Shellsuit Zombie Talk

During our visit to London our tutors had contacted Shellsuit Zombie to talk about their experiences of getting a job after leaving as a graduate, also the possibilities of finding a job in a different city other than Manchester.

The talk was in a basement of a pub called the Cross-Kings, Kings-Cross, London. We walked in the find a live jazz band. Which i found really good. I was particularly looking forward to the talk, especially because I am a student who is in my last year, and I don't know what to expect after graduating, because not a lot is written about the huge step. This is what Shellsuit Zombie are about informing students about the steps from graduate to finding a job. What makes the talk more special is that they are still rather fresh from leaving and graduating university them self's and most of them found jobs this year, after completing placements.

I really enjoyed the talk as it wasn't structured, but the Shellsuit made the talk fun and it constantly changed direction. As I was talking to James Felcture a part of Shellsuit who told me it was their first talk to students and they are "Starting A Revolution". They talk consisted of each member talking about their story from graduating to finding a job, it contained quiz's, live speed-briefs and a question and answer section. I found James story more relevant to me because his story was explained in more detail. He even told us recently he was offered a job at a design agency he would not name, but turned it down because it had no nice coffee shop near by.

Jonny Birch and Rob Butcher talked about studying in different areas of graphic design whilst being at university, but getting a job in other areas of design. Elle Offord got some one else to talk about her story because I think she was shy, but after graduating she went to do a 6 months placement in France and also did some free-lancing.

After the talk finished we had a chance to ask some questions. I asked the question towards James "What made James turn against D&Ad?" which was answered in some detail, but the main point he said was because D&AD don't help you get a job at the end of graduating. I thought this is a valid point also having some guts will get you noticed.

All in all a very good positive talk, with some valid points. Thank you very much Shellsuit Zombie.

Dave Sedgwick, 999 Design

Dave Sedgwick came in to Stockport College to give us a lecture on how he got into design. Dave currently works at 999 Design. I have looked at their work on a number of occasions, and I have been wondering if I should try and arrange a portfolio viewing with them. Which I will be sending an email shortly to try and organize one. Dave first started out studying Graphic Design at Manchester Metropolitan University on a D&AD course. Dave had two placements before he left university, one at Flux magazine and one at Splinter. After setting up his final show at university, he got approached by the design agency Dinosaur. After Dinosaur Dave got a job at TWC, but got made redundant at 2003. Dave freelanced for a whilst then in 2006 got a job at 999 Design.

Dave made one point clear, be serious about design. He asked the question what would you spend your last five pound one, Creative Review or a pint at your local. I know which mine would be. Grafik. Dave mentioned emailing design agencies now, before you leave university. Get your foot in the door know. Ask questions, ask about placements.

Dave talked about how everyday life to life was run inside 999 Design. Dave covered talking to clients, chasing up bills, talking to printers. Which was a valued input as not a lot of designers talk about the running of the company. Dave touched upon the idea of having a strong portfolio. Making it liquid for different design agencies, meaning you could take work out and add work in for different agencies. Making it stronger for each agencies.

www.designbydave.co.uk

Mike Rigby

Words Of Wisdom

Firstly Mike started talking about what the profession Graphic Design means to him. Mike started talking about the benefits of being a Graphic designer:

• It’s a good job, no two jobs are the same
• You get to collaborate with some amazing people, and artist
• You get to do Photography shoots with are glamorous, and even some tie get to go abroad with them
• Award nights and ceremony nights when you win awards, which often leads to nights out
• Strong design community, but a tight knit group of people
• People are helpful and everybody knows everybody
• It is easy to work for yourself, to set up your own design firm, it costs very little
• Good to work abroad

Mike then also talked about some of the bad points:

• Long hours and you often do not get paid for the overtime
• Difficult to get a job
• A lot of pressure, deadline do not move
• Initial pay is not good
• You can lose pitches which is time and effort
• Client interface and clients can often get involved with the design to much which can spoil the work
• Bad design does affect the environment

Mike also described some of the structure and the hierarchy or some design agencies, but he did mention they can and do vary from agency to agency.

1. Creative Director

2. Financial manager

3. Strategy Manager

4. Office Manager

5. Design Manager

6. Art Worker

7. Senior Designer

8. Middleweight Designer

9. Junior Designer

10. Placement

Mike then went on to talk about whom he did his placements with. He worked at imagination London for 6 months then moved to Manchester and worked at The Chase. He then got offered a job later on at The Chase.

