April Williams - Unit 10 by A Williams PCA

Personal & Professional Development Plan

Name: April Williams Key Skills Strengths: - Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign skills - Teamwork and communication - Articulating complex concepts with clarity - Independent problem-solving - Developing and improving work through peer/co-worker feedback - Managing time and deadlines effectively - Professionalism - Presentation, persona, and social networking - Developing marketing materials Issues: (Barriers to Learning or problems that you have come across you want to be able to solve) - Self confidence in my abilities and brand identity - Idea processes and motivation - Working towards branding and advertising myself for freelance work My specific learning goals Professional Goals Example: Learn a new skill (e.g. further develop knowledge of InDesign software)

Date: 28.03.2017 Areas of Improvement (Gaps): - Improving gaps in my Photoshop and Illustrator knowledge to use shortcuts and tools more efficiently - A better understanding of managing finances - Self confidence as a person, professional and brand - Social skills - Understanding and expanding knowledge of web development - Exploring creative processes further such as lino-cutting, laser cutting, and 3D printing - I could use these in a future workplace, and to expand my brand - Branding myself as an individual to create my own style - Need to improve my understanding and quantity of business promotion materials

How will I achieve this

How will this be measured

When will I achieve this

People who can help me with this

Through experimentation, taking a short course for that specific software, watch online/visual tutorial videos, taking on more varied jobs.

Through continued use and practice I will gain more confidence in my newfound skills, will be able to produce quality work using the software in a tight time frame, need less help to do specific things.

6 months

Tutor, colleagues, friends.

Personal & Professional Development Plan

Understand and develop knowledge of basic web development

Watching online tutorials, Lynda.com, and any free short courses online

Developing more complex techniques within Photoshop and Illustrator Exploring creative processes such as lino cutting and/or 3D printing

Watching online tutorials online and Lynda.com. Experimentation following these videos. Through experimentation and college lab tutorials

Personal Goals 1. Overcoming self confidence in myself as a person and brand

Develop my own brand

Receive feedback and take into consideration. Work on any constructive feedback to become a better designer

Experiment with logo designs, receive feedback, apply to jobs and freelance jobs to see how well my brand comes across

I would like to evidence any significant steps of improvement I have made towards this. The final step will be to code a basic web page for myself I will need less help from colleagues if Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m asked to do something I presently canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do

6 months

Colleagues, tutor, and peers

4 months

Colleagues, clients, peers, tutor

I would like to experiment with more creative processes that would increase my employability as I would have experience within unusual processes

3 months

Tutor and peers

By how I end up feeling about my work and being proud enough to show it to possible futures employers. Looking back at feedback and personal goals and whether Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve achieved them If I end up with any interviews. If I get good feedback from peers, colleagues, and potential employers/clients

4 months

Peers, family, friends, colleagues

2 months

Peers, colleagues, client, tutor

Personal & Professional Development Plan

Develop a portfolio and creative CV

Pull together all of my design Same as above, if my portfolio is work form within my job at appealing enough to gain any Eden and any personal interviews, just for experience design 3 Year Plan – What do you plan to do in the future both personally and career direction?

3 months

Peers, potential employers, tutor, clients

Year 1 Aims

Year 2 Aims

Year 3 Aims

To create an appealing brand, portfolio and creative CV. Potentially apply for jobs to gain interview experience, and see if my portfolio and CV are working. Apply for any freelance work I can find remotely, whilst improving my design skills within Adobe Suite. This will prepare me for when my apprenticeship comes to an end in 2018.

(If Eden don’t keep me on) Apply for jobs within Graphic Design and Illustration. Potentially advertisement and illustration. Meanwhile, trying to break into freelance work, and do freelance jobs remotely. I would consider part time work alongside freelance if it is going well. To do this I will need to create a strong brand and present myself as employable and experienced with my CV and portfolio.

(If I’m not still at Eden) Trying to create a freelance brand I can depend upon. This is my goal, but this will require me to be a strong brand, and to keep motivated, as well as always expanding my knowledge and skills of Adobe Suite.

1) Companies SPIRAL COMMUNICATIONS What is the Businesses profile? What do they do? http://www.spiralcom.co.uk/ & http://www.spiralcom.co.uk/what-we-do They are are a communications and branding company, and pride themselves on their design team. They brand a product right from the beginning of discussion, through to the final production. They use these words to describe themselves: “Creative, attentive, responsive, accessible and accountable”. Their products – give examples: Lloyd’s Banking Group set out to brand their colleague reward scheme. Working with O2 for infographics across internal communications. A Stem campaign for the University of Leeds. RSA infographics.

Roles/Position interested in, why? (interests, knowledge, skills, job req.) I would be very interested in their Junior Designer position. Design and artwork for traditional and digital media would be a good learning curve. It says nothing about being website coding savvy, so I feel I could bring some imaginative designs to the table, and learn how to make them into websites. I have a keen interest and skills in typography, which could be helpful with this company. Designing new types for digital screens will be interesting, as I feel my skills lie more in traditional, hand drawn type. They seem to be quite vector based, which would really enable me to use my Adobe Illustrator skills. Being a quick learner, I could eventually be given the chance to create a whole site. I would also enjoy the responsibility of taking on a brief from initial concepts to final artwork and product. I like a challenge, and

feel this responsibility would be great for going further in my career. In terms of job requirements, I feel I fit these well as I do have a good working knowledge of Adobe and presentation softwares. 2) Companies FORGE DESIGN AGENCY (AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND) https://forge.co.nz & https://forge.co.nz/about-us/ What is the Businesses profile? What do they do? “We’re here to help you get the message out there.” They design packaging, websites, logos. They can design an entire brand from scratch, also including brochures, POS displays, marketing strategy, direct marketing, and copywriting. Their products – give examples: UMF Honey Association branding. Riverside Farm packaging. Waikare Estate website. Loose Change campaign.

