Throughout the duration of this module I feel as if I have learnt alot about the different print process, and how you can adapt your work to the type of print you are using. I also know I have improved my skills on software such as InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator, and found that mainly down to the workshops that I attented. I didn't know how to use In Design much apart from for editorial work, so that was especially useful, in doing things such as colour separations and registration. My practical skills have also improved, with creating nets and packaging, learning how to emboss/deboss, and screen print spot varnishes. I have enjoyed trying and testing these skills and find the outcomes very satisfying.
Whilst researching for this module, I found that most of it was secondary research, and I realise know that I should have extended my primary research, to find out people's true opinions, so that I can work from a more informed point of view. I couldn't wait to start designing but I know feel like I should have started this earlier, so then I would have had more time to push my designs further and in different directions. The decisions I made when designing was really helped by the research that I did, as it backed up my designs.
I think my strengths for this module lie within my practical skills for creating the packaging structures, and also in my image manipulation techniques. I feel my weaknesses appear in my design ideas, because if I started this earlier I would have had alot more of them, and I should have made earlier decisons about my designs. I also tended to let my work build up before I blogged it, so that is somethign I will definately get on top of in the next module.
For the next module I will do more primary researching, keep on top of my blog, and start coming up with design ideas eaarly, even if they are just little sketches of what I see my work could be like. I also know that there is alot more to find out about, and I will continue learnign abotu ti as I find it very interesting, especially at the Team Impression visit, and realise know how important it is to know about designing for print. learnign abotu this made the module very enjoyable. I am pleased with my final outcome, but realise how different my ideas could have been. I know I will learn from my mistakes and take this forward to the next module.
Attendance: 4
Punctuality: 5
Motivation: 4
Commitment: 4
Quantity of work: 3
Quality of work: 4
Tuesday 23 November 2010
Monday 15 November 2010
PAB Studios
During summer in July 2010, I arranged a week at PAB Studios, to gain some experience within a professional working environment.
'PAB Studios limited have more than 20 years experience working in advertising/marketing and cover a variety of disciplines including: press, radio, on-line and TV advertising, direct mail, website, PR, print and point of sale. They are one of Yorkshire's leading full service media agencies, with a broad mix of clients, ranging from Automotive through to retail.'
Some of their clients include: Stoneacre Motor Group, RNLI Lifeboats, Ringways Motor Group, Ridings Shopping Centre and 96.3 Radio Aire.
Here is a link to their website: www.pabstudios.co.uk/
With around 15 people working there, it is a small yet busy team enviroment, consisting of 2 directors, 6 account managers, 4/5 graphic designers, a web designer, and an accountant.
The work experience came about through using my own contact, the director of the company, who knew I was studying on Graphic Design course and offered to let me spend a week there. It was an exciting opportunity for me to see not just the design studio, but all the different aspects of the company and how it works, as I had never been in this type of working environment before.
My Daily Dairy:
Day 1:
I was excited, yet nervous, on the first day, not knowing what to expect. I was shown around the building, in the offices and studio, and introduced to everyone, before sitting in with one of the account managers to see what exactly her job entailed. She already had a list of clients ready that she had to ring to discuss their advertisements, before sending them up to the studio. Mondays are always one of their busiest days with all the press deadlines. I spent a bit of time up in the studio, to see the work the designers were producing. I was surprised to find out that on Monday, between 60-80 ads were created and sent for press. The company is known for the amount of work they can produce in such a short amount of time.
Day 2:
Not as nervous as day one, having met the friendly team already, I looked forward to another day. I spent some time with a different account manager, who had a different set of clients. I then had a one-to-one marketing lesson with the Director, who explained that 50% of advertising is wasted, but that they knew how to cut this down, through knowing how to reach the right target market for each product, and the media in which to do so. They also build their marketing strategies based upon facts. I also learned about demographics and how this effected the distribution of the advertisements.
One of the Directors, was working with a new client, who had just started their own relocation business, called 'Spencer's', and as a little task she asked me to try and come up with a logo for them. Spencer's wanted to come across as a more up market company, with four types of relocating services including moving home, office, and artwork. They should be portrayed as 'Relocation Experts'.