Mike said working on a placement not only makes you contacts for later on in life. It also makes you aware of the speed you need tot work at. You get to work on real projects, Mike said especially when you realize the project can go to print, and when you see them out in the environment, it puts a smile on your face. Also free nights out are a big plus side.

When Mike worked at Imagination London, he was getting paid £150 a week. But when he got offered a job at The Chase he was earning £13,000 a year, he said he wouldn’t work for anything less.

How to get a Placement?

• Have 6 solid projects,
• Good strong ideas behind the work
• Impress the tutors
• The interview, be normal

TAKE PROFESSIONAL PRIDE IN EVERYTHING YOU DO! IT WILL GET NOTICED. Be pro-active, positive attitude, enthusiasm, asks questions, be eager and hungry, Socialism and always make a brew. Rejection is a part of design, do not stand still.

DON’T GET SINICAL TO EARLY!

Container Plus

Louise from Container Plus came in to university to give us a talk mainly on collaboration. Container Plus are a multi-disciplinary design collective. They have a very wide area of skills combining photography, illustration, set design and animation to give the viewer a whole around experience, engulfing the viewer in a 360 degree experience. Container Plus now consist of 3 full time design members, Louise, Nicola and Patricia. But if they need to the will get over people in to help them on certain projects.

Louise firstly started talking about how Container Plus first set up their company. It consisted of Louise and Nicola was leaving university and going into the big wide world. Not knowing what they wanted to do, but it was something to do with illustration. So with working together on past projects they decided to set up Container Plus.

Louise then started talking about projects they have been working on or are currently doing at the moment. She gave us a very in depth talk explaining the ups and down falls of each projects. She even took projects on without knowing, what she was getting herself and her fellow colleagues into. Saying they could design websites when they have never done it before.

Louise mainly talked about collaboration. She gave her main point of views across:

• No big ego's
• Have separate lives outside of work
• Be around the same age as your partners
• Have the same level of commitment

It was very interesting to hear her point of view and what she has experience whilst working at Container Plus. Be as she said her experience maybe different from everyone else.

http://www.containerplus.co.uk/

Mike Carter, Orchard

Mike Carter came in to speak to us about his recruitment agency called Orchard. Which specialized in recruitment for people in the Graphic design industry.

They don't take graduate students on due to the fact of money, and many graphic design agencies rarely ask for graduates.

How to get a job?

• Personality
• Enthusiasm
• Commitment
• Organisation

Mike said to learn accuracy, you only get a few chances. collect work for your portfolio, if something comes into print grab copies of it. Always be changing your portfolio. Your CV is to get people to contact you. That's its one sole purpose. A CV without content has no value. You only have 3 seconds to say what you want to say in a CV, if not the person will look at another CV. Create your CV in 3rd person. It creates credibility. Who you are? What you have got? What you want? Why you want it?

Always include dates. even if you have been travelling, work experience. Don't have gaps in your CV. Include brief description of your jobs even if it has nothing to do with Design. Use bullet points, because they are easy to change. Have things in order of most recent to least recent. Pad out your degree in what you did. Include dates for education, check for spelling and typo's. No pictures of yourself. Don't say good team player they already presume that. Reference is OK if it is relevant. Use scamps in your portfolio. Have a liquid portfolio so you can change it to suit various different agencies.

Michael Wolff, D&AD Presidents Lecture

"Being right is a deadly thing"

I took a trip down to Liverpool to go to the D&AD President Lecture at Liverpool John Moores. It was more along the lines of a formal talk rather than a lecture, with a very laid back attitude around the audience. Michael Wolff sat down in front of Patrick Burgoyne from Creative Review, and let Michael Wolff talk, raising a few question from what Michael Wolff said.

Michael Wolff said a very few interesting quotes:

• "Being right is a deadly thing"
• Don't ever presume, you are right"

Michael Wolff firstly talked about how he started out which was a very different area from Graphic Design. He originally studied Architecture. He said he was a 'Sucker' for what thing felt like and has always been fascinated by it.

He said the mind should work like a muscle.

1. Inquisitive - ask questions, don't be afraid.
2. Appreciation - Value it, how people feel, colour, don't go looking straight in the Pantone Book, go into the park and find the colour you want.
3. Imagination - Is the above to combined together.

Michael Wolff said when he was a student and also a young designer, he settled for good work. If his work looked like his favorite designers, he said he was happy; he never has come across the word 'Plagiarism'. He the rejected plagiarism and started to do his own thing. If it worked before do it again. Value insight, but don't create repetition.

