Future Employment: Junior Designer Applications

I thought it was important even during lockdown to remain active in my job search. Hopefully this should improve my chance of a positive outcome. I applied for a range of Junior Designer job postings on Indeed. For most i got an automated response. However, I received a positive response from the above application, that my CV stands out which I hope is a similar circumstance for my other applications. I think being active in my job search shows my dedication and professionalism even through these uncertain times due to Covid-19. 

Visiting Professional: Commission

Talk by Christopher Moorby and Ian Prentice

Client Relationships, concept development and the pitching process 

• Main interest in fashion and menswear with a focus on fashion branding 
• Important to consider how identities change and develop
• Not a branding studio they are Graphic Designers 
• Explore a range of design formats from print to branding 
• Work for companies with strong creative ambition 
• Money doesn't matter a range of big clients and smaller startups 
• Smaller start ups tend to be more demanding jobs - need more advice and support
• Rimowa biggest and most well known project acquired by (LVMH)
• Show a brand in situe on the product, type of print and methods e.g. embossing 
• Present one idea format generally has one idea and is not surrounded by graphics that don't need to be there 
• How can client background influence production? 
• Can elements and ingredients e.g. a wax spill be represented through a brand or graphic 
• Can what already exists be enhanced graphically or through print using technology
• Micro-perforation technique - graphic can be a piece of art 

The Pitch 

• How can you make a pitch come to life?
• Visualise the real life concept through the pitch
• Key associations with the brand inform new design e.g. Precious Cargo 
• Hyper aware of trends and industry to inform the approach
• Identity work is timeless and last 10-20 years 
• How can USP's make a brand iconic
• Can the product aesthetic translate into the branding 
• Letterforms to reference the product aesthetics 
• Stationary a good way to see how type sits with the logo 
• Stationary used to capture the essence of a brand 
• Prototype, print in-house, own mock-ups and testing - know you can deliver 
• Production such as binding method relates to the product
• Presentation reflective of the brand you are pitching to
• Collaborate with others when you can't do something e.g. photographers
• Types of Art Direction - make something more real and natural 
• Types of Art Direction - lifestyle, photography, illustration, pattern 
• How does the brand sit on product
• Packaging should match the quality of the product

With producing this pitch for the rebrand, were you guys afraid of crossing a line with altering the look of a family owned business with alot of history behind their product? Or was the client very happy with being shown suggestions to how they could alter their pre-existing branding to something quite different to what they originally had?

How vision can impact the brand. Conscious of existing customers. Neutral enough for established customer base.

Are there any pitch featured outcomes that Rimowa didn’t end up using that you wished had remained part of the final re-brand? Was there a particular idea that you were attached to or is it best not to get attached when working with a client when things can change?

The original monogam speaks much more of the brand and personality. The colour scheme also worked well but now its become a much richer range of stuff.

Peer Feedback Session: Website Crit

Feedback I gave Amelea

Amelea's Response

Industry Engagement: Virtual Portfolio Review

Feedback:

To do:

• Set out project description for each project into the brief outcomes and objectives. To show what the intent was. 
• Also summarise the client in a sentence e.g. who are The Clothing Lounge 
• Avoid repeating the same imagery are there any different images?
• Show other deliverables for Bangor Optometrists branding 
• Check name of Colgate URL and other URL's 
• Add other images to show editorial work, for Aureliana lookbook
• Add more images to Siria Janis branding. 

To summarise...

I was pleasantly surprised by the very positive in depth feedback from Design Bridge Designer Hamish. Suggestions for improvements generally involved refining the copy write to make the brief and client clearer. Other design suggestions generally to contain more or other images. Feedback on the work itself I presented was all positive. This feedback has enabled to refine my portfolio reflective of industry advice. I also found engaging with Design Bridge a positive experience and this type of positive engagement I hope to find in the studio I work for in the future. 

Personal Branding: Brand Guidelines

In order to remain professional alongside other skills and knowledge gained from industry placement it was essential to create a personal brand guidelines document. This not only gave a general overview of design decisions but also the brands appropriate application in terms of logo variations, typography and colour etc. This references both modules as my personal brand is based upon my design style and personality. 

Competition Brief: Teen Vogue Submission Deck

Website Feedback & Developments

• Nice simple and effective structure and great consistency in your copywriting.

• Look carefully at the lead images you select at the top of each project page. In some cases the auto cropping works, in others it could be better. 

• The simplest solution here would be to find out the image dimensions and make images for each project that can really make that full width hero spot work for you well. 

• The Bangor Optometrists one is a good example, it’s way too tight at the sides. Because it’s on the same colour background as the rest of the page, if you made the logo smaller within that jpg, it would look beautifully centred as a lead image.

• Please add a mailto: link to your email. Nice to see lots of work up on here. 

Alec

To Summarise... 

