Evaluation...

The problem I identified was creating an identity for a specialist vintage shop that only sold fifties clothing and accessories for 18-30 year olds. My original brief stated that I would do the same concept, but also one for the sixties, seventies and eighties, this was an idea I came up with a tutor, however, after talking with peers, they soon pointed out, this would be a ridiculous amount of work. Therefore, I concentrated on the fifties idea.

I created the branding and identity for the 'shop', using a fifties style logo with a modern twist, I then used this logo to transfer it on to my other products, such as gift bags, wrapping paper, receipt envelopes, business card holders, business cards, invitations to the opening of the shop and stickers. I really wanted to print out some kind of lucky bags to be given away at the opening but again, with little time to print, I had to stick to the basics.
I did have some more products I wanted to print, such as boxes, as a means of larger, sturdier packaging than the giftbags which were only ideal for small and light items. A belly band for a jewellery box and some artwork I wanted to create for the shop. However, I missed my printing slot due to illness, and my tutor didn't email me back with advice on printing, so I am incredibly disappointed with my products and the presentation boards.

The presentation boards I created were also disappointing, but this was due to a knock on effect of the packaging. Without the packaging, I could not photograph them to create my boards, and so all of this was done on the deadline day, without a lot of consideration. Again, the quality wasn't fantastic but I can call this my learning curve.

The research was really interesting, as I didn't know a lot about the fifties, and I learnt about all aspects of this decade, which can be seen in the blog. I did begin to research the other decades in the first stages of my project when I was creating four identities, again this was interesting and I learnt an awful lot.
A more useful form of research to my product would be a survey to vintage shoppers, to find out information about preferred packaging, and all manner of shop related questions.

I have learnt a hell of a lot over the past few months in terms of printing processses, before, I would just click print and not give it a second thought, until the print came out and the colours were completely wrong. But with this foundation of knowledge I can begin to control how my work will look, and this will enable me to produce some high quality work.
The seminars about printing were really interesting, however the trip to Team Impression was incredible, and made the things in the seminar I was unclear on, crystal clear.
I have learnt a lot about packaging too, packaging is an area I always shy away from mainly due to the crafting element, at the start of doing the packaging I had a very short fuse with it, but after a lot of determination and the enjoyment of what I was doing, I did take a liking to it, although I am still impatient with folding!

Something I did notice about my work in comparison with others, I didn't exploit the print facilities, although, it boiled down to print what is quickest, I would have liked to really show off my knowledge of print and produce something sexy. Although, some of the techniques would not have been appropriate to my work, as I am creating something 'old' looking so shiny foil would not be appropriate, the name 'Simply Retro' I want to create a sense of simplicity yet elegant, so embossing would maybe not be as fine and detailed.

The things I would consider to help me next time, is a sketchbook. Although I hated doing sketchbooks, they kept me organised and I could keep track of what I was doing.

Time Management

Company: Team Impression

Team Impression
1 Lockwood Close,
Leeds,
LS11 5UU
www.team-impression.com

I took a variety of images with my Digital SLR at Team Impression, however my memory card corrupted and I have lost them all.
It was really interesting to see the printing presses in full working motion, and seeing examples of the packaging coming out. Especially the Jamie Oliver cutlery packaging, seeing the finished printed version which had been die cut and then seeing a finished, assembled version.

Seeing the women in the handcrafting section was odd for me, as I just expected that there would be some machine that can fold, glue and bind things together, with the fast ever advancing technology in printing, there may be a machine soon.

Our tour guide explained how one of the rooms used to have around 10 people in it, but then pointed to a machine in the corner and said it does the same job as what they used to do.

I found it a very interesting experience, I just wish I had the photos to show that!

