Working for McCann Erikson

This was a placement in the Account management department. I’ve always been interested in liasing with clients, researching, networking and learning more about the business side of things. So, working for McCann Erikson really opened me eyes to what’s involved, and I tell you, it’s not a quiet life! It was interesting and fun nevertheless; I got to draw up a storyboard for a B&Q advert, sit in on a radio advert recording, be a camera woman and interviewer on the streets of London, put client presentations together and I even did a presentation myself! It was great getting involved in all of those things and I certainly am interested in Account management aswell as graphic design. Hopefully one day I’ll be able to do both…

Bits and bats: Cards/notebooks/address books etc

Browns and then the pencil that is yellow!

My goodness, what a few weeks it has been!! Firstly, I had an amazing whirlwind of a month at Browns Design in London. Since I had barely even been to London and having never mastered the tube on my own before, nevermind the prospect of working for a brilliant company such as Browns it was a daunting challenge to say the least. However, I picked up how to be a ‘londoner’ fairly quickly I think. After a few days I had settled, found the best and cheapest pubs and worked harder than I had ever worked before. A brilliant month it has to be said, and I’ve promised to bother the lovely people at Browns with regular updates on my progress. Quite unexpecedly, five days after I left Browns I updated them with some exciting news!

The Design Auction team and I won a first prize, student award, D&AD yellow pencil!!!!

It went as follows: Our hearts pounded, and we sat up in our chairs as the commendation results were read out for the ‘What else do you do?’ category at the D&AD student awards nomination ceremony- we weren’t called. So, then onto second prize, we eagerly awaited our names, but ours didn’t crop up (swear words at this point were a plenty). The commentator went on…and first prize goes to…Toby Burkill, Lauren Traynor, Steve Fenn and Danny Elliott!!! And then it went slightly blank. What music did they play? Who’s hand did I shake? Did they show our work??? Did I really just stand up infront of all those people? Who knows! Adrenaline had taken over. (Obviously, this sounds ever so slightly dramatic, but seriously, it was a strange feeling!) Anyway, to sum up…it was great! A huge suprise and a fantastic night! We had celebratory drinks, amazing bowl food curtosy of D&AD and then more drinks and dancing at the aftershow party.

A huge thanks it has to be said goes to our tutors and co-workers on the Design Auction – Barrie Tullett and John Dowling who kept us in check and should be awarded themselves for simply putting up with us design geeks nevermind all the hardwork and hours they put in helping us set up the auction. Also, thanks to everyone who kindly contributed and supported the auction throughout, and finally to the Lincoln students who on the day kept everything ticking over nicely.

Here are a few celebratory pictures.

The end is near…

On Friday night we had our end of year show private viewing. It began at 7pm with family, friends and prospective employers coming to see what we had achieved over the last 3 years. There were speeches, awards and gifts given, congratulating and thanking students and tutors alike. A great night was had by all and it ended with an after show party. Our show is open all week (16th-22nd) to the public and is open from 9am-7pm. The show website is http://www.show-online.co.uk/ where you can take a peek at students work.

My Boards showcased my Final Major project on the subject of Happiness.

Design Auction 2009 Yellow Pencil Nomination!!

Goodness me! A turn up for the books! Me and the boys (Steve, Toby and Danny) submitted the Design Auction to D&AD – hopeful but never expectantly and now not only have we been nominated but we also get to go down to London for the award ceremony in July! We’re all so excited! Our tutors, Barrie Tullett (who got in book) and John Dowling (already a yellow pencil winner) will be joining us at the award ceremony because they also put a Huge amount of effort into making the Design Auction 2009 happen, not just this year but last year too!

I’m thinking…new dress, new shoes! Something that doesn’t clash with yellow, ha!

My last University project!

This is my final project of the year. I worked  to produce a box that includes 2 books, some postcards, 3 posters and 5 badges. The theme is happiness, I know that sounds slightly airy fairy on the surface but but it’s a complicated subject. Even the most financially well off amongst us aren’t content. In response to this I wrote a personal piece about what makes us happy and then I collected some articles about the science of happiness, and about who influences our lives. The concept is Happiness is catching, if you are happy it spreads amongst your friends and family. Therefore the badges are a symbol that you’ve read the books, you’ve got a box and you’ve caught the happiness bug. If possible the box would be passed on therefore spreading the bug. There would also be an online networking system where people could share happy memories, be nostagic and make friends, because as evidence shows our friends have a huge influence on our happiness.

Design Auction 2009 Done!

It’s finished! We did it! It was great! Feels like ages ago now but only last week did we hold the Design Auction at St Brides printing Library. Toby, Steve, Danny and I went to London the day before to organise and take the lots down. I was a white van woman for the day – much better than the train! The next morning was an early start but helped along by a good old fry up – then off to St Brides to make up the goodie bags, make sure the lots were in order, the posters were up, the catalogues in, the helpers t-shirts sorted and silent bids at the ready. Sorted.

Then it all kicked off – a haze of beer, wine, money, receipts, students, tutors, designers and fantastic lots! All in all a great time was had by all. The student helpers were amazing, they were on the ball and everything came together brilliantly because of them. We managed to raise around £4700 in total, half of which will go to St Brides themselves which it a brilliant cause! Unfortunately I didn’t get to bid for anything myself – being a poor student and all, but it was great to see people walk away really happy with what they’d bought. I did however (along with Toby, Steve and Danny) recieve a signed You are here poster by Mr Michael Johnson himself ! A great way to top of our night!

When shall we start planning next years boys?

Faber & Faber Books

A series of book covers for Faber and Faber film – Print on demand. I designed 6 different templates, one for each category.

Design Auction St Bride

Recently Toby Burkill, Steve Fenn, Danny Elliott and myself have been working along side our tutors Barrie Tullett and John Dowling to put the Design Auction 2009 together. The event ran last year too and was initially a fundraiser for the end of year show held at the Lincoln School of Art and Design. Although last year was a huge success, this year however, we decided to expand it. Instead of just doing it for ourselves, we are also doing it so that half the proceeds can go towards supporting the St Brides Prnting Library in London. The event will take place at St Brides on the 19th March at 5pm.

Contributors include: Paula Scher, Daniel Eatock, Jonathan Barnbrook, Studio 8, Magma, The Chase, Spin and Sea to name just a few and our Rebel Auctioneer this year will be Michael Johnson!! It should be a great event and judging by the lots that we have received so far there will be some real gems on offer.

http://www.designauction.co.uk/

http://www.stbride.org/

Here is a very funny picture of the Band, sorry, I mean Team! (We do look abit like Hear’Say though don’t we? Remember them?!)

Workshop workout.

Today I helped out at the Lincoln School of Art and Design workshop for prospective students. Basically, we let them play around with type. We gave them paint, glue, printed fonts, scissors and even tooth brushes and let them loose to create new letter forms. It was a really good day, even though it was on a Saturday! I got to have a really good chat with a lot of them and they seemed to enjoy themselves. Lets hope they choose to come to Lincoln!!