Professional Practise

As part of this class we were asked to create an Avatar of ourselves for the future of our project. An Artist I was looking at on Behance was Mr. Manvu.  I specifically liked the first and second images and how simple they turned out. There was no harsh black lines. I think I’m leaning more towards this style of Avatar.

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Another style I really like is from a studio called 1SimpleIdea. There are multiple creators of these pieces but like Mr Manu’s style, I really like the simplicity.

I was looking at other Developers like Avataars. I found them on google.  They were designed by Pablo Stanley. You can find his twitter here with all his other creations. These also have a very simple idea so I think this will be the style I’m going to follow.

These icons were just some free icons that I found on google images. I think this is the style that I am going to go for and try to recreate.

After looking at the different styles of icons, I found that I wanted to go for a more simple approach to my avatar. I done a few sketches for ideas:

 

After sketching them out, I tried making them up in Illustrator. I really like how they came out. But I think I’m going to go with creating the first one and using it as my main Avatar.

 

After this task, We were told to create a SWOT graphic. I think after experimenting with Illustrator to create out avatars, I’m going to illustrate mine.

 

Document research into specific job roles, career trends & options for design graduates

A job that I have wanted since I was a lot younger was the job of an animator. From a young age I would trace over the images of Disney story books. And now I find myself creating my own characters from time to time and coming up with their backstories.

Upon looking more into Animators and what they do, I found the following on Prospects. This lists the many roles of an animator in the industry which includes the following:

• liaising with clients and developing animation from their concepts
• creating storyboards that depict the script and narrative
• drawing in 2D to create sketches, artwork or illustrations
• designing models, backgrounds, sets, characters, objects and the animation environment
• using a range of materials, including modelling clay, plaster, oil paints, watercolours and acrylics
• developing the timing and pace of the movements of a character or object during the sequence of images and ensuring they follow the soundtrack and audio requirements
• using technical software packages, such as Flash, 3ds Max, Maya, LightWave, Softimage and Cinema 4D
• building up accurate, detailed frame-by-frame visuals
• recording dialogue and working with editors to composite the various layers of animation (backgrounds, special effects, characters and graphics) in order to produce the finished piece
• working to production deadlines and meeting clients’ commercial requirements
• working as part of a broader production team, which might include liaising with printers, copywriters, photographers, designers, account executives, website designers or marketing specialists
• dealing with diverse business cultures, delivering presentations and finding funding.

Another job I would love to do would be illustration. I like to believe I have good drawing skills and can adapt to other people’s styles just by looking and copying their style from their own illustrations.

As an illustrator, work is predominantly freelance, and possible markets include:

• advertising – advertising posters, storyboards, press
• publishing– books
• corporate work – brochures, catalogues
• editorial – magazines, newspapers and comics
• fashion – forecasting
• merchandising – greetings cards, calendars, t-shirts, ceramics, etc
• multimedia – TV, film, computer games, websites, apps, animation.

Currently with different classes, I’m trying different methods of illustration such as photos and collage. I will put up different examples of my trials later.

According to CreativeBloq, Graphic Designers should really look more into HTML, CSS and UIUX design. I really enjoyed creating our website in my class last year to this would be a career I’d be interested in.

UX designers are involved in designing sites and software for specific target groups and end users. The purpose of your role is to ensure that the ‘user experience’ for individuals using websites or applications is as efficient as possible and makes sense to people, who are often from non-technical backgrounds.

They are required to:

• understand how to use specialist software such as Axure and OmniGraffle to enable you to design front-end experiences for potential users
• sketch out visual concepts both on paper and using software applications
• work on cross-platform applications to develop user experiences covering mobile phones, tablets and computers
• re-design websites to make them more responsive, for example, you could be involved with those aimed at the general public from both government and commercial service industries
• re-design or create mobile apps that are easy to use and are configured appropriately for smartphones and tablets
• ensure that an end-product design meets the core business objectives required by the client company, while providing users with the optimum experience in terms of efficiency, effectiveness and engagement. Online retail is a significant user of UX designers.

