At the beginning of the year, I knew that I wanted to build on work from the previous year and improve several skills sets. One aim I had in mind was to build a portfolio of work that would impress graphic design agencies or work in my favour as a freelance designer. In order for me to decide which direction to take my practice, I attended the freelancers' summer workshop to learn more about life as a freelancer. Although the workshop did provide me with this information, it also provided the opportunity to improve my presentation skills and how to manage the financial side of a career.
Having done this prior to the academic year, I felt that this would allow me to redirect the work I was creating in order for my practice to meet the industry expected standard. What I found instead was exactly where my passions for graphic design lie. The first project of the year, in which we were placed in groups and assigned the task of 'telling a lie convincingly', was where my passion for collaboration began. I think that this project prompted me to try collaboration later in the year, and so I did when Creative Convos was assigned as a potential collaborative brief.
Working closely with a friend who had collaborated with me in the past, meant we were able to work efficiently and productively when coming up with a concept. After presenting this concept, we had been chosen to manage a team of other volunteers and develop the concept further. I feel that Creative Convos was one of my favourite briefs as it gave me the opportunity to take control of the project management and oversee the process of developing ideas. Assigning roles between the group allowed for everyone to make use of their creative specialties and furthermore, made the outcome more professional.
In addition to Creative Convos, the collaboration with MassArt Students proved to be the best decision I made all year. This was because, I not only involved myself further with collaborative practice but also learnt more about editorial and publication design. Communicating ideas with one another and contributing to a group was one thing I found interesting and valuable to my practice, as this inspired me to work longer hours and take interest in more contemporary design.
I think that the independence we were given throughout the year, made the time on the course more enjoyable. This was due to the fact I was able to consider the work I enjoyed and tailor my portfolio to an intended audience by the end of the year. After experimenting with various formats, both physically and digitally, I found that design for commercial sports was one thing I particularly enjoyed. This also meant I would be considering new formats to work in, in the near future. For example, after wire-framing the '1ToWatch' app concept, I felt as though UX design could have improved the idea and put it into context as a visually functioning application.
Overall, the module has allowed me to understand myself as a designer and where my career is likely to go in the next few months. It also gave me the opportunity to find out more about the projects I enjoy doing and becoming more involved with collaborative briefs. In conclusion, I feel that the skill set built up over the last 3 years has provided me with the confidence to know exactly what my practice is, how I want to work and how I convey this to others.
Saturday 4 May 2019
OUGD603 - Personal Branding Evaluation
When starting this project, I felt that the concept would need to reflect the entirety of my personal practice. However, as my portfolio of work was so varied it meant that the approach would instead need to focus on what was frequently found throughout all of these projects. Therefore, I began by studying the projects I had worked on over the last few months and began to realise what they aimed to convey. As it was clear that my practice had changed over recent months to become more commercially driven and focused on branding identity, I knew that the personal branding concept could evolve from these principles.
As a result, the project began by revisiting an interpretation of my practice and changing it to an embodiment of my current practice. This included the fonts frequently used, colour schemes I enjoyed working with and formats I had practiced with over several projects. All these ideas could then be applied to the personal branding concept in ways that meant it would work both physically and digitally. This was an important part of the process, as I knew it needed to run consistently throughout.
I think that working on the personal branding also allowed me to understand what my practice currently looks like and what sorts of projects I enjoy doing. As a result of this, it also became easier to see how my career prospects could work around this practice, either as a freelancer in the coming months or as a member of a design team within an agency. One thing that stood out to me about this project was the way in which it was presented by the final outcome. Creating a concept board in a similar way to industry professionals, meant the branding identity could stand out online as a professional introduction to my practice, but also as a way to entice audiences to check out the rest of the work posted on my Behance page.
In coming months, this concept could prove beneficial to my online presence when seeking a position at a design studio. However, if freelancing turns out to be a more viable option to pursue, the personal identity also prepares me for financial contact with clients and gives them a professional overview of my graphic design abilities. Overall, this project has helped to bring together the work produced over the last few months, in a way that can now be presented in a professional manner and through various formats.
