Enterprise - Study Task 1 - Response

Client groups

Retail

Publishing/Editorial

Music

Education

Travel

Food/restaurant

Electronics

Fashion

Television/film

Medicine

What skills / interests you have and how they relate to the needs of your client group?

I typically approach work methodically, with a focused attention to detail; traits of which I believe can be adapted to brand identity. My skills have developed since beginning this course, from a keen interest in advertising and web design to a primary focus on print, type and layout. I believe my skills lie within software as I used the Adobe programs extensively on my college course which is why I am most familiar with computer generated design as opposed to a hand-rendered approach.

Every business needs a brand and every business needs promotional material for this brand to be applied to. Small, independent businesses require a strong and distinct brand to distinguish them from their competitors. In the current climate, it is proving more difficult for small businesses to differentiate themselves from others, particularly in the culture sector. Restaurants and independent food stores are constantly emerging and therefore need a brand aesthetic which sets them apart from similar businesses.

What skills are needed and what skills do you want to develop?

Brands are accessed by everyone and anyone and although small in comparison to a complex magazine layout, for example, it requires a lot of thought and conceptual thinking. Print is everywhere and covers an extensive range of media, from packaging and stationery to bus shelters and billboards. A brand identity needs to be visually engaging and consistent throughout all materials to create a common aesthetic.

I would like to develop my communication and presentation skills as these are essential in client communication and pitching ideas to clients. I also find it difficult to put myself across to a design studio (who I would like to gain a placement with), even through e-mail, as I feel as if I would be wasting their time. If I intend to work primarily with brand identity, I need to work closely with the client in order to gain insight into what their business is, who it is targeted towards and the services / products it has to offer. Client communication and feedback is essential throughout the design process therefore I definitely need to improve upon my presentation skills.


What are your professional/creative aims and how do they relate to the needs of the client group?

Upon graduating, it would be great to work within an independent studio as a junior designer. Through the design process, I like to bounce ideas off others therefore a firmly integrated and close team would prove beneficial in me developing as a designer. I hope to gain contacts through this course in the form of visits, placements and networking by trying to 'get my name out there' - direct mail, networking events and developing my online presence.

Small, start up businesses such as restaurants and independent food stores may not have the credentials to work with an established, international and renowned studio who are known to work with large corporations. This is where I believe my creative aims could match those of small businesses. I believe they require constant, integrated communication to relay information back and forth. A small team would prove beneficial in getting to the 'heart' of a business in order to devise the most effective brand solution.