Instagram/The Bowery Visit

To promote the business and to start gaining the attention of our audience and interacting with other creatives, an Instagram account has been set up to document the starting of the business. This is something that has been suggested by Donut Press. Steph informed me that having a strong social media profile is important for showcasing work and demonstrating to other proffessionals who you are! It is also a great way to show off the traditional print processes that are being used in the production of the products. 

The most recent post is of a visit we had to The Bowery. This is a cafe/creative space that we were recommended to visit by Donut Press. This is a business that we hope to get involved with more and hopefully sell our products here in the future. It was also a good research point as we were able to see other traditionally printed stationery/gift products. This showed us the price that the independent artists were selling their work for as well as the way that they were packaged and presented. It also demonstrated that although there are other traditional print artists doing a similar thing to us, the designs that we have done would still stand out against the others in the market. 

I used to be a design student - Research

I Used To Be A Design Student - Frank Philippin and Billy Kiodoglou

The idea behind this book came from Frank and Billy being asked to talk at their old college. For the talk, they presented some of their old student work alongside some of their more recent, professional work. This led them to finding conceptual, visual and attitude connections between the 'Then' and 'Now'. This gave the pair the idea to get others involved to do the same thing, as well as asking them more personal questions to add a personality behind the designers work. These questions were also asked twice, the first in reference to when they were students and the second, as the professions they are now. 

The overall design of the publication is modern and follows some of the current trends that are being seen in recent editorial design. The use of a grid is evident throughout each page of the publication, having a consistent layout that works with the varied quantities of text. The overall content is engaging and the questions are mostly answered with passion and insight. On the other hand, the responses do vary, with some giving an indepth answer to the main question 'Do you like this project?' whereas others may simply give a two to three word response. This evidently depends on the individual answering and reflects their personality. Evidencing the personality of each creative featured is one of the aims of the publication, this is especially done through the first few pages where more personal questions are answered which can be seen in the first image below. 

Buttercrumble - Response

- Where did the name Buttercrumble come from? (The name makes me smile and think of shortbread!)


The tasty name, Buttercrumble was born out of two nicknames: Butterscones and Abblecrumble. When Chloe and I decided to join forces, we blended our names to Buttercrumble. It reflects our friendly and fun approach to design. Sweetness is our weakness!
- What has been the hardest moment with starting your own business?

Having the courage! If you want to start your own business, you have to have the willingness to be afraid, but proceed anyway. You know you have succeeded when you can wake up each day with a smile on your face about the exciting challenges ahead. 

-  What are your goals for the future?
We'd love to continue to grow creatively and become involved in more projects based around our core values: collaboration, foundations and smiles. Ambient design is definitely something that we are intrigued by and would be bowled over to have the opportunity to work on larger murals. 

- Do you have any advice for a nearing graduate following in a similar path to you? (maybe what you would tell your younger self about or the advice you would give them)
We would tell ourselves to talk more to others. We were both shy children and still are introverted characters! We learned the hard way that if you don't speak up when it is needed, you will miss your opportunity. Never be afraid to discuss what's important to you and what you'd love to achieve. You never know who might be listening...

The responses received to the questions from Abigail are very personal and inspirational. They also demonstrate the positivity that the two sisters have for their profession. Due to the format that the questions were asked (through email) there has been no area to extend on any of the answers given. This is something to learn from in the future however due to the busy schedule of Buttercrumble at the moment, it would have been difficult to find an appropriate time to engage in an indepth conversation.
As well as the responses that Abigail gave, she has also encouraged me to create a proposal to send to the Independent Leeds, which she is happy to look over and help me with. This will hopefully be an alternative way of contacting IL and engaging in conversation with them.  

How did you get involved with the Independent Leeds?
Independent Leeds was a fabulous opportunity that we actually received through recommendation! This is why I would really recommend networking. Talk to as many people as you can about what you do. Even if they don't need your help, further down the line, they might do or they may know someone who needs your skills. If you'd like to be involved in more magazine projects, I'd recommend creating a proposal for a feature which you could submit to them which they may be interested in making the emphasis around the illustration.

How do you find the balance of doing graphic design and illustration together?
It is totally possible be both a graphic designer and an illustrator too. Even though we studied as graphic designers and on our course there was a lot of corporate branding and advertising, you can bring your illustration skills to use. You actually have a benefit over other illustrators because you know how to use typography and layout. 

Buttercrumble - Contact

After the talk that Buttercrumble gave, I then searched for them through Instagram and their website. From this I learnt that they also interact with Donut Press which could be a possible starting point of discussion. Researching the trio expanded my interest in their work and led me wanting to know more about their connection with the Independent Leeds and how they find working with both illustration and graphic design within the same design. They are also creatives who fit and relate to the aims that have been set for Studio Brief 02. 

To find out more about Buttercrumble I reached out to them through email. I quickly received an enthusiastic and informative response from Abigail. 

Presentation Notes

From the presentations given from visiting proffessionals over the last couple of days, this gave a unique opportunity to take notes on different techniques/things to do/not to do when presenting to a large group. From recognising these different skills, I will be able to apply them to my own practise. 

How to make a presentation engaging:

- Visuals to the presentation keep the audience engaged and watching the screen/projection rather than you. This can take some of the pressure off as it is easier to speak when there are less eyes watching. 

- Visuals such as images, GIFs and Videos work well in doing this

- Giving the audience a question to think about is also a way to keep them engaged in the content. This can also allow for a break within the presenter speaking and opens up the opportunity for engagement with the audience. This may not always be appropriate as it can cause the presenter to lose track of where they are in the presentation and may also result in exceeding the time limit if there is one. 

