guerrilla advertising

On this website http://weburbanist.com i came across a section called 10 Intense Public Guerrilla Marketing Posters. I like the idea and thinking that had gone in to each of these posters/ Guerrila advertising.

Bourne design life after uni, based on our portfolio visit

I came across this on Bourne designs blog, the students mentioned was myself, Casey Laura and Nicola when we went in for our portfolio visit. It is nice to see we inspired this piece of information that will go on to help other students

Questionnaire response from Ed Williams - WIlliams and crosby

Re: Everyone Starts Somewhere‏

From:	Edward Williams (ed@wandc.com)
Sent:	30 November 2009 10:39:14
To:	emma georgiou (emmageorgiou88@hotmail.co.uk)

Best regards

Ed Williams

Hi

My names Emma Georgiou and I am currently at Stockport College completing my final year for my graphic design degree.I came across an interesting article on the DandAD website called Everyone starts somewhere. This is a collection of old work produced by big names in the Graphic Design industry including degree work.

This Article made me question how much does old work help later on in your career and does everybody keep and refer to this.

1- Would you recommend Students keeping a record of all previous work they have produced?

Yes if it's worthy of showcasing - unfortunately not all work a designer is asked to do is what we would like to show as 'good' examples. Also as a designer we should always look to improve on our previous, in which case, show the best!

2-Have you ever personally refereed back to previous work when finding it hard to come up with ideas?

Not really, we do sometimes refer back in order to see what we did or to illustrate a point. We find it better to look at other designers solutions as this may take you in a fresh direction and inspire. There is nothing wrong with using reference books etc to kick start an idea - commonly known as research, but never replicate.

3-Would you find idea generation more effective referring back to your old work or books and other sources?

See above

4- And finally, How important is it to record all your work and ideas into a journal or blog?

Not all, but you'll often find in the commercial world, your best ideas aren't always the ones that go live, clients may have a different view of what they want, they may get diluted or simply aren't right for that client, so keeping reference can sometimes be useful.

Thank you for taking your time to read my questions and I would be very grateful for some feedback.

You can find the collection of work Everyone starts somewhere at: http://www.dandad.org/everyone_starts_exhibition/

Many thanks

Emma Georgiou

Portfolio visit at Liquid Solution in Liverpool

On Thursday (12/11/09) I went to liquid solution in Liverpool for a portfolio visit with Karen. I was excited to see a women and get her perspective on my work appose to all male views.

Solution was a big studio and we went for the visit in there Library which was cosy and full of books. Karen told us she likes to see idea based work when she looks through portfolios and make sure you target the audience you are aiming at. The work in your portfolio shows your strengths and your variation of skills. She told us that layout is very important so posters like the History of furniture briefs are good in there to show your layout skills.

When it came to looking through my portfolio she gave me some really helpful suggestions. When it came to my Observer magazine she said its always good to take the final image it lets them look through something although the downside is it often distracts them from what you are saying.

The kitchen of meaning work she suggested I applied it to different things. For example stands or signs in the exhibition. I like this idea and will defiantly work on that.

She said that the world strongest man work was good as it made her smile. A reaction like that will make the piece more memorable.

When it came to my British dental museum work she suggested showing my logo big appose to hiding it away in the poster.

I learnt a lot from this visit and also feel more comfortable talking about my work. When it came to asking questions I was keen to ask her about the male domination in Graphic Design. She said it seems to be a myth as in liquid solution there is always a balance of men and women. The only real reason is women go off and have children and cant put in the hours graphic design requires.

Portfolio visit at 999 design

On Wednesday (11/11/09) I went to visit David Sedgwich . He told us how to possible make a book as a leave behind and helpful hints like that which he touched on in the lecture he did with us at Stockport college. He preferred us to talk through the portfolio then he came back to us with advise. It was quite daunting to talk about your walk in front of a professional designer but was a helpful exercise to get used to doing that. He told us if we are unsure of the work do not put it in, and also to check the print quality of some of the images in the portfolio.

