As I mature as a designer, I feel my understanding of the industry is becoming more advanced. As I reflect the areas I have gained experienced in and improved on, I notice how different my portfolio is in reflection to my classmates. I try to explore print based materials such as editorial and poster design as well as undertaking physical routes like guerrilla advertising but others seem to choose different directions which may be the reason why our work is so varied. I decided to analyse this theory towards two design guest speakers, which I have reported on within the past few months. I also decided to investigate how different they work and how they deal with clients. The designers I decided to explore were Dave Sedgwick and Lauren Moriarty. The reason behind choosing these practitioners was the difference in how they dealt with clients, approaching a new project and finalising a brief.
While attending Lauren's talk, she explained that exhibiting your designs was a great way for other people in the industry to see your work. Shows such as Pulse and Top Draw helped Lauren gain a good start in the design world. I felt this was an interesting area to explore as when Dave made a visit to explain his experiences when graduating, he described placements and gaining work experience was vitally important for anyone looking for their first job. Dave advised that making contacts while still studying and sending PDF's of your work helps promote yourself as a designer. Being known in the design industry seemed a key element within Lauren and Dave's talks and both greatly stressed that up and coming graduates should think about this area.
Dave advised that contacting high standard agencies and offering your services (for free) was a great way to advertise yourself and improve your portfolio. Researching their work and getting a good understanding of what type of agency they are helps greatly as when discussing this in an interview shows you as a person taking the time out to look at their portfolio and history as a company. Lauren suggested that setting up your own website was a useful pathway to take as your designs can be sold by simply adding a Pay Pal account system for the browsers. By doing this, you suddenly have an opportunity for people to view your designs and decide if they wish to purchase them however you choose to format them. For example, a poster design could be published on the website and if someone wishes to purchase it, you as the designer can print the design and charge however much you think is necessary.
Dealing with time and money seemed an important issue with both designers. As Dave questioned the decision making of how you use the last few pounds you may have, it would determine how passionate you are as a designer. I felt the decision of spending money on a creative magazine than a couple of drinks shown how you felt about achieving and progressing in the industry. Lauren however explained that investing in materials was one of the most important decisions a graduate should make as if freelancing while studying or producing a large scaled print, determining what to buy and how much of it was key to understand as to little or to much would reflect on the outcome of the finished piece.
Both Lauren and Dave discussed seeking advice from the people around you was a vital element to still try and have when leaving university. Lauren explained that one area she felt was most helpful and misses was the advice from her fellow classmates and tutors. Being in an environment with other people familiar with design can help your progression when you feel run down or frustrated with a project. Dave described his creative process of occasionally seeking his fellow designers opinions on his ideas, as sometimes you may need your work evaluated other than yourself.
Having an idea and communicating the concept seemed the most important area within the design industry from both practitioners. Dave advised that the finished outcome is important but communicating a message and knowing your target audience was key. Dave advised that researching who your message is being communicated to will better you're understanding of the project and guide you through the brief. Lauren also felt this way but in a more personal aspect. As she works independently, she deals closer with clients, which leads to her building a friendly relationship with the consumer. She explained that understanding their interests and who they are as a person helps greatly when working on a project. It seemed that both Dave and Lauren try to engage and understand who their target audience is when starting a project, but very differently.
An area I was greatly interested in was the use of materials Lauren and Dave had used within there work. As they explained the creative process with each brief, I was more intrigued to understand what encouraged them to choose that particular method with a certain material like plastic or wood besides creating something digitally. Dave had explained that when studying a brief, you instantly start thinking of different ideas and a direction where you want to take the project, but exploring different methods as original first thoughts are unsuccessful, you will gradually find the answer to a project. Lauren however explained that when a client asks for a certain product or invention, she already has an idea of what she feels will be the right material to use and how she would create it.
As I compare both Lauren and Dave’s work methods, I believe the pathway you choose as a designer and the decisions you make and most importantly, the mistakes you learn from and how you respond from them determines you as a designer. Having the determination of repeatedly trying to find a solution to a brief with past failed attempts will show in your final answer as the areas you felt didn't work, you would of avoided.
