Updated Portfolio

Seeing as I was looking for jobs, I really needed to keep my portfolio updated, so far this is what I've produced. I'm getting to the point now where I have a choice regarding which projects to put in, as I do have a lot of work to potentially showcase. I need to really decided at the end of FMP which are my best projects.

Looking for Employment

I've applied for so many jobs after signing up for Reed back in February but have been a bit confidential on the blogging side, as it is a competitive market after all. 

My account on Reed:

The jobs applied for on reed are:

I have also gone direct going on websites such as formfortyfive and designjobsboard to see the latest local vacancies:

Vast were looking for a creative artworker:

Propaganda looking for a Junior Graphic Designer:

CMS looking for Junior Designer:

Spencer looking for Junior Designer:

All were applied for with a generic covering letter and email application, I made sure each email was customised and individual to each application. A link was also added to my online portfolio, with an attachment of my most up to date CV.

The covering letter set of Reed is as follows:

To Whom it may concern,

I would like to be considered for the position of Junior Graphic Designer, as advertised on Reed.

I am currently a third year BA (hons) Graphic Design student, at Leeds College of Art, with a particular interest within the Retail, Advertising and Packaging industry alongside brand and identity. Graduating in June, I have intentions of staying within Leeds. 

I am a very determined, self driven individual, thriving to put my foot in the Creative sector. I am very confident using the Adobe CS6 Package; Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign being where my strongest skills lie. I have a very positive, and enthuastic approach to my work, alongside being familiar with working to very tight deadlines; working with a range of both University briefs, and self initiated client led briefs. My current portfolio is driven by printing processes and finishes so I have high knowledge of print within the industry.

As a graduate, come June, I feel I can bring something new, fresh and current to the company and also bring a positive attitude and outlook to work. 

The opportunity of an interview would be much appriciated, to really communicate who I am, and what I'm about, but also to be able to show the extent of my work, and my Portfolio. Until then you can find my work here: 

www.stephanielawson.co.uk

Yours sincerely

Stephanie Lawson

stephanie.lawson@hotmail.com

Updating Website Content

So now I've completed most of my FMP and have taken photos to a high standard I thought it best to keep my website updated. I have kept on top of it anyway due to applying for jobs and showcasing my work to studios for possible employment. I have changed the web banner to be centred - as for some reason i didn't realise before, that it wasn't, and overall I've just given it a cleaner feel. I've also edited photos on older projects as the standard of newer project photos where of a higher standard.

stephanielawson.co.uk

I have changed the placement of the information as previously info was on top, you then had to scroll the page down to see images.

I have also updated contact details, and changed the turquoise hand rendered type approach - I felt to some it would be illegible.

SInce completing a rationale I also have a better understanding of who I am and what I'm about - so I've updated the 'about' page too.

Interview with Thynne Design

After applying a few months ago for a Junior position at Thynne Design in Ilkley, I'd heard nothing back, so I decided to chase him up. I managed to get myself an interview.

After updating my portfolio, printing a few bits out, including a CV, I went along to the interview not really knowing what to expect. Their website didnt specify how big the company was, but the work was very impressive and did a bit of everything - my kind of style. They do branding, packaging, advertising and web design, 3 out of which I feel I do well.

I turned up at an old Gym building and worked my way through to a tiny studio inside, with just 2 desks and a dog bed. Jonny, the owner, and the only guy within the company was lovely, hadn't done any interviews before and had always worked on his own, but it was a pretty successful interview I'd say. Having prepared a few questions about the company, I showed a  lot of interest and enthusiam, as did jonny in responding. He seemed to like the work within my portfolio and stated we have similiar working methods. He said i'd hear back within about 2 weeks about whether i'd been succesful or not which I look forward to hearing form hopefully!

The job as a whole:
4 Days a week
8:30am - 5pm
£13,000
3 Month trial period
At 6 months upto 5 days a week

His website:

The work he produces:

Updated Portfolio