Placements
2 Semester
Year 2 - An introduction GR 3100
Semester
Creative Review Placement Survey Article - March 2004
1. Placement tutors role 1. Introduction to the module - group presentation. 2. Co-ordinate smaller informal presentations - student to student 4. Folder preparation & profiling students for interview - on going 5. Guidance on CV preparation 6. Student initiated placements - guiding the students research into 2. a given company 7. Co-ordinating & arranging interviews. 8. Placement visits to student & employer 9. Continued pastoral support - year long - via e-mail - etc....
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Some big questions to ask yourself
1. Have I got the portfolio of work to support my efforts? 2. Am I prepared to work in order to gain a good portfolio? 3. Where do I want to work? 3. Overseas - London - The North - your local village? 4. Can I talk confidently about my work in an interview? 5. Am I prepared to compromise & make sacrifices? 6. How determined am I to succeed?
Two useful books to read especially this blue one below - p.30 - 43 How to find a job.
Extract
What are my chances of a placement? Academic year
No. of students
Gender division
98-99
2 students - graduated
female 0
male 2
99-00
1 student - graduated
female 0
male 1
00-01
11 students - graduated
female 5
male 6
01-02
14 students - graduated
female 6
male 8
02-03
10 students - graduated
female 7
male 3
03-04
15 students - graduated
female 13
male 2
04-05
14 students - graduated
female 11
male 3
05-06
13 students - graduated
female 9
male 4
06-07
17 students - graduated
female 10
male 7
07-08
10 students - graduated
female 9
male 1
08-09
12 students - graduated
female 9
male 3
09-10
15 students - re-enrolled
female 6
male 9
10-11
10 students - out
female 5
male 5
Running total 131
Female 85 - Male 46
Average 13 Students per year
How do I go about researching into a company?
Degrees of separation
The design world is really very small especially at the top end. Networking and getting to know people is important and a placement(s) is a good introduction to this world. You will find that the longer you’re in it the smaller it will get.
1. Become a design detective and make it your business to know who’s 1. 1. who and who’s doing what in the business. 2. Read the relative trade press/blogs - Design Week - Creative Review 1. 1. and look out for who is doing what and name check the company. 3. Research the companies web site - What type of work do they do? 1. Where are they based ? Who are their clients? etc... 1. Have they got any promotional material they can actually send you? 4. Contact them and see if they offer placements - what is the name and 1. 1. details of the contact who deals with placements? 1 5. Look at the creative directory www.chb.com & other similar directories. 1. tthese sites are good for checking design companies in a given area.
6. Talk to a 4th year student who has already been through the process. 1. 1. They are your closest and best source of information 1. NB. When you have identified a company - consult your tutor to check if 1. we have an existing working relationship with that company.
Always be on the lookout for these annual surveys
as they provide revealing statistics & give you a good holistic perspective
& they also indicate which are the most creative agencies
plus they also categorize companies by specialism
& every now and again they indicate your average income and earning potential
check out the Preston profiles & the design companies in the look & learn section
How the ‘sandwich’ placement fits into the course of study
Some key questions answered What happens if I secure a Placement(s)? 1. How long is it for? You need to work for a minimum of 6 months on your year out to fulfil the module requirements. If it’s offer of 3-6 months then that is a good solid basis on which to take a year out. Subsequent placements can be found/arrange at a later date (normally by the student). Year long placements are harder to find. The majority of students work at more than one company during their year out - some can work at up to 6 different agencies. A variety of work placements is generally a good idea, as you get to compare & contrast work practices. 2. What if I only get work for the summer? You re-enroll as normal come September and continue on the 3 year degree route. If you choose this option then the onus is very much on you to find a short work placement over the summer. 3. What if you decide to take the full year? You still re-enroll come September (you can do this on line - if you are working). However you re-enroll as a placement student and pay half your current fees £1,610. This ensures your student status and means you are exempt from council tax. It also ensures continued pastoral support from all subject staff i.e. placement visits and further placement contacts and it is recognized on your final degree certificate as BA (Hons) with Sandwich.
