Weekly Plan

LO2
The plan for this week is to get to grips with the new portfolio module. The tutors have set some tasks for this week to help ease us into the module and get the ball rolling.

So the plan for this week is to complete all of the parts of task one and then blog about it.

New Module - Portfolio Production

Now that the Digital Skills module is finished, its on to the next one. The next module is Portfolio Production, the module guide defines the module as...

'This module projects requires individual self-direction and motivation, you will be responsible
for the development of your own portfolio backed up by support in the form of tutorials. A tutor
will look at your portfolio to mutually assess work that needs to be done and then during the
course of the module at regular intervals you will have tutorials to monitor your progression.
You will be given written feedback at each tutorial to keep as part of your evidence of
development.'

When it comes to the hand in of this module it will be in three parts, my actual portfolio, a work based file detailing how I put the portfolio together, written up notes from tutorials and the last part is a thousand word evaluation of my final portfolio.

UCAS

As this year is drawing to a close everyone is looking to what they will be doing next. This is a two year course and at the end I'm awarded with a Foundation Degree in graphic design. I could continue to do another year of studying to top this up to a full honors degree. I've researched using UCAS to see which institution offers this one year top up course. I've found that the closes places are Newcastle College and Sunderland University. After looking further I found that Northumbria University also had this course but I would have to re-do the second year.

After looking into my options I'm going to have a tutorial soon to talk about my options after this course has finished and what my tutors suggest. 

C V

In the first year I created a CV (obviously) but looking back on it lately I have to admit it is bad, like embarrassed to post in online for everyone to see bad. This old CV sat ashamed in an untouched folder on my laptop for some time until enough I decided it was high time that I had a new one. The only problem is that the rubbishness of my old CV was seared into my brain and every time I would sit down and to try to think about creating a new CV I would have cringe worthy flashbacks.

'Okay CV time I know you've done bad in the past but I can get past this, its only a little CV, (remember old CV) oh Jesus, Christ why would you create that your, a graphic designer for god sake!'

So after some procrastination, dawdling and general avoidance I just sat myself down and worked on a new CV. I knew what it would look like style-wise, as I wanted it to be branded alongside my blog, so it would be simple, not many colors, if any and well spaced out. So here are some images of my CV journey.

As you can see I had some problems deciding the layout and then when I did, I would print it out and decide that nope it looked wrong. So I finally have a new CV and this is a skill for which I am now well versed, but I'm not going tot dwell on this for long because if I do I start to see all the things I can change on the final CV. I am predicting that when it comes to me and my CV I'll never be finished and nor should I be.

PPD

As part of the Personal & Professional Development module (this blog basically) I must demonstrate skills and personal qualities that will benefit me in future employment or progression to a higher level of study.

There are quite a few skills I must blog about, such as creating a CV, UCAS applications, interview skills and so forth. In developing these skills I am maximizing my opportunities to be successful on my chosen career path of graphic design.

Interview Tips

A great article on www.davidairey.com a fantastic website with some great posts for design students.

15 Graphic Design Interview Tips 

1. When you arrive in the interview give us your business card. It should be well designed, memorable, simple and hopefully have a great idea. It should be unique and you should be branded.
2. Have 8–12 pieces of work in your folio. Put the best pieces at the front and back.
3. Have at least six questions ready to ask (if you have less, you’ll find they will be answered in the course of the interview).
4. Take a pad and pen, take it out at the beginning of the interview. You don’t have to take notes, but it looks as if you are organized.
5. Talk about your work before you show it, but don’t talk too much. This should be one short sentence to engage the interviewer with you. We will be looking at you as you speak. Then show us your work.
6. Have samples and mock ups.
7. Bring sketches. We are as interested in how you got to the final solution as the solution itself. You can show other concepts.
8. Have a copy of your CV (resumé) at the back of the portfolio. Offer it even if we already have it.
9. On your CV don’t tell people about exam results or part-time jobs that have nothing to do with your chosen career. It pisses us off.
10. Don’t talk about holiday or money in a first interview.
11. Give a firm handshake.
12. Tell us you really want the job (believe it or not, hardly anyone does this).
13. Ask for our business card(s).
14. When you get back home, send an email thanking us for the interview.
15. Make sure your branding is consistent on your business card, CV and email signature.

www.davidairey.com/advice-for-design-students/