On Friday we had the opportunity of going to a lecture at the University; which was taken by the graphic designer and illustrator, Si Scott.
I was really excited about this and I feel I learnt a lot. Si made some great points and even showed us some of his college work! This felt good because I could see the progression, and it brought me back down to earth a little bit, realising that everyone starts off the same, no one is any different, everyone goes through art college or uni and progresses that way, which was a bit of a confidence boost really. It also showed us his progression as an artist, and he said himself, he didn't just start with illustrated type, but actually learnt what works and what doesn't, and obviously, this is why he's so good! He's been through the trade and learnt from his mistakes and these have influenced on how his design is now.
Another really interesting point Si made about work from students that he receives (he is also a part time lecturer at Huddersfield Uni) are mostly PDF attachments to emails, which have been sent to about 20 other designers or firms, he says this makes him dis interested, as if there has been no thought that has gone into it, it's not been handled, or had that time to think about it how it's going to be sent. There is no contact. I thought this was pretty interesting because soon enough I'll be in my second year, and obviously I'll need to start getting my work out to designers and companies in order to get some work experience. Obviously, if you go that extra mile and do that extra bit of work you can be noticed. Si also mentioned in his lecture, about how he got his work, is you make your own luck. I am solely responsible for putting my work out there, and if I don't do it, no one will ever see it, and no one will ever give me work. Si Scott also said that now, he doesn't get so bogged down by the concept, he said you could have an amazing concept, but if it doesn't look good, then your not doing your job. Which is so true! However, he did say that when he looks at young designers, he doesn't look so much at how good they are, but that they've got the ideas in their head, and the concepts (which is slightly contradictory, but I think he meant to not get too bogged down about concept, it might come when the design looks good). Also talking about getting a job or work after Uni, Si said that people will very rarely pay for something they've not already seen, and this is how he gets a lot of his work, because one company see the typography for another company that Si did, and they'll like it, and ask him to do something similar for them, a bit like a domino effect - one thing triggers the next.
Scott has an incredibly wide variety of work, corporate, charity (which he said he likes doing), music, fashion, 3d work, a bit of everything! He said he likes to exhaust every avenue, and goes through different phases in his work. He also owns a shop in Leeds called Paper, Scissor, Stone, a boutique store that sells mens and womens clothing and artworks.
Overall, I definitely learnt so much and I absolutely loved it, It's great to hear someone talk about the industry you wish to go in, and the fact that that person has made it, he's done it and can speak with the benefit of experience.