Link to Behance page
https://www.behance.net/alexpankhurst
As a result, the project began by revisiting an interpretation of my practice and changing it to an embodiment of my current practice. This included the fonts frequently used, colour schemes I enjoyed working with and formats I had practiced with over several projects. All these ideas could then be applied to the personal branding concept in ways that meant it would work both physically and digitally. This was an important part of the process, as I knew it needed to run consistently throughout.
I think that working on the personal branding also allowed me to understand what my practice currently looks like and what sorts of projects I enjoy doing. As a result of this, it also became easier to see how my career prospects could work around this practice, either as a freelancer in the coming months or as a member of a design team within an agency. One thing that stood out to me about this project was the way in which it was presented by the final outcome. Creating a concept board in a similar way to industry professionals, meant the branding identity could stand out online as a professional introduction to my practice, but also as a way to entice audiences to check out the rest of the work posted on my Behance page.
In coming months, this concept could prove beneficial to my online presence when seeking a position at a design studio. However, if freelancing turns out to be a more viable option to pursue, the personal identity also prepares me for financial contact with clients and gives them a professional overview of my graphic design abilities. Overall, this project has helped to bring together the work produced over the last few months, in a way that can now be presented in a professional manner and through various formats.
Link to Behance page
https://www.behance.net/alexpankhurst
OUGD602 - Personal Professional Practice Evaluation
During the course of the Personal Professional Practice module, I felt that there were several valuable assets to my practice made throughout the year. This included the ways in which to present my ongoing practice and self branding, contact industry professionals and understand who I am as a graphic designer. At the beginning of the course, I found it particularly difficult to pinpoint exactly where my practice would lie, in terms of career prospects. This was because my portfolio was so varied in its projects, that it made my practice open to different opportunities, without direction.
However, after initially designing a website structure early on, I found that some of the work I would need to produce would have to appeal more to the interest of potential employers and less to my own personal preference. As a result, my practice began to change over the months until I found a direction in which to take it. This meant taking inspiration from the studios I had worked with and the designers that gave advice to me based on their own experience. The result of this was a portfolio that became more tailored to the studios and agencies that I had taken an interest in. Therefore, the potential employers I would make contact with in the next few months would be able to see how my portfolio reflects my graphic design abilities and personality.
One thing that I did not enjoy was the consideration of a website, as this was a convoluted process when thinking about who my audience would be. Therefore, I instead chose to set up a Behance portfolio for the meantime while I look for a position at a design studio. However, if I am able to produce a more steady income then investing in a website may help to improve the presentation of my portfolio and reflect a more professional approach to my practice.
For the personal branding project, I felt that I was able to extend my options after the course. For example, creating tax return and proposal letters was one way to prepare me for the financial side of client handling. This could prove to be a useful asset to my practice, as it will allow me to work freelance during the period between graduation and a position at a design studio. Therefore, I will also be able to consider how my services are priced and how this will correspond with the needs of a client.
Having come into contact with graphic designers in the industry, I feel more confident in my ability to present myself as a design and reflect the specialties, as well as the interests I have within the creative sector. This will prove useful for future interviews and potentially presentations of my own design concepts.
However, after initially designing a website structure early on, I found that some of the work I would need to produce would have to appeal more to the interest of potential employers and less to my own personal preference. As a result, my practice began to change over the months until I found a direction in which to take it. This meant taking inspiration from the studios I had worked with and the designers that gave advice to me based on their own experience. The result of this was a portfolio that became more tailored to the studios and agencies that I had taken an interest in. Therefore, the potential employers I would make contact with in the next few months would be able to see how my portfolio reflects my graphic design abilities and personality.
One thing that I did not enjoy was the consideration of a website, as this was a convoluted process when thinking about who my audience would be. Therefore, I instead chose to set up a Behance portfolio for the meantime while I look for a position at a design studio. However, if I am able to produce a more steady income then investing in a website may help to improve the presentation of my portfolio and reflect a more professional approach to my practice.
