End of Module Evaluation:
Overall I think that I have developed a lot from first year as I have learnt a great deal. In particular I have engaged with the design world more fully by attending exhibitions, talks and studio visits. This has allowed me to make more of a connection and really see and understand what is happening within the real world of design. My next step for 3rd year would be to try and engage myself in conversation with someone at one of these events, to help develop my networking skills. I did this a couple of times this year by speaking to the girls at She Does Digital and Footprint, but I would like to develop more of a confidence to approach people.
Studio brief 02 has also been really beneficial as it has pushed me out of my comfort zone and I have contacted someone who I admire, whereas I might not have been able to have the courage to do before. It has also taught more valuable skills for contacting professionals and the best methods of communication, and to be more confident asking questions that I want to know the answers to. Hopefully by creating a creative report for Robot Food it could lead to the opportunity of possibly doing a work placement within my final year.
One of the things that I am still working on is time management, and organising the different briefs. I think that next year I will take things a lot more seriously and really try and put in 100% effort, as I have sometimes struggled with motivation this year. For my final year I really want to make the most of all of the facilities the college has to offer as well as trying out techniques such as foiling. I have identified that lino print is something that I would definitely like to experiment with.
Over the summer I want to relax to an extent but I want to carry on doing little pieces of design work. This is because after coming back from summer to the start of second year it took a while to adjust and get back into the flow of things. I also feel that I need to get better on the design programs, this was something that I should have done last summer but I really don't want to be at a disadvantage when I graduate, so I think this is important to develop.
Having more presentation practice this year has definitely helped me to feel more comfortable. Although its definitely still an area for improvement I think that I have slowly started to develop more confidence. Confidence in my work still needs working on, but I aim to create a behance to get more of my work out there. I am really looking forward to the opportunities in 3rd year as well as learning how to be a more professional designer.
Showing posts with label Studio Brief 02. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Studio Brief 02. Show all posts
Sunday, May 7, 2017
OUGD502 Studio Brief 02 - Creative Report - Final Outcome & Evaluation
Creative Report - Final Outcome:
Within the design of my report I wanted the studios work and story to be clear and the main point of focus. Therefore, I kept the design simple, on one side a large scale image and on the other the quotes. The quotes are placed in coloured speech marks to help emphasise the way that they use bright bold colours within their designs.
I decided to put some words / phrases in bold to emphasise the message behind what Simon is saying. This will help to stick in peoples minds and realise what is the most important.
Unfortunately, the slits on the card are too wide which means you can't put the cards together from any side. This was unexpected as I thought that you would be able to build different structures but you can only build a tower. This still works though as it is how Simon has built his studio up, these quotes are a small snippet of how he has created his career. The structure also reflects how their designs go onto 3D packaging.
Presenting the information in this way is more engaging and hopefully more memorable as the interactive side allows people to be really involved and digest the information.
Evaluation:
At the start of this brief I was really interested in becoming more involved and learning about the real design world. However, getting a response from people isn't as easy as just sending an email I have come to realise. You need to do something more, that will make you stand out to get a response. It was also quite nerve racking contacting Simon at Robot Food as this is a studio I really admire and I love the work from, so I think initially I was a bit too shy about contacting him properly. However, having sent off the letter and getting a reply it has given me more confidence to engage with professionals and this is something that I want to try and do more of, going into 3rd year. Hearing Simons personal experiences setting up Robot Food was also really beneficial as it has shown that lot's of hard work does pay off but it is very challenging. This is something I need to prepare myself for when I start going into the world of work. Putting myself out there more and getting connections is really important.
For the design of my creative report I wanted something more considered then just a publication as I didn't think it most appropriate for the studio it was representing. I think the concept I have come up with building together this tower structure, reflecting on how he has built this successful studio as well as the packaging element, is a more informed, appropriate response. If I had organised my time more I would have liked to have adjusted the slits on the card so that they could attach from any angle. Overall I have really engaged with this brief and I have got a lot out of it, Im hoping that I will continue to engage with studios, designers etc. going into 3rd year.
I want to send the report to Simon as hopefully this will keep open the line of communication and I will then be able to ask about work placements, as I would love to do one at Robot Food. It seems to be the studio that I most connect with and share the same values.
Within the design of my report I wanted the studios work and story to be clear and the main point of focus. Therefore, I kept the design simple, on one side a large scale image and on the other the quotes. The quotes are placed in coloured speech marks to help emphasise the way that they use bright bold colours within their designs.
I decided to put some words / phrases in bold to emphasise the message behind what Simon is saying. This will help to stick in peoples minds and realise what is the most important.
Unfortunately, the slits on the card are too wide which means you can't put the cards together from any side. This was unexpected as I thought that you would be able to build different structures but you can only build a tower. This still works though as it is how Simon has built his studio up, these quotes are a small snippet of how he has created his career. The structure also reflects how their designs go onto 3D packaging.