Roles/Position interested in, why? (interests, knowledge, skills, job req.) I would be interested in a junior/trainee role with Forge Design Agency. Working within the company would be ideal as I have a genuine interest in product packaging design, and branding. I have quite a bit of experience with grid layouts within my current job, so feel I could definitely bring this skill into website, brochure and packing designs. By the looks of their style it is very sleek and clean. My

experience with InDesign and grid layouts would really complement their style. I think the job role would require enthusiasm and a quick learner, as well as a really creative eye. Hopefully, they would see that I fit that criteria. I would hope my portfolio, and interview personality, would demonstrate these things more. I have good skills with all of the Adobe Creative Suite, and with some refining I could do even better. Their use of typography in the ‘Loose change…’ advert is really interesting, and using my skills in traditional typography and transferring them into Adobe Illustrator, I could genuinely and well complement their style. 3) Companies HUDSON ARMSTRONG DESIGN (PENRYN, UK) http://hudsonarmstrong.com/ What is the Businesses profile? What do they do? They deliver complete design for print, website and branding projects. They advertise that they create distinctive and recognisable brands; publish stand out designs for publications; easy to use websites, and colourful, tactile marketing material. Their products – give examples: Trevaskis Farm product packaging. Primrose Herd website/online shop. Conroy’s Solicitor’s website. Carnevas website, brochure and onsite signage.

Roles/Position interested in, why? (interests, knowledge, skills, job req.) I would be interested in a Junior/trainee position with HA, or even freelancing for them. On their website they even state that they are always looking for freelancers, here: http://hudsonarmstrong.com/vacancies. I feel I have a really great grasp of Adobe to be able to design products and publications in their professional style. I have a good experience with layouts and grids which would benefit me within publications. As I don’t have the necessary experience to design websites, I would hope they had someone who coded my created elements. This company appear to have a sleek, professional quality. I would hope my InDesign skills could portray this style similarly. Combined with my Photoshop and Illustrator skills in illustrations and vector based designs, I could add a more intriguing element to these sleek, but not very eye-catching designs. I’d be eager for a trainee role, as I could really learn how to design/create a website.

1) Vacancies JUNIOR DESIGNER - SPIRAL BRAND COMMUNICATIONS (Leeds, UK) https://www.indeed.co.uk/cmp/Spiral-Brand-Communications/jobs/Junior-Designer-c57541c0dad49b84?q=Jun ior+Designer What is the job role/position and the responsibilities involved? Junior Designer. -

To produce engaging design and artwork for digital and traditional channels for clients and the business itself.

Work from concept to delivering final artwork, and communicate with colleagues, clients and suppliers.

Participate in client-side meetings and offer insightful, positive contributions.

To be able to develop own ideas, interpret briefs, deliver to deadlines, and liaise with colleagues, clients and suppliers.

What I need: -

Positive attitude and passion for design, type and creativity. ✓ Experience working in a creative studio/environment. ✓ Good working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite. ✓

Good working knowledge of presentation software. ✓

Required Education: -

High school or equivalent

Required Experience: -

Graphic Design: 1 year

What type of contract/hours? N/A Is it full/part time? Full time What is the pay scale? Paid (15k-20k) p/a Is there training involved? None

2) Vacancies JUNIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER - TANK RECRUITMENT AGENCY for client (TRURO, UK) http://www.jobsite.co.uk/job/junior-graphic-designer-957773715?src=search&tmpl=lin&sctr=MD&position=18& page=1&engine=stepmatch&search_referer=google What is the job role/position and the responsibilities involved? Junior Graphic Designer. -

Graphic design for bespoke clients.

Using a variety of mediums.

Bringing new ideas and perspectives into the business.

Working to project briefs.

What I need: -

A portfolio of previous work examples (Not necessarily commercial).

A passion for graphic design & positive attitude.

Good communication skills. ✓

A desire to learn new skills. ✓

✓

Required Education: -

University Degree is advantageous, but not essential

Required Experience: -

Commercial Experience is advantageous, but not essential

What type of contract/hours? Permanent Is it full/part time? Full time What is the pay scale? £16,000 - £19,000 p/a Is there training involved? No

✓

3) Vacancies DESIGNER - MARY GLASGOW MAGAZINES - SCHOLASTIC PUBLISHING (LONDON, UK) https://jobs.designweek.co.uk/job/458345/designer/?LinkSource=SEOLandingPageListing What is the job role/position and the responsibilities involved? Junior Graphic Designer. -

Interpret briefs and come up with imaginative ideas for magazines.

Full responsibility making a magazine to print ready specifications.

Produce eye catching layouts, suitable for 10-18 year olds.

What I need: -

Excellent Adobe knowledge. ✓

Superb eye for detail. ✓

Strong grammatical skills.

Ideally experience designing foreign materials.

