Life's a pitch, The cost of living...

As part of our groups progression, we had to calculate our total income that was required to sustain our current lifestyles, it was an enlightening experience, giving me an insight into how much money is genuinely wasted on 'luxury goods'...

I knew that once I'd calculated my current lifestyle income, I could alter certain figures such as; Rent/ Mortgage, Council tax & Car expenses. Doing this will allow me to see how working and living as an adult would compare to living as a student.

Current cost of living = £20,469 + Annual Holiday costs = £900 = £22,548

To work out my 'daily rate of pay' I needed to add my business expenses to my required income, and then divide this by the number of working days...

£10,000 (Rough estimate of business expenses) +
£22,548 /
233 = 139.690987 / £140 Daily rate

Life's a Pitch, identity development

As a group we developed mock layouts for our identity through sketches and quick design scrawls, after review I really liked David's design and took it home for further development, I liked the idea of creating a logo for our 'studio' which would sit with the title and could be applied to a set of attributes, creating an identity through letterheads, business cards, promotional items etc.

"The above logotype is quite decorative type with a geometric feel, this will work well for physical installations and 3 dimensional usage of the logotype."

I liked the basis of the initial logo but really thought it needed some enhancements to give it a more professional and representational view of our group. I began by duplicating and altering the order of layers to create some depth.

After some advancements I began trying to create some form of a motif and managed to create a face through rotated 'JEMM' logo's. After scrawling 'Fontsquirrel' I managed to find a font that could be perfect once I'd changed some of its characteristics. 

Azoft Sans

After some thought consideration, I've decided I'll eventually use the logo in various printing methods such as embossing, laser cutting, gold foiling etc, I really think this would be a good idea overall even if the designs are only used for my personal use, they can be added to my portfolio of designs with some progress.

Positioning & colour alterations...

After some group discussion, we felt the design I'd generated was a bit too overcrowded/ complicated to use as an identity so we progressed with the initial design, visualising how it would look in 3D form following on from our E-Flyer...Without any reputation it would be quite hard to understand the design on its own, it could be mis-interpreted and seen to have many meanings, I've aired my opinions on this matter but the groups happy to proceed with it, using the term 'Logo' at its simplest, a signifier of our identity, a recognisable symbol, that with time will become our brand. 

We had the decided logo laser cut, I took a collection home to photograph as you can see below and applied a white varnish to take away the rawness of the wood...

// Keyring: the structure of the lego and visual appeal of its curving shape meant it was good option to develop some key rings...for the final key-rings we really need to think about a solid perspex to use as oppose to the transparent one below which didn't look as clean..

At the moment were still developing our branding and trying to communicate it in the best possible way as oppose to jumping into developing a whole identity, however we are pushing through with some developmental ideas that will be blogged soon...

My alterations and development to the initially chosen design. The design reflects a tribal mask which is a symbol of status.

Life's a pitch, Preparatory task

Group

Nathan, David, Jack and myself

Name

JEMM (our middle names, also represents the quality chaps we are).

Areas of Design

Branding
Print
Interactive/User Experience
Illustration
Video/Film

Who For?

Private Sector - Creative Industries
Wholesale and Retail / Hotels and Restaurants / Transport, storage and communications / Publishing / Music / Radio / Television

Photo taken from http://www.minieco.co.uk/paper-gems/

Development

As a starting point for designing we needed to develop an identity for our group, After some discussion we came up with the idea of developing some typefaces and logo designs but really thought we should try and be as creative as possible and try something different instead of completely relying on digital work

For the installation we had alot of different ideas:

- hanging gems from the ceiling and hanging the name - JEMM in between these to create a 3D hanging installation.

- photograph the gems as above but overlay the logo on top in grayscale.

- make large scale gems and use them as a hat for each person within the group who would hold their initial to make the name JEMM in the photo

- have the name JEMM cut out 3D and all the cut out gems around it

On the final photograph we all had our inputs and developed a final that we were all happy with and thought communicated enough as a introduction to our services. On the following photographs I personally added effects to see what sort of attitudes I could create using the shadow as a focus.

