OUGD602 / PPP3 - Final year overview / evaluation.

OUGD602
OVERVIEW / EVALUATION 

A review of my studio contact:

Studios emailed: 12.
- The Archipelago 
- UNIT
- Robot Food 
- Turn Key 
- Something more 
- Ideas by Music 
- Contrast creative 
- AHOY
- BML Creative
- DUO 
- Creatively so
- Analogue

Studios whom replied: 6.
- The Archipelago. 
- UNIT.
- Robot Food.
- Turn Key.
- Something more. 
- Ideas by Music.

Studios visited: 2.
- The Archipelago. 
- Ideas by Music.

Studios worked with: 7.
- Arris Branding consultancy. 
- Thompson brand partners. 
- Something more. 
- Elmwood. 
- Ditto press. 
- DR ME
- Peter and Paul 


I feel as though my third year completing ppp is the year where I have benefited from and utilised opportunities the most. I now feel as though I have a very knowledgable understanding of my practice and my stance within Graphic design, and understand the next steps in which I need to take to start my career. When I first started the course I was not confident in myself at all, and never thought that I would make a motivated effort to start contacting design studios by myself. However with a studio visit offered from my first set of emails sent out, and a really positive trip to The Archipelago, I got the confidence boost I needed to contact more studios, which also led me to helping set up a portfolio review session for the course over at Ideas by Music in Manchester, which was also a really fun day and one in total contrast from my trip to the Archipelago. I have actively searched over the past year for as many studios in the North of england, from where I could travel from home to, to find a work placement in order to gain experience before the end of the year, that create the type of design in which I offer something towards. However for various reasons I have not been able to arrange or achieve a placement from the studios I have contacted, due to no replies, space or business of the studio. It is a shame that often, the possibility of placement is dependant on the chance of other people replying to you, but alas I feel that I have made a valiant effort to try to find something. As I was having trouble trying to find myself a placement I took it upon myself to collaborate with some studios on the in college briefs, in which I also got a 'mini' experience of working with some of the studios.  I am still in contact with Something more my favourite studio we got the chance to collaborate with during DBA, and will be visiting once they have finished their move to the tetley. There are also a few other studios Im preparing to contact including Gorilla (packaging and branding: Manchester, Equator (packaging and branding: Manchester), Thompson brand partners (branding:Leeds) and Preface (packaging: Manchester). 

Personal Branding:

I feel that I also really utilised PPP this year to discover what I personally need from my branding. In previous years I hadn't really put a lot of thought into it, which is most definitely why I didn't like the outcomes. I came up with a strategy this year of four things that I wanted my personal branding to do and i think this has really helped me to create branding that is both really personal and relevant to me. The work produced is simple and really supports my portfolio rather than fights it for attention, it is clear and readable, it is convenient and easy to be mailed and can be mass produced at a cost I can afford. The designs both subtly reference something personal about me and play upon this (my last name in gold foil) and the type of work I like to produce referenced in the content of the CV and the style having subtle illustrative elements. 


Confidence:

I think to improve my success across the module confidence to perhaps contact studios in other ways could have also been beneficial, however confidence comes with time. I feel that with a strong portfolio of work under my belt and after visiting studios I would definitely be able connect to studios by other means such as ringing up or even popping in. 

The next step:

My next step after finishing final year is to really use the first few weeks to my advantage and although I am slightly burned out from all the work, to try really hard to push towards the end of year show, as again this is going to be a great place to network, and possibly connect with some of the studios I have tried to make contact with. My end of year show piece will focus on branding and/or packaging to gain the interest of such employers and will be a contender for my portfolio which I will take to interviews. 


Overall:

Overall I've had a really positive experience on the course and within my individual practice, I have made sure no not only look towards where I am going, but also have taken the time to step back, realise where I am, and also what else matters as advised by John. 'Always consider your work, life balance as your life informs your practice and the reverse so enjoy and grow.' I am leaving the course confident in and proud of both my work I have produced and my abilities as a designer, which is a full 360 from the place where I began 3 years ago. With the realisation of the work I enjoy producing, the tools I am able to use, and my intentions with Graphic design and where I want to work, I am fully ready and extremely excited to experience and leave my mark on the industry. 

Next studios I want to email:
Gorilla Manchester. 

Equator Manchester. 

Preface Manchester: