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