Final Photograph // E-Flyer.

Creative Industries - Johns task

Task 1

Identify 5 companies/ studios which you consider potentially synergetic to you personally. Write a short explanatory paragraph and reasons for each.

• http://www.pokelondon.com I've known about this agency ever since I came across the work of 'Mysterious Al' http://www.mysteriousal.com, I was so inspired by what he'd done and who he'd worked for that I took it upon myself to see every one of his projects. He was dealing with big brands, brands such as; Volvo, Levi's, Orange, Carhartt & Adidas. Working for companies such as Adidas Originals would literally be a dream come true, I really love the diversity of their work and think my design direction could be synergised with their ethos. As soon as I'd seen his clientele, I knew I had to find the design agency! And so I did.
• http://snask.com The quirkiness and cockiness of Snask really sum up todays generation of designers and their full front approach to designing makes them what they are! it's all these features that make Snask seem like such a great place to work. A-swell as their 10 point manifesto!
• http://www.saatchi.com Looking more at the Corporate side of design, Saatchi & Saatchi really boast an extensive list of designers. I'd be lying if I said Money wasn't a motivator, and the fact that this agency works with 6 of the top 10, 50 global advertisers, really says something. Looking at their clients has made it evident that what they do isn't about creativity but about global appeal.
• http://www.theoutsidecollective.com/#!home/mainPage I don't think there could be any design agency more suited to my current design direction, hosting & boasting; Illustration, Street-Art, Photography & Graphic Design! Everything from the aesthetics of the website to the look of their creative team really appeals to me, and thats before I've even mentioned their portfolio!
• http://www.studio-output.com/category/projects A London based agency who I managed to come across through their unique project by Serial cut. The project was so in-depth and developed to such a high standard, that I couldn't not look more into it. There a perfect example of successful collaborative work.
• http://www.studio-duoduo.com The whole layout and functionality of the website is instantly encapsulating, Really love their approach to design work, I wouldn't say it's unique but its definitely done to standards I aspire to
• http://wearebuild.com

Task 2

Identify the top choice and WHY you feel that they may have synergy with your practice now, or in the near future.

The design agency 'Poke' based in London. The reason; Not only is their work; bold, colourful and most importantly suitable but it demonstrates different approaches to creativity and I could really see myself loving the environment, When I think about myself as a designer...there isn't a specific style I adhere to, with every brief, the similarities are completely vague. Despite this, they're all linked through a sense of personality, and it's this point that makes POKE stand out against other agencies. A subtle personality.

Task 3

Is your choice based on; Location/ Direction of Practice/ The Brand Philosophy/ Client base...

Everything.

Now that you have identified initially these studios you feel synergy with. Please list methods you could utilise to contact them.

Make sure every action causes a positive reaction, making sure every step I take towards my goals is creatively thought out e.g.

- Instead of just adding to their emails, think of an alternative method that promotes yourself more than others. (Personality)

- Think of ways your most likely to get through to them, flying pigeons, takeaway pizzas etc.

- Get noticed, wait around, come back, come back again, wait around some more.

- Phone up and try and arrange a meeting, anything that gives you the opportunity to present yourself as a designer.

- Take a more personal approach, write a quirky (but not arrogant!) letter, supplying them with a business card and your areas of speciality.

- I'm a designer, they're a designer...ask them what they think of my work. If anything this will at least provide a benchmark of practice for future designs.

*I haven't used this resource as of yet but it could become useful for future reference...

http://www.design-intellect.co.uk/top_50_design_agencies_list.html

Identify 3 Strengths; Determination, Intelligence, Creative abilities

Identify 3 Weaknesses; Just because I know what I'm doing, doesn't mean others always will, I sometimes become too involved with a design and lose focus of its communication. Improving the efficiency of my time management. Getting the perfect balance between my personal life and educational aspirations.

Identify 3 Main goals; To build various relationships with people already in the creative industries. Promote myself. Network more.

Identify 3 Wishes; To work abroad at one of the headquarters of Adidas Originals. To become successful at what I love. To do something everyone else wished they would of done.

