Below is an animated mock up of the website, which is currently in development. Due to the time limitations of the hand in, and prioritisation of other projects, I'm unable to complete the development in time. So instead, I've mocked up the website.
Ant White
Personal and Professional Practice
Archives
OUGD602: Self Branding // Refreshed Business Cards
As a digital designer, the single part of physical collateral I'm producing is the business card – for why? Over the last two years, trading as a Graphic Designer, I've never one physically invoiced someone, sent a letter or handed out a CV. 100% of everything I've dispersed has been digital, apart from my business cards.
It's also more cost effective, and environmentally friendly.
So I've designed some, which will be printed.
I experimented with the two formats, landscape and portrait business cards. Keeping the content quite minimal, to avoid the clutter. Including all the relevant information such as my name, design specialisation, contact information and website. You can see this in greater detail below.
Printed.
OUGD602: Personal Branding // Identity Development
You may have seen some illustrations of a boat in a previous post, which was an idea for my visual identity. However, I've discarded that route, due to it's lack of diversity. I've moved in a different direction...
I've been working to creating a visual identity which has more of a personal approach. Using my name rather than a symbol – in some way, shape or form. Using my name as I'm an individual not a business.
I've been working to creating a visual identity which has more of a personal approach. Using my name rather than a symbol – in some way, shape or form. Using my name as I'm an individual not a business.
I experimented with my initials, my name and using my second name with a phrase to make something which sounded different, such as 'white out', a play on my second name, which is 'White'. I also tried using 'by Anthony White'. The idea was it to be almost like signing my work, as you would a work of art.
Which then lead me to try using my signature, which is an A, a larger version of a lower case 'a', which I use when I write my name. Which then leads into a horizontal line, waved to create a W.
Using the signature creates a unique and personal, individual to me. Signatures are also used when signing contracts, binding your name to something with assurance. Which could suggest that I'm a believer in the work and what I do, and I'm happy to bind my name to it.
Spacing, for consistency.
OUGD602: Talks // The Ethical Designer
As I've developed into a designer who is very digitally driven, focusing on Web, UI and UX as the predominant part of my practice, I'm constantly looking for talks to watch – conferences to learn from, to be inspired by and to make me think.
The Ethical Designer talk isn't exactly UX or UI, however it was featured at a UX conference, and the speaker talks about how designers use UX to manipulate the most essential objects to be an experience which we try to sell.
It's interesting to see, listening to how we should inform our practice to become more morally ethical, which is a grey area.
OUGD602: Placements & Events // Creative Conversation
The other day I attended an event, created by Owen – the founder of UDB, where I'm currently interning, and a couple of other creatives around York.
A York based creative sector event for students, graduates and professionals to come together. Hosting within the Adobe Behance 'Portfolio Review Week', held at Orillo Productions, a video company in York.
Industry professionals who spoke:
A York based creative sector event for students, graduates and professionals to come together. Hosting within the Adobe Behance 'Portfolio Review Week', held at Orillo Productions, a video company in York.
Industry professionals who spoke:
- Tony Beresford (Creative Director – Scarlettabbott)
- Vanessa Unwin (Virgin Trains)
- Richard O'Hare (Director – Orillo Productions)
It was interesting to hear from each speaker. Tony covered what he would like to see in a portfolio, and how it should be presented, in terms of format and how not to present it. Which I've taken on board, and will be implementing into my 'portfolio strategy'.