Feedback received was positive and highlighted the effective structure and good copywriting across multiple projects. Visually the website fits with personal branding by being nice and simple. However, visually some image headers auto cropping does not work so shrinking the image and header size may work better for some pages and further development. Feedback also highlighted the links already attached to the site worked well but to perhaps at an email header link as well as LinkedIn and both Instagram accounts. Based on this feedback I was able to make my website more accessible through a range of useful header contact links as well as a contact me form. Navigation also makes the website accessible through headers for each project and a clear well structured format. Visually adjusting the images to an appropriate scale size also worked to enhance accessibility.  

Developments based on feedback 

• Header images and sizes rescaled appropriately 
• Added a mail to email link adding relevant contact information
• Bangor optometrists header image altered so there is no need for auto cropping.

Industry Experience: Evaluation

Industry Experience: 
1. One-week Placement at McCadden Belfast
2. 4-month Internship at The Clothing Lounge based in London 

McCadden

The Clothing Lounge

OUGD603: Meeting the Learning Outcomes

6A3 - Understand and demonstrate coherent and detailed subject knowledge and professional competences, some of which will be informed by recent research in the discipline. (knowledge and understanding / critical awareness)	20%
6B3 - Articulate and synthesise their knowledge and understanding attributes and skills in effective ways in the contexts of creative practice, employment, further study, research and self fulfilment. (cognitive skills/ critical awareness)	20%
63C -Develop appropriate methods of professional presentation combining visual, verbal and written techniques. (practical and professional skills / research)	20%
6C4 -Demonstrate their ability to synthesise analytical and intuitive approaches with a high level of process and professional skill.(problem analysis /visual quality)	20%
6D3 - Analyse information and experiences, formulate independent judgements and articulate reasoned arguments through review and evaluation. (key transferable skills/ critical awareness/problem analysis)	20%

6A3 - Understand and demonstrate coherent and detailed subject knowledge and professional competences, some of which will be informed by recent research in the discipline. (knowledge and understanding / critical awareness)
Knowledge and understanding was reflective of in depth research and ongoing critical evaluation. Critical evaluation helped to refine and develop outcomes in their context. Research has informed the context and format of the outcome. By looking into existing related references and what exists informed each creative solution. Each design outcome offers a creative solution to the brief, challenge or problem. Feedback from both peers and tutors offered a different outlook and perspective. This ensured the outcome visualises the concept and meets the requirements set out by each brief. Knowledge was further gained through the production of each outcome.  

6B3 - Articulate and synthesise their knowledge and understanding attributes and skills in effective ways in the contexts of creative practice, employment, further study, research and self fulfilment. (cognitive skills/ critical awareness)
Cognitive skills were demonstrated by reflecting on feedback and developing ideas based on this. For example using my own initiative to develop or not develop an idea in a suggested way based on feedback. Research informed each outcomes appropriate context. Most briefs were informed by areas of practice interest, passions and general interests. For example, the Dachshund briefs were inspired by my general love for the breed. This demonstrates selecting and writing up briefs involved cognitive thinking to produce a successful and appropriate body of work. Producing a body of work reflective of my interests builds a number of projects presentable for further study or employment. Critical awareness was gathered throughout the design process to be most effective in the format of peer, tutor feedback and ongoing critical self-evaluation. 

63C -Develop appropriate methods of professional presentation combining visual, verbal and written techniques. (practical and professional skills / research)
A number of presentation methods were demonstrated throughout this module. Visually refining outcomes and ideas ensured the concept was clear in order to gather the most valuable feedback. Visually, high quality images or mock ups were presented. Verbally, ideas were presented and discussed to further the design process. Written presentation methods can include documenting feedback alongside ongoing reflective and critical evaluation of both the designs and the process. Presentations developed through a range of techniques improved both my own professional skills and confidence. Further this module developed professional and practical skills. Each module enabled me to build and develop new and existing skills. 

6C4 -Demonstrate their ability to synthesise analytical and intuitive approaches with a high level of process and professional skill. (problem analysis /visual quality)
Problem analysis and visual quality is demonstrated through in depth design process for a series of 11 briefs. Responses were informed both analytically and intuitively by feedback and further development or refinement of outcomes. My level of documentation is also reflected in my detailed blog which documents the process and design decisions for each brief. Knowing I needed to document the process keeping up to date with my blog I found helped with time management. This was essential to balance a large workload and working towards the deadline. Another high-level of process can be seen in the high quality images or photographs documenting each final outcome and stages of the process. These images make projects presentable on my portfolio site and design boards. 

6D3 - Analyse information and experiences, formulate independent judgements and articulate reasoned arguments through review and evaluation. (key transferable skills/ critical awareness/problem analysis)
Experiences including both placements also helped to develop my skills. This included a 4 month placement for The Clothing Lounge and one-week studio based placement at McCadden based in Belfast. Alongside review and evaluation of Visiting Professional talks to inform my practice. The knowledge gained from this experience enabled me to make independent judgements and reasoned arguments throughout the design process. Critical analysis was documented throughout the process on my blog. To reference the learning outcomes critical reflection throughout ensured the outcomes were finished to a high standard.

OUGD602 : Meeting the Learning Outcomes

6A2: Demonstrate specific knowledge and specialist understanding of the professional and contextual location of their practice.	25%
6B2: Undertake research to identify and evaluate their personal and professional skills and the career or progression opportunities available to them.	25%
6C2: Develop and implement a personal promotion strategy to communicate to relevant organisations.	25%
6D2: Use a range of appropriate communication methods to present themselves as a professional practitioner to a relevant audience.	25%

6A2: Demonstrate specific knowledge and specialist understanding of the professional and contextual location of their practice.

Specific knowledge and specialist understanding both professionally and contextually came from industry engagement including, internships and placement. An internship and previous industry engagement afforded me the opportunity to attend NYFW in September as documented on my blog. I also completed a placement at McCadden based in Belfast for a week over Christmas as well as a four month internship as Graphic Designer for The Clothing Lounge based in London. Other professional skills can be seen through my management of freelance clients. Alongside balancing other disciplines including fashion illustration. Experience to date is reflective of my interests in branding, editorial, fashion and illustration. Other contextual understanding was gained from visiting professionals, well-structured course sessions. This can include presentations where those professional skills were also improved. This can also be seen visually in my design strategy presentation.

6B2: Undertake research to identify and evaluate their personal and professional skills and the career or progression opportunities available to them.

This learning outcome was met by reflecting on experience to date. It was important for me personally to develop professionally by gaining as much industry experience where possible to do so. In terms of engagement this included reaching out to studios as recorded on my blog and the response from Andy Rice Creative. Other engagement also included interaction through internships, placement and clients. This created the opportunity for career progression through skills attained. As well as recommendations acquired from employers which can be added to my CV. For example the letter of recommendation from Samantha Burke Founder and Director of The Clothing Lounge. This experience informed future career aspirations alongside improving my professional skills. The module also reflected my effective time management by writing a to-do list each week and sticking to this ensured tasks were completed instead of building up. 

6C2: Develop and implement a personal promotion strategy to communicate to relevant organisations.

A personal brand was designed and implemented across a range of formats. The personal brand is reflective of both my style as a designer and personality through tone of voice. The brand was implemented across stationary, my portfolio, website, CV, LinkedIn, social media and design strategy presentation. It was important the brand was adaptable across printed and digital formats. Digital promotion enabled the brand to sell itself to a broader audience instead of relying on face to face engagement or interaction. Making sure the brand was implemented throughout professional platforms was essential to make myself accessible to both employers and recruiters. My LinkedIn profile was created based on knowledge gained from employability fortnight. Branding was implemented across a wide range of platforms and deliverables. My website was also able to visualise at a professional standard with careful consideration to the target audience being employers. 

6D2: Use a range of appropriate communication methods to present themselves as a professional practitioner to a relevant audience. 

Presentations throughout this module have considered both the client and possible employers when pitching. This was important to professionally sell any idea. Even a good idea when pitched badly it is unlikely to sell or be chosen. The emphasis of good presentation skills was a key part and developed throughout this module. My placement at McCadden revealed industry professionals often only pitch three ideas to the client. Practicing presentations has not only improved my confidence but my ability to sell myself. This can be demonstrated in my ability to get a job that during the interview process involved pitching a presentation. For example my marketing and PR job for Linen Quarter BID.  Appropriate communication does also include digital promotion via professional and more social platforms such as Instagram. Both my design account and illustration Instagram accounts are now business accounts this also enables me to track profile and audience engagement. However, it is also important to consider printed matter including important professional documents such as a personally branded CV and invoice as seen in my deliverables for this module. 

Feedback Tutorial: Google Hangout

Developments After Feedback

GIF

Series of images

In Context:

• Works well through use of the dolls it's not too graphic 
• Put the design in more context - printed or digital outcomes
• Instagram posts or stories 
• GIFs could be another digital format
• How would it manifest physically?
• How would it be advertised?
• Consider the rough treatment of type
• Censorship already works well with the images by cropping heads and focusing on body features
• Explore type being displayed more subtly - covering less of the photography perhaps a speech bubble
• Photography really good works well to demonstrate the concept
• Think of shapes associated with censorship
• GIF showing image zoomed in at first
• What could the design be mocked up on e.g. T-shirts and tote bags.

To summarise....

Feedback received helped put the design in more digital context. In terms of digital context the design was implemented to the Teen Vogue website and Instagram account to show how the design could be viewed on different platforms as well as in the context of Teen Vogue. Feedback also highlighted how strong the imagery was and could this element of the design be emphasised through other image based formats such as GIFs. Therefore the developed GIF zooms into an image and zooms out throughout the GIF. It goes from a body part (hand) to a zoomed out shot of a man and a woman. Type was developed to show censorship in different symbolic ways including a pixelated square format, a speech bubble, tape etc. Based on taking feedback on board created room for development and more application of the design via demonstration of the digital context.