Kevin Watson

Kevin Watson works for Kellogg's design team and is a Art Director, he studied at Stockport College. I met Kevin for a portfolio visit and found the whole experience extremely helpful.

Kevin firstly went through my portfolio which he was impressed by he said that i should pick my best pieces from College and University and combine them into one black folder A4-A3 size as he felt this would have a professional look to it he said that showing as many different styles of work would show my skills and what I'm capable of at an interview, he also said that when he did interviews some companies can be rough with your portfolio and having it in a black case will protect it more. Kevin also explained that i should always have sample work ready because if i applied for a job the agency could contact me asking for samples before an interview if there not completely sure.

I also took my final major project along with me as i felt the more feedback i can receive the better my final project will develop. When i showed Kevin my project and explained the thought behind it he said the idea was clever and strong and makes a very good campaign and especially liked the grass and gravel poster saying it was a strong visual. When i explained that the brief was to promote Go Outdoor he said it wasn't fully working as an advertisement campaign for a shop and seemed more like a public information advert, he suggested changing my brief to promote the National Trust he felt that putting there logo onto a poster would give them a better purpose and is more in keeping with the posters.

Kevin talked about the divide down the centre of the posters he said instead of having an invisible line i could make it more interesting by trying a zip as a divide or a chevron, i felt this was a really good idea and will be trying this idea out. Kevin also talked about my logo been like a Levi Jeans tag on the corner of the page as i explained to him that a previous designer had talked about putting the logo in a box, i think the Levi tag sounds like a good idea and would possibly give the poster a more professional finish to it. I mentioned to Kevin that i wasn't completely happy with some of the imagery on the other posters which he agreed with he said i needed something that is more in keeping with the grass and gravel so the posters look more related he gave me some really good ideas to look into so i look forward to testing them.

Overall Kevin said he liked my work and i had a good eye for Graphic Design he explained after seeing my portfolio then seeing my final show pieces he said he could see the change and development in my work. Kevin said he would be interested in seeing my work again before i exhibit it and has offered as much help as i need over the next few weeks.

I feel this portfolio visit went well and have gained alot from it including confidence.

1000 word comparison

I am going to select two practitioners and write a 1000 word report that compares and contrasts the processes and practices of my two chosen practitioners.

My first practitioner is a company called Container plus who came to Stockport College to perform a small lecture about themselves. The lady who gave the lecture was called Louise Vormittag who is a designer, photographer and illustrator; she started the company container plus in 2002 and is based in London. The company states its a “multidisciplinary art and design collective specializing in playfully creating multifaceted fantasy worlds across a multitude of 2D and 3D platforms”. (http://www.containerplus.co.uk/) Louise explained to the lecture theatre that she first started the company by setting up a website with her friend and posting portfolios of work onto it and both agreed to help each other into the design world. The company has three members to it that are permanent but will recruit contacts to help with pacific briefs that get. Louise explained that the three members of the team have over 30 years of experience all together and are used to working together, she explained that they attempted to expand the company by recruiting two 20 year old but felt that the experience and commitment clashed and they struggled to function as a larger design agency. Louise mentioned how she came up with her ideas and inspiration, which I found extremely helpful she explained that the three members sit together and talk with full conversations in depth, she said it helps as ideas are thrown around especially if you feel you have hit a wall she said “ by the time you know it you have a completely new idea.” Louise also spoke about her inspiration and where it derives from including Artists, illustration, Greg Ashneider, Christopher Busher, Mike Nelson.

The second company I looked at 999 Design with Dave Sedgewick who is a senior designer based in Manchester. Dave Sedgewick studied at Manchester Metropolitan University he explained to us about his first placements and how they helped him get a better knowledge of what kind of design agency he would prefer to work for. Dave then went on placement at TCW which is now known as Love Creative and found that this helped in him getting his first proper job, but unfortunately things didn't fully work out and Dave was made redundant. Dave explained that through the experience he had from placement and having the job from Love Creative he had made many contacts and found it easier to get a interview. Dave went on to work for a company called Race, whilst working for Race Dave did some freelance work which gained him publicity which then he started work for 999 Design. Dave Sedgewick has worked with many clients such as Warburtons, BBC and many more. 999 Design started out in 1982 and state "aiming to make our mark in the world of design, 26 years on were an award winning, full service communications agency" (http://www.999design.com/).

999 Design work is very fresh and new i find there work inspiring i have looked closely at the Warburtons campaign they have done, i feel i can relate this to my work as i try to have a fresh look to my work. The Warburton campaign was about creating a campaign that would retain the Warburtons brands family ethos and keep in line with a environmental issue. 999 Design first started this campaign by creating a theme and bringing it to life with fascinating illustrations 999 design feel that this is light and friendly and straight talking, which 999 pride themselves of been a honest and straight talking company.