Presenting the information in this way is more engaging and hopefully more memorable as the interactive side allows people to be really involved and digest the information.
Evaluation:
At the start of this brief I was really interested in becoming more involved and learning about the real design world. However, getting a response from people isn't as easy as just sending an email I have come to realise. You need to do something more, that will make you stand out to get a response. It was also quite nerve racking contacting Simon at Robot Food as this is a studio I really admire and I love the work from, so I think initially I was a bit too shy about contacting him properly. However, having sent off the letter and getting a reply it has given me more confidence to engage with professionals and this is something that I want to try and do more of, going into 3rd year. Hearing Simons personal experiences setting up Robot Food was also really beneficial as it has shown that lot's of hard work does pay off but it is very challenging. This is something I need to prepare myself for when I start going into the world of work. Putting myself out there more and getting connections is really important.
For the design of my creative report I wanted something more considered then just a publication as I didn't think it most appropriate for the studio it was representing. I think the concept I have come up with building together this tower structure, reflecting on how he has built this successful studio as well as the packaging element, is a more informed, appropriate response. If I had organised my time more I would have liked to have adjusted the slits on the card so that they could attach from any angle. Overall I have really engaged with this brief and I have got a lot out of it, Im hoping that I will continue to engage with studios, designers etc. going into 3rd year.
I want to send the report to Simon as hopefully this will keep open the line of communication and I will then be able to ask about work placements, as I would love to do one at Robot Food. It seems to be the studio that I most connect with and share the same values.
Tuesday, May 2, 2017
OUGD502 Studio Brief 02 - Creative Report - Ideas
Creative Report - Ideas:
As I wanted to think about the structure / packaging element to present my report, I began looking at nets in books from the library.
Possible Ideas:
After thinking further about these possible structures one stuck out to me in particular. The last structure, which is double sided cards that slot together to build a tower or other 3D object. I think this relates to how Simon built his studio, the challenges he faced, but how all of these things make up the successful studio he has. It can also be seen in another way relating to how the studio builds brands. To me this is an interesting way to display the creative report that reflects the studio well. Hopefully this also won't be too challenging to make, as it only requires cutting out. As the cards are flat these can easily be posted out to people where they can make there own structures whilst learning about the studio, it will make it more interactive and create something more memorable that sticks in the mind.
I now need to work on how I am going to design these cards, I have had problems with double sided print not lining up properly so I will need to take this into consideration. Potentially printing the designs single side and sticking them together so that it lines up appropriately.
Colour is also going to be really important as I want to produce something bright, bold and engaging that reflects their portfolio.
As I wanted to think about the structure / packaging element to present my report, I began looking at nets in books from the library.
Possible Ideas:
After thinking further about these possible structures one stuck out to me in particular. The last structure, which is double sided cards that slot together to build a tower or other 3D object. I think this relates to how Simon built his studio, the challenges he faced, but how all of these things make up the successful studio he has. It can also be seen in another way relating to how the studio builds brands. To me this is an interesting way to display the creative report that reflects the studio well. Hopefully this also won't be too challenging to make, as it only requires cutting out. As the cards are flat these can easily be posted out to people where they can make there own structures whilst learning about the studio, it will make it more interactive and create something more memorable that sticks in the mind.
I now need to work on how I am going to design these cards, I have had problems with double sided print not lining up properly so I will need to take this into consideration. Potentially printing the designs single side and sticking them together so that it lines up appropriately.
Colour is also going to be really important as I want to produce something bright, bold and engaging that reflects their portfolio.
OUGD502 Studio Brief 02 - Robot Food - Response
Robot Food - Response
Thankfully Simon has responded to my letter by email, which I am really grateful for.
'Hi Georgina,
Thanks for getting in touch and sorry for the delay in getting back to you. Your handwritten letter and doodle is good and here’s the answers to your questions:
1) When we started, we wanted a name that wasn’t our surnames and would stand out. Robot Food stuck.
2) Everything was a challenge setting up. Lack of funds, lack of experience and lack of clients all meant we needed to get noticed, but without any clients we had to design concepts and get them featured anywhere we could to build on our lack of portfolio.
3) I didn’t go to university. I studied art and design ant college and our co founder, Mike had a degree in design.
4) Vocation brewery was great to work on and it’s the project we’re most proud of. The client had confidence to leave the direction to us and we feel we created a pretty compelling brand. It was our first experience in beer and it it’s had huge success, being stocked in Tesco, ASDA and CoOp nationally, as well as all the coolest bars and beer shops. It’s also landed us work with Carlsberg and we took the project on with a limited budget for what it would bring to our portfolio.
5) I admire anyone who sticks to their guns and follows their own beliefs. All the greatest creatives have done so and it always pays off.