✓ ✓ (Eden, helping design Welsh publication)

Required Education: -

None, but “right mix of talent, skills and potential”

Required Experience: -

“Significant” design experience ✓ (by end of apprenticeship, hopefully combined with freelance)

What type of contract/hours? Permanent Is it full/part time? Full time What is the pay scale? Competitive Is there training involved? No

EMPLOYMENT RESEARCH REPORT #2 Skills, aspirations, and challenges Plan

Review

UNIT 10 Personal and Professional Development in Art and Design

Research

Experiment

1 Know how to gather information and use it to select progression goals 2 Be able to prepare a portfolio of art, craft or design work 3 Be able to prepare written material to support progression 4 Be able to develop personal presentation and communication skills

MAIN POTENTIAL JOB ROLE AFTER APPRENTICESHIP (Part time) Junior Graphic Designer & Freelancer

Design Industry: ● What is it like working in this area of design? There will probably be a team of designers, much like at the Eden Project. I would hope we would have meetings to come up with ideas and choose which jobs suit each designer. I feel I have a natural way of working within a team as I like giving feedback as well as receiving feedback to create designs to the best of my ability. ● What do designers working in this sector would need to succeed.? Draw their skills, tools, and requirements. ● Are they based in a particular location? Being a junior designer I would probably be employed in-house at the employer’s studio. Although my dream job would be to freelance full time, being a junior graphic designer within a company (perhaps part time) would enable me to build my portfolio, and have a consistent income at this early stage of my career. ● What qualities/skills would make me EMPLOYABLE in this area? My understanding and use of Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. I would need good communication skills for dealing with potential and current clients, to understand what they are after, and ask them to buy into me as a person as well as my design abilities. I would need to be able to illustrate to fulfill any illustrative requirements for a design.

EMPLOYMENT RESEARCH REPORT #2 Skills, aspirations, and challenges Compare Junior Designer at Spiral Bound Communications and Designer at Ohh Deer (ohhdeer.com). In the junior designer role I would need to deliver artwork for traditional and digital channels and clients, whereas being a designer at Ohh Deer would require a completely different style altogether. At Spiral Bound I would need to focus more on my Adobe suite skills, rather than my hand illustrated and water coloured designs I would do for Ohh Deer. There will be more flexibility within Ohh Deer illustration-wise and creativity-wise as I wouldn’t be bound to any guidelines. It would be a very free and creative role, and would involve quirky humour to suit their puns. At Spiral Bound I would be limited to a more professional take on my work, it would be more structured and digitally created/enhanced. Pay-wise, the design role at Spiral Brand would be a clear salary between 15k and 20k; this would be a reliable form of pay, and I would be settled financially. This would also mean a 9am-5pm, 5 days a week job though. At Ohh Deer, it would be paid per job and not a clear set salary; this could mean my financial position could waver positively or negatively from month to month. But this would mean I could pick and choose to do these jobs when suits me and from wherever I want to in the county, country, or world. I would prefer a more traditionally creative job using fine liners and water colours for quirky, humourous illustrations, but the problem of consistent pay would worry me financially. I wouldn’t feel as secure in this job than I would in the salary-paid job at Spiral Brand. But working there would

EMPLOYMENT RESEARCH REPORT #2 Skills, aspirations, and challenges limit my freedom and creativity, whilst bounding me to set hours.

By comparing the different companies in different colours I can tell that there is a similar amount written for both. This means there is a similar amount of advantages and disadvantages for both.

Aspirational Goals What sort of work do I make? Branding and identity. I would like to design logos and promotional materials. I would also like to be involved in advertising for signage, magazines, and online materials. I would also like to keep traditional (and digital vector) illustration at the heart of my work. I am currently keen on apparel design, but feel I would need to make a name for myself before branching out into that industry. Who is my audience? Who are my clients? Large companies who are involved in sustainability and eco-friendly. After working at the Eden Project I would like to keep the planet and environmental impacts at the heart of my work. For example, any promotional materials being made out of recycled/recyclable materials. I would like to be innovative within this market. How do people know about my work? Word-of-mouth via freelancing. Perhaps advertising in local papers/magazines. LinkedIn profile and Instagram account, keeping followers updated on upcoming work.. Where do I live? Truro, Cornwall. I would like to do a lot of work remotely, and not need to commute to a 9-5 job, 5 days a week. What equipment/software do I use? Photoshop, Illustrator. InDesign. Fine liners. Wacom tablet. Sketchbooks.

EMPLOYMENT RESEARCH REPORT #2 Skills, aspirations, and challenges Challenges Personality - I need to be more confident in my own ideas, this will enable clients to trust me if I believe in my own work. I struggle sometimes to talk face-to-face with people. This would need to be something I overcome, as a lot of clients invest in the designer as well as their designs, so I would need to come across as more charismatic. Motivation to do my freelance could potentially be an issue, especially during the Summer months. It is always going to be more tempting to go sea swimming or wakeboarding. But hopefully I will find a way to have a healthy balance between work and living. Location - I wouldn’t want to move away from Cornwall, despite there not being as many jobs as somewhere like London. I don’t know whether this could be more of a challenge to expand my skills and client-base. But as a lot of work is remote, I feel I could do my job from anywhere in the world really. I have such a great way of life living in Cornwall, and this is more of a positive as this will really drive my creativity and happiness to transfer into my design work. Skills - It is likely I will need to develop my illustration skills continually throughout my career. I will also need to develop my software skills further alongside this. Not because I am bad at any of this, but developing these skills continually will really benefit my style and design techniques - hopefully acquiring more clients and work.

