FDB Design Visit

FDB Design.
Studio Visit.
I found out about this studio being of a placement that I did with Glenelg. Glenelg was very helpful by recommending me to FDB also by introducing me to a few different studios and people who I could talk to. FDB Design is a very family orientated business with one extra girl who was able to get the job as they needed someone else when a different family member dropped out. Having different age ranges works really well for them, and I loved being their as they asked me my opinion of things and really listened and cared for my answer. FDB are not looking to expand or have any placements at this time, although I know this, I really liked the studio and wanted to go so that I could speak to more people in the industry.

As soon as I walked into the studio I introduced to everyone and couldn't feel more comfortable there. David, who is the owner of FDB Design, took me through all of the work that they were doing at the moment, and work that they have produced in the past. The range of design was really good, they don't soley do packaging, although that is their main focus. They produce branding for companies, leaflets and lots of editorial work. This was all really interesting to go through.

The Work.
I was unable to take any pictures of their work produced whilst I was there, although they went through a lot of the work that they have been doing with me, and their website is up to date so all of their work is on there.

The greedy pig is a branding and packaging brief. It was for sausages which is a theme that they went through at one point, with many different sausage brands giving them briefs. This was one of the projects that FDB has produced which I really like and remember the most from the visit.

Although another brief that they produced was for Jaguar. After a lot of different briefs from them, where they didn't really know what they wanted, David who owns FDB took the initiative to go to them with their ideas. Jaguar allowed them to try their ideas under their own risk, therefore they weren't paid for the initial designs. Although what was agreed was that they could copy-write the design which would mean Jaguar would have to go through FDB every time they wish to use it. Jaguar loved the designs that FDB produced and are now a very loyal customer to them. Now they are given a free reign to design Jaguar’s full range of car care products. Plus also providing design & packaging for global compliance for many of Jaguars part supplies.



My work.
When I was going through my work with David, Singen, and Gabby they all seemed really impressed and also gave me some advice. The advice they gave me was to continue my portfolio they way I started it, it starts with huge impact briefs that I am really passionate about and ends with ones that aren't photographed well and I don't care as much about. I should be passionate and proud all the way to the end. They liked the fact that I have been doing live briefs and what they have lead to, by getting more live work.

My Experience. 
When going to FDB Design I expected to go through some of the work that they have produced, they through some of mine, although as well as doing this I stayed for over 5 hours, getting to know everyone in the studio, finding my way around it and helping them out with my opinions and some photography for a client that they were working on that day. Expecting to be there an hour but actually staying for five gave me a lot more time with the studio, and gave me a confidence boost as they asked me to stay the day and I was able to give my input.

I have learnt that everything needs to be photographed properly as it makes everything a lot better, they have a studio room for photography that works really well. I have also made connections with everyone in that studio, and even though I know that FDB Design isn't somewhere that is offering jobs at the minute, they have asked me to keep in touch, and are so approachable if I need any advice. FDB Design and everyone who works there are lovely and they are people that I know that I definitely want to keep in touch with in the future. Gabby, a designer that works there, also gave me a contact for a printers that she would advise to use and another for her dad who is a graphic design too as a studio in York.

I have really enjoyed my day at FDB Design, and is a studio I will keep in contact with, and go back to catch up with them as they have asked me to. I have business cards with details on of the people who work there so I can keep in contact with them.

Glenelg Placement Day 4

Glenelg Placement.
Day 4.
During the fourth day on my placement at Glenelg I spent it helping the animator James with a pitch that they are doing on the 20th April, and doing finishing touches onto the animation that I have made for the presentations about RedTag. This is something as I have said I am not able to put online. We also went out for lunch today, they treated me to this to say thank you for having me, this was greatly appreciated and I was happy to be there.

The entire experience at Glenelg has been amazing, I have learnt so much form doing this, I have also gained a lot of knowledge of the industry, and working in a more commercial way with real clients that aren't freelance work. I know now after working here that I really want to work in a studio, with a group of people, it is in this kind of work environment that I thrive in and love being a part of. I have made a lot more connections from doing this placement, for example I will be visiting fdb Design later on in the month, people who I was introduced to at Glenelg. Also I have met a lot of people from the industry that have asked me to keep in touch. This is really exciting. I am happy to put this onto my CV and so pleased that I came and that there was so much for me to get involved in, in the studio.

PPS Studio

PPS

PPS (Professional Packaging Service).
PPS offers bespoke designs. Each PPS client has a dedicated account executive to manage the process from development to production and final delivery of their packaging. They establish a strong understanding of each of the client's requirements to ensure continuity and effective communication. They have a skilled team to provide a unique professional packaging service. This is a team I would love to be involved in as I am interested in packaging design especially bespoke packaging.

Source

Established in 1979, they are the market leaders in the retail gift and presentation packaging arena. As the UK's premier packaging solutions provider, they offer clients unique constructional ideas, graphic design, worldwide sourcing and assembly, combined with full service project management. Their continued growth and success is achieved with the support of their loyal clients and commitment to exceed customers' expectations in quality and service.Their business operates in a contemporary open plan working environment which creates a relaxed and friendly platform conducive to dynamic creative thinking and excellent team communication.

PPS are well known for their bespoke packaging design mainly for drink packaging although they also do cosmetics, gifts and fragrances.

PPS is non-manufacturing and has built a strong network of manufacturing partners throughout the UK, Europe, Middle East and Far East, who offer solutions for each and every packaging requirement.

Examples of Drinks Packaging.

PPS focus on the client and the clients need rather than focusing on factory dictated designs. This is somewhere I would love to do some work experience, having no limit to the packaging design, going over and above to make a clients product bespoke and interesting. The designs are so crisp and clean, they have been designed with skill and precision and have a very professional finish.

Example of Gift Packaging.

As well as drinks packaging they also create gift packaging. Simple yet effective packaging.

Visiting PPS it is something I would love to do especially as I am interested in packaging design, and love their bespoke packaging. There is definitely a reason why major brands such as Grey Goose Vodka contact them to design their packaging, as their design are immaculate. The company is based in Bradford although they do have an office in Hong Kong too, but having a Bradford office means that it would be easily accessible for me.

I have contacted PPS to as a friend of a friend knows Simon Bell, the Manager and founder of the company, unfortunately he has sold the company now, although he has said that he would put in a good word for me, and meet with me to go through my portfolio and talk about what I am wanting to do. This will be really beneficial for me to do, it will help me to network with the industry and also learn more about what people are looking for in portfoilios.

Glenelg Placement Day 3

Day 3.
On the third day as Peter and John from Glenelg thought that I was working on the red tag logo still I actually finished this quite soon on in the day, therefore I started to work on the presentation that they initially showed me about the statistics of the redtag. During the presentation they all kept mentioning how boring the information is and how they wanted to vamp it up. Therefore I started to go through the presentation and pick out all of the facts and statistics, also look up more about the product. I then thought that I would create an animation about the statistics of redtag and introduce this security measure to people.

After the pitch this is the redtag logo that they will be going with form the variance of the logos. This is something that I am really proud of and that they are really happy with.

These are some of the illustrator files used in the animation that I have made for animation, although I unfortunately wasn't able to get the files of the animation for my blog as they wished to pitch it to the redtag company called Amaray before I put it online. Therefore I left it with them. At the end of the day as I was finishing the animation they came over to my desk and were shocked but really happy with what I produced and were really pleased with my initiative during the day. This was more great feedback from Glenelg.