Here are a few logo ideas:
Day 3:
Carrying on with the Spencer's brief, I was then asked to create some stationary for them including business cards, compliments slips, flyer's and letterheads.
Here is the brief written on one of their Creative Job Sheets:
Here are a few of my design ideas:
Business Cards:
Compliments Slip:
Flyer:
Another of the accounts managers was doing a fund raising event to raise money for her to go to Mexico and cycle to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. She was organising a 5-a-side football event and asked me to make a poster for it, that she could put up locally around town, to get people involved.
Here is the brief I was given:
Some of my ideas:
Some printed mock-ups:
Day 4:
With never having done web design before, today I was asked to mock up a homepage for the Spencer's relocation company (that I had previously created a logo for) and spend some time with the web designer, who showed me how I would get my design up and running, and active. I found this really interesting as it was new, and although it got a bit complicated, I realised that web design was something I would like to learn more about.
My Macmillan Poster for the 5-a-side poster was adjusted/approved/finalized and printed today.
Day 5:
With the directors PA (also an account manager) today I went visiting clients, to see the places were the briefs come from for the work produced at PAB. The first was Radio Aire, situated in Leeds, who showed me around the building and introduced me to those who deal with PAB Studios, and how they come up with the briefs. I was then allowed to sit in with the presenter, Griffo, whilst he was on air, and before we left I was given a Glee CD and some Radio Aire mugs!
We stopped off at another client, Ringways, to drop off some stationary, and then went to the printers to pick up some posters.
I really enjoyed today, meeting their clients and seeing the other side of it all, and seeing the design work from PAB in context.
My overall time with PAB was definately a positive and influential experience. I was surprised by how relaxed and comfortable I became as the week went on, once I knew everyones names and became familiar with the environment, and I now know that a business of that size is what I would enjoy working with and feel comfortable in. I felt that I learnt alot about the company as a whole and also about the design industry, and how it works.
The quality and amount of work produced in a short amount of time was a real eye opener, and I now want to focus on using software more quicker and conveniently, but I know that speed will come with confidence and experience.
If I could go back again I would like to have a longer placement, and work within the studio, because with it being such a busy place, and the week that I was there they didn't have many new projects, just ongoing ones. So I would like to see new briefs/campaigns and how they progress over time.
I know that if I go to another design agency for a placement, that I'll have more confidence, after already gaining some experience within a professional, busy working environment.
'PAB Studios limited have more than 20 years experience working in advertising/marketing and cover a variety of disciplines including: press, radio, on-line and TV advertising, direct mail, website, PR, print and point of sale. They are one of Yorkshire's leading full service media agencies, with a broad mix of clients, ranging from Automotive through to retail.'
Some of their clients include: Stoneacre Motor Group, RNLI Lifeboats, Ringways Motor Group, Ridings Shopping Centre and 96.3 Radio Aire.
Here is a link to their website: www.pabstudios.co.uk/
With around 15 people working there, it is a small yet busy team enviroment, consisting of 2 directors, 6 account managers, 4/5 graphic designers, a web designer, and an accountant.
The work experience came about through using my own contact, the director of the company, who knew I was studying on Graphic Design course and offered to let me spend a week there. It was an exciting opportunity for me to see not just the design studio, but all the different aspects of the company and how it works, as I had never been in this type of working environment before.
My Daily Dairy:
Day 1:
I was excited, yet nervous, on the first day, not knowing what to expect. I was shown around the building, in the offices and studio, and introduced to everyone, before sitting in with one of the account managers to see what exactly her job entailed. She already had a list of clients ready that she had to ring to discuss their advertisements, before sending them up to the studio. Mondays are always one of their busiest days with all the press deadlines. I spent a bit of time up in the studio, to see the work the designers were producing. I was surprised to find out that on Monday, between 60-80 ads were created and sent for press. The company is known for the amount of work they can produce in such a short amount of time.
