PPD - Looking at website design

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http://www.owengildersleeve.com/index.html

http://hellomemo.com/

http://www.madebyhandverk.no/

http://lookbook.nu/

http://beautifultype.net/page/2

Possible type to use / manipulate

http://beautifultype.net/page/2

Task Three - Part one Response

Studios:

LEICESTER:

Company: MADE BY SIX

Specialises in: Print, brand and screen

Contact: 

0116 238 6555

20 Narborough Wood Park

Enderby

http://www.madebysix.com/#contact

Speak to - John Kariolis for internships

Email: Hello@madebysix.com

SWOT analysis:

Strengths: City centre based, cheap and easy to travel to. Have worked with a broad range of clients, both locally and internationally.

Weaknesses: Not particularly my style or approach to Graphic Design, seems to be quite a large company

Opportunities: They promote to having interns work for them, and the opportunity for others to apply.

Threats: If this is the only place I get experience, it won't reflect my style. The type of work they do I may find difficult, thus I may not learn anything.

Company: ANDFOLD

Specialises in: Print, branding, digital media and advertising

Contact: 

http://www.andfold.co.uk/

Andfold Studio

1 Wellington Street

Leicester

LE1 6HH

+44 (0) 7792 101045

SWOT analysis:

Strengths: They often collaborate with a range of creatives including illustrators. City centre based so easy to get to.

Weaknesses: They seem to be a new company as they don't have much of a portfolio

Opportunities: They have a strong collation of branding which is something I need to work on; I could learn some new skills / approaches

Threats: Being new, they may not have much work, or may not take on interns

FOIL DESIGN

http://www.foildesignleicester.co.uk/home/#

0116 251 8888

richard@foildesignleicester.co.uk

4 Market place

LE1 5GF


local, national & international clients
Identity & Brand Development / Corporate & Promotional Literature / Advertising (press and online) / Point of Sale / Packaging / Retail Display / Signage / Exhibition / Website design & development.
City centre based, easy to commute to

Strengths: City centre based, cheap and easy to travel to. Have worked with a broad range of clients, both locally and internationally.Have worked on large prodjects including giving the city itself an image. They work with packaging and retail display which is of interest to me.

Weaknesses: Not particularly my style or approach to Graphic Design, seems to be quite a large company. Theres only a few items of their work I actually 'like' and feel inspired by.

Opportunities: He has been in the industry a long time so could offer me a lot of useful tips and advice, he's a freelance worker; I've never really understood the term, or how it works so it would be good to get some feedback and an understanding of this.

Threats: If this is the only place I get experience, it won't reflect my style. The type of work they do I may find difficult, thus I may not learn anything.

VOICE BRAND DESIGN

http://voicebranddesign.com/contact

Voice Brand Design

The Holt

20 Narborough Wood Park

Desford Rd

Enderby

Leicestershire

LE19 4XT

United Kingdom

Telephone: +44 (0)116 239 6661


Brand orientated, Digital Marketing, Large company, website, based in the City Centre

Strengths: City centre based, cheap and easy to travel to. Have worked with a broad range of clients, both locally and internationally.Have worked on large prodjects. They work with packaging and retail display which is of interest to me.

Weaknesses: Not particularly my style or approach to Graphic Design, seems to be quite a large company. I haven't worked with brand and or identity really before.

Opportunities: As its the style of work I'm not very familiar with, it will give me the chance to broaden my range of work.

Threats: If this is the only place I get experience, it won't reflect my style. The type of work they do I may find difficult, thus I may not learn anything.

LEEDS

http://www.qubik.com/contact.php

5 Cricketers Terrace

Leeds, LS12 1STUnited Kingdom

+44 (0)113 226 0839 

studio@qubik.com

 typographic-led design for branding, print and digital media, the studio works with a variety of clients in the commercial and cultural sector. Our work includes design for branding, content managed websites, books, catalogues, brochures, posters, leaflets, signage and packaging

Strengths:Very personal service, the work is very typographic, simplistic and Modern. He has worked with a large amount of bigger clients.