For the personal branding project, I felt that I was able to extend my options after the course. For example, creating tax return and proposal letters was one way to prepare me for the financial side of client handling. This could prove to be a useful asset to my practice, as it will allow me to work freelance during the period between graduation and a position at a design studio. Therefore, I will also be able to consider how my services are priced and how this will correspond with the needs of a client.
Having come into contact with graphic designers in the industry, I feel more confident in my ability to present myself as a design and reflect the specialties, as well as the interests I have within the creative sector. This will prove useful for future interviews and potentially presentations of my own design concepts.
Friday 3 May 2019
OUGD603 - Personal Branding Outcome
In order for the developed concept and its ideas to exist within a context seen by the target audience, I designed a concept board of the personal branding that would be posted online. As prior research into Behance portfolios showed concepts in this way, I felt that this would allow the identity to reflect a more professional approach and could attract the attention of studios that present their own work in a similar way. A scrollable concept board also gives potential clients an overview of the way you work, meaning this could also reflect a more professional consideration of online engagement. This is something I want viewers and target audiences to see when viewing my work, as this will increase the chances of making an impression.
Taking inspiration from other layouts, I began by sketching the order and positioning of the entire identity. Starting with the logo, the concept board would take viewers on a journey through initial concepts, typography and colour choices to the end result and ways that the identity works throughout physical and digital formats.
The board begins with the logo and a short summary of the personal branding concept. This reads: 'In reflection of my passion for bespoke design, I wanted my personal branding to look sophisticated. Therefore, I chose a style that made use of my frequently used colours, including shades of blue and graphite grey. The use of Helvetica Bold and Light made the positioning of text contemporary in its approach, while also providing the logotype with a shape to work from.'
The typography section embodies the collection of fonts, logotypes and sizes used throughout. Later sections refer back to this in small text down the left hand side to indicate the font sizes used and where.
The colour coordination is shown within the shape of the logo and gives viewers a code to each colour for reference. To the left, the text indicates the primary and secondary colours used throughout the identity.
The print section then goes on to explain how the concept was applied physically (proposal, tax invoice and introduction documents) for clients.
Using a simple visual presentation of the business cards was easier for the viewer to read the information on either side.
The stationary mock up then gives viewers, and particularly potential clients an idea of what documents they can expect to receive when doing business with me.
Finally, the viewer is left with a visual approach to my Behance page, which means they are then likely to understand the reasons for the colour scheme and cover images of each project. The concept board ends by enticing viewers to check the remainder of the identity on the rest of my Behance profile. This only emphasises the contextual placement of this document, as it would appear on Behance promoting my self branding, but as a result could bring viewers to my page.
Link to Behance page
https://www.behance.net/alexpankhurst
Taking inspiration from other layouts, I began by sketching the order and positioning of the entire identity. Starting with the logo, the concept board would take viewers on a journey through initial concepts, typography and colour choices to the end result and ways that the identity works throughout physical and digital formats.
The typography section embodies the collection of fonts, logotypes and sizes used throughout. Later sections refer back to this in small text down the left hand side to indicate the font sizes used and where.
The colour coordination is shown within the shape of the logo and gives viewers a code to each colour for reference. To the left, the text indicates the primary and secondary colours used throughout the identity.
The print section then goes on to explain how the concept was applied physically (proposal, tax invoice and introduction documents) for clients.
Using a simple visual presentation of the business cards was easier for the viewer to read the information on either side.
The stationary mock up then gives viewers, and particularly potential clients an idea of what documents they can expect to receive when doing business with me.
Finally, the viewer is left with a visual approach to my Behance page, which means they are then likely to understand the reasons for the colour scheme and cover images of each project. The concept board ends by enticing viewers to check the remainder of the identity on the rest of my Behance profile. This only emphasises the contextual placement of this document, as it would appear on Behance promoting my self branding, but as a result could bring viewers to my page.
