PPD - Statement for yearbook

We were asked to write a statement for the year book, and this is really the point where I got to understand who I am as a designer. Writing all of the things I felt I was, the skills I had, and who I am, to construct a statement to communicate to professionals.

'I reflect my own experiences and lifestyle within my work; this is identified within my design and concept decisions. The direction of my practise is within the Retail environment; Advertisement and Promotional material, alongside Packaging and Printed Surface Textile design. My outcomes are highly driven by printing processes and stock consideration; to produce a high quality and a professionally finished outcome.''

PPD - 2nd Interview at LSI

So I had the second interview at LSI today which was good. It went really well, they ran me through the business, the system they run on, how orders are handled etc. I was then asked to do a little test, testing my photoshop skills, which I did pretty okay at! I'm looking forward to hearing from them, fingers crossed offering me the job!

PPD Presentation

LSI Interview

Had the interview at LSi today, in preparation I took along my portfolio, some examples of current work, my creative CV and business cards. I also took along some questions about the position, and practised my responses to potential questions, like 'What are your weaknesses' - a standard interview question.

They were really impressed with my portfolio and were very interactive with the products I had brought, and made it clear it was a good idea to bring them - especially to a primarily merchandising company as they like to interact with their own products. After a talk about them, my portfolio and my method of practise, I got a bit of grilling, and the pre-practised question 'What are your weaknesses' and felt it had been a very good interview. I came out pretty happy and have been told they will get back to me by the end of the week.

OUPD301 Presentation Plan

Presentation Content Plan

1st year - Where I thought I was - Example of work, illustrator, Image making, craft
3rd year:
DC - What I've learnt about myself by what I look at - Packaging, retail graphics, advertising, surface pattern design
DP - Where I think i sit now - Retail Environment, Research and thought process driven design
Over the course of 3 years - Experience, Studio Visits, Exhibitions, Placements - What I gained, every studio is different
Easter - Really put life into prospective - Job hunting, interviews, placements, Updated Current Portfolio, CV, 
Branding - What am i branding myself as?

5 Year Plan 
May 2013 - Move out, get a flat in Leeds
June 2013 - Full time job Junior Graphic Designer Leeds / Frequent studio Visits, build up of contacts. Small Freelance projects ( stop me from being poor ) 
August 2013 - Buy a cat. Be able to afford to feed it.
June 2014 - Junior Graphic Designer In House Within Retail - Leeds
Dec 2015 -  Mid weight Graphic Designer, In House - M&S / John Lewis - Leeds
2018 - Mid weight Graphic Designer - Packaging Design Studio - Northern England

Alternative Directions
Dont want to go to London, but if opportunity arises I will
If all else failes save money to open own shop, with a focus on surface pattern design, selling homeware and interior product range

Current Ambitions:
To survive the next few weeks and get a degree. 
Get a job within Graphic Design.
To get a Graphic design job within the Retail sector.
Be REALLY good at what I do
To love my job.
To have a beautiful studio at home.

Updated Portfolio

In preparation for my interview, and in response to the Portfolio Surgery feedback, I wanted to re-do my portfolio. I have changed the layout to use more image over type, as suggested, and edited my photographs to a higher quality. I have also added a more recent project from my FMP.

Placement at Beautiful Meme - Day #1

I started my placement at Beautiful Meme today in York. Very exciting stuff. Got there to have a meeting with Robyn to discuss what I wanted out of the placement, to run through my current work and generally have a chat. It was suggested I worked on current briefs, so I could utalise them for feedback and assistance, which I think is great (as three weeks off uni work would have been painful) so I've decided the 2 briefs I've done the least on, to work on over the next 2 weeks. Firstly Thrift Box, and secondly, Food for thought.

Thrift box:

It was suggested I tried to stray away from the obvious hand lettered approach to this brief and tried something different and outstanding for my portfolio, as Robyn reminded me, FMP is the last chance to push the boat out and have fun.

I did a bit of research and emailing Lauren to try and get an understanding of the process she undertakes to design and make her products. Her response related to using templates, which I felt was a good starting point. Using cross stitch templates I have made a cross stitch typeface.