Evaluation.

Through this module I have definitely gained a lot of knowledge of what print processes and techniques are available to me, along with the opportunities when designing the printer can provide, also the restrictions of a printer and the problems that may arise when printing. Through understanding the print process it allows you to prepare your work for print and know what can be printed and what can not and why, so you can amend it. Also when on the visit to the printers they definitely recommend going into the printers way before your deadline to see what they can do and how/if your design ideas would be possible to print at the printers. I have also learnt a lot about Illustrator and Indesign, just the small little things such as creating packaging from scratch on Illustrator of which I wasn't very confident doing.

The strengths in my work I think is the way in which I have responded to the initial idea of what is good, relating the work I have done to the hospice so it would and could actually be used. Also throughout this project I have solely worked on indesign for layout and also illustrator for my packaging. These programs are definitely not my strong point yet I have learnt a lot through forcing myself to use them. I also have gained a lot of knowledge of different techniques such as flocking, laser cutting, screen printing of which I will remember when creating and designing in the future.

My weaknesses within this project is understanding how the techniques and things work yet not trying some of them out. I would have liked to have tried a lot more techniques such as flocking and more screen printing techniques as then I could have broadened my designs and ideas of what I could have created.

If I was going to do this module again I would most definitely spend slightly less time hooked on researching into my chosen idea and looked more into the creative aspect sooner and tried more of a variety of techniques. I would have also like to do more things in screen printing and learn more about the techniques I can do in there. However through this project I have learnt how to do these techniques now I can go on and try them in a future projects and gain confidence in creating these things.

Through this module I have definitely gained a lot and have learnt a lot about printing and all the different techniques of which has really interested me and I would like to continue learning more into print and design for print.

http://www.pho-ku.com/
I really like this website & the work. I like the little things such as the noises as you click on different parts of the website to get your attention to look deeper into the website. Then i love all the work on the website, mainly the type and layout.

PPD session.

Portfolio:

-no more than 8-10 pieces in your portfolio

-what do you want it to look like?

- keep it to a minimum

Tips from John:

-visit the studio of which you think you might like to do a placement first to see if one: you like it, two: its what you thought it would be and three: get yourself known and get the opportunity to ask for a placement whilst being there.

-have honest/relevant reason why you like the person's work to be ready for the question: 'so why would you want to work here?'

-speak directly to the creative director as your placement application can get lost, or people may just not inform the director of what you have asked.

-always have questions to ask.

-be persistent, shy people don't get anywhere and don't get known.

-don't be shy to ask for a placement, if you do not ask you don't get the opportunity.

- keep contact with your customers.

-ask customers for feedback so you can improve.

-think about your customer, if they ask for something and there may be a better option tell them! But do not promise something you can't do.

-work for a few studios before you go freelance(if that's what you want) to gain experience and how things work and don't work of which you could improve on. Also to make contacts.

-remember that you will be talking to normal people, don't kiss arse, and don't talk about graphics all the time make general conversation to get your personality across.

1. What do you want to achieve this academic year?
This academic year i would like to gain the professionalism needed to be able to contact a design agency confidently with my level of work. I would also like to achieve the highest standard i have done through university this year and learn everything I can from each opportunity.

2. What do you want to have achieved by the end of the course?
By the end of this course i would like to be able to leave with opportunities of jobs, and have a strong portfolio matched to which type of industry I would like to go into. I would also like to be comfortably confident in talking with working professionals and have hopefully met some other designers of which I could work with. I would also like to have created a strong visual identity of which i would have liked to have been made known to well known agencies.

3.What would you want to achieve in your career?
I would like to have achieved a continuous flow of jobs, possibly starting by working at design companies to understand and gain more knowledge of the industry, then move up within the agency always delivering well, and also learning more and networking and making good contacts. Then later i would possibly like to have my own design company depending on where I am as i would quite like to work internationally not just in the UK.

Lecture 5 - 01.10.10
10 steps to a future you

1. Proactivity

do something before it happens.
be informed about who you are doing work for and offer them other ideas that you think may benefit them and they might also want.

always be informed as people will like a proactive business.

2. Project

develop a vision of your future and create a statement of which you can work to. Extend the statement so you are always focussed on a goal to achieve.

"Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans" - John Lennon

3. Provide

-clear explanations to people talking in their language, no one will listen if its technical terminology.
-when talking to the customer talk about benefits for them rather than processes and what you have done in the past.
THINK-who are you talking to.
CREATE - clear messages.
INSPIRE - people with your creativity.

ask people what services they want and work to that.

4. Prioritise

-first things first
-keep a proper balance
-stick to your personal mission

5.Presents

THINK - win/win - offer something for free to the customer that will benefit you x10
seek outcomes and relationships that are mutually beneficial

-do a favour to gain a favour

A Pre-conventional person
"I want..why should I?..nobody listens"
Dependant.

A Conventional person
"I would be happy to..i understand"
Independant

A Post-conventional person
"We can..together..mutual benefit..long term"
Inter-dependant

6.Pause

-pause to listen, give all your attention, give yourself to the moment
-empathise, put yourself in someone else's shoes
-don't re-iterate or interpret - just listen
-do you really know how they feel or are you just saying how you feel?

seek first to understand: then be understood

7. Proven

consistency
integrity
reliability

always deliver quality & keep the level of produce at that same standard to become a reliable company.

8. Partner

synergy multiplies your talent

work with other experts outside of your field to achieve more.

ie Everest expeditions - one person may have the idea and may want to do it, but there would have been a huge team of people to make this possible.

you could achieve a lot more working with others

9. Pit stop

-sharpen up - get new stuff
-rest - re-new & revitalise
-explore - challenge & excite

take time to get back up to date.

10. Propel yourself

-extinguish your fears
-exude confidence
-instil faith

it's too easy to say no & miss the opportunity!

What is industrial experience?

-visiting an up and running design agency to gain knowledge
-gaining the understanding of the industry and how it works
-learning the way in which the industry works and how you can contribute to it
-to experience practice in real situations with real clients
-possibly gain contacts or links to the industry

What can i learn from industrial experience?

-which kind of industry i would fit into/make a contribution to
-how I would work within the industry
-develop a professional working manner
-learn how to interact with the customers
-how to advertise your skills and capabilities
-possibly how not to do something
-gain contacts
-what they do well and what they do not of which you could improve upon
-what they do not do that you could give the customer

What form/format could industrial experience take?

-placements at a design company
-networking events' gain contacts and make yourself known to others
-visiting studios and agencies
-talking to working professionals


What are your concerns about industrial experience?

-where in the industry would i fit in/make a contribution to
-not certain i am good enough for the industry
-huge competition for one job
-pressure behind the job
-not thick skinned enough