Link to Behance page
https://www.behance.net/alexpankhurst
Thursday 2 May 2019
OUGD603 - Personal Branding Development 2
Developing the tax invoice document further meant changing the colour scheme and adding the outline shape of the logo in the backdrop to the information. A subtle hint to the logo was also added beneath the header and the text was made italic so that it would correspond to the shape. At the bottom left hand corner of the document, the finalised logo was applied but used the same orange colour to allow consistency.The colours applied to this document were used as a way to contrast the blue used in the introduction page, making its intention clearer to viewers.
The header was set to 100%, the centre service description at 80% and the surrounding text boxes at 60%. The background was set at 40%, making it a subtle feature of the document.
Once the new developed designs were applied, it was clear that they were much better than the previous styles and created less crowding within the visual approach. The shapes used in the background also became more visible and therefore reflected the consistency of the identity better. Seeing as these new shapes applied to the background worked well for the physical embodiment of the identity, I decided to apply them to the background of my Behance online page. This way the identity remained consistent with its online presence but also in the cover images of the portfolio projects. As shown below, the cover images were changed so that the light blue found in the finalised logo could be applied to each project.
OUGD603 - Personal Branding Development
To begin developing the concept, it was necessary to first consider the formats in which the personal branding could be applied. This meant thinking about how my practice will develop after the course and what promotional material may be needed for the chance to gain employment. Using Behance as a source of inspiration to the materials, I found that many existing designers would create their own business card. Therefore, I decided to start by applying the concept to a business card of my own.
In order to design content that would work to promote my portfolio both to studios and clients, I decided to design 3 documents that could be used to handle business transactions in the near future.
Applying the personal branding identity to these documents, allows clients or potential commissioners to see the professional potential of this identity and the many ways it is applied throughout my work.
Having previously studied online examples of these documents, it became clear what I would need to include in order for contacts to understand who I am as a designer and what I would be proposing.
I started by creating an introduction letter, titled 'Who I am'. This gave viewers a brief summary of my practice, experience and references.
The next document was a proposal letter, which would be used to inform the client or commissioner of the financial information and payments, based on my hourly rate. I used the navy blue colour for the header and the light blue for the body text boxes. In the background there is a subtle pattern of the shape of the logo.
The tax invoice document contains the name of the project, the date in which it was set, reference numbers and descriptions of the service. This document was designed in the same way that the proposal letter had been, so that the two would correspond in relevance to one another and show clients they are both needed.
At this stage, I feel that these documents could be developed further so that the information included is clear and the audience are aware of the intentions of these documents.
Creating mock ups of the personal branding items, made it easier to understand how these features would look as real documents. It also provided the online promotion with more sophisticated imagery to use when trying to appeal to contacts.
In order for this idea to work in an online portfolio context, I decided to add the design to a mock up that could potentially be used for online promotion. In addition to this, I had 100 physical copies of the card printed using a off-white coloured recycled paper. This would reflect some of my sustainability awareness within my practice. Using Gill Sans MT Bold for the front of the card, the viewer is shown I am a graphic designer. On the back, using Avenir Black, the card states what it is I specialise in. At the bottom, using Avenir Light, the card shows potential clients or contacts how to see work posted online and how to get in touch.
Applying the personal branding identity to these documents, allows clients or potential commissioners to see the professional potential of this identity and the many ways it is applied throughout my work.
Having previously studied online examples of these documents, it became clear what I would need to include in order for contacts to understand who I am as a designer and what I would be proposing.
I started by creating an introduction letter, titled 'Who I am'. This gave viewers a brief summary of my practice, experience and references.
At this stage, I feel that these documents could be developed further so that the information included is clear and the audience are aware of the intentions of these documents.
Creating mock ups of the personal branding items, made it easier to understand how these features would look as real documents. It also provided the online promotion with more sophisticated imagery to use when trying to appeal to contacts.
