Who are they? Study task 5

Task

Based on the principles that have been introduced so far in the PPP2 module, investigate who you are as a creative in relation to who is out there looking for creative talent.

Write a list of all the possible client groups that use graphic design in the development, production, distribution, promotion and/or communication of their products or services. Identify one client group that reflects your current ambitions within the graphic design area (music industry, retail, publishing, education etc.) and focus on identifying:-

• What skills / interests you have and how they relate to the needs of your client group?
• What skills are needed and what skills do you want to develop?
• What are your professional/creative aims and how do they relate to the needs of the client group?

It is essential that you make references to the ʻ4 Psʼ from the PPP2 Presentation. This is an exercise in applying that theory – it is not appropriate to write about the theory itself. Demonstrate your understanding of it by actually using it.

Client groups

Tertiary Sector:Government
Telecommunication
Pharmaceuticals
Hospitality/Tourism
Mass media
Healthcare/hospitals
Public health
Information technology
Waste disposal
Banking
Insurance

Financial services
FMCG
Legal services
Construction
Food processing
Consulting
Gambling
Retail sales
Franchising
Real estate
Education

Quaternary:

Background investigators 

Financial planners

Consultants

Real estate appraisers

Information technology consultants 

Business and market research consultants

Quinary 

top executives or officials in such fields as:
government
science
universities
nonprofit
healthcare
culture and the media.

Retail Sales

• What skills / interests you have and how they relate to the needs of your client group?

I am interested in branding and identity and specifically packaging. I enjoy thinking of innovative ways to sell products and create successful brands. I have began to choose briefs that reflect this interest. I am enjoying the Bacardi brief I am currently working on and have made good progress. The process of understanding the brand philosophy and then trying to sell it to the target market is what I am currently enjoying.

I think my typography skills have progressed which are useful in the retail industry as type is written speech and the fundamentals of speech is to communicate and idea or message. 

I also am aware as a consumer of the types of image people want to perceive to other people and understand that is what can make a brand successful or not. I unfortunately buy into image as I am guilty of buying clothes and products and own an Iphone and pair of Nikes so I understand the ideology.

• What skills are needed and what skills do you want to develop?

I think creativity and the understanding of the market are key to working in the retail market. Understanding current trends within various sub cultures and popular cultures. I think my design skills could always be improved constantly.

I feel I need to try new 'styles' and not feel bad or unable to use a style that I know is current but not my creation. Sometimes I feel as if I am 'jumping on the band wagon 'for trying something new which is current and a trend in the industry. I think this is limiting and will hold me back. An example would be Anti Design, I identified the trend early but didn't feel as if I could use it, but eventually did.

I can communicate well with other people and work well in teams. This is useful when collaborating with other people which you will in retail.

• What are your professional/creative aims and how do they relate to the needs of the client group?

I want to own some kind of product which I can brand and sell. This is a very vague business plan but I am always having idea which I can see selling. At some point I will go into retail with my own product.

On a more specific note I really really like Stranger & Strangers work. They create branding/packaging for alcohol brands. I think their work is interesting and it genuinely excites me; future goal is to work for them. My future future goal is to have my own branding and identity agency.

Edenspiekermann Design agency

I stumbled on this agency based in Amsterdam, Berlin, Stuttgart and San Francisco. I like how they present themselves; how friendly they come across while at the same time seem professional and cut throat? I would definitely consider contacting them in the future. 

"Edenspiekermann designs communication, with hand and heart. Their work is useful, thoughtful, surprising."

John Watters - Task 2 (Creative Industries)

A set of tasks.
Make a list of 3 of each of these.

My chosen areas of practice as of now.

• Editorial
• Branding and Identity
• Typography

My main strengths as of now.

• Creative ideas
• Contemporary design
• Enthusiasm and broad interests
• Branding and Identity

My identified weaknesses as of now

• I don't produce enough design sheets still. Sometimes I still feel I shy away from using my illustration skills.
• Not working at the weekends, it just doesn't happen. I get up to late and waste too much valuable time.
• Budgeting my expenses in and out of college. I try not to look at my bank balance because I fear what I am going to see.

A set of main goals for this year. Wishes.

• Get a piece of work published wich would be mass produced.
• Make a significant amount of money for something I designed.
• Get offered a job or placement in a respected design agency.

http://elanaschlenker.com

"Based in Greenpoint, Elana designs and publishes Gratuitous Type ("a pamphlet of typographic smut") in addition to completing work for clients across a wide range of industries. Her long-held love for magazine-making and background in editorial design informs a content-focused approach that eschews overwrought ornamentation in favor of bold typography, unexpected color, and liberally applied humor. Formerly an art director at Condé Nast, Elana can currently be found in the in-house design department at Princeton Architectural Press."

