Well...It was the first timetabled day back today. So maybe thats it for this summer blog?
One thing I did realise today was that I really don't like the brief I wrote for the manchester book fair. I've decided I am going to re-write it and I want to create a book based on quotes from celebrity magazines. This way I can combine two of my favourite things; illustrative type and celebrities :D
I might aswell make it something I will actually enjoy!
I've had a great summer, I can't believe how fast it went! x
Design Skills updated
Evaluating this skills plan against the one I did at the beginning of summer;
- I didn’t evaluate anything as ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’ - this didn't really change over the summer...I think I could do better in most things.
- Organisation average to good, not particularly awful but could be a Lot better.
- No skills in screen printing, only ever done it vernon street where Roger helps a lot; the thought of doing it on my own confuses me and slightly scares me so I just avoid it...but I wish I hadn’t...but now it might be too late.
- Dreamweaver and html completely baffled me and was one thing that I really didn't enjoy, I wrote notes with screen shots and still couldn’t even begin to produce a website (but I did leave it too late). Usually I seem to get the jist of software quite easily but not this. Now I’ve got a site, done on a website builder that I’m not happy with because it has a structured layout and just doesn’t look very good. I hope to have a significantly better one in the near future...but I know that website and interface design is no passion of mine.
- In terms of other software, I feel I am capable on them, but I want to work more and more with illustrator and photoshop to produce better work, rather than vectorised pieces with a black outline where its obvious that it was created in illustrator.
- Cheesy fact; when I injured my hand, I didn’t really get to do very much. It was negative for the most part, but in reality it meant even when I wanted to do something I couldn’t do it very well so it made me realise what I missed doing most and that was drawing. I chose the course to have a job that I LOVE in the end, no matter how long it takes, I want to be an illustrator. I'd rather struggle, possibly work part time and achieve my goal eventually rather than settle for a job doing something that eventually bores me and I'm not truly happy with.
- I want to focus a lot more on illustration and hand rendered pieces (type and illustration). I have always said that I couldn’t be good at illustration because I don’t think my imagination is very good, but if I don’t try to work with it then I will never get better and I now really know that I do want to get better.
- Critical studies - at beginning of summer I said I didn’t think I needed any support, but I changed my mind by the end of the summer. I don't think I need a lot of support but I will definately be more prepared for tutorials in terms of questions etc. I find primary research really hard - especially contacting people as I am really Really shy, I'm also not sure of the questions to ask that they would be seen as beneficial. In terms of visits/exhibitions, I don’t really know where to look or what sort of exhibition to go to? Writing, I don’t find too hard but I do find getting the bibliography right a struggle and structuring the essay.
- Right now, I don't have any promotional material but the contact I made with illustrators proved that they see it as successful method of promotion to have leave behinds/mail outs.
- Enterprising section - filled it in completely wrong early in the summer, because I haven’t really done any at all, I produced some floor plans for the library but I just told them how long it took and they paid me the rate that they already have so I still have no idea about charging etc. I do know how to invoice though.
- Finally, I Really need to work on a printed portfolio!
Putting my finger in some internet pies...
So! In terms of web presence and networking...I'm getting there.
I have registered on all the following sites...I just to need to actually put things on most of them;
Twitter;
This was my personal account but I've sort of transformed it into my personal/networking joint one. I created my own background and have a small description of myself.
The reason I chose not to have 2 seperates ones is; I don't really post that much anyway, so its not as if I'm going to offend anyone and if I set up one Just for the business/networking side of things, I would come across way too serious and boring when I don't want to. Twitter is a casual thing...I don't want to completely bore! Plus, a few designers/creative groups are following me already thumbs up.
Threadless;
Although I don't know if I would class this as a networking thing...its fun, it gets my work out there and if you are really Really lucky, you can earn some money from it.
As of yet, I haven't uploaded anything, but I intend to enter the 'movember' competition.
Flickr;
The above screenshot is from my personal one that is just photos really...I need to set up a new email account so that I can open another just for the illustration side of things. I am doing the opposite as what I am doing with twitter because flickr isn't really about your personality conversation wise, its about the work.
Plus...I can't really afford a pro account and I don't have much space left on this one so I might aswell try and get another, lol.
