PPD: Live Projects Proposal

PPD 01: DESIGN FUTURES

P

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further info

CHRISTOS KYRIACOU

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CRITICAL EVALUATION

Reviewing a selection of projects from the Foundation Degree Arts Course for my current website portfolio.

After reviewing all personal feedback during the FdA, I limited the selection to six projects

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for my website portfolio, based on the most positive tutor feedback. However, after being advised by tutor Karl to keep my website to a maximum of six (including exterior projects), I concluded with three (50%), scrutinizing the

the jungle book

others for future improvement. I felt that these

christos kyriacou

best reflected my abilities to tackle branding and illusutration through the successful use of Adobe software to an industry-standard.

research

PROCESS PDF MAPPING

PROJECT 01 GDA02 analysis

PROJECT 02 PLANT OFF development

Entering LCC as a non-graphic designer has resulted in very few high-standard projects from the first year as a result entering unfamiliar territory. For insatnce, the Mapping project introduced a new method of info graphical design which was my first. Nevertheless, I feel most confident with my advanced capabilities,

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to re-address any amateurish elements within non-selected

projects,

lifting

the

standard

during Live Projects season.

ID: KYR11325896

1

I admit, I have often considered myself an indecisive person, not fully committing to one avenue with the fear that the other may lead to a better future. However, during this course I have experimented with many unfamiliar tools, capitalizing on both digital illustration

PROCESS PDF ECONOMIST

PROJECT 03 CHROMA-VOID

PROJECT 04 ByALEX

and branding. My expansion into branding in

particular

has

triggered

many

exciting

possibilities in identity design (logo, brand guides, packaging).

2

CRITICAL REFLECTION

Reviewing a selection of exterior projects in relation to my current website portfolio and experience.

Overall, I have a balanced experience in all avenues, displaying the will to experiment with a

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range of industrial roles. Designing a logo for DJ Orpheus demanded an immediate improvement of vector skills through exploration, whilst illustrating a series of shoes for bag prints raised

INTERNSHIP

FREELANCE

my Photoshop capabilities to new heights.

ORPHEUS LOGO

Furthermore, the Tri-Platonic series showcases my current progression with the blend tool.

ZONE LDN LOOK BOOK

Whilst interning at Zone London amongst a group of fashion designers, I was given no direction or brand guideline to follow, no regular feedback from my colleagues, and was often ordered to execute administrative side-jobs for the workplace. I now seek the correct internship at a graphic design based studio instead of

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FREELANCE

SELF-INITIATED

leaping at the first option.

NIDA SHOES

These job opportunities show strong relation to the fashion industry which I had not purposefully intended. Nevertheless, I have understood that there is a place for illustrative capabilities in any industry and, I used this to my advantage. I will carry this notion into future practice, applying

TRI-PLATONIC TRIPTYCH

my illustrative skills into any job context.

3

WEBSITE / CV

Dissecting my recent professional identity, online presence, and curriculum vittae.

When considering my recent expansion into the realm of geometry and vector experimentation,

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I was able to create an identity based on fresh interest. The logo represents an icosahedron with a sharp pencil point.

Using the platonic

nature, I removed some facets in order to reveal my initial ‘C’. This logo stands as a long-term Identity for which to build upon.

Whilst

receiving

feedback

during

the

mentorship session, I explained the simplicity of my logo/identity to curator, Marina to which she

PERSONAL IDENTITY

replied: ‘It’s quite complex actually’. With this in mind, I wish to look at past alternatives within my development process and see how I could possibly incorperate overlooked elements in stroke-weight and border thickness. In addition, considering the time frame, my website remains basic, yet navigationally simple and clear in presentation. I wish to further personalize this by coding my current theme (Polaris) to a more unique design.

There is an original fear to taking a ‘leap forth’ in displaying your work online for all to see.

However, once I lowered my expectations in relation to professional Behance portfolios, C H R I S T O S K Y R I A C O U

I began to enjoy what I do more with less pressure. The most important lesson I have

cargocollective.com/chriskportfolio +44 (0)7786320578

learned is not to wallow over inferiority and just create for the love of design.

4

MENTORSHIP FEEDBACK

Speaking with practitioners for a duration of fifteen minutes each, in order to gain feedback on my current portfolio.

ILLUSTRATOR: RACHEL

DESIGNER: DAVE

EXHIBITOR: NICK

CURATOR: MARINA

You are ready to show the world.

Cool, playful, silly ideas.

Technically accomlished.

