Portfolio

Kirsty Fruin Ppd

Online Presence

www.kirstyfruin.com

PPD Presentation

Kirsty Fruin ppd presentation.pdf

Personal Letterhead

I have designed a letterhead to go alongside my business card, CV and promotional material. I am also going to print this on grey marled paper to ensure consistency across my personal branding.

My Letterhead

Velocity Printers Leeds: Business Cards

As I have still not heard back from Generation Press with regards to printing I business, I have contacted Velocity printers to enquire about their business card printing services after being advised to use them by a class colleague.

Their prices seem pretty reasonable and I can get GFSmith stocks, so I may get a shorter run of business cards produced here and then get more done at Generation Press; as I think it will be extremely beneficial for me to be involved in the printing process myself. A great talking point for any interview!

Promotional Material

I have re-designed my promotional material a little, now that I have completed FMP and have work which I feel proud to present. Previously, I produced a mail-out which consisted of a hand-written letter, however, I am now going to produced a tiled page of my work. I will put this together using the same format as previously and the same papers to fit in visually with the rest of my personal branding.

Self Promotion

Summer Job : Art Teacher

I have managed to secure my job at Rugby School sports centre for the summer. I usually work here on the children's multi-activity courses, however, this year they have changed companies and I had to re-apply for my job. I was successful and they offered me a position as an Art Teacher in the Art Acadamy they run. This was due to my design related background. I am happy with this; although I would rather go straight into a design job, it is a job that I am used to whilst now keeping me in the art/design look.  

The Art Academy is not only art based, but they aslo run activities such as photoshop classes.

Another plus is that it is sponsored by Cass Art London, so I am looking to get some tasty materials in. 

Talking to WeAreGlad

As part of my design context but also enabling me to secure industry links as part of my PPD, I sent a few questions on a current topic I am very interested in; 'Print is Dead.' I adapted the questions slightly and sent these to designers, printers and paper suppliers to see the varying responses.

This is the the response from We Are Glad designers:

We Are Glad

Hi Kirsty,

Thanks for getting in touch - please see my responses below:

1. How do you think the current rise in digital has affected the way in which you design for print?

I think that print used to be about mass communication. I think that it is now more about luxury. The internet can do mass communication for us and costs a lot less. If you’re going to print something, you do it for a reason. So I think that you design for print with a knowledge that it needs to do something that digital can’t do.

2. Are more clients requiring high spec print jobs than previously?

Glad has only been around for a couple of years, but I do see a real interest in more expensive stocks, materials and processes like letterpress, foiling, embossing etc.

3. When working on a print job, is it necessary for you to take into consideration print processes and print finishes from the initial stages of the design process? 

Yes - print and production is part of the design, just as central as the choice of colour, typeface and imagery.


4. Do you use print processes in your designs to demonstrate the quality of the subject/content?

We use print processes to communicate. It’s not always ‘quality’ that needs to be communicated. Perhaps the process needs to help the work feel retro or authentic, as opposed to quality. Again, it’s a tool in the design toolbox to work alongside colour, style etc. to communicate whatever needs to be communicated.

Best of luck,

Dave.

As part of my design context but also enabling me to secure industry links as part of my PPD, I sent a few questions on a current topic I am very interested in; 'Print is Dead.' I adapted the questions slightly and sent these to designers, printers and paper suppliers to see the varying responses.

This is the the response from Leeds based graphic designers Box-Head:

Box-Head

1. How do you think the current rise in digital has affected the way in which you design for print?

It hasn’t affected how we design for print. We find that editorial design and layout have lot’s of cross over with Design for Print and Design for Web

>
> 2. Are more clients requiring high spec print jobs than previously?

Yes and No. We find clients are using print for shorter run, more bespoke jobs, things that digital/web cannot do, Like Process heavy invites etc.

>
> 3. When working on a print job, is it necessary for you to take into consideration print processes and print finishes from the initial stages of the design process?

Yes - We normally get someone in from the printers/paper company to discuss potential specs and explore different paper stocks etc.

>
> 4. Do you use print processes in your designs to demonstrate the quality of the subject/content?

Yes

Personal Business Card Development

Using the new branding and logotype I created for myself, I have considered new design layout for my business cards.