Interview Techniques: These are just a few tricks I have learnt from my past interviews. All jobs I have interviewed for (besides Tregothnan Farm…) I have had an offer to work there, so it shows that these tips have worked. 1. Greeting - There are many different greeting for potential employers, with the top one being to shake their hand. There is no need to wave, or courtesy, or do an awkward bow. If you walk in, smile, and shake their hand that will already push you above candidates who didn’t. A “Hello”, and a “Nice to meet you” will also come across nicely. 2. Preparation - It is important to prepare for the interview. Give yourself plenty of time to get ready, and to get there, and compose yourself. 3. Research - This comes under preparation too. Research the company, find out a bit of background knowledge about them. Is it a family-run company, or a large cooperation? When did the first set up, are they an old or new company? 4. Questions - This also comes under preparation. Think about the questions you would like to ask way before the interview date. Have a think about what you would like or need to know. 5. Appearance - Dress formally, but not tuxedo or ball gown formal. Dress suitably for the role. If they have told you it will be a hands-on interview, demonstrating screen printing techniques for example, bring an apron. Don’t wear an old, painted top as you won’t want to sit in that for the whole interview. 6. Smile and eye contact - Try not to look terrified even when you are. Smile, nod, and look them in the eyes. If that is too nerve wracking then look at the bridge of their nose, between their eyes, as this will give them impression you are still looking them in the eyes - but don’t stare! 7. Plan responses - Think about typical interview questions. What are your strengths, weaknesses? What can you bring to us? This will help you not to freeze up when thinking on the spot. 8. Bring essentials - Anything they have asked you to bring, ensure you take it with you. In design, this will obviously be a portfolio. Sometimes companies ask you to bring identification, such as a passport. 9. Body language - Pay attention to their body language, and your own. Don’t slouch with your arms crossed. Sit up straight; you want to portray an open and approachable persona. Keep an eye on their body language too; it will help you to see where you stand if they’re being quite open and approachable with you too.

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Phone courtesy: Sometimes employers might require a phone interview, whether it’s for their convenience or yours. Here are a few tips for speaking on the phone: 1. Greeting - You obviously can’t shake their hand, so this is where words and tone will come in useful. And you also aren’t technically meeting them, so you can’t use that line either. A “Hello, it’s [name], good to hear from you” does quite well. But you can’t always predicate what their opening line will be, so stay on your toes. Just saying “Hi” will not appear very good if answering phones is in the job description. 2. Speech - Sound happy and excited, try not to mumble or sound bored. Avoid “umm”s and “urh”s. If you need thinking time just pause a second, take a sip of water. Sometimes the interview is also nervous to be speaking over the phone! 3. End of call - Chances are, you won’t know if you have the job yet, and they’ll want to meet in person (if convenient and location allows). So continue to be polite, and enthusiasm wouldn’t go amiss. “Thanks so much for calling, see you then!” will work a treat.

Email of enquiry: Here is a very recent e-mail of a job enquiry. With companies that don’t specify on their website about freelancers, I like to e-mail to ask as some companies really don’t like random CVs and portfolio links being e-mailed to them. By asking a question instead of sending over my details out of the blue, it also usually makes a company reply to me. I feel this is because it’s easier to ignore emails without a question. Unfortunately, this company would require me to work in their studio, which would be ideal if I didn’t already have a full time job. I will bare this company in mind for the end of my apprenticeship though. Hopefully, they will remember me if I send them a CV and portfolio with an impact.

Before the Eden Project and PCA Apprenticeship The story behind e-mail 1: When I finished my A Levels in English, Graphics, and Film with all Bâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s I presumed the next logical step was university. I knew I needed a year out to save for accommodation and living costs, as no loans or grants could cover this realistically. I spent a year working as floor staff at the Plaza Cinema, Truro, where I gained lots of customer service experience and grew much more confident in myself. I was offered a place to study English and Creative Writing at Falmouth University for Sept 2015. I had chosen English because it was the only thing I thought I was good at, despite getting the same grade as Graphics. Except, I never enjoyed it nearly as much as I enjoyed Graphic Design. So, I deferred my place for a year to work out what course I really wanted to do. After travelling around New Zealand for several months and not once writing a post for a travel blog, but illustrating anything and everything I could, it became clear that I was supposed to do Graphics. So, I asked the university if I could change course, whilst away.

The story behind e-mail 2: They needed an update personal statement, after many emails deciding an interview date. I booked an earlier flight home to make an in-person interview so this would portray how serious I was about the course change.

The story behind e-mail 3: I wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t accepted on the Graphic Design course at Falmouth University. I was gutted, especially after ending my trip early. I went back to working at the Plaza Cinema, where I thought I would spend the foreseeable trying to break into freelance. But this initiated my search for a design job where I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need a degree, too.

The story behind e-mail 4: I applied through Truro College for any design apprenticeships. I went for an interview at Chris Sedgeman Scaffolding, but didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get the Marketing & Design ob. I had a phone interview, open-day, and in-person interview with Tregothnan Farm for a Marketing & Design apprenticeship.

The story behind e-mail 5: I was quite upset that I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get the job at Tregothnan, but it was a great confidence boost after all the kinds things she said about my ability and work. She gave me some tips for my Eden Project Graphic Design apprenticeship interview.

The story behind e-mail 6: After an interview with PCA, I was invited for an interview with the Eden Project.