Weaknesses: Not particularly my style or approach to Graphic Design, it is led digitally which is not something I would be used to.

Opportunities: As its the style of work I'm not very familiar with, it will give me the chance to broaden my range of work. I would love to heighten my skills in type and layout and Quibik does a lot of this. There is a mention of internships on the website.

Threats: With the studios being in a converted attic at Joes home, I'm not sure of the kind of experience I could possibly get if given the opportunity of an intern.

STUDIO BELLY TIMBER

Photography, copywrighting, design, print management (primarily printers)

Studio Belly Timber

Aire Street 

WorkshopsUnit 1 

30-34 Aire Street

Leeds LS1 4HT

T +44 (0)113 244 1171

M +44 (0)7736 032 694E 

hello@studiobellytimber.co.uk

SWOT analysis:

Strengths: City centre based, cheap and easy to travel to. Have worked with a broad range of clients, both locally and internationally.

Weaknesses: Not particularly my style or approach to Graphic Design, seems to be quite a large company. 

Opportunities: With them creating work in Leeds, If I was to offered at intern it would be good experience in the sense I want to gain a job within Leeds once I graduate.

Threats: If this is the only place I get experience, it won't reflect my style. The type of work they do I may find difficult, thus I may not learn anything.

ANALOGUE

Analogue
City Mills
Peel Street
Leeds LS27 8QL

Barry Darnell
Creative Director
E: studio@madebyanalogue.co.uk
+44 (0) 113 341 0330

http://www.madebyanalogue.co.uk/about/

SWOT analysis:

Strengths: City centre based, cheap and easy to travel to. Have worked with a broad range of clients, both locally and internationally.Very much the style of work I want to create one day, works primarily in craft and illustration.

Weaknesses: Its a small company so they may not be able to offer me their time

Opportunities: They have worked with large companies and been in many press and publication items

Threats: With this being my favourite studio I will be gutted If i don't get the opportunity of a visit.

This is catalogue

hello@thisiscatalogue.co.uk

Tel: 0113 2429051

Post: Unit 2
Aire Street Workshops
30-34 Aire Street
Leeds
LS1 4HT

http://www.thisiscatalogue.co.uk/information/

SWOT analysis:

Strengths: City centre based, cheap and easy to travel to. Have worked with a broad range of clients, both locally and internationally.

Weaknesses: Not particularly my style or approach to Graphic Design

Opportunities: Their work is different to the style I usually work in, this could help to give me a broader range of portfolio work If I get the opportunity to work with them.

Threats: On their website they state they do not take on interns. Bummer.

RUBBER BAND DESIGN

peter@rubberband-design.co.uk

Rubber Band Graphic Design

156a Haxby RoadYorkYO31 8JN

Tel 01904 633800

Fax 01904 633201

http://www.rubberband-design.co.uk/contact.html

info@rubberband-design.co.uk

Tel 01904 633800

Peter Syson

SWOT analysis:

Strengths: City centre based, cheap and easy to travel to. Have worked with a broad range of clients, both locally and internationally.Their work is 3D and very much my style of work.

Weaknesses: They don't seem strong on website design, which is something I feel I need to improve

Opportunities: To work with people in a similar style to myself, and see how their work operates.

Threats: On their website they state they do not take on interns. Bummer.