Analyse a minimum of three relevant Job Advertisements

In terms of animation, a company I would love to work for would be Boulder Media. They are based in Ireland are produce well know TV Shows such as The Amazing Work Of Gumball, Fosters Home for Imaginary Friends and Danger Mouse.

Just by looking at these jobs on one site for one company, it’s obvious that animators are in very high demand. Yet one I was really interested was a 2D designer.

According to this job advertisement, you don’t need any prior experience.  But they do require:

• Harmony software skills desirable, preferably on a long form animation series.
• A strong understanding of the Harmony animation package.
• A strong grasp of the basic animation fundamentals and a great work ethic.
• Must be able to work to a weekly quota.
• Must have good creative vision and be detail orientated.
• Must be flexible, willing to learn and self-motivated.
• Be able to work within a Production Schedule.

In terms of Illustration, there wasn’t any sole jobs for animation. But there were alot for graphic design in general which leads me to believe that illustration would play a big part in any graphic design job.

The only fitting information I could find was on Study.com. Although this is an American site it gave me the requirements for any illustrator.

Another job I recently came across that I found to be really drawn to was the job of a Concept Artist.

It also shows the medical illustrators make more money a year than general illustrators. No matter what career you take, you will be required to show a portfolio but also have a Bachelor’s degree in fine arts. But I’m sure you could apply with qualification in graphic design as a whole.

Finally, in terms of UIUX design, I looked at two jobs which had more or less the same requirements for the job:

 

• Previous experience as a designer
• Proven Knowledge Experience with the Adobe suite and HTML CSS
• The ability to work in a team
• Communication and presentation skills
• Experience creating wire-frames and prototypes.

I feel like my strengths would be:

• Good communication skills: In my foundation course of graphics in another college, I took a communications class. I also work with ‘The Five Lamps’ art festival and had to communicate with the client. I also made different posters for multiple stage productions that the college’s drama class put on.
• Good knowledge of Photoshop and Illustrator: I first downloaded a free trial of Photoshop when I was thirteen after hearing about it in my art class. We were exploring different kinds of art. I already loved the computer and art so I figure this was a way forward. I’ve been using mainly Photoshop since then. I’ve also been using adobe illustrator for the last three years and have become more confident with it and could easily use it for other projects.
• Willing to learn and self motivated: For a class last year called Visual narratives, I looked at a lot of different tutorials into getting the different animated effects that I wanted in my video. Because of this I believe that I could go on myself and learn what I need to learn alone instead of having to ask someone for help.
• Presenting work: Last year we focused on presentation a lot and I feel like I can now present my work a lot better in terms of my portfolio and for the client.
• The ability to work in a team: When I done my foundation year, we done a group project to re-brand the Five Lamps Festival. That was a large group project in which I was more than happy to share ideas and work together.

My weaknesses would be:

• Lack of confidence: This is in design but it’s also a personal thing. I’m not hugely confident in myself and I don’t take compliments too well. I’m always ready to improve on something but I rarely feel right taking compliments on my work.
• Underselling myself: I don’t think my work is up to parr with other designers and I will often play my work off like it was nothing and that I didn’t put effort into it when I really did.
• The lack of confidence in being a leader: I am more of a follower. I like when someone has an idea that they want me to work on. But personally I don’t like take charge with a team of people maybe in fear that they don’t like what I offer.
• Fear of failing to meet someone’s needs

My opportunities would be:

• Furthering my skills: I could look into tutorials around the internet such as the one on Lynda.com. I would also really practise more in programmes I don’t understand so much such as InDesign
• Branching into different areas of graphic designs: I have a keep interested in HTML and UIUX design and I think I would like to delve more into this area of graphics and try get more familiar with it.
• Becoming a freelance graphic designer: I have already done some freelance work for people so I could look into taking on more jobs myself for people. For this I would have to update my portfolio a lot.

My Threats would be:

• Change in trends in the industry
• Other designers
• People going for the same job
• People with more experience than me in the job.

For re

One of the colleges I want to go to is DIT. I done a level five in graphics in Marino college and planned to go on to DIT but felt I lacked the confidence. This year I’m going to apply.