Etsy;
Once again, I don't have any work on here yet...purely because its about selling things mainly and as of yet, I don't have anything that I would deem acceptable for sale! But its great to see other crafty things that people are doing and at least I have the oppurtunity to sell things in the future!
Folksy;
Another site just like etsy really...but again, its nice to look around and gives me a platform to sell things in the future.
Tumblr;
Just another blog really...but lots of designers use it and it was suggested that I get myself on there by one of the people I contacted over the summer. Once again, I don't have any work on it yet...but throughout the year, this is probably where I will post some of my personal and college work and not have to give a description/evaluation of it.
I have registered on all the following sites...I just to need to actually put things on most of them;
Twitter;This was my personal account but I've sort of transformed it into my personal/networking joint one. I created my own background and have a small description of myself.
The reason I chose not to have 2 seperates ones is; I don't really post that much anyway, so its not as if I'm going to offend anyone and if I set up one Just for the business/networking side of things, I would come across way too serious and boring when I don't want to. Twitter is a casual thing...I don't want to completely bore! Plus, a few designers/creative groups are following me already thumbs up.
Threadless;Although I don't know if I would class this as a networking thing...its fun, it gets my work out there and if you are really Really lucky, you can earn some money from it.
As of yet, I haven't uploaded anything, but I intend to enter the 'movember' competition.
Flickr;The above screenshot is from my personal one that is just photos really...I need to set up a new email account so that I can open another just for the illustration side of things. I am doing the opposite as what I am doing with twitter because flickr isn't really about your personality conversation wise, its about the work.
Plus...I can't really afford a pro account and I don't have much space left on this one so I might aswell try and get another, lol.
Etsy;Once again, I don't have any work on here yet...purely because its about selling things mainly and as of yet, I don't have anything that I would deem acceptable for sale! But its great to see other crafty things that people are doing and at least I have the oppurtunity to sell things in the future!
Folksy;Another site just like etsy really...but again, its nice to look around and gives me a platform to sell things in the future.
Tumblr;Just another blog really...but lots of designers use it and it was suggested that I get myself on there by one of the people I contacted over the summer. Once again, I don't have any work on it yet...but throughout the year, this is probably where I will post some of my personal and college work and not have to give a description/evaluation of it.
Threadless*
*This is the brief I am most unsure about. I like the idea behind it; t-shirt designs and uploading them to threadless to be put to public vote, but I'm not sure about the theme/content idea. Hmm.
Stamp
I recieved my stamp this morning :)
Its not the most fantastically made one and I kind of wish the cut out bit was a little deeper...but as a starter, its great.
I need a better ink pad but I've enjoyed playing around with it!
Need to make some business cards now!
Its not the most fantastically made one and I kind of wish the cut out bit was a little deeper...but as a starter, its great.
I need a better ink pad but I've enjoyed playing around with it!
Need to make some business cards now!
Website...
I left it a bit late in the summer, but I realised I wanted a website online before we go back for the 3rd year...
However! There was one major problem...
I couldn't remember how to use dreamweaver...and I lost my notes.
This is my no means an ideal situation and I am annoyed with myself, but a situation that I can't change.
I admit, I somewhat cheated...or feel like I did, and took the easy route out...
I used mrsite.co.uk
Although the site isn't like I originally planned and I will probably do a different one next year...I have a site online and it shows my work so it does do the job.
Its an ongoing project and who knows how much it will change in the future...
www.helloimcharlotte.co.uk
However! There was one major problem...
I couldn't remember how to use dreamweaver...and I lost my notes.
This is my no means an ideal situation and I am annoyed with myself, but a situation that I can't change.
I admit, I somewhat cheated...or feel like I did, and took the easy route out...
I used mrsite.co.uk
Although the site isn't like I originally planned and I will probably do a different one next year...I have a site online and it shows my work so it does do the job.
Its an ongoing project and who knows how much it will change in the future...
www.helloimcharlotte.co.uk
Dissertation research
As I have mentioned before, when Kate from Criminal Damage emailed...I replied asking her if she could give me any information for my dissertation research.
To my surprise and happiness, she replied with really helpful information!
She actually did her dissertation on a similar subject about 7 year so she referred to how useful she found the Dick Hebdige book, Subculture: the meaning of style.
To summarize;
- Information about who criminal damage see their target audience as.
