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.
Thursday 15 April 2010
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.
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