We've Topped-Up

The essence of the FD course is for students to spend two years under the editor’s guidance and then secure a single year top-up at the University of Salford. When FDPurple departed Wigan School for the Arts in June 2013 just about all the group headed to the University.

So how would they do on a single year . . . would FD have prepared them well enough for the rigor of academic study, would they achieve good grades or just average? The editor waited with baited breath to see if his methods, his rants, his guidance, his professional spirit had delivered the group to the standard expected by the courses illustrious partner?

Four of the lads achieved a 2:1 with a couple having missed their Firsts by a mark or two [gutting!] but the gold stars were delivered by Natasha and Emily who came back to their old FD studio [Tash laughing, Emily 'hating' everyone] to talk to the groups about life at Uni who both achieved Firsts – and not only that in attending University business seminars they both secured employment at a Manchester based design company when they completed their study. Two of the 2:1 lads [to date] have gained employment in the last few weeks also.

Although a few gained 2:2's [the editor acknowledges here one of those students who has been in touch with his great news has gained design employment already] it has been proved that those who really put the effort in at the University, can achieve as ‘good-a-grade’ at a fully educated University student and saved over £6000 – not bad value for money. Why study anywhere else?

Cyan disappear into the wide blue yonder

It’s funny how two years passes so quickly and another group of slightly mystified students as they sign up to the ‘boot-camp’ that is professional graphic design education spread their wings having absorbed all they could in such a short period of time.

So it was in mid-June that FDCyan brought together their final show, complete with ceiling adornments and a gazebo to wave goodbye to foundation degree and start the next part of their educational journey. For a couple industry was the next step, for the remaining seven the calling of University of Salford like a siren drew the almost fully-fledged designers for one last ‘project’.Their show, full of colour, full of both quality design work and illustration was as usual a hit and as busy as ever. Perhaps it was the Premier of the Happy in Paris video, perhaps it was the editor dressed up in an Easter bunny outfit in the girls Remotely Funny video or maybe just the fact that after two long years worth of study which have flown past they had delivered excellent results.

Keeping FD in Check!

The serious stuff of education depends on integrity and judgement. Assessment is the very lifeblood of a students development. To be guided through the course and to build upon experiences – both good and sometimes bad is how the raw recruit learns the business. The professional environment the editor arrived from 11 years ago is the yard [or should that me metric] stick that the answers to set briefs help provide the rungs to climb the career ladder.

BUT – to maintain standards, to be 100% certain that each student has achieved their correct level the FD comes under the scrutiny twice a year from an External Verifier which since the courses metamorphosed from a Higher National has been the excellent [even allowing for him being a City fan] Ian Beckett from Stockport College.

Although his expression never changed I’m sure his heart must have dropped from time to time when all the work for inspection covers the tables in the studio. His support at all the University Exam and Joint Boards of Study meetings was legendary – a better ally no one could ever wish for.

But everything has to come to an end and after five years as a beacon of fairness and a light to guide the course through ever-increasing educational demands Ian’s tenure has come to an end. Students and the editor are going to miss his human touch.

Happy in Paris

It’s the editors favourite time again – springtime [printemps] in Paris. Although there had been issues in reserving the groups visit to the Louvre due to the lack of old technology – a fax machine – as the group departed from Piccadilly on Monday morning for the first overnight stop in London everything was in place.

The graphics group headed for The Science Museum while the fine art group made their way down to Tate Modern.

The following morning was bright and sunny as the walk to St Pancras and EuroStar set off – the first step to the French capital – for four days of fantastic cultural opportunities.

And talking of culture, FD2Cyan and the editor had decided they’d mimic Pharrell Williams Happy video and create their own singing and dancing[!?] record of their adventure.

Much to the amazement to the rest of the carriage the first recorded section of the video was filmed as the EuroStar hurtled through Nord-pas–de-Calais it may have required five takes – but the group got the ‘footage’ and were roundly applauded by the French and Belgium travelers!

The Hotel Picardy was across the rue from the Gare du Nord, the proprietor and receptionist made registering very easy. Just as well as getting the carnet to travel on the Metro was a little more complicated but “pour moi aussi” once the editor had bough his tickets did the job for the rest of the group.