- Whether they believe that people who wear criminal damage clothing do it portray a sense of personality or just because they like it.
- Contact details of another guy that she went to university with who she believes it would be helpful for me to contact.
Considering I'm really not very good at contacting or talking to people I don't know...I think this is definately a valuable bit of research! :)
To my surprise and happiness, she replied with really helpful information!
She actually did her dissertation on a similar subject about 7 year so she referred to how useful she found the Dick Hebdige book, Subculture: the meaning of style.
To summarize;
- Information about who criminal damage see their target audience as.
- Whether they believe that people who wear criminal damage clothing do it portray a sense of personality or just because they like it.
- Contact details of another guy that she went to university with who she believes it would be helpful for me to contact.
Considering I'm really not very good at contacting or talking to people I don't know...I think this is definately a valuable bit of research! :)
Steph says hello again!
I emailed Steph again, just asking if she did any placements while she was on the course...and if so how helpful she found it.
She didn't do a placement while on the course, as she couldn't find anywhere appropriate - which is similar to how I feel.
She did however suggest I just continue emailing loads of illustrators to get lots of advice. Spend the time researching and speaking to people...for her, it was just as helpful.
This was encouraging for me to hear!
She didn't do a placement while on the course, as she couldn't find anywhere appropriate - which is similar to how I feel.
She did however suggest I just continue emailing loads of illustrators to get lots of advice. Spend the time researching and speaking to people...for her, it was just as helpful.
This was encouraging for me to hear!
Iron Fist
Well, as mentioned a while ago...I got a reply from these saying that they had forwarded my email on.
Looks like someone did get it, as they have emailed me asking where I am located...and then another asking for a portfolio. I don't know whether this is to check that I'm not a company trying to copy their work...or to judge what advice they will give me lol.
Ever the optimist!
Looks like someone did get it, as they have emailed me asking where I am located...and then another asking for a portfolio. I don't know whether this is to check that I'm not a company trying to copy their work...or to judge what advice they will give me lol.
Ever the optimist!
Billie Jean is not my lover...
But they did reply to my email!
The illustrator isn't Actually called Billie Jean, its a guy called Sam...thankfully I knew this before I emailed them, so I didn't embarress myself by saying 'Hi Billie!'...phew!
Anyway, it was another great reply;
- He mentioned my 'British teeth' work and even linked a Spike Milligan poem about British teeth that it reminded him of, which was great because it made me believe he actually looked at the work!
- 'In terms of developing a better portfolio, it's really important that you explore the potential in your work and most of all, enjoy making your work' - this is my focus for the next year!
- 'Don't just have the set college projects in your portfolio. A lot of students these days, don't ever make any self-initiated work.' - I am definately going to take this advice on board!
- 'There is a new book called 'How to create a portfolio' (Laurence King Publishing) that you'd probably find useful. '...Another book suggestion, I may look at it in the library before buying it though.
The illustrator isn't Actually called Billie Jean, its a guy called Sam...thankfully I knew this before I emailed them, so I didn't embarress myself by saying 'Hi Billie!'...phew!
Anyway, it was another great reply;
- He mentioned my 'British teeth' work and even linked a Spike Milligan poem about British teeth that it reminded him of, which was great because it made me believe he actually looked at the work!
- 'In terms of developing a better portfolio, it's really important that you explore the potential in your work and most of all, enjoy making your work' - this is my focus for the next year!
- 'Don't just have the set college projects in your portfolio. A lot of students these days, don't ever make any self-initiated work.' - I am definately going to take this advice on board!
- 'There is a new book called 'How to create a portfolio' (Laurence King Publishing) that you'd probably find useful. '...Another book suggestion, I may look at it in the library before buying it though.
Books...
The above book 'The illustrators guide to law and business practice'...I haven't bought this, but I might so that I have it for future reference as it actually quite helpful! Unfortunately, I'm not a very good reader...and it does have a lot of text...but it has a Lot of advice in it! With illustrations to make it a bit easier to get through.
This is the book that I was advised to get by Heart Agency - it really is helpful! I was quite dubious, I though they just told me to buy it because it was written by their director but its great.A big positive about it, is that its set out like the 'How to be a graphic designer without losing your soul' which is another book I really like.
I'm not the greatest when it comes to books...but these are 2 great finds of the summer.
