OUGD502 | STUDIO BRIEF 1 | PROJECT EVALUATION

Project evaluation: 

This project has really encouraged me to engage with the design industry and ensure that I expose myself however I can. It prompted me to create up-to-date accounts showcasing my work, and speak to designers and fellow students.

At first, I found the creative report quite daunting. Having to speak to a proper professional designer was a little intimidating, but once I found who I wanted to interview it became much easier. I’m glad that I found a designer with a similar style/interest as I am. Baxter & Bailey are very concept driven, which is something I like to apply to my own practice. Talking to Matt was really useful, and I gained a lot of knowledge and confidence just from emailing him. It showed me that people in the industry are willing to help younger designers and take time out of their busy day to write an in-depth response to my questions. 

Analysing and reflecting on my own practice has really helped me with my development as a designer. I was very unsure of myself and my personal ‘style’, but now I feel I’ve accepted my approach as a designer and can really focus on improving and developing it. Attending the talk led by Anorak really inspired me, and has prompted me to look into children’s design which is something I hadn’t really thought about before. It really fits with my approach and how I feel most comfortable approaching a brief. 

Creating a professional Twitter account was something I have been putting off for a long time, but it’s really started to make an impact already. D&AD have responded to my tweets, Baxter and Bailey have been in contact with me following the creative report and I’ve started to upload ongoing projects to hopefully gain interest from followers. I feel PPP has encouraged me to do this, which is really useful as an emerging designer. 

Looking into internships for the summer is something I wish to continue with after this module. There are many studios that I can contact locally which is exciting. This project has given me the confidence to contact other designers and professionals which will allow me to pursue this oppertunity.

The only improvement I could suggest for the module is having the deadline at the end of the year, so its possible to document more experiences and contact within the industry.

Overall, I’m really pleased with the outcome of this project. I found creating the report really enjoyable and liberating as I could design it in a style I really enjoyed. I also feel that I’ve made a good contact with Baxter & Bailey which could be useful in the future. 

OUGD502 | STUDIO BREIF 1 | ATOMIC PUSSY

Following from our zine last year, me and Lo have created the 3rd edition of Atomic Pussy. It features work from fellow students and others that wanted to get involved through social media. We have developed the zine to a more contemporary, high-end feel in the hopes to get it featured in places such as Village Bookshop or Colours May Vary.

We tried to combat big issues within feminism this time, articles include content about FGM, gender fluidity and colourism.  Our main colour is yellow this time (previously blue and red). We feel having a different colour with each zine will keep readers interested and it shows our constant development.

We're hoping to print another 50 copies of the zine, and possibly even more if it does well.  We are looking to re-brand the zine in the future, and possibly even change its name and start again. Me and Lo both feel that we need to start fresh and shed our Atomic Pussy skin, so that we can develop further and produce better, high quality work. We also want to have dedicated, consistent writers in the future, which fits with our development of a more expensive, luxury magazine. 

OUGD502 | STUDIO BRIEF 1 | ZINE EXHIBITION

For her CoP Project, Megan is organising an exhibition for zines. As me and Lo run a zine, I thought it would be appropriate to submit ours for consideration! 

Megan has asked for images of the zine and a physical copy before the exhibition. Hopefully this exhibition will give us more exposure and help us sell more copies of our zine. 

OUGD502 | STUDIO BRIEF 1 | INTERNSHIPS

Over the summer I feel it would be a good oppertunity to look at internships and gain some industry experience. The nearest cities to me would be Leeds or Manchester, though I may have plans to travel to Berlin or Paris this summer so I could possibly fit in a week over there if I'm lucky!


MANCHESTER:

Instruct Studio

http://instructstudio.com/

Instruct is a multi-disciplinary communications studio based in Manchester working within
the architectural, media and cultural sector. We are unique in that we are purposely small but tackle big problems for large and small organisations alike. We are a team of thinkers, writers, creatives and project managers with experience of delivering complex, large-scale projects across multiple platforms.

Mark Studio

http://markstudio.co.uk/

Mark is an independent branding and graphic design studio, based in Manchester. Since 2005, we’ve been producing outstanding work for clients of all kinds and sizes, winning a fair few awards along the way.

