Intern Opportunity

This morning I went to meet with a guy called Lee, from Lowd + Klea. An insight, innovation and integration which has evolved into two specialist agencies- L&K Creative and Leads Design.
L&K Creative is a strategic brand agency for lifestyle, sports, technology and the arts. Leads Design is a marketing communications agency creating work for public, private and corporate sector clients.

Lee got in touch with Fred a month or so back about the opportunity for students to go and do an internship with him. After looking at the work they do and what they're about I thought I would be a great opportunity for me. As I'm staying in Leeds and as of yet, have nothing lined up for when I finish.

So I got in touch with him and explained I was interested and directed him to my website if he was interested in seeing any of my work. He got back to me and asked if I wanted to go in and see him along with my portfolio.

I went along this morning, after spending days fretting about my portfolio. It was up-to-date, but when it came down to the thought of me going and having to show a professional it, I immediately hated my portfolio. So I've re-looked at the work I included and they way I'd presented it. Adding some projects I hadn't considered putting in. I got it together in a way I was happy with, but when it comes down to it, I don't think I'll ever be happy with it!

Anyways, I took it along to show him. We went though it, he wanted me to explain each project and what I'd done and why. I think it went ok, but the one thing I definitely feel was missing and may have lost me the opportunity, was not having any actual completed printed pieces of work. He mentioned there was all the images there, everything he wanted to see, but there was nothing to touch! So I definitely need to look at what I'm actually putting in it. Ooof!

He's said he will get in touch, as he's not sure when would be best. But he's going to come to the end of year show. But I don't know..whether I get anything out of it or not, I stil feel I've got a lot out just going down to speak to him, showing him my portfolio, hearing what we thought, what was missing etc. It'll prepare me more for the next time...

Michael C Place (Build) and Adrian Shaughnessy in Newcastle

Yesterday I attended the Adrian Shaughnessy and Michael C Place (Build) talk at Dance City in Newcastle.

It was basically Adrian Shaughnessy interviewing Michael, Richard and Judy style. Discussing his journey from college, to the Designers Republic in Sheffield until finally ending up where he is now, in his own studio under the name 'Build' (AKA Design by Build). He also had a presentation of all selected pieces of work that he talked about which was nice.

It was interesting to hear his story as a designer, from a student and how he went about getting a job etc. But I made a few notes of the things he said that I found most interesting...

It was interesting to hear that he failed his degree course, purely for the fact that where he is now is amazing and it just shows that experience and being your own person is enough to get you through. I'm not necessarily sure if that would work in this day and age...but who knows. I'm not mentioning this because I'm intending to fail my course, but because how much the placements and experience you undertake are just as vital. It's got me thinking I need to sort myself out. Organize some more placements. And the reality that even when I get my degree I have to be prepared to do placements, whether they be paid or not.

Michael has done a lot of record sleeve designs and music related stuff, and as I've currently got the brief of producing the logo for COOKI, a DJ creating hard trance music, not something I normally listen to too. But he mentioned before he starts putting down any designs, he listens to the music first. Hearing what your designing for is important.

Other points I picked up were..
- You really really need to be able to defend your own work and talk about it. If you don't understand it then no one else will.
- Have a balance of work. Don't just focus on one signature style, people get bored of seeing the same thing all the time.
- Do your own work alongside the work your getting paid for. This will keep you sane as well as keeping you creative.

Toxic Design Studio

I like this work above, it kind of reminds me of my own Type Factory work I did for the last module...
I think it's worth while keeping a link to this site, as on it it has his CV and PDF of all of his work and they're beautiful. Some good inspiration and to get a good idea of the necessary information that might be applied.