The story behind e-mail 7: After my interview I was offered the apprenticeship with the Eden Project in Graphic Design. I mainly went for this position as it was a great way to get my foot in the door of the design industry. The fact I could get some more qualifications was a bonus.

From finishing college in June 2014, to beginning my apprenticeship at the Eden Project in October 2016, I had to many decisions. From wanting to study English; to wanting to change my course to Graphics and Illustration; to wanting to travel; to not being accepted into university (unless I went for English), it turns out that all of these seemingly jumbled decisions meant I could have the life I do today. It is a great stepping stone into the industry, and I am so much from working there. I hope to pursue a career in Graphic Design for the foreseeable - which is a big change from working at the Plaza Cinema forever! I have also looked at university courses I would consider if I decide university is the way to go. I have only looked at relatively close college and university degree courses as I enjoy my way of life in Cornwall far too much to leave. This will also mean I wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to move away and pay for accommodation, which will be much more expensive than how I currently live. I have included Falmouth University again as hopefully having gained more Graphic Design qualifications and having job experience, they would reconsider me.

POSSIBILITIES OF MY FUTURE ...IF I CAN’T GET A JOB.

IF t hings don’t work out with finding a design job,

or my freelance career doesn’t take off, I will need to consider other options to stay within the design industry. One of the main ideas I have is to try going to university. If I reapplied to Falmouth at the end of my apprenticeship they will hopefully see my dedication, and I will have a much stronger portfolio under my belt. Although I feel university isn’t really for me, even just acquiring a foundation degree - spending 2 years instead of 3 there - I will have more education and 2 years of learning to bring into a future job. Below is the prospectus for Famouth University’s Graphic Design BA Hons.

If, after my apprenticeship, I find Graphic Design really isn’t for me (which I reallt doubt), I have gathered the information for an Animation course, Creative Advertising & Branding course, and an Illustration course.

To get onto this course I will need between 104 and 120 UCAS points. I have 120 points after completing my A Levels 2 years ago, so adding in my BTEC and NVQ after completing my apprenticeship will be a great bonus.

I would also look into applying at Plymouth College of Art for a BA Hons degree. This way I am spreading my options, and not just hoping Falmouth will accept me. Although, the idea of travelling up to Plymouth daily, and not being able to have the income of a full time job, is disconcerting. Below is Plymouth’s prospectus for Graphic Design.

After doing this research, it is positive to see that there will be other options for me if I’m really struggling to find a job - or just want to further my skills and educations, if practicality, income, and location cooperates. Having worked at the Eden Project for 7 months, I am hopeful though that having this experience and this name to carry through into the design world, will hugely benefit me for freelance and part-time positions. April Williams

Designing my header and logo Below are my initial thumbnail sketches of possible logos for my own identity. There is a mix of geometric qualities, and handwritten, script elements. I have noticed there are more variations of geometric style thumbnails, which is relevant to a lot of the InDesign work I do – which represents my structured qualities when working to layouts, margins, grids and columns. I really like the green circled logo, as this would be really fun to create using geometric shapes such as lines and circles, whilst the A and W isn’t really in your face. I do also like the script qualities of the others, especially the one which looks a bit like a ring of a planet with my initials in the ring (blue circle). After searching through some possible CV designs, I feel I will be leaning further towards the geometric style though.

Below is also my header, based off of an optional logo at the bottom of the page. This, combined with the geometric shape logo, could create a really sleek, professional effect. I would use this on my website, quotes, invoices, and of course my CV.

Creative CV Design Research: I felt the best way to gather lots of ideas and really get my thought processes going would be to use Pinterest. I use this site a lot as it allows me to see lots of possibilities all in the same place. Below are some of my favourite examples that inspired my Creative CVs, leading ultimately to my final one.

I really like this foldable design. The whole CV expands out into various sections, yet not entirely defined by the foldsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; boxes.

This one is brilliant as it allows me to combine my CV with my business card. This could free up more room on my CV as contact details would be on the card.

I like this one as it minimises the amount of folds and therefore creates less creases, which could obscure text.

I would like to try out a foldable design, perhaps example 2, as I like the idea of combining the business card with it. The designs have the finish of a gloss or matte brochure, so if I were to get them made I would go to a professional printing company with my template and design.

Without using an illustration of myself (a person), this patterned top & bottom border would be another great way to display talent.

This CV is quite unique and something I would like to try. It is illustrated which shows the level of skill the artist has. This one folds up like an abstract booklet and allows the creases to act like natural category boxes. I really like the colour scheme as blue appears to be an inviting yet sophisticated colour when use in the right tones.

I am particularly inspired by examples 5 and 6, as the illustrative style could showcase my skills. Half of these examples are black and white, whilst the others have large elements of colour, so this is something I will need to experiment with. Here is the rest of my Pinterest board.

Business Card Design I researched business cards and conventional layouts. Design 1 is set out in a centred layout, although quite traditional I feel it is professional and clear, with the main focus on my name and logo – and therefore my brand. Design 4 is the same, just inverted. Design 2 is also centred, featuring complementing geometric shapes to suit the theme of my own typography. Although it is quite unique, I don’t feel it offers the professionalism I would like my card to offer. Design 3 is less traditional as it is positioned in a left alignment. I feel this offer something new. The black bar is complementing and allows my website to be clearly seen (unlike the 2 above).

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Back cover – Here are 2 different designs. They are both very similar, but depending on the front of the business card’s colour, I would like the back cover to be the opposite in background colour. I do prefer the black background, as it appears sleek and professional.