What to avoid:

- If using video links, ensure that they are all opened and working before the presentation starts. If not this can make a presentation look unprofessional as it does not flow and time is taken up trying to get the links to work

- Another way to ensure that videos will work during the presentation is to have them copied to the computer. This will mean that the videos will still work even if there is no internet connection

- Do not say, 'the end'. This looks very unprofessional and is a more abrupt way of disengaging the audience. Having a rounded ending that is clear through speech and visuals is much more effective and ends the presentation on a more positive note

- Avoid using a lot of text on each slide unless necessary. It is much more engaging for the audience to look at images and a small amount of text than it is to read paragraphs. It is also difficult to listen to the presenter and read text at the same time. When appropriate, summarize text in the presentation alongside visuals and explain in more detail through speech

- Dark images/slides can sometimes be affected by the use of a low quality projector. This can result in a lot of the slides being unsuccessfully viewed by the audience. Unless you are aware of the projector/screen that will be used in the presentation, use clear bright images with an area of white space to enhance the quality of the presentation

What to include to help when speaking:

- Visuals; keeps the audience's attention on the presentation and not you

- Subtitles on slides can help direct you through the presentation - help to stay on track

- Adding humour where appropriate can help relax audience and presenter

Buttercrumble

Buttercrumble - 'Design and illustration to make you smile'

Notes made from talk:

- The idea is the most important part of a project

- Independent Leeds Magazine; issues 4,5,6

- When contacting creatives make sure it ticks of these three aspect; personalise, contribute, excite
- Say how you know them and why you like them
- How can you help them - give, don't just take

- Social media platforms help with receiving work as well as interacting with other creatives (Twitter & Instagram)

- Collaboration is important - they like to work with creatives who have the same morals/goal as them but not necessarily the same style. It is important to look to collaborate with people who have something to offer you as well as having something that you can offer them. 

Buttercrumble are a design studio that have a similar style to my own work as well as a passion of graphic design AND illustration. Although there was an opportunity to ask questions at the end of their talk, I felt it more appropriate to email. This would allow me to explain a little bit about myself without taking up too much of their time. 

Rabbit Hole

Through contacting The City Talking, I learned that the design studio Rabbit Hole designed the brand and guidelines for the magazine. Through researching the design studio further it became clear that each project that they work on is unique and they therefore produce something that is personal and unique to the client. 

An example of this is the branding that they did for KIN. KIN is a Kickstarted Initiative Network charity that creates opportunities for 'sustained success in some of the poorest regions of Zambia'. Rabbit Hole went to Zambia to photograph the efforts and the people that the charity help.The experience that the team had of the work that the charity to has clearly informed their response to producing the brand design. This is a project that I would like to know more about and to learn how they came to the outcome that they did.

To do this I have emailed the studio, explaining that I discovered their work through the writer at The City Talking who I have been exchanging emails with, as well as expressing my interest in their work and wanting to know more about them. 

Book Making

Due to the missed opportunity to produce a book with hand binding for OUGD504, Studio Brief 01, I have started to practise book binding to continue developing my skills. This is an important skill to develop as handmade books are something that I hope to sell within the business as well as exploring the techniques for OUGD502 Studio Brief 02. 

Follow up - Donut Press

From meeting with Steph I sent her an email to say thank you and expressing how helpful her advice was. From this I also asked if she would be interested in getting involved with answering some more interview style questions in relation to studio brief 02. This is something that I had previously mentioned and felt that after meeting with her, it was a more appropriate time to tell her more about the project and the involvement she could have. 

The questions asked:

- In three words how would you describe Donut Press/yourself? 

- Where did the name Donut Press come from?

- What has been the hardest moment with starting your own business?

- What are your goals for the future?

As Steph had previously expressed her concern with answering questions, I reassured her to only respond if a response came naturally and not to overthink it. As we have previously met I also added that if she was more comfortable with answering in person then this is something that we could arrange. 

Donut Press - Meet

After meeting Steph from Donut Press it has only encouraged me more to work at starting my own business and to begin the production of making notebooks and a range of stationary. It has also made me more confident to continue experimenting with my personal style alongside my university studies. 

Unfortunately, due to the environment that we met in it was difficult to make notes/record the conversation. However, this is also a positive as it meant we could have an open conversation about various topics without it having more of a question and answer theme. This led to more of a natural engagement in conversation. Although there were no extensive notes taken, I was able to remember and therefore make notes after we had met.

- Initially Steph received most of her work for Donut Press through friends. This has then developed to friends of friends and word of mouth. She expressed the importance of having an online presence - she often receives a lot of requests through Instagram. 

- Using the internet to get your work out there and to interact with other creatives can easily be done through social media in a professional and casual way

Traditional Print

Screen Printing

Screen printing is a process that I am continuing to develop my skills in. To do so, I have been practising with an illustration print that I completed which has been printed on recycled paper. This is a print that is being experimented with for Norwood Print. 
Due to the texture of the recycled paper, the ink print has imperfections. This brings through the texture of the paper and adds to the handmade feel of the print. In some cases this has meant there are certain areas of the print that are less successful than others. 
The more successful full colour prints will hopefully be binded to make notebooks as a testing product for the business. 




Mono Printing

Mono printing is a traditional print method that I have previously received an induction on. This is a process that I have started to experiment further with to hopefully bring into my university and personal practise. Mono printing would be an efficient and consistent way of printing designs to me made into books. Again, due to the texture of the paper there are a number of imperfections with the print. Although in some cases this adds to the design, it is something that needs further experimentation with to find an appropriate GSM stock as well as one that has a minimal textured feel. The texture that is present through using paper to create the white spaces areas on the designs adds to the aesthetics of the print and reflects the traditional print process. This is something that we have identified as being important as we want the customers to know the time and effort that has been put into making each print.