1. Hello!
2. Who Am I?
I’m still trying to find that out. I still think even at this stage that it’s a very intimidating question, to know who we are as entire designers. It’s something that I’m still finding. However, I did write a small statement to explain the kind of designer i’d like to be this year, at least;
"Passionate designer who wants to create engaging & effective design through whatever medium is most appropriate."
- I’m still very much interested in areas like Branding, Illustration and using mixed media. While I’m here there are processes I’d like to explore and evolve in.
- However, over summer I realised that I didn’t want to become a ‘graphic designer’, in the term of freelance, or within the space of working in a studio. I’d like to be able to pick and choose my own briefs and am still open to the idea of design, completely but my long term goals, now, involve education and facilitation.
3. PPP
- Over summer I’ve been spending time in schools, my job back home (writing workshop facilitator) allows me that access which not only helped me realise what I wanted to do but aided me with experience.
- From personal contacts I was able to work with young actors from National Youth Theatre in developing and just having conversations about the importance personal branding as a creative, as someone who sells their skills.
- Also this year through the College as an ambassador I plan to make full use of the opportunities in from me, those being LCA Young Creatives and the LCA short courses. I get to be involved in a classroom environment with a variety of ages and skill levels.
- Through research I have found interest in a program that TATE Gallery provide a project called ‘Circuit’ that I’d like to get involved with; it’s a four year national programme connecting 15–25 year olds to the arts in galleries and museums working in partnership with the youth and cultural sector. It provides opportunities for young people to steer their own learning and create cultural activity across art disciplines. circuit.tate.org.uk
- Overall this year, in terms of my career goals, i’d like to learn as many skills as I can here that I’m able to utilise in an environment that isn’t necessarily studio based.
4. Extended Practice
- Despite the epiphany of wanting to stray away from studio culture and freelancing I still very much want to design and create. My interests are still very much alive. I’d like to learn new skills and expand on old ones this year and really make use of all the resources around me, which is something I’ve never done.
- I’d like to learn kinetic type this year, it will not only force me to learn new abode programs out my comfort zone but it will broaden my knowledge of type and its capabilities when looking at moving image and visual communication.
- I want to expand my portfolio and tackle branding briefs. It’s my favourite area of ‘graphic design’ and I’d like to improve upon it.
- Using more physical materials this year and moving away from the computer.
- Create work that is engaging and thoughtful. Seeing a project through the end rather than building concept outside of a project just to meet learning outcomes.
- With the freedom to write our own briefs I’d like to create briefs that help and don’t hinder my creativity. I’d like to write to me own strengths but also help develop my skills and learn those that I don’t yet have.
5. Intentions
- Build a portfolio that I’m proud of and can still help me with other creative jobs. Last year there is no work (minus a few briefs) that I would feel comfortable keeping. I think I’ll use the surgeries and a lot of advice from tutors on how to go about filling one.
- I’d like to explore the teaching career track too, see other options within the field and learn to understand it more. Already I’ve signed up for career track Tuesdays which ironically enough their first meeting is exactly about teaching.
- I want to stop getting caught up in my own head. Last year I would write off a brief before I had even finished it, making my end product always underwhelming. This year I’d like to stick to my own promises and see a brief all the way through to the end.
- Accept that mistake happen, and again do not throw a briefs away because things aren’t going right. I need to accept the ‘journey’ if you will. Everything is a process and I want to learn to appreciate that process.
- Design Principles were incredibly helpful to me and this year I want to learn a lot more in terms of core principles in graphic design.
- Context is important; appreciate and take even more value into the history and theories behind design. CoP lectures have always been my favourite part of the course. I’d like to spend this year utilising the information I learn there and synthesis it to my work.
Context Of Practice 3
6. The Question
"Does a brand’s design affect the perceived quality of it’s goods?"
7. First Research
- Begin by looking into branding and it’s theories. I’m wanting to create my first 2000 words directly on brand theory and how it relates to my question.
- Currently reading Wally Ollins on Richard’s suggestion
- Research into ‘What is quality?’ & how is it measured?
8. Next Steps
- Narrow down to a specific area: retail/service?
- Brand quality; Is it only perception
- Choose only UK: It is a small demographic compared to ‘Europe’ or ‘Worldwide’. It will make my research a lot easier to obtain.
- Enjoy this year! relating back to ‘not pulling out of briefs’ - I spent a lot of time resenting not only the process but my work at the end of it. I want to change that.
- I want to be more productive with my spare time. Considering how much independent time we are given to ‘get on’ with work.
- Actually try and exceed my own expectations as well as those of my peers.
- I want to stay focused on the task at hand and try not to get overwhelmed with all the things there are to do.
10. The Briefs
Personal
- Manchester Literature Festival - Poetry In Hip- Hop (Type)
- Kinetic Type (Digital)
- Album Artwork (Mixed media)
Live
- Charity Based Organisation ‘The Haven’ (Illustration)
- Young Identity (Branding)
Competition
- YCN Penguin Brief
- Feathr
Collaborative
- Beth Taylor (Type)
FEEDBACK
Look into LCA workshop programs. Look to engage in work experience with them.
Consider dissertation question to match education theme?
