OUGD602 / Plant hangers

I have made these macrame plant hangers (first one very simple)

The second one has DNA like effect - this was more intricate. 

I have made some more of these for gifts but once I have more time will make more trying out different designs.

OUGD602 / Presentation

I have used a clear, legible typeface for my presentation so that people can easily read it.

I have also separated the points from one slide to the next to make sure I give myself time to elaborate on each. 

^ Spend as long as I want on some projects... prioritise briefs of my choice. 

Self-initiated projects such as weaving... a new hobby taken up from Context of Practice - nice to have creative projects going on separate to uni, nice break from the screen.

Surprisingly enjoyed CoP... found something that I was really passionate about which made researching and writing my own views on the topic a very enjoyable and worthwhile. 

Choosing more practical briefs for myself, developing skills in focussed areas which I get to choose.

Organising my own time so that I can learn new skills - lino printing / ceramics for example 

Ceramics

COP

Visiting professionals such as Dr Me - opened up a more experimental, artistic way of approaching graphics.

Leaning new skills - lino 

Had to really organise my time effectively to an extent I've never done before - setting my own deadlines

Enjoyed working with clients! Definitely a learning curve but something I am getting used to

Thinking about a potential career path... possibly starting own business - been meeting up with hand-made practitioners who run their own business to get a deeper understanding of this. Evidenced in creative report

Worked in a carpenter's workshop for a week over easter - shadowing, as I am thinking about running my own business creating stuff with my hands! Really enjoyed this experience, loved working practically all week, very very fulfilling / rewarding - persuaded me to carry on making things as it is what makes me tick!

Carry on with ceramics!! Saving up for my own wheel and mini kiln, going to practice practice practice

Been in contact with and visited a graphic design studio at home (Eastkin Creative) and sent them my portfolio, they said they aim to have a job lined up for me after I graduate (yay!), hopefully can work there once or twice a week to gain more experience in graphic design.

Possibly maybe in a few years do a Masters if appropriate at the time... in craft maybe... maybe maybe not, going to have a big break from education for the moment

Will be using a piece of my work (lino) for the back and cut it up for business cards. This shows the analog style in which I like to work in. 

Website will improve after work for this year is finished! Can get more recent projects on there

- Finding instagram a great way to talk to / engage with designers 

OUGD602 / Creative Report - IDEA + designing

My creative report is a documentation of contacting small independent, creative businesses. With some of these businesses I visited their studios and the others I contacted online. As I am thinking about starting my own small business I aimed to get a better understanding of this career choice for a more informed, well-rounded decision when the time does come. 

I have found (and still finding) this project to be very interesting and it has encouraged me to start my own small business even more so than before. 

The idea behind the design of this small book is to follow / explore one path (the dotted line), as I am still not 100% what I want to do as a profession ultimately but this studies one route. 

Different typefaces for body copy (below). Serif (DeVinne) or sans serif (Circular).

I will be riso printing this book for a bright and fun aesthetic. 

OUGD602 / Herbert Green

Herbert Green (also known as Rachael Cocker) works with a range of analogue processes including collage, drawing, knitting, screen-print and pottery. 

Rachael’s work celebrates the wonderful imperfections which come about by doing things by hand. Her distinctive visual style is bold, colourful, naïve and playful and can be applied to a range of surfaces and beautifully crafted objects.

OUGD602 / ONE8T

ONE8T

"ONE8T has grown from making Youtube Skate clips and printing a couple of shirts a year to putting on Video premiers at local bars and galleries, Involving selected artists to design shirts and prints, publishing zines and collaborating with other local art collectives. With no business plan to follow, our goal is to simply keep making."

What made you decide to start your business?

We started printing shirts as a lot of our peers used to run companies and made loads of really exciting stuff. Me and my brother wanted to give it a go and make a couple of shirts, with designs we and our friends were really keen on and it all started from there. Making stuff that you and your friends are into.

What are the perks of having your own business?

You're able to take risks and push your practice, thinking about your work differently. You are also able to work cooperatively with lots of people, able to work with a bunch of new people using ONE8T as a platform. Its always exciting to work with new people, its the best way to learn.

What are the downsides / struggles?

Probably the money, as it can be hard to raise enough or invest enough to really make the best product you and your partners want to make.

Do you have any tips for people starting up?

Have a good idea and aims what you want to achieve and collaborate and have fun!

OUGD602 / Lennie Beare

I have been speaking to hand-made practitioners to get a better understanding of how running your own independent business goes, also to get any advice on starting up.

Lennie Beare is a jeweller from Norwich who makes silver jewellery. 

What made you decide to start your own business?

I've always loved designing things, from redesigning my bedroom weekly as a child, to studying Design and Craft in Brighton, the thing that has always excited me has been designing. And the only way to really do that is to work for myself. After specialising in small metals at uni, making jewellery for someone else wouldn't have been enough, it had to be for me.

What are the perks of having your own business?

There are two things I particularly love. The first is the satisfaction of drawing up an idea and then later that day having the physical object in front of me. And the second is being able to say, it's a sunny day, I don't want to be inside, I'm going to enjoy the outside and no one can stop me.

What are the downsides / struggles?

I spend a lot of time on my own, and I love being surrounded by people, so I find that quite difficult. You also have to be your own motivator, there isn't anyone there on the days that you're procrastinating or struggling to say, 'come on Lennie, you've got this, make something good!'

Do you have any tips for people starting up?

Be social media savvy, when I started using instagram for my business I worried that I would be boring my friends who follow me, but it's such a useful tool and you soon realise that you're friends are just happy to see you being productive. If you get lonely, then listen to the radio, thousands of people are all listening to the same thing at the same time and I find that very comforting, I'm part of a community, while just sitting in my studio.