OUGD602: Design Process Development
I've been looking online to find methods which will evolve my design process. I work in identity as part of my practice, so looking at how other professionals deal with the logo design process can inform my own.
http://www.logoonlinepros.com/blog/questions-for-logo-design/
When you are to decide what questions to ask when designing a logo, do take into consideration all that details that you require to know about the company you are designing for. Such as:
All the questions that you have to ask in order to design a winning logo are not related to how it will look. To deliver a complete logo, you need to understand the brand, its image and message. Here are a few questions that will get you to it:
Most of the time client has less to no idea when it comes to design. Whether it’s the color, font or even a slogan, they don’t know much. These questions will help you with that process:
When asking questions, be sure to know your audience. Companies that have a good idea of how they want to position the brand, focus more on what the audience want and who they are. Here’s a sample list of questions:
To hit the hammer down with force on budget, time and scope of work, you need to have a good understanding of it. Your logo design depends heavily on the following questions:
http://www.logoonlinepros.com/blog/questions-for-logo-design/
"Designing a logo requires absolute and clear knowledge of the message. Not only is this imperative to the design and creation of brand identity, it can be a difficult task if not performed right. In order to be one with the client you need ask the right questions.
Wrong questions, when asked repeatedly and at length can put off the client halfway through the questionnaire. Don’t do this. Neither do you want to look stupid nor do you want to overwhelm the client.
If you ask the right type of questions, you will get what you need. On the other hand, if you don’t you can land yourself in a big mess, wasting hours designing what the client is not looking for.
After years of work, I can conclude with confidence that it’s no fun designing with wrong information"Company
When you are to decide what questions to ask when designing a logo, do take into consideration all that details that you require to know about the company you are designing for. Such as:
1. Name of the companyBrand
2. What products and services does your company provide?
3. Why should I choose your company over your competitors?
4. How long have you been in the business?
5. Why was your company founded?
6. What was the motivation to start your company?
7. What companies are your competitors (direct and indirect)?
8. What is the size of your company?
9. Where do you see the company in 5 years? Or 10 years?
10. What is the vision, mission and objective of the company?
All the questions that you have to ask in order to design a winning logo are not related to how it will look. To deliver a complete logo, you need to understand the brand, its image and message. Here are a few questions that will get you to it:
1. Do you have a current logo?Design
2. What message does it give out to your audience?
3. What do you want your company to be known for?
4. Describe your company with one (adjective) word? Why this word?
5. If your audience had to describe your company in one word, what would that be? And why?
6. What does your audience recognize when they first look at your logo?
7. What are your reasons for redesigning and modifying current logo?
8. Why do you use the color, text, style that you use?
9. What is the positioning of your company?
10. Do you want to include a slogan or a tagline in the logo design?
Most of the time client has less to no idea when it comes to design. Whether it’s the color, font or even a slogan, they don’t know much. These questions will help you with that process:
1. Where will the logo be used?Audience
2. What color palettes do you have in mind? Why?
3. In your opinion, what is a good logo design?
4. Do you have any elements in mind that you want to use?
5. What logos do you like?
6. What logos do you dislike?
7. What will the design be centered at? In terms of words and icons.
8. What do you think is the purpose of a logo?
9. Are there any restrictions and limitations? For example no red and circular designs.
10. Is the logo design a long term plan or event based?
When asking questions, be sure to know your audience. Companies that have a good idea of how they want to position the brand, focus more on what the audience want and who they are. Here’s a sample list of questions:
1. Who is your main consumer of the product/service?Budget & Time
2. What income bracket do they fall in?
3. Who is the current user of your service?
4. What range of audience do you serve?
5. Will your target audience be modified? Or will it remain the same?
6. What plan are you executing for your target audience (advertising platform)?
7. What gender are you targeting?
8. What is the location of your audience?
9. Is there a specific age group you are focusing on?
10. How do your consumers find you?
To hit the hammer down with force on budget, time and scope of work, you need to have a good understanding of it. Your logo design depends heavily on the following questions:
1. How much money are you willing to dedicate to this logo design?
2. What is the deadline for this project?
3. Are you looking to complete the ive designs before any special event or occasion?
4. How many revisions do you prefer?
5. How many initial concepts are you looking for?
6. What exact purpose are you looking to achieve with the your company’s logo design?
7. How flexible is the timeline?
8. Would you require any modifications to the designs in near future?
9. What is most important to you; quality, speed or cost? Pick one
10. Would you require more services after the logo design?
OUGD602: Placements & Events // United by Design Placement
Since the beginning end of January, I've been working one day per week at United by Design, in York. A design studio which specialises in branding – whilst also offering a broad range of services.