LEEDS:

Only Studio

http://onlystudio.co.uk/

Only is a brand and digital consultancy specialising in strategic design. We help to create purposeful experiences across digital and physical channels and platforms.

Underpinned by strategy and research, our work strives to connect with people in fresh and compelling ways. Experts in human-centered design, we create and evolve brands, translating business objectives into creative execution.

Alphabet

http://www.madebyalphabet.com/about/

We are a bold and brave design studio for bold and brave clients. Founded by Sam Lane, Abbas Mushtaq and Sebastian Needler. We are concept driven. We build brands and tell stories through branding, print, web, social and physical forms. And we have a bunch of fun whilst doing it.

Hungry Sandwich Club

http://hungrysandwich.club/

We use Design, Illustration and Motion Graphics to turn your brand from black and white to technicolour with bright, characterful work that’ll spread your message, get you noticed and make you smile.

PARIS:

Studio Philippe Apeloig

http://apeloig.com/

Apeloig’s design compositions have won numerous prizes, including the Overall Prize at the 2009 International Society of Typographic Designers Award in London. He contributed to recent blockbuster exhibitions by designing posters for “Yves Saint Laurent” at the Petit Palais (2010). Apeloig has also created numerous visual identities and logos for nonprofits, governmental agencies, and businesses ranging from the Théâtre du Châtelet, Musée de l’Art et d’Histoire du Judaïsme, the Direction des Musées de France, the Institut National d’Histoire de l’Art, to the Instituto Universitario di Architettura di Venezia and the silversmith Puiforcat.

Monse

https://mosne.it/

Simplicity and elegance, curiosity and nerditude are the ingredients we put in our projects combining the latest possibilities of the web with genuine graphic design principles.

BERLIN:

Büro Bum Bum

http://buerobumbum.com/

Büro Bum Bum, founded in 2013, is a design collective for visual communication. We work for commercial clients as well as on selfinitiated research projects. We believe in a multifaceted and passionate method of operating. Therefore we link highly diverse disciplines to create a contemporary and unconventional form of expression in cooperation with our clients.Withal we face the responsibility to question current communication methods and create a cultural contribution to society.

Studio Hausherr

http://studiohausherr.com/

Conception CREATION holistic communication concepts with a pragmatic goal orientation. Design Print with attention to detail - auszureizen technically possible digital with the claim. Content In close collaboration with Cee Cee Creative we create content. From text about photography to Event conception.

OUGD502 | STUDIO BRIEF 1 | LOGO OPPORTUNITY

On the 20th November, I received an email on the student account with an oppertunity to design a logo which is displayed on the side of a van - and a fully paid job. 

I was interested in this, and asked fellow student Emily Patrick if she wanted to work on it with me as we had a lot of university work to do. This could also work in the clients favour as we could get the work done twice as fast!

I emailed back and got this response:

I contacted Sid, and he sent over some images of the van and explained briefly what he'd like us to do.

I made sure that we were to be paid, and tried to secure a price before we started work. I talked to Emily and we agreed that £75 each was a fair price, plus any extra for changes etc. 

I contacted Sid with these prices, but unfortunately he still hasn't responded. He may have found somebody else to do it for cheaper, but its quite disheartening to not get a reply. 

I'm taking this as a learning curve for freelance work, and it's shown me that it can be quite difficult to work with clients when you're competing against others. 

OUGD502 | STUDIO BRIEF 1 | BUSINESS CARDS

I recently received my business cards that were printed by Moo. They give off a much more professional feel for whoever is receiving the business card which is really important. They are a lot better quality than the cards I made last year, which parallels my improvement in graphic design as a whole.

As I printed these cards professionally, I intend to use them. I'm aiming to carry at least 1 of each design with me in my purse, and also send out business cards to designers whenever I get the opportunity.

Matt Baxter got in touch with me via twitter and said he'd like a copy of the creative report, so I included my business card too. I feel it's important to include business cards wherever I can, if nothing else it may leave an impression.

OUGD502 | STUDIO BREIF 2 | PRESENTATION