He kept reassuring that everybody has different opinions so don't take everything to heart but i prefer the honesty, and as i am getting through my visits early on in the final year i have enough time to adjust the faults.

The min thing i took out of the visit was not to hesitate when going through your own work and show confidence. If it is hard to talk about it shouldn't really be in there. For example he told us to explain our flash stings in more detail including the progress, as flash was a soft wear Dave was not very aware of. 

When it came to my portfolio Dave gave me some good guidance. He also said the photography work was not needed. He liked my kitchen of meaning work but suggested going back to the original photographs to make it more personal. He also liked the Pantone work and suggested showing as a series and to try find a better way of showing the idea.

If i had time Dave suggested expanding the idea of my British dental museum and dropping the colour repetitions.

Today was very successful and i feel more confident in where i need to  build on my work.

Portfolio visit at Bourn design

On Wednesday the 11/11/09 myself and 3 other class members went to Bourn design for a portfolio visit. As soon as we walked in they were very friendly and you could tell it would be a nice agency to work for. We went up to the meeting room with Mark and Matthew joined us a few minutes after. It was good to get two different points of views, as there views differed in certain ways giving us a wider opinion.

At first they sat down and told us how to approach getting a job and helpful tips.

They told us to have a variety in our portfolio and we were all lacking web design in our portfolios which will be very important. They showed us how students typography is there biggest down full and also there speed of work.

They also suggested that we go to a printers. Chapel press in particular mention there name and go in for a look around. This would help us to get the experience we only learn once we get a job.

When it came to my portfolio they were very helpful and gave me some handy tips and guidance. They were impresses with my pantone end sting work but suggested also showing it in situte I.e in a t.v. also showing different variety's such as a post box, black cab e.c.t. They liked my kitchen of meaning work but suggested working on the typography and they also likes the world strongest man group work. with the worlds strongest man they suggested adding type to the ambient media pieces and keeping the placing of the sign consist ant. They said the experimental photography is not necessary in there.

Today was very positive and i came out feeling very happy with the outcome. They also suggested a list of books to get and read which i will.

Visit emails

I sent this message out to a number of design agencies to try get as many portfolio visits in as i could in the new york week. Bourn, 999 , music and love all replied but love and music could not make that day. Myself , Casey , Nicola and Laura all went on the visits and went to Bourn design ad 99 design. A similar email was sent out to Liverpool for Thursday (12/11/09) Liquid solution got back to me and we have a visit at 1 o'clock.

 HI 

My name is Emma Georgiou and I am currently in my final year doing my graphic design degree at Stockport college. A few of my class mates and myself are heading into Manchester next Wednesday ( 11/11/09 ) to get help and advise on building our portfolios. We were just wondered if we could pop in and have some feed back ? What right, what is wrong and what is needed to make it stronger? I understand you are busy so your time would be very much appreciated. Many thanks

Emma

Mike Carter talk

Mike Carter from Orchard came in today to help us with advise on how to tackle getting a job when we graduate. There are roughly 456,000 graduates every year and almost 50,000 of them re on art and design based courses. Mike talked us through how to get your first job, help with c.v's, portfolios and interviews.

First Job

They will look at your enthusiasm commitment and organization over good design.

Your first job will be a junior designer and the pay will fall between 12-14 thousand. The more creative the company the less pay you will get. From your first job you will get experience, learn to apply yourself and take work to print.

And your second job will be much easier to get than your first.

C.V

Your c.v main job is to get the company to contact you. and needs to communicate what you want to say in 3 seconds. It can be written in 1st or 3rd person and start with an intro stating-

who you are,what you want and why you want it. If it includes work experience please state what the company does and what you did there.

phrases like works well in team are not always necessary and no pictures needed.

When sending off your c.v compose an email with your email address on, where you saw the job advert and why you want the job. With this send a pdf portfolio no more than 2 m.

Portfolios.