Day 2:
Not as nervous as day one, having met the friendly team already, I looked forward to another day. I spent some time with a different account manager, who had a different set of clients. I then had a one-to-one marketing lesson with the Director, who explained that 50% of advertising is wasted, but that they knew how to cut this down, through knowing how to reach the right target market for each product, and the media in which to do so. They also build their marketing strategies based upon facts. I also learned about demographics and how this effected the distribution of the advertisements.
One of the Directors, was working with a new client, who had just started their own relocation business, called 'Spencer's', and as a little task she asked me to try and come up with a logo for them. Spencer's wanted to come across as a more up market company, with four types of relocating services including moving home, office, and artwork. They should be portrayed as 'Relocation Experts'.
Here are a few logo ideas:
This is the logo I thought worked the best:
Carrying on with the Spencer's brief, I was then asked to create some stationary for them including business cards, compliments slips, flyer's and letterheads.
Here is the brief written on one of their Creative Job Sheets:
Business Cards:
Another of the accounts managers was doing a fund raising event to raise money for her to go to Mexico and cycle to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. She was organising a 5-a-side football event and asked me to make a poster for it, that she could put up locally around town, to get people involved.
Here is the brief I was given:
With never having done web design before, today I was asked to mock up a homepage for the Spencer's relocation company (that I had previously created a logo for) and spend some time with the web designer, who showed me how I would get my design up and running, and active. I found this really interesting as it was new, and although it got a bit complicated, I realised that web design was something I would like to learn more about.
My Macmillan Poster for the 5-a-side poster was adjusted/approved/finalized and printed today.
Day 5:
With the directors PA (also an account manager) today I went visiting clients, to see the places were the briefs come from for the work produced at PAB. The first was Radio Aire, situated in Leeds, who showed me around the building and introduced me to those who deal with PAB Studios, and how they come up with the briefs. I was then allowed to sit in with the presenter, Griffo, whilst he was on air, and before we left I was given a Glee CD and some Radio Aire mugs!
We stopped off at another client, Ringways, to drop off some stationary, and then went to the printers to pick up some posters.
I really enjoyed today, meeting their clients and seeing the other side of it all, and seeing the design work from PAB in context.
My overall time with PAB was definately a positive and influential experience. I was surprised by how relaxed and comfortable I became as the week went on, once I knew everyones names and became familiar with the environment, and I now know that a business of that size is what I would enjoy working with and feel comfortable in. I felt that I learnt alot about the company as a whole and also about the design industry, and how it works.
The quality and amount of work produced in a short amount of time was a real eye opener, and I now want to focus on using software more quicker and conveniently, but I know that speed will come with confidence and experience.
If I could go back again I would like to have a longer placement, and work within the studio, because with it being such a busy place, and the week that I was there they didn't have many new projects, just ongoing ones. So I would like to see new briefs/campaigns and how they progress over time.
I know that if I go to another design agency for a placement, that I'll have more confidence, after already gaining some experience within a professional, busy working environment.
Wednesday 10 November 2010
Group Tutorial Preparation Task
1. What is industrial experience?
Industrial experience is an opportunity to gain an sight into the working enviorment that you are interested in. It gives you the chance to learn from the professionals and their working practices. You can also apply your own skills and what you know, to working situations.
2. What can I learn from industrial experience?
Observing how to work with clients and how new briefs are tackled (whether for large or small businesses - and the differences between them), collaborating with others, communication skills, an insight to the amount of work and the pace expected of you, software skills, working in a professional environment and getting a feel for places.
3. What form/format could industrial experience take?
It could be a day visit, a work placement at a design agency that could last a week or a month or more, freelance work, collaborating with others on a live brief, networking and gaining industry contacts.
4.What areas of industry are you interested in?
Design for print, editorial, advertising, photography, design for screen, motion graphics.
5. What are your concerns about industrial experience?
Moving from the college environment to a professional working studio, being nervous and then not showing the standard of work that I am capable of doing, not making a lasting and good memorable impression, not being able to keep up with the working pace or not fully knowing how to use a certain piece of software.
Industrial experience is an opportunity to gain an sight into the working enviorment that you are interested in. It gives you the chance to learn from the professionals and their working practices. You can also apply your own skills and what you know, to working situations.
