influenced by his art.

Even if you are not an art fan, you will be inspired by the drawings and paintings of this famous artist. His outlook and perspective in life is so well depicted in his artwork and it is very captivating and awe-inspiring. I felt it was a compulsory place for me to visit just to get the feel of this great painter. Very inspiring, and I left wanting to paint something. One of the best Art Gallery's I have had the chance to visit.

I found out a film is due to be released called Loving Vincent, and it’s on track to be the world’s first feature-length animated film made entirely of paintings. Something like a total of 56 000 paintings, by artists trained in Van Gogh's style.

Patrick Haynes CV

Additional Work 

I have worked with Patrick Haynes for the past couple of years, a music producer from Leeds College of Art and now he has politely asked me to re-design his CV, I have used his logo I designed from last year. Overall, he is pleased! 

Since Placement...

Since my Placement I have, updated my Linkedin and CV.

BINGO! I've moved up Intermediate level, with 58 connections. However, I am still not overall happy with it but I think this is because I'm still figuring out how to work things out!

Things I need to do for my Linkedin: 

• New Photo
• Add my Work Placement at Big Wave Media 
• Add my Work Experience 
• Extra Curriculum? 
• Make more Connections
• Write a Bio? 
• Links to Social Media? 

CV 

Its still a work in progress as I am still not 100% happy with it, but its a vast improvement from the last one!

PPP Presentation

PPP Presentation NOTES

Who am I as a designer? 

I am a concept-led graphic designer with a focus on editorial and branding

Reflection Time 

Level 4 - In all honesty, I did not enjoy it, I felt overwhelmed by the pace of the course and whether I was good enough for the course. Open day,  promised our own desk and work space but in reality we were sharing a studio with the year above, and were sharing a desk with 3 other people. 

Level 5 - I found my feet, knew what I liked and disliked and overall felt a lot happier. I was beginning to make use of the college facilities more , for example photography and printing. 

Level 6 - I am really beginning to get the ball rolling with Extended Practice now I've got dissertation, placement and blogging I had to do. I'm starting on a fresh slate. Really enjoyed collaborating with Leeds College of Music students where we put on an event at Headrow House. 

Level 6 has taught me... the 6 C's 

Course - self-led, you get out what you put in 

Clients - working with clients 

College - using the facilities and just being in more 

Collaboration - the importance of Collaboration 

Comfortable - being comfortable with calling myself a designer

Confidence - since placement and receiving good feedback has made me feel so much more confident in my abilities and just feeling overwhelmed by the feedback, "I am good enough mentality",  and I honestly feel I've reached a new milestone.

Over the 3 years... 

Creative Thinking 

Knowledge & Understanding 

New Techniques & Processes

Critical Analysis 

Ambition & Confidence 

Presentation Skills - I am quite happy to stand up infront of people and talk 

Manifesto 

Admittedly,  I struggled to write this as I did not want to sound pretentious, rules that I live by etc. 

Research Drives Design - Always have a strong concept, don't follow trends. 
Inspiration - Less Inspiration More Self-Creation, I try not to spend a lot of time looking at design, instead I just get on with it.
Honest - Always be Honest, its the best policy 

The Importance of sleeping well/exercising - I gym a lot and I find it really helps with my attitude towards life as well as my degree, it keeps me calm and I find I do not stress and I can really find my focus. I can't stand just spending the day sat on my bum in front of the computer screen, I have to get up and do things.  
Stay Up Late - contradicting the last statement a little, but staying up late means no distractions and overall different work vibe 
Be Humble - and do not feed your ego, you are not god's gift to design.   

Placement

I did a two week placement at BigWave Media, a marketing agency in Devon. Working in a team of designers, developers and marketers are all housed under one roof which allows us to work closely together to create dynamic and creative marketing solutions.

What did I learn? 

• Being a tidy designer -  Had a chat with Ronnie who is head of marketing services. In the design world, it's a business and time is money so you can't spend ages hunting around looking for files/fonts/images for the client. So everything is coded into client files, job numbers and months. Something I will take away with me. 
• Working to protocol - Learning new systems, how jobs/times are clocked working with the account manager
• Working within Brand Guidelines and working on other designers work
• Working with Clients - understanding the clients needs and exactly what they have specified, re-reading things etc. 
• Working as a team of designers 
• 8.30-17.30 infront of an iMac on the Adobe Software was a learning curve
• Working on up to 30 Design Amendments a day
• New Shortcuts 
• Improved Adobe Software skills 

Overall, it was a really good experience, they kindly wrote a glowing reference for me. My main worry about work experience was being a burden but in reality I was a really asset to the team.

MORE PLACEMENT/INTERNSHIP

With this new found confidence in my abilities, I begun to apply for summer internships in Hong Kong at Unison Creative and Base Creative HK. Two studios have replied saying that they are looking at my work and will get back to me, although I probably will not get it as it is a bit of a pipedream at the moment, but for me its a confidence thing.

Easter

JamJam Marketing - JAMJAM is an Amsterdam based creative agency specialized in fashion and lifestyle marketing.

