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.