(Always think about;

• WHO they are/who are you?
• WHY you are contacting them and why they should listen?
• WHAT do you want them to do next and what do you actually want?
• WHY should they come back to you?)

OUGD502 PPP2 - Sectors

“The role of design is to improve quality of life and, in challenging economic times, it can show people another way. Through innovation and creativity we can find tangible new solutions to everyday problems.” Martin Temple CBE, Chairman of the Design Council.

Task; Identify 5 examples of Professional practice that you have documented on your blog. Analyse the work in relation to which sectors it has been produced for. Evaluate the success to which the work fulfils its role from the point of view of Sectors and services.

1//  Service Industries; The creative Industries; Advertising/ Graphic Design. 

This example of work has been produced for Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Buckinghamshire and In my opinion I feel that this is a high quality design with a good standard of amenity, which would contribute positively to making Stoke Mandeville better for people 'enriching the existing'. It would improve the character and quality of the area, through the remembrance of World War 2 veterans & the efforts of pioneering Doctor... Sir Ludwig Guttmann. 

Economic Sector/ Private Sector - Run by myself without government involvement.

Tertiary Sector - This example of professional practice has been produced to provide a service, for both entertainment and healthcare.

Quaternary Sector - You could argue that the plaque has been produced for the economy based on intellectual activities of culture and scientific research, raising awareness of the Doctor co-incides with raising awareness of the Paralympics, a sporting event designed for rehabilitation, which is ultimately funding scientific research and information technology (Prosthetics)

You could also bring in the activities associated with the manufacturing of the finished good, and in this sense I'd have to include the Secondary sector because it was produced using engineering.

2// Service Industries; ( primarily to generate revenue ) Sportswear industry, Wholesale and Retail. Creative Industries; Graphic Design, Advertising, Television. 

The client for this piece of work is 'Nike' who intended to display the design during the 2010 football season. From the POV of sector and services I'd definitely say its a functional design, The San- Serif font displays a futuristic dynamic appearance which signifies that they're possibly trying to push boundaries as they're moving forward with their use of type. It's function is to represent their team accordingly.

Economic Sector/ Private Sector - Services are delivered for profit but may benefit society in terms of 'Footballer recognition'.

Tertiary Sector - Primarily...it serves a purpose. Produced on a commercial scale for retail and wholesale sales BUT also for the purpose of television entertainment/ media.

Secondary Sector - You could also argue that it's a manufactured finished good which involves an aspect of textile production.

It's quite a tricky one to place but the football kits also provide a service (football recognition) that is free until point of purchase, meaning this example could be included in the 'Governments departments' of the public sector 'Department for Culture Media and SPORT'

3// Service Industries; Transport/ ( Information & Way-finding ) Tourism, Transport, storage & communication. Creative Industries; Graphic Design, primarily used for the communication of visual material.

The image displays a range of Info-graphics developed for an Airport. Used for both decoration and orienteering.

Economic Sector/ Public Sector - Concerned with providing basic government owned services as oppose to revenue. The composition of public sector varies by country, but in most countries public sector services include public transit. Government departments include; Department of transport, Department for international development.

Tertiary Sector - Activities associated with transportation and services.

To a certain extent I'd say that these info graphics consisted of intellectual activities associated with our education and culture, so could they be fall into the Quaternary Sector? The info-graphics provide a visual representation of activities that we wouldn't understand without some prior knowledge of way-finding or culture. 

4// Service Industries; Involved with food services. Creative Industries; Advertising, Graphic Design (Brand Identity)

The public sector would have little involvement in the actual development / manufacturing of this brand but because their producing food for consumers, they'd have to abide by regulations implemented by the government e.g. Department of Health, Department of food and Agriculture. 

On the other hand, the majority of this brand will be ran by individuals for profit, hiring and creating jobs for who they see fit etc. This means its not state controlled making it mostly part of the Private sector.

Depending on the business's ethos, they're more than likely to buy from suppliers who're involved in harvesting produce and farming cattle (Butchers). Making it part of the Primary sector. 

Tertiary Sector: the more obvious Industry sector, the business provides a restaurant, meaning it provides a service.