6) We decline a lot of projects, as we’re quite picky. We don’t want to take on everything and grow for the sake of it and we want to keep the focus on new creative projects only, as roll-out is dull. We’re only interested in working with good people on projects that will benefit our portfolio.
7) Inspiration can come from anywhere, but pressure is the best way to draw it out.
8) To avoid a creative block you just reset and think of the challenge from a whole new angle. It’s not so hard to steer ideas in a different direction.
9) My biggest achievement has been retaining every good creative we’ve taken on and creating an environment that they are proud to call home.
10) If you want to get hired stand out. We took on a couple of graduates who created bespoke books. When I asked them who they’ve sent it to they both said, ‘just Robot Food’. They didn’t just want a job. They wanted to work here. One came with us on a research trip to New York while on a placement and wen’t on to lead a presentation to a major retailer in his first month and the other went on to designing Cadbury Mini Rolls pack fronts in his first month. They’re both now key players in our team.
I hope this helps!
Thanks,
Simon'
Simons response's are really informative, concise and straight to the point, this is due to the nature of quick questions, which allow for a more direct response than in an interview. However, he also seems like quite a direct, straight to the point person which is probably how he managed to set up such a successful studio. Using this information I am going to put together my creative report, I want to try and create a more structural or packaging inspired format as this directly relates the studio.
Thankfully Simon has responded to my letter by email, which I am really grateful for.
'Hi Georgina,
Thanks for getting in touch and sorry for the delay in getting back to you. Your handwritten letter and doodle is good and here’s the answers to your questions:
1) When we started, we wanted a name that wasn’t our surnames and would stand out. Robot Food stuck.
2) Everything was a challenge setting up. Lack of funds, lack of experience and lack of clients all meant we needed to get noticed, but without any clients we had to design concepts and get them featured anywhere we could to build on our lack of portfolio.
3) I didn’t go to university. I studied art and design ant college and our co founder, Mike had a degree in design.
4) Vocation brewery was great to work on and it’s the project we’re most proud of. The client had confidence to leave the direction to us and we feel we created a pretty compelling brand. It was our first experience in beer and it it’s had huge success, being stocked in Tesco, ASDA and CoOp nationally, as well as all the coolest bars and beer shops. It’s also landed us work with Carlsberg and we took the project on with a limited budget for what it would bring to our portfolio.
5) I admire anyone who sticks to their guns and follows their own beliefs. All the greatest creatives have done so and it always pays off.
6) We decline a lot of projects, as we’re quite picky. We don’t want to take on everything and grow for the sake of it and we want to keep the focus on new creative projects only, as roll-out is dull. We’re only interested in working with good people on projects that will benefit our portfolio.
7) Inspiration can come from anywhere, but pressure is the best way to draw it out.
8) To avoid a creative block you just reset and think of the challenge from a whole new angle. It’s not so hard to steer ideas in a different direction.
9) My biggest achievement has been retaining every good creative we’ve taken on and creating an environment that they are proud to call home.
10) If you want to get hired stand out. We took on a couple of graduates who created bespoke books. When I asked them who they’ve sent it to they both said, ‘just Robot Food’. They didn’t just want a job. They wanted to work here. One came with us on a research trip to New York while on a placement and wen’t on to lead a presentation to a major retailer in his first month and the other went on to designing Cadbury Mini Rolls pack fronts in his first month. They’re both now key players in our team.
I hope this helps!
Thanks,
Simon'
Simons response's are really informative, concise and straight to the point, this is due to the nature of quick questions, which allow for a more direct response than in an interview. However, he also seems like quite a direct, straight to the point person which is probably how he managed to set up such a successful studio. Using this information I am going to put together my creative report, I want to try and create a more structural or packaging inspired format as this directly relates the studio.
OUGD502 Studio Brief 02 - Robot Food - Letter
Robot Food - Letter:
Unfortunately I never got a response from Robot Food via email, this is probably due to them receiving a high volume of emails, and it probably doesn't stand out enough. I was planning to go down to there studio to see if I could get a face to face interview, however due to going back to work over easter, I thought it best to see if I could get a response via letter.
On the front of the letter I decided to do a quick doodle relating to their studio. I thought that this would be more personal and something that would provoke a response.
On the other side I wrote out what I wanted to say to Simon Forster, founder and creative director of Robot Food.
Unfortunately I never got a response from Robot Food via email, this is probably due to them receiving a high volume of emails, and it probably doesn't stand out enough. I was planning to go down to there studio to see if I could get a face to face interview, however due to going back to work over easter, I thought it best to see if I could get a response via letter.
On the front of the letter I decided to do a quick doodle relating to their studio. I thought that this would be more personal and something that would provoke a response.
On the other side I wrote out what I wanted to say to Simon Forster, founder and creative director of Robot Food.
