Creative Futures 2014
Day One
Monday 3rd March 2014
Today is the start of the Creative
Futures 2014 convention. Here we will get to attend various lectures with
speakers who have huge experience and knowledge in working within the design
industry. After the lectures have taken place we will have the opportunity to
tap into this knowledge and come away with a better understanding of what is
takes to succeed within this competitive industry.
Introduction - Opening Address
Dr. Stuart Cunningham
The first lecture we attended gave
background knowledge within the design industry, we were provided with
statistics and shown what design is regarded as within the world of business.
Key Note Address - What is Art?
Barry Purves
Barry is a well known illustrator and
puppeteer winning over sixty international awards such as OSCAR, best film and
director, Grand Prix and BAFTA, he also said that he has worked with one of my
favourite films Lord of The Rings which I didn't know. Through the lecture he
shown us a short film showing us his whole career which one animation popped
out called 'Plume'. It's about a angel looking man that falls to earth and is
robbed of his freedom by daemons taking away his wings, He then finds
redemption by casting off his former existence.
Another piece of work he shown us was
called 'Tchaikovsky' which he had the actually puppet on stage with him which
cost £8,000. People would think the piece of work would be about Tchaikovsky
but his daughter asked him,
''This isn't about Tchaikovsky is it?''
Barry replied, ''No, it's about me,''
The Business of Brands
Sid Madge
Sid Madge is the partner of Mad Hen
Design, he showed us on branding has a huge part to play in the development of
companies and industries throughout the world. He showed us how branding works
on a global scale, and gave us interesting statistics regarding branding. A
whole range of advertisements where also presented and views on what the public
saw when they watched the advertisements.
Day Two
Tuesday 4th March 2014
On the
second day of the Creative Futures 2014 I visited some of the lectures which I
felt went into the more business side of the design industry. I felt I gained a
lot of information should I look into become a freelance graphics designer or
wanted to possible setup my own graphics studio.
Versatility - Standing Out From The
Crowd
Abbie Carter
Attending this lecture presented by
Abbie gave me the knowledge I feel I require in order to become one of the top
graphics designers in the industry. She explained to us how it is important to
work hard at our designs and also how to advertise ourselves through our CV
& Portfolio. She did touch on the topic of interviews which gave me insight
into how interviews take place and what employers are looking for in graphics designers.
Enterprise Support - Starting Up A
Business
Judith Alexander
I did find this lecture helpful in
many ways. One being it explained many ways and opportunities in which you can
set up your own company. It also went through the legal side to setting up a
new company such as making sure you conform to the HM Revenue and Customs and
standards which must be met and upheld. This was interesting I did not realise
how much was involved in setting up your own company.
I really enjoyed today’s lectures, it
gave me some knowledge into how to set up your own company and also succeed as
a graphics designer in what is a very competitive industry.
Day Three
Wednesday 5th March 2014
As the week closes on Creative
Futures 2014, today I have had the chance to meet some interesting people who
are actually working within the design industry. The knowledge I have gained
through meeting these people has helped me gain a better understanding of the
industry which I am hoping to enter when I gain my degree.
The Business of Running a Creative
Web Company
Phil Jackson - Managing Director
of FotoFire
This had to be one of the most
informative and entertaining lectures of the week. I gained a huge
understanding what it is actually like to work within a graphics design studio.
I loved the idea of the relax areas within the studio which were there to help
you relax while you were completing a design brief. The lecturer Phil was an amazing person with
vast knowledge and experience in working within a graphics studio. He explained
what was needed for a developing graphics designer like me to succeed within
the business. He also handed us his personal business card should we ever have
any questions relating to our briefs.
University and Beyond, a Career in
the Entertainment Industry
Dave Boydell
I found this talk extremely
informative, however I did feel it was more geared towards game design
students. It did however make me realise the same software is used in designing
games as we use for our graphics work.
Portfolio Building - Digital or Print
that is the Question
Anne Marie Perks
I didn't intend to visit this lecture
because I was supposed to be at a different one however I did enjoy the lecture as it did help me to
understand what should and shouldn't go into a portfolio. While I must admit it
was at sometimes boring due to the lack of photos. I did expect there to be
more information for what is required to go into a portfolio, however all in
all I did come away learning some valuable information on portfolios even if I
didn't intend to come to this lecture.
Summary of Creative Futures 2014
I have
really enjoyed this week, and all the lectures which I have attended. The
opportunities I have had to meet some of the people actually working within the
different industries has given me great insight into the different areas of
designing careers. I have also gained some useful contacts who I will keep in
touch with in the future.
Through the
week my favourite lecture was by Barry Purves even though I don't do illustration or animation I'm a graphic designer
but it doesn't stop me from experimenting with my own work which Barry shows
through his work.