Make it relevant for what job you are going to.15-20 pages and max 3 page per project.

In at least 2 projects show scamps and the key is to ditch student work as soon as possible.

Interviews

Aim of an interview is to see if your suited. Research the company and make sure you know where it is. Make sure you have a list of questions ready when they ask you... have you got any questions

Mikes talk was very insiteful and made us aware of the next step after graduation.

Hugh Turvey

Hugh Turvey is a photographer that uses a special xray technique.

http://www.gustoimages.com

stefan seigmeister

This is the image that lead us to our self harm idea. Apparently Seigmeister actually got his friend to carve this information on his skin. We are trying to find ways of recreating that type.

Life line brief

First attempt at trying to create a font to overlay on skin to look as if it has been scratched on 

questionnaire response from Dave Sedgwick

Hello Emma

Thanks for your kind words on the talk!
I think you've touched on an interesting topic here and certainly different! I'll try and answer your questions as best as I can!

1. Would you recommend Students keeping a record of all previous work they have produced?

Yep, I certainly do, although I didn’t! I don’t think I have any of my old university work now in all honesty! In actual fact I’m pretty gutted that I I don’t have it.

2. Have you ever personally refereed back to previous work when finding it hard to come up with ideas?

Again, certainly. I often find myself referencing old ideas, logos, scribbles etc and if they didn’t go ahead with one particular client I don’t think there’s anything wrong with revisiting them, so to speak. That said however, sometimes looking back on old ideas can cloud judgement and in many ways restirct the creative flow in relation to new ideas. 

3. Would you find idea generation more effective referring back to your old work or books and other sources?

I think that coming up with a new idea is very subjective. We all do it differently. Some do it by looking at older work, whether done by themselves or other agencies/designers. Some lock themselves away, preferring the peace and quiet of an empty blank piece of paper. Some like to get away from the whole concept of worrying about ideas and prefer to do something different altogether, hopeing for a spark of creative genius! It really depends on the person and of course the brief. If I am doing a logo for a recruitment agency for example, and I;ve done something like this before, I would possibly look back over my old ideas. But more often than not I do look at them and think they were pretty shit! So I start a fresh!


And finally, How important is it to record all your work and ideas into a journal or blog?

It’s probably more important whilst at University than in the real world as this helps with marking and explaining to your tutors how you came up with your ideas. Although, I do still keep my sketch books and back up files, so in a way I am keeping a form of journal. Speaking as someone who doesn’t have a blog as such I think they are great when they’re relevant. 


Hope some of this helps! Sorry it’s Friday and it’s been a long week! 
Dave

Fish tank phone box

I found this image in an article things to do with old objects http://www.techdigest.tv/2009/01/new_use_for_old.html

I love the idea of using an everyday item such as a phone-box and making it exciting for the viewer, as it is something different from the norm you walk past everyday. I am unsure of the designer or company that came up with that idea.

Suicide prevention posters

A few more suicide poster i think are effective.

Elastic band research

This is some more work on elastic bands i  found on this design website www.designspongeonline.com

Anti advertising Barbara Kruger

For the e4 brief me and Lauren looked at anti advertising.  The main inspiration for this was barbara kruger and the work she did for Selfridges. I shop therefor i am.

Elastic band type

One of the roses briefs we have looked at involves preventing postmen dropping there elastic bands. This is a type face i found made from red elastic bands. 

The image was found at  http://yeswecangraphicdesign.com

Roses brief research ( suicide brief )

I tried researching posters surrounding suicide helplines. Most of the excising posters are very poor and you can tell the charity does not have the funds to spend on posters. Here are some good ideas i have found. I don't think the see think act poster has a strong imagery but i love the strap line.. see think act... that strap line encourages family members to call the help line.