Next stop Notre Dame, a wander down the Rue de Rivoli, past the Louvre and then up the Champs Elysées for a left turn for a 7.30pm ascension of the Eiffel Tower and more Happy video. Several of the group went all the way to the top – the editor seems to get ‘afflicted’ with deputy editors who have a dislike for heights – but the café at level two was more than welcome on a breezy evening.

The following day started at the Louvre – which was busier then on any previous occasion – always amazes everyone – it’s so big you never get around everything – but the Mona Lisa is a must. Next port of call the top of the Arc du Triomphe and a sunset over Paris – stunning.

Thursday morning it’s Notre Dame, crêpes on Rue d’Arcole [two Nutella for 5€ result] up to the Pompidou Centre for Parisian modern art before heading via the metro to Sacre Coeur that provides an amazing vista of Paris. The whole group sat down to 'dinner' in the Clairon des Chasseurs and once Stephane had taken everyone's orders he agreed to dance to Happy with the editor through the restaurant and out into le Place du Tertre.

Final stop on our visit and a Marilyn Munroe moment for the Cyan girls as part of their video was the Moulin Rouge.

Lots of tired feet, lots of broken French spoken but many amazing memories once again – and a video soon to be published to marvel at some ‘Dad Dancing’! Vive la France.

'Mates' done well!

In February [see tab London 2013], FD Graphics made a return trip to Adam & Eve having caught up with them at their previous home in Covent Garden. With a new business partner [DDB] and a new home in Paddington and looking every inch a proper 'Empire' the group on their last stage of their creative week away arrived at the Agency's new front door.

Provided by Katie and Sarah the group had the chance to meet and chat with a couple of Adam&EveDDB creatives Aidan [left] and Laurent. Later on the tour the editor had the chance to stop by their 'desks' to hand over cans of Uncle Joe's Mint Balls and chat about the way the lads go about their work. Great fun.

Their latest [published] work - and becoming iconic at this time of the year - the John Lewis Christmas advert, follows on from the snowmen last year and the expectant child the year before. Featured in Campaign Creative Fix the guys explain how they went about the creative process and all the off-shoots a campaign like this 'demands' - the number one download on iTunes for Lily Allen, a full interactive book, a Christmas card maker, twitter accounts for the bear and the hare and a projection  on the South Bank.

Not many Universities, never mind a college from Wigan, get the opportunity to meet and pick the brains of such renowned creatives . . . and it's an enormous thrill to see Aidan's and Laurent's work again making such an impact.

Your future is in the STATS!

It's time for Level 3 students to make a decision about their next GIANT step in to Higher Education. One of the biggest decisions of their lives - whatever happens over the next three years WILL shape their future careers.

Mum's and Dad's want their kids to gain a BA Honours, [and why shouldn't they?] and that is the very reason the editor pushed to change the two year graphic design course from a Higher National Diploma [HND] to a university-linked Foundation Degree.

But surely, a HE course at little provincial Wigan & Leigh College School for the Arts can't be as good as a 'life-changing' three year stint in the educational stratosphere?

You wouldn't imagine so . . . what do students think of other graphic courses?

UniStats is an independent government comparison site, that provides information about undergraduate courses for prospective students - and it makes very interesting reading. So how happy are students about their course at universities?

Above University of Leeds . . . and University of Central Lancashire [UCLAN] and below Liverpool John Moores and University of Chester.

And what a surprise [really?] Wigan School for the Arts Foundation Degree . . .

Dearly Departed 2013

The editor was recently questioned as to why he hadn't published a 'goodbye' to FD Purple [2013] like he had done previously for FD Orange [2011] and Green [2012] . . .

Well, he did - bottom of the posts, older posts . . . onto the next page and there under the heading "Building a Future"

For those happy to be photographed from the left : Chris/Matty/Emily/Tom/Danny/BigG/Ryan/Dec/Tash . . . with the exception of Matty [UCLAN] - all have gone on to the University of Salford.