#professionalpracticeforcommunication

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A mock-up created for the Graphic Design Educators Network (GDEN) brief. 

[rachelnorris92-blog]

Just a couple of ideas for the Graphic Design Educators Network. 

[leahwest-blog]

Evaluation

This module was called Professional Practice For Communication we started of getting in touch with the industry to learn more about how the design world works. I thought this was going to be the hardest part of this brief and we wouldn't be able to get many replies or meetings however once we received our first email response we began getting more and more replies and started setting up meetings. My favourite part of this brief ended up being the meetings we went to with different design agencies as I learnt a lot more about how they work and how they managed to get to where they are now after being in the same position I am in. 

While we carried on emailing and having meetings with other agencies we started to do our self promotional item. It took me a while to decide what I wanted to do, then I finally chose to go with the idea of ‘Movers & Shakers’ throughout time and that I would be the next Mover and Shaker, ‘the next best thing’. At first I was going to do a pack of cards with them all on and then I went on to do a concertina booklet so that it could include my contact details, cover letter and creative CV. In my book I used a variety of Movers & Shakers starting of with Albert Einstein then moving onto more design related people such as Milton Glaser and Steve Jobs. Then finally at the end of the book was a picture of me saying that I am ‘the next best thing’ which also gave it quite comical feel, comparing me to all of these people. It also included my creative CV and cover letter on the back two pages. 

It took me a while to decide on a logo, I finally went with quite a simple design using the same rounded shape to create my two initials and I used two different colours to separate them, I also put my name underneath so it was clear what the letters were. I then started adding my logo to everything making it all tie in together. 

Overall I really enjoyed this brief, the meetings with the industry being my favourite part because I gained the most information from this and I found it the most fulfilling aspect of it. The hardest part was try to get my booklet printed right, as I found it difficult getting it double sided and the right way up, it was also quite hard for all of the pages to be aligned exactly right so when I folded them they would be in the same position as the ones on the back. This project has been the most successful for me so far as I already have some work and a few placements lined up for over summer.

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FINAL OUTCOME - MOTION PIECE

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WILLIAM SEABROOK - SEABROOK

HOW DID YOUR PASSION TURN INTO A PROFESSION?

It was a natural progression.

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNT SINCE WORKING AS A GRAPHIC DESIGNER?

That it isn’t about me, it is all about servicing the client.

WHAT IS AN AVERAGE DAY IN THIS JOB REALLY LIKE?

There isn’t an average day really.

WHAT KIND OF PROJECT WILL ALWAYS BE YOUR FAVOURITE?

One where a client appreciates our input, and gives us the space to carry through our ideas without watering them down.

HOW MUCH CREATIVE FREEDOM DO YOU GET WHEN WORKING ON PROJECTS?

There are always boundaries that you have to contend with, and actually the best work can happen under difficult circumstances. Freedom can lead to complacency.

WHAT WAS THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE GIVEN TO YOU BY ANOTHER DESIGNER?

Leave your ego at the door.

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 3.5 YEARS TIME?

3.5 years is an odd timeframe, however we are on the path to becoming a top 5 digital marketing agency in Manchester, and I expect us to be there within that time frame.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO ASPIRING DESIGNERS?

It’s not all about you. It’s about your client’s needs.

WHAT WILL BE THE NEXT DESIGN EVENT THAT YOU WILL ATTEND?

Not sure.

[robryanused2blogshere-blog-blog]

ROB TAYLOR - LIKE A RIVER

HOW DID YOUR PASSION TURN INTO A PROFESSION?

Dedication.

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNT SINCE WORKING AS A GRAPHIC DESIGNER?

A little bit about everything.

WHAT IS AN AVERAGE DAY IN THIS JOB REALLY LIKE?

Average. (you asked for that!)

WHAT KIND OF PROJECT WILL ALWAYS BE YOUR FAVOURITE?

The last one I did.

HOW MUCH CREATIVE FREEDOM DO YOU GET WHEN WORKING ON PROJECTS?

Always a collaboration, so you have to learn to share.

WHAT WAS THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE GIVEN TO YOU BY ANOTHER DESIGNER?

Measure twice cut once.

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 3.5 YEARS TIME?

At 50.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO ASPIRING DESIGNERS?

Look at as much stuff as you can from all walks of life. Study artists and their concepts. Learn to write.

WHAT WILL BE THE NEXT DESIGN EVENT THAT YOU WILL ATTEND?

Roses Awards.

[robryanused2blogshere-blog-blog]

ALEXANDER SINGLETON - HUNTING TOWN

Alexander Singleton, studio owner of Hunting Town, http://www.huntingtown.co.uk/, responds to our questionnaire.

Whilst at Uni I was working as an illustrator on the student newspaper - from that I managed to get myself a job working as an Art Director on a start-up magazine. I met a lot of bands doing that job, and ended up designing some of their album artwork on the side. I really really enjoyed it, so I decide to leave and go freelance.

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNT SINCE WORKING AS A GRAPHIC DESIGNER?

Everything! I've learnt tonnes of stuff about running a business and marketing and stuff like that. That was really brand new knowledge to me that came directly out of starting out as a Graphic Designer. Stuff like dealing with clients too - that's a really important skill and a fine art to master.

