PPP1: Visiting Lecturer- Craig Oldham

Friday 1st February 2013
Visiting Lecturer- Craig Oldham
"The Democratic Lecture"

The 3 Graphic Design year groups voted for these 5 topics to be discussed during the lecture:

1. A and B: The 2 Kinds of Designers
2. Brand Spanking
3. A Portfolio is for Life, not just an Interview
4. Please don't be a Idiot. Get a Placement
5. Design is not your Job

1. A and B: The 2 Kinds of Designers

- What is Graphic Design? - Graphic: It's a Redundant Term, Not there Anymore

- 2 words to describe it: 

• a) Logical/ Rational - Form Follows Function Followers
                                  - Precise, Clear and Formal
• b) Emotional-  Big Idea- Use all communication available
                       - Use an emotional connection to the audience

How do you find which one you are?

- Which appeals to you the most?

- Identify which you want to do?

- They can overlap

2. Brand Spanking

- Branding is Ubiquitous (it's everywhere and everyone seems to do it)

- Full of crap- people don't know what they are talking about

- Corporations are different to brands

- People need to understand the context

"The Deeper You Dig, The Higher You Rise And Then Your Brand Will Come"

3. A Portfolio is for Life, not just an Interview

- The most subjective piece of work you will ever design

- Nobody has the same opinion

- Need to be objective about the work and projects you do

- What is it? What do you want people to know?

- Let the portfolio do the talking and do the work for you

- Don't follow function and trends (Makes your Portfolio outdated)

- Have an Opinion

- Small Portfolio rather than a big one

- Be animated and enthusiastic when talking about your work

4. Please don't be an Idiot. Get a Placement

- Competition for jobs is fierce- necessary to get a Placement

- Why you should get a Placement:

• Agency Insight
• New Expectations
• Real Work
• Hone all of your Skills
• Build Bridges and Meet People
• Be ahead of the Competition
• Become more Confident
• Reassures you of your Ability
• Making tea- way in to talking to people and getting involved

- Why you shouldn't get a Placement:

• Make a Loss (Money-Wise)
• Away for a Period of Time Alone
• Taken Advantage of

- At Interviews,

• Have a Hitlist- Aim High, Go for Studios you like
• Research everything- Look at the Studios work and website
• Talk to People who have been through the same experience

- When Your There,

• Be Punctual
• A little Enthusiasm goes a long way
• Be Yourself and be Honest about what you can do
• Spell their name right

5. Design is not your Job

- 20% of your job is pure Design

- Full of Meetings, Phone calls and Emails

- Design is about People, That is your Job

- Your Personality and Relationship with People is a massive factor in your employability