KIRSTY FRUIN Business Card

Duffield Printers, Hello

As part of my design context but also enabling me to secure industry links as part of my PPD, I sent a few questions on a current topic I am very interested in; 'Print is Dead.' I adapted the questions slightly and sent these to designers, printers and paper suppliers to see the varying responses.

This is the the response from Leeds based printers, Duffield:

Hi Kirsty,

I hope my answers below help you with your research?

If you require any further information please let me know and I’ll assist if I can.

1. How do you think the current rise in digital based media has affected print based media?

It has had a significant effect and the print industry has been in a rapid decline for a few years now. Digital smaller run print is the growth area in the market place. We do believe print will always be a requirement but a lot less of it from previous generations. Printed packaging is also a growth area in print.

2. Do you think the rise in digital media has affected the way in which designers design for print?

Certainly on marketing campaigns where the customer is using both (cross media) ie/ Direct mail followed up with an email campaign.

3. Is it beneficial for designers to take into consideration print processes and print finishes from the initial stages of the design process?

Yes because budget is usually a big factor and there’s no point designing a print piece with lots of special finishes on designer paper if the client doesn’t have the budget to match.

4. Has there been a noticeable change in type of print jobs clients require?

Smaller run lengths in general.

No longer produce NCR receipt books/invoice sets etc. Also big reduction in amount of Letterheads/compliment slips being produced, most people now email instead of sending letters or hard copy invoices.

As part of my design context but also enabling me to secure industry links as part of my PPD, I sent a few questions on a current topic I am very interested in; 'Print is Dead.' I adapted the questions slightly and sent these to designers, printers and paper suppliers to see the varying responses.

This is the the response from Fedrigoni paper suppliers:


Hi Kirsty,

I hope you are well. Your email has been forwarded onto me by a colleague.

In looking at your questions, I think some of these questions would be better posed to a designer.

I will attempt to answer them however, sorry in advance for the short responses, I am extremely busy at moment.


1. How do you think the current rise in digital based media has affected the use of paper in print based media?

Some paper companies are struggling (research on this). Print naturally has deteriorated, but there will always be a need to have hard copies of everything. People passionate about paper will never let this happen!

2. Do you think the rise in digital media has affected the way in which designers use paper stocks for print?

I would say that they could be after paper that has more of a wow factor now, than before where they could have been happy with the typical white uncoated stockse etc, but now there is a lot more energy in using the best papers for their job.

3. Is it beneficial for designers to take into consideration paper stocks from the initial stages of the design process?

Yes, it is. Because each paper produces different results. They have to spec the paper in order to see what could achieve the desired look and feel of what they are going for. Plus they have to know what papers are suitable for what printing method.

4. Are more clients requiring bespoke paper stocks than previously?

Not really, no. Just more value for their money.
5. Has there been a noticeable change in type of paper stocks clients require?

No, each person / client is different and has different needs i.e. a greetings card manufacturer would need different papers to that of a calligrapher etc. That is hard to gauge unless a survey of a particular group of designers/printers was undertaken.


I hope this helps in some way towards your project! 

Have a good day.

Kibibe Bailey
Marketing assistant

Response from Team Printers

As part of my design context but also enabling me to secure industry links as part of my PPD, I sent a few questions on a current topic I am very interested in; 'Print is Dead.' I adapted the questions slightly and sent these to designers, printers and paper suppliers to see the varying responses.

This is the the response from Team-Impression printers:

Simon, Hello!

Thank you for having us in the other week, we really appreciated your time.

Whilst talking to you we touched upon the current situation with regards to the use of print today. I am currently working on a brief questioning the statement 'Print is Dead' so wondered if you could please take a few minutes to answer the following questions?

1. How do you think the current rise in digital based media has affected print based media? Massively, the truth is that lots of printing companies have ‘died’, any printer producing ink on paper products that we basically used for info only uses such as price lists, catalogues etc has suffered as this can be produced more effectively and easily updated electronically on the web. The marketing budget is now split across far more mediums (print, SMS, e-mail, web, etc) than it used to be. Therefore what is spent on print and paper is a fraction of say 10 years ago.