Michael Wolff said he has noticed a few things in his life. 'Liking' is a social event. Michael said he liked things that other people he respected liked. Even if he didn't like them. Michael challenged the conventions upon agreed upon what is good design.

Respect people who are bold

Boldness can be arrogance

Never take no for an answer

Michael Wolff said be bold make decisions, be passionate about your decision, don't go through routes. Choose one and go for it. Michael briefly touched upon branding talking about logo for cities. Such as the Liverpool logo. He said why use a font why not use somebodies handwriting.

A portfolio is to only demonstrate an extension of you, it is only there to assist you. What does your portfolio say about you? Keeping on asking people to see your work, don' take no for an answer, people will see you.

Comparing Designers

Anthony Smith - Music

Anthony Smith, graduated at HND level in 1989 A Bolton University. He currently works for a Design Agency called Music. He worked at Tucker Clarke Williams for 5 years, he also went down to London to freelance at one point. 

Anthony split his talk down into 4 sections:

1. How he got his first job
2. How music was set up
3. How the company got work
4. Some of his current work

Anthony started talking about how he got his first work placement, it roughly took Anthony around a year to get a permanent job. But throughout this period Anthony kept his portfolio up to date which he was recommend to do. 

Anthony talked about what he finds important in portfolio interview. He said explain clearly what the brief was, and how you answered the brief. Always be positive about your work, even if you don't like certain pieces to much. Always ask questions make yourself feel interested. 

Anthony then moved onto how he set up Music. Dave Simpson from Love Creative asked Anthony if he wanted to set up their own company. Anthony thought about it for a whilst, but then said yes. They first started working out of Dave's flat, but then found an office, they still carried on working in Dave's flat whilst the office where refurbished. 

Anthony got talking about how he got some of his clients. Saying whilst his working career he knew people from previous contacts. Music also got work from word of mouth and also the awards they won. 

I am really glad Music came in and its another contact to get in touch with. 

www.designbymusic.com

Craign Oldham

Craig Oldham currently work for Music Design Agency at the moment. Craig also used to work at The Chase. When Craig completed his first 12 months at The Chase he write a personal account of his 12 lesson learnt there. 

Craig believes that you are either one of two designers:

• Bunch A- Logical- Designers that use logic, utilise clarity and function. The triple F bunch- Form Follows Function. 
  

1. Spin 
2. Massimo Vignelli
3. SEA
4. Jan Tschichold
5. Peter Saville

• Bunch B- Emotional- Designers that use every form of communication available. To create an emotional connection between the design and it's audience. The big idea bunch. 

1. Paul Rand
2. Thoughtful
3. Hat-Trick
4. 300million
5. Tibor Kalman

I personally believe I am bit of both. But I feel I more fit into Bunch B because I feel sometimes the idea behind a piece of design carries it forward. 

Craig also said to know your strengths and weaknesses. Craig said when you are at your first placement. You will say yes to every little job given to you. You might get asked to create a website. But in your mind you know you are weak at creating websites. Don't say you can do something if you cant you will only end up disappointing yourself and others. 

Craig also said placements are important. You get to practise and learn at the same time. You also get your foot in the door, to a massive ever expanding group of people. 

Should do placements?

• Agency insight
• New expectation
• Real work
• Hone in on all of your skills
• Build bridges and meet some interesting new people
• puts you ahead of the competition
• Improve your tea making (To Craig the most important)
• Reassure you of your abilities
• Make you a more confident person

Shouldn't do placements?

• Make a loss of money
• Away for a period of time, often on your own
• Taken advantaged of

Craig also gave his most important tips on whilst you are at the agency:

1. Be punctual
2. A little enthusiasm goes along way
3. Be yourself
4. Spell their name right

He also said to keep in touch with people, ask designers to comment on your work. A happy designer is an involved designer. Also keeping in touch bridges gaps, and everybody knows everybody else in the design world. 

Share idea's Craig said. Don't be a little girl covering up your idea's. Invite criticism and maybe you might get some constructive criticism that might improve your idea. If it does it is still your idea. 

Craig said he noticed there are 5 stages of design:

1. Research
2. Mulling over the research
3. Incubation, let the subconscious get to work
4. Eureka, an idea
5. Graft

WORK HARD & BE NICE TO PEOPLE! 

www.craigoldham.co.uk

Rick Poyner Lecture

"I'll be your mirror: 

A critical look at the design monographs"

Rick Poyner

Rick Poyner is a reader of design monographs. Rick Poyner produces books for people, but Rick said Monographs, and book on a whole are getting harder to sell. Rick thinks this is due to the Internet.