2. What can I learn from industrial experience?
Observing how to work with clients and how new briefs are tackled (whether for large or small businesses - and the differences between them), collaborating with others, communication skills, an insight to the amount of work and the pace expected of you, software skills, working in a professional environment and getting a feel for places.
3. What form/format could industrial experience take?
It could be a day visit, a work placement at a design agency that could last a week or a month or more, freelance work, collaborating with others on a live brief, networking and gaining industry contacts.
4.What areas of industry are you interested in?
Design for print, editorial, advertising, photography, design for screen, motion graphics.
5. What are your concerns about industrial experience?
Moving from the college environment to a professional working studio, being nervous and then not showing the standard of work that I am capable of doing, not making a lasting and good memorable impression, not being able to keep up with the working pace or not fully knowing how to use a certain piece of software.
PPD Studio Task
What do you want to achieve this academic year?
-An improvement in my grade from last year
-To have a more clear idea of my areas of interest, and develop and strengthen my skills within them
-To have organised work placements
-A more professional and higher standard of work
What do you want to achieve by the end of the course?
-My own style of work, so that people will recognise my work as being mine
-Confidence in presenting and speaking about my work and practice
-What I would like to specialise in
-A fantastic portfolio, that I am proud of
-Contacts in the design industry
-Professionalism
What do you want to achieve in your career?
-Success
-Starting my own design agency
-Enjoyment, fullfillment, contentment
-Recognition - global influence
-An improvement in my grade from last year
-To have a more clear idea of my areas of interest, and develop and strengthen my skills within them
-To have organised work placements
-A more professional and higher standard of work
What do you want to achieve by the end of the course?
-My own style of work, so that people will recognise my work as being mine
-Confidence in presenting and speaking about my work and practice
-What I would like to specialise in
-A fantastic portfolio, that I am proud of
-Contacts in the design industry
-Professionalism
What do you want to achieve in your career?
-Success
-Starting my own design agency
-Enjoyment, fullfillment, contentment
-Recognition - global influence
Team Impression - Printer's Visit
Today I went to visit 'Team Impression' printer's, to have a look around and gain an insight to the print production side of design work.
''Team Impression is a long established Leeds-based printing and finishing company, with a comprehensive range of in-house facilities from litho to digital and packaging.
What they do:
Litho: With two B1 and one B2 6-colour Komori presses running 24/7, we have the capacity to handle any job, no matter how big or small.
Digital: Three state-of-the-art Indigo presses with results that push the boundaries of digital printing.
Display: Our Fuji Acuity large format output device is flexible and versatile, capable of high quality printing on virtually any substrate up to 48mm thick onto a huge 2.5m x 1.25m wide.
Finishing: Foiling, embossing, die-cutting, folding, binding, varnishing, sealing... it might be easier to list an aspect of finishing that we don’t do in-house.
Presentation: You pick your materials and we’ll put them onto board for you. Hand finished boxes, intricate folders, complicated display materials. You name it, our in-house presentation department can put it together for you.''
Whilst there we were shown around the offices, in which print costs are estimated, and were shown their organisation of each print jobs for all the different machines. We then went around the workshops and shown all the printing machines and samples from them. There was also a section were hand crafting was done, and a seperate workshop for all the special finishes such as foil blcoking/embossing and die cutting.
Here are some examples of finished pieces of work, printed by Team Impression:
''JD Sports Annual Report and Accounts 2010- The cover, printed on Colorplan Prisine White, features an exceptionally crisp embossed headline set in a caption balloon of clear foil and a silver foil title'':
I took some photos whilst we were shown around:
The Print Workshop-
Litho:
CMYK plates:
Cian-
Magenta-
Yellow-
Black-
Before print-
Digital Print:
This Fuji Acuity large format output device is flexible and versatile, capable of high quality printing on virtually any substrate up to 48mm thick onto a huge 2.5m x 1.25m wide.
