Email and Digital Interview Attempt

A week on from sending these emails I am still awaiting a response. Colophon Foundry did respond but when I replied there has since been no response back. I will try again perhaps with even fewer questions as described in their email they were very busy and have only a small team. I will try again using my student email instead of my personal account and hopefully I get a response. 

The three questions I will ask:

Describe your experience presenting work to clients?

Biggest design disaster?

What inspires you most as a designer?

Analysing existing creative reports

Looking at existing creative reports was interesting to see other approaches and themes I may not have considered in my own design practice. This enabled me to reflect on what production, layout and stock worked well and how different concepts were visually presented. 

The first design uses a simplistic approach to design and focuses on type setting. For this report there was more of a focus on stock and there was more consideration that went into the actual production of the report than the content. The bold use of colour in contrast to the stock selected to outline the content worked well. The production method of the bellyband and envelope format also worked well to create a creative report that is engaging. 

The next design plays on an office format or style which is an interesting more literal reference to an office report, that has been interpreted through design into the purpose of a creative report. The use of bright colour again works effectively as a tool to engage the reader. The layout is also very fitting of the office style concept using a visible multi-column grid. The layout is clever through using the aesthetic of a standard computer layout to visualise and relate the concept further. This idea uses a very strong concept to visualise the report, which is something to consider when creating my own creative report. 

The next design has a focus on larger typography and also uses photography which already creates a more engaging response to an audience. As sometimes a lot of text may cause the reader to lose interest. 

The final design I analysed uses a word to create a common theme for the report, the word being 'insight.' The layout sets out the interview in small paragraphs, but at a glance is a huge block of text. However this can be justified and a sense of balance is created through the photography, illustration and negative space surrounding differently type settings such as the 'title pages' contained throughout the report. 

The fact it was also her own photography adds a personal approach and engagement in her design practice. Whilst also meeting one of the key requirements of the brief in thinking of ways to create a creative report that is interesting and engaging. 

Initial Research

Studio's and Practitioner's I find inspirational

Colophon Foundry
A Practice for Everyday Life 
Common name NYC
Mother London 
Dogtag Creative 
Cooper Calligraphy
Paper Jam Studio
Good Jujuink


Colophon Foundry
What kind of work do they do?
Foundry’s self-initiated and commissioned work in type design is complemented by independent and collaborative initiatives in publishing, editing / curation, exhibition-making, and teaching, with a focus on local and international partnerships with institutions of all sizes.
What information do you want to find out?
How they work as a studio? 
How many people work in the studio? 
What are the top tips you have for new designers? 
Why are you interested in the Studio?
The production of different typefaces interests me. 
Where are they based?
London and Los Angeles
Type of workplace/studio?
Independent and collaborative

A Practice for Everyday Life 
What kind of work do they do?
Art direction, identities, publications, exhibitions, type design, signage, packaging and digital.
What information do you want to find out?
Clients they've worked for?
Biggest design disaster? 
Can you describe the work you do in three words? 
Why are you interested in the Studio?
They are internationally renowned and sought-after collaborator
Where are they based?
London
Type of workplace/studio?
Mainly collaborative 

Common name NYC
What kind of work do they do?
Common Name is a graphic design studio focusing on print, interactive, identity, and exhibition work for art, architecture, culture, and education.
What information do you want to find out?
Are there only two designers and partners or do you have a larger design team?
When did you initially set up as a studio? 
Who is the graphic designer that has influenced you most?
Why are you interested in the Studio?
The wide variety of clients they've worked for and clean cut design style. 
Where are they based?
New York 
Type of workplace/studio?
Smaller studio (small team)

Mother London 
What kind of work do they do?
Creative advertising for a range of clients
What information do you want to find out?
Describe your creative process. What are the major steps?
What’s an example of a project where you disagreed with the client’s feedback and how did you handle it?
Let’s say someone tells you to design something without any context. What do you do?
Why are you interested in the Studio?
It's the UK's largest independent advertising agency. Showing graphic design used in context solely for a purpose, in this case advertising. 
Where are they based?
London
Type of workplace/studio?
Large team 

Dogtag Creative 
What kind of work do they do?
Design for print, branding & publications etc 
What information do you want to find out?
How do you measure the success of your designs?
How do you incorporate feedback into your designs? What’s a time you received hard criticism for your work?
What qualities and skills should a good graphic designer have?
Why are you interested in the Studio?
A smaller studio practice with only two designers that is local to me. 
Where are they based?
Northern Ireland
Type of workplace/studio?
Small studio and team of two

Cooper Calligraphy
What kind of work do they do?
Calligraphy and Production (using foiling)
What information do you want to find out?
How do you get unstuck if you are struggling for ideas?
Describe your experience with presenting your work to clients?
How do you start a project? How do you know when it is finished?
Why are you interested in the Studio?
I'm interested in experimenting with calligraphy and foiling as a production method
Where are they based?
Georgia, United States
Type of workplace/studio?
Independent 

Paper Jam Studio
What kind of work do they do?
They witnessed a gap in the market for wedding and party stationary that truly connected with the buyer. 
What information do you want to find out
How do you prepare your work for production or print?
How do you stay on top of current design trends?
Why are you interested in the Studio?
They have other professions and backgrounds, including marketing, sales and a solicitor but both have a love for creativity and stationary. 
Where are they based?
Australia 
Type of workplace/studio?
Small studio, Danielle and Irini

Good Jujuink
What kind of work do they do?
Making stationary using illustrations 
What information do you want to find out?
What's the favourite part of your day?
How did you decide to focus on illustration?
Your brand is about inspiring what inspires you most as a designer?
Why are you interested in the Studio?
In an age of shorthanded digital convenience - a world jam packed with emails snapchats and texts - Good Juju Ink believes we can all slow down and be a little more thoughtful.
Where are they based?
San Francisco, California 
Type of workplace/studio?