I then wrote out 10 questions which will help me to better understand about his studio and his own creative practice.
I was slightly nervous to send the letter off as I was conscious of my handwriting and I also didn't know if the doodle came across a bit too cheesy. As it's a studio that I really admire I am really hoping that I get a response. I have asked for a response by either email or letter.
Monday, February 20, 2017
OUGD502 Studio Brief 02 - Possible Contacts - Robot Food
Robot Food:
Robot Food are a branding agency based in Leeds, they are determined and passionate and like to tell the truth of a brand in the most compelling way possible. Detail is important, they like to take the process with care as they believe that every element counts in making a successful brand.
Their services:
- Brand audits
- Brand strategy workshops & blueprints
- Brand & product naming
- Brand tone of voice and copywriting
- New product development
- Branding
- Packaging design
- Art direction
- Packaging structure
- Mock ups & visualisation
- Artwork production
- Advertising
- POS
- Web & digital
- Brand guidelines and guardianship
RF are skilled in many areas and seem to have a strong service that can provide the best for their clients.
They really take pride in their work and build brands which values are aligned with their own.
Their values:
- We’re fiercely independent.
- We never take a brief at face value.
- We’re not afraid to ask questions.
- We’re challenging, in a good way.
- We champion authenticity.
- We encourage personal expression.
- We employ on fit and ambition.
- We’re not controversial or contrived.
- We let our work do the talking.
- We work with people we get on with and believe in.
- We treat people how we like to be treated.
- We value our time and have a good work/life balance.
I think it is really important to have values as it allows them as designers to stay true to who they are and what they believe in. It is really inspiring to see this because it gives them personality and intrigue, it seems less corporate and inspires creativity.
They care more about whether the client is happy rather than winning awards.
Brands they've worked with:
Work:
Electric Ink - Tattoo care
I really like this project, the strong illustrations make it extremely eye-catching and work cohesively with the product. They collaborated to produce this, and I think that really highlights how successful collaboration can be.
Naughty but Rice
Bright bold pattern flashing through a nice clean sleeve creates intrigue and hints at the mischievous nature of the product.
Roots & Bulbs
A nice simple, clean branding and identity design that really helped to emphasise the whole organic feel of it.
Cadburys Mini Rolls
Engaging type that works with the product well, such as incorporating the apostrophe and the curved letterforms.
I am really interested in this design studio, the work that they do is always bright and fun. Their work is also consistently really strong which shows the high level of professionalism. Im going to send them an email to see if I can look round their studio and hopefully do an interview with someone working there.
Email:
Hello!
I have recently come across your studio and I love the work that you do, it is bright, bold and communicates each brand perfectly (my particular fav is the 'Naughty but Rice', I love the engaging pop arty illustrations that really make it stand out). Your values also resonate with me about working with people and on projects that you agree with, I think its important to stay true to yourself and what you believe in.
Currently I am in my second year studying Graphic Design at Leeds College of Art, and I wanted to know what its like out there in the real world of design. My particular interest is within packaging design and the work at your studio is exceptional and something that I really admire! Is there any chance I would be able to come and have a look round to better understand what a real studio environment is like, as well as the exciting work that you do.
I am also interested to learn about an individuals experience working at Robot Food, and how they got into the industry, my hope is to put this together into a publication that will give others currently in study a better understanding of the journey into the world of design.
Regards,
Georgina
Robot Food are a branding agency based in Leeds, they are determined and passionate and like to tell the truth of a brand in the most compelling way possible. Detail is important, they like to take the process with care as they believe that every element counts in making a successful brand.
Their services:
- Brand audits
- Brand strategy workshops & blueprints
- Brand & product naming
- Brand tone of voice and copywriting
- New product development
- Branding
- Packaging design
- Art direction
- Packaging structure
- Mock ups & visualisation
- Artwork production
- Advertising
- POS
- Web & digital
- Brand guidelines and guardianship
RF are skilled in many areas and seem to have a strong service that can provide the best for their clients.
They really take pride in their work and build brands which values are aligned with their own.
Their values:
- We’re fiercely independent.
- We never take a brief at face value.
- We’re not afraid to ask questions.
- We’re challenging, in a good way.
- We champion authenticity.
- We encourage personal expression.
- We employ on fit and ambition.
- We’re not controversial or contrived.
- We let our work do the talking.
- We work with people we get on with and believe in.
- We treat people how we like to be treated.
- We value our time and have a good work/life balance.
I think it is really important to have values as it allows them as designers to stay true to who they are and what they believe in. It is really inspiring to see this because it gives them personality and intrigue, it seems less corporate and inspires creativity.
They care more about whether the client is happy rather than winning awards.
Brands they've worked with:
Work:
Electric Ink - Tattoo care
I really like this project, the strong illustrations make it extremely eye-catching and work cohesively with the product. They collaborated to produce this, and I think that really highlights how successful collaboration can be.
