WRL - Interview with James Roberts

As part of my work related learning module, today I had an informal interview with designer and ex Visual Communication student, James Roberts. He now works at BeCreative based in Brighton and he is a mid level designer, and the companies services include:

• Design for Print - Brochures, Leaflets, Stationary
• Daily National Press Advertising Service
• Direct Mail Campaigns
• Corporate Identity
• Large Format Posters, Banners
• Points of Sale
• Websites, Animated Banners
• Emails, HTML, Newsletters

During my time talking to him, I asked him how he went about this Work Related Learning unit, as I expressed my stress and inability to get a visit from ANY design offices that I had contacted. He said that he too had a hard time getting a placement but eventually managed to find one through 'pesting' companies. Thats how he put it. 'Pesting'. I personally hate this idea. He also said that, like me, he does not enjoy speaking on the telephone. So his jobs came from constant emails to nearly every company in Dorset. I do not want to beg and pest managing directors, as I feel it would become very annoying and the person would just end up not wanting you at all. The way I see it, is the design company are obviously going to be open to hearing people that want to work and will consider you, but the ones that are far too busy wont bother replying. Unfortunately I have had a lot of the latter.

He told me about how he had known people to come up with innovative ways of getting noticed whilst applying for a job. One person he knew had sent the company a toilet brush, with a note saying 'Im willing to scrub the toilets if you're willing to give me a chance. Another one, a personal favourite, was someone sending a photo of himself completely naked (covering up of course), with the strapline 'I need some briefs, can you help me out?'. I might try this one.

I also learnt that it does not hurt to show off other qualities other than design. He said this factor was the reason for him getting his first job. The fact he could speak to the MD in a foreign language was a persuading characteristic that he could use over other candidates, that probably had more experience than him.

James also encouraged me to look in places that you would normally ignore or not even think to look in. He told me about the time he once went into the job centre to see if there were any design related jobs going in there. But he told me that if I ever see anything I like, to take a note of it and not to be scared to email them and ask them about it. 

Work Related Learning Progress

I havent been too successful in getting any work experience. I have had an interview with a professional photographer. A meeting I set up and arranged personally. I also went back to an old client who was happy to give me a bit of branding work that he is working on at the moment. However I was told this wasnt what I had to do. Really confusing. I am trying to get work and have emailed many companies in the area. Many of which I have not got any sort of response. The Bournemouth Echo got back to me saying that they will pass my inquiry onto their design and editorial department. I am going to ask a friend who works as a graphic designer if I can shadow him during his work as I feel I will learn more that way than just trying to pester people and get them to talk to me when they really don't want to.

Interview with photographer Paul Wenham-Clarke

Today I had a talk with the AoP Gold Award winner Paul Wenham-Clarke, with the topic of conversation predominantly about his recent commission by The Big Issue magazine. As I am quite new to photography I am quite skeptical about how to get the most out of my images, so a lot of my questions were about techniques to use when I am taking the shots.

Some important pointers were to always try and use a tripod whenever possible, as it is for a publication he expressed his thoughts on how important it was to use many different distances, but also to try and keep a consistent style through all of my shots in order of keeping continuity in the book. He touched on topics to consider such as my depth of field, cropping and lighting, all areas I will research and evaluate before shooting.

But the biggest point that Wenham-Clarke made was how delicate the subject matter is, and that in comparison to getting a good shot, the matter of dealing with the subjects delicately is a lot more important. He told of stories when he had gone to meet people who had agreed to photograph them and they had forgotten who he was, which in turn had made them, on some occasions, get violent.

The way about getting the information from them in terms of their background was also an important part. He advised never to ask questions like "so how did you end up homeless?", questions that could sound very rude and may lead to a negative output. His words were to just talk to the community, about anything at first, and if they want to talk to you about their past then they will in turn, but there is no need to ask silly questions.

Work Related Learning

Last week marked the start of the new unit named Work Related Learning. I am doing this unit as apposed to the bridging essay as my intentions are to leave the course at the end of this academic year. This module is to help and aid us in finding work in the creative industry. The final outcome will be an illustrated report about our experiences in this module, that will include interacting with professionals and attempting to find work/placement in our desired paths.