Monographs are about some who's work is considered to be important. Reaching a certain level of fame, being a significant graphic designers.

 Rick has three areas in Monographs:

• Interested in design monographs.
• Reviews them, writes summary about them in certain magazines, such as CR, Eye.
• Sometimes gets asked to produce them.
  

The Art Monograph as a Model

Design Editorial can not be seperated in any book, could be a book but only to produce a piece of work.

The Monograph as a Self-Interpretation

Carson, The end of Print, was possibly the best selling monograph of all time said Rick Poyner. Rick Poyner also said the book was done in the graphic style of David Carson. Rick also said more than likely Carson had a say in how the book was going to be styled. But as a monograph its very hard to disentangle his work from one and other, as a document it fails. Remixing work to make a new piece of work, their is a conflict of graphic originality and content of a book. I feel designers think that showing their original piece of work would be boring and disappointing to other designers. Rick Poyner thinks monographs boost designers egos, as they are a homage to themselves. 

The monograph as a Self-Documentation

Rick Poyner said a good example is to read Neville Brody: The Graphic Design Language of Neville Brody. I have use this book in my personal research myself. Its a really enjoyable read.

Rick Poyner feels that monographs are getting produced less and less, because they are getting harder to sell. Rick feels this is due to the Internet as you can see most designers work on the Internet. 

Fudge

Gavin Bates from Fudge came in to give us a talk called 'The Branding Process'. He came to talk about the re-branding of England Squash. He told us one of his main first points of calls is to research into your client, as you want to have a fuller understanding of them. Gavin said you get you ideas from your research and your best ideas come from understanding what your client is about and represents. Gavin said Fudge, when re-branding everything is split up into sections to get a clear understanding. The sections are:Project Scope and Evaluation

1. Research and Analysis (2 days)
2. Naming Solution (3 days)
3. Design Concept (5 days)
4. Design Development (2/3 days)
5. Design Application and Artwork

Gavin then shown us some visual rough he had done, gradually getting more refined and neater as he went through them. Gavin said don't choose ideas that have already been done before. The client is asking you to re-brand. Also think how are you going to present the work to the client. He said it all down to the fine detail, look professional and your work should follow. 

I think this was a good insight, to how major design agencies do their work. Which is a nice thing to do because its similar to the way I work. 

http://www.fudgestudios.com

Dan Ingham & Stephen Owen

Dan Ingham And Stephen Owen came in to tell is about their experience after leaving Stockport College and were they are now. The Both left Stockport College in 2007. They both graduated with First and had D&AD New Blood 'Best In Show' Awards to help them along. 

I thought this presentation was going to be a waste of time. I thought here we go there just going to gloat about their work, but the tips and knowledge they gave us was worth its weight in gold. 

They both told us they missed college and doing what they wanted. Going home when they wanted. Even having the odd day off here and there. But one of their many tips was to go into college because you can bounce ideas off one and other. Creating a better outcome. They also said get to know other people from different pathways. They said you never know when you might need them, or they might need you. 

Dan and Steve both did extra work they didn't need to do. They both nominated their self's to promote the End Of Year Show Exhibition for Stockport College 2007. They already had  lots of work on finishing off their show, and promoting themselves for the industry. But they produced some amazing posters  using they screen printing facilities.  

After they talked about the posters they talked about what they have been up to and where they are now. They both had placements at Thoughtful and The Chase. Stephen now works at McCann Erikson and Dan works at Mark Studio. They said be nice to people whilst you are lucky enough to get a placement. Do all they jobs no one else wants to do. They said one of the most important jobs is making a nice cup of tea, which I thought was funny. Also they said research agency before going as you want to know what you are talking about. Being knowledgeable about the company makes you seem more eager and interested in the designer and company. 

I feel the talk was very important. It also makes me realise how much work will be involved in finding a job after I graduate.

Glorious

Tom from Glorious ( A design company, from Manchester, who are currently ranked in the top 5 through-out England). Tom said they have been going for three and a half years under the banner of Glorious. There are five designer in house. Tom showed us a lot of his work that Glorious has done, but also his work that he has won various awards for. Tom was mainly interested in typography so a lot of his work were typography based.  

Tom had done work for various clients:

• The HAT Project
• Temperature Control
• Karl's Barbershop
• REDdog Communications
• Shot Up North

Tom gaves us tips and experience he as a designer and also a company had been through. Giving us example of project he has done for client, but they took the idea somewhere else and gave to another agency to complete. In doing so totally destroying the idea, Tom said it was like "giving your baby away!"

