Company: Channel 4

Due to my recent interest in TV animation graphics, I thought Channel 4 would be a company I would like to work for. The idents that appear before programmes, are really cool, showing the different parts of the 4 in different planes, which meet to make the number 4 and carry on passing on.

I am currently waiting to apply for a workshop day which will take place in September!!

Task Two... Where are they? How will they find me?

For this part, I will be looking at the potential clients and employers, and analysing them by a PEST analysis.

Local:

Edge Interactive

P- Political factors that may have an effect on Edge is the environmental factors, as Brigg is a very small town close to Scunthorpe, which seems to be losing a lot of it's main businesses due to recession. It is too early to comment on the San Francisco development, but this will bring a complete cultural shift in their approach to design.

E- Some factors that may alter the operation of Edge Interactive is the recession, as companies may be cutting down on outgoing spends, although, all companies need good Graphic Design to sell themselves. Another factor relating to this is the increase in VAT. Although, they currently have a sale on some of their promotional items.

S- Lifestyle trends is definitely something Edge can be affected by, as they have done a lot of work for the NHS, particularly on promoting awareness for the growing increase in chlamidya, and I have noticed more of these particular campaigns they do around Scunthorpe. Their services to the NHS span from Wakefield to Nottingham, Leicester, North Lincolnshire, Leeds and various other primary care trusts.

T- Although Edge do web design a lot of their work is print based, with the further advance in technologies and marketing methods, particularly for screen (social networking sites, internet, iPhone etc.), this may have an effect on their demand.

National:

Mainframe

P- The company has offices in Manchester and London, meaning any national laws and regulations will apply, but the company is represented by other companies to direct commercials in America and Asia, meaning considerations to their laws to be taken. Trading policies and war and conflict could be factors that may take an effect at some point- with the further afield companies).

E- Exchange rates will need to be considered for the jobs out of the country. The rates that Mainframe charge will have been effected by the latest VAT increase. Looking through the portfolio, they are very high end, with some impressive clients, including Ferrari, Paramount, Nickelodeon, Virgin Media and Nike, so monetary issues are probably not a major factor for a company like this. This is not to say, that they won't encounter problems, especially in a recession, as luxury goods markets tend to be hit less hard by recession, although Ferrari did have a slight decline in the peak of it all. Companies like Virgin Media will always need graphics to promote, especially motion graphics to reach out to its existing customers and potential new consumers.

S- Lifestyle is quite an important factor operating here, as long as there is a demand for TV, which I think there always will be (unless some new fancy technology comes out), and there is a demand for luxury goods, Mainframe will always have work to do. Their clients may change to other companies for a different style of work, but a successful company like this, should not really worry. The demographics and trends will alter for each project and client, but again it is something that will affect their work.

T- With companies who are producing motion graphics, all the highest quality up to date software is required, especially as the devices used to view the finished products are becoming more and more up to date, with the popularity of HD and 3D arising, and the talk of Super Hi-Vision ready to hit the technology world, it is imperative to be up to date.

Transnational:

MPC

P- Laws and legislation may have an effect on the company, as they will have to abide by certain rules from external organisation such as their clients and also the government.

E- It seems there would be no monetary issues for a company like this, as long as the big television companies are creating exciting, innovative adverts, and films requiring animation and VFX to be added, MPC will be raking it in. The rate charged to add animation, e.g. smoke/ flame is £700.

S- The company will be influenced by consumer attitudes as the post production they do is directed at consumers (film watchers and television watchers), so they must create a high quality standard that will sell.

T- Being the kind of company that MPC is, they use the latest software and equipment. "Digital connectivity means no communication boundaries when working on international projects. Work in progress can be transferred between Clients and MPC for approval and we are proud to offer remote Telecine grades between the MPC bases in London and Santa Monica."

MPC...

"MPC (The Moving Picture Company) leads the world in post production and visual effects for the Feature Film, Advertising, Digital and Television industries. MPC is based in Soho - London, Santa Monica - CA and Yale town - Vancouver. The facilities are centrally located, networked and have a dedicated digital infrastructure.

MPC Digital takes traditional VFX to the plethora of new Advertising channels available today; whether banner ads for internet websites to special projects such as code driven LED installations, the team can advise on how to re-use content created for traditional media in today’s world; or indeed start something from scratch…"

I would love to be part of their team, they create some of the best adverts out there, and win some well deserved awards too. One of my favourite adverts that they were a part of is the Cadbury, Gorilla's Moment.

The 90 second spot was the first chapter of a series of Cadbury commercials, and in this one it featured a gorilla effortlessly but passionately playing the drum solo in Phil Collin's 'In The Air Tonight'.

Another fantastic advert is the Evian, Skating Babies commercial, which won a Gold Award at the London International Awards '09 and also got into the Guiness Book of World Records for being the most watched viral.

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: