PP2: Group company / Presentation - Office space in Leeds.

TASK ONE. 
OFFICE SPACE IN LEEDS.

The first task I was assigned in the group was to look for an office space in which we could base our company. I focused my search within the up and coming creative areas of Leeds, where other creative companies have settled such as photographers, artists and other design agencies such as the likes of Elmwood. As Leeds is an up and coming creative city, the spaces designed for creative practice are mostly quite small with offices built for housing 1-20 people, a good size for a start up company like ourselves. 


OFFICE SPACE ONE.
LS9/LEEDS.
RENTAL.

Serviced Office available to Rent in Leeds, For all-inclusive office space solution with flexible rental terms Please call on 08001884665 

Serviced office located on the 3rd Floor of this Business Centre. The office vary in size with space for 1 to 9 people, office furniture is supplied. 

Prices vary from £250 - £1000 pcm 

Flexible contract terms, starting from 1 month, the monthly rent includes all services and costs except telephone. 

Secured parking is available at a low monthly cost. 

The facilities include, communal kitchen, W.C’s, access to use the boardroom and reception area. 

Located on Mabgate, which runs parallel to Regent Street and it only a 5 - 10 min walk into Leeds city centre. 

Less than 5 mins walk from leeds central bus station 

24 Hour Access 
Air Conditioning 
Alarmed Offices 
Bespoke fit-out 
Boardroom 
Business Lounge 
Business Support 
Cafe/Restaurant On-Site 
Call Answering 
Car Parking 
CAT 5/5e/6 Cabling 
CCTV 
City/Town centre 
Conference Space 
Dedicated Fax Number 
Dedicated Phone Number 
Disabled Facilities 
Event Planning 
Fax Services 
Fully DDA Compliant 
Furnished Offices 
High Speed Internet 
Hot Desking 
IT Support 
Kitchen Facility 
Mail Collection/Forwarding 
Major transport links 
Manned Reception 
Meeting Rooms 
Modern Building 
Office Cleaning 
Printing/Scan Equipment 
Serviced Offices 
Start-up Space 
Vending Machines 
Virtual Office Services 
Voicemail Services 
VoIP Technology 

Source


OFFICE SPACE TWO.
VICTORIA WHARF /LEEDS /LS1
RENTAL.

Victoria Wharf, 4 The Embankment, Leeds, LS1 4BA / 3,655sq ft | 

3655 sq ft.

A central location in the centre of Leeds means business opportunities, shopping, entertainment and nightlife are all first class. With eateries such as Raymond Blanc’s Brasserie Blanc on the ground floor and the new Cranberry’s bistro next door at 3 The Embankment, local dining is first class. A short walk brings you to a wealth of outstanding hotels, upmarket shopping destinations including Harvey Nichols, entertainment at the Yorkshire Playhouse and much more. 

Contemporary new entrance and reception area
•	Stylish male and female WC’s to each floor
•	New shower room
•	New 13 person (1,000kg) passenger lift serving all floors
•	Natural ventilation
•	Ability to retro-fit cooling systems
•	Raised floors with floor boxes
•	Gas fired central heating via perimeter wall mounted radiators
•	Double glazed window units
•	LG7 compliant lighting

Accommodation		Square Feet:
Second Floor Whole		3,655 Sq. Ft.
Third Floor Part		824 Sq. Ft.
Third Floor Part		3,766 Sq. Ft.
Fourth Floor Whole		4,535 Sq. Ft.

Source

OFFICE SPACE THREE.
TOWER WORKS/ LEEDS.
RENTAL.

Tower Works provides a good range of offices suitable for companies employing between 1-20 people. Choose from the smaller refurbished offices created within the original listed building, some of which have their own front doors, and the larger spaces in the sensitively designed new build element. Tower Works is now full but we have space available in neighbouring developments, please contact us for further information.

Train

Tower Works is only an 8 minute walk to the Leeds railway station, making it an ideal location for commuting. Just walk along the Leeds Liverpool Canal and through Granary Wharf to Neville Street and you’re there. In 2014, the new iconic South Entrance to the train station is due to open – you’ll then be three minutes away from national rail connections.

Driving and Parking

There’s ample car parking in the immediate area, either from short and long-stay car parks (typically £3.50 per day) on pay and display on-street parking. For detailed directions, just enter your postcode on the map at the foot of this page.

OFFICE SPACE FOUR.

SUNNY BANK MILLS/LEEDS.

RENTAL.

Feeston rooms at Sunny Bank Mill. Three of the 6 units are currently taken up by two other creative companies. 

500-2000 sq. ft to rent.

• Refurbished to modern specifications
• Character exposed brick
• Open plan accommodation
• High levels of natural light
• Central mill location
• All mains services
• On site management
• Suitable for a variety of uses

Availible studios:

sq.m

Unit 1: 1,120 sq.ft

Unit 2: 740 sq.ft

Unit 3 - Let to Northern Light Studio

Unit 4 - Let to Northern Light Studio

Unit 5 - Let to Richard Moran Photography

Unit 6: 510 sq.ft

OFFICE SPACE FIVE.
DUKE STUDIOS/ LEEDS.
RENTAL.

Has a partnership with Leeds college of art:

The College has formed a unique partnership with Duke Studios, a creative co-working space in the heart of the unofficial cultural quarter in Leeds.

Our studio space provides a nurturing environment for recent graduates to establish their own businesses.  This space is primarily suited to screen-based ‘clean’ activities such as digital media and design, but the College is planning to expand its portfolio of incubation units to support business activity and practice related to our full range of degree programmes. 

In an ambitious urban regeneration project, the 7000sq ft. space in Munro House overlooking Leeds bus station which used to house Auto Trader’s offices is being transformed into an open plan, design-led haven for creative collaboration.

Why Duke studios is great for first time companies and freelancers:

But it’s not just an office. Duke Studios is a place where the two most incompatible of human elements – productivity and creativity – collide. This office-cum-studio boasts a mezze of facilities that will satisfy even the hungriest of artistic appetites, including vinyl and laser cutting, a photographic studio and a fully-equipped workshop.

From a business perspective, Duke Studios’ appeal is simple: the opportunity for networking is limitless. Co-workers will be able to gain work they never even knew existed, be that from passing work between each other within the studio or using their collective power to win contracts that couldn’t have been achieved single handed. Duke Studios will also act as an agency, actively seeking to find new business for the talent within its walls.

Budget Friendly:

The tiered membership scheme means that people can choose the solution which is best for their budget, but even the most expensive studio rental package is cheaper than renting a small city office. 

Duke Studios Offers:
 10 Studios Spaces
 8 Desk Rentals
 Co-Working for 30+
 Fully equipped workshop facilities
 Hireable Photography Studio
 Photography Services
 Design Studio
 Laser cutting service and hire
 Vinyl cutting service and hire
 Meeting Room
 Event Space

OFFICE SPACE SIX.
ROUND FOUNDRY/ WATER LANE/ LEEDS.
RENTAL.

Elmwood at round foundry water lane. 

A move to the city centre is more convenient for clients and will help us to attract the best emerging talent in the industry to come and work for us."

Sands added: "The area is an exciting place where many of the city’s most interesting companies work cheek by jowl. We have put our own particular stamp on our new, modern, flexible space, located in the heart of fantastic, historic mill buildings which are full of character."

PPP2: Group company / Presentation - Meeting one.

PPP2 / BUILDING A COMPANY.
MEETING ONE. 

We wrote down what areas of design we were all interested in:
Illustration, Print, Web, UI, Editorial, UX. 

LLC/ Limited Liability Company. 

- Branding Acency. 

- Tone of voice: Quirky, laid back, Team based. 

- Outside printers. 
- In house web hosting. 

Starting with small independent companies as we are a new business. 

Rent or buy office space? 
Printers to use externally. 

Choosing Leeds as it is an up and coming city for design. Look at digital and print companies, see their clients, what they are up to. 

Equipment:
- Macs. 
- Printer. 
- Photocopier. 
- Scanner. 
- Shredder. 
- Chairs. 
- Desk. 
- Whiteboard.
- Air hockey. 
- Service. 
- 24/7 Internet. 
- High speed. 
- Landline. 

Hire an accountant. 

Pitch/ idea room. 

- Need a website. 
- Stationary. 
- Mugs. 

Jobs list that we need to do:

- Daisy to look at Company types. 
- Danielle to look at Digital companies.
- Ant to look at hosting and Banking/ business accounts/ building societies. 
- Me- look into office space and printers in Leeds. 
- Mel Branding agencies and equipment needed and cost. 
- All to think of Logo design. 

- Make a contract and manifesto.

- How much do we charge?

- Plan how are business will look in 1,3 and 5 years. 

- What makes our business different from the competition. 

- Everyone has their own identity within the business.


- What is the total startup capital you think you may need to launch your business?


Next week: 
- Logo. 
- Website.
- Presentation.   

PPP2: Studios I am interested in.

PPP2.
STUDIOS I AM INTERESTED IN.


Analogue - Leeds.

I first found out about Analogue when I visited Cielo Blanco in Leeds, a new mexican restaurant in the trinity centre complex. I picked up a menu and just fell in love with the design, illustrative based and inspired by relief printing techniques, my passionate for print self was captured. I also found that Analogue have taken on a lot of branding projects, the area of Graphic design I am most interested alongside illustration.  

Other works by Analogue that I like and are similar to the works which I produce:

Passport - Leeds.

Passport is a never design agency in Leeds that I find particularly inspirational as it was set up by Graphic design graduate from Leeds college of art. It would be great to work with Passport, as this set of designers are people whom I can find out about the whole transition from being a student at LCA to opening a studio. Although this is not something I imagine myself doing any time soon, I imagine working for myself to be the ultimate job within the design industry. Passport also have a similar calibre of work to myself, and complete projects that I am interested in, taking illustrative motifs and combining this with strong photography. 

Elmwood - International.

Elmwood is a graphic design studio with offices both national and international, they currently have 3 british locations in Leeds, Manchester and London. As I had previously mentioned my interests within graphic design are branding and illustration. Elmwood are known as the worlds 'most effective brand design consultancy. As Elmwood are so successful and are the largest agency I admire, I would have to work hard on my confidence and building an impressive portfolio before I feel that I could approach them. Therefore elmwood are an agency I would most probably approach in third year when I have an even further understanding who I am as a designer and my work.

Duo - Leeds.

Duo are as it is called a creative Graphic design duo based in Leeds. Something that really struck me about the agency was not so much the fact that they have created some of my favourite works in the industry, but the friendliness of the studio. As I had previously said, I would be intimidated to approach elmwood, however Duo aka Paul and Emily seem very friendly and approachable. As the second year student I am now, I would feel much more comfortable to take a visit to Duo studio.


Vibe studio - Manchester.

Vibe studio is a Graphic design agency in Manchester with a focus on Branding. The main focus for the company however lies with packaging and photography. Although photography is not my strongest skill, designing for packaging is one of the sectors I love to approach within Graphic design. 
Vibe studio also have a very welcoming personality and seem like if I wanted to visit, that they would welcome me with open arms. 'Vibe’s aspiration is to build a creative community so our studio is always open to artistic people, corporate people, and all intelligent people willing to work with us or just to come over for a coffee.' - Vibe studio. 

PPP2 - Study task 1.

• identify and explain 5 reasons why you chose to study on this programme.

• Local to home as I didn’t want to move out. 
• Great employment rate for graduates. 
• Good industry links. 
• Intense education with full time attendance. 
• Great facilities. 