A b o u t

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E d u c a t i o n

Completed A Levels, and currently Working towards a Graphic Design pursuing a graphic design career BTEC and Level 3 NVQ. at the Eden Project, within an apprenticeship. 3 Bâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s at A Level Graphic Design A hardworking, dedicated, & Illustration, English detail-orientated, Literature & Language, and passionate designer Film Studies. with a keen interest in branding and 3 A grade GCSEs inc. p h o n e : 0 7 8 4 7 7 0 9 8 3 2 vector illustrations, Graphics, 8 B grade hoping to advance GCSEs. e - m a i l : a p r i l w i l l i a m s _ d e s i g n @ y a h o o . c o m further within M e a d o w H o u s e , T e h i d y , C o r n w a l l , T R 1 4 0 H A freelance design.

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E x p e r i e n c e E d e n P r o j e c t O c t 2 0 1 6 G r a p h i c D e s i g n A p p r e n t i c e Designer of posters, leaflets, and brochures. Sole designer of Eden Life Spring edition 2017. Sole designer of Eden Project playing cards. Branding of the Rainforest Canopy Walkway Launch Weekend signage.

P r e s e n t

F r e e l a n c e

P r e s e n t

D e s i g n e r

I l l u s t r a t o r

2 0 1 5

Drawing

Waterskiing

Photoshop Illustrator

Sea swimming

InDesign Illustration

Squash

H o b b i e s

Watercolours

A r t i s t i c

S k i l l s

Using a creative technique I found on Pinterest I designed my creative CV around the fold lines. I found the fold lines leant themselves naturally to the geometric shapes I have used in my CV. This also compliments my geometric style logo. This style also enabled me to combine the business card with the CV, and being such a small size is an easy thing for somebody to keep on their desk without cluttering up too much space. This sleek geometric style fits with the simplicity of my website design too. Next, is an initial design idea I had, but decided didn’t fit with my logo or brand as my chosen CV does. I used illustrative designs I had come up with for my potential apparel and card designs. I played about with the positioning of the sea animals until they filled the spaces appropriately. I also changed the shapes of the ‘Education’ text box to work around the turtle’s leg. I really liked this CV design, and although it displayed my skills well, as well as all the information I needed, it didn’t fit with the geometric theme of my logo, name, brand, and website.

d e s i g n e r

i l l u s t r a t o r

ABOUT ME Completed A Levels, and currently pursuing a Graphic Design career at the Eden Project, within an apprenticeship. A hardworking, dedicated, detailorientated, passionate designer with a keen interest in products, branding, and illustration, hoping to advance further within freelance design.

EXPERIENCE E d e n P r o j e c t O c t 2 0 1 6 - P r e s e n t G r a p h i c D e s i g n A p p r e n t i c e - Designer of posters, leaflets, and brochures. - Sole designer of Eden Life Spring edition 2017. - Sole designer of Eden Project playing cards. - B r a n d i n g o f t h e R a i n f o r e s t C a n o p y W a l k w a y Launch Weekend signage. Freelance Designer & Illustrator 2015 - Present

E D U C AT I O N Working towards a Graphic Design BTEC and Level 3 NVQ. 3 Bâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s at A Level Graphic Design & Illustration, English Literature & Language, and Film Studies. 3 A grade GCSEs inc. Graphics, 8 B grade GCSEs

SKILLS Photoshop Illustrator InDesign Illustration Watercolours

HOBBIES Drawing Waterskiing Sea swimming Squash

My Website Below is the screenshot of the opening page of my website. I wanted my brand to be clear, sleek, and professional. The homepage, is also the whole website. With tabs in the top right to bring you directly to ‘Contact me’ or ‘Portfolio’, the whole homepage also features all these pages in a seamless, scroll down motion. There is also an obvious ‘Contact me’ button which brings you straight to the ‘Contact me’ page.

As you scroll down the top bar scrolls down with you, so my brand is clear but not in your face the whole time. The first area you come to is a small segment about me and my professional skills and specialities. This is so people know from the beginning where my skills lie, and can see that my designs are just me and not a team.

Â Below that is a portfolio of my work. Although www.imcreator.com is not the cheapest website building site, it is incredibly easy to change elements of it. This will come in especially handy when I am adding more pieces of work to my portfolio here. (The screenshot below is of the web browser, for the sake of this screenshot). When you click on one piece of my work it opens up the image to show it in much larger detail. There is a short description between each piece so potential clients know roughly what the brief is.

At the end of the page, after seeing my portfolio of work, is the ‘Contact me’ element. I feel this flows in a connective, linear sequence of information so potential clients have been on a small journey of me and my work, and can finally make the decision to contact me. I have little tabs at the bottom that connect to my Instagram profile, and LinkedIn profile.

I have the domain name aprilhwilliams.co.uk to connect to this website if I want to start paying. But currently I just have the free domain: www.imxprs.com/free/afaapril/april-williams. I am currently focusing on my full time apprenticeship with Eden, but once I am looking to seriously freelance more than just an evening or two a week (like I am currently) then I should hopefully have the income to pay for the webpage to connect to my own domain name. By then, I will also have more time to put into freelancing. I also have a physical portfolio that I bring to interviews. Chances are the potential employer or client has seen some work online, but it really helps to bring a physical copy. This allows me to explain each piece of work, and which skills and software I used to create them. A physical portfolio is usually used more for potential employers for full or part time work, rather than a client as they aren’t really interviewing you, and would have contacted you most likely for a quote.

