Work in Progress*

An advert i created at CN Group Studio was printed in this weeks The Whitehaven News, within the Glamour supplement.

Brief
Client: Lodore Falls Hotel
Format: 17×4
Featured: Glamour Supplement
Appearance: Modern Magazine look
Artwork and copy supplied.

My first printed commercial advertisement:

I’ve now completed my two weeks of work placement.

Being given the opportunity to work as part of the creative team at CN Group Studio has encouraged my desire to work within a design studio. Across the board, there is a constant buzz.

The Creative Team Leader, Alison Topham, set me a timetable for the fortnight - which reflected greatly on first impression, appreciable organisational qualities. The timetable allocated times with each department covering; Recruitment, Motors Team, Marketing and Promotions, Classified Production, Planning Team, ROP Production and Pinpoint Leaflets. On an earlier visit I was even shown the printing press and the CMYK process colour plates. The amount of machinery is astonishing.

I was grateful for working on live briefs, admittedly I’ve never worked on advertisements, never mind so intensely. The projects set included; House Advertisements, Outside Briefs and Static Web Advertisements. I even had the opportunity to update an existing campaign for Pinpoint Leaflets, original concept and design by Stephen Graham, I applied the newly designed logo and typesetting for stationary and campaign work. (work will be uploaded to showcase – available to download on 17th March)

Whilst doing the live briefs I received positive feedback from the clients, which I did not come to expect. I understand more than ever that you cater for the client, it’s the clients needs that need fulfilled. Even if you consider the design to be poor, you must design as stipulated or you could lose that revenue and possibility of regular revenue from that client, not to mention the time that is lost. To be trusted by the client will allow you more creative freedom, relationship building is the main attribute to clear communication.

Cumbria Newspapers is a company whose basis relies on outstanding communication over a vast number of departments, and very tight schedules whereby deadlines must be met. I fully appreciate how much work goes into the newspaper process and business.

For all departments, the workload is immense, but always succeed in reaching deadlines with quality, which is a great credit to the company.

I would just like to personally thank all the Creative Team at CN Group Studio, Louise, Ian, Andrew, Joan, Sheril, Stephen, Mike, Nils, Bill and of course the lovely Alison for her time, guidance and patients. And to all the others I came into contact with during my time at CN thank you.

Yesterday, I began a work placement at CN Group Studio. Being there for only two days, I have learned so much about their company. I fully understand why experience is a must when it comes to applying for jobs, the industry pace and standards was unknown to me. I am looking forward to the following days ahead, having live projects in my portfolio, and furthering my understandings.

It is so exciting gaining my experience from CN Group, I have never been so enthusiastic about my future career as a Graphic Designer and Visual Communicator.

Below is a small example of a typographic header I produced for an advertisement template, whereby multiple Garden advertisements will be inserted. The logotype was created in Illustrator, for some reason the quality is not as sharp on the internet.