OUGD602 - Personal Manifesto
I consider myself to be enthusiastic about commercially driven design, particularly when it comes to branding and identity concepts. I plan to seek a position at a design studio in the north west that focuses on sports or event branding, as I enjoy working with different format to best appropriate a consistent identity. This will benefit my practice as I believe this is where my talents and passion for graphic design lie.
Over the next 12 months, I hope to experience more as a freelancer while I seek a position as a designer in a studio. I also plan to travel to different places in Europe this summer, so that I can be inspired to try new things and gather research for more of my own personal practice. One thing that is likely to develop in my practice over the next few months is my interest in UX design, as I would like to explore functionality of digital application.
Over the next 12 months, I hope to experience more as a freelancer while I seek a position as a designer in a studio. I also plan to travel to different places in Europe this summer, so that I can be inspired to try new things and gather research for more of my own personal practice. One thing that is likely to develop in my practice over the next few months is my interest in UX design, as I would like to explore functionality of digital application.
Wednesday 1 May 2019
OUGD603 - Personal Branding Initial Ideas 2 (Typography & Colour)
As the concept for the project involved taking elements from previous work to use for the inspiration, I started to gather potential fonts and at different weights. This way, there would be a variety of styles throughout the identity, but also there would be a chance to apply fonts to different formats more appropriately. For example, when designing a portfolio to add online, Helvetica Bold will work best for headers, while Helvetica Light could accompany the header with smaller body text. Another font that was chosen was Avenir, as it had proved to be a stylish font in a previous brief and reflected a contemporary and sophisticated style. This was ideal for the identity, as I wanted it to be as commercially appealing as possible and to show elegance.
In terms of the colour scheme, I knew that I wanted the identity to include personal preference but also allow for the colours to work with the layouts. Therefore, I picked several shades of blue that were closely related to one another and in addition, picked shades of orange and grey that would be used as contrasting backup colours. Primarily, the personal branding identity would use 4 main colours including blue and orange, while the secondary colours were limited to grey and orange.
OUGD603 - Personal Branding - Initial Ideas (Logo design)
Having previously started a design for a website, I felt that some of these elements could be used in a more up to date version of my self branding. However, as my practice has significantly changed in its direction and types of work it would also be important to reinvent a new idea for the personal branding. This way, the identity can reflect my most recent work and who I am as a designer at this point in time.
Starting out with a personal logo design, the idea was to use a font that had been used frequently throughout other briefs and one that would be able to work both in physical promotional material, as well as online digital formats. One of my favourite fonts to use is Helvetica in Bold, as it is iconic to the commercial design sector, is found universally in various different formats and creates a bold impression on its viewer. I felt that this font would work best for updating the logo design I had initially started at the beginning of the year.
This logo shown to the left, was the original design used for the promotion of my website. However, I didn't like how the colours looked in this version.
After revisiting the idea again, I started by dividing the letter 'A'. This was used to reflect the first letter of my name and to add personality to the logo. Focusing on the counter space and open counter space at the bottom of the letter, the finalised logo used a more subtle light blue that could be used on a white background. I found this version to be more appealing as it had less contrasting colours and could be used in a variety of ways. Choosing to focus of the counter space within the letter, gave the viewer a vague idea of what the letter was, and therefore became more subtle.
In addition to the logo design, I decided to experiment by combining elements of a previous brief. This was the personal typographic logo brief, which was created with the intention of adding personal touch to my emails. However, after further thought on the idea it was decided that the signature would act as a logo type design.
This logo shown to the left, was the original design used for the promotion of my website. However, I didn't like how the colours looked in this version.
In addition to the logo design, I decided to experiment by combining elements of a previous brief. This was the personal typographic logo brief, which was created with the intention of adding personal touch to my emails. However, after further thought on the idea it was decided that the signature would act as a logo type design.OUGD602 - Uniform Agency Reference
After working with Neil Sheakey for a week at Uniform studios, I contacted him again recently to get a reference from my time working there.
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