Studio Days

The editor normally grabs a few studio snaps before heading towards the annual St John Rigby 6th Form College presentation to promote FD. Trying to capture the atmosphere and the ambiance of 201 can be difficult - so images, in which no student was harmed, 'kind-of' starts the ball rolling.

First years busy discussing their work with the sub-editor, the second years debating current affairs in the newspaper review which is an extension of year one soapbox where they are expected to get up in front of their peers and give their opinion.

With the imminent presentation to Tony Lythgoe in mid December weighing heavily [believe it or not] on their minds, continue to work through their group Design & Production module where in selecting their future pathway's a Graphic Communicator/Web designer/Illustrator join forces to rebrand a company. See 'BRANDED' [a post yet come further up the page] for images of the groups work.

First Cut is the Deepest?

As Christmas approached and with the European Market in full 'gas' in the middle of Manchester, it was time for the group to enjoy the festive period.

Under their own steam and with the first year lads forgetting to get off at Salford Central - too busy playing Angry-Birds (ed: how old are you?) and starting their adventure from Victoria FD1 headed to the Manchester Gallery to view The First Cut. If anyone has championed this type of artwork it has to be Rob Ryan . . . although he wasn't the first.

Starting slowly on the ground floor - it wasn't until the top gallery was reached that the real quality and breath-taking examples could be viewed. As MA said in it's promo . . . "Wonder at giant sculptures inspired by far away galaxies that spiral from the wall, explore a walk-through forest of paper trees and marvel at miniature worlds that explode from vintage staple boxes or emerge from the page of a book . . .
flocks of birds and butterflies cut from maps appear alongside artworks that feature dark fairytale imagery. Guns and grenades fashioned from paper currency and sinister silhouettes comment on social, political and economic issues." 

Once the viewing was done . . . with rumbling-tums, some more than others, off down the road to the Market. Crépes, Coffee liquors, Frankfurters, Hot-Pot, Pork Roasts, Strudels, Mulled Wine . . . CHIPS!

It is hoped that FD1 have noted their adventure in their Activity Log.

Teaching? It's easy!!!

During his twenty odd years in the design industry, the Editor was very aware of the old and often quoted adage of "those who can do . . . those that can't teach!" Not for one minute did he ever think he'd need to defend the noble art. Anyone not involved in education bang on about the holiday's, the short working hours, no pressure, sitting in staff rooms drinking tea and long lunches.

Although determined never to 'study' again having left college in the late 70's and receiving the best education at the 'coal-face', returning to the class room was both a 'U-turn' and a shock to his system.

Running a company billing over £1m for several years, having on occasions arrived at the office almost sick with worry as to whether a job would get delivered on time or a client would go with the ideas the company had dedicated so many hours to . . . did nothing to prepare him for the shock of education!!

Longer hours, paperwork that must strip the earth of forests, being a social worker, carrying responsibilities beyond those a graphic designer would ever consider in their domain, never being able to figure out why students who say they want to be designers then spend all their time doing everything they can to disprove this theory . . . and sitting at a computer writing feedback into the wee-small hours!

And just to prove what the 'pack-horse' has to carry home, and not do what others do assess during sessions, a 'fly-on-the-wall' look at a often repeated view of his kitchen and lounge!

A word of advice passed on to all those under his charge . . . never go into teaching!!!

Long & Winding Road

So, a few weeks after the visit to the Quay's the group came back together and assembled at Allerton Studios for a Pathway chat with Tash [3rd year leader], Jo [2nd year leader], Gary [MINT]*. In a separate studio Robert met with the artist to explain the specifics of his pathway.

All gathered into the common room for a digital presentation Tash/Jo/Gary explained the intricacies of their years and the technical aspect of the MINT option.

As always it was engaging, the students' quizzing the lecturers [although not as much as they should have]  probed to get a better feel for the requirements and had the chance to look around the studios. It really must have worked as all 16 of FD2  - albeit at the last bl**dy minute needed references for their UCAS applications!

Next step . . . the interviews
*MINT : Motion and Interactivity

Salford Key?

During October FD travelled over to the University of Salford twice. On the first occasion while the first years were in the Allerton library with Agent Paton, the editor - via a taxi race from Salford Crescent along with the second years ventured down to Salford Quay's and the University's annex to watch a presentation by Year 2 BA Students to a Manchester Moss Side community incentive named Carisma.