PPD - Task 5 - Making your mark

TASK 5 - MAKING YOUR MARK

TASK

Create a visual identity for 'Brand You' and apply it o an appropriate range of stationary and promotional material as discussed in the studio session. You should aim to create a simple but effective visual identity that communicates the essence of your creative 'image' and details about your emerging design practice. Think about how you can stand out from the rest, make yourself recognisable and communicate your professionalism as well as your creativity. You will also need to include relevant contact details. You will need to consider the practicalities of your identitywhich may include a logo or bespoke typeface. How readable, legible and usable is your identity? You will need to consider: Scale: Your identity will need to work across a range of scales and formats from the the size of a projection screen to that of a letterhead. Content: Too much and it becomes confusing, too little and it will not communicate. Too complex and it will not be practical. Too simple and it will be unrecognisable. Colour: It will need to work in monochrome (one colour or b/w). It will be cheaper, more practical and easier to (re)produce. Think how the colour of the stock can help. Production: The quality of the stock can say as much as your design. It can also make your design unreadable and illegible. Consider how it will be produced, by who and using what processes.

Research Sources / Further Information

Brand, Identity, Logo explained - JustcreativeBusiness card Designs - designInspirations Corporate Branding - Designbase Branding & Identities - BASEdesign

Mandatory Requirements / Deliverables

Your visual identity will need to tested and shown to work across a range of appropriate media including, print collateral (stationary,business card, mail outs etc.) your creative CV and online presence. You should include up-to-date (but editable) contact details (mobile and email as standard). the development and documentation of your identity should be documented through postings to your PPD blog. Your final designs applications and products should be presented in pdf. format via issuu on your PPD blog.

Studio Deadline	Module Deadline
Monday 26th April 2012	8th June 2012 (See module information and google calender for submission details.

PPD - Task 4 - Creative CV

TASK 4 - WHAT IS A CREATIVE CV?

TASK

In order to produce an effective creative CV you need to consider several key questions: What is a Creative CV? Who are you writing it for? Who needs to read it? Who will actually read it? What do they need to know? What do they want to know? It is only when you have considered these issues that you can really star to decide on what you want to say, what you need to say and how you are going to say it. Part 1 - Identify a minimum of 10 designer's, studios or practitioners that you intend to contact with a view to organising a range of studio visits. In doing this you will need a full set of contact details for direct mailing. You will also need to familiarise yourself with their work their clients and the set up of their studio/practice. Part 2 - Once you have identified your audience produce a creative cv that you can mail and email to your selected list. This should include your own contact details, a short personal statement, information about your practical skills, creative skills and interests as well as your professional experience, personal qualities and information about what makes you distinct from any other designer. Your Creative CV should be viewed as a piece of work in itself and should be branded accordingly. Consider how you can use your cv to direct people to online content etc.

Research Sources / Further Information

Preparing a CV Online resource

Mandatory Requirements / Deliverables

A print and digital format creative CV containing appropriate information as briefed Evidence of research into appropriate studios, designers or practitioners including a list of your own emerging creative newtork of contacts. Any other material appropriate to the contact and communication of your skills and practice to the broader creative industries. All evidence should be posted to your PPD blog and Labelled with the Module code & Task Number.

Studio Deadline	Module Deadline
Monday 23rd April	08 / 06 / 2012

PPD - Task 3 - Samples of work

TASK 3 - SAMPLES OF WORK (Research & Analysis)

TASK

Based on the exercises, feedback and discussion in the studio workshop: Part 1 - Identify document and evaluate a minimum of 10 examples of professional designer's and/or design studios who have used a range of media and formats to distribute samples of their work. You should aim to select a range of examples using a rage of media. Part 2 - Produce a short (50 word) SWOT analysis of each example in order to analysis its relative merits and effectiveness as a promotional tool or strategy.

Research Sources / Further Information

Refer to previous handouts and your own Design Context / PPD blogs for research suggestions and source material.

Mandatory Requirements / Deliverables

10 examples of professional promotional material (including SWOT analysis) posted to your PPD blog. Samples must represent a breadth of media and approaches and labeled accordingly.