Naughty but Rice
Bright bold pattern flashing through a nice clean sleeve creates intrigue and hints at the mischievous nature of the product.
Roots & Bulbs
A nice simple, clean branding and identity design that really helped to emphasise the whole organic feel of it.
Cadburys Mini Rolls
Engaging type that works with the product well, such as incorporating the apostrophe and the curved letterforms.
I am really interested in this design studio, the work that they do is always bright and fun. Their work is also consistently really strong which shows the high level of professionalism. Im going to send them an email to see if I can look round their studio and hopefully do an interview with someone working there.
Email:
Hello!
I have recently come across your studio and I love the work that you do, it is bright, bold and communicates each brand perfectly (my particular fav is the 'Naughty but Rice', I love the engaging pop arty illustrations that really make it stand out). Your values also resonate with me about working with people and on projects that you agree with, I think its important to stay true to yourself and what you believe in.
Currently I am in my second year studying Graphic Design at Leeds College of Art, and I wanted to know what its like out there in the real world of design. My particular interest is within packaging design and the work at your studio is exceptional and something that I really admire! Is there any chance I would be able to come and have a look round to better understand what a real studio environment is like, as well as the exciting work that you do.
I am also interested to learn about an individuals experience working at Robot Food, and how they got into the industry, my hope is to put this together into a publication that will give others currently in study a better understanding of the journey into the world of design.
Regards,
Georgina
Sunday, February 19, 2017
OUGD502 The Interview (Lecture)
The Interview (Lecture):
What is the purpose of an interview?
To record a beneficial and informative interview with a person of my choice. To arrange, format, construct and conduct a meeting that will both inform and enhance my interpersonal skills in a professional manner.
What do I want out of it?
I want to gain more confidence talking to different professionals so that I have more of a drive to ask for help/advice or even to collaborate. I want to understand someones personal journey so that I can learn from them and apply it in my own way to help me develop and grow. I also want to know more about the real world of design so that I can prepare myself for what is to come once I have finished my degree.
Step 1:
Contact my interviewee and give them a reason for my contact and WHY I chose them in particular. I CAN say that it is a college requirement BUT I must explain the reason they were my particular choice.
Step 2:
Contact my interviewee and arrange a mutual method of connection, in person, Skype, email etc.
Preparation:
Make a list of what I want to get out of the interview and how beneficial it can be for my practice and something that I can produce a tangible outcome, in print or other medium from the interview.
Questions:
- INTRODUCING
'Why did you...?' or 'Can you tell me about...?'
Through these questions I introduce the topic.
- FOLLOW UP
Through these I can elaborate on their initial answer.
'What did you mean...?' or 'Can you give more detail...?'
- PROBING
I can employ direct questioning to follow up what has been said and to get more detail.
'Do you have any examples?' or 'Could you say more about...?'
- SPECIFYING
'What happened when you said that?' or 'What did he say next?'
- DIRECT
Questions with a yes or no answer are direct questions.
I might want to leave these questions until the end so I don't lead the interviewee to answer a certain way.
- INDIRECT
I can ask these to get the interviewee's true opinion.
- STRUCTURING
These move the interview on to the next subject.
For example, 'Moving on to...'
- INTERPRETING
'Do you meant that...?' or ' Is it correct that...?'
1. Start slow, safe and personal.
Begin with a question that focuses on the person and not the topic at hand, such as: 'Where did you grow up,' or 'What was your first job out of college?' First off, you relax your subject and you humanise the interaction. This relaxes the atmosphere, starts the conversation on safe ground, and let's you get a sense of the where your subject is coming from. Second, I might get a surprisingly good story.
2. Coax, don't hammer.
My audience is too sophisticated and businesslike for complexities, the Post Modernist questions, their feeling on life after death?
The up-close, but soft style that coaxes revealing newsworthy, useful answers.
3. Make some questions open ended.
All interviews require you to ask specific questions that get answered with narrow data points.
'What was your last job title?'
The most interesting responses can come from open-ended questions, such as, 'What is your vision for your organisation five years from today?' or 'Do you worry about any unintended consequences from what you are trying to accomplish?'
4. Ask what you don't know.
Surprises mean I will achieve something that has not been previously reported.
5. Let the interviewees wander a bit, but be careful.
6. Don't send advance questions.
Make clear the topics that I wish to cover and even ask if there are other subjects the interviewee would like to discuss.
But don't send full questions in advance.
The result is that very little new ground is covered.
It also eliminates follow-up questions, the ones that drill down on what was or was not said in the response. Very often the followup question produces the best information.
7. Be prepared. Find the overlooked.
Quite often a subject's response to one question begs for a follow up. Many times the follow-up question reveals more than either the interviewer or interviewee expected. I can't just make that happen when Im following a script. When you do that, your mind very often goes on to your next question and you are not listening carefully to what your subject is saying. Be prepared and let the subject know what subjects you want to cover.
