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.

female Graphic Designers outnumbered?

Hi Niki,
 
Thank You for your response,  I have a few questions:
 
1.  Do you feel there is a larger ratio of men to women in the design industry? 
 
2. How do you feel women are percieved in the design industry ?
 
3. What career challenges would you say women may incounter in the design industry?
 
4. Do you have any experiences that you may of come across in your time in the industry? 
 
Many thanks for all your help i fully appreciate your time 
 
Kind Regards 
 
Vicky 

female Graphic Designers outnumbered?

Re: enquiry‏

From:	Niki Cormack (niki@cactuscreative.com)
Sent:	18 March 2010 16:34:13
To:	vicky smith (vicki999@hotmail.com)
	1 attachment cactus.gif (0.9 KB)

Hello

We'd be more than happy to help. We have 3 female designers in our team of 8. Do you have a questionnaire or some general questions you'd like us to answer?

Kind regards

Niki

Niki Cormack > Senior Account Manager > Cactus Creative > t 01539 822470 > f 01539 821291 > www.cactuscreative.com > River Mill, Staveley Mill Yard, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria LA8 9LR

female Graphic Designers outnumbered?

Re: ‏

From:	Alex Tedford (alex@jpds.co.uk)
Sent:	18 March 2010 16:30:46
To:	vicky smith (vicki999@hotmail.com)
	1 attachment image.gif (4.3 KB)

Hi Vicky,

I think graphic design is perceived as a mainly male job. Whenever I begin corresponding with someone new by email, they always presume I am male, even though my name can be for either sex. I also get a lot of mail for ‘Mr Alex Tedford’. We take on work experience students from Chester Uni & last year I told the WBL department twice that I am female, having received all their mail addressed to ‘Mr’. I got an apology letter off them, but again this year their correspondence is addressed to “Mr’.
As to whether there are actually more men, we actually get more females coming for work experience, but I have a suspicion that is because females are a little less workshy ;) !!

Kind Regards,
Alex Tedford
_______________________________________________________


Awarded the prestigious Design Firms 
award for Graphic Design 2006-2007

jpdscreative
Third Floor, Redwither Tower, Wrexham. LL13 9XT
Tel: 01978 664458  Fax: 01978 660339  Web: www.jpds.co.uk
_______________________________________________________

female Graphic Designers outnumbered?

RE: 2 minutes of your time‏

From:	vicky smith (vicki999@hotmail.com)
Sent:	19 March 2010 20:05:54
To:
	1 attachment image001.jpg (14.8 KB)

I am in my final year of a BA Hons Design and Visual Arts course i can assure you i am a student who has been set this task by my lecturer and i feel it is purely based on design. I would also like to add that all three of my lecturers are male.

I have approached numerous Design Companies for feedback on the issue but feel that in some way you may of taken offence by the question raised, I am seeking opinions and experiences for research purposes only and welcome your feedback however under no circustances did i wish to couse offence

Thank You for your comments

vicky

female Graphic Designers outnumbered?

RE: 2 minutes of your time‏

From:
Sent:	18 March 2010 15:57:00
To:	vicky smith (vicki999@hotmail.com)
	1 attachment image001.jpg (14.8 KB)

Come on... is this about design or equality... this is 2010. Women can do with their lives as much as men, if not more... it’s equal. I don’t care if a woman or a man is a brilliant designer, the fact that they are brilliant is a personal honour, nothing to do with being man or woman. If you’re a student and this task has been set by your teacher, I apologise... it’s not your opinion I see. I’m guessing your teacher is a woman though, with a chip on her shoulder about men. Design is not about women or men, it’s not about equality... it’s about design, any man or woman that shouts out they are suppressed or outnumbered, should learn to be a better designer.

Your web link 1

‘More than half of the graphic designers in the U.S. are women, yet they are less likely to be invited to speak at conferences or to offer expert opinions to the media. Their award-winning work is seen everywhere, but with few exceptions, they are not celebrated in the same way as their male counterparts’.

This is Not about design... they are winning awards. So they are recognised. Maybe the woman that wrote it feels suppressed. Maybe her husband is a slob.

Your web link 2

So why is that? Why is it that females don’t seem to be as prominent in web design as they are in say fashion design? Is the graphic design industry sexist? How can we balance the sexes in the industry and do we need to?

Is this a question or a statement, It answers itself... But what a question though... Is the design industry sexist. Is Nursing??? Is the fashion industry.??? No, I think not.

Equality is here... Women designers are rcognised in their own right as brilliant. They don’t need suprssed equality rantings to get them recognised. Your teacher should rethink what year it is! Pathetic.

female Graphic Designers outnumbered?

Hi Rob,

This is purely for a essay question i was presented with from my tutor and im just simply trying to answer it.  I currently do not have an opinion on this as i have not yet experienced the the industry as i said i am still a student.  

I  have however found some websites that talk about this issue when researching the question links:

http://www.graphic-design.com/bookshelf/women-design

http://www.attitudedesign.co.uk/where-are-the-female-designers/

Hopefully these links will explain more clearly where im going with this.

Many Thanks 

Vicky 

Female Graphic Designers outnumbered?

