OUGD502 Studio Brief 1 - Evaluation
This module
I consider one of the most important as its so influential for my professional practice.
Studio brief one was a really great way to begin delving into networking and
engaging with professionals. The process and the outcome were both really beneficial
as both gave useful opportunities. As networking is quite new to me, I was
surprised at how just sending an email can really start conversations flowing.
Networking is something that is crucial to my development and is something I’ve
found to be really quite fun. Chatting and engaging with the professional world
is something now which has captured me and spurred on my ambitions.
After
sending quite a few emails, it was nice to get replies back, even if it was
stating that unfortunately they had no time to do it. However, the three
interviews I did get back were very versatile and all applied to my own
interests. My reply from Shape was great as web design is something that I’ve
unexpectedly found quite fun and something that I enjoy. So it was interesting
to see how they came across especially about networking, which proves just how
important it is. Rabbit Hole was really beneficial
as I love the work they produce. In addition,
the laid back, tone of voice in the reply I got shows the personality of the
studio. Having recently visiting a design studio, I’ve found that they have a
great, chilled working environment which I can see that Rabbit Hole has, and
from this is definitely a studio I will keep in contact with and apply for an
internship in the future. Mark commented in the interview about how creative
degrees can restrict students and led them to produce work that although looks professional
– fails to excite. This statement, I can definitely see to be true and think
perhaps applies to me as I feel that my portfolio isn’t me at all and although I
know what style and things I like – I feel this isn’t replicated in my work. Therefore,
I have decided to take on more self initiated work and not overthink things,
just experiment and be creative. Finally, I was very fortunate to get a response
back from an artist I have admired for quite a few years now. Learning that
Shae DeTar has established herself and become successful from having no prior
degree or experience was really interesting, and I feel really lucky to have
interviewed her.
All three
of these who I interviewed all had the same thing in common – they self taught
themselves. Some had graphic design degrees, some had none but all took a new opportunity
and were self taught. This was really reassuring as I feel that graphic design
can be such an open degree and I have always known myself that I want to take
any opportunity that comes to me. I don’t feel restricted and am happy to try
anything, just as my interviewees have – and this is how they have become
successful.
As for the
brief, I decided to create a zine which aims to help students learn how professionals
started off, I want to continue this as I feel like there is a future for
Establish. As the brief was open, I designed the three different issues in a
style which I think has more of my own personality within them. This was purely
from experimenting and is definitely a piece of work which I am quite proud of.
This proves to me that taking on more self initiated work and experimenting
more will really help my creative growth.
The process of emailing was fun, and I did
intend to send letters out but as I got responses I didn’t. I do feel though
that emailing is impersonal and doesn’t really make an impression. Therefore, I
am going to send a copy of my creative reports to the studios along with a
thank you letter to be more distinctive. Furthermore, as I have enjoyed this whole
process, I want to continue Establish and really create it into a zine to follow
my original aims of helping students/young creative. Asking more professionals
for interviews is also a good way to continue speaking to people, and I can
then look into selling Establish in various outlets as an own, personal project
of mine.
