OUGD602 / PPP / Module Evaluation

This module has allowed me to build my relationship with other designers that are in the industry as well as produce an identity that reflects myself and my design practice. Using Reddit for feedback and going to design talks has allowed me to expand my knowledge and understanding of graphic design but also feel apart of a community that I share a similar interest in. 

Undertaking self-initiated briefs this year has given me the chance to expand my practice in the area of graphic design that I'm most interested in. Also, working collaborative has allowed me to engage with other creatives that have different skills allowing my projects to be as strong as possible in terms of deliverables.

My brand identity has stayed pretty much the same from last year due to gaining an audience on my Behance and I felt that the need to rebrand wasn't necessary as I started to gain a following with the current identity on different social platforms.

The work experience at my local Press Office was really challenging for me as they had very strict design guidelines meaning that it was very hard to be creative with the briefs I was given however this gave me a real insight of how certain places in the industry have rules that can't be changed.  

My first professional work experience during April at The Elephant Room gave me a real insight into the working world and my place within it. The studio culture there was engaging and fast-paced, that coupled with the different personalities in there made for an exciting few days.

Once I finish university my first engagement with the professional world will start straight away by sending my portfolio off to design studios that are based in Leeds and Manchester. Following on from that I aim to keep pushing my Instagram page by posting more of my self-taught projects but also do more collaborations with some of my followers once I've finished university. 

OUGD602 / PPP / Personal Branding

Wheatley - Personal Branding
Working with other designers enhances my own understanding and working knowledge of current and future design in my own practice. The ability to analyse my own work and continually push boundaries of design is a constant in what I want to achieve. This reflects in the work I admire and study from fellow designers and worldwide companies.

I felt the need to rebrand my own identity as I became more concentrated on minimalism. I noticed that the spelling of my name could help me a lot with forming a graphical unit with the use of negative space. The aim is to compel my audience to make them do a double take and examine the logo more closely.

OUGD602 / PPP / Work Experience / Guidelines On Flashing On Websites

Whilst doing one of the set briefs at my work experience, I was given a brief about don't feed seagull's in North Wales and they were looking for some social media images to have under the post.

After creating a set of gif's images I was told that some people with photosensitive epilepsy can have a seizure triggered by displays that flicker, flash, or blink. 

I was then given guidelines to follow this was because I used the colour red as text in a gif animation and was told this wasn't allowed this was an experience that made think about the general public a lot more and how in the industry you can't take any risks. 

This meant that I had to change the colour from red to a yellow colour because of the guidelines they follow at the press office.

The guidelines: 

·         Reducing contrast for any flashing content

·         Avoiding fully saturated reds for any flashing content

·         Reducing the number of flashes even if they do not violate thresholds

·         Providing a mechanism to suppress any flashing content before it begins

·         Slowing down live material to avoid rapid flashes (as in flashbulbs)

·         Dropping the contrast ratio if three flashes within one second are detected
   

OUGD602 / PPP / Work Experience / Press Office

I was lucky enough to do some work experience for my local press office back home in North Wales, I know that the work I will be doing won't be very exciting, however, I want to know what type of work I may get myself into as my first job as a graphic designer. 

Click the images to see confirmation of my work experience and the work have been involved with for the last 7 days.

OUGD602 / PPP / Presentation Reflection

Reflecting back on my presentation, I made sure that my presentation was on the computer before the allocated time. I needed to make sure that my powerpoint was at the right size before presenting in front of the class or else it would very unprofessional knowing that my images may be cropped, however, I didn't have this issue due to coming in half hour before the presentation slot.

Practising my presentation over the weekend to a group of friends ensured me that I was confident in my presenting skills and that I was comfortable enough without having notes on me.

My presentation is representative of me as a designer and how i've transitioned from just using purely photoshop to now working with different 3D software.  

The feedback that I received from the class was positive and In the future, I would love to present my work to a larger audience as I am very passionate about the work I create and could see myself presenting at a design talk or conference as inspires me to continue to develop my practice as I transition into the industry. 

OUGD602 / PPP / Summer Internship

I applied for this internship as an exploration to the next step of my career, I came across this job because of a facebook group chat I'm part of called the designer league. Whojo is looking to hire a ninja superstar designer for the summer of 2018. As a Motion Designer, you will work with the team to create motion graphics for various brands and companies.

If you're talented, hungry, eager and think you can surprise us, apply now.

Just from the description of the job, they seem very down to earth people and this a reason why I was very keen to apply for this summer Internship.

OUGD602 / PPP / Creative CV

Creating a Cv is really beneficial when applying for studio placements over summer or engaging with freelance work. Aesthetically I chose a visual/image cv look but I kept to a relatively standard CV template yet tailored this content towards a Graphic Designer Role. 

OUGD602 / PPP / Design Talk / OFFSET Dublin (need to complete)

Design TALKS

After attending Offset last year in Sheffield, I managed to gain a lot of useful information about different career paths and how to keep improving as a designer. It was only going to benefit me even more by going to Offset Dublin this year especially because you have so many speakers from across the globe who are willing to talk about their career paths and work all in one place.

I personally prefer going to design a conference with a wide range of people as it allows me to soak up as much design inspiration as possible in a small amount of time.

OUGD602 / PPP / Networking / Global Brand Manager - Adidas

As part of my feedback process I usually post my work on reddit, this allowed me to gain fundamental feedback on my extended practice project.The feedback became more crucial when the former Global Brand Manager of Addias gave me more information on how to improve on the campaign. 

As the information was really constructive, I wanted to keep in contact with him and by doing this I asked for his email in a sensible manner.

Hello,

Thank you for the constructive critique of my equality design work using the adidas brand as a global message and endorsement with this equality of right agenda and the global campaign for my final year.

I would be appreciative if I could retain your details as a future contact source in offering me critical feedback on my work as this has been invaluable on this occasion.

With Regards,

Harrison Wheatley

Hi Harrison,

No worries 😊 Sure, let’s stay in touch. You can always reach me at lyndon@getlyndon.com. It would be my pleasure to help you where I can.

Take care my friend.

Lyndon

This is the aspect of networking which I thought wasn't even possible, using my work to gain a contact which can have an impact on my future career path has been a fundamental skill I have learnt this year.

OUGD602 / PPP / Personal Project/ Instagram

Last year I did an Instagram project with Matt Fraser called Designbytwo which allowed me to work with another student to create a poster project that helped Improve our skills and push our creativity in Cinema 4D, Photoshop, Illustrator etc.

This year I wanted to push my own identity and brand but still creating the same type of outcomes.

Whats the point?

My goal from day one has always been to create something random, To occupy a blank space in a document with some sort of creative idea before I go to sleep. If I haven't produced a design or outcome I feel like I haven't improved my skills that day it's a dissatisfaction feeling! self-improving is something I'm really passionate about and over the last year, my work has significantly improved due to creating some type of art before I go to sleep. 

Personal Projects have allowed me to push my name on social media to a point where I now have an audience that follows my work. This has allowed my brand identity to be a lot stronger but also has helped with gaining contacts with people across the globe.  

OUGD602 / PPP / Networking / Making Contacts

Chris Edwards

I decided to get in contact with another student who has quite a high profile as well on Behance which will help me grow as designer on the platform but also working with someone from another university is also very exciting news.   

OUGD602 / PPP / Website / Review

With my website I wanted it to primarily showcase my portfolio and to show other designers and studios this what I can produce without having to scroll through tedious links. Using Squarespace allowed me not to worry about having to make it for mobile as it does it for you in the code which was the main reason why I chose them as my website translates very nicely to mobile devices.