Posh surroundings, a proper lecturer theatre, big screen [only missing the popcorn] and all on the back row, FD2 watched as forty-odd students went through their paces directed by Tash and Jo, lecturers at the University's Allerton Studios on the BA graphics course.

Some impressive work - put as the group confirmed, nothing they couldn't match! Love their attitude!! They'll have the opportunity very soon to prove it as all of the group are applying to the BA Top-Up.

Spiders-Web

It must be 3 years ago since Andy Golpys first walked into the FD studio. On that occasion he had come to see Darryl Monks who was looking for placement with Andy's company MadebyShape. Before that could happen 'Daz' has applied for a job even though he'd not completed his second years study and didn't have the experience JD Sports were looking for in their website department.

But you guessed it - they loved his enthusiasm, his skill, his desire and they employed him!!! Although the editor and Andy had regular email contact - like ships in the night . . . .

Then at the beginning of October 2012 Andy made a return visit to talk about a career in web design, placement . . . and his time lecturing at our affiliated university, so those going on to Salford would be making his association once more.

The group had to admire Andy's desire and drive in someone just 26 years old - a lesson to each one of them. Contact from FD2 has been made.

Secret Agent Wilcock

The Foundation Degree came into existence simply because in the days of Higher National Diploma, all we had on offer was a Two & Two - that's two years at Wigan School for the Arts and two years at a university to gain BA(Hons). But many students didn't want four years higher education and went straight to their chosen university - only to discover the huge difference in the contact time with lecturers and the effect it had on their study.

HND was very much hands-on, at university students had to email or phone to book an appointment with your lecturer. So it wasn't surprising that 25% of students who went to university failed to complete their course.

In changing to a Foundation Degree, from the outset it was the editors priority to raise the academic level of students joining the course and drill into them the dedication and effort needed to succeed without losing that personal touch. Hard work never hurt anyone but so many thought all they had to do was turn up and they'd make it into the industry.

It's just not like that. In the first year of FD seven of the group wanted to continue to the University of Salford to complete their study. One was offered a single year on Design Futures - but decided against it and is now a creative director in a company housed in MediaCity. Another was offered a single year in Advertising - but didn't enrol. His colleague was offered two years Advertising, but they decided to head in a different direction. A third student who wanted to study Illustration didn't enrol after being offered a two year opportunity.

But three students did arrive. Matt Page wanted two years in Motion Graphics to study the software and develop the new skills in this area of a changing industry, which he achieved and is now doing brilliantly - having launched his own company to rival his study. Emma and Jordan were offered two years with Robert studying Graphic Illustration - they are doing really well too. I can't wait to see their final show.

But for the editor there are too many 'Two Years'!

During FD Green's time at WSA everyone worked diligently to get the standards and amount of work to a higher level. Encouragingly the University have asked that recommendations are given as to the quality of work and whether the student heading their way would, in the editors opinion, be able to 'hack-it'.

Janine (on the right) discusses development with her third year colleagues at the University.

Two of the group especially stood out. One, who was always late for everything, couldn't make up their mind - the other grabbed the opportunity of a single year in Graphic Communication with both hands. Working alongside the third year tutor Tash, Janine Wilcock has taken on the role of a WSA Guinea Pig! 

It's come as little surprise to the editor that Janine has integrated easily into the group and what is more, enjoying it too! In conversation Janine said she had recently come back from The Behance Portfolio Reviews in the Northern Quarter. And that she had a really good long chat with John Owens from Instruct, a regular contributor to industrial talks at the University who went through her portfolio giving constructive criticism and key points to consider. To quote Janine "I got such a buzz from it all, just loving every minute of it!" It appeared that the editor got mentioned a couple of times when chatting with John - ah, fame travels!

On one occasion Janine and her group met in a bar called Night & Day in the Northern Quarter to have their University critique. From there they went on to met a guy involved in running 22NQ magazine who gave the group positive feedback - brilliant - real world experience. 

So, the link has been made, two years on FD followed by a single year at the University's premier graphic course and not for one moment has she been out of her depth. 

Janine has set the benchmark that those currently studying in their second year on the FD course must reach - anything less and the specter of 'TWO' returns - and in these days of increased fees no one wants to double up on university costs.  

You're a trail-blazer Janine!!! Below the star at (final year) work.