The Crescent Theatre

I've sent an email enquiring about the possibility of volunteering with the people who work in a theatre environment. In particular, I have requested to get involved with designing sets for the productions and expressed my interest to get experience of designing for performances such as Snow White, Alice and/or The Addams Family The Musical.

Website

http://www.crescent-theatre.co.uk/index.php


Image Source

http://birminghamfest.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Crescent-Mainhouse.jpg

1-2-1 Tutorial with Lisa Metherell, 26.02.15.

From having a one to one tutorial with Lisa, she was able to advise me on who else to get in contact with, such as looking up theatres, studios, artists.

With all honesty, I said that I would love to be working in the TV/Film industry, creating designs for sets, characters etc. This is where I'll look into multiple theatres who take on volunteers so I can see how they all work when preparing the theatre for performances.

This Is Orb - Creative Agency

Another place I've contacted about a possible placement is ORB, which is an agency that creates brands for big and serious companies, e.g - RBS, Commercial Express, Marketing Birmingham. Their introductory video shows a very enthusiastic environment with open minded and creative illustrators, which seems to be a very appealing place to gain experience.

Marketing Birmingham, This Is Orb.

Image Source/Agency Website

http://www.thisisorb.com/

Monkey Feet Illustration Directory

I have applied for a possible work placement at this illustration agency. They show a vast number of illustrations (mostly digital) with a wide variety of themes and subjects. Hopefully the agency will get back in touch but I shall follow up to receive contact with them, as I shall do to the other agencies.

 

Devon Busby                                        Jones


Source:

http://www.themonkeyfeetillustrationdirectory.com

Inkygoodness

I have applied for another illustrative agency that seem to be more proactive with their artists, hosting events around the country in places such as The Custard Factory in Birmingham. This would be a good opportunity to get my illustrative skills put to use as well as growing in strength when it comes to collaboration.

Click here to see their "Character Totem Home Coming" event

"Big City Lovers" by Kristyna Baczynski for Metro, 2014.

Source:

http://inkygoodness.com

Beehive Illustration

I have updated my CV's information and its visual appearance to tailor to companies like Beehive Illustration. I have written the covering letter in an email and attached a PDF file of my CV, shall wait for a response off them in the next week or two.

Examples of work from the agency's gallery:

 

     Nicholas Jackson                  Stevyn Colgan



Source:
http://www.beehiveillustration.co.uk

Group Tutorials

We were all designated into groups to talk about the work placements we're applying for and where to go next using the helpful feedback of the other students.

I discussed about how I know what area I'd like to go into but hadn't yet updated my CV to tailor to the companies I'll apply for. It was highly suggested to me from another student that I looked into how illustrators create their CV.

Here are some examples of illustrator CVs that influenced me to change my CV's appearance.

 


My updated CV

 Image Sources:

http://payload26.cargocollective.com/1/0/22323/2821450/MomoCV_Final_Cargo_700.jpg
https://sfillustration.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/cvsfredriksson.png?w=290
http://www.makesimpledesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/3.resume_of_robbie_Bautista1.jpg

How to find work experience by Jane McAllister

Jane McAllister showed a presentation all about the different ways to get the work experience I am looking for. She covered the important subjects such as:

• The importance of work experience
• Managing your search for work
• How and where to look
• Where to access further resources

The importance of the work experience part of the presentation talks about knowing what your strongest skills can provide for the places of interest to you. It also goes on to state the benefits of already providing the experience and skills, e.g - boosts your confidence and motivation, provides you with useful contacts.

Managing your search for work focuses on knowing what organisations you want to be a part of, using different ways of contacting places/people, Basically identifying the people/companies and knowing all their contact details in order to apply.

How and where to look talks about the techniques of finding work placements, such as newspapers, tv adverts, social media, websites, cold calling.

Where to access further resources supplies useful links and information on what particular sites to use and who in particular to talk to, e.g online jobs board, SoA library, contacts - final year students/lecturers.

The area of interest to go for in the professional world

Throughout my time on this course, I've always had a drive in the field of illustration and to be a professional illustrator in the future. Whether that's being in a design agency or in an arts team as well as being a freelance artist/designer.

I shall look into as many agencies/companies that work with illustrators as much as I can. Not only just looking into those environments but I'll research into other fields of work such as live events, freelance designers and freelance artists.

Professional Practice Module Launch

Experiential Placement

This element requires you to identify and organise experience within a professional Art & Design context. The experience must be for a minimum of 30 hours and the context/s you choose should be appropriate to your future career aspirations.

With this in mind they could be:

·      Within an institution, e.g a company, gallery, school, arts team, museum, health setting, design agency.

·      With an individual freelance designer/artist/project manager/photographer or other creative practitioner.

You can choose to undertake experience in one, or a combination of different contexts.