• Identify and explain 5 things that you want to learn during your time on the programme.

• Identify who I am as a graphic designer. 
• What are my skills and what are my interests? Where is my focus within Graphic design, what is it that drives my practice?
• Am I more suited/ interested in print or web? I know this year that I will be studying both print and web and so I will be able to find out which my skill set is more suited to and which I prefer. 
• Where do I want to work when I leave? Freelance or studio?
• How do I contact and talk to industry professionals. 

• Identify and explain 5 skills that you think are your strengths.

• Hand drawn and digital illustrations. 
• Working in a group, I feel that I am very reliable and can be counted on for great communication, to meet deadlines, and to help with any problems my group members are having. 
• Product and packaging design. 
• Presenting to my peers, with a background in performing arts, talking in front of a large audience is something that has always come second nature. 
• Time management (project management, time keeping, blogging on time) I always make it a priority to blog as I go along on projects, many people find it hard, however I find it much more suitable to blog as I go as it keeps me much more interested in my work, rather than having to do a couple of days blogging at the end. 

• Identify and explain 5 things that you want to improve.

• Crafting skills. 
• Ability to design for web. 
• Presentation of work (Boards, photographs and mock ups)
• Talking to professionals and confidence. 
• Skills in photoshop. 

• Identify and explain 5 ways that you will evaluate your progress.

• Via blog posts, recap my progress.
• Success of client led briefs where I am no longer able to design for my own likes. 
• Crits with my peers, as well as ones organised by tutors. 
• Putting my work into the public eye on live briefs. 
• Entering design competitions.

• Identify and explain 5 things that inspire you.

• Music, whenever Im working creatively I always listen to music with the exception of essay writing or blogging. I find that it helps to inspire me and relaxes my mind. 
• Other designers. When I feel like I’m having creative block, I take a break and look at design blogs or websites for inspiration.
• Travelling to other cities, Travel helps to broaden the mind and open your eyes to new culture, another city, a new climate or language always helps to generate new ideas and experiences.  
• Day to day tasks such as trips to the supermarket where I am able to see many pieces of graphic design in action / context.
• The success of previous students on the course, lets me know that although the course is very difficult and demanding most times, there is a definite light at the end of the tunnel. Also inspiring because you know that they have been through the same difficulties as you. 

• 
  

PPP2 - Session 2: Networking.

PPP2.
Networking.

What is networking?
- Sharing and gaining pertinent information that can help us gain something or another. 
- Talk to anyone and everyone now. 
- Your approach should have a reason and a plan.

What will you get from networking?
- Advice
- Mentoring
- Feedback
- Visits
- Placements
- Employment

Have a reason to speak to someone!
Ask people on linkd in for feedback.

Why are you contacting them?
What do you want from them?
In what way do you want them to respond?

What should we consider giving out in networking?
- Your identity (an identity of some kind)
- A creative CV?
- Write a hand written letter.

Task - Think of as many ways to contact someone as possible.


Contacting professionals.

- Become a key player within the industry.
- Reinforces your position as a student and a new potential creative in the industry.
- Treat it like a brief, we need to undertake relevant research that we record and utilise. 
- Blog and reference a synergy in the work of others that may become worthy of investigation. 
- You will only get what you put in!

Check out the web, call and ask for/who is the creative director as you want to send him some files. If not ask to be put through. 
However consider why you are contacting.
Visits are good!
Consider the benefits of going out of your way and calling someone, remember you are a valuable asset.

What are you trying to tell them?
- Quite simply that you exist. 
- Could you arrange a visit for advice/ feedback?
- You want to look at a professional studio.
- DO NOT ASK FOR A PLACEMENT. 

What will they want to know?
- Why you chose them to contact?
- What type of creative are you?
- What kind of work do you see as synergetic to you?