Some of my favorite work was Karl's Barbershop. The idea of Using the sliding pull out, which gives the illusion of a rotation barber pole was excellent. Also the photography is real clean, sharp images, which Tom though depicted Karl's shop. 

I really like the idea of using Karl's price list, and setting the typography is the numbers and lettering and the set font, which has been up in Karl's shop for many of years. 

I also thought the leaflet for the exhibition 'Pay & Display' was a simple idea which was clearly communicated and very effective. Tom said he had drew the font and grid paper. Tom had a very set way. Tom said attention to detail is everything, if your going to do something, do it properly. 

http://www.gloriouscreative.co.uk

Grant Gilbert

Grant Gilbert from Double G Studios came to give us a short talk, about his career after he left Stockport College. After he left Stockport College he went on to Birmingham to do A BA Graphic Design Degree. After Grant graduated their he went to work for Planet 24 for 3 years. Grant said he enjoyed working here and his experience was valuable. 

Grant then went to work for Channel 4 for 3 years. Here he said it was so much of a step up in work standards and what is expected from you. Grant said he also enjoyed it more here , because they had a bigger budget to pay around with. Grant was involved with the re-branding of Channel 4. At Channel 4 Grant designed the new idents. Grant used some neon tubing (900m of cable), which he had to get imported from Germany, wrapped contemporary dancers in the tubing. The dancers also are in the tents and the lighting cast their shadow inside the tent.

After doing the idents for Channel 4, they again asked him to create an ident for Channel More 4. Grant worked with a company called Spin who created the logo for More 4. More 4 gave Grant no brief after seeing his idents for channel 4 and let him do what he wanted. Grant knew he wanted to make to ident 3D but also he wanted to have the pattern integrate into the logo. Grant had to many of colour ways constantly sending them to More 4 to get their agreement, which with a board of member Grant said "it was hard getting everyone to agree, someone always had an opinion."

Grant Gilbert was also asked by BBC to create an ident for BBC 1. It was a total re-branding of the whole Channel. From the logo to the idents. He worked with the company Red Beat in London. Grant looked at past BBC 1 logo and decided to go back with the Circular concept it had. But keeping to the same colour scheme it already had red and white. Grant even went the extra distance. Grant went to bespoke typographers Fontsmith to design a suitable typeface. The idents evolve around the circle. the whole re-branding cost £1.2million of tax payers money. 

http://www.doublegstudious.com/

Truth, Lies and Typography

Today i went to a lecture held by Truth. The company was founded by two people Darren Scott (Creative Partner) & Jane Kaye( Managing Partner). They have a couple of rules:

• A good idea should be at the heart of every solution, if it is to be successful
• If you challenge convention you will break new ground and move forward
• Good design should encourge people 
• Over-design is the devil, simplicity is the key to clarity
• Be true to what you believe, discuss not dictate
  

Both Darren Scott and Jaye Kaye used to work for McCann Erickson, but after a whilst working for McCann Erickson they both decided they wanted to do their own thing. After gathering enough contacts and most important experience, they set up Truth.

Whilst being a student Darren Scott who studied 

at Salford University (which was my second choice of university), has created and still creating a number of different typefaces. Which he has found inspiration for from all over the world:

• DST Berliner
• DST Sodium
• DST Bad Angle
• DST Amplifier
• DST Nitrogen 
• DST Aggregate

I was really interested in using some of thee typefaces into my own work especially Nitrogen and Amplifier, but there as some more interesting character in Berliner. 

I was especially captured by the Verses Cancer. Truth got involved with Verses Cancer but originally it was Manchester Versus Cancer. But they decided to drop the town names as the went global. They do live gigs all around the world with big name artist like Ian Brown (legend), Artic Monkeys, The Enemy featuring in the gigs. Versus Cancer Manchester 08. 

Truth Just recently finished Fat Hog Trade Decorating Products. Which was a total re-brand of the company. To make it appeal to more of the younger generations. The total relaunch was to me a complete success as I really like the new packaging and personally I would used it just because of the packaging. But the only problem occurred w

hen Fat Hog cutting coast sent the printing to be done in China, but Truth and the printers both used different layout programmes, so the printer took it on them self's to re-make the packaging which lets just say wasn't quite right. 

To me I was really inspired by Truth, and Managed to speak to Jane Kaye at the end and get her Business card. When I have some free time I would like to go see Truth and show them some of my work. Hopefully extending contacts.