8. Listen, really listen.
The value of an interview comes out of what people say not what you ask.
The key is to pay close attention to what is not answered and make on-the-spot judgements on why that are was skipped or glossed.
Was it uninteresting to the subject?
Unimportant? Painfully embarrassing?
Use good judgement.
9. There are dumb questions.
Try NOT to ask a question that your subject has already answered. It discloses that you really weren't listening after all. Also try not to ask any questions that are answered in the interviewee's online biog or website/blog FAQ.
The interview is about the person I am talking to, NOT me.
Some good questions I could include in my interview:
- What's the best advice you ever received?
- Who inspires you and why?
- What's the hardest lesson you ever learned?
- Describe a defining moment in you life.
- What is your biggest accomplishment?
- Do you have a personal motto?
What is the purpose of an interview?
To record a beneficial and informative interview with a person of my choice. To arrange, format, construct and conduct a meeting that will both inform and enhance my interpersonal skills in a professional manner.
What do I want out of it?
I want to gain more confidence talking to different professionals so that I have more of a drive to ask for help/advice or even to collaborate. I want to understand someones personal journey so that I can learn from them and apply it in my own way to help me develop and grow. I also want to know more about the real world of design so that I can prepare myself for what is to come once I have finished my degree.
Step 1:
Contact my interviewee and give them a reason for my contact and WHY I chose them in particular. I CAN say that it is a college requirement BUT I must explain the reason they were my particular choice.
Step 2:
Contact my interviewee and arrange a mutual method of connection, in person, Skype, email etc.
Preparation:
Make a list of what I want to get out of the interview and how beneficial it can be for my practice and something that I can produce a tangible outcome, in print or other medium from the interview.
Questions:
- INTRODUCING
'Why did you...?' or 'Can you tell me about...?'
Through these questions I introduce the topic.
- FOLLOW UP
Through these I can elaborate on their initial answer.
'What did you mean...?' or 'Can you give more detail...?'
- PROBING
I can employ direct questioning to follow up what has been said and to get more detail.
'Do you have any examples?' or 'Could you say more about...?'
- SPECIFYING
'What happened when you said that?' or 'What did he say next?'
- DIRECT
Questions with a yes or no answer are direct questions.
I might want to leave these questions until the end so I don't lead the interviewee to answer a certain way.
- INDIRECT
I can ask these to get the interviewee's true opinion.
- STRUCTURING
These move the interview on to the next subject.
For example, 'Moving on to...'
- INTERPRETING
'Do you meant that...?' or ' Is it correct that...?'
1. Start slow, safe and personal.
Begin with a question that focuses on the person and not the topic at hand, such as: 'Where did you grow up,' or 'What was your first job out of college?' First off, you relax your subject and you humanise the interaction. This relaxes the atmosphere, starts the conversation on safe ground, and let's you get a sense of the where your subject is coming from. Second, I might get a surprisingly good story.
2. Coax, don't hammer.
My audience is too sophisticated and businesslike for complexities, the Post Modernist questions, their feeling on life after death?
The up-close, but soft style that coaxes revealing newsworthy, useful answers.
3. Make some questions open ended.
All interviews require you to ask specific questions that get answered with narrow data points.
'What was your last job title?'
The most interesting responses can come from open-ended questions, such as, 'What is your vision for your organisation five years from today?' or 'Do you worry about any unintended consequences from what you are trying to accomplish?'
4. Ask what you don't know.
Surprises mean I will achieve something that has not been previously reported.
5. Let the interviewees wander a bit, but be careful.
6. Don't send advance questions.
Make clear the topics that I wish to cover and even ask if there are other subjects the interviewee would like to discuss.
But don't send full questions in advance.
The result is that very little new ground is covered.
It also eliminates follow-up questions, the ones that drill down on what was or was not said in the response. Very often the followup question produces the best information.
7. Be prepared. Find the overlooked.
Quite often a subject's response to one question begs for a follow up. Many times the follow-up question reveals more than either the interviewer or interviewee expected. I can't just make that happen when Im following a script. When you do that, your mind very often goes on to your next question and you are not listening carefully to what your subject is saying. Be prepared and let the subject know what subjects you want to cover.
8. Listen, really listen.
The value of an interview comes out of what people say not what you ask.
The key is to pay close attention to what is not answered and make on-the-spot judgements on why that are was skipped or glossed.
Was it uninteresting to the subject?
Unimportant? Painfully embarrassing?
Use good judgement.
9. There are dumb questions.
Try NOT to ask a question that your subject has already answered. It discloses that you really weren't listening after all. Also try not to ask any questions that are answered in the interviewee's online biog or website/blog FAQ.
The interview is about the person I am talking to, NOT me.
