Junior/Graduate Graphic Designer - Cafeteria

Having experienced the working environment at LeedsBID, I have been actively searching and being notified of jobs. Having seen this role advertised through a retweet on twitter, I have since done some research. 

Cafeteria are a small studio based in Sheffield. Having a small creative team to work in is one of the goals/elements of a job that I have recognised as being suited to my practice. 

Having developed my creative practice through studying and my professional engagement, I feel confident that I meet the essential qualities and requirements. Additional to this, I have vastly expanded my vector illustration and drawing skills through briefs completed in the second and third year. These skills, as well as web and animation have been developed through my time at LeedsBID. 

The role is appealing to my practice due to the mention and encouragement of still learning. This is important in the development of my practice and finding where I am best suited.

Exhibition, Space Confirmation

Following the discussion with Chris at the opening night, the following email was sent. Attached to the email was an example of some of the work we are considering being featured in the exhibition. This was of the request of Chris and I also felt that this provides him with a better understanding of the nature of the brief.

Brief 05 Collaboration Evaluation

For the Art Fund YCN brief, I collaborated with an animator (B). Due to the collaboration not starting at the beginning stage of the brief, I had already developed research and a number of concepts. The finalised concept was developed once the collaboration started. The roles in the brief were that I would produce the print and still digital media and B would produce two animations. Throughout the collaboration many issues have occured.

Initially, a calendar plan was set out to ensure that we were both aware of the timescale for the brief and individual deadlines. Weekly meetings were also arranged to ensure we kept on top of the work. On numerous occasions these deadlines were not met by B. This meant that my own timetabling had to be adjusted to ensure the continuation of the brief. Due to our set deadlines not being met, the outcomes reduced from two animations to one. This was over concerns over not having sufficient time to produce a high quality animation.

The time management issues have developed my skills in management as the process has involved managing my own and someone elses time throughout a brief. These are skills that I would be able to transfer to a working environment as I would be more confident in being able to manage a project. 

On the 21st March it was timetable that we would submit the brief. On the evening of the 20th March I received an email from B explaining how he would be taking the time provided by the YCN extension to complete the animation. The reason behind this was so that he could spend more time concentrating on his other work. This is a reasoning that has been used on multiple times. This makes me feel that that his commitment to the brief is not as strong as it is for other projects. This is a reason that I understand, however, the last minute alteration meant the submission is being pushed back and also meant my own timetabling has been affected. Through a further discussion with B, he exclaimed how he would send me the completed work so that I could submit the brief. To ensure that the work that is required for the submission is received in sufficient time for submission, a final deadline was been set for B. 


Transferable skills:
- Finding the right communication method: does the person communicate better through email or face to face? 
- Time Management: ensure that the time plan is appropriate for all involved and that this is updated if anything changes. 
- Be aware of those qualities that make it difficult to collaborate with a person: varying enthusiasm through email compared to face to face, poor confidence in own commitements

Brief 10. Evaluation

Strengths 
The collaborative process meant that there were a number of explored ideas and creativity to apply in the development process. My role primarily focused on the research and presentation of the work which is where my strengths lie. This benefited the progression of the brief. Working with creative who have different strengths than myself allowed for peer teaching as well as being able to work in areas that best suit my practice. Working alongside a professional has also developed my skills in communication and allowed for the brief to be experimented in directions that would not have been considered otherwise.  

Weaknesses
There were times throughout the completion of this brief when it felt like there was a hierarchy in the opinion of some of the members of the group. This meant that there were decisions made that all members did not agree with. The process of working with Daniel from Peter & Paul also challenged the completion of the brief. Communication with Daniel via email meant that many feedback comments were misinterpreted and caused stress and confusion in the development process. However, this highlighted the importance of face to face communication.


Time Management
Due to the multiple deadlines involved in this brief, a shared calendar allowed for each member of the group to agree on an appropriate plan for the completion of the brief. Each of the deadlines set by Daniel were met however waiting for feedback delayed the progression of the outcomes. This has taught me to factor in time for feedback from a 'client' figure and to clarify any concerns immediately. 


