After development I decided to use the laser cutter to create my designs, I have never used this machine before so think it will be good to use something new and develop my knowledge of this area. Now I know how to use this and what effects can be achieved I will be able to consider this during future projects.

I am very happy with how these designs turned out and feel like they have met the brief I was set and will stand out amongst other greetings cards which are on sale now. During this project I feel that I had strengths within development as I tried several different ideas until I found one I was happy with and felt would suit the brief and work well.

Since finishing placement I have been asked to go back as they were impressed with the designs I created for them, I think this is a great opportunity to help me progress further and the experience will help me develop and prepare me more for employment in the design industry.

I decided to create my greetings cards on Bon Voyage and New Baby, I began by sketching some ideas:

 

 

I like the idea of simple illustrations on cards like this, a simple design can work effectively if excecuted well and to a high standard.

I have been working on a YCN competition brief recently which requires me to design a series of greetings card designs. I thought this brief had a lot of opportunity within it as there aren’t many restrictions so I have the opportunity to be very creative with it. I started this brief by researching into greetings cards that are already sold. This will help me gain a knowledge of what is available now and what would stand out and sell well.

 

 

I have finished my week placement at Badboy. I loved it! I feel like I have learnt a lot during that time, both about the industry and how it works as well as technical skills. Whilst I was there I designed a series of t shirts as well as a logo for a new fighter that is being sponsored by Badboy. I felt like I learnt a lot of technical skills, especially in photoshop which I didn’t feel overly confident in previously.

 

I started placement today, I was nervous at first as I didn’t know what to expect as I haven’t been on placement before. I was told that my main task for the week would be to design t shirts for a new range they are looking to release, but I will be asked to do other things if needed J.

I got a place at Sunderland uni for the top up year in graphic design! After visiting this university and hearing about the course and what they have to offer I feel that this would be best for me. They have amazing facilities, and still have the opportunity for placements, which are very important to help me develop further and gain more knowledge ready to enter the industry. Placements will give me the chance to learn more about what skills are necessary for working in design. They have a number of workspaces and we as graphic design students have the chance to use any other area of the creative departments. Also, this course is solely based on graphic design whereas the Creative Practice course at Newcastle college is for a variety of subject areas all on one course.

Photography student Hannah Joseph approached me asking for an identity which she could use for her photography work and website she is looking to set up. Previously I have felt that branding is one of my weaknesses as I have only produced a few pieces of work in this area before. I seen this as an opportunity to improve my skills and work on what I feel is a weakness within my portfolio as it stands.

I furthered the design by creating business cards aswell as a letterhead for the client using the logo. i used the skills and knowledge i gained from the YCN brief and used the laser cutter to create the business cards. I think this has made ther cards look very professional and the client is very happy with the identity i created.

This is the logo I produced for Hannah Jo photography. I am very happy with it, as is the client. I feel like by doing this project it has helped me, as now I can show this work within my portfolio and not feel as though branding is a weakness.

 

 

Placement..

Finally got myself a placement!  

I have been offered a placement at deepblue sports in whitley bay, here they design for Badboy UK, a huge name within the sport of MMA. I have accepted the offer and am excited to start, I think I will learn a lot about what it takes and what is involved with working within industry.

I have previously wrote CV’s but this is the first time I have had to design a creative CV. At first I wasn’t entirely sure what should be included on this document and how it should be laid out. To help me with this I asked for the assistance of tutors, as well as researching what makes a good creative CV. I found a lot of information and learnt that it is best to include, any design background, the skills I have within this area. Some of the cvs I came across were heavily design based and had a lot going on within the document, which I felt looked to much. I know how important it is to show what kind of designer you are through your CV so this wouldn’t be a suitable route for me to take with this. I will upload a copy of my cv once it is complete..

I received an email today asking me to attend an interview for Sunderland uni! I need to start putting a portfolio together and thinking about what I may be asked during the interview.

This is my final CV, I need to add a page which includes a selection of my work so potential employers/placements can see a selection of the designs I have done.

Today the Digital Skills module was handed in. I feel that i have developed a lot throughout this module and learnt skills which are going to help a lot with employability skills. From research I know how important the ability to produce work in programs such as photoshop is, so I am happy I have completed this module.

 

 

These are a few examples of some of the designs I have created throughout this module. I worked in photoshop and illustrator.

 

 

Today i sent my UCAS application, hopefully I will receive replies from both of my applications and after interviews be able to make a decision on where I feel is best for me. The two courses are slightly different so I will need to decide which I feel will help me to progress better within graphic design.

 

Digital skills..

For the next module in college we are going to learn a variety of digital skills which we can carry forward and use in future work, both in college and personal projects. I think this will really help me as i feel there are a few aspects of photoshop and illustrator I am not completely confident with. It is important that to succeed on this course and within Graphic Design as a whole i am able to work computer programs confidently as well as being a creative thinker. Throughout this i will document the progress i have made :)..