Some good questions I could include in my interview:
- What's the best advice you ever received?
- Who inspires you and why?
- What's the hardest lesson you ever learned?
- Describe a defining moment in you life.
- What is your biggest accomplishment?
- Do you have a personal motto?
Wednesday, February 8, 2017
OUGD502 Build Studio - Email
Build Studio - Email
As I found the talk that Michael from Build did really motivating and inspiring, I felt compelled to email him just to say thank you.
Email:
Hello!
Not too long ago Michael came in to do a talk at Leeds College of Art, I just wanted to send an email to say how inspiring and motivational I personally found it. Currently I seem to be struggling with creative block, feeling quite uninspired and overall out of my depth within graphic design. However, the honesty and the passion that Michael portrayed allowed me to see a different aspect that doesn’t rely on ego’s but the drive of honest design.
Hearing personal experiences and his journey was really motivating, that if you work hard it is extremely rewarding. It reminded me of the reason I chose to study graphic design, as I have a love for ideas and overall how we can communicate through design. I wanted to ask how within such a competitive area of design, how do you stay true to yourself as a designer and really love what you do? Within the university environment there is a lot of pressure to be THE BEST, such as with competitions. What do you think would be the best way to keep focus and not get overwhelmed and caught up in what everyone else is doing?
Overall I just wanted to say thank you, as the talk didn’t just have an impact on me but many others feel inspired as well!
Regards,
Georgina
As I found the talk that Michael from Build did really motivating and inspiring, I felt compelled to email him just to say thank you.
Email:
Hello!
Not too long ago Michael came in to do a talk at Leeds College of Art, I just wanted to send an email to say how inspiring and motivational I personally found it. Currently I seem to be struggling with creative block, feeling quite uninspired and overall out of my depth within graphic design. However, the honesty and the passion that Michael portrayed allowed me to see a different aspect that doesn’t rely on ego’s but the drive of honest design.
Hearing personal experiences and his journey was really motivating, that if you work hard it is extremely rewarding. It reminded me of the reason I chose to study graphic design, as I have a love for ideas and overall how we can communicate through design. I wanted to ask how within such a competitive area of design, how do you stay true to yourself as a designer and really love what you do? Within the university environment there is a lot of pressure to be THE BEST, such as with competitions. What do you think would be the best way to keep focus and not get overwhelmed and caught up in what everyone else is doing?
Overall I just wanted to say thank you, as the talk didn’t just have an impact on me but many others feel inspired as well!
Regards,
Georgina
Thursday, January 5, 2017
OUGD502 Studio Brief 02 - Possible Contacts - Noma Bar
Noma Bar:
Biography
Israeli-born Noma Bar studied graphic design and typography at the Jerusalem Academy of Art & Design before moving to London in 2001.
Describing his craft as visual communication, combining the skills of artist, illustrator and designer, Noma states he's "after the maximum communication with minimum elements”. His two stunning and highly acclaimed books, The Many Faces of Noma Bar and Negative Space have become a must have for the design industry. He has exhibited worldwide, including solo shows in London, New York and Paris.
In September 2011 his London Design Festival exhibition “Cut It Out”, was selected as one of the highlights of the festival. The project was nominated in the graphics category for the Design Museum, Designs Of the Year 2012.
Noma's work has become well known throughout the world, winning various industry awards. more recently the prestigious Yellow Pencil award at the D&AD Professional Awards 2012 for his series of Don DeLilo covers, created with London design studio It's Nice That.
(Taken from Facebook page)
I am really fond of Noma's work for the strong use of symbols to create visually intriguing images. The use of negative space is used so effectively to provide two messages within one image. Colour is bold and bright, producing strong outcomes that immediately engage. What I like the most is how clever and playful he is with his designs, sort of like an optical illusion, you want to work out what it represents.
However, Noma is quite a popular and famous designer so contacting him for an interview could prove to be extremely difficult as he is probably very busy. I want to give it a go because I will never know unless I try, so that next step would be working out how to tackle opening a dialogue. On his website he has given two phone numbers and an email address so I already have a means of contacting him.
Biography
Israeli-born Noma Bar studied graphic design and typography at the Jerusalem Academy of Art & Design before moving to London in 2001.
Describing his craft as visual communication, combining the skills of artist, illustrator and designer, Noma states he's "after the maximum communication with minimum elements”. His two stunning and highly acclaimed books, The Many Faces of Noma Bar and Negative Space have become a must have for the design industry. He has exhibited worldwide, including solo shows in London, New York and Paris.
In September 2011 his London Design Festival exhibition “Cut It Out”, was selected as one of the highlights of the festival. The project was nominated in the graphics category for the Design Museum, Designs Of the Year 2012.