John Watters - Task 1 (Creative Industries)

 

 

Hiromura design

Founded in 1988 by Masaaki Hiromura. The Office specializes in the visual identity, signage systems, package and exhibition design. They have a rich award-winning portfolio and several publications.

I think what I am interested in is the complicated process of making something so simple. Reading between the lines so that the audience doesn't have to. Its like turning graphic design into social engineering.

“the ideal signage system is the one which doesn’t need any signs, I wish it could access one’s brain directly” I agree with this. Design should be invisible sometimes.

This is an interview from designboom:

what would you say is the main characteristic of your visual communication?

'I always think about 'how information is conveyed' rather than 'how to convey information'

the most important thing to achieve is not expression but to find out essence. I want to

continue thinking about the relationship between information and people.

it appears you specialize in the design of signage systems
how difficult is it to innovate in this field without confusing the user?

I am interested in every type of design but my specialty is graphic design . I only came to

work on signage systems through an encounter with a great architect.  a complicated space

plan causes confusion,  a signage system cannot redeem it but makes people more conscious

of the space. we shouldn’t be afraid of confusion.

how do you imagine the future of signage systems?

the ideal signage system is the one which doesn’t need any signs,

I wish it could access one’s brain directly.

can you explain how you came to design the kitasenju pictograms?

we looked at the meanings each kanji letter has. making a part of the letter an illustration gets

right and left brain working at the same time, and it increases one’s attention.

 Everything he says makes sense and is understandable. Even when Himirua talks it is clear what he means.

Vasava

http://www.vasava.es/

"Vasava started up in Barcelona in 1997, today we are a communication studio with 18 young designers who specialize in cross-media projects: print, web, motion, 3D animation, and video."

I started looking at Vasava and realised how broad their range of work is. This is probably because they have a lot of designers working for them. I think I am sold because I have been to Barcelona and it was intense. I can just see myself working their, picking up the language and doing some sweet design; reality would probably differ.

"We have had the honor of designing the custom typography for Nike and FCB's official kits that the team will be wearing during 2012 - 2013. We have drawn inspiration by the subtle cuts and angles of the chimneys of the sentinels of Gaudi's Pedrera." - Wow.

 

 

Graphic tees for american Brand Rocawear FW2011 collection.

 

They must genuinely get a lot of applications, this is a form for potential. 

 

http://www.mainstudio.com/

Edwin van Gelder is an independent graphic designer based in Amsterdam,

the Netherlands. van Gelder founded Mainstudio in 2004.

I picked this studio because I just really like the design. Something I am currently into and can appreciate. It did find it because I searched Graphic Design - Amsterdam, I think again the location brings with it an idea of a lifestyle I think I would enjoy which I guess influenced me to pick this studio:

 

Oat Creative

http://www.oatcreative.com/index.html

There branding work is cool. I could see myself doing the same jobs and really enjoying doing it. I am really into the way they present their work using photography to show off the design which creates a luxurious identity.

I think the owners of Oat creative come across friendly as well which I think is a good thing.

"Our studio lives in a small storefront of a former barber shop, with creaky wood floors and lots of northern light."

That sounds like my cup of tea.

 

Alt Studio

co-founded by Emmanuel Leroy and Olivier Mary. 

Based in Brussels, Work is contemporary and there is a lot of good stuff on their website - the website is also to my taste.

 

Methods of contact:

Email

Phone

Letter

Walk in

Parcel

Online forms

Networking

Plane with a message attached

Get a band to sing and hand out my CV

Deliver them a pizza/ fast food with my CV attached to the packaging.

 Top Choice

I think Hiromura design studios would be a great place to work. I think I could be an asset to the studio and help create smart design.  

I think my choice is based on location and the direction of practice. The brand philosophy is also part of the direction of practice which is visible in the work.

Hiromura studio is based in Minami-Aoyama, Minato, Tokyo, Japan. 

I am contacting them because I want to be part of the team and I think I can contribute to the studio. They should listen because if they don't it would be an opportunity missed.

I would like them to offer me a job and to invite me to Japan with a paid flight so that I could check out the studio.

The Business of Design Introduction

UK Economy

• 7th largest in the world
• 3rd largest in the world
• One of the most globalised coutries
• London is the largest financial center equal with New York
• Largest industries - aerospace, pharmaceuticals, North Sea oil and Gas

What is an industry sector?

