999 Design

In January I visited 999 Design with my portfolio. This is an agency situated in Salford just outside the city centre of Manchester. They are a design company typical of a city agency offering a wide spectrum of products to their clients for example, packaging solutions, web design, branding and communications.

I was particularly interested in the feed back I would get from this visit as I try and refine and get the best portfolio together that I can before I finally hand it in for marking. It is paramount at this stage of my studies that my portfolio has developed into a good body of work that is well received by design professionals.

Dave Sedgewick who I have met previously as I was asked by him to produce some screen prints for a project he was developing received me. This never became live, as Dave was busy with other work at that time. When I started to present my portfolio Dave stopped me and said I needed to be more precise and explanatory when discussing each project so I took the opportunity to start again and be more professional which Dave felt was a much clearer approach as it gave him confidence in my clarity of what I was trying to achieve. This is advise that I have taken on board and I now spend thirty seconds for each project explaining what each one is about which allows for much clearer communication.

We discussed my portfolio in great detail as Dave analyzed my practice with a fine toothcomb. Indeed this has proved to be the most thorough and detailed visit that I have had to date. Dave discussed the project I produced, The Con Artist, and he felt that a disc was not needed and that a link to the video (on YouTube) would have been a nice touch. He also suggested that I present a portfolio page of maybe twenty images in a storyboard style that would allow the viewer insight to the project.

Moving on to the project for the third year photography final show Dave felt that the image of a woman smoking that is obscured by a block of colour was very strong. Dave explained that he would not have positioned the typography any different himself which was positive comment. The FF din typography editorial spread was also well received, as was the Manchester Literature Festival poster. Dave did comment that he was a little tired of seeing the same generic photographs used to present the poster, however he did appreciate the

use of form.

The Three's a Crowd project that I have now developed for my final major project was very well received, as was the layout of my portfolio. Dave liked the fact that I had taken the initiative to produce my own work and suggested that if I had the time I may add for example a re branding exercise. During my placement at The Chase this became possible, as I was involved in two live branding jobs that I believe will enhance my portfolio.

One particular area of interest was the Waggamama end sting project in which I produced a flick book Dave suggested that this was a nice touch. Dave said that he was very happy to discuss with me my work and that he was picking through it because he felt it was at a high standard and wanted me to get the best out of it that I can. He suggested that I keep in touch as the design community is a small one and he is setting off on a personal adventure as a freelance designer. This I felt to be good advise as it is so important to create contacts within the design industry as a student one really needs to get out there and make oneself known. Overall this has proved to be an important visit for my confidence and knowledge of what is required to succeed!