Screen print-
Foil Blocking printer-
Die Cutter-
Die Cutting stencils-
''JD Sports Annual Report and Accounts 2010- The cover, printed on Colorplan Prisine White, features an exceptionally crisp embossed headline set in a caption balloon of clear foil and a silver foil title'':
Overall I enjoyed this experience and found it interesting to realise how design work can be affected by print, and vice versa. I have also become more aware of the cost of different print processes and how that too can be affected by the finishes and hand crafting
Monday 1 November 2010
Enterprise Lecture 5 - '10 Steps to a Future You'
1. Proactivity:
-Stimulus - response
-stimulus - choice - response
-circle of influence/concearn
-the more you know about macro environment, the more chance of influencing it
2. Project:
-future vision
-create a principle - centered personal mission statement
-extend the mission into long term goals
-Business Vision, Priority Management, Business Plan, Life Plan
3. Provide:
-clear explanations to people
-speak in their language, not yours
-talk about benefits - not process
-expertise (GURUS)
-think - create - inspire
4. Prioritise:
-put first things first
-keep a proper balance
-stick to your personal statement
-vision - can't prioritise without one
5. Presents:
-think win/win
-seek outcomes and relationships that are mutually beneficial
-do a favour to gain a favour
[Coffee with Kloog - Karl Hopkins]
Kohlberg's Theory
-pre-conventional - dependent
-conventional - independent
-post-conventional - inter-dependent
6. Pause:
-pause/listen - give all your attention
-empathise - put rouself in their place
-don't re-iterate or interpret - just listen
-do you know how they feel or are you just saying how you feel
-seek first to understand - then be understood
-learn from your differences
7. Proven:
-consistency/integrity/reliability
-people's experience of dealing with you
[Andy Goldsworthy/Jimmy Choo]
8. Partner:
-synergy multiples your talents
-work with other experts outside your field to achieve greatness
[James Dyson, Antony Gormley, Michelangelo, Everest expeditions]
YOU CAN ACHIEVE MORE IF YOU DON'T TRY TO DO EVERYTHING YOURSELF
-sources
-partner
-'Avatar' - 600-800 credits - all free lance or small businesses
9. Pitstop:
-sharpen up - get new stuff
-rest - renew - revitalise
-explore - challenge - excite
-always have something new to talk about
10. Propel:
-extinguish your fears
-exude confidence
-instil faith
-networking events
-market yourself
IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE IN YOURSELF, WHY SHOULD ANYBODY ELSE?
-stand proud
-Stimulus - response
-stimulus - choice - response
-circle of influence/concearn
-the more you know about macro environment, the more chance of influencing it
2. Project:
-future vision
-create a principle - centered personal mission statement
-extend the mission into long term goals
-Business Vision, Priority Management, Business Plan, Life Plan
3. Provide:
-clear explanations to people
-speak in their language, not yours
-talk about benefits - not process
-expertise (GURUS)
-think - create - inspire
4. Prioritise:
-put first things first
-keep a proper balance
-stick to your personal statement
-vision - can't prioritise without one
5. Presents:
-think win/win
-seek outcomes and relationships that are mutually beneficial
-do a favour to gain a favour
[Coffee with Kloog - Karl Hopkins]
Kohlberg's Theory
-pre-conventional - dependent
-conventional - independent
-post-conventional - inter-dependent
6. Pause:
-pause/listen - give all your attention
-empathise - put rouself in their place
-don't re-iterate or interpret - just listen
-do you know how they feel or are you just saying how you feel
-seek first to understand - then be understood
-learn from your differences
7. Proven:
-consistency/integrity/reliability
-people's experience of dealing with you
[Andy Goldsworthy/Jimmy Choo]
8. Partner:
-synergy multiples your talents
-work with other experts outside your field to achieve greatness
[James Dyson, Antony Gormley, Michelangelo, Everest expeditions]
YOU CAN ACHIEVE MORE IF YOU DON'T TRY TO DO EVERYTHING YOURSELF
-sources
-partner
-'Avatar' - 600-800 credits - all free lance or small businesses
9. Pitstop:
-sharpen up - get new stuff
-rest - renew - revitalise
-explore - challenge - excite
-always have something new to talk about
10. Propel:
-extinguish your fears
-exude confidence
-instil faith
-networking events
-market yourself
IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE IN YOURSELF, WHY SHOULD ANYBODY ELSE?
-stand proud
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