Company: Edge Interactive

This company is a local (to me - Scunthorpe) company, and due to the migration of another local company to the States, they have merged and become a transnational company.

newmediachoice was one of the leading design and marketing agencies in the North of England- based in North Kelsey, near Market Rasen in North Lincolnshire. It's a company I have grown up with having taken part in work experience there when I was 16, and I have followed the companies progress ever since. It first began in Sophie Freear's home in Scunthorpe operating from a bungalow, until she moved to North Kelsey, and was lucky enough to purchase a house with a converted barn which she used as her office.

The client list had extended its services across the Atlantic to San Francisco, and due to the amount of demands on the company, another company was selected to partner and help cope with the demands... this is Edge interactive.

Both companies are ones I am interested in working for, I have seen the work produced by Sophie's company, and

I love their fresh style, which is also the way I would describe Edge Interactive's approach to design.

Here are some examples of Edge's work:

Group Tutorial Preparation...

What is Industrial Experience?

- Doing a live project, not just something made up in the 'studio'.

- Working to a budget and learning how to stay within this.

- Building the necessary skills to help further progress as a designer.

- Having someone 'dictate' what to do instead of thinking 'for this project I want to do this...'.

- Producing work for deadlines.

- Conversing with printers.

What can you learn from Industrial Experience?

- Learn how to converse with clients.

- Experience working to a budget.

- Look at the existing competition - weigh up strengths and weaknesses.

- Find a niche in the market, what can you offer that isn't already in operation?

- Network - get a good foundation of contacts.

What form/format can Industrial Experience take?
- Visiting professionals in your chosen creative area.
- Doing freelance work- meeting clients, negotiating and working to deadlines.
- Working with a team of creatives in a studio - getting used to being told what to do.

- Being signed up to a design and marketing agency where the work is found for you.

- Shadowing a designer- not participating in work but seeing their day to day routine, learn about work load, client meetings etc.

What areas of industry are you interested in?
- Magazine design - layout.
- Music Promotion - CD, Vinyl, Posters etc.
- Motion Graphics - something I have never done but would love to try.
- Fashion - branding, campaigns, packaging.
- Health campaigns - NHS - TV adverts, posters, leaflets/booklets.


What are your concerns about Industrial Experience?
- That it will show I am not good enough or ready to enter the industry.
- Not having the confidence to put myself out there.
- Not finding that niche to differentiate myself from all the other budding Graphic Designers.

What do I want to achieve...

...this academic year?

- A clearer understanding of print: processes, stocks, finishes etc.

- Have a wider knowledge of software -at the minute this is still quite limited.

- Start building a portfolio that I can begin to feel proud of.

- A better idea of the path I want to take e.g. type? image?

- To have made contact with some graphic practices about industrial experience.

- Know exactly what I want to do in my final year.

- A few possible lines of enquiry for my dissertation.

...by the end of the course?

- A grade I am really pleased with.

- A list of contacts made through networking inside and outside the college.

- A strong, visually exciting portfolio to take away with me.

- To have participated in industrial experience whether I enjoyed each one or not - learn from experience.

- A job offer would be fantastic!!

...in my career?

- To be successful and respected- happy clients and great earnings.

- After experiencing working for other practices, to maybe even set up my own practice.

- Great reputation.

In my PPD group: Ailsa Marrs, Brian Cantwell, Arthur Carey, Ben Mckean, Pav Adamek, Karl Mead, Steph Bourne, Chris Anderson, Nick Morgan, Paul Brandreth, Richard Robinson, we agreed on a common set of hopes and goals for the future to come up with a group list:

...this academic year?

- Better source of contacts.

- Generate good amount of work for portfolio.

- Work out direction for third year.

- Ideas for dissertation.

- Industrial experience.

- Multimedia skills.

- Confident in approaching professionals.

...by the end of the course?

- A degree!!

- Strong portfolio.

- Job.

- Contacts.

- What kind of designer we want to be.

- Website.

- Market ourselves in a positive light.

...in our career?

- Individually recognised style/ work.

- Set up own business.

- Internationally respected/exposed.

- Financially stable.

- Do/make cool stuff.

- Maintain a good work/life balance.