‘EDEN PROJECT’ MENU DESIGN TO CREATE A MENU FOR A BRANCH OF ‘EDEN PROJECT’ ON-SITE CATERING, THE ‘MED TERRACE’, IN THE MEDITERRANEAN BIOME. DESIGNED USING ADOBE INDESIGN. I REALLY ENJOYED CREATING THE PERFECT GRID LAYOUT USING MARGINS AND GUTTERS. MOCK UP CREDIT: GRAPHICBURGER.COM

PERSONAL SEA LIFE PROJECT [ONGOING] SEA LIFE ILLUSTRATION COLLECTION. PRODUCTION FOR APPAREL, TOTE BAGS, AND CARDS. ILLUSTRATION AND TYPOGRAPJHY BY HAND, USING FINELINERS. MOCK UP CREDIT: GRAPHICBURGER.COM

TO CREATE A MENU FOR A BRANCH OF ‘EDEN PROJECT’ ON-SITE CATERING, THE ‘MED TERRACE’, IN THE MEDITERRANEAN BIOME. DESIGNED USING ADOBE INDESIGN. I REALLY ENJOYED CREATING THE PERFECT GRID LAYOUT USING MARGINS AND GUTTERS.

‘EDEN PROJECT’ PLANT LABELS TO ILLUSTRATE AND DESIGN PLANT LABELS TO FIT WITH THE CURRENT THEME ACROSS THE ‘EDEN PROJECT’ SITE. ILLUSTRATED BY HAND, COLOURED IN PHOTOSHOP, COMBINED IN ADOBE INDESIGN.

PERSONAL VECTOR ILLUSTRATIONS [ONGOING] AN EVER-EXPANDING PEROSNAL PROJECT OF VECTOR ILLUSTRATIONS, BEGINNING WITH A ‘VANS’ SHOE. ILLUSTRATED USING ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR. MOCK UP CREDIT: GRAPHICBURGER.COM

PERSONAL SEA LIFE PROJECT [ONGOING] SEA LIFE ILLUSTRATION COLLECTION. PRODUCTION FOR APPAREL, TOTE BAGS, AND CARDS. THE AIM OF THIS DESIGN IS TO PROVOKE THOUGHT OF THE ENVIRONMENT USING AN EYE-CATCHING ILLUSTRATION. DRAWN BY HAND, PUT TOGETHER IN PHOTOSHOP. MOCK UP CREDIT: GRAPHICBURGER.COM

‘EDEN PROJECT’ T-SHIRTS POTENTIAL DESIGNS FOR NEW ‘EDEN PROJECT’ T-SHIRTS AND HOODIES. DUE TO CURRENT PHASING OUT OF OLD DESIGNS, THESE HAVE NOT BEEN CHOSEN. THE CACTI DESIGN MAY NOW BECOME A MUG. TREES AND CACTI HAND ILLUSTRATED, CREATED AND REFINED IN ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR.

T-SHIRT DESIGN T-SHIRT DESIGN FOR ‘PLYMOUTH COLLEGE OF ART’ BTEC COURSE. CREATED USING ILLUSTRATOR. SCREEN-PRINTED ONTO T-SHIRT. MOCK UP CREDIT: GRAPHICBURGER.COM

‘EDEN PROJECT’ WEDDING INVITE TO CREATE POTENTIAL WEDDING STATIONARY FOR ‘EDEN PROJECT’ WEDDINGS. [CURRENTLY ON HOLD] MOCK UP CREDIT: GRAPHICBURGER.COM

Unit 40 Presentation    April Williams

Initial Research - Typography Typography – the art of arranging type. Influencing text to portray character, style, and pace. ▪ Wim Crouwel – designer of the new alphabet type. ▪ Craig Ward – author, and advertising designer. ▪ Alex Trochut – experimental and digital type designer.

Table of Type Terminology Understanding the elements that build up a typeface helped me to design my own for my first double page spread about the Rorschach Test. I created this type using a bold digital type, and combined it with traditional ink splats that I created myself. By using Pathfinder tools in Illustrator I was able to experiment with different variations of the combination.

This was the type I ended up using.

Magazine Layout Research

By creating this table I could identify key elements of magazine layouts.

Magazine Layout Research By creating grid layouts of existing magazines, I could correctly define terminology and typical magazine conventions.

First DPS My first double-page spread was about the Rorschach Test. I wanted my design to tie in the ink elements of the test itself. I liked the old-fashioned style, but realised I wanted a more modern style.

First DPS Using my experimental type from earlier, I created this double page spread finally.

Second DPS I wanted to do an interview DPS too, but too keep the spread in a similar theme from my first one.

Front Cover Research Researching front covers was vital for me if I was going to create a cover with an impact. I analysed the covers of Time, Empire, and GQ magazines.

Front Cover Research Based off of a discarded illustration from my first DPS, I tried to use it as a front cover instead. This didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t work, so I created something new using experimental paper cutting techniques, and layering. 1

Adding an advert By creating a whole page advert it allowed me to create in whatever style I wanted, without worrying it would ruin the look of a DPS.

Conclusion Overall, I am really happy with my magazine. It features some traditional, yet not boring, elements of layout. This is combined with some non-conventional features too, such as the folio and page numbers.

