L6 Negotiated Studies module has been hard, but rewarding on all types of levels. The highlight of this module has got to be researching, interviewing and even writing my dissertation. The personal advice and key principle about interactive out of home advertising really helped within all my project. It taught me about the small details, like colour hierarchy, location of advertisement, different kind of strategies to engage the consumer and many other techniques they use to make the advertisements effective. After now finding the discipline within visual communication I want to be working in, I have found my work has been so much more enjoyable. The result of this is that my work is increasing in quality.
Throughout my projects I have enjoyed the researching, finding key insights and presenting my ideas the most. This module has showed me I have a unique skill of finding key insights, these are helping to build ideas and create some of my best pieces work I have ever done. Example of this was the Baskerville brief, it was just a simple concept based on key insights of Baskervilles life. Then I designed the poster with elegance and simplicity, in the same style as Baskerville used to design his work with. I have used this kind of structure of thinking behind all my projects, especially my Adidas D&AD brief. Which I can’t wait to pick back up in Major studies, as I feel I have a very strong idea. If the animation lives up to the script, it will be a great entry.
One major problem in this module that I haven’t spoken much about, was my breakdown in not knowing where to go in design. I undertook one week work experience at BigDog in Leicester, I was an idea generation machine. It was fun, I learned a lot. But a simple junior creative is not for me. In this search for the right job I took an internship in August to September for 4 weeks. After applying, being phoned interviewed, then presenting to a directors, I got the job It was a content creator/ social media stagiest job(un-paid). I enjoyed the work there, but the amount I did needed to have some financial rewards I felt. I created a year social strategy which is still in place today. I also did the content posts, which taught me a lot about copy-write on images and all legal stuff like that. I loved when I planned all the posts, and structure. This is what I want to be doing.
In major studies, I will certainly be going to at least two studios for week long work experiences, I have contact Connect in Wolverhampton. I hope to get an experience in more than one sector at the ad agency, as I know they do this. I will also look at other internships, and are currently lining some up through my contacts from networking.
A massive part in this module has been a personal change, I used to hide away from my tutors and not share work. This module has been very different, every opportunity I got I asked for critical comments. I have presented my work probably to every teacher even illustration tutors, as I understand now not to be scared. All the comments I have received has helped my design process, its gave me something else to think about even if I don’t use the advice. It has challenged my design, and only good things has come from this. I feel it’s important seeing how other tutors see my work, as they have already been in design industry. I am learning little tips and tricks of the trade, and I hope this will continue as I know this will help when finding a job in June.