What printing companies have had to do is really find their USP to add value to what they do, just been a printer is not enough in these times. At Team we embraced the high end design led markets (fashion, arts, corporate) offering a full in house service of all facilities (litho, digital, POS, foiling, embossing, varnishing, etc) to enable us to produce any client requirement to any quantity.

Other printers have embraced more of a marketing solutions approach by linking print to SMS and electronic media, this is termed web to print. Either way just putting ink on paper is not enough.

2. Do you think the rise in digital media has affected the way in which designers design for print? Yes, because print is less used, when it is, designers want it to have more of a wow factor. Colours, processes, finishes, techniques, bindings are used to really make the experience of print more luxurious.

3. Is it beneficial for designers to take into consideration print processes and print finishes from the initial stages of the design process? Absolutely, see above. When designing for print, it is not just about creating something that looks good on screen, you need to know what is possible and how it will reproduce.

4. Has there been a noticeable change in type of print jobs clients require? Yes. Mainly shorter runs but more process and higher quality.


I hope you can find the time to answer my questions as it will truly aid the development of my brief.

Thanks,

Kirsty

Thank You Team Printers

Again, when visiting Team printers the other week we spoke about the current print situation however, I have sent Simon an email to both thank him for his time and get a written response to aid my design context project...

Thank You Studio Makgill

After going to visit Studio Makgill, I asked him his views of print being dead. However, I have sent Hamish a follow up email to get a written response on his views and also thank him for his time.

Tutorial The Print Project

Today I got the opportunity to talk to Nick from the Print Project, Leeds when he popped into Leeds College of Art.

He was a great man and gave me a lot on inside knowledge. We had a very informal but extremely helpful chat about going into industry, print in general and I quizzed him on my title 'Print is Dead.'

It was very insightful to hear Nick's view on the statement 'Print is Dead.'

he spoke about how he thought the rise in technology had resulted in print becoming more bespoke. The print then costs more money, although they are shorter runs. 

One quote which he said and really caught my attention was 'you don't need electricity to read print.'

Everything is going more digital but eventually he feels that digital is going to go corrupt soon.

Yes. It was a very interesting chat that has informed my design practice. 

'Less print finishes can be better than more.' Was something he also said. One gold foil blocked postcard can look a lot better than using a million print p

Generation Press: Printing Business Cards

After having an amazing visit to Generation Press, Anand offered up their services for printing our business cards and letting us be involved in the process when we next visited.  Although it will obviously come at a cost, we took them up on this offer instantly! I have since been emailing and chatting to Anand on the phone to get this sorted; I have sent them the artwork and am now waiting to get a quote back from them

Personal Branding: Business Card Development

I have changed the design of my business cards slightly. I wanted a word type that could represent me, rather than just using the same typeface as the body copy.

I am still unsure on whether to have my business one or two sided, but for now I think this works.

Job Application

I was told about a graphic design job in Rugby, where I live, from a friend of mine. So I applied today by sending my CV and portfolio over to them. Hopefully something will come of it!

Brief 7:: Kickstart 2013

I have come across this brief on YCN.

Although I am already tackling many briefs, I want to complete this one as a short two day brief.

Winning this brief could give me the opportunity to work in the YCN studio over summer and potentially win £3000. This would be an immense opportunity to 'Kickstart' my career. Therefore I am going to take a little to work on this brief. 

PPD:: To Do

From my job findings, I have listed which I want and need to apply to...

Pentagram:: Proposed Visit

I have become aware that through a friend of a friend, I have a connection with Pentagram. I am going to use this connection and am in discussions for a potential studio visit. If not anything else, this is a foot in the door and a step in the right direction.

Above all, and one of the most important things to me is that I actually like their work. So I am really excited to talk to them and get more of an insight into how they work and their design ethos.

Creative Graphic Design Job:: Reiss

I have come across the UAL careers page on their website, they have a few Graphic Design jobs and internships. I am going to keep checking back on this page regularly to see if anything crops up of interest.

Red Design Studio Brighton

Red Design Studio is a print and branding based design studio that was set up by Makgill and a co-founder after he left college. Although Makgill set up his own studio, red design are still running. The work hey produce seems to be fun and colourful whilst still having a direction. I am going to see if we can pop into this studio when we next go back down to Brighton.

Neo Design Studio

Whilst at Generation Press, one of the printers suggested that I look into Neo as they are a Brighton based branding studio.

