Networking - Unit - studio visit

So last week I decided to quickly send Unit studio an email which is based in Leeds to see if I could simply pay a visit one time soon:

Email sent:

Hello to all at Unit,

My name is Stephanie Lawson, I'm currently undertaking my 3rd year of BA (hons) Graphic design at Leeds College of Art.

I've been following your website and works for a few years now, and have found it very influential to my own practise; 

Your 'Situation Leeds, Wheres the muck?' project I found quite amazing, due to the way you've identified a useless space in an everyday environment, and with a strong concept and idea, have made it something creatives can make their own. It really reflects Leeds as a growing creative city and community, something I want to play part of.

It has since made me a lot more aware of the purpose of design, and the way I, as a designer, can have an impact.

I would really like the opportunity to visit your studio, to see how you work. I understand it a busy environment and would value your time greatly

I look forward to hearing from you soon,

Stephanie Lawson

Just a few days later I was really happy to gain a response, Si, contacted me saying a studio visit would be fine, and to arrange a time to come in. I've suggested next friday, but also asked if it would be possible to bring my Portfolio along for a bit of feedback. He got back to me confirming the date, we have yet to confirm a time.

I intend on making sure I thoroughly go through their website just to remind myself of their work as I want to be able to talk to them as much about their practise as my own. I'm really hoping it will lead to some kind of placement, as Its a studio I'm really fond of, and its super local.

Networking - Response from Glad

I sent Glad, a studio I had a placement at an email recently just to retain contact, see how the studio was getting on, and to comment on their great new website. 

Daves response:

While I was on placement, after looking over my portfolio, Glad realised I was illustration driven and work given to me focused on such skills, but I think he was aware I wadn't too confident with Branding. So knowing this, I've sent him a response asking if he potentially could suggest any studios which would benefit me talking to, in relation to retail. Fingers crosses I can gain some more contacts.

Website update

Just recently I managed to get my own URL working via Cargo: stephanielawson.co.uk, which I'm super happy with. It means hopefully people will find me easier. With my new identity design, I decided to push this across my website too, creating a banner and creating my own typeface to be used within the contact and about sections. I even managed to do a bit of coding regarding font and colour which is new for me! I'm very happy with the final outcome, I have made my website consistent with portfolio and business card design:

Font - Quicksand regular
Colour - White and 00C6CA (turquoise) 

Business card:

About page:

Home Page

Updated portfolio with new identity

Creating a new Identity and Brand

I haven't been happy with  my business card for some time so I decided I would set some time aside, research some design, draw some bits and bobs and produce something amazing. Okay, so its not quite amazing just yet, but its a start. I want to try and get them screen printed or embossed, If i manage to find time alongside FMP.

Initial Portfolio Draft

Founded: Easter Placement

So I received a lovely email from Anthony from founded this morning regarding my contacting him. He commented of my website, saying I had really good new stuff and the Replica project he loved. They are more than happy to have me for another placement over Easter, just to let them know when so I've asked from the 25th till the 29th to do the placement. Can't wait!

Email from Anthony:

To Anthony:

The Beautiful Meme

I visited the beautiful meme in York today and found it an amazing place, i surely would mind living and or working here. After getting lost and turning up a little late i was introduced to Ben, I'm which we had a conversation about uni, the work I'm currently doing and where i feel i fitted within graphic as a creative.

He went on to tell me that he doesn't normally take on studios visits but liked my email format and content and made time for me, which i was very grateful for.

Ben told me about everyone in the business, that's there is 8 of them, and what their creative backgrounds were. It was refreshing to hear that there were such a diverse array of collectives coming together which included an artist. I asked as many questions as i could squeeze in, asking whether this in itself was inspiration, he noted it was partly part of it. We went on to discuss his recent works which included an exhibition in London.

We got onto the conversation of whether i would be interested in a placement at some point which was brilliant. He suggested I emailed him with when i was available and have a second meeting with my portfolio to try and arrange something.

Ideally alongside work id like to do one day a week placement before Easter, but need to discuss this with Amber and Fred to try and work something out.

Networking - The Beautiful Meme

So as noted in my PPD tasks, I have been looking at contacting at The Beautiful Meme. I had arranged to meet a friend in York this weekend and decided to take the opportunity to try and pay a visit to the studio. So after re-arranging my plans to be on friday, rather than saturday, I decided I was going to simply drop in and hope they had time to see me. After a few hours I decided I'm not quite gutsy enough, so decided to email them, to try and arrange a time to be sure they had time to see me.

I messaged them, letting them know who I was, what I wanted, and the benefit it would give me. I was quite happy when Ben, creative director responded quickly saying it would be fine, and I've managed to arrange a time. I then decided that ideally I needed to take something to show, this being my new branding and some examples of my work. I quickly re-designed my business cards and produced a postcard pack of A6 examples of my work to take, which I can leave with them.

I'm really happy at how quickly I managed to come up with something, and contact a studio and arrange a visit. I'm going to try and visit a studio every friday from now until easter with the hope of getting future placement, leaving with each of them this mini postcard portfolio.

Networking - Retaining contacts

So after the FMP briefing I realised I'd made the mistake of not staying in contact with studios and proffesionals, who could potentially help me out with work, placements and contacts. So I decided to send the two studios I'd had placements with, a little catch up email, mentioning their new works and my new website, asking for feedback. 

Founded:

Glad: