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OUGD502 - Studio Brief 1 - Who am I now and what do I feel I have achieved as a Graphic Designer so far?




PPP Task 1:

1. Reflecting on your Summer what is your most memorable event and why?




My most memorable event would be Leeds Festival. The reason for this is because it is the first festival I have ever been to and I experienced it with two very important people in my life, my girlfriend and my best friend who lives in London. It is a large collection of memories ranging from the events of camping for the first time since my Silver Duke of Edinburgh award, performances I saw from nostalgic bands who I would of dreamed to see when I was younger, my first experience of crowd surfing, lots of mud, a lot of really bad food and warm beer but also a lot of interesting, fun and wild people I met whilst I was there.

2. Have you made any contacts over the Summer that you feel could be helpful over the coming year or so and what outcomes did you feel you achieved.




I don't think I have, there were a couple of customers I met at work (PC World) who when I got into conversations with them and expressed what I did and why I was knowledgeable on what I was talking to them about, they asked for contact details so they could be in contact for design work for their companies.

3. How did you meet/contact these contacts (methods used and how it happened).

All through my Summer full-time work as an advisor at PC World in Beeston. It isn't the most exciting job in the world but I do tend to spark up conversations with some very interesting people.

4. If you didn't make any contacts, why? Too busy working? Holiday? Commitments?




I did spend most of my time this Summer working my full time job to make up for my overspending in my first year of University and digging a bit far into my overdraft. This created in my opinion a bit of an obstacle in regards to creative direction as time was short but I still made time for briefs and freelancing for people I either knew or knew of.

5. What methods of contacting creatives can you think of and what would you ask?


I would really love to get into contact with Analogue who is a massive inspiration to me based in Leeds. I came to know about them when I stumbled across some posters they did for a custom toy show. This was through one of my favourite illustrators Drew Millward tweeting about the show as he was a part of it. After looking them up I fell in love with most of their work and have since kept a close eye on them. Because they are such a motivational influence to me I am quite scared to get in contact with them as I just have no idea what to say or how to speak to them. To get a placement with them would be absolutely insane (in a good way). I just don't know how to go about it.

OUGD502 - Studio Brief 1 - Preparation for Session 1

10 Things I want to learn this year:




  • I would like to try stitch methods of book binding to broaden my knowledge in publication development.
  • I would like to experiment with the processes of laser engraving and learn when it would be suitable and appropriate.
  • I want to try the different outcomes of embossing and debossing on different materials and also learn when they are suitable and appropriate to use.
  • I'd like to advance my knowledge on web design and development as it is something that could prove useful and interesting.
  • I want to learn and develop my methods of research to make them more time efficient and effective in my work by using a wider range of sources and using them to my advantage.
  • I would like to develop my drawing skills further in my own time through the use of my sketchbook and wacom tablet.
  • Software use can always be improved with consistent use so I would hope to be more knowledgeable of Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere and Dreamweaver.
  • I have always been very much into my photography and that has spread to videography too so I would like to use those skills to my advantage and get better at them.
  • Essay writing has always been a challenge to me as I have never had much experience in them, I definitely want to of increased my essay writing skills in preparation for my dissertation.
  • Time management must of improved drastically, plan is to do all work during the day as soon as possible and try and take time out in evenings to rest and repeat. Saturdays should be spent wisely experiencing something and Sundays are spent earning money with my job.
  • I have always been interested in the business I started up in college but I am feeling the urge to change, develop something new, productive, creative and fun. I want to create a new concept to either start this Academic year or in the summer of 2014.
  • Review of what I said last year. Did I do them? Is there more to do?


    • Fundamental details of different areas of print and how/when to use them.
    • The anatomy of type.
    • How to learn and develop.
    • How design in industry works.
    • How to assess, understand and complete a briefing with a high standard.


    Looking at what I wrote last year has really made me aware of how much I have learned and achieved in a year because I have done so much more than what is displayed above.

    The only thing I am still unsure on is if I understand how design in the industry works just yet, this wont be understood until I complete a work placement, which will more than likely be next summer.

    OUGD502 - Studio Brief 1 - 10 Successes



    10 Successes from your previous year in my group.

    1. Passed the first year of BAGD.
    2. Living alone/learned to be independent.
    3. Learned to cook.
    4. Printing resources/Learned new processes.
    5. Developed digital skills.
    6. Learned how to answer a structured brief clearly and appropriately.
    7. Increase in confidence.
    8. Improved personal and professional practice.
    9. Improved literacy skills.
    10. Balancing part-time work on top of the course.
    11. Learned to integrate workshop skills into practice.
    12. Prioritising your time with briefs.

    10 Successes from your previous year as a year group.

    1. Presentation skills.
    2. Feedback.
    3. Workshops.
    4. Independence.
    5. Research/Development.
    6. Understand Time Management.
    7. Working in/with groups/specialisms.
    8. Confidence/Motivations.
    9. Theory/Context.
    10. Style/Finding your feet.

    Pick out 10 successful things/traits that I want to explore.

    1. Go cycling more, modifying my bicycle and using it to fit in exercise and get around.
    2. Cook some new and interesting meals to increase my culinary skills whilst improving my health.
    3. Create and design a new business which will develop both my design skills and business knowledge too.
    4. I want to try and explore new finishing techniques such as embossing and laser engraving.
    5. I want to develop a new money saving plan to make sure I am always on top of my expenses and not dipping into my overdraft or using my credit card.
    6. My time management will be very controlled so I work hard throughout the day and get as much as I can done before leaving uni so I can have the evenings off to enjoy.
    7. I would like to touch on different formats of design so I have a varied collection of work for my portfolio to show I am versatile.
    8. I would like to create some good contacts in related trades and have good relationships with them as I think it might help things in future.
    9. This year I would like to broaden my interest in photography and develop my lens collection to have more versatility.
    10. I want to practice and develop my screen printing techniques and get better at it.
     

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