Professional Studies

Personal Manifesto

Experiments are endless like a ripple, it continues to grow. I enjoy combining a mixture of different materials to increase the level of effectiveness. Having a high interest in fashion, I tend to incorporate my textile skills where possible. Being individual is incredibly important to me, therefore having a unique style in my work is consistently my task. My attention to detail is heavily shown. Drawing a quick sketch would never be seen as a final outcome, this isn’t because I may be a slow worker. Every illustration I have recorded, every garment I have created and every photograph I have taken are like precious valuables to me. Work is produced for a reason otherwise it is a waste of time.

My Ideal Job/ Role
If I was asked this question a month ago I would have said “I am interested in advertising and can see myself working for an organisation, designing for a fashion magazine company.” However after thoroughly studying the other available areas in graphic design and concluding that advertising is not for me, I have swayed towards the handmade graphics. The other specialisms included:

- Graphic Design (Identity)
- Graphic Design (Handmade)
- Illustration
- Motion Graphics
- Typography

- Packaging

Being asked the question now, in five years time I would like to be working independently with my designs. Having contacts in other industries would help me hugely in growing my success. In handmade graphics you never know what the outcome will be.

Finding Out More
My plan of becoming a successful designer would involve some research. Firstly I will continue talking to artists around me, i.e. the tutors and artists who visit the university on a regular basis such as Kid Acne. I would find out:
- What they studied in higher education- if it was graphic designer, or in another design area.
- What the specialised in- did they always know they were going down that route.
- Did they do any placements- with who, when, what kind of project(s).
- What they did after graduating- what activities did they carry out after a year of graduating, did you go back to their placements if they managed to do some, did they find a job, if so was it related to what they set out to do.
- Are they happy with what they are doing now- are they in their dream job.

One of the tutors had previously worked with The Workshop, a company in Sheffield. The visit was incredibly helpful and inspiring, I was quite shocked when I discovered that the director Colin Scott only ever had one interview which took place straight after he graduated. His list of contacts expanded rapidly in his career which is how he become successful.
I will continue adding to this blog, recording my development. Along with a CV, a PDF would be the best method of communicating to companies who I wish to gain work experience from.

Five Point Action Plan
1. Currently I am updating my blog containing my recent work. This is the first stage of my career, people will see my work and style electronically. This is how I intend to target the employers/ companies along with a CV.
2. I hope to have some work experience before I graduate. I believe carrying out this would be ideal in the summer term.
3. I hope to graduate with a high result. I aim to continue studying after the three years from a BA Hons to the MA.
4. I understand that the process from graduating to finding your dream job can be long, resulting to working in a different industry for the time being. From the placement(s), I hope to go back to working with them.
5. At this stage the slow process will gradually come to an end. And I will be doing something I enjoy involving the skills I learnt in university.