I was researching opportunities after the course.. some of the companies student’s got jobs in were:

Some of the companies who have recruited Visual Communications graduates:

• Digital Skills Academy
• Dara Creatives
• Daintree
• Image Now
• Goldfish Marketing
• Game Stop
• Detail Design
• Pulse Accessories
• Work Group
• Source Design
• Thinkhouse
• Screen Scene
• Point Graphics
• Source Design
• Custodian
• Compub
• Tower Records
• Acorn

DIT also shows that some of their graduates have gotten jobs after college in the following areas:

• Graphic Designer
• Production Designer (theatre, television, film)
• Junior Designer
• Freelance Graphic Designer
• Marketing Administrator
• Desktop Publisher
• Illustrator and Designer
• Animator
• Medical Illustrator
• Printmaker
• UX Designer

For this class, we were asked to create an infographic about our career path. The journey we will be hopefully taking towards a job. At first, I went to research some different infographics and see which style I liked the most. Some of the designers I really admired was as follows:

“Diamonds Are Forever” by Valerio Pellegrini

“The Wall: A Threat to the Environment” by Sofia Guajardo

“The Psychology of the Perfect Marketing Video” by Explainify

“Infographic of Plants” by Nanjing University of the Arts, Zhang Biqi

“PhillyRow: Anatomy of a Rowhouse” by PhillyRow

“Bears of Finland” by Annukka Mäkijärvi

For my infographic I’m going to start off at the bottom of a landscape page and work my way up. Because I think this will hopefully how my career path goes when it comes to it.

So in creating my infographic, I’m going to split it up into four sections hopefully:

• Now – CDCFE & Night work at a bar
• Applying for different colleges / CAO
• Graduation? Opportunities that can come from that?
• Jobs / Different possible jobs

Given my style of graphic design is heavily illustrated, I think I’ll add some personal illustrations showing my different stages on my infographic. Below is some examples of my illustration:

In terms of colour swatches, I looked at some different swatches, all with different personalities.

But in the end I decided to used the colours of my branding manual, just like I had done with my SWOT Analysis poster.

TASK 06: INITIAL REVIEW OF PORTFOLIO WORK

For this task we were reviewing our portfolio’s. For this I looked at some videos that some other designers have put up and their tips and tricks about their portfolio and prepping it. I also looked at a very interesting video from The Futur from the CEO himself talking about the importance of portfolio prep.

• Portfolio aims/objectives – employment college entry etc.
  My portfolio will be used to mainly apply for college entry for next year. I’m applying to DIT, NCAD and IADT, all with different portfolio requirements. So i will have to suit it accordingly.
• Alternative formats – traditional/digital
  I will use both traditional formats, for my sketchpads and craft posters but also digital for the rest of my work.
• Breadth of work – does the portfolio present all of your strengths?
  My main strength would be illustration and I do feel like the portfolio shows this off since illustration has seeped into many of my designs.
• Be selective
  For being selective, I think it’ll work best through the help of my classmates. I think we all understand each other’s style well enough to be honest with each other on what works and what doesn’t in terms of our work.
• Newness
  In my portfolio, I will include the work I’m currently working on in CDCFE but also the exhibition work that I am creating for an exhibition in June.
• Context – showing the work in the context of what it was designed for
  I think this can be shown through using wireframes or making practical copies of designs and photographing them.
• Order
  I haven’t give much thought to order and didn’t really think it mattered? But I will be putting a strong piece at the start and a strong one at the end to make sure that my work is to be remembered.
• Process – case studies that showcase your design process (not just the finished piece)
  I think this would be mainly my app design project and maybe my storybook project. These both show process of creation through sketches and wireframes.
• Personal projects
  My personal projects would include works that I’ve done rebranding the bar I work in, some exhibition work that I’m working on, projects from The Five Lamps Arts Festival and book design I done for my aunt.

