Visit - Brand New____

Another studio visit - this time with the more print based studio - brand new. I really enjoyed speaking to the guys down there, conducting and interview for my context book just turned into a chat.. which was quite fun.

I left them with my mini portfolio/leave behind book, which they seemed to really appreciate - and as I left they asked my if I'd like to come back for a placement at all - to which I said yes, obviously. Placement starts in July, after I've moved house and everything - Pretty excited about that!

They seem to have a really hands on approach with their interns, and I was talking to them about my limited digital experience, they seemed really positive that they could change that anyway. Overall a great experience and confidence boost!

Visit - Teabag Studio

Went down to Teabag Studios the other day to conduct an interview (I'll upload it when I've got it typed up! But I also went to scope the place out - they had some interesting ideas on where graphic design seems to be going, or rather where their own place sits within the market, I think they're pretty focussed on going down the digital route - which I think is a bit sad, because there's always a need for printed stuff - everyone likes to hold things in their hands physically.. you cant always have something on screen, but I certainly understand their logic anyway.

I'm not sure I'll follow it up with a placement request - but they were a lovely couple of guys and a nice studio.

Portfolio / 'leave behind' Booklet Finished

Really happy with this booklet so far - it will continue to develop and change as I do, but for now it does the job nicely!
The selection of work I have included differs from that of my mini PDF portfolio - which most agencies will have seen when I initially email them anyway.. So it's a nice way of getting them to see more of my work without having to flick through my whole portfolio. Also, I plan to vary the content of the booklet depending on the studio I've contacted - I have quite a varied portfolio after 3 years of studying, and not all of it is relevant to everyone I contact!

Portfolio / 'leave behind' Booklet Development

Miniature mock ups of the leave behind booklet - 

 

The cover is a light grey card, with a really light weight stock for the pages, all branded to tie in with my stationery - square format to echo my choice of logo.

The cover includes a variation on my position statement, and the most important bits from my C.V, my education, experience and skills.

I actually really like the miniature version.. really cute! but a there's quite a lot of information going in it - so I think a larger format would be more appropriate.

Portfolio / 'leave behind' Booklet

Going down to Teabag Studio on Friday to do some stuff for the context book, ask a few questions and the like - but it would be a missed opportunity not to leave them something to remember me by - so I've come up with a plan for a booklet/cv/business card general purpose solution to all those scenarios where I don't want to bring my full portfolio - but I want to make an impression.

Here's the plan - It'll be printed tomorrow

A list of Agencies

So after about 4 hours of endless internet trawling I've decided to keep a running list of some of the agencies in the area - and by the end of this week I'm going to have e-mailed all of them with either my portfolio, a request regarding my context book or simply to say hello.

My plan at the moment involves staying in Leeds after we graduate for at least a year or so before moving on. I know the south beckons, but I'd like to stay here for the time being to find my feet.. Having said that I do plan to look in the surrounding cities - York and Manchester are both easily commutable from here.. Nothing set in stone obviously, and so far I'm keeping my options as open as possible.
Anyway -

The Leeds List

• B&W - Design Context research
• Brass - Design Context research
• Teabag - Portfolio Feedback
• Propaganda - Design Context research
• Boxhead - Design Context Research/Studio Visit
• Design Project - Portfolio Feedback
• Studio 116 - Portfolio Feedback  
• Vapour - Studio Visit
• Grain - Studio Visit
• Allgood - Studio Visit
• The Consult - Design Context research
• Brand New - Studio Visit
• Analogue - Design Context research
• England - Studio Visit 
• Elmwood - Design Context research

The York List

• Public Designers - Studio Visit
• Nugenko - Studio Visit
• Bivouac - Studio Visit

The Manchester List

• Music - Context Research

Other

• View Creative  (North Wales) - Studio Visit
• Definition (Barnsley) - Studio Visit
• Blue Stone (Harrogate/London) - Studio Visit
• North Light (Halifax) - Studio Visit 
• Two Design (Cornwall) Context Research

THESE LISTS WILL BE UPDATED OVER TIME.

Duffield Print Visit

A few of us went to visit Duffield Printers on Kirkstall Road today, courtosy of Hannah Jackson's organsiation... Thanks Hannah!

Plate etching process..

 
The digital printer - interestingly enough this is a very popular, and cheap alternative to the litho process, and the quality is pretty much identical - well superior to inkjet and laser printing. The guys we spoke to told us that the technology and market for this kind of printing is on the rise, and could well take over tradition lithographic printing.

 Paper Storage...

Two litho printers.. we checked out the big 10 colour one - this one could do both sides at once: 4 colours for CMYK on one side, 4 for CMYK on the other, and then two left over for spot varnishes and special inks.

Paper feeding uses suction pads to shift the paper from the pile..

The print quality is all managed by computer, so the quantity of ink can be managed in minute detail..

New portfolio & Steve Wills sign up

I've spent the last few days trying to re-brand myself and layout my portfolio at the same time in preparation for this sign up with Steve Will of B&W Studio. I actually got pretty nervous about it at some points - but he was really down to earth and very complimentary about my work. I think even if nothing comes of this, it was so nice to have someone you've admired for a while to be so positive about your work, a good confidence boost if nothing else!

I think I'm going to make some changes to my work and follow up this meeting with an update of how I'm getting on. I was really encouraged to hear him talk about some of the things I've outlined in my new position statement as well - he was talking about a range of different, interesting applications for brands that I'm coming up with. Which is exactly what I want to do in the next few months!

Perhaps the most surprising thing was that he thought my 2nd year 'Rant' project was the best, the most interesting and the one with the strongest concept. The most annoying thing is, on reflection he's probably right...

Bark & Bite Feature

I didn't ever hear back from these guys after last Easter, and as I was starting to move away from motion graphics I just kinda let it go I guess..
But it's really encouraging to see they used a screen shot from the piece I did on their website!
I didn't get a mention, but it's a good excuse to get in touch with them again and say thank-you.. Especially now I'm back on the motion graphics again!

I'll keep you updated!

http://www.barkandbite.com/work.cfm?page=32

 

(Just a reminder of the quick animation I did...)

AllGood

A design studio based in Roundhay, a prime candidate for a visit. They're just the right size, not too big not too small, and just browsing through their website they seem to have a good grasp on what it means to be a business in this industry. I'm not specifically interested in anything other than how they run their business - but I'm sure I can learn more than that from these guys.

Keighley Christmas Guide

Over summer, a contact of Will's got in touch and essentially employed us to work on their brochure for Keighley Council. A great opportunity to earn some money - but more importantly it's a chance to build a relationship with another design agency. Augemente are a small group of designers focussing on branding across the whole range, offering a relatively cheap price for what they do - they know how to make a living out of this industry. We have been dealing with Helen (accounts/client manager) and recently met her in Bradford, she's keen to keep the work coming and though they're only small jobs, the experience of working with someone like Helen is absolutely invaluable. 

Posts with the work we have produced will be up here as soon as possible.