Design By Day Visit

designbyday.co.uk

Just got back from my portfolio visit with Design By Day in Salford and feeling a lot more positive and confident with where i am at the moment. Louise Gardner (creative director) sat down with me and took me through the work they have produced recently for the Cornerhouse. It was great to see how their work was coming together, and how they both work in different areas to produce it. Louise was currently working on poster design in Illustrator and creating some interesting pattern designs. I'm really inspired by poster design and illustration, so loved hearing all about her ideas and ways of working.

Once id uploaded my portfolio onto the computer she called over Angela, who works on the animation at Design By Day, and i talked them through my work. We started off with a look through my showreel. Their response, im happy to say, was positive especially with the 2D animation of Deal Me In and the Feelgood Frogs. Louise said that the edit works well and has an interesting appeal.

I then showed my first scene so far for my short film 3, which raised their attention towards the visual aesthetic and choice of sound. Sound is something which came up a lot when i showed my work, and made me consider the importance of the use of sounds to communicate my work. As Louise said its 50% of what brings your work to life. It could be a great animation but could be hugely effected by the sounds used.

We then went over my work from 2nd and 3rd year, and talked through what i was aiming for in each piece. My 'Feelgood Frogs' and the 'Groovy Peas' short got great positive feedback, as they both are passionate about character design, and got some laughs which made me feel like my work is interesting people and making them laugh...which really makes it all worth while and makes me happy to see that happen! The use of suspense, they said, makes the piece have that exciting, spontaneous appeal. Keeping you on the edge of your seat and eager to see whats going to happen next.

The Green & Black piece seemed to spark a lot of questions, as to how i have produced it, and the mysterious visual i aimed for. They especially liked to opening shot as the model is introduced where i used a radial blur to symbolize a drop of chocolate, which they said was a clever idea and very fresh to see. Also asking about the sounds featured in it, which they said should be improved to tie it together which i agree would be a good step forward for this. Perhaps trying out a different instrument, or a piano which is actually in tune!

To conclude this visit, I've learnt the importance of sound and how this hugely effects how my work can be perceived. Also filling my hump with more experience of how people work together in a studio and the standards of work in the professional world. Louise asked me to let her know when the Stockport show at the end of the year will be, and to keep her posted about my work, especially the new sounds on the Green & Blacks, and my completed short film. So im feeling confident that my work is grabbing peoples attention and getting them interested. Looking forward to Loose Moose Studios tomorrow, and i now feel i can go in, be confident and make the most of it!