5// Service Industries; 'Transport, storage & communication'. This type of way-finding doesn't primarily fall under any sub-domains of the creative industry, but it does however 'advertise' on a non-creative level, it communicates with an audience, persuading them to follow the curve of the arrows.

No purpose for profit, making it part of the economy thats concerned with providing basic government/ state owned services (Public Sector) The way-finding provides a service thats free at the point of delivery, if someone was coming out of this junction who was a 'non-payer' they'd still be entitled to use the way-finding to orient themselves (A benefit to the whole of society) - Department for Local Government, Department of transport?

What is Industrial experience? Study task 3

What is Industrial experience? 

• Gaining a perspective on how a business operates
• Experience on a commercial business, developing your understanding of processes and productions used...
• Paid work in a working and fully functional business
• Developing work for a specific clientele, with their aims and objectives in mind, for the purpose of progress and money

• A way to show potential employers that you are ready to work in a professional environment
• A chance to learn
• Interaction and relationship building with other designers
• A chance to learn

How do you get Industrial experience?

• Publicity & Advertisement, often achieved through live briefs, work experience, and most importantly self-promotion
• Networking
• Working to the fullest of your ability, all the time
• Taking advantage of every opportunity and resource that's available
• Enquiring and gathering information on suitable prospects that co-exist with your design direction
• Approaching studios

• Doing things the right way (DO NOT CUT CORNERS)
• Listening to whats happening around you
• Be willing, be attentive, educated, informed, interested, polite & know what your talking about
• Have a portfolio/ samples of your work to show them
• Speaking to professionals, whenever and wherever you can

What are your concerns about Industrial experience?

• Speaking professionally during the delivery of my designs etc
• Is it harder...and if so/ how much harder to get industrial experience abroad on a similar wage to the UK
• CHOOSING THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

• Not getting enough experience
• Presenting myself professionally 
• Not having the appropriate skills for the work you have to produce
• Getting a broad experience, such as foreign placements and how to get them
• Choosing the right direction or studios appropriate to the work you want to produce
• Being treated poorly by a studio, e.g. only running menial errands
• How to approach studios

What can you learn from Industrial experience?

• A benchmark of standards
• A knowledge of a businesses ethos and how this effects the delivery of its products
• (Ethics, Approaches, thinking etc)
• Informs your own practice/ decisions
• How to speak to other designers in a professional manner
• Broadens overall knowledge/ skill set
• How to better your portfolio
• Shows potential employers that you are ready to be placed in a professional context
• Business way of thinking > Revenue, Costs, External factors, SWOT, PEST
• A realisation of future ambitions

What form/ format could Industrial experience take?// Who can offer you it.

Through...

• Live briefs
• Companies who use freelance designers
• Studios
• External candidates e.g. Museums/ Galleries
• Websites
• Corporate businesses
• Independent designers
• Tutors
• LCA

• Sectors, design could literally take any form, one minute you could be designing the identity for a business, the next you could be designing specific signage for a sector in a hospital.
• People you know
• Not-for-profit Businesses

What do you need?

• Confidence
• A good portfolio/ samples of work
• Attentive, positive attitude
• A professional manner
• Be open to possibilities
• Enthusiasm 
• Commitment
• Management skills
• Organisation

• Motivation/ Determination
• Interest in the area you work for

What areas of Industry are you interested in?

• I've always been fascinated by creative Illustration and how this could be introduced to the development of a companies branding, as an example I've chosen to use Adidas Originals (casual sports apparel). The trefoil logo has been apart of their heritage since it began, however its still managed to maintain its uniqueness through an exceptional variety of product themes.
• Corporate Branding - creating something unique that facilitates a product/ range of products. Affecting the perceptions of the Corporate brand in a way I want it to! what makes this area of industry so engaging is the fact that the general public will come into contact with your designs.
• Combining typography with photography, I've realised not everything has to be digital and sometimes hand rendered and 3D form can look a lot more eye catching and unique than a digital display. After gaining some experience using the laser cutter, I'm confident that I'll develop this approach for one of my briefs this year!
• Digital/ web design - The thought of ever creating interfaces had never crossed my mind but it appealed to me in the sense that you could still be really creative through simple sketches & soon everything will be digital, and soon everything will need a website. 'Learn the rules, So you can break them'.
• Advertising/ Interactive design (Shaping digital things for people to use) I really think as times change, as will the way most of advertising is produced!