Post Presentation Reflection What went well? I think my slides accurately portrayed what I was talking about. And due to lots of practice, I knew how to talk more about each slide - prompted by my notes. I think I was loud enough so that people could hear what I was saying, which is very important. What didn’t go so well, why? I don’t think I was confident enough in myself, and to me my voice sounded a bit monotone. This could have made people feel less invested and interested in my presentation. It’s not that I was proud to show my presentation, but I think I got a bit too nervous. What did I learn? I learnt that I should try to tame my nerves so my audience can be excited by my presentation. But I also learnt that if you are proud of your work then other people will be more likely to listen. How will this help me in the future? Strangely, by being so nervous, I feel it has boosted my confidence. If I believe my work is good, then I should be proud so other people will want to see it. What am I still worried about? What if my work isn’t as good as I think it is? How can I overcome this? I suppose this will come with practice. If I present my work more, then I will get more feedback. The feedback will tell me what is good and bad about my work, so I can try to focus on improving.

Presentation Skills In order to deliver my presentation in the best way possible, I researched a few tips and skills that would help me do this. 1. Practise & preparation - I have put this tip at the top as I feel it would be the most beneficial. If I practise my presentation then I will know exactly what I am talking about in each slide. It would also help if I made key cards so I can prompt myself if the nerves make me forget my lines. 2. Smile and make eye contact - I feel this is a huge point to stress. If I look like I am enjoying my presentation and looking at my audience, they will be able to connect with what I’m saying and be more interested. 3. Project voice and precise articulation - This is a very big point to make; if my audience can’t hear or understand what I’m saying then the whole presentation is pointless. Take your time and don’t rush. 4. Start strong - Apparently the first 2-3 minutes of a presentation are the most important. This is because people make snap judgements about whether the visuals and speaker are interesting enough to keep watching and listening. 5. Keep it short - If there is a maximum time limit for the presentation, aim to go a few minutes under. This is because humans have short attention spans; they would also rather a presentation be shorter than longer than the time frame. 6. Text point size - There is no general set rule for this. There are some people who say a point size of 30pt is a good gauge, but it does depend on how the presentation is being displayed (on a TV, via projector, etc). 7. Positivity - Don’t make excuses, avoid any negativity as the audience will not openly respond well to your characteristics during the presentation. 8. Be open - Body language is important here. Don’t fold your arms. Use hand gestures; move around (but not too much!) and stand up straight. You want the audience to buy into you and your presentation, not feel like you don’t want to be there. 9. Dress appropriately - Don’t turn up in yesterday’s clothes. Look presentable and professional. This will show people you are professional and mean business. 10. Speech - Take your time and don’t rush. Take a breath, a drink of water. Avoid speaking too fast when you become nervous.

Welcome to my presentation on Unit 40. The aim was to produce a magazine and show that we could understand typography and layout design. 1st Slide •

Alex Trochut - his work with realistic materials such as gels and paints influenced my use of ink.

2nd Slide •

Creating a list of typographic terminology allowed me to understand the elements that build up a successful typeface.

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I created this type using a bold, digital typeface. By combining it with ink splatters I made myself I used Pathfinder tools in Illustrator to experiment with many variations of the combination. I ended up choosing THIS typeface as it allowed me to play with negative space for the DPS I had in mind.

3rd Slide •

By creating this table I could identify key elements of magazine layouts. This helped me to think about how I would layout my own magazine. I learnt about images and bleeds, internal and external margins, and widows and orphans.

4th Slide •

By creating grid layouts of existing magazines, I could correctly identify correct terminology and typical magazine layout conventions. This is an example of a grid I made for an Eden magazine. It helped me think about my external margins and internal margins. I feel white space was an important element so my article didn’t feel overcrowded.

5th Slide •

My first DPS was about the Rorschach Test. I wanted my design to tie in with the ink elements of the test. I did like the old-fashioned style of my first DPS as it would have been a very unique style. However, I realised half way through I would have preferred a slightly more modern style to reflect the issues within the article about modern medicine.

6th Slide •

Using my experimental type from earlier I created this new DPS. The type I chose for this allowed me to use negative space and block colour to the bleed of the pages. I was much happier with this style, and the unconventional use of the page numbers.

7th Slide •

I wanted to create an interview DPS too, but to ensure that it tied in with the theme of my first one. I used similar Illustrator techniques and different ink splatters I had turned into brushes. By using the blue text on a white background it stopped my magazine from becoming too dark and condensed.

8th Slide •

Researching from covers was vital for me if I was going to create a front cover with an impact. I analysed the covers of Time, Empire, and GQ Magazines. All of which featured elements of brand confidence, and article teasers to get people to buy the magazine. The Empire magazine didn’t feature any teasers, it was the image that was supposed to grab attention, and I wanted to go choose this more professional, cleaner style for my own.

9th Slide •

Based off of a discarded illustration from my first DPS, I tried to use it as a front cover. This didn’t work and made the whole magazine seem too black & white. It also wouldn’t have worked to be eye catching and get people to buy it. So, I created something new using experimental paper cutting techniques, layering, and textures. This created a much more interesting design.

10th Slide •

By creating an advert that filled the whole page it allowed me to create it in whatever style I wanted to, without worrying it wouldn’t tie in with the style of my DPS. I tried to create a small advert within one of the DPS’s but it looked out of place and ruined the professional quality.

11th Slide •

Overall, I am really happy with my magazine. It features some traditional yet not boring elements of layout. This is combined with some non-conventional features too such as folios, and page numbers.

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Does anyone have any questions?

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Thank you.