Nomads Agency - creative innovation agency, transforming the way brands and organisations connect with and enable people. Creating ideas that redefine communications, product and service experiences. Building brand equity by making a positive impact on people’s lives

Achtung! - Creative Agency for the Digital Era. 

Masters 

I would love to eventually study to do a masters in Marketing. This will really develop clear and conceptual thinking, as well as improving analytical skills, strengthen my project management skills, and translating marketing theory into practice. I would love to develop my practical and academic skills to pave a way to a successful professional career.

Berlin-  International Marketing Management//Master of Arts (M.A.)

Future! 

Uncertain where and what I want to do, it may seem quite clear what I want to do regarding the masters but I feel I need a couple years of gaining experience but I do really want to get my drivers license. 

The End

Overview of Placement

I have really enjoyed my work placement at Big Wave Media it has been a really insight to how the industry works, and I have learnt a lot. Dan Tofield, Head of Creative Services has invited me back whenever I want. I received positive feedback from Account Managers (who review my work) said I was no problem as my main concern originally, was being a burden to the team but it turned out I was an asset to the team which made me feel rather proud. The team of designers/web developers were a really nice bunch too. 

Stuff I have learnt: 

• Being a tidy designer! 
• Working to protocol
• Working within Brand Guidelines and working on other designers work took a couple days getting used to. 
• Working with Clients and understanding the clients needs and exactly what they have specified 
• Working as a team of designers 
• Working within a time frame
• Simply working 8.30-17.30 infront of an iMac on the Adobe Software was a learning curve
• Working on up to 20 Design Amendments a day
• New Shortcuts 
• Improved Adobe Software skills 

Overall, I have a much more positive outlook, and now placement is out the way I can really focus on Extended Practice.  

Big Wave // Work Experience Reference

Work Experience Reference

Over the past two weeks I had been working closely next to senior designer, Chris Fiddimore who was my mentor, my main guy to go to if I needed advice or help. On the Thursday , I cheekily asked if it was possible if he could write a reference! He wrote such kind words, which gave me the confidence boost I needed and I left Big Wave with a really positive outlook.  

screenshot

I can confirm that Vanessa has completed 2 weeks of work experience at Big Wave Media. She has learnt all of our work proofing protocols and completed numerous design amendments on live jobs as well as designing some logos for one of our clients.

She has shown a high level of competence throughout all of the Adobe Creative Suite, as well as our workflow software: Proad, and our online proofing and amendments system as well as a good ability to follow amendments set out by the client and think creatively to solved problems that these amendments can throw up.

It’s been a pleasure to have her in the office. She’s been polite and chatty and has fitted in well with the team and we are all very grateful for her help.

Many thanks

Chris Fiddimore
Senior Graphic Designer
Big Wave Media Ltd
1st Floor, Exeland House, Tudor Street, Exeter, EX4 3BR

Waterfront // Final Logos

Final Logo Designs 

These are my final logo designs for Waterfront Inverclyde Leisure centre at my placement. They may or may not be chosen but it was good experience to work on a live brief for a client in a set amount of time! I only spent about max. 3 hours on this project and I am happy with what I have accomplished in the time frame.

Waterfront - Initial Ideas

Initial Ideas 

Excuse the mess of my Artboards as I was under time pressure to get logo ideas down! I attempted to draw inspiration from the architecture of the leisure centre. I didn't want to just represent swimming as the leisure centre offers a wide range of activities. I received positive feedback and my colleagues were pleased with what I had got done and liked my use of shape, I just need to tidy some up propel some ideas further. 

Head of Creative liked these ones a lot 

Waterfront Inverclyde

Waterfront Leisure Centre 

This afternoon at work placement, I had an hour to work on some initial logo designs for Waterfront Inverclyde Leisure Centre, after I had completed all my design amendments for the day. I was incredibly fortunate to receive this opportunity as it is a live brief and has the potential to be chosen and taken forward! (however, there are other designers working on this) I really need to get it completed or have some ideas by ideally end of Thursday, on top of all the design amendments I need to do. I began the task by doing some quick research about the centre and its surroundings. The client wants a complete re-brand and new modern look!

About: The Waterfront Leisure Complex is a flagship centre that boasts a state of the art fitness gym, health suite, leisure pool, training pool and also an ice rink. Located on the banks of the River Clyde which provides some truly stunning and unparalleled vistas.

Facilities Waterfront offers: 

• Fitness Gym
• Fitness Classes
• Leisure Pool: Tyre ride, body flume, lazy river, children’s pool and wave machine
• 25m Training Pool
• Health Suite
• Aqua Classes
• Ice Rink
• Fresh Cafe
• Free Public Parking

Looking at the Architecture for inspiration

Initial Sketches

Claude Cahun: Beneath This Mask

Whilst on placement, over lunch I visited Exeter Phoenix Art Gallery. The exhibition which was on was French photographer Claude Cahun (1894–1954) who achieved posthumous fame for her elusive self-portraits in which she assumed multiple personae. Born Lucy Schwob, she adopted the pseudonym in 1917 to free herself from the narrow confines of gender.

