Personal written piece

Having studied Graphic design for a total of 8 years, ranging from GCSE, extended diploma and finally at Degree level I consider my self very familiar with the processes involved when designing and the considerations that must be made when creating a piece of design.<br>The 8 years of studying an art and design course has an impact on my life away from education/work, influencing my interests and thought processes. Criticality and an investigatory way of thinking has been established over the years, figuring out why Designers and Creatives have made they choices and believing no stone is left unturned in the creative world, no decision was arbitrary.<br><br>With a history on courses that entwine graphic design with traditional art , I believe in certain circumstances, combining traditional mediums of design can provide an exceptional aesthetic when combined with digital methods of design.<br>Self taught digital skills have been established to such a level of confidence where a project or brief would never be declined due to software capabilities. This freedom and expression when using design software means any ideas can be quickly transferred and created on a computer screen.<br><br>My time at university has been my most recent examples of working as part of a group or team. Plans to create a functional and operational design business with a group of other creative have been ideas that were executed to a professional level. Collaborations with other artists inside the university and even in further cities have always proven successful, enabling my to collaborate with illustrators, film makers and so on.<br><br>The ability to gather hands on feedback on my work by interviewing peers, other creatives and tutors is an ability that comes naturally and freely. Any opinion on my design outcomes and processes is something that I will always take on board and also the ability to question members of the public on how effective a piece of design would be.<br><br>Wanting to develop my knowledge of outcomes at the end of a project, I embarked on work experience at a large scale commercial printers (Evolution print, Sheffield), during my time here I worked closely with the managers of this company, got hands on with the processes involved in this large scale way of printing and witnessed the stages a design must go through to then become a final, mass printed product. This experience was massively beneficial to my journey as a designer, when a project or design is finished I now how the knowledge of how to prepare files for large runs of print and also communicating with the printing managers.<br><br>My current role of being a student ambassador at Leeds college of Art for over one and a half years, has boosted my confidence and public speaking to levels higher than ever. I find myself very comfortable talking to a range of people from those younger than me looking to study at university level to those in a higher position of authority, and even more famous designers and creative who visit the college. I am constantly commended on my levels of clarity in communication, being noted as a very helpful individual.<br><br>Competing and taking part in live briefs and competitions has broken a barrier of confidence, enabling me to source my own work, produce design for a real world audience and also interact with companies outside of my university life. The time frames, quality of work and deadlines associated with these briefs and competitions have always motivated me to complete brief professionally and to the best of my standards.<br><br>Confidence, public speaking and asking questions are abilities that come natural to me, always finding ways for other people's opinions and knowledge to benefit me as well as providing my own educated knowledge. The abilities to listen to other people and follow instructions are also crucial for working as part of a team and meeting important deadlines. Listening, conversing and taking orders from people of all levels is something I do really well, respect is something I have for other people and other people's knowledge can be crucial.<br><br>From researching styles of Graphic Design over my time in education has provided me with the skills to communicate messages effectively, even in situations where type shouldn't be used. <br>Advertising methods, design principles and theory have been researched extensively resulting in a knowledge of what methods can be best used to address an audience. <br><br>Research trips, tutor feedback and direction, investigating design styles and competing in a range of briefs has provided me with a vast knowledge of design, audience and overall communication. These are skills that will never leave me and only grow in the future. <br>Creative can be applied to most roles in the workplace and having an informed creative mind is something that I definitely feel I possess.&nbsp;