LO2 Investigate business structures, legal frameworks and legislation to construct a business plan

• Small business models – legal structures
  New companies may get tax relief on the first 3 years of corporation tax and the value of the relief will be linked to the amount of employers’ PRSI paid by a company in an accounting period subject to a maximum of €5,000 per employee. In the Finance Act 2013, the tax relief was extended to allow any unused relief arising in the first 3 years of trading to be carried forward for use in subsequent years. The relief was extended to companies that started trading in 2012, 2013, 2014 or 2015 and, in the Finance Act 2015, to companies that start trading in 2016, 2017 or 2018.
  
• Tax liabilities & relief
  Earned Income tax credit: In 2019, self-employed people can claim an Earned Income tax credit of €1,350 (increased from €950 in 2017 and €1,150 in 2018). It is also available for business owners or managers who are not eligible for a PAYE credit on their salary income. If a taxpayer also qualifies for the PAYE tax credit, the combined value of these 2 tax credits cannot exceed €1,650.
  
• Market
• CostingOne of the ways you can charge a client is by the hour. You just quote the client hourly, do the work and send them the bill for the billable hours that you’ve worked.  Some people also get at least 50% of hours paid up front as a deposit. A big problem with freelancers is overworking and being underpaid for their work.Another way is per project.  For this, you need to sit with a client and discuss the project and come up with a development plan. WE then calculate how many hours we think the project is going to take up in advance, also allowing extra hours for unforeseen circumstances and then we quote the full in total.  Again, getting a least 50% of the payment upfront.
• Contracts
  A contract is the only sure way to protect your interests during a design job. One solution to have contracts of varying length. Longer. More comprehensive ones for more in-depth projects, shorter and less formal ones for quicker projects. Avoid bringing in an actual lawyer unless it’s a big corporate client.
• Art/creative professional bodies
  There are many art/creative bodies. Such as Creative Ireland, Illustrators Ireland, Institute Designers Ireland and Association of Illustrators.
• Residencies/internships
  From researching internships, I am finding my often than not that the best internships are ones that will be in a completely different country. One person goes as far as to say working in New York was the best year of her life.This year, gradireland.com carried out a survey on internships, with employers asked what percentage of their graduate intake had previously completed an internship within their organisation. Noting the significant caveat that it is a survey of 105 specific graduate employers, their graduate salary and graduate recruitment trends survey found that:80% of graduate employers offer internships
  95% of these are paid internships
  52% of internships pay between €1,400 and €1,800 a month
  7% pay less than €1,000 a month
  19% pay more than €2,000 a month
  55% of these are internships for students still studying, run either as a placement for part of their course or a programme run during the holidays while they are still studying
  38% of graduate employers offer internship opportunities for both undergraduates and graduates
  54% of graduate recruiters say they recruited up to 50 per cent of their graduate programme intake from those who had completed an internship programme with them
• Grants
  The Start Your Own Business scheme provides relief from income tax for long-term unemployed people who start a new business.
  

WEB/PORTFOLIO DESIGN:

I was researching what makes a good portfolio and I got the following tips:

01. Be yourself

Don’t copy someone else’s site design just because you think it looks good. It’s vitally important that your portfolio website shows off who you are and what you do: by creating an original website you’ll help ensure that it comes to mind when people are searching for your services.

02. Make yourself available

If your site doesn’t make it clear how visitors can get in touch with you, they won’t try very hard to find out. Devote space on your homepage to telling people how they can reach you. Different people prefer different methods of contact, so supply a couple of ways that they can do so – make it easy for them.

03. Show some personality

When visitors are looking at your website, they want to know who you are. Add a bit of personality, perhaps with a good headshot of yourself, to let them know you’re a real person with your own style and identity. Creativity is all about originality and sometimes people are put off by faceless, corporate websites.

04. Keep it quick

The average person waits less than three seconds for a page to load before abandoning the website altogether. Choosing a suitable hosting package that allows for fast page-load speeds is crucial to the success of your website. Not every web host is the same so choose carefully to avoid a slow site.

05. Create fresh content

Google loves fresh content, so a great way to improve the search ranking of your site is to keep it up-to-date through a blog. Always keep your posts relevant and linked to what it is you do, as that’s why people are looking at your site to begin with. Google also loves video, as do visitors – a short, engaging video could help keep people on your site for longer.