What can you show them?
- Anything you are working on or you feel good about. 
- Creative CV that you can leave with your details. 
- You could even invite them into college. 

Placement. 
- Experience and a practice run. 
- See how a professional studio operates. 
- A contact to go back to. 

Don't be afraid to disagree with people!

PPP2: First session.

Make a list collaboratively as a group of the 10 most successful things that came out of last year:

1. Passed first year.
2. Learned to live alone/ as an individual. 
3. Learn to cook. 
4. Learning how to use printing resources/ screen printing. 
5. Developed digital skills. 
6. Learned how to answer a brief/ a reliable design/development process. 
7. Improved confidence in self and work. 
8. Improved personal and professional practice. 
9. Improved literacy and writing skills.
10. Balanced part time work on top of course.
11. Learned to integrate workshop skills into practice.
12. Prioritise briefs in order of importance.

We then came back together as a class and made a corresponding list according to the most frequent successes that were on each groups lists:

1. Presentations (Building confidence in public speaking, giving a successful presentation)
2. Giving and receiving good feedback.
3. Trying different workshops (as there are so many available)
4. Research/ development of ideas.
5. Being/ learning to be independent. 
6. Understand time management, how to use time most efficiently.
7. Working with others (Collaborating on briefs)
8. Inspirations/ Motivations
9. Theory/ context (understanding the backbone of design as well as being able to communicate this effectively through writing skills)
10. Understand style - who are you? What are you good/bad at?

In our groups we can presented our presentations, below is the presentation I made on frozen yoghurt.

  
Unfortunately when it came to our presentations, the laptops we were working from would not recognise my USB stick. It wasn't until after the session that I realised the macs at the back of the studio would recognise my USB stick. Due to this error, I had to present the information I knew by memory, and therefore my group were not able to give me any feedback.
However I have since sent the presentation to some people in my group for feedback.

We then went on to talk about what is useful feedback?

I found from the task that constructive feedback that allows someone to go forward and progress is the best. 
- Suggesting specific things to be changed. 
eg. - Use larger type.
- slow down when talking.
-Suggest focus points/ specific further information.

- Saying what is good may not help with things that need changing, however it does help with things you could include in the next presentation.
e.g - good amount of research. 
- effective amount of text on each slide. 

What is not helpful to the development process are ego boosting compliments:
- Nice use of illustrations.
- I liked the font you chose.

This can be seen as giving feedback to someone that doesn't show them how they can develop or improve.

What feedback I found useful of the feedback I could receive:

- Check presentation before university.
- Clear knowledge of subject - knowing your research subject without having to look for cues. Enables better delivery. 

To consider: What feedback would I like to receive?
Feedback with a specific focus, making a point then backing it up with why, feedback that delegates direction for improvement. 

INDEPENDENT TASKS

My 3 objectives on how to improve my summer brief:

1. Use less text on slides as there is no need when you don't use them for cues.
2. Use your graphics/illustrations as visual indicators and talk about your subject instead of using text.
3. Don't try to talk about too much, pick specific details, simple and to the point instead of trying to fit too much in.

10 things that I think I will need to be successful at this year:

1. Developing a style, or finding out what I am most and least successful at in order to narrow down my future practice. 

2. Making industry links eg. making connections in relation to possible placement.

3. Very confident with digital suite. Before I started the course I had barely touched the digital suite, in Level 04 I really got a great education of how to use the adobe suite, Learning how to use it last year, I'd really like to try more experimental design now i am not particularly learning at the same time I am doing.  

4. Using a DSLR camera. I didn't use a DSLR camera in my first year and so it is something that i'm still pretty new to, hence why my work is very illustration based. 

5. Try out as many workshops as possible that I have never done, wood cutting, etching, embossing etc. 

6. Learn how to code, in order to transform a website design, into a live site. 

7. Continue to become more confident (In my work, public speaking etc)

8. Not to resent the time I spent on an idea if it does not work out, it is all part of the design process.

9.

10.