Below is a bag idea i found, It is not suitable for the poster campaign but i like the thinking

 behind the idea

Dave Sedwick talk

Dave Sedwick came in as a guest lecture for us on the 29th of October 2009. He works for 999 design but also does free lance work on the side. He broke his lecture down in to 3 parts- About me- How to get a job- and finally his work.  I liked the way that he focused the lecture on our benefit rather than just showing his work that is available on the website. The main thing he focused on throughout his studio was that we need to start planning now for what we are going to do when we leave. He also mentioned last year degree show and said we need to top it but by displaying the work easier. He gave us a job break down that i found interesting/funny. 

average day-

80% design

10%account management

5%calls

3% tea

2% emailing friends

I found his part 2 aimed at how we get a job the most important to me. His advise was to stat planning ad put together a list of agencies we would like to work for..remember the small ones. Keep a book of contacts and target ones with winning work. The layout of our portfolio is important and in this keep projects to 2 pages. He also suggested emailing the company after to say thank you after you have visited which is obvious but many people do not do.

Whn he showed us his work he showed us bad design and also unfinished piece. I was good to see this rather than the same old immaculate pieces of design.

 

His work can be found at www.designbydave.co.uk

Email sent to Rob at like a river surrounding the roses briefs

Alison Carmichael

Alison Carmichael  is  british designer that uses hand drawn type in all her work. As well as poster design she does advertising and moving image using her hand drawn techniques.

You can see her work at http://alisoncarmichael.com/

Typographic-taches

I found there on the creative review website and it made me laugh. The " Taches" belong to Freddie Mercury, Tom Selleck and Hulk Hogan.

http://www.creativereview.co.uk/feed/september-2009/16/typographic-taches

Artist invader and his space invaders

there are a few of these space invaders noticable around manchester but there is a total of 47space invaders hidden around manchester. The street artist is called artist invader. This started in 1988 in Paris where there are 704 hidden space invaders. The link below shows a map of manchester where they are hidden.

http://www.space-invaders.com/map_manchester.html

Email contact after portfolio visit

Portfolio Visit at Like A River

Portfolio Visit with Rob From like a river.

 

Rob had said on emails that he preferred to see students as a group. This was good for me nerves wise and for the reasons why he did it. He likes to look at students work in a group crit so more than one person has an opinion.

 

As soon as we arrived at like a river he made us feel right at home and sent us to make tea while he was finishing up some important work. When we sat down in the room with him he told us about life in the design industry and a number of awards and competitions they have entered.

 

The first thing he made us aware of was that like a river does not show their work that is done for an image purpose. He was big on ideas. This was reflected on their website and when it came to my portfolio crit. The first year work was posters made to look pretty rather than holding a strong idea. Although it padded out the portfolio it was not necessary in there. He advised us to go back to them, ignore the brief and certain fonts we had to use and include an idea within them.

 

 It made me realise I needed to have a stronger portfolio based on ideas. He liked the identity group work we did and my kitchen of meaning posters. If he had some criticisms it was to benefit me.

 

He showed me how to layout my portfolio better and told us the important of typefaces. Our lack of knowledge on font was obvious and has made me want to get a better knowledge in this area.

 

He is emailing me some past roses briefs for me and Casey to work on. He has invited us to come back for help and guidance on these briefs to make our portfolios stronger. It was a very insightful and interesting visit that I have taken a lot away from.

As we were leaving Rob gave us both a copy of their Like a.... book.

little people in the city

http://little-people.blogspot.com/ 

Little people in the city, street art by slinkachu. I came across this work on a blog and loved it, such a simple idea but effective

Olly Moss

I cam across this designer while searching the internet. His work has an old style to it and uses limited colour pallet. He does design and illustration and has clients such as New york times, urban outfitters, Puma and many more. His website says he was born in 1987 so its inspiring to see someone the same age get so far. The work i have shown is black and red film posters he has re created for famous movies.

I contacted Rob at like a river for a portfolio visit. Rob said he prefers to see more than one student at a time. Here is the email sorting out that portfolio visit for Thursday the 15th of October 2009.

Email sent to like a river

This is an email sent to Rob at like a river about a portfolio visit.