Clear website display.

Show more of your interests.

In branding, don’t over-power the product.

Needs more use of typography.

Don’t miss any projects that show what you’ve learned.

FdA shows real-world experimentation.

Always tie the product back to the brand purpose.

I can see where illustration and branding meet.

Balanced range of experimentation.

Overall, the session provided the opportunity to meet colourful personalities within the industry.

They all seemed so passionate and willing to advise young and inexperienced designers such as myself. I received a range of well balanced criticism which will aid my future presentation, portfolio

and project approach now and

through out next year.

5

INTERVIEW PRACTICE

Contacting relevant practitioners wthin the field of branding and illustration in order to develop my knowledge via their perspective.

Q1

ISOMETRICS: JR SCHMIDT

How dId you establish and develop your own style?

Q2 What/who inspires you to create such fantastical worlds?

Q3 How does the client’s brand influence your illustration and vice versa?

Q4

LOGO DESIGN: ELIA PIRAZZO

Q1

In ‘Castle Block’ how did you approach visualising such a complex idea?

SVR: MARS

Q5 I am currently working on a local project which involves creating an eccentric identity and navigational system called ‘Mars’. This came about as a result of no recognition from local villages and no signage for new visitors.

I would love some feedback on my identity logo and general concept, considering your incredible style.

How do you research in and around the client when designing their logo?

Q2 How do you filter the most appropriate direction from initial ideas?

Q3 How do you achieve such diversity without becoming monotonous?

Q4 What was the inspiration behind the illustrative use of type in Blue Screw?

These practitioners display a strong use of elements reflected within my current project ‘MARS’. By relating to my aspirations and field of practice, I emailed both practitioners asking questioning their process and ideas, whilst asking for feedback on current projects. Elia replied promising to answer my questions soon however, Schmidt was non-responsive after two e-mails. I hope to hear from them both soon.

Considering our interconnected world, it is easy to contact designers, and I seek to do so on a regular basis, through Behance.

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FUTURE EXPANSION

Three-dimensional sub-category which I aim to practice in order to broaden my skill set to produce alternative forms of illustration.

The

How do you see the future of 3D design with regards to geometry?

A Sky’s the limit. You are going to see some very exciting uses of geometry in film, mapping, commercials... all fields!

current

Report

is

Industrial centred

Theoretical

around

the

Context narrative

potential of Cinema 4D within the industry. As

EXPERIMENTING

MOTION GRAPHICS

Q

previously mentioned, I have become more and more drawn toward geometry, and threedimensional software is the ultimate tool for its representation. During Christmas, I will learn the software by further experimenting for the proposed

collective

with

Ash

Beezmohun,

applying this to other experimental self-initiated projects.

Being the one of the most sophisticated tools in the industry, it takes patience and dedicated time to become an expert. Nevertheless, as a crucial part of my progression in animation and job expansion, I am adamant in mastering the programmes structural, rendering and animation tools with the aid of YouTube tutorials.

As shown, I had a short session with Ash Beezmohoun

on

modelling,

rendering

and

animation which had cemented my interest. In addition, speaking to Matt Lawrence (Triforms) for ITC, he revealed the global and versatile presence of this storytelling style and the personal, yet commercial possibilities in the future.

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PROJECT MATRIX

ILLUSTRATION

COMPETING

Highlighting fields of interest, progressive opportunities and a range of possiblities within Live Projects. Displaying active contacts.

IINTERNSHIP

FREELANCE

COLLECTIVE

ALEX AMAN ANDRAS ANI ASH CHRISTOS

BRANDING

DAVID DAVID JAMES LOUIE STUART TOBY

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INTERN APPLICATIONS

Using an effective self-descriptive scheme to ‘sell’ my skills in exchange for intern experience.

Dear Mr.Zevelakis and Ms.Roesink

COVER LETTER

Re: Internship

In total, I applied for four internships. This included Ideologio, Creative Cherry, Unreal and

As a full-time undergraduate at the London College of Communication, studying a BA (Hons) Design for Graphic Communication, I am writing to express the desire for an internship position within your creative studio.

Perfect Day. Applying via email boosts ones

Attracted by your website’s glowing charm and playfulness, it was not difficult to envisage the amazing opportunity of an internship amongst a group of such daringly creative practitioners. Given my existing graphic design knowledge, combined with an adaptive nature, I believe learning within your studio environment will significantly excel my capabilities as a designer.

