Vita
The Graduate Issue
Issue 1 November 2011
On the cover Exeter University Graduates 2011
Dear Reader
a note from me
Welcome to Vita Magazine, a showcase of my talent and creativity that aims to demonstrate to you my skills, qualifications and interests. I am Rosie Grindrod, a recent graduate who, after taking on the role of Arts Coordinator for a student arts magazine and discovering how much I enjoyed the process of design, editorial work and production, has decided to pursue a role in the design or art direction of magazines and publications. To help me along my way, I have created this magazine which I have filled with the contents of my CV, as well as examples of the work I have done so far. Find out where I attended university on page 12. If relevant work experience is what you’re interested in, find it on pages 6 to 10. More information on my aspirations and personal qualities can be found on page 4. So if you are reading this out of interest, I hope you enjoy learning a bit more about me. And if you work for a magazine or publishing company, perhaps you will be inspired and impressed enough to consider employing me! Nice to see you,
Flat 3A St Michaels Court Stoney Stanton Leicestershire LE9 4TH 07791329805 01455273021 rosiegrindrod @gmail.com
Editorial Rosie Grindrod Design Rosie Grindrod Words Rosie Grindrod
rosiegrindrod. carbonmade.com @grrrosie RosieGrindrodArt artisticrosie
Do you have anything interesting to share? Submissions / Thoughts rosiegrindrod@gmail.com
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it’s all
Rosie
a personal profile
4...
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With a passion for the arts and a creative flair combined with a neat and organised nature, I have the ability and the desire to work in an environment that allows me to use my skills and imagination whilst managing my time and tasks efficiently. My creative mind, together with studying Arts Management as part of my degree, have given me plenty of time to develop my skills in creative thinking and problem solving, which are useful and relevant in the creative industry. These skills enable me to think outside the box in situations that are difficult to overcome, and I can and will successfully produce excellent results. Coming from one of the most social courses at university, I have gained extensive experience in working as part of a team on projects, performances and presentations. This has all helped me to develop my teamwork skills, which now enable me to listen, contribute and constructively criticise the input of others in order to achieve a result that everyone is happy with. I have often taken on the leading role in various situations, however I work well as any part of a team due to my ability to give instruction as well as receive and follow it. With these skills and knowledge in mind, I would be an excellent addition to any team and would work hard to ensure that this is so. Something that comes hand in hand with working in a group, and ensures the success of any ventures that group might embark upon, is communication. This is another skill that I have had the chance to enhance and develop during my time at university, and throughout the many other activities I have chosen to be a part of. I have learnt how
important it is to establish strong working relationships, and I am now able to do this myself through my excellent communication skills. Throughout my time in education and out, I have been introduced to the necessity and benefits of networking. This is something that I have come to recognise as an important part of having a successful career, particularly in the creative industries. I have gained experience in this skill, joining many social media websites (find me on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, IdeasTap...). I am an adaptable individual, able to prioritise my workload in a variety of situations. I have had experience working in constantly changing, busy, pressured and fast-paced environments, and have successfully completed tasks keeping within budgets and deadlines. These achievements are a demonstration of my skills in organisation and efficient use of time management. Quality is something that I take pride in, and my attention to detail has ensured that throughout my life, any project I start will receive the same amount effort and love as another. And the end results reflect this quality of mine. I am looking forward to working in a creative environment with a team of likeminded individuals, bringing our ideas to life in print. issuu.com/vitazine ...5
“Razz My Berries” was an unheard phrase in my first two years at Exeter University. I had passed a stall with its name at the Freshers’ Fair, giggling to myself as if it was somehow slightly rude. Little did I know it would turn out to be the best thing that ever happened to me. I later discovered that “Razz my berries” is actually Fifties slang meaning to impress or excite me. Rude? Depends on the context, but in this case the phrase applied to an arts magazine run by a student society, for which in my final year I would become the Arts Coordinator. This was the first time I had been involved in creating and producing a magazine, and together with the wonderful editors Ellie and Emma, we set off on a journey that was to end at the beginning of our hopeful, inspired careers in the magazine industry. As we were only a small team, we shared many of the responsibilities and tasks that
would usually be distributed between a much larger group of people. I took on publicity, editorial, design and promotional roles alongside my title, and was responsible for organising competitions, illustrating features, planning, shooting and editing the feature photography for each issue and maintaining an online presence through our many social media outlets. I was such a valuable, versatile member of the society that when it came to the editors choosing a new committee for the next year, there was no Arts Coordinator appointed. They believed that there just wasn’t another Rosie to do the job. My role as Arts Coordinator gave me a taste of working as part of a team to create, design, edit and produce a magazine, and finally to take it to print. It was an experience that left me desperate to learn more, to gain more experience and become an Art Director or Designer.
Find my contributions to issues four, five, six and seven at www.razzmag.wordpres s.com
On The Razz how a student magazine inspired my future
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8...
