Creative Futures Week
Monday
Promofix- promotional marketing
www.promofix.com- merchandising agency
History
Graphic design apprentice
Marketing at Uni
Marketing Executive and Account Manager Coal Port
Roles
NSPCC
Chairperson of Telford young professionals
Award winning young entrepeneur
Case Study
Quest 88
Therapy through activity
Standing/therapy/cycling/walking
Disabled products for kids
A bike was made for disabled children to boost sales Promofix created different colours such as pink/black/silver-this increased sales.
branding is accessible across everything
Accessories for the bike were designed to boost sales including accessories and wheel covers.
designing not just the obvious.
“design is all around us- so the opportunities are endless.”
“Use your ideas in a practical way adapt to clients needs.”
see what the going rate is- don’t under sell yourself.
Starting your own enterprise start small but think big. Understand social media and new media. Use your skills to make you stand out.
Linked in- business facebook it’s a social media that clients can review you.
Explore and look for inspiration.
A business isn’t one without an accountant.
This was an inspiring talk by a young woman called Kathryn Holloway from Shropshire who had created her own business at a young age. I could really relate to her as she’s from Shropshire where I’ve lived for 15 years. She is a very positive role model.
Also during this day we received talks from Gary Greenwood, Tracy Simpson and Vicky Reynolds these talks didn’t relate to me and at some points the information was heavy. I don’t intend to set up my own business so i didn’t enjoy the day.
Tuesday
Chris Ramsden Chartered Society of Designers
Getting a job in design
We were told at the beginning of the talk that Chris wasn’t going to talk about getting a job in design as advertised above he was going to talk about his life as a designer. Basically he just showed us his work in a presentation. It was good that he had helped loads of people in space and with disabilities but we thought we were going to have a talk on how to get a job which is more relative to “creative futures week.” I was looking forward to this but was disappointed by its content.
James and Stuart from Thoughtful Manchester
What does an employer/ client want to see: Portfolios and CVs
This talk was without fail the most interesting and worthwhile talk throughout the 3 days it was very helpful for students getting into the design industry.
Keep in touch with companies by showing them new work, show your progression.
Preference of medium for 1st contact
- email 75%
- post 13%
- in person 12%
- Don’t make the email generic be personal to them.
- always attach work to your emails, then phone up after email..
- Dear…………….. my name is…………,I want to work with the best, you are busy people. I will make tea.in a small studio personality is a real issue.Im the nice to have around type. i work alone. i shall not sigh loudly as if i’m really bored all the time.
Michael Johnson
Pdf-between 5-7 briefs-5mb
be prepared to do placements and work experience
send them cake
book to give them
photography concise
Portfolios
- WireO-band book-esay to update
- Smaller book for logos
- Screw post book
- Carrying case
- saddle stitched book
- spiral bound
- i-pad moving images
- brief case
- holiday suitcase
- russian doll boxes
Most Common mistakes in portfolios
- spelling mistakes
- people who talk to much
- names spelled incorrectly.
Patrick Baguley
Be interested rather than interesting
you can not not communicate
Johnathan Baldwin
- Go to talks
- talk to other students
- go to galleries
How many pieces in a portfolio
10-20? 8-10? 12?
start with best finish with best
Paula Scher
be interested in what they do and you can learn from it, it’s inspiring
you admire them
Expected length of interview
30 mins
Which studios you want to work with
- start a dialogue today
- send a short professional email
- make a phone call 3-4days after
- A3 book style portfolio 10-12 pieces of work
- prepare for a 30 min interview
- always send a thankyou email
- never give up
Wednesday
How to get a foothold in film and TV
Joe Matthews
Joe didn’t go to uni he started out in the editing part of the film industry. He was given a 6 week apprenticeship where he made tea, this made him get to know people in the industry that would help in the future.
Film editing is a good discipline in film making because you see the final part- seeing all the other peoples contribution to the film brought together.
He got skills from the apprenticeship to get him into the industry.
In the industry today full-time positions are at a low. Freelance and part-time positions are more likely going to be offered.
Joe worked for the BBC for 10 yrs
He is currently freelancing.
His has just produced his own film called Bedlam which is the history of belthem hospital psychiatric ward.
How to get a good career
- Work experience creates contacts to get a job
- impress them with your interest and enthusiasm
- emailing people 9/10 often no reply because they forget
- follow up send your email again- be polite
- advantage is being thick skinned- keep hassling
- schedule your contacts if they say get back to me in 3 months get back to them.
- Networking.
Everyone has to work there way up in the industry
Do not be worried about rejection.
Storyboarding-Natalie
commercial storyboard artist
she visualise directors ideas.
life drawing skills are essential
30 second commercial 20-25 frames
I went to this talk because of my feelgood animation I created I wanted to see how you present your idea in a story board.