With relevance to Ideologio, it took me a whole

confidence and proves good practice for longterm presentation within in the design industry. day to compose a relevant, yet enthusiastic tone for which to contact Mr.Zevelakis and Ms.Roesink for an internship (first template). I believe that this model served as an efficient

By gravitating toward both illustration and branding, I seek to fulfil the Live Projects Brief with tailored experience in these specific arenas during January 2014. In addition, I am actively organizing a long-term ‘collective’ for 2014, entering competitions such as the D&AD and RSA Awards, whilst also seeking freelance work.

My strengths include: • • • • • •

Attentiveness to delegated tasks Instinctive interception to an ever-changing brief Professional communication and interpersonal skills Consistent punctuality in accordance Capitalizing on success’ demanding voyage Establishing strong relationships with tutor-practitioners

structural template for which to re-specify accordingly to all other studios (which I did), considering the positive response.

As the first stage of internship requires an initial interaction which is not face-to-face, this filters the employer’s initial reaction of the potential intern.

Therefore it may make or break your

only opportunity regardless of effort. However, I received a positive reply in which both employees noted me as a strong candidate for internship within the January window, promising

Alongside my curriculum vitae and website portfolio, attached for your review is a project I worked on for By Alex. Hopefully this will provide you with a flavour for how I approach branding. I believe that this nutritious experience encapsulates the client’s brand values, through active research and conceptual balance. Instinctively, I can only improve by applying this skill within the workplace.

to reply as soon as the placement arises. I wish to contact them soon, to re-enforce my longterm interest.

I am searching for the richest experience and feel it would be an honour to work in an environment with innovative practitioners. I am confident that my skills and experience qualify me as a strong candidate for this position, and would relish at the opportunity to interview with you.

When cover letters provoke a successful reply,

Thanking you in advance.

when in doubt. As an alternative approach,

Yours Faithfully Christos Kyriacou

it causes self-realization as to how resourceful and valuable you are as a designer, even I

spontaneously

visited

Edge

Designs

in

Shoreditch for quote: ‘a cup of tea’ only to be greeted by a sea of dumb-founded, designers.

Nevertheless, I requested to see Steve (owner) and details were exchanged. I hope to hear from them soon.

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Meeting to discuss and organize the collective with fellow DGC students.

WORKING COLLECTIVELY

COLLECTIVE ORG

On Thursday 21st, six out of twelve met at Andras’ house to launch the collective. We began

discussing

a

range

of

names

and

visual identities, website designs, delegated tasks, exhibition spaces and launch projects.

When involved in long-term collaboration, the designer becomes part of something ‘bigger’.

The idea seeks to promote our individual strengths whilst working as a team to positively converge our visions into collaborative creation.

Considering the time-frame, there is a lot of work to consider during such a short period.

Most importantly, we are still deciding on how to enter planned competitions and how to exhibit work within a physical space. I feel the

POTENTIAL NAMES:

more we meet, the stronger and more familiar we become with one-another. We are organized, and determined to succeed as a team.

INTERRACIAL D.A.N.K CUBED DOUGH BAD BREAD IRN BRO HELICOPTER GRAPHMATIC BEETLE JUICE LIME TART PSYCHO PACK

Between us, we have identified our main skills and practices: traditional/graphic illustration, creative writing, management, video editing, 3D design, pdf layouts, web design, interior decor,

large-scale

formatting,

typography,

photography and textile and print, (to name some). Evidentially, an explosive combination for any organization or studio.

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ACTION PLAN

Planning an effiecint yet reasonable management plan for Live Projects.

SCENARIO A

SCENARIO B

SCENARIO C

COMPETE 5 WEEKS: to challenge my design capabilities against others test my skills, build a reputation, and improve.

COMPETE 5 WEEKS: to challenge my design capabilities against others test my skills, build a reputation, and improve.

COMPETE 5 WEEKS: to challenge my design capabilities against others test my skills, build a reputation, and improve.

COLLABORATE 3 WEEKS: alongside fellow students creating a fully functional website and clothing line.

COLLABORATE 3 WEEKS: alongside fellow students creating a fully functional website and clothing line.

FREELANCE 2 WEEKS: contacting representative agenies looking for illustrative and branding work.

INTERNSHIP 2 WEEKS: gain experience in both the studio environment from immediate briefs.

FREELANCE 2 WEEKS: contacting representative agenies looking for illustrative and branding work.

SELF-INITIATED 3 WEEKS: building my portfolio in order to further improve my skills and appeal.

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