Louise Vormittag's work is completely different her work in my opinion is beautiful and elegant and slightly busy looking where as 999 Design keep there designs simple and fresh. Louise Vormittag created a piece called evil twin in which she set up a photo shoot of a beautiful girl in outdoor surrounding with a fascinating set up she then went on to create a hand drawn illustration for each photograph which told its own story its as if she was trying to show you the story coming out of the page, which brought a completely different look to the picture. Louise's illustrations are detailed and elegant and work extremely well with her photographs the way she uses her illustrations coming out of the page are clever its as if she wants you to know the hidden meaning behind the photograph.

Although both companies are completely different in style i feel i can relate to both depending on the brief. I feel drawn to Louise Vormittag's work because of the beauty of it and the uniqueness her style is something that inspires me she isn't afraid to pick up her pencil and draw her designs or even add her illustrations to a beautiful picture when i look at Louise's work i feel inspired to draw and look further into my designs for the hidden meaning . I also feel i can relate my work especially my final project as they keep there work fresh looking and isn't afraid to leave white space or little detail but still produce a fascinating piece, my final major project consists of a patch of grass and a patch of gravel which is simple but the feedback i have received has proven that it works i feel i can relate different work to both these designers although there very different.

mick

Mick came to Stockport to help us get a better understanding of how to prepare ourselves for life after university.  

Mick studied a HND at Blackburn in Graphic Design but felt he wasnt very good at it so went on to study Advertising till he eventually became a copywriter.  Mick works as a freelancer and works with companies such as Chase, Love, Macaan and many more he also travels places such as Leeds, Birmingham and London.

i found Micks advice extremely helpful he stated that "theres always someone working harder than you" which kind of hit me and made me think there will be somebody that will all goes that extra mile and has really made me think that maybe that feeling that you have done  enough is never really enough and could go beyond.

Mick advised us that we should be in contact with as many different agencies as possible and to start building communications now because in a month or two time there will be thousand of graduates attempting to get placement or jobs.

Mick also advised us to work all the terrible jobs that no one else wants to do he said that this would show commitment and could lead to a full live brief job he also stated that we should keep onto agencies even if they dont firstly respond as this aswel shows commitment.

i found the whole lecture really helpful and inspiring it has given me that push i needed into getting my portfolio perfected and stepping up my communication with companies more.

dirty art

car art

my inspirational thinking places

conway beach
snowdonia
sale water park 

ipod campaign

sand sculpture

my issue and practice

My issue and practice question is “why are female Graphic Designers outnumbered by men? Is this changing?.” I choose this question as my issue and practice as I felt it was a common issue that is brought up a lot in the industry.

From my research into the industry and the different opinions I have collected I feel that it’s the bigger graphic design companies that are affected more by this issue as opposed to the smaller ones. I contacted different companies in England with the question and also visited companies and asked there opinion.

Lynsey who is a freelance designer explained to me that after working for a larger company she could fully relate to the question, she explained that where she worked men and women were on completely different wages for doing the same job and that it was the men that were paid higher something she said she could never get to the bottom of the reasoning.

Cactus design agency also gave me feedback on one of the previous experiences with another design agency explaining that she felt her boss was sexiest she explained that there was three women in the department who were all treated the same even though they all had different titles, it became that bad that after 6 weeks one women left due to rudeness. She also went on to explain that the other men in the work place started to pick up on the way the boss treated them and would join in as they felt it was normal. She gave her job up after 7 months due to the constant battle and lack of respect.

Another company I spoke with was Liquidigloo a man called Rob. This contact took immediate offence over the email. I approached many graphic design agencies and got a lot of helpful and friendly response many from women but I did state in the email to him that I wanted to hear opinions of both men and women, as I felt this wasn’t a witch hunt in any way just a simple issue that’s been on going for many years and wanted men to have there say and opinion herd. Liquidigloo became very defensive over email and stated “Maybe you could also head count the number of male nurses against female nurses, and ask ‘Are they Out numbered” and asked where was I going with this, I did respond to his email explaining that I was a student and this was purely a essay question I also provided him with some web links to prove that this issue has been ongoing for many years. The response I got back from that was extremely rude stating “I’m guessing your teacher is a woman, with a chip on her shoulder about men.” And in response to the web links I sent him as proof his response for one of them was “Maybe the woman that wrote it feels suppressed. Maybe her husband is a slob. I found the contact with this designer a real experience and never intended any offense.

