Evaluation

In conclusion I feel this project has been a lot more successful then my practise unit, this could be due to the time frame because I had less time to complete this unit and I believe that I work better under pressure. I also felt more comfortable in my practise touching on my unique style in the last unit and moving it forward to a more professional level on this unit. Also having a final product to exhibit at the degree show spurred me on to create the best quality trend/ inspiration magazine I could. However the difference between my magazine and others is that I want to address the narrow specifications of trend books within the fashion world and open them up to the other areas of the arts. Inspiration can come from anywhere and I want to highlight this in my Magazine, as one does not know what could influence an artist and a trend book could prove vital in the conception of an idea. This has meant my context is open to a wider audience then I first thought, being open to all creative minds and how they choose to translate my magazine to inspire their own designs. As the finish line of our degree draws near we have had a strong emphasis on an outward facing approach which is something I am glad to have been considering and has actually changed slightly over the duration of the year. I never thought I would want to go down the path of the creative side of branding but after research and this project I feel I could work really well in this particular profession. Presentation like all the units is key however in this unit it is extra special because what we present to the outside world at the degree show could land us a job in the future, therefore there is added pressure in making it look impeccable. This is something I am going to develop during the time we have between our hand in and the degree show. I am also going to look into creating a website which I have already started researching, as well as an online portfolio as the majority of my work is done on the computer and can be exhibited successfully on an online platform. I have really enjoyed this unit and I am sad that, like my degree, it is coming to an end.  

Branding

Branding is something that I have started to consider a lot more as this project is about presenting ourselves to the outside world. In order to promote HUMANOID to the outside world and develop my brand I considered making promotional post cards which could be shown at the degree show. I ordered two types of postcard, one with my female model on the front and one with my male including all of my details on the back. These were very successful as I chose very strong images to go on the front. However they were very expensive and so I need to consider whether it will be cost effective for the degree show to have both postcards and business cards if they are providing the same function. 

However it was good to see my image on a different scale and on a different type of paper. Branding is an avenue I have been researching for outside opportunities, Branding is such a huge party of society today and the design process that accompanies a brand is key. Therefore I researched London based branding companies largely based within food packaging companies that have illustrative and photographic qualities to their brands. I have sent the top ten a hand written letter asking for work experience this summer. I have also applied for a design internship at SpeakMedia UK, which is a company that specialises in branding content.

However I have not taken editorial magazines out of the picture all together as I would love to work for an editorial magazine such as Wonderland, LOVE and Interview magazine. 

However there is a lot more freelance in magazines as they get photographers in for certain shoots, therefore I feel there is more stability within a branding company. I want to keep both of these options open so I have invited two contacts to the degree show, one being head of production at Conde Nast and the other being a specialised printer based in London that works for branding and editorial magazines. Hopefully they will both come and see the potential I have to either get work experience or refer me to someone who could.