Summarise your research in a set of 10 short but qualified statements that communicate your understanding aims and ambitions relating to industrial experience.

1// Understanding the ethos and productions of an industrial environment will certainly help me develop work for a specific clientele based on their aims and objectives in mind.

2// Experience is key, finding work placements in such places as a 'printers' will provide an insight into how things work on a commercial scale and will improve my understanding of the correct terminology to use before entering an industrial environment.

3// Massively improving my presentational skills so that I'm able to effectively communicate the purposes and functionalities of my ideas. 

4// Gaining a perspective on how a studio operates will also give me the opportunity to evaluate and critique my work compared to the standards of working professionals. "You could be in the top ten of your class, but that's not so great if that top ten is in the bottom ten of the UK"- Fred Bates.

5// Never underestimate online resources; developing an online presence is better than no presence at all, I need to expand my online portfolio's and begin working with websites such as 'Behance'...the importance of this has already been highlighted by other students who have attracted attention.

6// Never limit my ambitions, with the right attitude, determination and knowledge, you can succeed.

7// Continuously enquire and gather information on suitable prospects that coincide with your design direction.

8// CONFIDENCE. ENTHUSIASM. COMMITMENT.

9// Developing a body of work that effectively communicates your aims and ambitions in the form of a portfolio (Online & Visual) is essential for others to view your work in a professional manner. This will help you distinguish and diversify yourself against other designers.

10// Make sure everything you do is worth the time and commitment, never do work for free, unless it benefits you. Never put yourself in a position that you can't get out of. Always think of the expenses. Be willing, but be smart. 

The industrial Economy

The UK Economy is the - 

• The 7th largest in the world
• The 3rd largest in Europe
• & is one the most globalised countries...

What is an industry sector?

• A goods-producing segment of an economy
• An area of the economy in which businesses share the same or a related product or service

Primary sector - 

The primary sector of the economy extracts or harvests products from the earth. The primary sector includes the production of raw material and basic foods. Activities associated with the primary sector include agriculture (both subsistence and commercial), mining, forestry, farming, grazing, hunting and gathering, fishing, and quarrying. The packaging and processing of the raw material associated with this sector is also considered to be part of this sector.

Secondary sector -

The secondary sector of the economy manufactures finished goods. All of manufacturing, processing, and construction lies within the secondary sector. Activities associated with the secondary sector include metal working and smelting, automobile production, textile production, chemical and engineering industries, aerospace manufacturing, energy utilities, engineering, breweries and bottlers, construction, and shipbuilding.

Tertiary sector - 

The tertiary sector of the economy is the service industry. This sector provides services to the general population and to businesses. Activities associated with this sector include retail and wholesale sales, transportation and distribution, entertainment (movies, television, radio, music, theater, etc.), restaurants, clerical services, media, tourism, insurance, banking, healthcare, and law.

Quaternary sector -

The quaternary sector of the economy consists of intellectual activities. Activities associated with this sector include government, culture, libraries, scientific research, education, and information technology.

Quinary sector - 

Some consider there to be a branch of the quaternary sector called the quinary sector, which includes the highest levels of decision making in a society or economy. This sector would include the top executives or officials in such fields as government, science, universities, nonprofit, healthcare, culture, and the media.

Why are industry sectors important?

They make it possible to Predict trends, by dividing an economy into different sectors with defined similarities allows for a more in-depth analysis of the economy as a whole. You can start to look at Regional, National, International... Whatever the localised practices, they can be compared on a global scale.

Why do you need to be aware of economic sectors?

It allows you to develop an awareness of where you can benchmark yourself, allowing you to develop a strategy and become more aware of the competition in each of the sectors. On a whole it can make your practice unique and tailored to fit into a specific area. You can almost predict where competition is thriving and where it is less prevalent.