From their work it is evident that they produce work for the public sector, working around the basis of sustainability predominantly for charities. Although this is not particularly the direction my work is currently heading, it would definitely be interesting to visit when we go back down to GP. 

The Design Conspiracy

The Design Conspiracy are a London based branding design agency that focus on print based design. They run a placement scheme over the summer, so this could be a possibility as I have contact to the studio.

Makgill Studio Visit

Studio Makgill.

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Today, I visited Hamish at Studio Makgill. We had a very interesting chat about how they design and their views on design.

I asked him whether he thinks print has become more bespoke with smaller runs due to the rise in digital. He said there is definitely less mid-weight design required these days. More high end design requiring good print finishes but with lower runs. 

This makes sense in the current climate.

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He also spoke about how although they are predominantly print based designers, they also produce environmental design as part of each brief. It is a natural extension.

Exactly what I try to do with each brief, as the deliverables get the product to as many outputs as possible.

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It was a very insightful visit, with a very insightful chat. It was also good to see how the studio works and the vibes within the studio. We also got to see some of the design they had produced first hand. Putting into reality what he had been talking about.

They were great guys and even gave us a couple of posters as a gesture of good will.

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Thanks Makgill.

Generation Press Visit:: Kids in a candy shop!

 
Today we visited Generation Press and had the most amazing day. We had a little struggle finding the tucked away farm that it is, but when we got there we were greeted with An&'s big smile and the warmth of the whole team down at Generation Press.

An& gave us a quick tour of GP then let us loose! We had great chats with the printers and found out a wealth of information.

We also got a fair few goodies to take back with us, as I was driving An& packed up the car!!!

It was an amazing visit, that has taught us an awful lot about print and how traditional print methods and printers can push traditional processes a machinery in order to produce new effects.

The main thing I noticed about GP was the passion each member of the team has towards their job. They each want to produce the best piece of design possible and strive to do so.

I loved my time at Generation Press and am already organising a visit back!

Thank you Generation Press,

PRINT IS NOT DEAD.

gen press.pdf

Birmingham Studios

I have been looking at studios a little closer to home, as I may have to move home after University.

This design studio seems right up my street, they work on a variety of projects from print to web.

This studio create a wide range of briefs but each one is concise and allows the design to communicate the content effectively.

Guardian Graduate Graphic Design Jobs

I am looking for places that are now specifically wanting graduate graphic designers, rather than experienced designers.

www.kirstyfruin.com

I have recently updated my blog with some of my latest projects. I think it is beginning to look professional, however, I want to add my logo in order to make it look more professional.

Grad Central

I have been told about this website which is a recruitment site for graduates in the west midlands (where I live at home) so I am going to send my CV in and sign up.

MA Graphic Branding and Identity

I have been looking into post graduate opportunities and looked at the possibility of an MA. I have found that London College of Communication run an MA in Graphic Branding and Identity. As this is the area of design I want to specialise in, this would be ideal.

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However.

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There is a cost of £7500 which I would have to pay. It is just not feasible for me to pay this as I would either have to pay to live in London or travel into London everyday on top of this price.

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It has been a consideration but something I just can't afford straight after university.

Studios to visit in sunny Brighton

We have shortlisted 4 studios to try and visit when we go down to Brighton to visit Generation Press. We don't want to visit too many studios as we want to have a clear understanding and genuine interest in each studio we visit. So, these are the studios we are going to attempt to see...

Harrison & Co. are a design studio with a clear design style which is fun yet communicates the content clearly. I really enjoy their work that I have seen, but would love to find out more about their practice and see first hand how they work.

Mark Matcham is part of HOAV studio in Hove. I find their work truly interesting and they seem to push they boundaries of design and think BIG every single time.

The Entente is a very trend orientated design studio, nevertheless their design does the job and is extremely interesting. There isn't much information about them on the internet, but it seems they are closely related to Colophon London.

Studio Magkill is a design studio that I definitely want to check. I love their work and am just so intrigued by their projects ...I want to find out more!!!!

Even if we are able to visit just one of these studios whilst we are down in Brighton, it will be worth it.

