Hepworth Wakefield Print Fair - OUGD602

Print fairs always interest me, the variety of work on display is incredible. Often going to print fairs local to the north, or fairs that are on in more major cities feature the same artists and designers. This is a great way to network, if someone can recognise you at different events you begin to work up a relationship with them. In the bottom picture on this post you can see Laura Knight's stall. I met Laura last year at the York print fair and have now seen her at a few different events that I feel comfortable going over to have a chat about work and university. Laura has been quite helpful and has accepted work off a classmate (Hannah Johns). She is a lovely woman and now recognises me whenever we see each other, she's always welcoming and up for a chat about the industry. Last year she so happened to be collaborating with an old friend of mine from college. It's great to know that she works in this way and like I stated earlier it is a great way of networking at a print fair. I believe a lot of my work could be displayed in a fair such as this therefore I have planned to do this after graduation. 

Self Branding Pack - OUGD602

I now have, business cards, a letter head, creative CV and a website to showcase my work to professionals. This will ultimately help me to network and become employed. I will also help for collaboration projects and at print fairs or exhibitions. I am pleased with the work I have produced and feel it is to a strong standard.

The work produced can be seen below photographed in a photography studio:

John Lewis Exhibition - OUGD602

John Lewis put on an exhibition to show off the latest work produced by Leeds Arts University students for their Loved and Found department. One of our very own classmates, Hannah Johns is featured in the department and her work can be seen above. The department is a good size on the 1st floor of the store therefore they were able to showcase a good amount of work. It is great to see paid opportunities for students from big companies such as John Lewis especially featuring work made at our university. Hannah's work stands on display on the main wall in this section of the store and features a series of three fabric screen prints with hand stitched wool across the pieces. It was a slightly different experience to usual exhibitions, being in a store but was still great to get out and see work in context.

Self Branding Creative CV - OUGD602

I first created my CV at college which then changed first year of university to fit with my new branding. CVs should constantly be updated with the new information and experience so I will continuing doing this. This year I changed the layout of my CV to fit with my more refined style. Through this you can see how I have updated my experience and how my style has become more honed in.

I have toned down the unnecessary colour on the piece so it is not too distracting. Added in a bit more about me as a designer, and taken out information about my work experience to make it easier to read. I have also added in placements, clients and exhibitions to show off my experience. My contact details have all my other self branding on them and are easier to read than previous versions.

Self Branding Website - OUGD602

I have used Adobe Portfolio to host and design my website. As I pay for the Adobe Creative Suite the hosting is free. Although the design is limited on the site it does still offer presets that can be customised to an extent. This is the best cost effective way to display my site whilst staying professional. You would not know where the site is hosted and does still look unique in many aspects. Currently I only have 6 briefs on display but do plan to have more very soon from work I have created over this year. The work displayed should be high quality containing no mockups unless purchased to give a more professional look to the portfolio. I have booked out photography studios to photograph my work at a higher standard. The domain name is paid for for two years and from this I have added on a custom email address at a very reasonable cost.

Alec our tutor was very helpful for this task. I planned on creating a website after I had finished at university but really this was just delaying possible time I could be promoting my site to potential employers. Giving us the task to create a website in a week obviously not full finished but working at least was brilliant to make sure we all had this asset for the year.

I now own the domain www.joshstorey.com along with the email address hello@joshstorey.com

Contacting for Placement - OUGD602

I first contacted Newman on the 5th of March 2018 about a placement. As I already had contacts there it made sense to ask instead of beating around the bush. Cheryl replied within 2 days on the 7th asking for a presentation about myself and my practice and some ideas for workshops or sessions. I sent back redesigned ideas and briefs we have conducted over the past year. One is inspire by Robot Food's: Project Disrupt. The Second inspired by The Pop Up Agency's team building task.

Cheryl enjoyed the ideas but stated she was looking more for workshops such as print that the students could learn from. I put together these tasks as to take a project or brief we may usually have to undergo at college but make it a bit more fun. When I was at college briefs like this were what I was looking for rather than doing work for grades. I may try re-pitching these ideas to Cheryl at a later date. She also mentioned getting me in to work at Newman before the easter holidays in a few weeks but it may be a bit of a rush trying to do so.

Repackage and Rebrand -

The task is to take a boring or mundane product and refresh the idea. Make it something new something tat doesn’t currently exist. Take inspiration from sources that aren’t necessarily in the same category as your given product. Look at how similar products are branded and completely change the designs to make it stand out above all the rest. Use skills such as, product design, package design, branding and more to carry out this task. Presentation skills will also be tested and boosted in the final stage of this task to explain what the idea behind the rebrand is and why?
Split the class into groups of 5/6 depending on the class size. Give each group a mundane product to repackage/rebrand. For the first session research the product and start putting together some initial ideas. In the second session work together to finish off the designs. Present the final outcomes and explain the thought process behind the idea. This whole project will be a really quick turn around and test the students skills in design, presenting and team work.

Quick Team Building Task -

Split the class into groups and ask individuals to write down their needs and values. Next write down as many brands or companies that could incorporate those needs and values. Take the favourite idea and write it on an A3 sheet. Then in groups move around and add to each idea. Discuss as a group which ideas are the favourites and why. Place ideas into how much impact the idea has compared to implementation (How easy will it be cost wise and work wise). In 140 characters and up to 6 emojis describe what your idea is most effective idea is.

Self Branding Business Cards - OUGD602

This year is my final year in education and it's time to put my name out into the world. I needed a logo to show my image as a designer, a business card and more promotional material.

To start off I worked around putting many different ideas together for my logo design but it made sense to stay simple and stick with my initials. In first year I had gone for a very different approach to using my initials and this put my image in a different light as if I only do work for humour. This year I adjusted the typeface Futura, as this is my mostly used typeface. I use it in all my design boards, presentations and usually start off a project designing with it unless the brief dictates otherwise. I feel it is bold, future proof and visualises me well.

This then helped me to produce my business card I initially wanted the designs to be embossed but found out this was not cost effective. I was also planning to print them using screen printing and possibly foil blocking but in the long run I would not have access to these facilities. Instead I decided to go down the route of using an online printer, Moo. They offer brilliant service and amazing print quality. I opted for 100% recycled cotton for my cards to save on paper wastage. For some reason their delivery system messed up and I actually received 200 cards instead of the 50 I originally order all before their estimated delivery. 

Self Branding Brief - OUGD602

Background:

Self branding is important for everyone. A means to keep in contact or share your details with clients, professionals and more. Therefore it should represent your as a designer, you should be able to show off your skills as best you can and gain recognition with help from your branding.

Problem:

Once I graduate I currently have no means of showing off my work in portfolio form without linking to Behance which isn't as professional as a website. I also have no business cards to give out while networking which is an easy and effective way to gain clients or start a chat with people in the industry.

The Task:

Create a pack for my own self branding. This should included, but is not limited to; an online portfolio/webstite (not Behance), Business cards, Creative CV and some sort of visual representation of me as a creative.

Considerations:

• Business Cards
• Logos
• Creative CVs
• Website Design
• Promotional Packs
• Clients
• Professionals