Design Context - Mail outs

So I wasn't having much luck with gaining any email response from studios I had contacted so I decided to send a mailout, informing them of my interest in packaging and asking if they could help me by asking a few questions. I produced a mailout in the shape of a packaging net, with vector packaging images, to communicate it more. The below design is what I produced.

Website update

I was having a few problems with the customised ccs code, on first going on my website all of the images became squashed together, so trying to keep it professional I have used a given template. Now I have a statement which I feel communicates me better I will also use this within my about page.

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.