Team Impression Print Visit

Today, Charlotte and myself took a trip down to Team Impression printers in Leeds. Seen as they are design led printers we felt it would be beneficial to see how they worked first hand ...and it was! Simon took us through the process that our artwork would go through (from the printers receiving it to the end product).

It was amazing to see how it all works and the different options available to us. It is now going to be possible for us to design having in mind the type of print processes and finishes we want to use ...making it easier for both us and the printers.

B&W Studio

B&W studio is a small studio based in Leeds. Their website is currently under construction so I am unable to see their design work. However, I heard about these through Team Impression printers so I am aware that they are concerned with print. I an therefore going to contact them with regards to my print related design context brief.

We Are Golden

We Are Golden are a design agency based in Leeds. You are unable to see their design work on their website so I want to get in contact with them. I also want to ask them questions related to my 'Print is Dead' design context.

Email follow ups

As I have not heard anything back from any of the mailouts I sent, I have followed each one up with an email. This email includes a few direct questions for them to answer in order to begin a dialogue with the company and also aid the development of some of my briefs.

Mail-outs

Today I finally put together my letters I am sending out to studios in order to gain studio visits. I have hand written the letters as I think it will come across more personal to each studio rather than me just simply emailing the studio, as I have in the past.

As the design is interesting and the address is printed onto the reverse of the letter and folded, I have packaged the mail-outs in cellophane rather than a letter, this should make an impact on the studio straight away.

Due to the way in which I had designed the mail-out, I have had to position the stamp in the top left hand corner rather than the traditional top left hand corner so I am hoping Royal Mail will still be able to deliver these.

Design Context Letters by

Anagrama Studios

Anagrama is a design studio that uses print across a variety of deliverables. Their designs seem to use one or two bright colours which create an impact. The simple use of type within their designs demonstrates clear communication and professionalism. I love their design, but based in Mexico, I don't see myself getting a primary research visit anytime soon.

Linking Domain

Today, I have finally linked my domain to my website!

PPD:: Studios to contact

I have decided that I am going to approach studios by sending them a piece of self-promotional material that includes a handwritten letter. I am hoping that the more personal approach will work better than an email, as my email attempts have previous failed.

Design Project:


Phone +44 (0)113 234 1222
enquiries@designproject.co.uk

Design Project
Second Floor 80A York Street
Leeds LS9 8AA
United Kingdom

Founded:

The Boiler Shop, Sussex Street
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 3PD

—
+44 (0) 191 2610000
hello@wearefounded.com

Mytton Williams:

Call us on +44 (0)1225 476 476
Pop in: 1-4 Daniel Mews, Bath BA2 6NG
Follow us @myttonwilliams


Eskimo Creative. 

Design for print, digital & experiential.
51 Turner Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester M4 1LG
Call +44 161 832 5698 Email hello@eskimocreative.com


Boxhead:

W4 Greenhouse. Beeston Road. Leeds. LS11 8ND. UK
Please call David, Matt or Giles on 0113 331 4727 or email hello@box-head.co.uk


SB Studio:

15 Cleveland Square
Liverpool L1 5BE
United Kingdom

+44 (0)151 709 5635 hello@sb-studio.co.uk
 

Design Project Leeds

Through researching for one of my studio brief, I have come across Leeds based design agency Design Project. Their work looks very intriguing, so I am going to get in contact to find out more about them...

Warehouse Talent Spot

As part of Warehouse's campaign for their new store launch in Leeds, they are asking artists to submit their work to then potentially be exhibited. Although the opening of the store is not until Summer 2013, this could provide me with platform whereby my work can be viewed by a different audience.

BCN:MCR

Unfortunately, tickets for this exhibition sold out within 20 minutes! Consequently, I won't be able to attend the talks but I still intend on visiting the exhibition.

Creative Space Manchester

This is the creative space in Manchester that BCN:MCR are using for there exhibition, however, I thought this would be a good reference point should I need a creative exhibition space for any of my briefs.

My Reply to Ben

After a little trouble with the file size of my portfolio PDF I have finally managed to reduce the file size enough to be able to adequately send the file to Ben.

Reply from Ben

Today I have heard back from Ben at The Beautiful Meme. He has asked to see my work as a memory jog, so I am going to send him a pdf of my portfolio as he saw it in my portfolio surgery.