I discussed my passion for layout and was told that editorial and magazine layout would be a sound place to start my research. This passion has grown since being at university, to such a stage now that I will study the layout of books and magazines more so than the content. I have had some thoughts on who to contact, in the way of magazine and newspaper companies, both well known and not so commercial. Also to contact Luke Lobley, editorial director at Wonderland Magazine, who came in to our uni last year for a lecture.

TLK Lecture 03.02.11

Last night I attended the TLK lecture held in the lecture theatre at Bournemouth Arts University. It was given by a panel of designers from the companies Revolting, Redweb and Salad Creative, with the freelancer Peter Leon. The talk covered the creative process, with topics such as researching, inspiration, pitching, handling clients and any general questions from the audience. The talk was very insightful and another reminder of how ruthless the design industry is, and just how seriously you have to take it. This is y no means off putting.

They talked in extent about handling clients and problems that they have had in the past, and even flagged up problems that we, as young designers, are bound to run into. Points of the talk that I picked up on most was the fact that coming up with an idea that answers the brief is commonly solved through 'streams of consciousness'. The panel talked a lot about how they would often send their design team out of the office and tell them not to return for a few hours. Then when they have all returned, subconsciously they have picked up little bits of information from anything around them and this has triggered thought processes and ideas. Much more effective than sitting in an office, driving yourself mad.

The freelance designer Peter Leon mentioned a website called 27bslash6.com (LINK HERE) that I have since been on for quite some time. It is about the designer David Thorne and he has documented his experiences of the design world. It is brilliant, I would advise it to any designer. 

e-creations workshop

On the 24th and 24th of January 2011, I took part in a live brief workshop with the creative director of e-creations. On the 24th he briefed us on a business idea that he wants to get started. We had to sign an information disclosure saying that we will not steal the idea or pass on the information to any separate parties.

The creative director (Jan-Erik) presented us with his business idea and told us that it was in the very early stages. On the 24th we talked about possible ideas and came up with the URL and website name. For obvious reasons I cannot reveal any information about the website name as it took us a long time to find one we were happy with that wasn't already taken. But eventually we came up with one and then on the 25th we talked about website navigation, layout ideas, hierarchy within the website etc. But we spent most of the day coming up with the branding and identity of the new company. This was the most helpful part of the experience as we got to see first hand the ideas generation process from a creative director and see what he looks for and how they respond to ideas.

Live Brief

Taken on some work from My girlfriends Mom, who needs some brochure work done for the Brighton Fringe Festival this year. She is part of a synchronised swimming team and needed some simple illustrations for leaflets, brochures, and web images. The event is called 'Lights, Water, Action!' so they wanted an old film feel to the illustration. This is what I have come up with so far.

My latest Client

Off of the work that I and my client produced for Aquascutum last month, he was offered the same work for a range of Bentley Golf and Leisure Clothing. He has asked me to help him out again so I am very happy that I have a second paid live brief with a very well known brand. Being able to mess around with the Bentley Logo in illustrator is a real pleasure. 

The first task I have been given to complete for this brief is to create a 3 page template document for Aquascutum/Bentley to show retailers and flagship stores with the intention of getting the clothing line in various shops to be sold. I was sent the logo's with the dimensions and was told that these are very VERY strict guidelines and not to touch the dimensions of anything. The brochure needs to be black and white, with the logos clearly shown, with a selection of styles for menswear, womenswear and accessories. I do not have the styles to work on yet so I have just replaced them with the positions of which they will go.

Aquascutum freelance work completed.

My vector work for Aquascutum has come to a close...for now. The files have been put into the Indesign layout given to us and have been sent to the client ready to be approved or altered. Then it will be a quick edit from us and sent back to print. Unfortunately, this catalogue is for the collection of Autumn/Winter 2011, so I dont know what my chances are of getting a hard copy of the work, but the work will still exist digitally.

The image above was one of my last images and took me quite a long time to make. It is for one of the styles of outerwear that they will portray in the catalogue, and they were needing an info graphic for a piece of detail that cannot be seen in the main image. I am happy, and my client is happy with the outcome.