Way-finding Brainstorm

(Presentations: Never show your work up front, explain the requirement you identified and refer back to your rationale. Remember to keep the questions for after the presentation.)

Today in my group we brainstormed some ideas, we currently have at least two strong ones and a few ideas of how these could be incorporated together to stimulate the senses, this would be beneficial for those with sensory disabilities.

Our ideas being one a way-finding system comprised of sounds we think are relevant to each subject, for example leading to Graphic Design this may be a symphony of computer sounds, pop-ups and mouse clicks and so on while fine art may have more soothing sounds of paint brushes. Visually we thought of a way of representing different areas which could possibly be tied in with the sound concept, this visual medium being a sculptural approach, hanging from the ceiling.

E.g graphics may have wires and leads entangled together draped and suspended above our heads, textiles: draped collaged fabric
woodwork: blocky wooden archway leading to the department ...

Skype talk with Sarah Heal

Theme Park Designer at Disney Florida

logos and branding, illustration, concept art etc

Process
Geekin' out
making it happen
the importance of networking
Love yo' self

Background
If you don't ask you don't get, why shouldn't it be you designing exactly what you want, what you're passionate about. Feedback is essential when applying for your opportunities. She looked into Disney International College Programme, she initially didn't get accepted but she called for feedback and it was discovered her availability was incorrect so it's always worth calling up and asking for feedback. She faced lots of setbacks before she got to where she wanted to be, the key is to constantly start dialogues.  She initially worked in Chester zoo before Quarry Fold Studio, their main client in Sweden, her portfolio couldn't 'be ignored', the colour a mustard yellow "like a giant cheese block on the desk". Her enthusiasm shone through.

Networking:This can be meeting up at social events or it could be just twitter, email, texts...

You need time away from your work, if you're in a relationship and spend all your time with that person, what are you going to talk about? You need time for you and to look after yourself and enjoy  life.

Internships

Work Placement 
Usually unpaid
During undergraduate

Internships
After you graduate

Consider why you want to do a placement , consider how this will aid in your understanding of the industry.
Minimum around 15 hours.
Choosing the studio, agency or business is the easy part, identify where and with whom you would like to do a placement is the start, methods of communications are the decisions you need to plan and record. What method of communication can you use?
Letter
Email
Telephone
Turn up ?

In a commercial studio you will be involved in real life situations, pick up terminology, contacts, mentors.. Undertake briefs that may be live or help in the production of presentation and become aware of actual deadlines.

Write an account of who you may contact, want to achieve and why you are contacting them. What you may say and using what method/s you may utilise? What would you send them and why?
This should gain you some good connections within the industries and a good interview opportunity...

Account

I plan to contact

Part 2 : Creative Report

Ready by the end of the year

Interviewing Your Heroes 
Interview or conversation, is there a difference? While a conversation is more spontaneous they both seek to acknowledge opinion, reasoning and methods.

Interview with Michael Wolff highlights he's never worked with or for someone he hasn't liked. The client plays a large role in the project, he asks clients why they run for example this bank, what is the purpose what do you wish to achieve? People will usually say money, yet he argues money is earned thanks to something you create that gives joy to others. He doesn't like the word client as this relationship should be based on mutual respect.

"People will forget wheat you said forget what you did but will remember how you made them feel." Maya Angelou

If you don't encourage your curiosity you don't encourage your creativity.

When interviewing you should make sure you're prepared with questions as well as things in the back of your mind if things don't go to plan.You should practice your ability to manage silences using prompts, probes, checks..

Transcribing 
This can always take time however using new mac technology this can achieved easily and edited. Consider intonations and pauses as part of the interview including how individual words are stressed.

Artist
I'm thinking of getting in contact with artist Benjamin Murphy, I met him briefly a few years ago but was too shy to ask too much, he uses black vinyl tape and spends hours cutting intricate details, covering walls, floors and frames. I love his gloomy stylised work and favourite exhibition being a collaborative room he filled, project entitled 'Morella' with artists Pang and Sophie Mason:

I've done at least 2 artist researches on him in college / foundation / uni. I actually have him as a friend on Facebook as I tried my luck after I met him and followed him on Facebook, however again have always been too shy to get in contact. He lives in London so I could potentially meet him face to face when I'm home or could use Skype/ Facebook to get in contact when in Leeds.

LinkedIn

Sign up to :
Dribbble
Behance

Put photographs on your CV
Give out business cards
I've already set up a LinkedIn profile so today I just added everyone I knew who created their own profiles.

Village- Ben Holmes

Village started in Corn Exchange in 2012 with the aim to create a space where self / independently published publications could be available to the general public and bring stuff from outside the city into the city, and also provide a space where creatives working and studying in Leeds could gain exposure. This then tries to challenge the theory that all work is in London, trying to create a more stable market in Leeds without having to move away. They hold exhibitions for Leeds alumni, release publications on the end of it.

Zines are another form of publication, starting with 70s punk zines it's become a useful yet unconventional method of showcasing their work, other people's work and focus on specific topics.

Why Self Publish?
In the age of internet its so easy to get your work seen everyday, everybody's work can be easily accessed however a zine slows people down as a form of active participation. You're touching, smelling and seeing it as opposed to scanning through it on a screen.

Another method of showcasing your work is to produce a manual publication in the form of a journal, like the Nourished Journal released every January. Look at Catalogue as well, Library paper : Romance.