After approaching different companies with the question why are female Graphic Designers outnumbered by men? Is this changing? I have had some really helpful responses and found that women are wanting to talk about there experiences and are willing to help. I sent out at least five emails to male designers and only had one response back which was extremely rude and sexiest I feel that they either don’t feel anything towards this question or they just simply don’t find anything wrong with this. I have learnt that this essay question is aimed more towards the larger graphic design agencies as it seems to be the larger ones that most people refer to. On a portfolio visit to Axongarside I sat with both female and male and asked them the question together there response was inspiring, they answered as a team explaining that there company is all for professionalism and fairness and work as a team, watching them working together and the good vibes from them was really nice to experience the whole visit was very relaxing The only issue they could relate to was Caroline explained that in previous job interviews she was asked about having a family and what her plans were which she was quick to explain that Axongarside however wasn’t one of these companies. This issue plays a very big factor in employment law and is usually forbidden as this could be counted as discrimination towards women, but maybe this is why there could be a small divide in some companies or maybe men are threatened by women this issue has been ongoing for years and I don’t feel it is any closer to changing especially if you receive the same response I did by simply asking.

Kazuhiko Kawahara photography

female graphic designers out numbered

RE: enquiry‏

From:	vicky smith (vicki999@hotmail.com)
Sent:	24 March 2010 22:02:18
To:	niki@cactuscreative.com
	1 attachment cactus.gif (0.9 KB)

Hi Niki,
 
Thank you for the response to the questions this is really helpful and i fully appreciate your help at your busy time.  
 
Many Thanks 
 
Vicky 
 

female graphic designers out numbered

From: niki@cactuscreative.com
Subject: Re: enquiry
Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2010 18:02:26 +0000
To: vicki999@hotmail.com

Hi Vicky

Please see below the response to your questions from one of our female designers. I'm hoping the other two girls can respond as well but we're really busy at the moment so it might not be for a couple of weeks.

Hope this helps!

Kind regards

Niki

1. Do you feel there is a larger ratio of men to women in the design industry?

I think it depends on which area of design your are going in to and the area in which you live. I have found that web design has always been a more male dominated area, whilst graphic design has a very good balance, even if the ratio of men to women is higher or lower, it is always a good balance and those that work together have been chosen for there abilities and how well they fit in to the team regardless of gender.

2. How do you feel women are perceived in the design industry?

I think women nowadays are seen in the same way as men, your design and creativity is not based on your gender, age or nationality.  Though this may not always be the case, the design industry is in no way different in its perception of women as any other occupation.  

3. What career challenges would you say women may encounter in the design industry?

I think there are a multitude of challenges that face designers in general, from new talent to getting stuck in a rut. 

For women however, I think the biggest challenges are: 

• sexism in the work place - whether this be from you employer or your colleagues

• maternity leave - one of friends is petrified of losing her job to the person doing maternity cover for her.

• themselves - not putting yourself forward, overreacting, over thinking.

4. Do you have experiences that you may have come across in the design industry?

In my previous job, I had challenge after challenge.  My boss was extremely sexist and was stuck in his ways. There were 3 women (including myself) who worked in the design/print section of the business and were all treated the same, regardless of job title or how long we had worked there.  One of the women who started at the same time as me, only lasted 6 weeks, he was so rude and belligerent that she just couldn't stay. As the boss continued to be rude, the men that worked there picked up on it and began to act the same way. We had no respect from anyone, the jobs we got were always very small and insignificant and even when we did do a job it would be wrong.

My working hours were 9 am - 5.30 pm and I got a 5 minute tea break in the morning and a 15 minute lunch, as ridiculous as that sounds, it is very true, when I asked my boss he explained that I didn't work enough to be entitled an hour (which would have meant working 8.45 am - 5.30 pm) something that I still don't understand!  It was all mentally exhausting, the constant battles and lack of respect pushed me to the limit and in the end I finally gave in and left my job after just 7 months.

Paul Pavlou

Paul Pavlou is a freelance Graphic Designer who is based in Walkden and is currently doing a small project for a roofing company.

I arranged to meet with Paul so he could have a look over my portfolio. He gave me some pointers about my portfolio and seemed to be more impressed by my College work than my University work he said it would be a good idea to combine the two in one big portfolio preferably in a black folder than a book.

Paul said i seem to explain myself clearly but there was a sense of lack of confidence which i agreed with, he explained that in the industry i need to have confidence in my work because if i didn't believe in it i would struggle to make others believe. After talking with him about this i did realise that if i came across unsure or my lack of confidence came through people in the design industry would see this as a weakness so this is something i need to build on.

Paul explained how he enjoyed the freedom of freelancing "your your own boss" he said but he also explained that you have to be double hard on yourself to stick to a strict routine. When he first started freelancing he explained its never as easy as you think because the first few months are spent sending mail and trying to get your work noticed in local magazines so you can gather a client list which he also added is an never ending process as some companies only want one off designs where as some companies are more regular.

Overal i found my portfolio visit with Paul to be extremely helpful and getting the knowledge of a freelance designer and how he started out is also very interesting.

I feel from the feedback i have i really need to think about a traditional portfolio but at a A4 size, which includes taking pictures of all college and university work.

Contact: Paul.pavlou@mr-wolfs.com

Website: www.decimal81.com