Brief ideas 2...
I'm finding it hard to think of 10 good ideas...but so far I have;
(Already mentioned:...)
- Manchester book fair - a book based on idioms, similar idea to the book I produced for Leeds book fair...but better.
- Cards, wrapping paper etc. A paper based 'set' for Christmas, birthdays or valentines day.
- Charitee - based on the brief that were written for past years, a direct mail campaign for a charity...one that has a personal link with me.
- Lyrics and type - inspired by the exhibition, so the end product would be prints to be shown in a gallery.
- Surface/Pattern design - surface design that would appeal to children/design for children.
(New additions:...)
- Criminal damage - based on the information that I got sent by the company, produce a series of designs to be used across the spring/summer 2011 range.
- Book covers - re-design the covers of an existing series of books, and the promotional material to go with it.
- Positive posters - inspired by a competition brief I found online to design a positive poster around the theme 'A glass half full'.
- New York - I can't believe it took me so long to think that I want to do a brief about New York...I know that I'd enjoy it, so why not try. Design an illustrated travel guide.
- Threadless - t-shirt designs to be uploaded on to threadless and put to public vote. Although this is similar to the criminal damage brief; if I use the criminal damage I can't upload them for public vote, Therefore I would use a different theme for this one.
(Already mentioned:...)
- Manchester book fair - a book based on idioms, similar idea to the book I produced for Leeds book fair...but better.
- Cards, wrapping paper etc. A paper based 'set' for Christmas, birthdays or valentines day.
- Charitee - based on the brief that were written for past years, a direct mail campaign for a charity...one that has a personal link with me.
- Lyrics and type - inspired by the exhibition, so the end product would be prints to be shown in a gallery.
- Surface/Pattern design - surface design that would appeal to children/design for children.
(New additions:...)
- Criminal damage - based on the information that I got sent by the company, produce a series of designs to be used across the spring/summer 2011 range.
- Book covers - re-design the covers of an existing series of books, and the promotional material to go with it.
- Positive posters - inspired by a competition brief I found online to design a positive poster around the theme 'A glass half full'.
- New York - I can't believe it took me so long to think that I want to do a brief about New York...I know that I'd enjoy it, so why not try. Design an illustrated travel guide.
- Threadless - t-shirt designs to be uploaded on to threadless and put to public vote. Although this is similar to the criminal damage brief; if I use the criminal damage I can't upload them for public vote, Therefore I would use a different theme for this one.
Criminal damage
I admit, I had lost any hope in getting a reply from the companied that I had emailed but then a little ray of sunshine came...from Kate at Criminal Damage :)
Her reply was unbelievably helpful and it has basically wrote one of my negotiated briefs. Hopefully I will actually get to do it as a college brief, if not...I still intend to do it, as Kate said 'We would really love to see what you produce!' so why not!
She detailed the way that write briefs, what research they do and where they do it.
They are currently designing the Spring/Summer 2011 range and she listed all the things they are using as inspiration.
It was really encouraging to get a reply from them, as...they may not be to everyones taste, but they are a pretty succesful label!
She was really friendly and said I could email for any help I needed in the future...
So I thought, who better to ask for help on my dissertation, which is titled 'To what extent does style explain identity?' and I will be looking at clothing labels such as Criminal damage.
I haven't sent that email yet, because I need to find a good way to word it, but hopefully she will find the time to reply...and hopefully i'm not just pushing my luck!
x
Her reply was unbelievably helpful and it has basically wrote one of my negotiated briefs. Hopefully I will actually get to do it as a college brief, if not...I still intend to do it, as Kate said 'We would really love to see what you produce!' so why not!
She detailed the way that write briefs, what research they do and where they do it.
They are currently designing the Spring/Summer 2011 range and she listed all the things they are using as inspiration.
It was really encouraging to get a reply from them, as...they may not be to everyones taste, but they are a pretty succesful label!
She was really friendly and said I could email for any help I needed in the future...
So I thought, who better to ask for help on my dissertation, which is titled 'To what extent does style explain identity?' and I will be looking at clothing labels such as Criminal damage.
I haven't sent that email yet, because I need to find a good way to word it, but hopefully she will find the time to reply...and hopefully i'm not just pushing my luck!
x
Business card...