06. Show off

Your portfolio website is like a living CV: the content on it should be up-to-date and make it clear to people what you can do. It’s a vehicle for demonstrating your professionalism and talents, so make sure that you show off new projects and skills as soon as they’re ready for the world to see.

07. Shout about your clients

Another way of proving your pedigree is to show off your previous clientele. This tells potential new clients that you have been trusted to do important work before and shows you have a track record. If you have worked with a well-known company or brand, it’ll add more weight to your skills.

08. Get recommended

Why should anyone just take your word for how great you are? Direct quotes from your clients act as reviews of your services and can be published on your site. These testimonials add a level of trust, reassurance and authenticity, further proving your experience and ability to produce top quality work.

09. Live examples

Linking to existing pieces of work that your previous clients are currently using further demonstrates your prowess as a professional. Showing that other people are invested in your skills and trust your work can help to reassure new clients or employers that you really are as good as you say you are.

10. Target language

Who is your target audience and what is the overall aim of your website? Your portfolio site should showcase your skills and personality, so invest time in thinking about exactly what your message is – and who it’s aimed at – before considering how to best communicate it. You want the message that your site sends out to be consistent with the work you do.

WEB DESIGN:Web design encompasses many different skills and disciplines in the production and maintenance of websites. The different areas of web design include web graphic design; interface design; authoring, including standardised code and proprietary software; user experience design; and search engine optimisation.

For this module, we have been asked to create WordPress portfolio site designed to showcase your work – to form part of the self promotional package. We have also been also to research and wireframe our ideas for our future portfolio website. 

To start off, I began looking at some of my favourite illustrators and designers and seeing if they too had an online portfolio. First off, I looked at the amazing Sam Spratt.

Sam Spratt has worked with man big name clients such as Game Informer, Variety, Rolling Stone, Der Spiegel, Smithsonian, Gawker, and the Wall Street Journal, promotional and advertising imagery for Progressive, National Geographic, Angry Birds, Netflix, FX Network, Cinemax, Bioware, Gearbox Software, and Tomb Raider, among others

For Sam’s website, I like how straight forward it is to use. It’s clean cut and straight to the point. It’s very easy to navigate and I like the simplicity.

Someone else who I was looking at was the website of Tianju Duan.

Like Sam’s website, I like Tianju’s use of simplicity. His portfolio is light and straight to the point. I don’t really like how he lays out his collection of pieces on the portfolio though.

Through research, someone who really caught my attention was Sara Andreasson. I REALLY loved her website. Let me show you why.

Sara sticks to a lot of the same colour pallets and this is shown throughout her work. I think similar colour pallets throughout all my work might be something I would like to test out, even if it was just a cover photo? Maybe.

Another site I was looking at was that of Biff. Also an illustrator.

Biff also sticks to a simple theme but I like the spacing and layout of their collection of work. I also like his little hover design over the pieces he has and I think I might try it out myself.

Another person I was looking at was Chris Wormell. An artist born in the 1950’s who kept his vintage style.

I think maybe I am biased with Chris. I adore his work. But give he’s more of a hands on designer with wood carving and lino.. webs design.. isn’t his strongest point. but I DO like the layout of his gallery.

After looking at some sites, I turned to google images for some inspiration also. Below are some of the images I compiled.

One thing I have noticed about all of these images is the simplicity. I think it’s a common thing to keep your website very short and sweet and straight to the point. I wish to also do this.. but I would like to also add some of my own illustrations to it.

What I like about this header is that the artist showed an avatar they created of themselves. This is something I think I’d like to try.

For this I will be following my branding guidelines that I created in another module. Below is key elements of my branding guidelines.

Before I began to create my website, I done up some wireframes.

I have decided that I would like to make some kind of illustrated header for the top of my portfolio that reflects my work and my style.

I really like how his website started with a huge header image.

I also want my website to be responsive. I feel like I could manage this due to creating a responsive website last year for my web design class.