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Drawing
Life I had spent my first two university years as a member of the Art Society, and hardly went to the sessions because of one thing or another. But I found those two hours to be a break from the stress of deadlines, essays, performances and projects where I could clear my head and relax. Towards the end of year two, the new committee for each society is decided for the next year. I was elected the Life Drawing Coordinator of the Art Society, which made me responsible for everything to do with the weekly session. I successfully generated a list of new models from the Freshers’ fair, booked a weekly space for each term, maintained stock of materials, administrated email and social media, planned a two hour session every week, dealt with the money and treasurer to pay the model and worked within a budget. Also helping to set up exhibitions of members’ work around campus, I was a valuable member of the Art Society Committee and worked well as part of a strong team. During my time as Life Drawing Coordinator, I improved my skills in time management, communication, budget management organisation, creative thinking and problem solving. I also developed my abilities to work with others as well as using my initiative when required. All of this experience has given me the confidence to be an excellent addition to any successful team.
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“Rosie has been a great
asset to the production team”
“Rosie’s work is to a
professionally high standard”
“Several pieces of Rosie’s work have been used within the magazine itself due to their
high quality”
“She is more than competent at using the
InDesign programme”
Comments taken from the Insight reference 10... issuu.com/vitazine
an
Insight
into magazine life
I spent a week working in the production office of Insight magazine, a local free magazine for the working professionals of Leicestershire. Here’s a day-byday account of how it went. Day 1 Today I was introduced to the team and began working on some general editorials to accompany pages of related adverts. I wrote two 300-400 word articles, one on how to stay warm for a winter wedding and one fashion related piece about trending coats. The office is above Gregg’s the Bakers so I couldn’t help but grab a sausage roll for lunch. Yum! Day 2 I was given a more specific task today of writing a featured editorial for a paying client. I had to research their website and make a note of offers, positive comments and aims and then convert that into a 300-400 word article basically advertising them. I chose a B&B in Stratford-upon-Avon and a creative design studio in Worcester. After lunch (more Gregg’s!) I was lucky enough to give Adobe InDesign a go, and began a double-page spread on beauty products which had been reviewed by the team. Day 3 After finishing off yesterday’s design task, I was given a La Senza advert to put together, featuring their slipper range. This was completed quickly and easily for me, and I was then asked to create a fashion spread on Apricot (opposite, above right). Day 4 I was asked to combine my editorial
and design skills today by creating a product placement page, using a PR website to take products and turn them into an advertorial page (opposite, above left). By this time I was impressing the designer, and the writers, and was really beginning to get stuck in. Day 5 Today I put together the What’s On? page by researching local events, taking pictures from websites and designing the spread. I then put together a feature editorial page like the ones I had previously written for, this time designing the layout using the company’s website as inspiration. I wrote another couple of editorials based on organic food and Christmas at home. I also brought in brownies to tempt the editor into keeping me, but she is looking after her figure. The rest of the office seemed to enjoy them, though! I learnt a lot from this week. I have developed my writing, editorial and design skills and this has given me the confidence to continue seeking internships and work placements in order to become a successful designer and art director. Look out for my contributions to Insight in issue 157, out on November 7th.
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My Exeter Exeter University 2:1 BA(hons) drama So I have a degree in Drama. As it was pointed out to me by a shocked and disappointed barman, why on Earth would I waste my time doing a degree like that? Why didn’t I do Law, or Rocket Science? Sometimes I ask myself that question. But I am quickly reminded of what I did at university; I learnt important skills, made friends for life, became independent, took advantage of many unique opportunities and most of all, I had the time of my life. *But how does this relate to the magazine industry!?” I hear you cry. Read on and I’ll show you how... My degree has taught me excellent team building and communication skills. From working together on productions, projects and performances I gained the ability to work with others, taking direction, giving it out and successfully listening to and giving out constructive feedback. This knowledge has provided me with everything I need to be able to apply myself in a magazine production team, achieving great results with my skills in this area. I have had the opportunity to enhance my selfcritical and reflective skills as an individual, setting personal objectives that challenged and extended the boundaries of my work. My ability and drive to be successful on my own will help me to strive for the best and rely on my own ideas and initiative when it counts, making me a valuable, reliable member of a magazine production team. Deadlines for various projects, essays and 12... issuu.com/vitazine
presentations have equipped me with well developed time-management and organisational skills. Budgets were also a factor in various situations, so I am capable of working towards and within set limitations and still achieving excellent results. These skills set me up as an ideal candidate for a career in magazine design. So when you find yourself thinking that my time at university has been completely irrelevant to my career choice, remember that I have a wealth of experience that would make me an excellent addition to your working team.
Module Choices Arts Management (1:1) Digital Theatre Crafts (1:1) Multimedia (2:1) Practical Essay Installation (2:1) Directing (2:1)
Extra Curricular Arts Coordinator, Razz Magazine Life Drawing Coordinator, Art Society Headshots Performance photography Poster/Leaflet design Set/Costume design
Confident user of Microsoft Office
Excellent knowledge of social media tools
Competent in use of Macs
Good knowledge of Adobe Photoshop and InDesign
Polite and courteous phone manner
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Creative thinking and problem solving Highly developed personal and group organisational skills
These are just a few skills and abilities I have learnt and developed that will make me a strong and capable member of your team.
S
kills
Strong ability to manage time and workload in a productive way
Capable of being self critical and reflective
Exceptional attention to detail
Able to work within a set budget
Adaptable
Uses own initiative when working individually or within a group
Excellent networking skills
Efficient
Calm under pressure
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Thank You
All images and designs are copyright of Rosie Grindrod unless otherwise stated
www.issuu.com/vitazine www.facebook.co.uk/RosieGrindrodArt @grrrosie Write to: 3A St Michael’s Court Stoney Stanton Leicestershire LE9 4TH