Noma's work has become well known throughout the world, winning various industry awards. more recently the prestigious Yellow Pencil award at the D&AD Professional Awards 2012 for his series of Don DeLilo covers, created with London design studio It's Nice That.
(Taken from Facebook page)
I am really fond of Noma's work for the strong use of symbols to create visually intriguing images. The use of negative space is used so effectively to provide two messages within one image. Colour is bold and bright, producing strong outcomes that immediately engage. What I like the most is how clever and playful he is with his designs, sort of like an optical illusion, you want to work out what it represents.
However, Noma is quite a popular and famous designer so contacting him for an interview could prove to be extremely difficult as he is probably very busy. I want to give it a go because I will never know unless I try, so that next step would be working out how to tackle opening a dialogue. On his website he has given two phone numbers and an email address so I already have a means of contacting him.
OUGD502 Studio Brief 02 - Creative Presence
Studio Brief 02 - Creative Presence
CREATIVE REPORT:
Building on my continued familiarisation with the creative industries and prompted by the need for even more engagement with professional contacts, I am required to seek out an industry practitioner or practice who I will base a report on.
The completed report should utilise my skills as both a creative and a researcher and make use of material drawn from at least one personal interview with an appropriate spokesperson to then culminate in an insightful overview of a contemporary industry figure or organisation. My interview can be carried out in person or via phone, Skype or email.
Supporting sessions will offer guidance regarding the approaching and interviewing of subjects.
I should aim to subsequently develop a report that is engaging in terms of both its style and content. The completed report should be submitted as a digital Issuu publication posted to my PPP blog and needs to communicate my interview subject's route into industry and identify where their creative practice is currently situated.
IMPORTANT: I will be responsible for any online content uploaded and/or distributed as part of this module. I need to ensure that all material is original, belongs to me and complies with the guidelines for online activity outlined as part of the general Mac suite induction. If I am unsure about any content that I intend to upload I need to discuss this with my tutor.
Evidence of research into appropriate online social/professional/creative networks. This should include evidence of engagement with networking activities, online presence and contribution to identified sites.These should be included as links on my PPP blog.
Responses to this brief should be recorded on my PPP Blog and should be labeled with the module code and appropriate 'Studio Brief 2'.
It is my responsibility to ensure that all work for this brief has been presented and labelled in line with these guidelines by the submission deadline. Work that is incorrectly labelled, posted to the wrong blog or is in anyway unclear or inaccessible will not be assessed.
DELIVERABLE:
A 500 word Creative Report published as a digital Issuu publication posted and clearly label to your PPP blog.
NOTES:
- This needs to be started early, as it could take some time to get the information.
- Look into a few different people - keeps options open and fallbacks are there.
- Identify people of interest - background research - how can I start the communication?
- There needs to be structure to the interview - pre planned questions.
- Questions with more substance and value.
- Set a goal - what do I want to gain?
- Look at books of collections of interviews for inspiration.
CREATIVE REPORT:
Building on my continued familiarisation with the creative industries and prompted by the need for even more engagement with professional contacts, I am required to seek out an industry practitioner or practice who I will base a report on.
The completed report should utilise my skills as both a creative and a researcher and make use of material drawn from at least one personal interview with an appropriate spokesperson to then culminate in an insightful overview of a contemporary industry figure or organisation. My interview can be carried out in person or via phone, Skype or email.
Supporting sessions will offer guidance regarding the approaching and interviewing of subjects.
I should aim to subsequently develop a report that is engaging in terms of both its style and content. The completed report should be submitted as a digital Issuu publication posted to my PPP blog and needs to communicate my interview subject's route into industry and identify where their creative practice is currently situated.
IMPORTANT: I will be responsible for any online content uploaded and/or distributed as part of this module. I need to ensure that all material is original, belongs to me and complies with the guidelines for online activity outlined as part of the general Mac suite induction. If I am unsure about any content that I intend to upload I need to discuss this with my tutor.
Evidence of research into appropriate online social/professional/creative networks. This should include evidence of engagement with networking activities, online presence and contribution to identified sites.These should be included as links on my PPP blog.
Responses to this brief should be recorded on my PPP Blog and should be labeled with the module code and appropriate 'Studio Brief 2'.
It is my responsibility to ensure that all work for this brief has been presented and labelled in line with these guidelines by the submission deadline. Work that is incorrectly labelled, posted to the wrong blog or is in anyway unclear or inaccessible will not be assessed.
DELIVERABLE:
A 500 word Creative Report published as a digital Issuu publication posted and clearly label to your PPP blog.
NOTES:
- This needs to be started early, as it could take some time to get the information.
- Look into a few different people - keeps options open and fallbacks are there.
- Identify people of interest - background research - how can I start the communication?
- There needs to be structure to the interview - pre planned questions.
- Questions with more substance and value.
- Set a goal - what do I want to gain?
- Look at books of collections of interviews for inspiration.
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