Questions from Initial Research

How do you work as a studio? 
How many people work in the studio? 
What are the top tips you have for new designers? 
What clients have you previously worked for?
Biggest design disaster? 
Can you describe the work you do in three words? 
Do you work as part of a small team or large?
Do you work collaboratively or independently?
When did you initially set up as a studio? 
Who or what has influenced you as a designer most?
Describe your creative process. What are the major steps?
What’s an example of a project where you disagreed with the client’s feedback and how did you handle it?
Let’s say someone tells you to design something without any context. What do you do?
How do you measure the success of your designs?
How do you incorporate feedback into your designs? 
What’s a time you received hard criticism for your work?
What qualities and skills should a good graphic designer have?
How do you get unstuck if you are struggling for ideas?
Describe your experience with presenting your work to clients?
How do you start a project? How do you know when it is finished?
How do you prepare your work for production or print?
How do you stay on top of current design trends?
What is your favourite part of a working day?
How did you decide your focal area within design?
What inspires you most as a designer?

Design Speed Dating

This task gave us the opportunity to consider networking within a professional environment bur for this task our course. This also helped to consider questions to ask existing design studio's or practitioner's I may choose to research. The questions also offered insight into designer's we perhaps may not have heard of if we hadn't been given the reference by our 'date.' This can include editorial design account Draw Down Books, an illustration designer Gemma Correll and a print company called Paper and Print. 

Recommended design references:

Draw Down Books

Draw Down publishes and sells small books about graphic design, typography, illustration, photography, art and architecture. Their focus relates to editorial design a keen interest and potential career path I am considering. 

What kind of work do they do?
Publishing and Editorial design.
What information do you want to find out?
Describe your experience with presenting your work to clients?
How do you start a project? How do you know when it is finished?
How do you prepare your work for production or print?
Why are you interested in the Studio?
Editorial design is a possible career path I'm considering.
Where are they based?
Draw Down is an independent publisher located in the northeastern corner of the United States. Created in 2012, Draw Down publishes small books about graphic design, typography, illustration, photography, art, and architecture. 
Type of workplace/studio?
Draw Down has also curated pop-up shops, exhibitions, and book fairs. 

Gemma Correll

Gemma is a cartoonist, writer, illustrator. Gemma has written a few books, including -  A Pug’s Guide to Etiquette (Dog N Bone 2013) The Feminist Activity Book (Seal Press 2015) and The Worrier’s Guide to Life (Andrews McMeel 2015). Her approach to humour through her publications was inspirational to my own practice as my publication uses a light-hearted humorous approach.

What kind of work do they do?
Illustration and publication design (Freelance Illustrator)
What information do you want to find out?
Describe your creative process. What are the major steps?
What’s an example of a project where you disagreed with the client’s feedback and how did you handle it?
Can you describe the work you do in three words? 
Why are you interested in the Studio?
Gemma's comedy approach to design has helped me to consider approaches for my own publication.
Where are you based? 
Suffolk

Type of workplace/studio?
Independent, she is a Freelance Illustrator

Paper and Print

A studio based in Malaysia that specialises in print and production techniques. They use a lot of foiling in producing work for clients which has inspired me to look into this studio. 

What kind of work do they do?
Print and publication design
What information do you want to find out?
How many people work in the studio? 
What are the top tips you have for new designers? 

What clients have you previously worked for?
Why are you interested in the Studio?
I'm interested in exploring the production technique of foiling throughout my own design work. Their unique choice of foil is also interesting on existing designs they have created. 
Where are you based? 
Malaysia 

Type of workplace/studio?

Collaborative studio

Design Manchester Study Task

Forms of Documentation

- Written 

- Illustrative 

- Photographic 

Written

Throughout the day I documented my surroundings and exhibits as part of Design Manchester. This included the Whitworth Gallery and Manchester Metropolitan. Manchester Metropolitan's exhibit gave a huge insight into how design could be used and presented for screen. My surroundings were also encouraging due to the aesthetic architecture and range of typography. 

Seeing these applications of design in context has encouraged me to think further into production. For example seeing typography cut out signs and different finishes on a range of signs which could have been produced through die or laser cutting. Whilst also visiting a bookshop in Manchester, this offered guidance into what existing bindings can be used. As well as different production methods located or seen in their USP. 

Looking into elements like the stock, colour and layout gave further inspiration to draw from in designing my own publication. There were a few books which have inspired me most both with interesting stock but layout in particular stood out. These books used different variations of typesetting to create unique layouts. This works well as a way to engage the reader. 

The exhibits were interesting but work I saw wasn't necessarily to my taste or based on my preferred skill set. However, seeing these exhibitions has supported my development as a designer, to continue challenging stock, choice of material and experiments to the limit. Whilst also being able to think clearly to consider alternatives i.e. alternative approaches, ideas and alternative means of production.

Illustrative 

Manchester Metropolitan

Whitworth Gallery

Photographic