Some key questions answered What happens if I secure a Placement(s).........Continued 4. When do placements start? First you have to hand your folder in for assessment in order to complete level two - this is compulsory. After staff have assessed folders there is usually an intense period of folder preparation, which involves you staying at the University a little longer and working closely with staff. If you decide to proceed on a normal 3 year degree then we simply see you again in September. Placements can then start as early as May/June if you are lucky, but the majority normally start in September/October*. However it does depend on several factors and no two cases are generally the same. Factors include:- is your folder of work ready for interview? If you are successful/unsuccessful at interview? When an employer wants you to start? When you can you start? Etc... *Students can still commit to a placement on their return (up until Christmas). This is rare but has happened. 5. When do I have to Decide? The sooner the better but bare in mind you have nothing to loose, as you can always re-enrol come September. If things are going well and you secure a placement, as is normally the case then you make your decision come September. However in our experience once a student has started a period of work they tend to want to continue for the whole year. 4. What about Accommodation? Cross that bridge when you come to it. Ask the 4th year students what they did? Students who work in London have tended to share accommodation. Remember you will not have a life on placement & it’s essentially only somewhere to sleep? In the past we have had students sofa surfing. Stopping at distant relatives. YMCA.....
Interviews
Some key questions answered Interviews 1. How many will I have? If you find your own placement then you will be the only candidate. If it is tutor led then generally there will be 3 students competing for a place. Ultimately the employer decides on which student is best suited to the company. If you are unsuccessful do not worry, the more interviews you have the better you become at talking through your work. Also you will receive good feedback on your projects and another point of view. 2. General tips Dress reasonably smart but don’t go over the top, as a rule design groups are quite casual. Punctuality is everything so don’t be late. The more you practice the better you get. It is always good practice to have researched the company well as they could ask you “what you think about a certain piece of work they have designed”? 3. Remember Your portfolio is a reflection of your personality as well as you ability. If it is scruffy and disorganised then that simply reflects on you. A portfolio should start with a good piece of work and build up to your latest work. Quality NOT quantity! A poor piece of work inserted simply to bulk it up is a bad idea. Give your folio pace by inserting short ideas projects in between larger more complex pieces. Always be positive and take criticism in your stride and think on your feet.
A cautionary tale of a student called Henry
Some key questions answered
What about money, the wage, cash, readies, wonga? 1. Well you’ll never become a millionaire on placement. Remember it’s the experience that is invaluable to you in the long run. 2. The majority of placements are paid. But the amount will vary depending on the individual companies policy. 2. Most will pay at least minimum wage but sometimes certain companies will only pay/cover your basic living expenses. 3. Some of the more high profile agencies who have students queuing at their door just to get their name on their CV’s can 2. 2. and do take liberties. Even seeing it as a privilege for a student to be under their roof - these companies may pay very little. 4. London agencies will generally pay more due to cost of living in the capital. 5. The amount you are paid can increase depending on your performance and the duration of your employment. 6. Never bring the subject up at an interview unless they do first. Wait until they contact you with an offer and take it from 5. 2. 2. there. Talking money at a first interview can be a bit presumptuous on your part and is a little to forward for some people. 7. Ask a 4th year student what they were paid. Again they are your closest and best source of information
What are the benefits of a work placement? Many, in a nutshell. All placement experiences are unique but generally you will gain a valuable insight into the following:1. How a given design agency really works - on a day to day basis. 2. You will work on live briefs and see how projects develop through to print/screen/shelf. 3. You will experience working with other designers and within a team structure. 4. It improves your computer skills, craft skills & general professional practice. 5. You will learn how to work to strict deadlines and improve your time management skills. 6. It will improve your general presentation and communication skills. 7. It will be beneficial for your CV & provides future links on graduation. 8. It will clarify whether you really want to pursue design as a career. 9. As an experience it should be exciting, challenging and an adventure. 10. How to network through socialising with other designers. .....and finally it will definitely improve your tea making skills. NB There is no such thing as a bad placement. An experience is an experience whether good, bad or indifferent. The main thing is to learn from each experience and take the best from it. Make the most of it. be keen, enthusiastic, keep your eyes open and the learning curve will be steep.
and finally
Studio Structure