 At the beginning of her career she was aligned to the Surrealist movement and was friends with André Breton; however she distanced herself both politically and physically after fleeing France on the eve of Nazi occupation. Cahun settled in Jersey where she embarked upon her defining photographic series, in which the subversion of traditional portraiture and the constructed nature of identity and gender are pressing concerns. In these now famous images, Cahun anticipated the performative work of contemporary artists such as Cindy Sherman.

It was interesting to see photographs decades ahead of its time, were Claude Cahun's work toys which perceived gender roles and identity.

Overview of first week at Big Wave

Throughout the week I have been working mainly on design amendments (up to 30 a day!) these jobs were placed in my ‘pot’ called Proad, their online system that they work to, which tracks your time to complete the jobs, and were all colour-coded. Job codes labelled red and orange jobs meant it really had to be completed by the end of the day to send of to the account managers (to check and proofread that what you have done is correct) and then on to their long list of clients across the country. The jobs ranged from very simple tasks such as changing a telephone number, making the text bigger, replacing text/image etc, to more challenging tasks which required a lot more creative thought whilst keeping within the clients look and brand.

It taught me to read thoroughly and re-read exactly what the client has specified as I do have a habit of skimming over things very quickly. I think this was apparent on my first day as I have the attitude that ‘time is money’ and I was working at a fast pace, perhaps overwhelmed by the design amendments which were piling up in my pot which meant sometimes I missed silly little things. However, by Tuesday I got the design office-working pace down and was a lot more relaxed pace and getting the work done to a high standard and correct.

My colleagues have been incredibly friendly (and patient!) given great advice and pleased with the work I have got done, taking a load off their shoulders. I have learnt an incredible amount by doing design amendments, such as new shortcuts and tables in InDesign, which are a pain at first!  In fact just getting up at 6am mon – fri and beginning work at 8.30 and finishing round 5.30 has been a really learning curve about working life! Simply being in front of a iMac for over 8 hours a day on the Adobe Creative Suite meant on Monday evening I was simply exhausted and felt I was not cut out for the working life! However, by Thurs/Fri my mind and body had a much more positive outlook and I had adapted to the working hours. Overall, I am so happy I haven’t been a burden to the team and I am a lot more confident in my abilities.

DBA: Evaluation

Overall, I am pleased with how the project has gone, despite leaving the group behind and going away for placement for the final week. At the beginning of this project, we all focused on the research and coming up with innovative ideas, researching into areas such as how Hyperloop works and researching into LA and San Fransisco as destinations and transport brands that are already around. Helen and I worked hard on building up a strong concept for Hyperloop, with the idea of travellers collecting loop points and being rewarded for their loyalty.  After a successful crit with the DBA judges, we decided to focus on the destination with Helen's strap line, Travel Less, Explore More. 

I enjoyed working within a team of new people, I had never worked with Jonathan and Sophie. However I felt one person did not really pull their weight, they spoke with great confidence had some ambitious ideas, but unfortunately these ideas never really materialised. 

I felt I created some strong visual ideas/concepts, such as the app and website. It was mentioned that I received positive feedback from the DBA judges on the website and app I had designed. I have enjoyed the brief. Although we did not win as a group, I think we have done very well, coming up with something unique as well as creating a strong concept to lead and differentiate our brand.

DBA: Presentation

Helen kindly sent me over the final presentation to have a look , keeping me 'in the loop' whilst I am on placement. I am really pleased with what they have accomplished during the few days I have gone! 

Day 1 + 2: Protocol // Work Etiquette

Protocol // Work Etiquette

I spent Day 1 + 2 really getting to grips with protocol and the way the office runs through there Proad system. The PROAD Software is a leading project management software which has now also become established on the market across industries as ERP system and office and management software.

This is where my colour-coded jobs were
 listed I took this screenshot at the end
of the day, so there's only one left to go.  

Where to find stock images/fonts etc

Coded Job Numbers and over 200 Client Files

I learnt a lot about work etiquette and keeping files tidy and coded, this is something I am going to take away with me after I had a chat with Ronnie who is head of marketing services. In the design world, it's a business and time is money so you can't spend ages hunting around looking for files/fonts/images for the client.

Everything is coded at Big Wave Media Clients Name > Months > Jobs Numbers. When I'm working on design amendments I drag the file onto my desktop, delete the file from system, make a wip file, copy the current versions in their (indesign/pdf) and then make a new version such as V3 (version 3).  Then I add the updated file back to the system in the correct month etc and upload the pdf version to proofhub, which is an online project management system for the account manager at BigWave to see and the client to see and review. 

Admittedly I am a messy designer, in regards to keeping documents, desktop and filenames tidy as by the end of the projects I'm struggling to find certain links and work as its a mess! My filenames are usually things like, final, finalfinal, FINALfinals, FINALOUTCOME , finalfinaloutcome etc you get the idea. Becoming a more tidy designer is something I am going to take away with me haha.