I'm currently teaching myself web development as it's what my clients are asking for more and more. I try not to refuse work, and instead treat unusual requests as a challenge to learn new skills.

WHAT IS AN AVERAGE DAY IN THIS JOB REALLY LIKE?

Well, I wake up and check my emails on my phone. Then I make some breakfast and read a few articles about freelancing or design or something like that. I listen to design podcasts like Unfinished Business, Adventures in Design and Design Matters on the way to and from work too.

When I reach the office I make a huge cup of coffee and answer any emails that I didn't respond to in bed. Then I take a look at my to do list and just start slogging through it.

I'm a pretty slow starter in the mornings, so I try and start off with easy or enjoyable stuff first, and work up to the more challenging and creative stuff in the afternoon. I generally don't have a finish time, and end up working quite late most days. I tend to stop when the work is done, rather than at a specific time.

Also I don't break for lunch which is really bad - I just munch and work.

WHAT KIND OF PROJECT WILL ALWAYS BE YOUR FAVOURITE?

Probably illustration. I've always loved drawing, and although I can get burnt out on it pretty quick when I look back at my portfolio, those are always the pieces I'm really proud off.

HOW MUCH CREATIVE FREEDOM DO YOU GET WHEN WORKING ON PROJECTS?

It differs from client to client. Some clients only want you as a 'hand' to do what they can't and tell you EXACTLY what they want. That's fine and it's good work to do in the morning when I'm not feeling totally creative yet - it's never my best work though - client really need to trust designers more and realise that they are paying for their creativity as much as their skill.

That said though, I do have some amazing clients who really do give me full reign to do whatever I want and those are always my very best works. I recently had a huge illustration project working with a massive IP that I was just able to go to town with and both I and the client are super happy with the results.

WHAT WAS THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE GIVEN TO YOU BY ANOTHER DESIGNER?

Man, that's a tough one. I've been lucky enough to receive some great advice by a tonne of fantastic designers. 

"Under Promise and over deliver" is a really good one by Bill Beachy. I think a lot of advice boils down to be a nice guy. You can be the best designer in the world, but if you're a dick nobody will want to work with you. So much of our income as designers comes from referals, so just be a nice guy to everyone. You never know who knows who and where work might come from.

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 3.5 YEARS TIME?

I see two roads in front of me right now.

I can either jack up my prices and go down the one man freelancer route and really build a name for myself personally, or I can start hiring on new staff and lay down the seeds of a new design agency. I keep flitting between the two futures at the moment and I haven't totally decided, so in 3.5 years time I could really be in either place.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO ASPIRING DESIGNERS?

Keep learning. You WILL NOT learn everything from a degree. You can be working as a designer for 30 years and not know everything. Trends are always changing, technology is always emerging. Stay on top of your game and don't get complacent. Spend an hour reading about new things every single day - it will pay off.

WHAT WILL BE THE NEXT DESIGN EVENT THAT YOU WILL ATTEND?

I think the next one in my calendar is actually a Shopify conference in Manchester. A lot of my clients are looking for eCommerce solutions and it's something I'm a little rusty on, so I'm booking myself into conferences and workshops to learn new techniques until I find something I'm happy with.

[robryanused2blogshere-blog-blog]

NEIL RAMSBOTTOM - STUDIO eNaR

Neil Ramsbottom, studio owner of Studio eNaR, http://www.studioenar.co.uk/, responds to our questionnaire.

HOW DID YOUR PASSION TURN INTO A PROFESSION?

It became a passion once it became my profession.

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNT SINCE WORKING AS A GRAPHIC DESIGNER?

As a designer : Always keep learning. As the owner of a studio : Graphic Design is a business. Budgets, cash flow, scheduling and client communications are just as important as the ability to kern type correctly. The tricky part is balancing both.

WHAT IS AN AVERAGE DAY IN THIS JOB REALLY LIKE?

It's hard work – there's no getting away from that, and an average day will typically not consist of what you think it will when you're on your way to work in the morning.

WHAT KIND OF PROJECT WILL ALWAYS BE YOUR FAVOURITE?

I don't have a favourite, I find it very difficult to rate my own work.

HOW MUCH CREATIVE FREEDOM DO YOU GET WHEN WORKING ON PROJECTS?

Graphic designers don't have 'creative freedom'. You work within the boundaries of the brief/budget/client requirements and push as far as you can.

I know of very few designers who get the sort of mythological freedom that Peter Saville enjoyed, and I think most prefer it that way. I personally find it very difficult to work to open briefs or to my own brief – it is the restrictions that bring out the best in you.

If you crave total freedom you're probably better off becoming an artist.

WHAT WAS THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE GIVEN TO YOU BY ANOTHER DESIGNER?

It's not one particular piece of advice but I have taken something from every person I have worked with – sometimes seeing how something shouldn't be done is as invaluable as seeing how it should be done.

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 3.5 YEARS TIME?

The same place as I am now – but maybe with some more company!

PS – why 3.5 years?

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO ASPIRING DESIGNERS?

Work hard, be passionate, learn the craft, grow a thick skin, and don't mention how you take your tea/coffee on your CV, portfolio or website...I HATE that!

WHAT WILL BE THE NEXT DESIGN EVENT THAT YOU WILL ATTEND?

I tend not to attend many design community events these days, but for young designers it is probably essential to get yourself 'known' to a certain degree.