Saturday 29 November 2014

OUGD602 - PPP3: Summer Studio Visit

During the Summer holidays, I completed a two month placement with a packaging design company. I worked in house which wasn't new to me, as I did it for two years prior to coming to Leeds College of Art. However, it was a very different structure and I came away with a lot more experience and knowledge which was brilliant.

Alongside completing this placement, I was also constantly contacting other studios nearby to where I live at home. I researched into studios in Liverpool, and unfortunately there are very few which are packaging based, and at this moment in time I am thinking that this is probably the sector I would like to be in. 

I was able to get in touch with one of the girls I worked with from my placement in first year at Rippleffect, and she put me in touch with someone who had recently set up a studio in Liverpool. I contacted them straight away and was asked to go in for a visit and to talk through my portfolio with them.

When I arrived I was made to feel quite uncomfortable. The director had forgotten my name, forgotten that we had organised a meeting, and failed to give me any feedback on my work which I found to be quite disconcerting. I left the studio within minutes of being there as they didn't keep me for very long. They said that they would be in contact within the next week and failed to do so. 

I could have contacted them myself, but didn't really feel the need to, as I didn't really want to have another conversation with them after my first experience. I thought this was worth writing about on here, as I found it quite astonishing that I was treated in that way. It definitely gave me a real insight into what the industry can be like, and the types of people I may come across during my career as a graphic designer. 

It also made me question whether working in a studio is really for me, or whether I would be more suited to working in house somewhere or perhaps even as a freelancer. At this moment in time I am feeling quite confused about it all, and think that this has all stemmed from my Summer experiences. Hopefully I will have more of an idea after the Christmas break, once I have completed my dissertation and can focus my attention even more on networking and meeting even more people. 

Saturday 8 November 2014

OUGD602 - PPP3: Port Sunlight Visit

Today I visited Port Sunlight and went to the Lever Brothers museum. This was a fantastic opportunity for me to gather research for my dissertation and it was a refreshing change, instead of sitting behind a computer all day writing an essay. I feel as though it is important to take the time out to enjoy myself in order to maintain productivity and a positive attitude. The museum itself as well as Port Sunlight was so lovely. I'm really pleased I made the effort to go.





Friday 7 November 2014

OUGD602 - PPP3: Robot Food

After contacting Robot Food via LinkedIn, today I went in and visited them. They gave me a tour around their studio and sat me down to review my portfolio and give me feedback. It was great to see what their studio is like inside and Simon said that they are hoping to expand, so when they do there may be an opportunity for a placement.