Primary:

Mining, forestry, grazing, fishing and gathering

Secondary Sector:

Manufacturing and taking the primary goods and processing them. Cars, chemical, aerospace, construction and brewery.

Tertiary Sector:

The tertiary sector of the economy is the service indstry.

Restaurants, healthcare, law, banking and transportation

Quaternary Sector:

Consists of intellectual activities. Scientific, research, I.T, education, culture and government.

Why are industry sectors important?

Sectors are models so that we can analyse  the economy in depth as a whole. Any economy can be divided.

Why do we need to be aware of the economic sectors?

• So we can be aware of relationships within sectors
• So as individual in our industry we can identify gaps in the market or where there isn't. We can start to predict competition and understand current trends.

The Service Industries

Public Sector

Part of the Economy concerned with proving basic government state or publicly owned services.

These services are often of benefit to the whole of society rather then just the individual who uses them. for example the NHS.

Private Sector

Not a state controlled, and is run by individuals and companies for profit.

Offering services in a free market economy.

 Third Sector

The part of the economy that includes voluntary or not-for-profit sectors or organisations.

"An intermediary space between business and government where private energy can be deployed for public good." - Jim Joseph

The presence of a large non-prifit sector is sometimes seen as an indicator of a healthy economy in local and national financial measurements.

Service Industries

Creative industries

Education, health & social work

Fiancial and business sevices

Hotels and restaurants

Other social and personal services

Public admin and defence

Real eastate and renting

Tourism

Transports, storage and communication

Wholesale and retails trade

THE CREATIVE INDUSTRIES

Refers to a range of economic activities which are concerned with the generations or exploitation of knowledge and information. They may variously also be referred to as the cultural industries (especially in Europe) or the creative economy.

In general, creative industries are a set of service enterprises that engage in economic activities originating in individual skill, creativity, and talent for potential wealth creation.

• Advertising
• Architecture
• Arts and antique markets
• Crafts
• Design (see also communication design)
• Designer Fashion
• Film, video and photography
• Software, computer games and electronic publishing
• Music and the visual and performing arts
• Publishing
• Television

"Design is a thread that connects ideas and discovery to people and markets" 

The Business of Design

The Design council 2005

• 185, 500 Designers are generating £11.6 billion in annual turnover.
• 62% of designers are under 40
• 31% (20, 436) of design business are based in London
• 60% isn't!
• 59% of design companies employ fewer than 5 people
• Over 50% of UK design business work in communications, digital and multimedia design.

There are 3 main types of companies working in the creative industries

• Design Studios/Consultancies
• In-house design teams
• Freelance designers

Study Task

• Identify 5 examples of professional practice that you have documented on your blog
• Analyse the work in relation which sectors the work has been produced for.
• List the services that the work relates to.
• Evaluate the success to which the work fulfils its role from the point of view of sectors and services.

 

Oat Creative - http://www.oatcreative.com

Wagamamas:

 

 

Oat creative have produced a lot of work in the tertiary sector, especially for restaurants and bars focusing on branding and identity.

 

Other services Oat has designed for include:

Music industry

Architects 

Government

MTV networks

Magazines

  

I think Oat creative works well within the tertiary sector. Specializing in branding fits quite well into business that offer services to consumers and people who will pick a service from the way the brand looks. Designing for this element in the industry works well for Oat Creative.

"Oat is a design studio that creates brands through concept development, art direction and design.

We style collections of ideas and human experiences to inspire an authentic connection between our clients and their audience."

Zach Shuta

http://cargocollective.com/zachshuta

Emerica:

 

Addict Street wear:

 

Zach Shuta has a distinct style. His work fits well into clothing and street-wear.

Other services Oat has designed for include:

Ill Bill - Musician 

The Lovewright Company - clothing

Amongst Friends - clothing 

Design Week magazine

Zach Shuta produces work in the tertiary sector and focusses on branding and identity. He has a large portfolio and I think he could expand into to his own brand. 

Astrid Stavro Studio

http://www.astridstavro.com

Phaidon Press:

 

 

Book design for a season-by-season guide to cooking vegetables the Italian way.

 

 

" The cover has three embossed Arabic doors, inviting the reader to walk through them and into the book. The door concept is reinforced throughout the book as chapter dividers, so when skimming through the book one has the feeling on walking in and out of Lebanese homes and culture. The serrated edges add atmosphere and a unique tactile feel. Photography by Toby Glanville."