RE: 2 minutes of your time‏

From:
Sent:	18 March 2010 11:29:39
To:	vicky smith (vicki999@hotmail.com)
	1 attachment image001.jpg (14.8 KB)

Hi Vicky,

I’m confused... ‘Out Numbered’ ... Strange terminology. Surely it’s open for both men and women to choose their career paths. Out Numbered implies there’s a dispute between men and women in the design industry... or is this your opinion only?

Would you want to see and equal standing of both men and women in the design industry? Maybe you could also head count the number of male nurses against female nurses, and ask ‘Are they Out Numbered’? or are they simply making career choices.

My point is... where are you going with this?

Female Graphic Designers outnumbered?

From: vicky smith [mailto:vicki999@hotmail.com]
Sent: 18 March 2010 10:31
To:
Subject: 2 minutes of your time

Hi ,

I am a student in my final year writing a issues and practices essay. My issue i am looking at is

" are female graphic designers out numbered by men in the work place?"

In order to get an accurate and fair write up i would like to hear from people in the industry both male and female of any experiences they might of come across or simply what there own opinions are.

Thank You for taking the time to read this and i look forward to your response.

Many thanks

Vicky Smith

Axongarside- Caroline Wright

RE: Work‏

From:	vicky smith (vicki999@hotmail.com)
Sent:	11 February 2010 11:12:05
To:	caroline@axongarside.co.uk

Hi Caroline,

Just wanted to thank you again for taking the time to see me i found your comments very helpful and has given me a better understanding of the design industry.  I am really pleased you could offer me work experience in the summer this is something i look forward to.

The work you showed me was really inspiring if you have a spare minute to send me those website links we talked about that would be brilliant to include in my write up.

Many thanks again 

Vicky Smith 

Axongarside- Caroline Wright

Re: Work‏

From:	Caroline Wright (caroline@axongarside.co.uk)
Sent:	08 February 2010 11:15:26
To:	vicky smith (vicki999@hotmail.com)
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Yep,  the address is 1 Buxton Road West, Disley, Cheshire SK12 2AE. It's a big, red brick building just before you get in to the village of Disley (coming up the A6 from Stockport).

Look forward to seeing you tomorrow.

Many thanks

Caroline

Axongarside- Caroline Wright

RE: Work‏
From: vicky smith (vicki999@hotmail.com)
Sent: 06 February 2010 12:32:55
To: caroline@axongarside.co.uk

Hi Caroline,

Yes Tuesday is fine with me, is the address of the company on your website?

Many Thanks

Vicky

Axongarside- Caroline Wright

Re: Work‏
From: Caroline Wright (caroline@axongarside.co.uk)
Sent: 05 February 2010 09:08:04
To: vicky smith (vicki999@hotmail.com)
2 attachments | Download all attachments (115.0 KB)
AG Signat...png (109.6 KB), ATT00001 (5.4 KB)


Hi Vicky


How about Tuesday about 12.30?


Many thanks


Caroline

Lisa Middlehurst

RE: portfolio‏
From: vicky smith (vicki999@hotmail.com)
Sent: 04 February 2010 11:38:40
To: lisam@zen.co.uk
Hi Lisa,

Yes thats brilliant i can meet anytime your available im based in Sale but i drive so i can travel easily. The more feedback i can get the better so that would be brilliant if other people want to have a look.

Many Thanks
Vicky

Lisa Middlehurst

portfolio‏

From:	Lisa Middlehurst (lisam@zen.co.uk)
Sent:	03 February 2010 18:10:45
To:	vicki999@hotmail.com

Hi Vicki,

Jane mentioned that you would like someone to review your portfolio. I’m really busy at the moment and won’t be able to meet up until around the 19^th February. Where are you based? I may also be able to get you to show it to some other people if you need more feedback.

Just let me know.

Thanks

Lisa

Axongarside

Yes next week would be brilliant are you available Tuesday or Wednesday and what time is best for you?

Many Thanks

Vicky

Caroline Wright- Axongarside

Work‏

From:	Caroline Wright (caroline@axongarside.co.uk)
	You may not know this sender.Mark as safe|Mark as junk
Sent:	04 February 2010 09:24:08
To:	vicki999@hotmail.com
	2 attachments | Download all attachments (115.3 KB) AG Signat...png (109.6 KB), ATT00001 (5.7 KB)

Hi Vicky,

You're welcome any time to come over. I'm in the studio all week next week so how about coming over one lunch time? My colleague designer will also be in next week so we will both be able to go through your work. Just let me know which day would suit you best. J

Many thanks
Caroline

axongarside design company

http://www.axongarside.com/


Portfolio‏
From: vicky smith (vicki999@hotmail.com)
Sent: 02 February 2010 21:47:48
To: caroline_wright2000@hotmail.com

Hi Caroline,

I am currently a student in my final year at Stockport College studying BA Hons Graphic Design and Advertising and our recent brief is to approach companys with a view to obtaining constructive feedback on how our portfolios are presented.

If you could spare some time to view my portfolio i would really appreciate it and it would help me towards graduating

Many Thanks

Vicky Smith

Reply- Out Of The Box Creative

From:
Vicky Smith (vicki999@hotmail.com)
Sent:
30 April 2009 13:41:55
To:
martyn hammond (martyn.hammond1@ntlworld.com)

Hi Martyn,

Thank You that's a great help. Any time is good for me are you available Monday morning? If not when is best for you?.

Regards

Vicky