The service Industries;  An industry made up of companies and organisations that primarily generate revenue through providing often intangible products or services. Service industry companies are involved in real, transport, distribution, food services, a swell as other service dominated business's, also called Service sector or Tertiary sector. 

Service industries can be divided into 3 further sectors...

PUBLIC SECTOR: The part of the economy concerned with providing basic government, state or publicly owned services. ////// The composition of the public sector varies by country, but in most countries public sector services include the police, military etc...

The public sector usually provides services that are free at the point of delivery and a non-payer cannot be excluded from (such as street lighting, emergency services...) These services are often of benefit to the whole of society rather than just the individual who uses them (such as public education, local government, NHS).

They are services that develop and encourage the development of equal opportunities.*******

PRIVATE SECTOR: The part of the economy that is not state controlled and is run by individuals and companies for profit. the private sector encompasses all for profit businesses that are not owned by or operated by the government. In most free-market economies, The private sector is the sector where most jobs are held. Which differs from countries where the government exerts considerable power over the economy like in the people's republic of China.

The part of national economy is driven by private enterprise and investment. it includes the personal sector and the corporate sector and is responsible for allocating, distributing or accessing most of the resources within an economy.

These services are delivered for profit and are usually only by accessed by payment which may benefit the society as a whole.

THIRD SECTOR:  The part of the economy that includes voluntary or not-for-profit sectors or organisations. the third sector includes voluntary and community organisations, professional associations, self-help groups and community groups.

TSO's Third Sector Organisations - "An intermediary space between business and government where private energy can be deployed for public good" Jim Joseph.

The presence of a large non profit sector is sometimes seen as an indicator of a healthy economy in local and national financial measurements. The non profit sector is increasingly central to the health and well being of society.

Service industries include - 

• Creative industries
• Education and health // social work
• Financial and Business services
• Hotels and Restaurants
• Other social and personal services
• Public administration and Defence
• Real Estate and Renting
• Tourism
• Transport storage and communication 
• Wholesale and Retail trade

THE CREATIVE INDUSTRIES // Refers to a range of economic activities which are concerned with the generation and exploitation of knowledge and information. They may variously also be referred to as the cultural industries (especially in Europe) or the creative economy.

This is a broad concept of domain in which the activities related to creative work creation or production are carried out, it could be a synonymous term for the entertainment industry.

In general, it's a set of service enterprises that engage in economic activities originating in individual skill, creativity, and talent and which furthermore have the potential for wealth and job creation.

Creative industries - 

• Advertising
• Architecture
• Art and antique markets
• Crafts
• Designer fashion
• Film, video and photography
• Graphic design
• Software, computer games and electronic publishing
• The visual and performing arts
• Publishing
• Television
• Radio
• Music industry
• Film industry
• Animation industry
• Game industry.

"Design is the thread that connects ideas and discovery to people and markets" The business of design, The Design Council 2005

• 185,500 designers are generating £11.6 billion in annual turnover
• 62% of designers are under 40
• 31% of design businesses are based in London ( 69% isn't )
• 59% of design companies employ fewer than 5 people
• Over 50% of UK design businesses work in communications, digital and multimedia design.

Working in the creative industries - there are 3 main types of companies working in the creative industries 

- Design studios/ consultancies

- In-house design teams

- Freelance designers

Disciplines in the creative industries

Communication design

Product and industrial design

Interior and exhibition design

Fashion.

Communication design

Graphic design & Illustration

Retail and Promotion

Publishing and Editorial

Product and Packaging

Branding and identity

Information and way-finding

Type & typographic design

Print & production

Digital and multimedia design.

50% of designers working in communication design also work in digital and multimedia design. These 2 areas are the most integrated disciplines within the creative industries. they service all sectors of local, regional, national and inter nation economic sectors.

THINK STRATEGICALLY

Who is looking after our interests

D&AD - Design and art direction network

RSBA - Royal society of british artists

BIPP - British institute of professional photographers

AOI - Association of illustrators

Enquire...

Creative england ( Follow on twitter )

Creative & cultural skills

Creative Coalition Campaign

Useful Information

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