Client - Text Gallery

"Series of metal plates created for Imaginary Menagerie, an exhibition held as part of the London for the Design Festival 2011. The exhibition is based on typographic explorations of the tongue twister and the unpronounceable phrase. The sum of letters in “Dime cuantos cuentos cuentas cuando cuentas cuentos” matches the English translation, “Tell Me How Many Stories You Tell When You Tell Stories”. We then used the plates to create a series of blank notebooks."

Other clients:

Blacklist - Publishers

Sol de Ícaro - Publishers

The Royal College of Art
Ca na Toneta, Website - resturant

Media - posters, visual identities and exhibition design, signage, print and packaging, web and event graphics. 

Astrid works generally in the tertiary sector. She is successful at offering her services to other services such as publishing and book design and also restaurants. 

Albert Ibanyes

http://www.albertibanyez.com/en

Fundació Antoni Tàpies

 

 

 Fontag Magazine

 

A.B.C

Desing of the book A.B.C. Casa de estudios para artistas. Canòdrom, Xavier Arenós. The publication creates a dialogue between the two buildings of Antoni Bonet: La Casa de estudios para artistas (Buenos Aires, 1939) and the Canódromo Meridiana (Barcelona, 1963). 

 Magazine about the graphic applications of a typeface, which changes depending on the number of each publication.

Oscar Peterson Trio. Live in Montreal Cover design, inlay, CD booklet and CD inside. The style of the CD belongs to the graphic style of the seventies, using the Trade Gothic typhography with blue and orange colors over black and white photographies.
Made in the graphic design studio Josep Basora for LoneHillJazz label.

Albert Ibanyez works and collaborates in Graphic Design, Art projects and web design. He works in the tertiary sector. 

Hiromura Design Office
http://hiromuradesign.com

Masaaki Hiromura is involved in the tertiary sector. He creates brands and designs wayfinding, navigation. He is successful in terms of working with big clients. He has produced a lot of work.

Study Task 3 - What Is Industrial Experience?

• What is industrial experience?
• What can you learn from industrial experience?
• What form/format could industrial experience take?
• What areas of industry are you interested in?
• What are your concerns about the industry?

What is industrial experience?
'Real world' graphic design work. The work you produce will be in a live environment with a real client and audience.

Linking to real world graphic design, the work produced will probably/potentially go through actual paid processes such as printing and distribution.

Industrial experience is working with professionals that are paid and are in the industry.

Potentially being paid for work your produce. Supporting yourself and earning a wage.

It's utilising your skills you have learn in a live working environment.

What can you learn from industrial experience?
You can understand how your work compares to other working professionals.

You can understand the processes that occur in the industry.

You can understand how to manage a working relationship with professionals. Learning how to appropriately communicate in the industry. This may be technical jargon about printing to emailing a client.

You can inform your portfolio. Meaning you compare yourself to people who you aspire to be like and try and move in their direction.

You can learn how to manage your business skills; paying tax, invoices and expenses.

What form/format could industrial experience take?
One form industrial experience could take would be studio placements. A few weeks moving around different studios getting a feel for what area of the industry I want to pursue.

Freelance might be an option and way of getting into the industry. If someone contacts you and asked you to do some work for them.

You could be given an actual job; full-time employment on a wage.

It could be attending visiting professionals and or networking with other creatives in the industry.

What areas of industry are you interested in?
Branding and identity. I'm really like the idea of working with retailers and people in consumer industry's that have some service or product to sell.

 

Michael Freimuth

 

BG - Bisgràfic Gallery

Packaging and promotion. Again I really like the idea of selling something. My ambition is to have my own brand.

 

http://www.monroeapparel.co.uk/

 

http://us.shop.rvca.com/w/mens/shirts

I would like to explore print. The physical process of print, using the machines and preparing stock. Foiling and embossing.

 

Akatre

 

Akatre

What are your concerns about the industry?

One concern is that I will find it difficult to get in the industry. Cant be worried about working in the industry until I get into it.

Communicating with working professionals. I really don't know what to expect. I guess everyone is different and no one studio will be the same.

Getting paid and supporting myself. What wage can I expect to start off on? Whats a reasonable amount. Travel costs and accommodation need to be paid some how and there is not going to be student finance forever. 

Not receiving anything useful from studio placements or 'industrial work' what if I turn up and they expect me to do photocopying and making tea.

What if my skills are not sufficient? This is a pretty scary idea of just not knowing what to do. I don't want to feel useless.

Summaries your research in a set of ten short but qualified statements that communicate your understanding, aims and ambitions relating to industrial experience.