Skype Call with Greta Madline

What's with the gold?
"It started with a project at uni, and everyone loved it."

How did you get to work with the Kennedys?
She sent them a box. She advises that you "find creative ways to communicate".

Do you think being at college gave you enough to make your own way after?
"I think college is a really good platform to use all the facilities and do what you wanna do."
"I'm really glad that I experimented so much."
"You need to have your own passions, your own interest, and your own life."

Life after college?
"It was really hard."
"I had no clue where I wan a be."
"I always wanted to do a lot of things but wasn't sure what to do."
"There is no wrong or right way" (to approach the industry).

"You do you."
"You don't have to be one thing."
"Create your job."
"Question everyone."
"Be silly."
"Don't be an ass."
"Just relax a bit."
"Whatever you do, make sure it's golden."
"In any project look for personality."

Interviewing

Have a look at:
DesignWeek Magazine/Website
Michael Wolff

Interviewing
- an exchange of information as a 'question and answer'
- finding out what informs their life, practice, and creativity

Arranging the interview
- they will need contacting in advance
- give an indication on how long an interview will take
- give them a reason/purpose to do the the interview
- ensure you have your questions ready beforehand
- plan how and where this interview will take place
- ask if you can record the interview

Interview Probes
- ask for an example
- ask for clarification
- ask for more details

Networking/Making Friends

Have a look at:
James Victorie

George Lois

"Friendship is both at the moment when one person says to another, What! You too? I thought I was the only one" - C.S Lewis

Methods of communication:
Email
Telephone
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Snapchat
Instagram
Behance
Mail

It is about meeting people and 'sharing', anything at all from love of work, music, movies, lifestyles etc. this will indicate that you are on a similar wavelength and potentially someone to work with if the opportunity arises. Once you make these connections, they too have a wealth of friends that they could potentially connect you too.

(Pro)fessional

'Professional': engaged in a specified activity as one's main paid occupation.

'Professional Creatives': being creative for money.

In the early days creative industries were simple know as 'Commercial art'.

Perceptions take time to grow, at first we are seen as 'arty' but with time we gain a reputation as 'problem solvers'.

Any work you do is open to:

Personal taste

Colour preferences

Committee thinking

Trend

Cultural and ethnic acceptance

Personality clashes

What do you want to achieve:

Your work recognised?

You being recognised as a 'creative'?

Seeing your name 'in lights'?

Respected for your approach?

Fame?

Money?

Downsides:

Not being able to get work

Only getting poor quality clients

Clients who don't listen to good advice

Communication problems/breakdowns

Poor and negotiated outcomes

Not getting paid for your work

Task:
Write a mission statement or a manifesto.

A 'mission statement' is a short paragraph used by businesses to explain in simple and concise terms its purpose of being. A 'manifesto' is a published verbal declaration of the intentions, motives or views of the issuer. (Things that motivate and inspire your practice)

MY MANIFESTO:

1. I am Migle. With a dot on the 'e'.
2. Make my 10 year-old self proud.
3. It has to look good but also taste good.
4. Always stay curious, free and true.
5. If even mom get's it, everyone will get it. 

Summer Reflection

My summer has not be as eventful or exciting as others may have, I did not go on any holidays or travelled anywhere new, however I did have a lot of time to reflect and focus on myself and my personal life. Moving home was one of the most refreshing changes I have had in a while, as I moved out from student accommodation, and into a flat with just my partner. Being in a place that feels less temporary, unlike student accommodation, has allowed me to become more comfortable in my surroundings and settle down into a more structured rhythm of life. It has also given me the opportunity of having my own office/studio-like space. This has allowed my creativity and work ethic to increase, as I am now able to immerse myself more into my work, and personalise the space in a way that makes me feel comfortable and motivated.

Over the summer I have also found a part-time job, working in a JD Store. Although this initially was just a means of helping me financially and didn't benefit my graphic design career, I got lucky in the fact that I met someone who has finished a degree in graphic design and is working freelance currently. I was surprised to see him working a full time retail job with a good degree behind him, especially after he showed me his work which I found quite impressive. However, it has opened my eyes more to the reality that each of us face after we graduate, that a good graphic design job or a launch into a successful career is not as easy or imminent as we might expect. He talked to me about how he has tried to find a more permanent job within a studio for quite some time, and how he has been unsuccessful each time due to "lack of experience". This had got me thinking about my own future, and how I do not wish to be in the situation he is after I graduate, where I have the skills to produce great work but no opportunities to enter the industry and use those skills. That is why I have set myself the aim of gaining some industry experience, seeking out internships, doing some freelance, and building up a strong portfolio. If I manage to do these things hopefully after I graduate I will not only have a strong portfolio and CV, but also some useful contacts and relationships with people currently in the industry that could help me, as the expression goes, to put my foot in the door.

Module Evaluation

At the start of the year, the PPP module felt as if it was in the background of the rest of the course, I didn't really see it's importance or was very excited for it. However, in the last few weeks, working on the studio briefs showed me that the whole year of PPP has been building me up for them, and has subconsciously allowed me to develop skills in my self-presentation and confidence. Although I found the course to be vague and confusing at times, I now see that it was actually just very free-reign, allowing us to explore and experiment independently who we are as individuals as well as designers. I enjoyed the self-branding brief as I feel it has helped me to start building my identity as a designer, and has set the foundations for my future discovery of who I am as a designer. This module has also provided me with a lot of insight into the industry and has made me excited to know that I will be a part of it some day. It has also given me a lot of content to look into for future research and helped me discover many interesting and intriguing designers and agencies, that I am sure will inspire me and my future work. Overall, this module I feel has been very useful and has helped me develop my confidence and skills as a designer, and will continue to do so for the next two years. I will start the PPP module next year will a lot more interest, confidence and excitement.

Daniel Gee - Collage Workshop - 'Art from Non Art'

Daniel Gee came in to show us a short presentation of various different collage artists to inspire our own collage making.

The artists he shared were:
Ill Studio
Robert Rauschenberg
Beth Hedewell
Louis Reith
Ellery James Roberts
Mat Maitland
Richard Prince
Ventral is golden
John Stezaker

We then were provided by Daniel Gee a variety of collage materials, and encouraged to create our own collage to be submitted to his upcoming exhibition 'Art from Non Art'.

This is my submission. The focus was the colour blue and to the purpose to create an abstract but intriguing scene that has depth and intrigues the audience.