Anagrama Email

After chatting with John I've decided to send my favourite design studio a little email just to say I like their work and see if I get a response. Even though Anagrama are based in Mexico I think it can't hurt to get in touch and perhaps get them to see my work as I may be able to get a little feedback from them occasionally.

 I also plan to start emailing more studios both nationally and internationally. Studio visit week is coming up soon so I need to get things sorted now.

Individual tutorial with John

Imagine That : Magazine Feature

Here are the answers I gave to the set questions for my magazine feature as well as the photos of work I'd like to have included...
I tried to keep the answers concise and not sound like I was some established designer who was just boasting about their work.

I've sent this to both Amber and John to check over to make sure it reads ok before submitting.


Imagine that
Feature Questions

1.Hello Jonathan. How did you feel when you found out that your entry to our competition was the selected entry to feature on the cover of our magazine?

Excited! I feel lucky to have contributed to the very first issue of the magazine. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing the design printed up and on the front cover.


2.What inspired you to become a designer?

I guess it started with my interests in drawing and painting. I still remember the importance of colouring within the lines from when I was little. My creative interests developed through school and college and then graphic design started to give my skills more focus and purpose. Basically, it was not one specific thing, I’ve just followed what I enjoy.

3.How would you describe your style of work?

Well, I wouldn’t say that I have a style of work - which I like. I do however enjoy working mainly across printed media and I strongly believe in well-crafted, carefully considered design which satisfies my fairly obsessive attention to detail. For me, simplicity and quality are key.


4.What are your future career aspirations?

I’d love to try working abroad. Travel is a large source of inspiration for me with new places fuelling loads of new ideas. Ideally, I’d see myself designing in a smaller independent studio environment involving lots of collaborative work since I enjoy discussing ideas with people. I love being creative, making things and I look forward to any opportunities where I can use my skills and knowledge.


5.If a specific colour could best describe your personality, what would it be and why?

I think it would have to be Herringbone Grey (I hope that doesn’t sound boring…) It’s calm, laid-back but quietly confident.


6.Last but not least, if you could be any animal in the world, what would you be?

To be honest, I wouldn’t mind switching places with the family pet dog, Harvey - he lives in luxury.

Imagine That : What happens next...

After winning the competition to have my design on the cover of their magazine, I now have the prize of having a feature within the the publication itself! I've been emailed some set interview questions by them and I also need to select some images to put with the answers in my feature.

This is really a great prize since it gives me a lot of exposure and promotion. Personally, I think no matter how big or small the magazine is - it's still all beneficial to me as a designer and in terms of starting to get my work out there. Also, after having this correspondence with the Imagine That team, it may lead to other opportunities in the future.

Imagine That : I won !

Very pleased and excited to say that I won the Imagine That live competition brief to design the cover of issue one of their new mag! This is my first win in a live brief situation so I'm really happy, especially since it's such a good prize for winning...

Now I get my design (see previous posts) on the cover along with a feature on myself as a designer within  the magazine whereby I can select images to represent my work and I will have questions to answer in interview format to go along with it (see below). I'm really looking forward to seeing the design when it's been printed and no matter how big or small the magazine is, it'll be great to have some more exposure for myself and my work - Good times!

Imagine That: Competition Update

Got some positive news with regards to the live brief from Imagine That - to design the cover for the launch issue of their magazine. My entry has been selected as one of the 'final few' and I'll find out on friday whether my design has been picked as the overall winner...

PPD group tutorial with John

1/ What major points stands out in your learning of this experience?
- Being in and around the studio environment. Discussing ideas with fellow students.
- Gaining new skills and developing existing ones. Trying new things.
- Talking about my ideas and work to others. Gaining confidence in spoken presentations.

2/ What one thing would you have done differently whilst there or in preparation?
- Tried harder to gain a placement within a design studio through earlier preparation in second year.
- Stayed later more often during second year.

3/ Has it changed your outlook on the business going into your final year?
Positives +
Much better informed understanding of the industry.
Strong design community 'out there' that is supportive and interested.
Good relationship between students - Collaborative opportunities.

Negatives -
Highly competitive - often about who you know and not your work.

Other Notes/
- Always write a brief. Ask a client 'What do you want to achieve?'
- Start planning interns now. Don't just contact one or two.
- NETWORK!
- Tell studios that you like their work.
- Target specific people. Consider who your talking to.