Design strategy presentation

Thread design

Thread design are a studio based in Beijing, their location fits in well with my plans to teach in China. They produce quite a broad range of design and are quite a large studio, which is quite different to the design studios that I am normally attracted to. A lot of their work is quite corporate looking, but their are a few projects that appeal to my tastes as well.



Restaurant branding.

Cocktail bar branding.

http://www.threaddesign.com.cn/

Anonymous

I have found a studio that I am really interested in the look of in Singapore. They produce work in both English and Chinese which is what initially appealed to me, but they also produce a lot of publications and print based design work. 

One of my favourite projects of theirs is a calendar designed to 'save paper'. They asked twelve individuals, all from different creative disciplines to create an object using paper, in order to elevate its status.

Thanks to digital proliferation, paper's numerous variants and breeds are dying out, leaving only the dull A4 copier paper, most commonly found in offices. 

http://www.anonymous.com.sg/

Portfolio surgery

I had my portfolio with Ben Hayworth from Beautiful Meme, I thought that I would book it with him as we have already had a dialog going after the Inpress event and sending him work.

He said that my portfolio was mainly fine as it is, the photography and lay out is good and it communicates my projects well. However we got to talking about my general practice, he said that it's good that I'm carving as style out for myself but to be careful not to pigeon hole myself. At present my portfolio only includes print based design work as that is my general focus, Ben suggested that I include some digital based work and set myself a brief that has no budget for print. I have taken this feedback on board, and although I feel that I currently might not have time to be doing more briefs, I will include the PDF design I do for the yearbook.

TEFL

I have found an article written by someone who has had experience in teaching English in China. It's really insightful getting an honest, first hand report of how it will be to live and work in China. Along with this, it also includes some very useful tips when teaching English as a foreign language.

During my time in China, I taught three classes of between 24 and 40 first and second year university students for six hours a week each. Initially, I remember feeling pretty nervous – I worried endlessly about what I was going to teach, how I'd cope with such a large group, whether I'd fill the time and what sorts of activities my students would enjoy. But these initial concerns disappeared very quickly

 A typical lesson might start with a review of the previous lesson and a quick warm up activity, followed by the introduction of a few new words or phrases. I'd then often follow this up with a written exercise to check the students' understanding, before finishing with a related communicative activity or a game.

Looking back on my time in China brings me immense satisfaction. It's something I feel very proud of and a fantastic memory that will stay with me for the rest of my life.

TEFL

I have been exploring the prospect of going to China after graduation. In their growing economy, I think that it is wise to start creating links with businesses over there. Their culture is also one that intrigues me, and I feel that to get the most out of this I would want to live there for a period of time, and not just visit.

As an opportunity to live and work in China, I have been researching into TEFL (teaching English as a foreign language). I am looking to be placed in Beijing, and while I'm out there I can attempt to contact design studios.

I have looked at two agencies, i-to-i (found through research) and LoveTEFL (recommended by a friend). I have decided to go with an agency as they organise everything, including your training, placement in a school, accommodation, visas and airport pick up.

LoveTEFL

i-to-i

Inpress at Dock Street Market

We held our first event of this academic year at Dock Street Market. We found this venue through an advertisement at college and it was really fitting and worked really well.

 

We asked typographic collective, Form ⁓ Writing and illustrator James Murphy to appear as guest designers. We also had The Crash Blossoms play at the night, and managed to get complimentary cocktails for those who arrived first. 

The night was really successful, we made some money and also met some great people, one being Ben Hayworth the creative director at Beautiful Meme. 

 

  

 

We designed all promotion for the event which included posters, bags, flyers, postcard envelopes, compliment slips and new business cards which displays our new logo.