What We Look For
Every element of the book says something about the content inside and it all forms a cohesive narrative. First thing you look at is the:

concept of the book = under arching idea and purpose
format = potential to communicate a lot about the book and drive the idea

Thomas Sauvin- till death do us part


Max Siedentopf- funny money

Matthew Connors- Fire In Cairo

This publication starts off with smaller imagery and continually getting larger until the last page is full bleed, you also don't realise until you reach the end that the book is purposely bound backwards so you start at the end of the book. 

This is the same ocean- edited and published by Samuel J Davidson

Playing around with print techniques, playing around with image and content to create something new

Paper Stock
Change look and feel of the images, consider what you're trying to convey through your publication and context of subject matter.

Bartolomeo Celestino- Surface Phenomena


Combination of paper stocks, each image is from a spot taken every day for 18 months, some are portrait some landscape to accentuate the idea that the ocean can send you delusional, looking at it too long is hypnotic.

Binding 
Challenge these notions, the book doesn't necessarily have to be bound but if it is consider how the aesthetic/ physical way you interact with it is contextually appropriate.

Details
Hand drawn/ written elements? More personal touches
Folds
Pullouts

Books As A Product 
Come to Village have a chat
Not a get rich quick scheme
Consider exposure, many people will have picked up your book & seen your name even if they don't actually go on to buy it which is often more valuable.

The Self Publishing Community 
Pick up as many books as possible
steal and borrow ideas
meet those who are also publishing their own books

Christopher Nunn- Ukraine

Ukrainian street dogs photographed at night
published by Village

Christopher Nunn- Holy Water



Tripod City- Gold Dust


Three London photographers, no photo credits on each image as it doesn't matter who as they all follow the same story.
Celebrated Ghanian culture, all images speak for themselves, full bleed.

Charlie Kwai- Overtime


In an office style document sleeve, paper stock glossy, thin. This photographer isn't afraid to get in people's faces with his flash with excellent results.

Professional
Engaged in a specific activity as one's main paid occupation

Professional Creatives
Paid to be creative

Art for money
In the early days of the creative industries it was simply known as commercial art.
Our work is often used to sell, promote, explain, narrate and inform.



First Things First Manifesto
1964 Ken Garland
2000 Jonathan Barnbrook

For designers who don't want to be messed around anymore.

Introduction to PPP

deck- industry term for powerpoint/keynote presentation

I had an interesting summer. Mainly highs but a couple lows that shook me a little more than I'd have thought. These issues arised because of the people I often am drawn to, they're my friends and I love them but trouble seems to follow them around through often no fault of their own. Spending nights with police and an overnight visit to A&E left me feeling on edge. I hibernated for quite a while and needed time away from talking to almost everyone. I'm lucky to have a strong and honest relationship with my mum so it was helpful to take each day at a time and spend evenings drinking with her in the back garden chaining menthol cigarettes.

 I always bounce back though despite my own mental health issues because I luckily have a positive outlook on life and am scared of wasting my days stuck in a mental rut. I went to 5 festivals, volunteering at two meeting new people and sharing experiences I thrive on. One festival I went to by myself, volunteering shortly after the 'horrific night' and loved it. I only stayed for the days I had my shifts thinking it would be a chore as it was a kid's festival (working it meant I got a free bestival ticket) but it was actually just what I needed, a little break. Being surrounded by happy families made me value my own and being able to enjoy time by myslef not having to worry about people made me realise that being an empath can often be a hinderance. I spent an entire festival before this babysitting people who got worryingly too fucked, loosing bank cards, their way around and getting disturbingly fucked up meant I couldn't enjoy myself as I'd spend my time being sickeningly concerned about them with no regard for my own fun or safety.

This summer has taught me it's okay to be selfish. It's okay to look after myself above others and their fate is decided by them, I can't change or save them every time and that's okay.
I furthermore did some work for my neighbour, this introduced me into the world of more corporate design. It's not my style at all but it was interesting to learn more about brand identity, I designed a logo and website for a Med Tech company and developed my skills along the way. They said they were very happy with my speedy responses despite being busy working, going out and living in a field most weekends and I felt actually proud of myself which is a rare thing. I didn't mind compromising my initial designs which I preferred, as I learnt they weren't right in the context and it was more satisfying giving someone something they loved.

https://medtechaccess.co.uk/

Initial designs:





Final designs:

Design Strategy Presenetation

I feel this presentation went far better than my previous one as I was a lot more capable of controlling my nerves for some reason. Probably because there was not a whole classroom filled with people watching me present, as was the case last time round. I also prepared in depth notes, as previously I had relied on the slides alone to prompt what I was to say which with no practice I thought would be fine, which it would've been as I'm passionate about my work and can easily and fluidly discuss my ideas in crits and to my peers, however in front of a packed class my anxiety got the better of me. I was proud of myself however for sticking in through as I was very close to exiting the classroom as my name was called , to go first.





I ran over time slightly on this presentation however and felt a number of slides nearer the end particularly the Lazy Gear element may have been a bit rushed, which may have in fact been a positive as I'm incredibly excited and passionate about reviving it to the point where I could be waffling on for days. I was very happy with the positive feedback I got and my ability to present at ease helped me prove to myself I was more than capable of expressing my ideas in this fashion, as this often concerns me when thinking of presenting to clients later on in life.

I also feel that less writing on the slides was an improvement on last presentation as it looks clearer, neater and more of a visual experience for the audience so they can focus on my voice and images as opposed to all this plus having to read off the screen from my messy handwritten notes.