At this point, April 2015, I've been there for 15 weeks now. I'm throughly enjoying my time there, and learning a lot about the design process from the design team. With the studio being quite small, with only 4 full time members, I can hear all the ins and outs of the process, from the account handling, to the printing. Which is always valuable to listen to, learning from triumphs and mistakes.
I plan to stay there as long as I can afford to.
OUGD602: Placements & Events // Dot York 2015 – Web Conference
I was lucky enough to grab a student ticket for Dot York 2015, a web conference in York. The student ticket was free, as opposed to the £110 full price ticket. I'm going to miss these student deals.
The conference was aimed at anyone who is (or, who wants to be) involved in some aspect of making ‘things’ for the web. There are over 300 tickets available for designers, developers, copywriters, managers, photographers etc. to snap-up.
Recently designated a UNESCO City of Media Arts, there’s a certain buzz around creative industries in York at the moment. On top of that, it’s a beautiful city with old streets, a few good pubs and much more.
There were some fantastic speakers, there.
The conference was aimed at anyone who is (or, who wants to be) involved in some aspect of making ‘things’ for the web. There are over 300 tickets available for designers, developers, copywriters, managers, photographers etc. to snap-up.
Recently designated a UNESCO City of Media Arts, there’s a certain buzz around creative industries in York at the moment. On top of that, it’s a beautiful city with old streets, a few good pubs and much more.
There were some fantastic speakers, there.
OUGD602: Placements & Events // Work In The Web at MIXD
Over the past week, I've attended the Work in the Web programme at Mixd, a web design and development company in Harrogate. Work in the Web is a three day intensive workshop for students who want to learn about the real web industry.
The week began on Tuesday at a Hey! event at The Belgrave in Leeds. Talks from Chris Murphy (who also ran the design session on the Thursday) and Richard Eskins. All of which was fantastic, and I was able to meet the Mixd team.
The course itself was broken down as follows. (See screenshot below).
I loved every moment of the workshop. I learned so much about Design and Web Development, which isn't really my area, however it was a weak point I wanted to develop – which I did. The opening day consisted of the fundamentals, the workflow and the tools needs, which were all fairly new to me. All of which were industry standard, so if I were to move into the web, I would be familiar with the programmes – which would make me more employable.
The second day was more design based. I was lucky enough to attend a talk from Chris Murphy, who teaches design at the University of Ulster (an MA course). The content within his presentation was extremely informative, and inspiring. A masterclass in design, I'm so happy I had to opportunity to attend!
The third, and final day consisted of content management based lessons, mainly Wordpress, which I'm familiar with, as I use it host my own website. However, they taught me how to download the code to my own machine, so I'm able to modify the code locally, and then push it at a later date. Also working with command lines (stuff in terminal, or similar), which was all new to me. And finally speaking with the Mixd team, all the staff present, about how to get a job, the questions to ask and what you need. In the form of a impromptu Q&A chat session.
From a networking stand point, I was able to meet a fantastic team of designers and developers at Mixd and the other attendees, some of which were amazing – and are definitely going places. We set up a Twitter group, so we're all able to keep in contact, which is ace.
OUGD602: United By Design Meeting
Following a series of emails between Lucy, the studio manager of UBD and Owen, the creative director of UBD we finally agreed to meet on Friday the 16th of January, at their studio in the centre of York.
Meeting with Owen, I showed him some work which I haven't yet sent to him via email, and we chatted about design, the industry and rugby union. Turns out Rugby was something we both had in common, both playing for Malton Norton RUFC in the past.
It seemed to go really well, we had extremely interesting conversations - which eventually lead to talk of a placement. We agreed that I would do one day a week, from the week commencing the 26th of January 2015.
It seemed to go really well, we had extremely interesting conversations - which eventually lead to talk of a placement. We agreed that I would do one day a week, from the week commencing the 26th of January 2015.
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