This is the image that I used in my PPD presentation of what I want my business cards to look like...Although the details at the bottom may change, I do still want it to look like this but with a more hand crafted feel...To achieve this, I have sent off for rubber stamp made using the circle logo. However, due to lack of money...I had to get one off ebay and its coming from hong kong. Hopefully it will Actually come, if not...i'll put that down to one of lifes ebay lessons!
Dressed to kill...and my hand
Update: I can use my right hand again, woo! I still have to wear it at some times and go for physio but c'est la vie!
Brief ideas...
I have been putting more thought into the briefs that I want to do next year...and the briefs I want to write.
A few ideas that I have so far are;
- Manchester book fair - a book based on idioms, similar idea to the book I produced for Leeds book fair...but better.
- Cards, wrapping paper etc. A paper based 'set' for Christmas, birthdays or valentines day.
- Charitee - based on the brief that were written for past years, a direct mail campaign for a charity...one that has a personal link with me.
- Lyrics and type - inspired by the exhibition, so the end product would be prints to be shown in a gallery.
- Surface/Pattern design - surface design that would appeal to children/design for children.
A few ideas that I have so far are;
- Manchester book fair - a book based on idioms, similar idea to the book I produced for Leeds book fair...but better.
- Cards, wrapping paper etc. A paper based 'set' for Christmas, birthdays or valentines day.
- Charitee - based on the brief that were written for past years, a direct mail campaign for a charity...one that has a personal link with me.
- Lyrics and type - inspired by the exhibition, so the end product would be prints to be shown in a gallery.
- Surface/Pattern design - surface design that would appeal to children/design for children.
Mike Perry replied...
Finally, after 3 emails, he replied :)
'My main motto is just MAKE, MAKE, MAKE. And then make sure you share it with the world.
'My main motto is just MAKE, MAKE, MAKE. And then make sure you share it with the world.
Keep going!
Best,
Mike'
Its not a lot...but he replied, which is better than nothing!
Plus, its a valid point!
Best,
Mike'
Its not a lot...but he replied, which is better than nothing!
Plus, its a valid point!
Steph says hello...to meee
Steph Baxter did reply! :)
- Firstly she apologised for taking so long to reply and explained it as 'completely inexcusable' lol.
- Her reply really was quite long so to summarise...
- 'Stay positive and work really hard in getting yourself "known".'
- 'You might feel like you aren't getting anywhere, but then something completely unexpected will pop up.'
- 'I really think if you've got something to offer (you have) and you work hard, good things will happen eventually.'
- 'Have your finger in every internet pie...things like Twitter are so good cos you can "Network" with potential clients & build up a lot of illustrator friends who are such good support and its good to help each other out.'
- 'I do a LOT of emailing with work attached, thats how I've got most of my work to be honest, because its so immediate.'
- 'I'm working on some little promo packs with postcards and stickers to send to people at the moment.. But I'm a bit more wary of those because you have to ring and check people got them! (I hate phone calls!)'...I loved this, because I hate phone calls too! :D
- 'I think your work is lovely, I really like your Kleenex brief. Your typography has lots of impact (I LOVE hand drawn type!)'
And Finally,
'Good Luck! The final year is tough but I liked it best :)'
Thankyou Steph!
- Firstly she apologised for taking so long to reply and explained it as 'completely inexcusable' lol.
- Her reply really was quite long so to summarise...
- 'Stay positive and work really hard in getting yourself "known".'
- 'You might feel like you aren't getting anywhere, but then something completely unexpected will pop up.'
- 'I really think if you've got something to offer (you have) and you work hard, good things will happen eventually.'
- 'Have your finger in every internet pie...things like Twitter are so good cos you can "Network" with potential clients & build up a lot of illustrator friends who are such good support and its good to help each other out.'
- 'I do a LOT of emailing with work attached, thats how I've got most of my work to be honest, because its so immediate.'
- 'I'm working on some little promo packs with postcards and stickers to send to people at the moment.. But I'm a bit more wary of those because you have to ring and check people got them! (I hate phone calls!)'...I loved this, because I hate phone calls too! :D
- 'I think your work is lovely, I really like your Kleenex brief. Your typography has lots of impact (I LOVE hand drawn type!)'
And Finally,
'Good Luck! The final year is tough but I liked it best :)'
Thankyou Steph!
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