OUGD602 / Module Evaluation

I’ve found this module really beneficial to my own practice as it’s helped me develop my own style and encouraged me to carry on self initiated projects. It’s given me more confidence in approaching designers and industry which I initially found quite daunting.

For my creative report I contacted various hand-made practitioners that I admire and went to some of their studios. Asking them questions about how they run their businesses and the perks / downsides helped me gain a more rounded understanding of this potential career path. 

When working for a week in a carpenters workshop, it encouraged me to have a job where I can make / use my hands. Although carpentry is not the particular route I want to go down, seeing how this self employed, hand-made business was ran gave me a much better insight to this type of profession. 

When doing my presentation this year it made me realise how much I have changed and evolved as a designer. I have grown from being initially very interested in minimal editorial and publication design, to now more analogue and experimental processes. 

Engaging in live briefs this year has helped me develop as a designer greatly. It has taught me to have to sometimes detach myself from my work and focus purely on what the client wants. So far I have had good experiences with doing live briefs as the clients feedback has been very rewarding, doing work for a client has also kept me motivated and thinking in a professional manner. 

I have changed my personal branding from last year but it still runs on the same concept - using the back as one of my analogue printed designs. I haven't restricted myself by putting 'graphic designer' on it as I feel that through this year I have learnt other skills which broaden my skill set to more of a designer / maker, I aim for my business cards to communicate this. I am a lot happier with my personal branding this year as I feel like it reflects me more accurately as a designer. 

OUGD602 / Portfolio

OUGD602 / DBA Design Boards

OUGD602 / Creative Report / Printed and bound

Riso printed blue on blue and bound with a yellow coil in A6.

- printed in this size as I think this is appropriate, a small investigation into hand-made independent businesses. 

I have printed enough so that I can give them to the people I interviewed. (I can take out the page with my work experience in at the end because of coil binding - easy to tear out). 

- an interview with them alongside other like-minded hand-made practitioners will be something nice for them to have!

Scans:

OUGD602 / Business Cards / Finished Cards

Finished business cards: 

- pattern is lino printed for unique, textured and an analogue effect

- type is digitally printed for quick and legible results

- I have only put my email on there as I think this is an appropriate, necessary form of contact. I have left room on the card for if I need to write anything personally to whoever I give them to.

OUGD602 / Business Cards / Lino Printing

By printing my name and email address on one side of the paper I can lino print on the other side with one of my designs, meaning when I cut the cards to size each will have a section of my design.

OUGD602 / Eastkin Creative

Eastkin Creative is a graphic design studio in Norwich who I have been in contact with.

I have been in to the studio and sent them my portfolio and they have said they should have a job lined up for me after I graduate (!!!!!!!!!)

OUGD602 / Samu Studio

Samu Studio

"The brand samu came into being whilst seeking to simplify my life and ideas for my own wellbeing. samu is a fusion of consciously made goods and design studio that aims to share its concept with people through art, practical clothing, homeware and creative services. The brand focuses on small-scale local production, using sustainable fibres and ethical practices."

ARTventure project

"The ARTventure is ongoing project that works in a continuous cycle. It begins by me inviting you - the contributor to ‘pay what you wish’ for a piece of my art. The money raised covers the adventure and the inspiration from my experiences inspires the art that I make. The final stage being the art landing on your doorstep, completing the collaboration between you the contributor and me the artist."

"I set up the ARTventure project last year and since its launch I have sent pieces all over the world to contributing buyers. Countries I have visited whilst the projects been live include, Greece, Croatia and Cyprus."

Where to next?

"My next destination will be Japan where I will be working with a range of artists, artisans and craftsmen across each island to explore and learn about their ancient crafts, techniques and stories. With the aim being to draw inspiration from my experiences and bring elements of their crafts into future samu studio products and projects."

"My goal is to document, promote and celebrate the crafts and skills of artisans and craftsmen from around the world. I volunteer to assist alongside the people who are helping to preserve the ancient crafts that are rapidly fading, In order to help preserve them for the generations to come."

What made you decide to start your own business? 

I like the freedom and was driven to create the things that I wanted to exist. I wanted to serve the community with what I feel I'm good at.

What are the perks of having your own business? 

Everyday is different to the next. It's rewarding seeing a business grow. Specially from nothing.

What are the downsides / struggles? 

Can be lonely working by yourself if it's a sole venture. It takes a lot of energy and can burn you out if you're not disciplined at shutting off your mind.

Do you have any tips for people starting up? 

Do it for the right reasons. Ask yourself does the world need it?
Be clear on when your working hours are and when your non working hours are

OUGD602/ Jen Kuroki

Jen Kuroki

"In junior high school, I painted. In high school, I drew. At UCLA, I was introduced to hand building and object making.

Years later a good friend convinced me to pry myself away from my computer and get dirty. She enrolled me in an early am wheel throwing ceramics class. Being a graphic designer, I had a hangup about ceramics. I thought it was too hippie. Too touchy feely. Too messy. I would never have guessed that I would fall in love with it.

Nearly 15 years later, I am still getting dirty. I moved on from that early am class, studied in Japan under two different master potters and now have my own studio where I throw on an amazing Shimpo wheel. It was my years practicing ceramics in Japan that really molded the maker that I am today."