Final Outcome
The final outcomes were presented to the Senior Management Team of Leeds Arts University. Presenting in-front of a group that I am not familiar with is something that would typically make me nervous. However, from practicing the presentation and presenting with the group ensured that this feeling did not effect the delivery. 

The outcomes followed certain colour trends as well as offering an alternative direction for the identity for the End Of Year Show.  

Glug vs Ladies Wine Design

Discovered this event through following Eve Warren on social media. Having previously attended a Glug event and finding the talks beneficial to my creative practice, I chose to attend this event. 

Malin Persson. Head of global development at Glug.  
- Overall message from this talk is to make mistakes as this is one of the most beneficial ways of learning. Malin told her story from leaving high school and how learning through all the mistakes she made and being aspirational got her to where she is today. 

Cari Kirby. Marketing Manager at Team Cooper.
- This talk addressed the topic of flexible working. Cari has a family and expressed her issues over work life balance. This is something that is important to me as I value my family life and feel that this is an important part of being able to perform to a high standard in my professional practice. 
- Employers who support flexible working are increasing and is therefore something to look out for in the future


Presentation Tips:
- Keep the presentation flowing so it is cohesive with the speaking element. This keeps the attention and reflects a professional level of presenting
- Have short and snappy slides. This can be text or imagery. This keeps the audience's attention away from the speaker which can help with nerves
- Having appropriate humour in the presentation can help to lighten the mood and engage speaker with audience 

Brief 09. Evaluation

Strengths 
This brief allowed me to apply me skills to a new area of design. The collaborative process meant that there were a number of different opinions present in the idea process which is where my strengths were applied. This meant that the outcome was informed by each of our practices. This brief also allowed for each member of the collaborative process to work in the areas that best suit their practice but also practice new directions. 

This brief allowed for me to develop my professional practice due to the collaboration process. It made me more conformable with having a number of different opinions and multiple people producing work under one brief. This reflects the typical structure of working collaboratively in a studio environment.


Weaknesses
Working in a collaboration group of four meant that each member was not always present at each meeting. This meant that some messages were not communicated and in the future has highlighted the importance of recording what has been discussed. This issue caused design aspects to be reproduced because certain members were not happy with the outcome. This highlighted the weaknesses of working in collaboration and affected individual practices.  


Time Management
Effective time management was essential throughout this brief due to the submission deadline being around the same time as other briefs completed. Having a shared calendar allowed for all members to be aware of the internal deadlines. This also meant that equal participation of completing the work was achieved.

Leeds Bid - Experience

Notes from experience:

- The office environment is very different to the university studio environment. Being in a space with co-workers who have different jobs to myself (marketing, management) makes understanding the company much easier. It also offers a relaxed but professional environment. 

- Being around individuals who are unaware of my practice has boosted my confidence. This has been advanced through having to talk in casual and formal conversations about the type of work that I produce and my interests in design.

- Working alongside a designer (Jordan) who has a similar work ethic as myself has been rewarding and influential. I have benefited from his advice and guidance which has also lifted my confidence in my work and self. 

- Asking questions and advice is key. With the brief that I had been given there were a few areas where I had difficulty thinking of an response. Through a discussion with the other graphic designer in the office, these queries were quickly overcome and I also received some inspiration. This interaction reflects the university studio environment. 

Exhibition, Stalking

Getting the email:

Response from organiser:

After weeks of trying to get a reply and finding the direct email to the new organisers of the exhibition space, a response was finally received. 

Volunteering - The Great Exhibition of The North

To become more involved in the art and cultural scene in Newcastle Upon Tyne, I am volunteering at the Great Exhibition of The North over June - September. From regularly updating my CV, there has been a lack of volunteering work to record. This opportunity will help develop my work place skills as well as soft skills. It will also be a great opportunity to experience the events and engage with the general public. 

This role involved an application process to determine whether the applicant is right for the role. In this application I outlined my creative background and interests as well as expressing my interest towards the events in the exhibition. I passed this process and therefore will be attending two training events in April. This is a commitment that is able to work around my studies and will therefore provide me with a great opportunity over the summer months.