Mock ups...

Another visual...

I tend to steer clear of type based stuff simply because i'm so bad at it, but thought i'd give it a whirl.

Visuals...

Some different colour combinations as suggested by Tony...

Meet Tony!

Met up with Tony today (see posing above!), he's my former graphics Tutor at my old college, he was always enthusiastic and full of great ideas, i was sorry to leave in 2004! We discussed my FMP, and i showed him some of my ideas; he felt the project was relevant and liked my handling of it so far, we both agree that it is a very difficult one to visualise. I asked him wether he felt it was appropriate using a light hearted fun approach such as this, and he reckoned it was, using anything more sombre or serious just wouldn't have the same effect, and i guess wagging the finger isn't exactly what i want for my FMP. The posters he felt would have to tie in more visually with the postcards (i was a bit worried they looked a bit too i-pod) so there would be some continuity, and also suggested some other types of visuals for them etc, maybe something completely different for the 'do's'. I'm still sort of wondering wether to go for all out silliness as Joanne suggested, or to rein myself in a bit though?

It was good to get a second opinion, especially from someone who has worked in the field, and is in the teaching profession; it's so difficult to be objective when you're sitting on your own at home. He did make an interesting point in that the majority of foundation and other similar course tutors are usually fine artists and teach as a way of supplementing their income; and not many come from a graphics background; hence what they are actually teaching and promoting is what they learnt themselves. But obviously the lack of tutors specialising in graphics is not something i can actually do anything about...
Anyway, i'm sending him a link to my blog so he can follow progress (or not as the case may be!) and make comments.

Some badges

Printer playing up again so type looks a bit lined; think it's time i bid farewell to the damn thing.

What does my former teacher think?!

Going to meet my former graphics tutor Tony at my old college on Friday; would be good to see what his thoughts are and what he's up to; i haven't visited in a while! I remember him telling me not so long ago that the college is about to start either a foundation or a diploma course next year, so his views on this will be quite interesting.

Some 'do's'

Feedback from interviews

We all remember our interview at Chelsea, and the fact we obviously had something that our interviewers liked (Nigel and Frank are probably regretting their decision in my case!!); but what about the ones we fail? I remember trotting along to LCC, and i wasn't interviewed, we were all just asked to leave our stuff there whilst they went through it all; it was only a couple of days later that i recieved a rejection. How are students (and their teachers) supposed to know where they went wrong portfolio wise if they don't recieve any feedback? Obviously an interviewer can't be expected to personally write and tell hundreds of students why, so what about a pre printed slip that is ticked (against the faults) and given to the student to pass onto their teacher. If a teacher on a certain foundation course got an awful lot of these slips (and lots of unhappy students) something might change. Ok, it's a bit naughty, (and maybe in bad taste?) but at least the teacher would know for next time...

Some visuals

Done some visuals, i've done this with the idea that these could be put up and/or distributed at Ucas fairs etc. After all, thousands of students, and more importantly, their teachers attend these events; what better way to get the message across? I was thinking of displaying my FMP as an actual exhibition stand...

First post...

Righto, here goes! After talking with Geoff concerning my future career plans (secondary teaching), he suggested tailoring my FMP around this. He also mentioned a few things that were of concern to him and others in the industry and wondered if i would be interested in doing something in regards to this. I have pasted the points he raised from one of my class blog entries (so i don't have to type it all out!)

I have an angle that you might be interested in- that is of real concern to me, my peers and professional colleagues within high level graphic design education...the area of foundation and diploma teaching and the continuation of 'outmoded mythologies'.The tradition of teaching at this level extends beyond some 30 years, so why do we still assume in a more visually aware, concise and technology savvy age that to get on to a degree course:
You need an A1 portfolio
You need lots of life-drawing
You must keep lots of sketchbooks
You must write an essay about a 20th century 'art' movement
You must have dedicated desk space
You must see your tutor an awful lot to ask 'what do I do'
You must continue to silk-screen print
You must have access to wet photography
You must be good at 3D...???

Many of these characteristics are diametrically apposed to what we are actually looking for:

Strong individuality
Contemporary awareness
Self-direction
Contextual sensitivity
Purpose and ambition
Ideas around conceptional modelling
Evidence of the ability to engagae in deep learning......interested?
How can we get the message out there?

Had some comments on the class blog regarding this and we all seem to have shared the same experiences; sketchbooks (you have to have tons and they must be full of crap; twigs, leaves, sweet wrappers etc), the almost obligatory A1 portfolio, etc etc. Been thinking about how i could get the message across (which is difficult; how do you undo years of deep rooted beliefs?!), and have come up with a few ideas, will explain them once i've posted some visuals.