Studio Deadline	Module Deadline
23rd April 2012	8th June 2012 - see E-studio and Google calendar for more information

OUGD205 Drawing Practise Evaluation

Evaluation

OUGD205 Drawing Practise 

Throughout this module I feel I have developed a range of existing and new skills, becoming more intricate with and challenging myself in hand crafting. Previously I had limited myself to small pieces of work in other module when using craft. Within this module we were given the brief 2d, to 3d, to 2d which was primarily to work in craft. This enabled me to push boundaries, creating large scale pieces of work, in a whole new range of formats, in this case I case created a 3ft long mobile made from over 40 paper forks. The scale, range of stock, materials and media of the piece was something I had never considered before due to the time consumption something like this would take; it was nice to spend time doing something I love, to result in something I'm very proud of. 

With this came a new found photography skill, or so I would like to think. Creating an image was one thing, but the way you photographed the work could either make it brilliant, or awful. There were so many more things I had to consider when photographing my work, especially with the hand crafted work; scale, colour, format and orientation being just a few. I made it priority to use a digital SLR, previously I would have felt my poor quality digital camera would have done the job; I've become more conscious of how a photograph can represent your work.

My approaches to methods of design production have been consistent throughout, the way the course is run, by giving you a brief, and writing a rationale within the space of an hour has been a brilliant way to work for me. I used to always struggle to start work immediately, thinking of all the options available, feeling research would inform me of a decision. By working this way I was able to start work immediately thus saving time and having a better and well informed end result.

Within this module I do feel I have lacked research, letting my excitement get the better of me in getting straight into creating / designing the end product. Sometimes this worked, other times it didn't and I felt myself going backwards, but it was brilliant having such enthusiasm about design which I thought I had some what lost.

Another important element of design production was the printing of the end products, I tried to push my boundaries and limitations, asking James in digital print of his opinion on the best stock, and other ways of finishing my products; laminating became one of these when approaching 'Book works'. I didnt limit stock choice to that of what I could find in the library, I began looking in craft shops and online, this helped give my work some variety, giving myself a wider portfolio of work, media and stock. Sometimes, my chosen / found stock informed my design process too.

Throughout this module I feel I have come into my own, gaining a signature style which was unseen by myself before; this too was recognised by peers. Its certainly a positive, its nice to know my work is recognisable as mine, without having to inform people. This I hope to take through into the my work for the rest of the time I spend at university, its something which I will need when entering the world of work.

I feel too the quality of my work has improved immensely, as Its taken me a long time to create an image, I seem to have more pride and care for it, I've been extremely precise in cutting, folding and shaping my work. Which, when I intend on selling hand crafted work, is a very important aspect, potential customers will expect the upmost quality if they intend on paying for something.

I have recognised my time keeping has been on key within this module, a lot of my peers have really struggled alongside all the other work running alongside Image before easter. With my time keeping and enthusiasm for the module, I have been able to keep up without it hindering other work.

Some weaknesses within Image has been primarily my lack of research, sometimes the enthusiasm i've had to start my final outcome straight away has slowed me down, resulting in my final outcome not being as effective as I had intended. This has resulted in a lack of informed design, which seems to have appeared from nowhere, other than my head, when in fact it's an idea I've gained from some inspirations, but I've failed to note this.

From this, I intend on doing a few thins differently within my future work, more so when working with image. Researching more and noting down inspiration is certainly something I need to do more, more so for myself, theres always a need to look at something again, without it noted down you tend to forget. Alongside this, producing more rationales will keep me on track, informing myself and others of the direction my work is taking, in a sense it gives me a clearer idea of what I need to do next.

Obtaining more feedback in the middle of work is something I found quite informative, I had a tenancy to get feedback very last minute, which didn't give me the chance to respond to it. Next time, with every design decision I take, I should try and gain some, even if very little, feedback from a peer who hasn't seen my work up until then. The way you see and read your work can be very different to an outsider which is a very important aspect to consider.

Overall I have throughly enjoyed this module, its given my a new direction and better understanding of where my skills lie and the sort of work and briefs I would like to work with once I graduate. Its been very informing, I've learnt a lot about myself, the way I work, and how best to do so.